Time has flown since the late 1970’s when I proudly received my Nursing “cap” and “pin” at the Nightingale Ceremony at Widener University and graduating as an RN with my BSN – flashing forward eight years later when I received my Masters in Nursing at Seton Hall University! A lifetime ago, but still in my heart.
Since it is National Nurses Week May 6-12, 2022, I would like to recognize nurses and applaud them for all they do!!!
BRAVO!!!!! A heartfelt THANK YOU!
My nursing career is quite diversified. In nursing, I have worked in a variety of military and civilian clinical nursing roles (med-surg, intensive care, emergency room, recovery room, orthopedic surgery, cardiothoracic surgery step- down) as well as in nursing education/staff development, administration, research and consulting and coaching/mentoring roles.
Although I am in public relations now, I stay licensed as an RN and update my license every two years with mandatory continuing education.
I also still utilize my “nursing process” when working with my PR clients – I assess, plan, implement and evaluate. I use my keen intuition and “knowing”. I make “rounds” whether in person, in the media, on the internet, etc. I am vigilant with each client to provide personalized “care” for their publicity plan and needs.
Nursing, though, remains in my heart!
The pandemic certainly has made nurses very stressed, overworked, anxious, depressed, suffering burnout, PTSD and more. Nurses give (and give) and yet are human as well and have a major need for validation, respect, encouragement and they also need to spend time on their own self care.
Nurses also need credible focused media attention – to educate the media, politicians, health care interdisciplinary colleagues and the general public! (This is one of my passions – to recognize as well as strengthen the inclusion of and positive image of nursing in the media)!
That’s one of the reasons why I published the 2nd edition of Poetic Expressions in Nursing: Sharing the Caring in 2021. Pouring my heart out in poetry is just one creative, therapeutic, cathartic avenue to share my stories as a seasoned nurse.
I sincerely also hope that nurses find their creative passion – whether it is a visual art, writing/journaling, cooking, exercise, comedy, photography, theatre, filmmaking, crafting, etc. – get the picture???
If you are a nurse or know a nurse in your family, circle of friends or community etc., please THANK them especially this day, week, month (and forever).
As I mention in my poem “A Formula for Success” –
“When it’s all said and done, there’s no profession as diverse,
as the ART and the SCIENCE of being a NURSE”!
Feel free to leave a comment, share this post, subscribe, and/or get in touch!
Nurses Unite! Let's show the world in all its entirety Our uniqueness, our strength
Let's proclaim our vision And lifetime mission; To foster health and wellness on the reality continuum
Let's boast that it is us who can reform health! With our own Body of knowledge, Identity, Empowerment and self-governance ...
We are not the Handmaidens Battle-axes Angels of mercy or Playthings as portrayed on the latest greeting card or daytime soap opera or evening sitcom...
I dare us to show the world the unparalleled significant differences we've made in leaps and bounds... For years and years
Let's share our compassion, empathy, humor, innovation, how we love life and support each other
Nurses, I dare us to unite!!!
by
Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN in Poetic Expressions in Nursing: Sharing the Caring (2021)
SHARING THE CARING
Let's open up our hearts and share the caring
Merge visions, ink and syllables so daring...
Life's fragile, short and sweet,
Grasp rhythm, pace, and beat
Catharsis of emotions we've been wearing.
We've seen it all, the panic, pain, and fears
Of newborns to centenarians in years
From birth to life's demise
Our "knowing" makes us wise
Yet…Prose as catalyst releases tears...
Brave and famous poets we need not be
but writing from the heart, that sets us free
Through poems we tell our stories
Share pain, grief, caring, glories
Regardless of our nursing specialty.
No need to build the walls to hide
The memories we've buried deep inside
It's good to let it go, allowing words to flow
Stand back and let the power be your guide.
by
Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN
in
Poetic Expressions in Nursing: Sharing the Caring (2021)
Over the past year, since the book was published I have been having such a wonderful time doing interviews and author events and thank everyone for their support, including purchases and reviews!
On February 22, 2022, Susan became a proud member of Alz Authors, having her blog post featured along with Founding Member Marianne Sciucco, RN on the Alz Authors website.
Susan J. Farese, Author of POETIC EXPRESSIONS IN NURSING: SHARING THE CARING and Member of Alz Authors
Alz Authors is a phenomenal global community of over 300 vetted authors writing about the dementias. Their goal is to raise awareness of these diseases and to spotlight carefully vetted books and blogs recommended for caregivers and others looking for knowledge and support. Each week they feature a new author/blogger on their blog and also have a podcast which features Alz Authors. For more information and resources, please visit alzauthors.com, the Alz Authors Bookstore, the Alz Authors Podcast, Alz Authors Helpful Sites, and the Alz Author’s Blog.
Happy Nurses Week 2021 to Nurses: past, present, future and those who support them!
“When it’s all said and done, there’s no profession as diverse, as the art and the science of being a nurse” -Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN
One week of celebration, however is not enough! It has indeed been a ‘different’ year. Who would have thought that a pandemic was looming? The stress and burnout for nurses has seemed unsurmountable at times this past year. I am hopeful for nurses to feel resilient and thrive as people receive vaccinations and stay vigilant in social distancing, handwashing, being sensible, etc. We are all too important to take life (and nurses) for granted.
“Nursing is an incredibly enriching yet stressful profession and besides being a science, it is truly an art. This second edition of Poetic Expressions in Nursing: Sharing the Caring is dedicated to all nurses – past, present, and future. It is a celebration of nursing and a tribute to nurses, especially during this unexpected, unprecedented pandemic. Covid-19 took its toll on nurses during 2020 and hopefully the impact of stress and burnout will be lessened with time and the arts. Poetry can be a therapeutic and cathartic tool for nurses and other caring professions to deal with the angst, stressors or joys that accompany the profession.” – Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN
Nurses should be celebrated for all they have done for patients and their families.
Originally published in 1993, my book Poetic Expressions in Nursing: Sharing the Caring now has a 2nd edition and is available online (eBook and paperback, and soon to be available as an audiobook).
Special promotion for Nurses Week: the eBook of Poetic Expressions in Nursing: Sharing the Caring (2nd Edition) by Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN, SJF Communications ~ has a DISCOUNTED price on Kindle eBook: $0.99 for Nurses Week and might be extended!
This exciting collection of freeform poetry with over 40 poems by Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN, is a sharing of both professional and personal thoughts and feelings. Susan is a strong advocate of the creative use of poetry to express the wonderment, frustration, dedication, and the love of nurses for their profession and their patients.
Included is a tribute poem to nurses by Mohan Chilukuri, MD and a bonus section of several of Susan’s Haiku Poems with her nature photography.
Susan invites you to share the passion and the traditions of nursing, and to explore the heart of the professional practice of nursing…sharing and caring.
Susan J. (Felice) Farese, MSN, RN, a native of NJ, received her Bachelor of Science (BSN) degree from Widener University and Masters of Science (MSN) from Seton Hall University. Her diversified nursing career includes military and civilian nursing within inpatient outpatient and academic settings- including experience as a clinician, educator, administrator, consultant, and nurse entrepreneur.
This is a special “Extraordinary People Sharing Their Stories” Interview! Plus, March is Women’s History Month and today, March 8th is International Women’s Day. Join me, in reading about and celebrating Kris Diasio.
Kris is Owner of ADD2Life20. I have known Kris since our daughters, (now in their early twenties), were pre-school classmates!
Our daughters (now 22) when they were young!
We bonded then and have kept in touch intermittently over the years. We are both entrepreneurs and love the life with successes, milestones as well as setbacks.
Kris and Susan circa the early 2000’s!
Circa early 2000’s – Kris and Susan with their daughters.Kris Diasio, Courtesy Photo
In September, 2020, Kris had an enormous setback – she lost her home in the Almeda-Talent/Phoenix fire – and she lost everything. I mean everything. Kris is building back her life with an amazing force of resilience, energy, enthusiasm and vigor.
Read about Kris and her journey with Add2Life20, before and since the fire in our interview:
SJF: Kris, it’s so great to reconnect as always! I am so interested in your journey and am absolutely impressed with your resilience. To get started, please tell us about your special education coaching business Add 2 Life 20.
KD: Add2Life20 delivers special education coaching for parents, caregivers and teachers to support students with special educational needs. I specialize in working with challenged students (ages 13-18) to help them overcome learning difficulties and have a successful educational experience. I offer a variety of coaching tools and help them achieve their educational goals and see successful outcomes.
SJF: Did you make any personal discoveries (or aha! moments) when creating this new business? If so, please explain.
KD: I was a former Program Manager for Sex Trafficked Teen Girls…I loved my job but once the pandemic hit, I was let go. I had my coaching business prior to this job for twenty years. While I was STAYING HOME AND SAFE, I started looking on LinkedIn. I had this account for three years but did absolutely nothing with it. I was tired of going on other sites and getting nowhere. As I spent more time on LinkedIn, I felt like I had a virtual family. There was so much support offered for those of us looking for employment. I soaked up everything; Zoom, posts, whatever I could get my hands on. I then met my Visibility Coach through LinkedIn and thought, “It’s time to rebuild my Coaching business but ‘virtually’!” That’s when ADD2Life20 was born.
SJF: How did you decide on the business name Add 2 Life 20?
KD: The name came to me two years ago…I didn’t understand WHY then but I will break it down to you.
ADD-Stands for Attention Deficit Disorder but it’s also an ADD to life…many of my students have felt that they are so glad they have this.
So it’s a POSTIVE ADD.
Add2Life…is again a positive situation, not a negative.
The ’20’: I had my coaching business for 20 years and then rediscovered it again in 2020.
So Add2Life20 was born.
SJF: Why/How/When did you decide to start Add 2 Life 20?
KD: My big issue here is, I wanted to work from home and be safe with the pandemic out there.
I knew that the pandemic was seriously affecting students who are struggling with a variety of learning challenges and they would fall through the cracks in their education. In addition, I no longer wanted to work for an organization that didn’t value my health and welfare – that was unacceptable to me. So that’s where I was inspired to start Add2Life20.
SJF: What is your role as a Special Education Coach?
KD: I have taught, inspired and uplifted students diagnosed with AD/HD, Dyslexia and Anxiety/Depression for over 30 years.
*I use both my academic background (MS. SP. ED.) and practical experience to deliver an educational coaching service where I act as a translator between the student and parents in schools.
*I help students learn life and academic skills.
*I help parents navigate the difficult situations of their child’s educational experience.
*I support teachers in bridging the gap to work more successfully with students.
Through my unique and personal coaching style and learning strategies, I help my students greatly improve their grades, self-esteem and social skills in a relatively short period of time. Many of my “graduates” have gone on to successful careers as Scientists, Therapists, Military Personnel, Hairdressers, Technologists and more. I am passionate about inspiring and supporting my students to live a successful life without limits.
What Coaching achieves:
*Students will learn time management.
* Students will be able to forecast and use the calendar efficiently.
*Students will have better retrieval systems, so more homework will get done in a timely manner, and they will have fewer last minute frenzied searches for misplaced assignments.
SJF: What are some of your resources for working with your clients?
Here is a recent podcast interview with Kris on the “Maddie’s Chat Show Podcast” all the way from the U.K.:
SJF: Thank you, that is all incredible. The name ADD 2 Life 20 says it all. To change course a bit, is there anything you’d like to mention about challenges and most recently the tragedy in your life?
KD: Ah yes, the Fire! I can share that the past decade had brought many challenges starting with; divorce, breast cancer, single parenting, the loss of a job, diabetes and then the Fire last September. I realize now that all of that was all a “training wheel” for the Fire.
SJF: You certainly have been through so much the past few years. I saw that you were a part of this video about the devastating Almeda-Talent/Phoenix fire. I am including the video so our readers can see, understand and empathize with you regarding the devastation you endured. https://youtu.be/WqpCHua7pB4
Video about featuring Kris Diasio
KD: Yes, to lose your entire life memories in a fire is brutal…especially if you are a sentimental soul like I am. My neighbors were expecting their first baby when the fire hit. They have it all in front of them though…Baby’s first Christmas ornaments, little hand and footprints from Pre-School, recordings of all the firsts, middle and in between. It’s a bit different when you have a twenty-two year-old, who did all those things.
My parents’ friend shared with me a great idea; have your daughter recreate what you lost! I LOVED the idea and so for Christmas, I received a very familiar handprint inside a ceramic heart…granted it was a 22-year-old handprint but a TREASURE all the same!
Handprint from Kris’s Daughter at age 22 to recreate the one lost in the fire.
It’s about taking private pain and turning it into something positive!
My daughter and I volunteered at her high school’s Health Classes, and shared both of our journey’s with Breast Cancer…taking private pain and turning it into public purpose! The classes were a big hit and we used theatre, humor and education to get our lessons across (and especially for our male students)!
Kris and her daughter
I shared with my daughter before she went off to college, that all the pain she’s been through, will serve her later in life.
Later on, she shared with me that two of her friend’s parents were getting a divorce, and that she was now the adviser. Then, a parent of her college friend got cancer, and again she was able to guide and support them.
While it’s a brutal blow to go through all this trauma, it serves a purpose…oh trust me, I am still walking through four months post-fire but am inspired to write a book about the experience to share with others and want some of the proceeds to go to other fire victims.
Lastly this, the worst part is to recall everything I lost for the insurance company. Just think of your kitchen, the junk drawer, the towels etc. Makes your head blow up, right?! That’s what it’s like to recall everything and the worst part is I am near my limit on what my insurance offered! So all that work, energy and effort and yet I still have 2 bedrooms to cover…I won’t bother with all I lost in the garage.
I love this quote, “I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess!”
I think that’s about hopes and dreams in God’s hands, that’s how I like to hold it.
SJF: If you had to “do it all over again” would you change anything?
KD: This is a tricky one…you can’t say you regret a bad marriage, as you wouldn’t have your child.
What I can say is, I wish that my life was kinder to me, but I wouldn’t change anything as I am who I am because of the past!
I learned and grew and changed for the better. If everything was rosy, I wouldn’t be the compassionate soul I am today.
I know what it’s like to have cancer, diabetes, be a single parent (there should be a medal for all single parents…but OH the skill set you get!) have had to move around that rivals with a military family, and lose a home due to natural disaster.
The blessing in all of this, is that I am relatable, I understand, I can relate to trauma, managing to do things on my own but I also learned how to ask for help.
Something I didn’t share in a previous question is my faith! I am very strong in the Lord and if it weren’t for God, I have no idea what would have happened to me!
If there was anything to change…I think my older self (now) would tell my younger self, “Be easy on yourself, take one day at a time and know God’s got you!”
SJF: A brief history of your education, work positions, etc.
KD: I hold a Master’s Degree in Special Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology.
I have been a Program Manager for Sex Trafficked Teen girls and had 18 employees, who did amazing work with these young girls.
My executive team was amazing and I called them the Dream Team. We all worked so well together and I promoted their gifts and talents.
It was incredible to watch and see all the gifts my staff carried out each and everyday, through the good, tough and hard and awesome shifts.
I loved my position and felt born for the role. I adored my work with the girls and was able to witness both growth and graduation success.
My joy has been my self-employment being an AD/HD and Educational Coach. I still keep in touch with my former students and seeing them as young successful adults is so rewarding. They all had challenges but overcame those difficulties and have gone on to some incredible careers. Many have gone on to marry and have families of their own. I could share volumes of how all these former students took their challenges and created something positive from their journey. For now, just know how proud I am of them all!
I have been an Aquatic Fitness Instructor, which has nothing to do with my career but I get to teach adults and that’s been a rewarding experience. I get to hear how they are stronger, have more endurance and increased range of motion. I also love my music selection so we all get moving in the pool and have a wonderful time.
When I was much younger, I started out in retail and held that position from age 16-26. It served me well as I experienced firsthand challenges and it taught me how to operate in business. I was an Assistant Manager at Lady Footlocker and that’s where my interest in working with teens came from.
I would be assisting the part-time employees who were teenagers. My manager loved how well I would work with them it was through that journey I realized I was in the wrong field. So I switched gears and worked with juvenile offender teen Boys. This was my first job in the field of teens. It was a huge change but I loved it! That lead me later to becoming a Child Protection Investigator and Foster Care worker. I learned incredible skills in these positions and mastered the art of investigating. This helped with asking teens about what happened and getting their story on issues.
Interesting story on becoming a CPS worker; my ex-husband at the time was in the military. One of the wives approached me with a tough situation she was facing – she was accused of child abuse and a week before I met her and her family (baby and husband). They were a darling couple from the Deep South. I made a call on this wife’s behalf and I shared that the allegations were inaccurate, and that the family were both nurturing to the infant. I was so good at giving detail that after the phone call I was offered the position and then hired.
That started my journey into working with very challenging children, which lead me to working in another group home, which lead me to focusing on education.
My daughter was born and I wanted to stay home and raise her. I had a part time job at a tutoring center in California, that’s where my business was born.
I didn’t like the curriculum that was being taught and one of my students at this company was getting so frustrated and started to cry. He was a little one and I immediately changed the curriculum and thought to myself, “why don’t you start your own specialized tutoring business?!” and the rest as they say, “is history.”
Another position I held was being a professional organizer. That came from working with one of my student’s parents. I enjoy taking chaos and creating order…it’s one of my gifts and of course, I do that with my students!
I will end with this…we never know when life takes us in interesting journeys and experiences to see where we will end up. Just trust the process and you will get your star and your purpose!
SJF: What are your personal pastimes/hobbies/interests/passions?
KD: When I had my daughter, I became her paparazzi! I love taking photos and can pre-anticipate just about any shot at a birthday party, dance, prom etc.
Granted, my daughter is well passed all these things, but other people have children and can “capture” the moment like a boss!
The ‘Go-Bag’ with sentimental scrapbooks that Kris made over the years
My true love, and I have done this for 21 years, is scrapbooking! It was awful losing all my supplies (due to the fire), let alone 20 albums, but I have received many gifts to replenish my lost supplies. The big thing now, is to create virtual albums, and while I get this, after the fire, this is NOT me. I love manipulating the ribbons, paper and various embellishments! Last year I completed 6 Albums, while staying home and safe. With my Dad being a CERT leader in his neighborhood, he encouraged me early last year to create a Go Bag in the event of an emergency and I set aside 6 scrapbooks in this Go Bag. As I was evacuating my house, I grabbed 3 more albums and so grateful I had them. I had to literally STOP my brain weeks after the Fire from saying,” Why didn’t you grab…” I told myself…stay THANKFUL and you’re good!
I also love movies! I’m the one who catches what they call “goofs” in a movie, I can see if there was a candle in the background in one shot and the next shot it’s not there. Trust me, it’s an annoying skill but excellent in my line of work with AD/HD students. I mainly love Romantic Comedy but also love Mysteries and enjoyed Sherlock!
My passions are working with students and seeing them become incredible young men and women! Two of them are serving our country, I am very proud to say. The extraordinary measures my students have taken to be successful are incredible!
SJF: Tell us about your upbringing, geographically, personally etc.
KD: I was born and raised in NYC. It was an interesting life there. I learned to have eye’s in the back of my head and always sat in the back of the bus to observe people. A huge education for me!
My mother was a career Mom, and my Dad wasn’t much in the picture. Dad, I found out had mental illness but I didn’t realize that until my older years. My parents divorced when I was 13 and off I was on my own and learning about life – the good, the bad, the unusual. That was the makings of a great coach later in life!
My grandparents were my rocks in life and named my daughter after one of my grandmothers!
It wasn’t all doom, while I was getting my education in “life” my mother and I moved to California when I was 16 and life was much better.
I attended San Jose State University and joined the ROTC program. I loved the structure and while that was only a small moment in my life, it gave me the structure and discipline I so needed.
Living in the Bay Area was wonderful and I had many wonderful experiences there. Made great friends, my career was coming together, obtained a Master’s Degree and had my daughter.
Eleven years ago, I moved to Oregon and have been here since. I love Southern Oregon and again, have made friends but the experiences were a bit different as I mentioned above.
SJF: Where can we find you on the web? Website, social media etc.
KD: My website is; Add2LIfe20.com, there you can view what my business and services. I am also on LinkedIn and that also gives details of what my business offers as well as my background.
I also want to share that I have a wonderful Virtual Classroom and am excited to share this with my students!
SJF: Do you have any recommendations re: coping with the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic? Stress management tools?
KD: COVID-19 -I used this as a time to catch up, organize, exercise, scrapbook, and reaching out to friends whom I haven’t talked to in forever.
I also rediscovered my business and dove right into making that happen. Decorated my house…yes, this is the one that burned.
If some people are wondering how I had time? I am an empty-nester and not married. I had time to do all of this.
What I learned is to be STILL, my prayer life is super important to me and would start my day with readings and prayer and time with God.
Being gentle with yourself is key, if you don’t complete something, don’t become unraveled…just pick it up tomorrow, if the schedule allows. We stress about all kinds of little things and have heard it say, “We major in the minors.” Not a good rule to follow.
COVID for me, was about learning to STEP BACK AND TAKE A MINUTE. Granted, that “minute” was 12 months ago – but it’s a minute in the scheme of a life time!
SJF: How has the Covid-19 affected you personally/professionally?
KD: I was laid off due to COVID but it brought my self-employment back into my life. So I am very grateful for that.
My daughter came down with COVID and as she lives 3 hours away from me. She had only a mild case, so I was extremely grateful for that one.
Staying home and staying safe lead me back into scrapbooking again and organizing my townhouse and I really had a good time before the fire.
The biggest struggle is to be a flaming extravert and stay home and stay safe. My crafts and some great music, kept me in Happy Land! I guess you can say in my career and in life, I have good coping skills.
SJF: Role models or persons that inspire you in your life?
KD: I would say the people who inspired me were both my Grandparents. They had good marriages and they were so incredibly kind and loving towards me. They were there for me and I absolutely loved visiting them. One set of Grandparents were Italian, and OHHH THE FOOD…I am so sorry that I didn’t get recipes from my Grandmother, but she could whip up gourmet meals like nothing!
In the AM, I would hear my Grandparents talk Italian and that was really cool, they didn’t think I was listening but I did. I had no clue what they were talking about, but I figured out later it was to be confidential as they didn’t want me to hear what they were saying. My other set of Grandparents were in the Midwest and completely had different experiences there. Still kindness and grace where there and my other Grandmother made incredible meals but I learned baking from her! Both sets of Grandparents, were my anchors in life and set a standard that I later held in my adult life.
SJF: Favorite quotes?
KD: “Think you can, think you can’t, either way, you’ll be right.” Henry Ford. And “DO what you can, with what you have, where you are.” Theodore Roosevelt
SJF: Who (celebrity) would you like to have lunch or dinner with to discuss your business?
KD: Barbara Walters would be my pick to have lunch with and share my business! I would also pick Tom Hanks. I think his personality would appreciate what I do and have done in my career!
SJF: Significant moments?
KD: A) When I became a parent! It was great, thrilling and a little scary to know I am solely responsible for this little darling girl! That baby will be 23 soon and she’s done really well in her life and navigating adulting really well.
B) Cancer; Oh man oh man, was that a HUGE wake-up call for my life. This was the time that I had to really focus on myself!
My focus was on my marriage at the time, my child, work and everyone else in my family…then Cancer came knocking on my sweet door.
I learned self-care and basically changed my life. I also appreciate everything small and tiny…gratitude in a BIG WAY. Through this event, both my daughter and I taught Breast-Cancer Awareness classes for four years in all of the Health Classes at my daughter’s high school. We both gained an enormous amount from that experience.
C) September 8, 2020…The Fire; Home burnt to the ground…nothing but ashes!
Kris Diasiao…after the Fire
Since that was only 5 months ago, it’s still a work in progress. I will be writing a book on my experience and sharing what a REAL GO-BAG should look like.
The ‘Go-Bag’
A back-pack with tiny toiletries does not a GO-BAG make! I can no longer look at a fireplace with peace, but if the flames are small it’s okay.
There are certain fire smells that are okay…like that of a fire place but there’s a completely different smell when homes are burning.
I am grateful that I left fifteen minutes before my house caught fire. My former student came by only fifteen minutes AFTER I left to check and see if I was okay, and he shared that the back of my house was on fire. Gratefully, I got out of there and was spared seeing my house on fire, even though the next day I saw a video that showed otherwise.
People came with a tidal-wave of support for me; my high school friends, relatives, literally people out of the woodwork came and supported me. Even more gratitude here, I think everyone else had a sense of how severe the situation was verses where my trauma-brain was at at that time. I live gratitude everyday and am slowly building up some of what I have lost. I shifted from having a DVD collection to purchasing streamed movies…less clutter and I can watch my movies on any device! Something the younger group knows vs. us! Going lighter on paper and there are more tools on the computer which is linked to the Cloud!
Fire Humor; When people asked if I have this or that…I say,”Yup, it’s in the Cloud…I just can’t access it! LOL”
A tiny piece of my book:
What to say to someone who has lost a house to a Fire? “I can’t even imagine.” That’s right…you have no idea!
Bring a solution to the Fire Victim, “Can I bring you lunch tomorrow?” Be as specific as you can when offering something, because we can’t even think about our new reality.
What NOT to say,” Well, you can replace items…the key thing is you are okay.” This one is really bad, and you think I can purchase a tiny footprint of my daughter when she was 1?
Baby book for Kris’ Daughter
Or how about ALL the Mother’s Day cards my daughter ever made me? Or the two bins that had all of her best-of-the best of schooling, report cards, awards, letters to Santa…yah, they don’t sell that at Walmart! There’s a thousand other items like Baby’s First Christmas ornament, very specialized, all the Christmas ornaments she made for me in Elementary School…that’s right…won’t find that at Macy’s. Or how about my Grandfather’s military uniform…not on Amazon! Also don’t say, “What do you need?” I laughed so hard when I heard that…again, ask, “Would you like a gift card to your favorite store?” Bring solutions, not questions. We are in trauma-brain, my list would have been like this: bandages, duck tape, bra’s, underwear, Q-tips, mascara…” We need everything…so bring SPECIFICS to the conversations.
Another note; Please don’t share YOUR fire story…this is not the time to think you could possibly know what we are going through. You might feel it’s a way of connecting with us but it just makes us upset as we need to tell OUR story, not hear YOURS. So listening to how you Grandma lost everything in the fire really doesn’t do it for us. Wait for a year before you share that story.
INSURANCE; This is a God-Send BUT…You better have the time and the concentration to write down all that was lost. Here are some things you will need; item, where purchased, serial number (my personal favorite! LOL!) how long you’ve had the item and describe the item. Oh for those of you who think you have it covered by taking pictures and video…NOPE, that photo or video is for YOU. You still have to write it all down. No off-the-hook for you. It’s a gut wrenching experience. Remember when you take a photo of your couch, the Content person doesn’t know if that couch is $800 or $8000.
The wonderful idea my parents friends had was to RECREATE some of those special items I lost in the fire. I suggested this to my daughter about the recreation and she purchased a heart shaped plaster wall hanging where she put her 22-year old hand print in. There you go…a replica of her handprint at age two was made! That was the BEST gift…and what do I care that she’s a grown up…the sentiment was there and I love it! Creativity is key and it’s healing and fun!
SJF: Where/How do you ‘give back’ to your community/communities?
KD: I mentioned how my daughter and I took private pain and turned it into public purpose and talked about the journey through Breast Cancer. While we were teaching our BC classes in Health Classes, we also participated in Relay for Life.
Here are some photos from ‘Relay for Life’
I was a Co-Captain for Relay and my Co-Captain Leslie handled our Team, who were Breast Cancer Survivors. I handled the Students, who were going to participate in the 24 hour Relay. So my daughter and I recruited 25-40 students for this event during our classes, during the school year. I realized, I needed help and acquired three more students who demonstrated true leadership ability during the first Relay. In addition to my daughter, we had four amazing leaders to run Relay. I got the Dream Team in place during the 2nd year of Relay, so they were quite seasoned in what to do during this event. I trained my Dream Team for four months on how to handle students during Relay. The Dream Team was able to successfully forecast any challenges that would arise. On the day of Relay, both me and my Co-Captain Leslie, watched in awe as these students ran things. My Dream Team had to work on scheduling, posting different students at different events through out the day. Always have accountability every hour on where these students were, who was on break, who was working where etc. The Dream Team managed all the in’s and outs of this event and would check in with me hourly on the various activities. The students participated in walking for our team and other fun events, and working specific stations, including doing bathroom duty.
It was a huge success for four years and I was so proud of all the students who participated in this event, especially, the Dream Team!!
SJF: What qualities should the younger generations aspire to that you think are important in this day and age?
KD: This is simple; PULL AWAY FROM YOUR DEVICES and realize that Social Media is NOT always correct. Get back out into nature! TEEN CHALLENGE; For one day, leave your phone at home! That’s right…1 whole day…then they can see what life was like when we were young:)
SJF: Tell us some of your thoughts on Motherhood!
Kris and her daughter at 2+ years old
KD: Motherhood – Enjoy the little years! While you are thinking during the temper tantrums…”I can’t wait until they grow up, so I can have a real conversation with them!” They really won’t be too interested in what you have to say then. I see the little years as the “Wonder Years.” Granted, I had fantastic “little years” experience, so I’m somewhat tainted!
Once they hit 18…start asking them questions! Like, “So how would handle that?” Put more of the solution in their court than in yours. As your child learns and grows, sit back and listen to their view of the world. Let them be the expert…remember they have had a completely different experience growing up in a different time than you did! The greatest moment for me, is when I have watched my daughter coach her Gymnastics Team! She’s a MASTER in her field…and only 22! To see your child become successful, to see your child navigate in a relationship, is wonderful! They have to figure it out. If you hear something that freaks you out…let THEM figure it out!! This does not apply if there is danger or high risk, then parent away! I’m talking when they think they can do some things and YOU know better…let them figure it out. We didn’t have anyone to really slow the brakes on us…by letting go, they grow up! Cherish the short time you have with your adult child as they grow older and realize they are doing the best they can. The good thing is, when they leave the nest…for the most part, they LOVE coming home, and the memories flow and I even heard from some of my friends who are Grandmothers, that your adult children will actually apologize to you for being so selfish! Don’t hold your breath or wait on that one…if it comes, it’s a bonus:)
SJF: How do you handle loss?
KD: Loss; that’s a tough one. Each of us has our own coping skills on how we handle ourselves during Trauma/Loss.
For me, TAKE IT EASY…be kind to myself!
Realize that people are doing the best they can…even if they annoy you to no-end!
Each day brings different things but hold on to FAITH, NEVER GIVE UP…the miracle might be just around the corner…I have waited and the miracle did come.
I have walked through, Divorce, Breast Cancer, Single Parenthood and the loss of a Home to a Fire…I refuse to be an EMPTY SHELL person! Gratitude is a MUST, and I hold to that daily. I have heard it say,” Cracks are where the Grace of God shine through!” So shine, grieve, cry, get mad but don’t let anger get the last word!
Be extremely gentle with yourself, take naps, power down, walk, exercise, dance and call someone who you haven’t talked to in awhile.
You will want to PLOW through it all…there’s only one way to deal with pain…GO THROUGH IT, in order to get to the other side of WELLNESS!
SJF: Where have you traveled and where would you like to travel once Covid-19 is OVER???
KD: After COVID; I want to take my daughter to Central California and stay at one of our favorite places called Apple Farm in San Luis Obispo or as the locals call it SLO!
As my business starts doing well, I want to go to England, as I have so many new friends through LinkedIn!! I’m excited about that experience!
Honestly, I just can’t wait to go the beach, be in a crowd, without having heart-failure about COVID! Be out and about with peace and serenity is fine by me!
SJF: To sum it up, is there anything else you’d like to tell us?
KD: One more thing…The song “I’m Still Standing’ by Elton John really resonated with me and says it all!
SJF: Absolutely, that song is spot on…definitely! Thank you Kris, it’s truly been a pleasure. All the best in 2021 and beyond!
SJF: Why/How did you decide to write Journeys with Jimmy Carter and Other Adventures in Media?
BJ: People kept asking me, after I mentioned that I was retired, “what do you do or what did you?” I always answered, “I’m a writer”. Many would follow with “What have you written?”
I had been toying with a few paragraphs, so then I started saying, “I’m semi-retired, working on a memoir.”
Here is an example of letting imagination be partly driven by external forces. These fans of Jimmy Carter and Walter Cronkite, though dying off, provided a platform for my story. I didn’t mean to be at the center of American political and cultural life but a journalist can have that serendipity.
If you have modern information technology and talented colleagues, a first draft of your story can be whipped up in about two years including finding a solid publisher with a stable of intelligent editors and designers. Subsequent drafts will benefit from trusted advance readers, including some who think the completed final first draft needs more substance, except for the brilliant energy-oriented lawyer who noted a lack of rigor—He said the book could be divided into three parts: an analysis of the Carter Presidency, a study of modern telecommunications policy & the Presidency and my friends and others I had encountered. Though not denying my right to name names, he was quite obviously miffed at being left out. Go back to the drawing board!, he counseled.
SJF: Did you make any personal discoveries (or aha! moments) while writing your memoir? If so, please explain.
BJ: While writing, the concept of “flow” seemed to kick in as I was very comfortable remembering earlier life-episodes. In fact, one post-publication reader asked if I had used a “diary” with notes because details seemed to flow as I wrote. This discovery of useful memory was a pleasant surprise.
SJF: How did you decide on the title and decide to find a publishing company vs. self-publishing??
BJ: As loyal readers will attest, here is the book and I take full responsibility for factual errors. The solid publisher, John Koehler, wanted to use the Carter cover in part for marketing. I had no better idea.
SJF: Tell us about your background in the media and in politics
BJ: After graduate school (M.S., Journalism, Graduate School, Columbia University), I was hired as an Intern/Writer at NBC News and after a few months in the Newsroom at NYC Headquarters was assigned as Writer/Editor in Washington, DC. Their top stars, such as David Brinkley and Nancy Dickerson would present their copy for radio news (“hourlies) and television inserts. Left their own styles but occasionally did find factual errors which they were always glad to correct. During this period was often assigned as field producer at Capitol Hill gallery and back-up at other news making locations in DC. After accepting an overnight assignment monitoring audio feeds from NASA early Apollo Program came to attention of CBS news team covering moon landing effort and was hired as Associate Producer there. Subsequently became Producer (for Walter Cronkite) in coverage of Apollo 11. After ten years in broadcast journalism was asked by Jimmy Carter to help as Television Advisor in his nascent presidential campaign.
Barry Jagoda with President Jimmy Carter in the Oval Office – Courtesy Photo – Barry Jagoda
SJF: Tell us about your role in politics as Presidential media advisor
BJ: Carter wanted help understanding role of TV in presidential nominating politics and general election, though he was not interested in someone who would change his style and manner of presentation. After I said I would only advise him of effect of his words on news coverage, by networks and major print publications, he said I could be helpful and told senior media advisor, Jody Powell, to invite me aboard the campaign. After the successful election of 1976 I was named Special Assistant to the President, serving in the White House focusing on media and cultural relations. Eventually I had a philosophical difference with top campaign advisors (including powerful candidate spouse, Rosalynn Carter) who thought my work was giving Carter “overexposure” instead of focusing on a few cardinal issues. Moving to the National Security Council, I served there for seven months, but did not participate in Carter’s 1980 unsuccessful re-election campaign.
SJF: Tell us about your upbringing, geographically, personally etc.
BJ: My parents, both immigrants from Eastern Europe (part of the massive inflow between 1880 and 1920) were hard working and successful. Mother, who spoke no English upon arrival in USA from Ukraine, quickly mastered elementary and secondary education and went on to receive a medical degree (pediatric chiropody) from Case/Western Reserve University. Father, a serial entrepreneur, had a grocery business in affluent part of otherwise industrial Youngstown, Ohio. After being forced to move to warmer climes (first Phoenix, then Houston) he started small markets catering to shift workers from emerging petrochemical plants. They settled in post-WWII GI bungalows near stores. Eventually parents moved to districts of Houston where schooling was an improvement. This had a profound effect on me, as I moved forward with classmates in journalism and debate at one of Houston’s top high schools, Bellaire. For college, though accepted at some top private universities, enrolled at cost-effective University of Texas.
Karen and Barry Jagoda – Courtesy Photo
SJF: If you had to write the book over again, would you change anything?
BJ: A re-written book might include more information on differences between legitimate media and fake expressions, particularly in an election year. Thus, I would try to provide more analysis of difference between legitimate media and fake social media, especially from my experience and perspective from years of work in journalism and, more recently, in use of legitimate social media.
SJF: A brief history of your education, media and political positions/teaching appointments published articles, etc.
BJ: After graduate school, I was hired by NBC News, then CBS News to cover science and politics of moon landing. This evolved into coverage of the Watergate scandals for which I shared in an Emmy Award.
SJF: What are your personal pastimes/hobbies/interests/passions?
BJ: When I have a chance to relax, I enjoy the sports of golf and squash racquets.
SJF: Anything you’d like to mention about Watergate? Kennedy in Texas? Apollo? Emmy award?
BJ: From my memoir one can see a photo of the Emmy Award, press credentials for President Kennedy’s fatal trip to Texas in 1963 and photos signed by Apollo astronauts reflecting on my coverage of those events.
SJF: Where can we find you on the web? Website, social media etc.
BJ: I maintain a website (BarryJagoda.com) where those photos are easily accessible. Less useful for my expression is the Twitter account and the Linked-In that are available in my name. The best way I communicate with others is through email, where I am readily available via <Barry@barryjagoda.com>.
SJF: Any recommendations for us to journal or document what we are going through with Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic? Stress management tools?
BJ: When I anticipate a sense of stress or anxiety upcoming (mainly due to the Covid-19 Pandemic) I find “breathing exercise” to be a regular source of relief.
SJF: How has the Covid-19 affected you personally/professionally?
BJ: The Pandemic has forced me to be very careful about meeting with or encountering others without following the recommended tools of mask wearing, social distancing and trying to stay at home as much as possible.
SJF: Role models or persons that inspire you in your life?
BJ: I am reminded about these safety measures—and other common-sense applications—by my spouse, Karen Jagoda, who is a role model and an inspiration.
SJF: Favorite quotes?
BJ: At some point I favored the expression “practice makes perfect,” but in maturity I have chosen a variation, “practice makes improvement.” A short way of pointing to the inspiration I’ve had from Karen is by attention to the words in dedication to her of this book: “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
SJF: Who would you like to have lunch or dinner with to discuss your book?
BJ: In addition to a long lunch to discuss the memoir with President and Mrs. Carter, it would be useful to compare notes with Professor Douglas Brinkley and other scholars who have given serious thought to their lives, including accomplishments and shortcomings.
SJF: Life hurdles? Successes?
BJ: After formal education I realized my shortcomings in mathematics and computational sciences, but was gratified to have gained skills in public speaking and general social interaction.
SJF: Three significant/pivotal moments in your life?
BJ: My parents favored extreme “left-wing” social change and when I realized that often brought more trouble than success, I became more moderate in political opinion. After choosing journalism as a career approach I left behind advocacy but later, pivotally, realized one could combine fact seeking with moderate political expression.
SJF: Fears?
BJ: I fear unchecked governmental power and, simultaneously I worry about a failure to use the levers of government to seek improvement in the general human condition.
SJF: Recurring dreams/ Usual dreams?
BJ: From time-to-time I worry about human catastrophes, such as earth quakes, and a general failure to act in ways that will modify the harmful effects of climate change. The weakness of humanity to observe and address problems sometimes leads me to have nightmares, mostly overcome in a startling awaking.
SJF: Strongest asset? What would you like to work on/improve?
BJ: I am a good listener but would like to improve on that trait. And, moving too fast—simulating the speed of light—makes one see less brightly!
SJF: Where/How do you ‘give back’ to your community/communities?
BJ: Though I try to see how I can give back to my fellows, and to the general community, this is an area that requires concentration and improvement.
SJF: Any regrets in life?
BJ: Being readily more selfless by focusing on helping my fellow man is a real shortcoming that, I try to remind myself, needs focus and hard work.
SJF: What qualities should the younger generations aspire to that you think are important in this day and age?
BJ: The younger generation seems even more self-oriented that my own group of “baby boomers” and pre-boomers.
SJF: Funny/humorous (appropriate) stories in media or politics?
BJ: The book, Presidential Campaigns, by Professor Paul F. Boller cites hundreds of laugh-filled moments in politics, including several where I am the butt of the situation. I heartily recommend this volume for many hours of humor.
SJF: How do you handle loss?
BJ: Loss is often the result of misfortune and, therefore, should not be taken personally, though this awareness may only mitigate the pain.
SJF: Where have you traveled and where would you like to travel once Covid-19 is OVER???
BJ: I have traveled the world as a journalist and political assistant, including having more than just a passing stop or two. Longer stays, of course, always been more informative and rewarding. These days, while desk bound by the Pandemic, I think of going back to some places I’ve enjoyed the most—particularly the Hawaiian Islands and the Adriatic coast and islands—but to more intriguing locations including Madagascar and New Zealand. Having the responsibility to share in the caring of a very active canine, a Mini Schnauzer named Timothy, is probably as much of a snag for travel as anything else.
SJF: What has been the most valuable lesson in your life?
BJ: The most valuable lesson I’ve had would be learning to appreciate the many qualities that others can bring when and where I frequently fall short.
SJF: Many thanks Barry, such a pleasure to learn more about you.
Book Details: Journeys With Jimmy Carter and Other Adventures in Media
The book is available at Amazon and wherever books are sold:
Here is a bit of information about both books (along with a holiday discount on eBooks for both) followed by our Q & A.
Crimes and Impunity in New Orleans is author Sherrie Miranda’s prequel to her page-turner, debut thriller, Secrets and Lies in El Salvador.
Shelly Dalton Smith is a naïve, twenty-three-year-old from Upstate New York who moves to New Orleans in 1980 to prepare for a photo project in war-torn El Salvador.
Shelly arrives in New Orleans, broken and traumatized and therefore unable to trust her own instincts. New Orleans represents the fresh start Shelly needs, but she soon finds that almost everyone in New Orleans harbors a secret. She’s unprepared for life in “The Big Easy,” and her world is turned upside down as she navigates “the city that care forgot.”
With fast-paced chapters and beautifully detailed conversations and descriptions, we see New Orleans through Shelly’s innocent eyes as she realizes the sheltered life she had lived was a lie. She experiences sexism and witnesses racism, police brutality, FBI visits, death threats, and two people’s captivity by her former boss.
Through her misadventures and exciting plot twists, Shelly focuses on fighting injustice, ultimately finding her authentic voice as an empowered adult. When she finally leaves New Orleans, she is forever changed. The novel is a wild ride through the underbelly of 1980s New Orleans and is filled with quirky characters, sinister abusers, and thrilling secrets and revelations.
Secrets and Lies in El Salvador(2015 sequel to Sherrie Miranda’s Crimes and Impunity in New Orleans) is the story of an American woman in war-torn El Salvador. It exposes death and destruction at every turn, but also validates the power of love, and embodies the gift of hope.
In a conscious effort to heal from recent trauma and her mother’s lies about her closest relations, Shelly Dalton Smith travels to war-torn El Salvador. Unwittingly used by someone she trusts to implement a mission too dangerous for anyone to complete, she captures shots of her host family, and listens to their secrets and lies, which reveal her mother’s deception is not so different from that of others, including her own.
Witnessing the death of an American journalist and listening to harrowing accounts of refugees who watched the massacre of their families, tears Shelly apart. So she turns to an American fighting with the guerrillas. He teaches her a passion for living she has never known. When he dies in combat, Shelly can no longer bear the pain, and wonders whether it is possible to accomplish her mission.
Sherrie Miranda and Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
SJF: Why/How did you decide to write Crimes and Impunity in New Orleans?
SM: I always knew I wanted to write this story, but I also knew it would be difficult because I lived in NOLA for 7 years. I could not put everything I wanted in it, but I knew it was an important and timely story. So, I got the support I needed to help me figure out what the story would look like.
SJF: Did you make any personal discoveries (or aha! moments) while researching the book? If so, please explain.
SM: I didn’t really research except for a training on police forensics that I never actually used.
SJF: How did you decide on the title #CIINO and decide to self-publish??
SM: I decided the title early on to help me focus on that part of the story.
Self-publishing was the only option for me. I sent out about 35 queries for my debut novel and I got one response. I realized that even if I got an agent, that did not guarantee a publisher & I was noticing that people were waiting years to get published if ever.
SJF: Tell us about your background that led to you writing the book.
Sherrie Miranda. Photo credit: Tony Alcaraz
SM: Most of what happens in the story actually happened to me or to my friends. The book is about a time in this country and New Orleans, in particular, when we were trying to stop the slaughter of innocent people in El Salvador. But, our government had us labeled as the bad guys. They wanted to shut us up & shut us down. It is not unlike what’s been happening these last four years.
SJF: Did you take any writing classes or utilize other resources for writers?
SM:Marni Freedman was an amazing help to me. When I finally figured out she was local, I did a coaching session with her. I had been stuck for a long time, but she helped me figure out the shape of my story and what it needed to work. I took her memoir certification class and things finally started falling into place. I also got editing help from Tracy J Jones, Marni’s best friend and her editor and co-chair of her memoir course. Marni and Tracy are supportive in ways few instructors are. They are very careful not to break your spirit. They come from a place of pure love. If it weren’t for these two women, I believe I’d still be stuck!
SJF: Can you give us information on your background in teaching – Subjects? Creative writing/ESL etc.?
SM: Although I taught Art, Health, English Literature and even History, I loved teaching ESL. It was a privilege to have students from all over the world and to be their introduction to this country. I learned so much from these young people and they inspired me to tell my story.
SJF: Tell us about your upbringing, geographically, personally etc.
SM: I was born in Pennsylvania, in hunting & fishing territory. Fortunately my parents moved us to Upstate NY so I could start school there. The area I was from in PA was economically depressed & I am grateful we got out of there because it taught me to dare to go out in the world & try new things.
SJF: If you had to write the book(s) over again, would you change anything?
SM: No, I wouldn’t change much. It took me 5 years to write this 2nd novel & I got a lot of support & suggestions from fellow authors. The book is exactly what I want it to be.
SJF: If you had to interview your character Shelly in CIINO, what would you ask her?
SM: I would ask her: how did you change from before you went to New Orleans to when you left?
SJF: Please explain, in first person now, Sherrie…this is interesting!
SM: I didn’t realize how big an issue sexism is in this country & in the world. I didn’t know that 1 in 4 women get raped or molested in their lifetime. Also 1 in 5 males are raped or molested. New Orleans forced me to look at the hard reality – #MeToo
I didn’t know the depth of racism in this country. Nor did I realize how it permeates every part of the lives of people of color. Knowing the experiences of POC changed me forever. #BlackLivesMatter
SJF: A brief history of your education, positions/teaching appointments published articles, etc.
SM: I studied Art, then Photography at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), but I was on academic probation, mainly because I kept asking professors to let me do a photo project, but being on a trimester schedule did not allow me the time to go back & finish another class when I had a full load each semester.
In New Orleans, I finally got back in school, but it took another four years to finish because my transfer courses did not count the full 3 units. Also, again, I studied Art, then pre-nursing, then finally switched to Drama & Communications.
I was a much better student at University of New Orleans (UNO) so I was able to pull my GPA up to a 3.4. I was friends with professors at UNO, whereas at RIT, the professors were not friendly toward me.
I also received my teaching credential through SDSU and my MFA in Creative Writing from National University (with a 4.0 GPA)!
SJF: What are your personal pastimes/hobbies/interests/passions?
SM: I love to garden. It’s kind of addicting. Sometimes I lose several hours when I get out there & play in the dirt. Also, we have a historical home, so we love to shop for art & furniture from the 1930s when our home was built.
I love movies and good TV shows, and reading, of course. I love a good story that is well developed.
I also love to travel. Angelo and I mostly travel in the U.S., but I’ve been to several European countries and a few Latin Countries. I hope to figure out how to incorporate those trips into my writing eventually.
SJF: Anything you would like to mention about Crimes and Impunity in New Orleans (#CIINO) and Secrets and Lies in El Salvador (#SLIES)?
SM: There are stories that come from my heart. The people of New Orleans are very unique and memorable. Salvadorans are the most generous people as a group that I’ve ever met despite decades of the government & landowners fighting its own people. Also, my husband wrote the music for the trailers. Angelo is a musician in two local bands:: Local Upfront, 70-80 cover songs, and the South Bay Band, a jam band.
SJF: Where can we find you on the web? Website, social media etc.
SJF: How have you been coping with life since Covid-19? Any stress management tools?
Sherrie Miranda and Angelo Miranda. Photo credit: SJF Communications
SM: Mostly, it’s been good for me. I had an excuse to stay home & finish CIINO. Angelo had a few outside music gigs so that helped ease the loneliness. Plus, I have a couple of friends who have been mostly isolated so we were able to do a few get togethers with them.
But, I have to admit it’s starting to get to me now. Plus, I’ve been staying up too late & sleeping late. If I ever get back to subbing, I’m going to be in trouble trying to get up at 6 a.m.
SJF: How has the Covid-19 affected you personally/professionally?
SM: I’ve come to realize that I’m an introvert so it’s been easier on me than most people. Also, since I haven’t been around a lot of people (esp. teens), I’ve managed to stay healthy for more than a year.
Professionally, though, I would have gone to the La Jolla Writer’s Conference & probably done some events at several bookstores so that’s been difficult. But people have more time to read so I’ve seen a lot more interest in this book because of having an online presence.
SJF: Role models or persons that inspire you in your life?
SM: First, my dad, was always an inspiration because he believed in me. The rest of my family doesn’t feel the same about him. I guess I was a Daddy’s girl like my mom always said.
There have been women who have inspired me most of my life. Some I knew, like my Spanish professor who is now writing books too. And some I didn’t know, like Susan Meiselas whose photography in Central America inspired me to be an anti-war activist, and Carolina Forché, who showed me the power of writer as witness to atrocities and injustice.
SJF: What are you working on next? Another sequel?
SM: Yes, When Shelly comes back from El Salvador with her husband (and pregnant)! She’s going to have a blond haired, blue-eyed baby that is obviously not Juan Jr.’s! I’m not really working on it right now. Just in my head. I need to work with Marni before I start writing. She believes in having a firm plan before starting to write. Otherwise you risk getting stuck in the middle & maybe never finishing. Since this happened to me both times, I’m going to follow her advice.
SJF: Favorite quotes?
SM: “I don’t like to write; I love having written.” Dorothy Parker
“You simply sit down to a typewriter, open your veins and bleed.” Ernest Hemingway
“The lesson will be repeated until it is learned.” Buddha
SJF: Who (celebrity) would you like to have lunch or dinner with to discuss your book?
SM: Martin Sheen. I sent him a copy of SLIES and he sent me a thank you card. I wish I had heard from him after he read it. I’m going to send CIINO to him too.
SJF: Life hurdles? Successes?
SM: I was always going two steps forward, one step back. I was a country girl trying to be a city girl. I was never prepared for what I was trying to do. In the end though, that has made me a better writer so it all happened for a reason.
SJF: Three significant/pivotal moments in your life?
Divorcing my first husband and starting college.
Traveling around Europe (several times)
Moving to LA – that was hard too, but I learned a lot there. It’s where I became spiritual, after 9/11.
SJF: Fears?
SM: Oh, I’m filled with fears. But I just decide to go ahead & try it anyway.
SJF: Recurring dreams/ Usual dreams?
SM: When I was a kid, I dreamed my family and I traveled to other planets. I often dream I’ve got an out of control classroom of students.
SJF: Strongest asset? What would you like to work on/improve?
SM: I think my openess has allowed me to have experiences that most Americans don’t ever get to have. I need to work on being fearless and I really need to stop procrastinating. I also need to stop spending so much time on the internet. It’s the worst addiction there is.
SJF: Where/How do you ‘give back’ to your community/communities?
SM: Teaching has been very rewarding in that respect. Before I became a teacher, I was an antiwar activist and I continue to try to raise awareness on political issues that are important to me.
I also worked with the homeless when I first moved to San Diego.
SJF: Any regrets in life?
SM: I don’t really believe in regrets. I never had a child, but I have had many loving people in my life. I believe “Everything happens for a reason.” If I had had a child, I wouldn’t have been able to travel and wouldn’t have ended up in a place where I could marry my husband.
I put myself through a lot of unnecessary difficulties with men mostly, but I finally know who I am and what I want so it all worked out in the end.
SJF: What qualities should the younger generations aspire to that you think are important in this day and age?
SM: Young people are more aware of the dire issues that face us. I trust that they will make the world a better place, a more fair & equal place.
SJF: Funny/humorous (appropriate) stories?
SM: Oh, when I went to RIT in my mid-twenties, I had a really hard time with this one professor’s class. When I asked him for help, he said I didn’t belong in his class. But when I tried to drop the class, he insisted I see the school psychologist first. The psychologist thought it was the professor who had a problem, not me. But, I just told the professor that yes, I had seen the psychologist. He finally signed off on me dropping his class.
SJF: How do you handle loss?
SM: Better than I thought I would. My mom’s death was heartbreaking. I felt I could have been a better daughter (though she insisted I was a perfect child!). I cried for weeks when she died. But I got messages from her.
My dad was the guy I worried about dying since I was 13 years old. I think I must have sensed that something was wrong. So many times I cried about him dying someday, but when the day finally came, I just felt relief that he was out of the miserable situation he ended up in.
SJF: Where have you traveled and where would you like to travel once Covid-19 is OVER???
SM: I’ve traveled a lot. First Europe, then El Salvador, Cuba, Brazil. Then West coast, including Canada & Mexico. Then East coast, including Montreal.
But I want to visit Pittsburgh and Philly and the New England states. I also want to see more of Europe, especially Ireland, Wales & Scotland.
I would travel more, but Angelo (my husband) doesn’t like to be away from his pianos.
SJF: Thank you very much Sherrie, and best wishes with your writing and looking forward to reading more of your upcoming books!
(SAN DIEGO, October 9, 2019) – Retired Judge Marshall Hockett and wife/traveling partner, Debbie Hockett of Encinitas are pleased to announce the publication of their book Tripping – 1975 – Falling in Love One Country at a Time.It is a love story set amidst a year of adventures on their year-long journey in a yellow Volkswagen van they lovingly dubbed the “Banana”. The book will be launched on November 16th at the Winn Room of the Coronado Library.
In 1968, Marshall attended
Stanford’s study program in England. During that year, he traveled the
European continent and got a “taste” of what was to be a life-long
love affair with travel. He knew he hadn’t seen the last of Europe.
Returning stateside, he finished
his undergraduate study at Stanford University and spent three years of law
school at the University of San Diego from which he graduated in 1972.
He started his law career at The
Legal Aid Society of San Diego, and met his wife, Debbie in court one day (she
was a court clerk). They have been inseparable for forty-five
years.
They formulated a plan to travel
in Europe for one year, and in 1975 made good on that plan.
A few days before they left for
Europe, they had dinner with their friends, Jim and Marian Malkus (Marian is
unfortunately now deceased). Marian gave Marshall a completely blank red
bound book with two wishes: 1. Fill it up and be completely honest,
and 2. Marian would be the first to read it. Marshall agreed and took her up on the offer. He gave Marian the journal upon their return.
Marian loved it and said others would as well.
Marshall began his law career in 1976 after returning from that year in Europe and worked for many years. The red journal sat and sat, until recently when a court clerk and Marshall discussed travel and the clerk suggested that Marshall write a book. Something clicked in Marshall and he said, “I did”. The clerk read and loved the book. They passed it around the court and the rest is history with Tripping 1975 being published!
Tripping – 1975 – Falling in Love One Country at a Timeis full of anecdotal stories and “vintage” 1975 photos from their
traveling in the “Banana” as well as in hotels along the way.
Tripping –
1975 – Falling in Love One Country at a Time takes the reader through several countries
and cities: Germany (Baumholder, Luxenbourg, Munich, Nuremberg), France (Paris,
Avignon, Narbone, Carcassonne, Casteljaloux, Perigueux, Montreuil-Bellay, St.
Vaast-la-Hougue, Bayeux,), Amsterdam, Spain (Barcelona, Cambrils, Granada,
Malaga, Estepona, Sevilla, Toledo, Madrid, Aranda de Duero, Santander,
Pamploma), Great Britain (Dover, London, Lincoln, Hexam, Bath, South Molton,
Woodstock), Scotland (Edinburgh, Ballater, Lochness, Lake Windermere, Fort Augustus
– Loch Ness), Wales (Rhyl, Chepstow), Switzerland (Delemont, Geneva, Zermatt,
Lauterbrunnen, Lucerne), Austria (Innsbruck, Hallein, Salzburg, Vienna),
Yugoslavia (Rijeka, Split, Dubrovnik, ), Bulgaria (Sofia, Plovdiv), Turkey
(Edirne, Istanbul, Alanya, Antalya, Pamukkale, Ankara, Izmir, near Edremit,
Ipsala), Greece (Kavala, Athens, Agios Nikolaos, Thera, Paros, Siros, Nafplio,
Sparta, Olympia), Israel (Jerusalem), Egypt (Cairo, Luxor), Crete (Iraklion),
Italy (Rome, Florence, Venice).
QUOTE FROM DEBBIE HOCKETT
“All through my life,
I’ve come across friends and acquaintances who have expressed a desire to
travel the world and wish they could do it. THEY
CAN! In the beginning, I was doubtful myself, but look what came
of it! We would never trade our year of travel for anything. It
gave us a different viewpoint of the world and the people in it. We found
that almost universally, people of all countries are nice and are anxious to
share conversation with you. This tell-all journal will show you how to
travel the world and love it!”
-Deborah (Debbie) Hockett
REVIEWS:
“The book grabs the
reader, I believe, because of the personal touches that flow throughout the
entire (book). You share the good and the bad, you address the wise and
not so wise decisions and simply lay things out as you found them. This
really appeals to me, and I think most readers would concur. This wasn’t
a fairyland tour where everything worked out perfectly.
When you described
Zermatt, Pamukkale and Egypt, I thought I was actually with you on the
trip! These are places that we’ve been to, and you really strike a chord
with readers who have been to the places that you describe. Your trip was
truly an “adventure”, An adventure is something that we all long for.
When you described places that we have not been to (the Dordogne Valley in
particular), I instinctively reached for the phone to call the travel
agent! Your one sentence description of Lochness was hysterical.”
-Attorney C.
“They say all good things
must come to an end and with a measured degree of reluctance I reached the
conclusion of Tripping 1975. From Atlantis, the Roman Empire, Greek
gods, and the Enlightenment, all journeys trace back to roads leading home I
suppose (although not in that order), The ending is truth and I’m keeping
my fingers crossed for it to play out. Thanks for the trip!”
– A. (Superior Court secretary)
In January 2020, Marshall
and Debbie will embark on a whirlwind cruising adventure: Around the world in
180 days aboard the Oceania Insignia!
Debra Wanger – The Resilient Actor – Photo Credit – Ken Jacques
(SAN DIEGO, September 23, 2019) – Actor, Author, Coach and Public Speaker, Debra Wanger is an often-sought-after professional actor, well known in the San Diego region. She published her debut book The Resilient Actor: How to Kick Ass In the Business Without It Kicking Your Ass in 2017 and is thrilled to announce the upcoming The Resilient Actor Audiobook and The Resilient Actor Workbook & Planner: How to Kick Ass in the Business Without It Kicking Your Ass.
“I’ve worked with Hollywood stars and actors currently working on Broadway. I have been able to utilize the secrets of their behind-the-scenes success along with my skills as a wellness coach and my own personal experience. I’ve worked mostly in live regional theatre, but also some television, film, and radio. When I left my BFA program and started working professionally, I had to learn the hard way all the life and balance skills they didn’t teach at the conservatory. There was a lot of focus on being a triple threat, on performance skills, but nothing about how to survive the challenging life of being an actor. I fought depression, loneliness, weight gain, difficulty navigating periods of unemployment, all of it. Like most actors, I had to learn how to get the rest & recovery I needed, how to master my mindset to work with me – not against me, and how to take care of myself like a performing athlete. I had to learn all these life skills beyond my BFA.” – Debra Wanger
Acting can be a crazy
profession, full of uncertainty, insecurity, and unpredictability. While there
are many books about technique, little has been written about how to pursue the
dream without compromising your health and sanity. Pulling from her decades of
experience as an actor, talent manager, and lifestyle coach, Debra Wanger
filled this void in 2016 with a must-read survival guide for the acting
professional.
Debra offers a positive, practical, playful, holistic approach to the art and business of acting that marries mind, body, spirit, and craft. In this essential handbook, which serves as a personal coach in a book, she covers all the bases–from exercise and nutrition to time management and setting goals to staying motivated from audition through performance. Her valuable, tried-and-true insights, gained from client successes, will enable the performing artist to balance and bolster a challenging creative career with a healthy, productive personal life.
At last there’s a clear
path through the madness. The Resilient Actor will lead you to the top
of your game, increase your professional staying power, and help you achieve
equilibrium in all aspects of your life.
ABOUT THE RESILIENT ACTOR’S WORKBOOK AND PLANNER:
Discover some of the secrets from Broadway & Hollywood to supercharge your career and balance your life. Debra Wanger knows how difficult it can be to pursue your dream of acting without compromising your health or your sanity. She drew wisdom from decades of working as an actor, talent manager, and wellness coach to write The Resilient Actor and give emerging and experienced actors a holistic approach to their profession that marries mind, body, spirit, and craft. Sustaining a healthy and satisfying career requires more than just talent- go beyond the skills you learned in your BFA program.
The Resilient Actor’s Workbook and Planner is filled with quick & easy exercises designed to help you plot the direction for your career from the start and avoid the pitfalls that many actors face. You’ll walk through the steps to figure out what kind of actor you want to be and the lifestyle you want to have. You’ll set goals and develop habits for your career and use the specially-designed included actors’ planner to create a step-by-step action and accountability plan for achieving them. The Resilient Actor’s Workbook and Planner will unlock longevity in your career by showing you how to find happiness and health in an industry that challenges both.
Debra Wanger – Photo Credit – Ken Jacques
BIO – DEBRA WANGER
Debra studied acting at
the nationally acclaimed Piven Theatre Workshop with such talents as John
Cusack, Joan Cusack, and Jeremy Piven. Her vocal training began at the
Northwestern University vocal department while still attending high school. She
declined an opera scholarship to Oberlin Conservatory in order to study musical
theatre at University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM.) She
graduated Magna Cum Laude from Tufts University and received a Master of Fine
Arts in musical theatre from San Diego State University, where she graduated
Phi Kappa Phi as a Marion Ross Scholar.
Debra is currently in rehearsals as “Liz”- the younger version of Queen Elizabeth in Handbagged at Moxie Theatre which runs October 19th through November 17th. She has performed in regional theatres and cabaret clubs across the country, most frequently in Los Angeles, San Diego, Boston, and South Florida. In Professionally Speaking at the Off-Broadway, The Miami Herald hailed her “a comic spark plug.” Her role in Triumph of Love won a KPBS-TV Patté award. Her one-woman show My Nights With George, Kurt & Cole, (co-written and directed by comic genius, Phil Johnson) was featured at various venues throughout Southern California and won Best New Play and Best Actress at the 2003 San Diego Actors Festival, and the San Diego Playbill Billie Award for Best Actress in a musical.
She was just featured as
The Angel in Cygnet Theatre’s critically acclaimed production of Angels in America, as well as A
Little Night Music, On the 20th Century, Spring Awakening, My Fair Lady, Evita,
Sweeney Todd and Dogfight on
the Cygnet stage. At San Diego Musical Theatre has been featured in Hairspray,Billy Elliot, Footloose, Sound of Music, La Cage Aux Folles, and White
Christmas. Other San
Diego theatre highlights include: God of
Vengeance at La Jolla Playhouse, Hamlet (Gertrude)
at Intrepid; Titanic & Sunset Blvd. at Moonlight; Permanent Collection at Mo’olelo; Full Monty (Vicki) at New Village Arts; Sleeping Beauty at North Coast Rep; Anything Goes! (Reno), Oliver! (Nancy) at Lyric Opera San Diego; Carousel and Sound
of Music at Lawrence Welk.
Her CD, Driving My Own Heart is
also available on Amazon and iTunes.
BOOK REVIEWS:
“This book is fantastic.
I’m a professional actor and also teach acting, and will recommend it to all my
students. It’s a topic not discussed enough! Resilience is one of the most
important qualities for any working actor–if not THE most important quality.
Highly recommended!”
-Amy Griffin
“The Resilient Actor by Debra Wanger is a valuable and refreshing resource for anyone in the acting profession who wants to elevate their career while attaining balance in their life. Wanger delivers a motivating, witty, and practical workbook that is bound to bring about positive and healthy change on the road to success.”
-C.K.
“I found The Resilient Actor to be very helpful to me as a musician even though the book was written for actors. It was a great reminder of how to be proactive instead of waiting for the phone to ring and how to keep active always working on your craft. It was a good reminder that even successful creative people never let up on getting their name and face out there and true artists know that their profession is always a work in progress. The book really gave me good solid tips on how to stay healthy mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually; especially when you are in between work projects. I would highly recommend this book to anyone in the business or that is thinking about getting in the business to get a reality check for the persistence needed as well as the care and feeding of the artist in you. Loved it and will continue to use it as a reference!”
