Episode 26: Eye of the Tiger with Mark Petruska

Last week Mark Petruska wrote a post Eye of the tiger, thrill of the fight that spoke to me deeply. First of all, who doesn’t love a good anthem to get them going when life is going very well? [Vicki has a great resource for finding personal anthems, see link at the bottom of the post.] Secondly, he writes about going through divorce which is something I can relate to. It’s one thing to know someone is divorced and a completely other thing to feel the effort, courage, and time that it takes to get life rolling back on track (any track) again. And third, I loved learning about how Mark was able to switch careers to being a full-time writer.

So in this episode of the episode we got Mark to come on with Vicki Atkinson and me to talk about personal anthems and resiliency.

Do you have a personal anthem? That song that runs through your head and heart when you face something tough. Think about it as you read this and see what comes up for you.

Mark reads his post, Eye of the tiger, thrill of the fight for us, the story of his divorce, then dating, and finally his career switch to becoming a full-time writer. We uncover how Mark used both an 80’s pop song, Eye of the Tiger by Survivor as well as the character of Rocky to give him a boost when needed through challenging times.

We find out from Mark how blogging helped him find his voice, be vulnerable and get support during hard times, and eventually even led to his now-wife Tara. Mark reveals how the practice helped him find the confidence to pursue a full-time writing career.

Hard times sometimes last for years as we work through major life changes like divorce, so Mark tells us what kept him laughing during the times when life events didn’t seem very funny.

And finally we end talking about optimism and resiliency. Mark ties it all together with the 3 P’s of positive psychology from Martin Seligman.

Okay back to our question about your personal anthem. I didn’t think I had one but “This is my fight song. Take back my life song.” by Rachel Platten came to mind when I posed the question. I have a mantra that I talk about in this episode and Vicki’s reveals her personal anthem. Spoiler alert it’s “I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty. If you haven’t thought of one, we have a link to a great resource of personal anthem suggestions below.

This is a great episode about using personal anthems through difficult circumstances to keep us motivated and energized to get back up again. We know you’ll love it.

Episode 130: Take Me Back to Chicago with Doug E. Jones – Sharing the Heart of the Matter

In this episode of the podcast, Wynne Leon and Vicki Atkinson engage with novelist Doug E. Jones about Take Me Back to Chicago. Our conversation delves into the rich tapestry of 1974 Chicago, exploring the characters, music, and personal connections that shape the narrative. Doug also shares insights into his transition from TV writing as a writer for the tv show Charmed (and more) to novel writing. We also talk about the thematic elements of his work, and the humor that permeates his storytelling. The episode highlights the importance of character dynamics and the personal experiences that inform Doug's writing, making it a delightful exploration of both the book and the author's journey.TakeawaysDoug E. Jones’s novel is set in 1974 Chicago, rich with cultural references.The protagonist, Rick, faces a significant debt left by his father.The book features strong female characters, including Rick’s daughter Elena.Doug’s writing process involves integrating real Chicago characters and events.The transition from TV writing to novel writing was liberating for Doug.Music plays a crucial role in setting the tone of the story.The character dynamics between Rick and his friend Javi add humor and depth.Historical context is woven into the narrative, enhancing the story’s richness.Doug’s personal experiences influence the characters and settings in his novels.The book is described as a ‘beach read’—entertaining and engaging.Heads up! This is an episode that has already aired on the How to Share podcast so you may have already listened to it.Links for this episode:How to Share1970’s Chicago transcriptTake Me Back to Chicago by Doug E. Jones on Eckhartz PressQ&A with Take Me Back to Chicago author Doug E. JonesFrom the Hosts:Vicki’s book about resilience and love: Surviving Sue; Blog: https://victoriaponders.com/Wynne's book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith; Blog: https://wynneleon.com

Search (and subscribe!) for Sharing the Heart of the Matter on Apple, Amazon, Spotify or Pocket Casts OR Listen to Episode 26: Eye of the Tiger with Mark Petruska on Anchor