When my daughter, Miss O, had just turned six-years-old and my son, Mr. D was two-years-old, we were interviewed by a local Seattle tv station about how we were planning to survive a coming heat wave that week by eating lots of ice cream. The questions were about as soft ball as you can get although there was one gotcha moment when Miss O swiped a bit of Mr. D’s ice cream while on camera.
But that was my extent of being interviewed by a reporter – until this episode of the podcast where Vicki and I turn the microphone over to our colleague, Brian Hannon, and he interviews us. Brian, an accomplished writer and author, started his career as a newspaper reporter and he uses those skills to uncover how Vicki and I came to write family memoirs.
Brian digs in to how the two of us, started our projects to write personal narratives even though neither of had jobs as professional authors.
In talking about our impetus to write, we uncover the many similarities between our narratives. Both of us were writing to uncover secrets, Vicki to find what her mother was working so hard to hide, and I was trying to figure out what combination made my dad twinkle.
Brian asks us to expand on the difficult part about writing about families as we navigate the territory to put pen to paper about our individual experience and perspective amidst the interwoven stories of family.
We shed some tears talking about our dearly departed and recognizing that people want to be remembered. And how answering the call to write helps to not only make sure they are remembered but also pass along the best part of those that have gone before us.
Brian gets Vicki and me to expand on the trepidation that comes with showing others what we’ve written, especially others that have a part in the story. We circle back to knowing our motivation for writing to keep us steady through the process.
This is a great episode about how to approach writing a personal narrative when you are called to do it and navigating all that comes with it. I know you’ll love it. And another thing I know you’ll love is our catchy new podcast music composed for us by the exquisitely talented Jack Canfora and Rob Koenig. I hope you give it a listen!
Episode 134: Perfect with P.J. Gudka – Sharing the Heart of the Matter
Search (and subscribe!) for Sharing the Heart of the Matter on Apple, Amazon, Spotify or Pocket Casts OR Listen to on Anchor Episode 34: How To: Writing Family Narratives with Brian Hannon
Links for this Episode:
Episode 34: How To: Writing Family Narratives with Brian Hannon on Anchor
Brian’s personal blog: Writing from the Heart with Brian
Brian’s post that we mention at the end: The farmer: A message of hope
Vicki’s recently released book: Surviving Sue
Wynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith
The Heart of the Matter 
I don’t know if it’s bad form to comment on one’s own podcast with friends…but I’ll keep doing it. You two are so much fun to chat with…and you bring out all the best in friendship — giggles, guffaws and bittersweet moments. xo to both of you! 🥰
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Bad form? I think not!! So much fun to talk with – and I learn something about you all and myself every time I do it. Thanks for a great podcast, dear Vicki!!
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Right back to you and Brian…right back to you! 😉
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Bad form? Who cares! Ha ha, you guys are a riot. A conversation with friends … always a good time! And a laugh too. 😎😎😎
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Agree…convo with good friends. And it’s a bonus if others feel it’s worthy of a listen! Yay! 🥰😎🥰
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We’ll said!!!!😎😎
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❤ ❤ ❤
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I’m only part way into the podcast but something Vicki said struck a chord with me. Catching up with an old friend this summer, she’s heard me talk about my mother’s abusive treatment of me, yet my mom was there for her after her brothers death in a way that her own mentally ill mother never was. My friend was perplexed that my mother seemed to be two different people. My reply was that while Mom could be kind and loving (especially after she was finally medicated and especially to everyone but me), I got all sides of her. I got her loving side, her normal worried or impatient mom side, and her beyond intolerant and delusional abusive side. Healing has brought not only inner peace but a broader understanding and compassion for what my mom had to live with.
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Thank you so much for listening, Susan. It means a lot and the fact that you understood that duality I tried to describe – my mom’s ability to be dimensional…good and bad. I think it’s hard for those who haven’t had complicated relationships with a parent to understand. I love this – “you got all sides of her…her loving side and her beyond intolerant” side. Thank you! 🥰
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You’re very welcome. And like so many bloggers, writing is a creative outlet, a therapeutic outlet, and for me a way to connect within (a form of meditation). (Finished listening to the podcast).
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Love all of that! 🥰
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I love that you write that “Healing has brought not only inner peace but a broader understanding and compassion for what my mom had to live with.” What a gift – hard work but also a gift. Thank you so much for listening!
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I am enjoying these podcasts as they are a catalyst to a deeper connection with y’all! I now have a better understanding of each of you and the worlds you live in. You started with giggles and small talk and before I knew it you were exploring writing issues at a deeper level which we can all admire and learn from! Cheers to all three of you on this ‘conversation journey’!!!
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Mary…you are so kind. Thank you for those lovely words. You’ve described exactly what we aim to do…start with the smiles and giggles and bring a little depth in whatever natural way it unfolds in our conversations. Appreciate you! xo! 🥰
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Oh, Mary, you know just what to say. Thank you so much for listening! ❤ ❤ ❤
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Giggles and small talk are what make a good podcast great!
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Oh good…then we’re nailing it! 🙂
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Was there any doubt?
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Hee, hee! 🙂
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