David Whyte

David Whyte is a poet, philosopher and speaker. By his own description, each of these approaches is "a very physical attempt to give voice to the wellsprings of human identity, human striving and, most difficult of all, the possibilities for human happiness."

He grew up with a strong, imaginative influence from his Irish mother, among the hills and valleys of his father's Yorkshire. For over 35 years his poetry and prose have investigated the way the invisible elements of human life converse with our visible endeavors. They are anchored in the understanding that, at its essence, human life is both deeply solitary and profoundly communal.

His first book of self-published poetry, Songs for Coming Home, was registered in 1987. Its publisher name gave rise to Many Rivers Press, the imprint under which his poetry and books of essays now appear. Among his collections are River Flow: New & Selected Poems and David Whyte: Essentials. His prose includes Consolations, which contains essays such as "Friendship" and "Hiding." His poems include "Start Close In," "The Well of Grief" and "Sweet Darkness."

He brings poetry, storytelling and philosophy together in live and online sessions, retreats, walking tours and speaking engagements. He also supports Invitas: The Institute for Conversational Leadership. He has spoken at length with interviewers including Krista Tippett, Sam Harris, Rick Rubin, Tim Ferriss and Tami Simon. He publishes new and selected work on his Substack.