Because she's offering something almost unheard of in our culture: radical empathy.
-- Steve Almond (Introduction)

Importance: In Steve Almond's introduction, he explains the inception and evolution of the Dear Sugar column. Although Almond initially wrote as Sugar, he ultimately gave up the project and invited Cheryl Strayed to assume the role. In the wake of doing so, the Sugar readers have come to love was born. In this moment, Almond is remarking upon the central beauty of Sugar's work: relating to and loving others. Almond is thus identifying one of the column's primary themes and one of Sugar's primary philosophies.

They live on Planet Earth. You live on Planet My Baby Died.
-- Sugar (How You Get Unstuck)

Importance: In response to Stuck's sorrow over losing her baby daughter in utero, Sugar commiserates with Stuck. In this moment, she is endeavoring to authenticate and affirm Stuck's experience, particularly because Stuck feels alienated and alone in her grief. The bald way in...