Writing About Suicide Authentically With JJ Elliott

 Chance meetings can lead to the most incredible connections. While I was doing a ski clinic this winter, the instructor overheard a conversation I was having about publishing my book. Later that day, she approached me, “I heard you're an author! So is my mom, Jane Green, do you know her?”Of course, I know her. Jane Green is a national bestseller. Today, Jane joins me to share about her journey from journalist to novelist and offers her best tips to aspiring writers.She also gets transparent about self-acceptance, her midlife reinvention, owning the mistakes she’s made as a mother, and more. Finally, after trailblazing the chick lit genre, she shares with us her most recent project: writing a memoir. You’re going to love this conversation with Jane.Connect With the GuestWebsite: janegreen.com Instagram: instagram.com/janegreenauthor Daily Mail Column

 If you want to get to know your mother, have her on your podcast. I wrote a book about my mother's life and my own, and it was hard for her, naturally.But people ask me, what does your mom think about the book? For this Mother’s Day, I invited my mother on my podcast to share her voice with my listeners and readers. Just like phone conversations, a microphone has the power to deepen personal relationships. I've witnessed this countless times as I've developed friendships with people I've interviewed, and it is true of this conversation with my mother.My connection to my mother's story was the inspiration for launching my podcast About Your Mother, where your story begins as well as the foundation from a mother-daughter memoir, Both Sides of Then, available wherever books are sold. Well, listeners and readers, here she is… Anna!Through it all, she counts her blessings and credits the women who stepped in as mothers in her life. I hope you love this special episode just in time for Mother’s Day. Resources MentionedBoth Sides of ThenSuperhero: A Biography of Christopher Reeve

As Mother's Day approaches, I find myself reflecting even more deeply on the women who shaped us—especially the woman who shaped me: my mother. Through hosting the About Your Mother podcast and writing my memoir, Both Sides of Then, I’ve learned that Mother's Day isn’t just about celebration—it’s also about reflection, curiosity, and connection.At the heart of my work is one simple but powerful belief: "If you want to truly know someone, ask them about their mother."After years of heartfelt interviews, personal exploration, and writing, I’m excited to share something special with you: a selection of carefully crafted prompts designed to help you better understand the woman your mother was before she became your parent—and in doing so, to better understand yourself.Download the Mother's Day Reflection Prompts here >>

Mothering is hard, but we don’t want to admit that there is pain in everyday mothering. Why is that? Confessing to the dark moments of mothering keeps us from living up to the high bar of perfection that we–and society–has asked of mothers.In this episode, I interview Dr. Margo Lowy, a psychotherapist and the author of Maternal Ambivalence, about why we need to embrace the light and dark moments of mothering. She shares how the complicated moments can fuel our love, help us practice self-compassion, and model forgiveness to our children.Resources MentionedTorn in Two by Rozsika ParkerHappy Event filmThe Hedgehog filmBringing Up Bébé by Pamela DruckermanLadybird filmConnect With the GuestMaternal Ambivalence by Margo Lowy

Is your relationship with money inherited? What if, when it came to your finances, you mothered yourself? In this episode of About Your Mother, personal finance expert Elizabeth Husserl shares the radical redefinition of wealth that we all need to hear.Elizabeth is the author of The Power of Enough, which she dedicated to her ancestors and the wisdom they instilled in her.Resources MentionedMaslow’s Hierarchy of NeedsManfred Max-NeefThe 7 Habits of Highly Effective PeopleScarcity BrainConnect with the GuestThe Power of Enough bookThe Wealth MandalaWebsite: elizabethhusserl.comInstagram: instagram.com/elizabethhusserl

 What if you wrote something, something that was true and significant to you, and those words launched a media attack of shame and judgment that rendered you nearly silent - how would you feel? What would you do? Melissa Petro is a writer, a mom, and a wife. Her book, Shame on You, How to Be a Woman in the Age of Mortification, is a brilliant examination of how society, and people in general, mortify women that we don't understand.It happens every day. Taylor, JLo, Britney, to name a few well-known ones. Artists living in the public eye until, for some reason, the media decided to take them down. Melissa and I connected on a quote: “I think we become whoever would have saved our younger self.”Originally, Melissa and I were going to discuss how she and her mother became estranged, but we only touch on that briefly and don't dig into the reasons why. In reflection, that is okay. What you witness when listening to Melissa is someone becoming the person that she needed when she was young. This is Melissa’s story.Resources MentionedForest For the Trees by Betsy LernerJudith HermanThe Girls Who Went Away by Ann FesslerMother Hunger by Kelly McDanielConnect With the GuestMelissa’s Book, Shame On You 

 Is there hope in loss? Yes. Absolutely. My conversation with copywriter turned novelist JJ Elliot is an exploration of her experience losing her mom to suicide, then having that open doors to her helping others.Subconsciously, the loss of her mom led to her novel about a group of women who lose a friend by her own hand. Those friends take that loss to celebrate their own lives. JJ's goal in writing her book was to get people to laugh and cry at the same time, which is exactly what I did when I talked to JJ. Resources MentionedAnne Sexton poetrySylvia Plath poetrySimone Biles RisingNaomi OsakaJJ’s Lit Hub Magazine Article: Murder is a Plot Point, Suicide Isn’tShe Writes PressLaura Munson’s Writing RetreatZibby AwardsKauai Writers Conference Connect With the GuestWebsite: jjelliott.comInstagram: instagram.com/jjelliott

Mother being a ubiquitous term, I've wanted to take the direction of the podcast in a way to celebrate the mother we all share, Mother Nature. I cannot think of a better person to launch this exploration than with Kevin Grange.Kevin is one of those people that when he starts talking I can't stop asking questions or listening to his stories. A former paramedic in Yellowstone and Grand Teton, Kevin has seen it all. He has been charged by grizzlies, rescued people gored by bison, and so much more. It's his love of nature and the most fearsome predator, Ursus Arctos, that inspires his work. A brilliant writer, he has stories for days. There existed a mother in nature so steadfast and strong and nurturing that she also deserves a celebration on About Your Mother. When the international star known as Grizzly Bear 399 died, I knew I had to honor her. The 28 year old female became an ambassador for the species because of her age, prolific reproduction, and for living so close to the community of Jackson, Wyoming.She produced at least 18 offspring, including a set of quadruplets, during her remarkably long life. She not only inspired millions, she inspired Kevin. Me too. Resources MentionedDr. Chris ServheenGrizzly 399 DocumentaryConnect With the GuestKevin’s Book: Grizzly ConfidentialWebsite: https://www.kevingrange.com/ 

For nearly three years, I've been sharing stories of survival, hope, and love launched from the word mother, a ubiquitous term that is so deeply rooted in all of our becomings. This universal topic, the influence our mother's story has on our own life, has caught on with so many, and in many ways, this conversation has no limits. I truly believe if you want to get to know someone, ask them about their mother.Today, my own book is available! I put my heart and soul into. I bled at the keyboard for years. I worked with some of the greats in the industry to ensure my first book was truly the best I could do at the time.Buy Now >>The memoir is written for you to show you the power our mothers and maternal lineage have on the shape of our lives to also show you that everyone has a story to tell every story, no matter how ordinary or not has value.You can buy my book, Both Sides of Then: Finding Love After Abandonment on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0D58C23DV?tag=simonsayscom Learn more about the podcast at byjennifergriffith.com/category/podcast

Immersing ourselves in a culture is exhilarating and can change our view of the world. What happens when you are an American marrying into a Chinese family? What could go wrong? Good Chinese Wife is a memoir that explores Susan Blumberg-Kason's life integrating into a Chinese family and her thrilling search for agency.Connect with Susansusanbkason.comGood Chinese WifeLearn more about the podcast at byjennifergriffith.com/category/podcast