At 82, former lawyer and advocate Robert M. Tobias released his debut poetry collection, What Lives in Me, exploring themes of masculinity, memory, and the fear of failure. Inspired by a Fresh Air broadcast and nurtured through a writing workshop, Tobias shares how poetry allowed him to process emotions and childhood memories, particularly concerning his relationship with his father, that were never previously expressed.
In this episode, we talk with Robert M. Tobias, an 82-year-old debut poet with an extraordinary life story. From working on an automotive assembly line and suing Presidents Nixon and Reagan to teaching federal leadership, Tobias has lived many lives. However, his latest voyage is his most vulnerable yet: publishing his debut poetry collection, What Lives in Me. Tobias discusses how he pivoted from prose to poetry to capture the deep emotional weight of his past. He opens up about his blue-collar childhood, his complicated relationship with his tough father, and the lifelong fear of failure he hid behind professional success. Tune in for a powerful conversation about vulnerability, discipline, and why it is never too late to share your secrets with the world.
To learn more about what Robert is working on, please visit his Substack: https://everydaypoet.substack.com/p/what-lives-in-me
He is also on Facebook and LinkedIn.