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Q & A: Journalist, Author, Former Presidential Advisor Barry Jagoda & Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Barry Jagoda – Courtesy Photo

It’s such a pleasure to introduce our esteemed SJF Communications client, Author, Journalist, PR professional as well as Media Advisor to former President Jimmy Carter. Barry’s new memoir is Journeys With Jimmy Carter and Other Adventures in Media, published by Koehler Books. Here is information, including details to purchase the book from our previous 12/7/2020 post: https://sjfcommunications.com/2020/12/07/memoir-by-award-winning-journalist-presidential-advisor-barry-jagoda/

Q & A – Barry Jagoda and Susan J. Farese

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:

Paperback: ISBN-10: 1646630319; ISBN-13 : 978-1646630318

Hardcover: ISBN-10: 1646630335  ISBN-13 : 978-1646630332

eBook ISBN: 978-1-64663-032-5

More information:

Barry Jagoda : 
barryjagoda.com Email: barry@barryjagoda.com Ph: 858-688-1025

Media Contact:
Susan J. Farese,SJFCommunications – sjfcommunications@gmail.com Ph: 408-398-5940

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Q & A: Patricia Geist-Martin, Ph.D., Co-Author of ‘Falling in Love With the Process: A Stroke Survivor’s Story’

Patricia Geist-Martin, Ph. D.

We have been so inspired by our SJF Communications client, Patricia Geist-Martin, Ph.D., Professor Emerita in the School of Communication at San Diego State University. Dr. Geist-Martin’s research examines the stories people tell in making sense of their lives, particularly in their journeys through health and illness. ‘Falling in Love with the Process: Cultivating Resilience in Health Crises: A Stroke Survivor’s Story‘ (2020), is Dr. Geist-Martin’s fifth book (which she co-authored with Sara Parsloe, Ph.D.).

Here’s a little information about ‘Falling in Love with the Process: Cultivating Resilience in Health Crises: A Stroke Survivor’s Story‘ followed by our recent Q & A.

Patricia Geist-Martin, Ph.D., Bill Torres and Sarah Parsloe, Ph.D.

“WHY ME?” These were the first words that Bill Torres spoke after waking up from his stroke. Like many survivors, Bill lived his first days and weeks after stroke in a dark, heavy cloud of depression. Depression creates feelings of hopelessness, guilt, helplessness, and decreased energy—all symptoms that stand in the way of a survivor’s efforts to regain mobility and speech. Yet, rather than dwelling on asking “WHY ME?” Bill’s second words were, “WHAT NOW?” He set his mind to getting better, little by little, every day. As researcher and author, Peter Levine (2013) suggests, stroke survivors must “fall in love with the process … [and] see the process of recovery as an opportunity for growth.”

Falling in Love with the Process: Cultivating Resilience in Health Crises – A Stroke Survivor’s Story tells Bill Torres’ story of recovery and advocacy. The book is structured along two different timelines—the timeline of Bill’s early life and the timeline of his life from stroke onward. Chapters are alternated between Bill’s stories of growing up in San Diego and chapters that provide accounts of Bill’s journey of stroke recovery. These two separate storylines come together near the close of the book as we explore Bill’s approach to recovery and advocacy.

‘Falling in Love with the Process: Cultivating Resilience in Health Crises – A Stroke Survivor’s Story‘ is divided into three parts:

Part One: Picking Up the Pieces; Connecting the Dots explores the aftermath of Bill’s stroke and discusses the ways in which stigma, depression, and internalized ableism shaped Bill’s initially difficult emotional response to stroke. It also offers accounts of how his communication with key health care providers reinforced Bill’s drive to work on his own rehabilitation.

Part Two: Persisting Through Recovery considers both Bill’s capacity to structure his own rehabilitation routine and the ways in which his close network of friends supported him throughout his recovery process.

Part Three: Communicating as an Advocate explores how Bill transformed his survivor narrative into a tool for advocacy. It explains the strategies Bill used to successfully work with other stroke survivors and also describes the compassion fatigue that can accompany this kind of communicative labor.

Q & A with Patricia Geist-Martin, Ph.D. and Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Patricia Geist-Martin, Ph.D. & Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

SJF: Why/How did you (and Sarah) decide to write a book about Bill Torres? 

PGM: After being a guest speaker in my Health Communication class at SDSU over the past 10 years, Bill suggested that I should write a book.  I resisted at first with so much on my plate, but then I thought of inviting Dr. Sarah Parsloe to co-author the book.  We knew the book would touch on the disabilities that come with stroke and the advocacy work that Bill engages in, and Sarah has a great deal of expertise on both of these topics.

SJF: Did you make any personal discoveries (or aha moments) while interviewing Bill for the book? If so…please explain

PGM: We made so many discoveries—too many to list here—and of course that is really what the book is all about.  First, resilience isn’t something we create from scratch at the moment we need it, it is something we develop over time beginning as a young person.  So cultivating resilience as a young boy served Bill well at 69 when he had his stroke. Second, resilience isn’t something we cultivate alone. People who have a network of friends and family that they can count on when they need it most can join forces with them to create resilience.  It isn’t about the number of people, it is about the quality of these relationships–having people in your life that you love and they love you and will be there for you when you need them.  That’s just two of the many lessons.

SJF: How did you decide on the title ‘Falling in Love with the Process: Cultivating Resilience in Health Crisis: A Stroke Survivor’s Story“? 

PGM: Peter Levine wrote a book about stroke called Stronger After Stroke, which is now in its third edition. https://www.springerpub.com/stronger-after-stroke-third-edition-9780826124135.html

He used the phrase in the beginning of his book, stating that stroke survivors must “fall in love with the process . . . [and] see the process of recovery as an opportunity for growth” (p. xiv).

SJF: What made you decide on increasing the distribution of the book from academia to the masses? 

PGM: Sarah and I are big believers in the power of stories.  While we teach this in our college classes, we knew the general public would enjoy the stories told by Bill, his providers, and his friends.  We also knew that the lessons about communication and resilience would be valuable for anyone, not just stroke survivors.  Anyone who is moving through the grief of losing someone they love or recovering from an accident or any illness would find lessons in Bill’s stories that are universal.

SJF: Tell us about your passion and teaching emphasis with ‘storytelling’, especially as it pertains to health communication?

PGM: Storytelling is about connecting with other people.  In telling our own stories, we put into words our joys, fears, and even our secrets.  In the process of telling our story and being listened to, we can actually change the chemistry in our bodies—telling stories of pain and trauma or joy and passion can have an effect on the brain where dopamine, cortisol, oxytocin, and endorphins are released.  In that release and in the chemical changes, we often feel pleasure—something that happens in hearing the story, not just the facts. I teach health communication from the point of view of stories—stories told to friends, family, providers, and even in health campaigns offer an opportunity to put into words, something that we are experiencing.  As we tell stories to others, we begin to make sense of our own experience and when we listen to others tell their stories we offer them the same opportunity.

SJF: If you had to write the book over again, would you change anything?

PGM: I think the only thing I would add to the book if I were still in the process of writing it would be for Sarah and I to tell more of our own stories, especially as we feel that have evolved in the process of collaborating with Bill, his providers, and his friends. Our stories are partially there, but I think the experience of collaborating with Bill was life-changing in so many ways, but specifically reflecting on my own path and the resilience I feel I have created in difficult and dark times.

SJF: A brief history of your upbringing, education, professor positions/teaching appointments and early retirement at SDSU.

PGM: I am a first-generation college student.  My dad graduated from high school and ended up as a pattern maker at John Deere Tractor Works.  My mom did not graduate from high school and was a stay-at-home mom to four children. Both my parents really emphasized education and especially reading.  I cannot think of one time in my life where I have not had one or more books on my night stand. My family moved around a lot-five states and seven houses by the time I was in second grade.  I think my own resilience was built through that experience.  I started out as a dance major at the University of Iowa in Iowa City but then switched to Literature and Writing when I discovered I wasn’t as skilled at learning and remembering choreography the way others were.  My minor was Communication and I was hooked.  I taught high school for two years—literature, writing, drama, and filmmaking.  But then my thirst for knowledge about communication led me to gain a master’s degree in Communication at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls Iowa and a Ph.D. in Communication from Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. My first position as an Assistant Professor was at the University of Hartford in West Hartford, CT, then the Department of Speech at the University of Hawaii, Manoa in Honolulu, HI.  Finally, in 1990 I was hired by the School of Communication at San Diego State University.  I feel blessed to have lived and worked in all three universities and to have attended strong programs for my education. I am now in my second year of a five-year early retirement program where I teach three classes only in the fall and have the spring and summer off to do whatever I want. And my joy is writing, so I will keep doing that as long as I can!

SJF: Tell us about all of the books you’ve written:

PGM: These are the title of my books:

I have also published over 100 journal articles and book chapters.

SJF: Anything you’d like to mention about your upcoming book The Infinite Now?

PGM: I have been working on a memoir for over 15 years.  The tentative title is The Infinite Now: A Mother’s Past, A Daughter’s Future. My mom died of brain cancer when I was 17, right before Christmas in my senior year in high school.  The only way I could cope with this huge loss in my life was to press down any memories of my mom. This turned out to be the worst strategy, because the pain was still there under the surface.  It wasn’t until our only child, Makenna moved into her teen years that suddenly the past came rushing forward with each and every interaction—so it’s my mom’s past and my future woven with my past and my daughter’s future that form a braid of our two overlapping stories.  It is a labor of love that is both traumatic and joyful.  I hope to publish the book by summer 2021.

SJF: Where can we find you on the web?

PGM: My website is patriciageistmartin.com

Two Facebook pages: Patricia Geist Martin and Falling in Love with the Process

My Instagram @pgeistmartin

Find the book ‘Falling in Love with the Process at Kendall-Hunt or Amazon.com

A link to my recent interview on the U-T Community Spotlight with host Drew Schlosberg:

Stroke Survivor’s Inspirational Story Documented in Recent Book

SJF: Any recommendations for us to journal or document what we are going through with Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic?

PGM: Yes, this crisis calls on all of us to become resilient. Resilience requires us to be flexible and adapt to each new phase of the pandemic. Resilience also offers an opportunity to be creative and come up with new solutions to this experience of isolation. Facebook, Instagram, Nextdoor, Zoom, and other social media offer opportunities to reach out to support one another and decrease our sense of isolation. One new solution that my husband and I have been engaging in is virtual happy hours.  It is fascinating to realize that we our doing this more than we did when we had the opportunity (but supposedly not the time) to be connected with friends and family.  We just don’t stay on the phone as long as we do when we are telling stories, playing games, and goofing around “face-to-face” on zoom.  It’s fascinating to see some of the increased sharing and intimacy that is evolving on zoom with friends and family.

SJF: Is there anything else that you’d like to mention?

PGM: I love writing and teach it in most of my communication classes.  I love helping people tap into the stories they feel they must tell—about life, love, travel, pain, trauma, joy—anything.  So, in addition to the memoir, I have a few other books I plan to write, one about creative female leaders and another on the process of mentoring. I also plan to develop writing workshops in San Diego and in other cities, countries.  My husband will be retiring about the same time that I am and we hope to build a business together that takes advantage of the expertise that each of us could contribute.

SJF: Thank you so much, Patricia – it was such a pleasure to learn more about you and you work!

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Q & A with Former Astronaut Wife, JoAnn Petrie Carr ~ Author of “Keeper of the Flame” and Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications recently interviewed our client, JoAnn Petrie Carr, Author of the fiction novel, “Keeper of the Flame”. JoAnn is a former Astronaut wife and retired Attorney in the Houston area. Her answers were astute, honest and thought provoking.

Q & A with JoAnn Petrie Carr, Author, “Keeper of the Flame”


  • Courtesy Photo – JoAnn Petrie Carr

The Carr Family Courtesy Photo
Top Row – left to right: Jennifer, Jerry, JoAnn and Jamee;
Bottom Row – left to right: Jeff, Jessica, Joshua, John

SJF: In a nutshell…tell us about your life as a former Astronauts’ wife – a few tidbits…

JPC: My life as a former astronaut wife was in many respects business as usual with a houseful of six children.   The monotony of mopping the floor was broken up with invitations to some of the River Oaks swankiendas (“swanky haciendas”) as well as invitations to the Indy 500, a week at Las Brisas in Acapulco, a week at a fabulous dude ranch in the Rocky Mountains, a trip to Cape Kennedy (now Cape Canaveral) and back in our host’s private 747 –  among other less elaborate places.

This Cinderella always knew that the kitchen floor was waiting along with the other menial tasks that go with being the mother of six.  We went to a lot of fabulous parties locally.  Lucky for me I was an expert seamstress, so all the fancy outfits I needed were made on my handy dandy sewing machine.  A simple Vogue pattern with a smashing fabric of some sort and I had a new outfit for every party!  It was like being Cinderella, but one who was only too well aware that the coach was going to turn into a pumpkin sooner or later.  Only the gown stayed the same.

SJF: What experiences and/or people (parents, role models etc) in your life influenced you the most and why?

JPC: My maiden aunt gave me piano lessons and saw that I was involved with the local church. I was also influenced by the fact that my mother’s cousin was a designer for Twentieth Century Fox and I always went to the movies where her wares were displayed.  I think I tried to emulate her.  I never got to meet her though.  But she continued to be an influence on my life.  My skills also came in handy when Halloween came around and my kids always had elaborate Halloween costumes.

SJF: Describe your work as an Attorney – any fascinating cases? Do you miss it?

Courtesy Photo – JoAnn Petrie Carr

JPC: The first case I ever worked on was one of the biggest cases Texas had seen for a while.  It involved a Supreme Court Justice who had gotten elected because he had the same name as a well-known political family in the State.  I didn’t have my license yet but worked as the lead attorney’s “gofer”.  He had been the Attorney General when Kennedy was killed.  After that I had a general practice and did a lot of family law and managed to have some interesting divorces along the way.  And no, I don’t miss it.

SJF: Describe your book “Keeper of the Flame” -why? Any backlash? 

JPC: I decided to write a memoir about my life as an astronaut wife for my kids but it turned out to be so boring that I decided that I could tell more truth with fiction.  As I was watching my youngest son play a role in Hello Dolly it just came to me that I would write a novel and call it Keeper of the Flame.  I think they were singing “Before the Parade Passes By” and I was facing retirement age.  I am unaware of any backlash. A few of the wives have asked me if certain incidents in the book really happened.  My reply is always “It’s fiction”.  I sent every wife a copy of the book when it first came out and I got several very nice notes and a few positive phone calls.  Now that I think of it there were a lot, I didn’t hear from at all.  I got a very nice call from Al Bean. He was quite complimentary.  He was the only man who had the guts to call.  And I’m sure that at least several of the men read it too.

SJF: What do you dream about?

JPC: I dream about this book becoming a movie.

SJF: What are your top 3 values in life?

JPC: First and foremost is family.  They all have each other’s back and are ready to circle the wagons at the first hint of trouble.  Another is helping other less fortunate people.  Christianity – but not necessarily in that order.  But family is always first.

The Carr Family Courtesy Photo
Top Row – left to right: Jennifer, JoAnn and Jamee;
Bottom Row – left to right: Jeff, Jessica, Joshua, John

SJF: Did you enjoy the celebrity status? Describe…

JPC: I did enjoy the celebrity status.  It was sporadic so we didn’t have the kind of attention that the first few groups had.  It was just as well.  I had too much else to do.

Courtesy Photo – JoAnn Petrie Carr

SJF: What are you most proud of?

JPC: I’m most proud that all my kids are good people.  We escaped the teen years with no drugs and no scrapes with the law.   They were active in their church fellowship groups and I helped lead them.  It was a blast hanging around with those teenagers.   They had a musical group and we played and sang for other churches.

SJF: Describe your feelings about balancing motherhood and work

Courtesy Photo – JoAnn Petrie Carr

JPC: Balancing motherhood and work is a team effort.  My kids had chores on a rotating basis.  They did their own laundry.  They helped me cook meals.

SJF: Female issues with males (harassment) in law practice, etc.?

JPC: I didn’t encounter much in the way of harassment.  The Texas male attorneys separated females into two categories — – lady lawyers and women lawyers.  I never did figure out what was what but I guess I was whichever one was better because they all seemed to like me and didn’t harass me at all.

SJF: Any insight on the process of aging? Has it been a challenge? 

JPC: Aging is a bitch.  I can’t play tennis.  I can’t hike.  I can’t garden. My eyesight is declining.  I can’t sew or do jigsaw puzzles.  And if I don’t hurry up and get this book out there, I am going to lose my short term memory and giving speeches will be a challenge.

SJF: Any fears? Doubts? ever?

JPC: The only fears I had were that my ex-husband Jerry wasn’t going to get a flight.  He was assigned to Apollo 19 but the last three flights (18, 19, 20) were cancelled.  He was named Commander of the third and last Skylab flight – an 84-day mission in the Skylab workshop.  But we sweated it out for several weeks before we knew about the Skylab flight.  It was a heart-breaking time for both of us. I was just as anxious for him to get a flight as he was.  So I don’t think I ever had any doubt that he was made for the exploration of space.  It was something that was meant to happen.  And it almost didn’t.

SJF: Many thanks, JoAnn!

Read our previous SJF Communications blog post about JoAnn Petrie Carr here : https://sjfcommunications.com/2019/08/26/joann-petrie-carr-author-keeper-of-the-flame/

“Keeper of the Flame”

By JoAnn Petrie Carr

About the Author

JoAnn Petrie Carr was born and raised in Orange County, California. She graduated from The California State University at Long Beach with a degree in elementary education. She married her high school sweetheart who was later to be named as an Apollo astronaut in the ‘60s. During her life as the wife of a marine fighter pilot, she organized and taught a private kindergarten in North Carolina. She moved to Houston where she raised her six children against the backdrop of Gemini, Apollo and Skylab. She later completed her Doctor of Jurisprudence at the Bates College of Law at the University of Houston with all six children still at home. She divorced and practiced law for 30 years. During this time, she was a sole practitioner, general counsel for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and counsel for Star Station One, a 501c-3 dedicated to space education for children. She designed a distance-learning program for primary grades.

To book JoAnn Petrie Carr for media interviews

 or speaking engagements please contact her publicist:

Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications 408-398-5940

sjfcommunications@gmail.com Web:  https://sjfcommunications.com

Visit Jo Ann Carr at her website: https://www.joannpetriecarr.com

Follow JoAnn Petrie Carr on Facebook

Follow JoAnn Petire Carr on Instagram (@keeperoftheflamenovel)

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Getting to Know NYC Illustration Artist Moonsub Shin

 

Courtesy of Moonsub Shin

New York City based Korean Illustration Artist Moonsun Shin will be collaborating with Classical Pianist Jeeyoon Kim on an exciting new project:  ‘Over. Above. Beyond.’  Jeeyoon’s National CD Release Concert’ will be held on December 9th at the Auditorium at The Scripps Research Institute in San Diego (La Jolla).

‘Over. Above. Beyond. Ticket Link’

Jeeyoon’s concert events combine dazzling technical mastery and profound musicianship with her personal commentary on stage. The ‘Over. Above. Beyond.’ concert will also feature a unique collaboration with Moonsub Shin’s newly commissioned art. Each of the twelve drawings by Mr. Shin depicts a movement of  Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 21, No. 1 by Johannes Brahms, nicknamed the ‘philosophical variations’.

Here is our SJF Communications Q & A Interview with Moonsub Shin and Susan J. Farese:

SJF: Please tell us a bit about your upbringing.

MS: I’d lived in Daegu, South Korea until 2007 when I came to the United States. I was a normal kid who loved drawing. When I was a high school student, I decided to go into the art-field. However, my parents didn’t allow me to enter the art major for college right away. They wanted me to study media and society first, so I choose Advertising and Publicity for my college major. After I got my Bachelor’s degree, I studied art to prepare for art school.

SJF: Where did you study visual art/ illustration?

MS: In 2009, I was admitted to the School of Visual Arts (SVA) BFA program for Illustration and Cartooning in NYC. I studied for 2 years, then prepared for the MFA program in the same school. In 2012, I started  the SVA MFA Illustration as Visual Essay program and received my Masters degree in 2014.

SJF: What compelled you to collaborate with Classical Pianist Jeeyoon  Kim?

Moonsub Shin’s Drawing of Classical Pianist Jeeyoon Kim, Carnegie Hall, December 14, 2017

MS: First, I love Classical Music. When I was a student, I drew musicians frequently because their playing motions and feeling are a great theme of my work. So collaborating with Music as an artist has been one of my desire projects.

SJF: How did you decide to pursue illustration (rather than other visual arts, such as painting, sculpture, photography etc.)

MS: Actually, I wanted to be a character concept designer in an Animation Company such as Pixar or Disney. When I sought the ways to be a character concept designer, I found that studying illustration was one of them. So I decided to study illustration. However, while I’d studied illustration, I fell into the enchantment of it. Illustration should contain characters, color, appearances, feeling and storytelling at the same time in an image piece. I really felt these features.

SJF: Tell us about last year when you watched and did several illustrations of Jeeyoon’s Carnegie Hall concert?

MS: Carnegie Hall where she performed was really fit with her performance. I was compelled to draw her performance. The Piano, Carnegie Hall, the microphone stand and Jeeyoon – everything delivered stories to me so I really enjoyed that drawing time.

SJF: What inspires your art?

MS: Everything. Mostly, memories are strongly working when I get the inspiration. If something may contain some sources related my memory, it would inspire me.

SJF:  You seem to be doing lots of cup drawings. How did you start with your cup drawing art? Can you explain more about the process?

Follow Moonsub Shin’s Blog with his coffee cup drawings and videos on Tumbler

MS: I used to draw cafe interior sketches in my journal but I now draw them on paper-cups instead. People loved it so I’ve been doing Paper Cup Drawings since then. Every cafe has their own paper cup, which means it contains each cafe’s identity. I think every cafe’s paper cup can be a distinguished canvas to draw the cafe. I try to contain each cafe’s specialty on the cup and it is still going on.

SJF: Do you get paid/compensated with the cup project?

MS: No, It is my personal project. I just visit some cafes with researching (but sometimes visit accidentally). Sometimes, when I give the cup drawing to a cafe, they present coffee or some goods. Recently, some company gave me a brewer machine. What a kind company…

SJF:  Do you give them the cup when finished or keep it for a collection?

MS: I draw two cups. One is for my collection and the other is for the cafe.

SJF: Will any of the cups illustrations be mass produced?

MS: No, but some cafes request my illustration and some items with my illustrations – like mugs, sleeves, packages or boxes…

SJF: What is your hope for this project? TV? Other recognition?

MS: Um… Actually, I just want to collect paper-cup drawings. There is no specific purpose. I love coffee and cafes and this project is a really good motivation to reach another world – coffee. Because of this project, now I know many coffee people and it opens my eyes to the other world where it is not about an illustration. So this project is not only a simple personal project anymore. It’s brought many opportunities to promote me as an illustrator and extend my work abilities.

Now I have one dream. Visiting many cafes in the world and make as many cup drawings as I can. This project will be ongoing and I want to visit the West Coast as well as other countries where coffee is popular, such as Italy, Australia, France the UK and Japan. Finally, I want to have the exhibition when I collect over the 300 cups. I wish it. I’ve visited over the 100 cafes in NYC, Portland, Seoul, Jeju, Busan, and other cities.

SJF: Do you have any role models, female or male?

MS: Jean Jacques Sempe’, French illustrator. He is my role model. His lines are dramatic and deliver all kinds of emotions and stories in a single piece of an image. He knows how to use the drawing line to present image scenes. He’s never wasted drawing lines.

SJF: What does the phrase ‘Over. Above. Beyond.’ mean to you?

MS: Something, that is not Music but still is in the Music.

SJF: What are 3 values you believe in?

MS: Love, Faith and Faithfulness

SJF: What do you do for fun, hobbies, interests outside of illustrating?

MS: I love Coffee. Visiting cafes and enjoying the coffee is part of my life. Also I love to make coffee at home

SJF: How did you collaborate with Jeeyoon in the project, ‘Over. Above. Beyond.’ with the Brahms’ variation Op. 21, No. 1?

MS: First, I just listened to the music over and over again. Sometimes, I really focused on the music and other times, I just turned on the music while I worked.

When some images were released from my brain, I  sketched them. When I repeated these process, I got some frames of the whole images.

A few days ago, I met Jeeyoon and she played the Brahms’ variation Op 21, No. 1 in front of me in the studio. While she played the variation, I made images more clearly.

When some parts were not clear to visualize, we discussed and found the theme and image that were good for it.

 

SJF: Have you ever worked with performing arts and drawing art together in the past? What is your general thought in terms of this kind of collaboration?

MS: For the fashion brand “Nan Seo”, we collaborated when they had a photo shoot for their F/W campaign. The theme was “Dancing with Father” and they hired a dancer. She was dancing on the beach and I drew her and a model.

Illustrating for the performance is not just drawing the scenes. It has to contain an invisible source such as sound, feeling and atmosphere. Also, I should make one scenery image that presents movements and time. So I have to listen to my emotions while I see and hear the performance and then find out the good images from my memories. It is the simply one process with complex steps.

SJF: Thank you so much Moonshin. It was great to get to know you and I look forward to your collaboration with Jeeyoon Kim at her national CD Release Concert, ‘Over. Above. Beyond.’  – December 9th at the Auditorium at The Scripps Research Institute.

TICKET LINK for Classical Pianist Jeyoon Kim’ – OVER. ABOVE. BEYOND.’ 12/9/2018 Concert

Follow Moonsub Shin Illustrator on FACEBOOK

Instagram: @Moonsub

 

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Q & A with Artistic Director, Cast and Stage Manager of San Diego Actors Theatre’s ‘The Zoo Story’ by Edward Albee

San Diego Actors Theatre presents a site-specific theatrical production of Edward Albee’s THE ZOO STORY, October 28 -November 12, 2017 (Saturday and Sunday Matinees at 2 p.m.) at Pioneer Park in Mission Hills, San Diego. Of note: 2018 will mark the sixtieth anniversary of The Zoo Story.

TICKET LINK

More info: CALL: 858-268-4494

or VISIT  San Diego Actors Theatre

Watch the Promo Video:

Hope you enjoy this Q & A with the Artistic Director & Cast

San Diego Actors Theatre’s ‘The Zoo Story’ by Edward Albee

BY

Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Patricia Elmore Costa
Director
‘The Zoo Story’ by Edward Albee

Patricia Elmore Costa (Producer/Director)

SJF: Please tell us about San Diego Actors Theatre
PEC: When I founded the San Diego Actors Theatre in 1985 with a lot of help and support from my late husband and many theatre artist friends, I was one of only 2 women directors in San Diego.  Directing in legitimate theatre has traditionally been a male-dominated profession.  When I founded the SD Actors Theatre, I put that out of my mind and just went after what I wanted to do.  Thirty-two years later, however, I see that there still is gender inequality.  A woman director needs to persevere, be strong, and quietly fight for what they need and want in the theatre.  Chip chip chip at the glass ceiling.
SJF: Why did you choose to direct  TZS?
PEC: I’ve always loved this play.  I admire Edward Albee.  Themes and language are philosophically intelligent and provocative of thought and emotion.  Simple and economically viable to produce –I Hope.  In the natural park setting as the setting in play.
SJF: Any challenges with directing this show?
PEC: I enjoy directing.  It has gone beautifully well.  It is always about the director’s choice in casting.   I’m working with two talented pros.
SJF: Favorite moments/scenes?
PEC: My favorite moments in the play are when these two actors are at their most vulnerable.  That is the strength of the play – when we are able to see man’s humanity and sometimes man’s inhumanity to man.  There is a lot of that in our political climate and political culture.  Man and woman need to do better each and every day.
SJF: Best shows you have directed or best roles to date in your career?
PEC: Best shows directed – Eleemosynary by Lee Blessing was my professional directorial debut in SD.  Performed in some good roles in The Miss Firecracker Contest & The Perfect Party.  Have really enjoyed roles played in many staged readings SDAT has produced over the years.  Directed a staged reading of Dinner With Friends recently that was beautiful.
SJF: What don’t we know about you
PEC:  I’m currently in grad school for another degree.  Was an associate with the Sisters of Providence order for a short time.
SJF: Dream role or show to direct?
PEC: Dream Role:  Martha in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf – told you I liked Edward Albee. Lady Macbeth & Hamlet.  Every show I work on is a DREAM ROLE as a performer or Dream Show to direct!
SJF: Advice to other directors, new directors etc.
PEC: Advice – collaborate is key.  Makes everyone happier.
SJF: Pet Peeves
PEC:  Pet peeves – not listening.  Monologists in social conversations.  Lack of empathy or compassion.
SJF:  Inspirational quote?
PEC:  Inspirational quote from a Nigerian priest at the Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, France –  “try to do better” and another favorite is  “your life is not about you.”
SJF: Anything else?
PEC:  I’m crazy about my 2 handsome, smart, and talented sons – Matthew and Nicholas.  They are the LIGHT of my life.

Byron La Due (Jerry)
‘The Zoo Story’ by Edward Albee

Byron LaDue (Jerry)
SJF: Why did you choose to audition for  TZS?
BLD: Patty texted me to do what I thought was a reading of Zoo Story. Turned out to be live, in the park and playing the crazy guy.
SJF: Any challenges to your role?
BLD: Lines, lines, lines.
SJF: How do you identify with your role personally?
BLD: How?   I never answer questions like this. I’ll use one of Jerry’s Lines. “I have no feelings about any of it that I care to admit to myself.”
SJF:  Favorite moments/scenes
BLD: The whole thing is a gas. Fred as Peter getting all worked up over a bad thing to call Jerry. All he comes up with is, “You’re a …..Bum.” Cracks up me and Jerry.
SJF:  Best roles to date in your career
BLD: Paul Gauguin in The Musical Paul Gauguin
SJF: What don’t we know about you
BLD: I collect Motion Picture Soundtracks beginning with Hercules with Steve Reeves in the early 50’s.
SJF: Dream role?
BLD: Harold Hill –Music Man
SJF: Advice to other actors, new actors etc.
BLD: Don’t give up your day job.
SJF: Pet Peeves?
BLD: Actors who don’t learn their lines.
SJF: Inspirational quote
BLD: “I won’t ask of myself to become someone else, I’ll just be me.”

Fred Harlow (Peter) ‘The Zoo Story’ by Edward Albee

Fred Harlow (Peter)

SJF: Why did you choose to audition for  TZS?
FH: I really didn’t audition. Patricia called me last year to do a staged reading and it snowballed from there.
SJF: Any challenges to your role?
FH: Listen like I’ve never listened before.
SJF: How do you identify with your role personally? How?
FH: Peter doesn’t like to make waves. He also follows the rules, however tell me the rules and I’ll find the loopholes.
SJF: Favorite moments/scenes
FH: Favorite moment must be the ending, it should appear that it comes out of the blue.
SJF: Best roles to date in your career
FH: That is a difficult question, it’s like asking my favorite movie. I love all of the roles I’ve played and can’t single out any one of them.
SJF: What don’t we know about you?
FH: My cell phone is just a cell phone. I don’t text, tweet or post pictures of my dinner or cat.
SJF: Dream role?
FH: If I could sing it would be Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof. What a story, what a journey!!!
SJF: Advice to other actors, new actors etc.
FHL Have fun at auditions. It’s your time to play and have FUN! If you need to get nervous save that for opening night but never for an audition. Believe me they can smell fear.
SJF: Pet Peeves?
FH: People who don’t use their turn signals. Trust me it’s not a sign of weakness.
SJF:  Inspirational quote
FH: If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.

Josh Guicherit
Stage Manager
‘The Zoo Story’ by Edward Albee

 Joshua Guicherit (Stage Manager)
SJF: Why did you choose to stage manage  TZS?
JG: I thought it would be a great opportunity to get involved in San Diego theatre, I knew it was a role I was capable of filling and I appreciated the team that worked on the piece.
SJF: Any challenges to stage managing?
JG: There are many challenges of stage managing and few rewards, so I’ve been told. For me the most difficult part is simply keeping track of everything all at once.
SJF: Favorite moments/scenes
JG: My favorite scenes involve Byron, playing Jerry, making strange noises and accents. I laugh every time he does his dog-eating-food impression.
SJF: Best shows you have been part of as actor or technical staff in your career
JG: My favorite show as an actor was probably playing Don Armado in Love’s Labour’s Lost.
SJF: What don’t we know about you
JG:   You probably don’t know that I once volunteered for the Special Olympics and got to stand in for the singer performing the iconic song “Let It Go” from Frozen.
SJF:  Dream role or show to act in etc.?
JG: My dream role is Iago from Othello.
SJF: Advice to other stage managers etc.
JG: It’s a lot of work. Just take everything in chunks and get to know what your director wants. The rest changes with every show. Find a way to relax at the end of the night.
SJF: Pet Peeves
JG: Chewing with your mouth open.
SJF:  Inspirational quote
JG: Do whatever makes you happy.
SJF:  Anything else?
JG: There’s always something else isn’t there?
Thanks to Patricia Elmore Costa, Byron LaDue, Fred Harlow and Josh Guicherit
Hope to see you at THE ZOO STORY!
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