THE MUSE Carolyn Cassady

Carolyn Cassady was an artist, costume designer, writer, and critical influence on the members of the Beat Generation. Her marriage to Neal Cassady and her friendships with Jack Kerouac and other prominent members of the Beats have long overshadowed her own life and accomplishments, but with the recent publication of new manuscripts discovered after her death that is finally beginning to change. An astonishingly talented and prolific creative force, Carolyn Cassady’s legacy of determination, strength, and uniquely creative work is finally being recognized as she emerges from the shadow of “the guys.”

Our guests are Cathy Cassady, eldest daughter of Carolyn and Neal Cassady and editor of Carolyn’s posthumously-published book Travel Tips for the Timid, and Josette Lorig, PhD candidate at the University of Colorado Boulder.

[Correction: in this episode Olivia mistakenly says that Carolyn Cassady discovered Neal, Luanne Henderson and Jack Kerouac in bed together. It was actually Allen Ginsberg, not Jack Kerouac.]


All images by permission of the Cassady Family Estate unless otherwise noted.



Cathy Cassady was born in San Francisco and spent her childhood in the South Bay Area in Monte Sereno, CA. After high school, Cathy spent twenty years working as a medical assistant/transcriber before returning to college. Having spent most of her working years sitting down, she realized it was not a healthy way for folks to spend their working days. She thus earned a B.S. in Exercise Physiology, and an M.S. in Worksite Wellness Management. She spent the rest of her career as a health educator, helping employees stay healthy and fit. She is currently retired, writing, and living with her husband, George, and their loveable Labradoodle, Tula near their three kids and six grandchildren in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Northern California.


Josette Lorig is a PhD candidate in English, Instructor, and the manager of the Laboratory for Race & Popular Culture at the University of Colorado Boulder. Her research focuses on mid-twentieth century literature and culture, popular novels, women’s life-writing, and gender sexuality studies.


Music featured in this episode includes:

“Capricorn” written and performed by Mary Lou Williams

“Scorpio” written and performed by Mary Lou Williams

“Free Spirits” written and performed by Mary Lou Williams

“I Can’t See You” written and performed by Jeff Cuno

“Evening Glow” written by Daniel Henderson and performed by his Big Band


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