By Marianne Sciucco, New York, USA
In this episode of Untangling Alzheimer’s and Dementia, we had the privilege of sitting down with acclaimed author Marita Golden to explore her powerful novel, “The Wide Circumference of Love.” We talked about the art of storytelling as a way to heal, connect, and advocate for change, especially in the world of dementia care. Marita shared her personal journey, the importance of writing even the toughest stories, and how fiction can break down barriers and spark vital conversations. If you’re a writer, caregiver, or changemaker, this episode is filled with wisdom and inspiration you won’t want to miss.
Here are three key takeaways from our conversation:
- Writing Heals and Connects
Marita emphasizes that storytelling is not only for professional writers—it’s a path to healing. Writing about our experiences, even in simple journals, can be profoundly therapeutic and helps us make sense of life’s challenges. - The Power of Representation in Dementia Narratives
Marita’s research highlighted that African Americans are disproportionately affected by Alzheimer’s—yet often underrepresented in both medical studies and narrative accounts. Her work brings much-needed visibility and urgency to these communities. - Courage to Tell Difficult Stories
Whether or not you’ve experienced dementia in your own family, Marita encourages writers to “report for duty” and dive into complex, sometimes terrifying subjects. Authenticity and curiosity are key—your voice can contribute to breaking stigma and sparking change.
If you’re navigating caregiving, inspired by storytelling, or passionate about health equity, I highly recommend tuning into this episode and exploring Marita’s work.
About the Author
Marita Golden attended public schools in Washington, D.C. and graduated from American University and the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University. She has been a faculty member in the MFA Creative Writing Programs at George Mason University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and the MA Program in Creative Writing at Johns Hopkins University and a Writer-in-Residence at the University of the District of Columbia and Prince George’s Community College.
She has lectured and taught internationally, at universities in Israel, Turkey, and Spain. Her many awards include the Barnes and Noble Writers for Writers Award presented by Poets and Writers, Distinguished Service Award from the Authors Guild, Maryland Author Award from the Association of Maryland Librarians, Award for Fiction from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association and induction into the International Literary Hall of Fame of Writers of African Descent at the Gwendolyn Brooks Center at Chicago State University.
Her articles and essays have been published in a variety of publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post and Essence, and The Root.
As a literary activist, with Clyde McElvene, she co-founded the Zora Neale Hurston/Richard Wright Foundation that has been supporting the international community of Black writers for three decades.
African Americans are more likely than whites to develop Alzheimer’s. Why?
Connect with Marita
After the Podcast
Purchase “The Wide Circumference of Love”
Purchase “UsAgainst Alzheimer’s Stories of Family Love and Faith”
Read Marita’s AlzAuthors blog post
Learn more about the Moderators
Books & Chit Chat is a partnership with Aging and Amazing bringing authors and readers together to share stories and discuss the multiple facets of dementia care.
About the Podcast
AlzAuthors is the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer’s and dementia from personal experience to light the way for others.
Our podcast introduces you to our authors who share their stories and insights to provide knowledge, comfort, and support. Please subscribe so you don’t miss a word. If our authors’ stories move you, please leave a review. And don’t forget to share our podcast with family and friends on their own dementia journeys.
We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization totally reliant on donations to do what we do. Your generosity will help cover our many operating costs, which include website hosting and maintenance fees, service charges to keep things running smoothly, and marketing expenses to promote our authors, expand our content, improve our reach, and more. Our ongoing work supports our mission to lift the silence and stigma of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. To sustain our efforts please donate here.
Ideas and opinions expressed in this podcast belong to the speakers and not AlzAuthors. Always consult your healthcare provider and legal and financial consultants for advice on any of the topics covered here.
Thanks for listening.
We are a Whole Care Network Featured Podcast
Proud to be on The Health Podcast Network
Find us on The World Podcast Network and babyboomer.org
Want to be on the podcast? Here’s what you need to know
We’ve got merch! Shop our Store
