How Was Your Mother's Day?

"What did you all do for Mother's Day?"

 "I got Starbucks!"

 "I had time with my family!"

 Me: "I made my kids write me love letters so the day wouldn't disappoint me into a rolled up ball of crushed defeat."

You can hear the rest here, on The Morning Blend  .

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LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER on Morning Blend

41 cities across North America, LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER Shows are filling up local community theatres with stories that celebrate the role of motherhood. All occurring within two weeks of Mother's Day in recognition of the diversity and unlimited possibility of the motherhood theme.

I've been helping to produce LTYM shows for four years now, and two years before that, I was part of the LTYM show in Madison.

I believe in LTYM shows because I see how sharing our stories help us to see how we are united more than we are divided: we have to find the common instead of seeking out the different.

As a co-producer of LTYM Milwaukee, I have the privilege of playing a part in helping Milwaukee hear the voices that need to be heard. I also get to experience how supportive and receptive our Milwaukee community is when they come attend our shows, and when local media offers to spread the word of LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER.

Milwaukee's Morning Blend show is such a community supporter, and I had the pleasure of being able to talk LTYM on their show last week. If you want to learn more about LTYM and hear from one of our 11 2016 cast members, you can watch the 5 minute segment here.

Thank you!

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The Inside Voice Podcast: Hear it, Here

A year ago, I read one of the funniest posts on lice. Lice can be funny, if recounted with a deft hand. Such was the job of humorist, Jennifer Scharf .  I had to find more of what this funny woman had written, so I googled her name. The first link that came up was "symposium to be held on quantum mathematics this Friday..." and I read no further, I mean, not to undersell humor writers, but probably not the lice-writer I was looking for.

I tried again, "Jennifer Scharf+Lice."

Bingo.

It took me to her house.

It was late at night, but I sent her an email. Not too gushing, but definitely to let her know how much I had enjoyed her writing on the universal subject of childhood: lice. I hit send, and went to bed, trying hard not to scratch my head. Five days later, she got back to me, we liked each other and one year later, she's invited me on her newly launched podcast, Inside Voice, where she hosts humor writers from around the web.

Life, like lice, wait -- no, not like lice. But, life: very funny

You can listen to us talk back and forth on humor, storytelling, and hear us bond over the shock of childbirth and the shared love of  good, twisted humor.

I'd love to have you drop in and give us a listen here.

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Subscribe to Inside Voice on iTunes.

You can also follow Inside Voice on Twitter and Facebook.

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What About Listen To Your Mother Shows?

Six years ago, I auditioned for Listen To Your Mother Madison. I had never auditioned for anything before, and even the word 'audition' gave me a hollow feel in my stomach. But I knew that the open call to come tell your story about motherhood wouldn't leave my mind.

I had a story to tell. It wasn't about my mother, but it was about motherhood. I sat in front of the computer, fingers over the keyboard, and had to keep telling one side of my brain to let the other side of my brain write. Who was it, who thought, they could tell me I had to be experienced to tell my story? Where had they seen "professionals" only? It was up to me to believe I had something to share, to follow that instinct that led me to seek connection.

I kept working on my audition piece, and I made an appointment to try for the Madison show. I drove 90 minutes and held my pages of written story before the Listen To Your Mother production team. Brave enough for my voice not to shake but not yet brave enough to look up from my papers.

But on that overcast February morning, I was there, I had shown up with belief in myself enough to audition, and that moment of empowerment clicked something on in me. My life was switched to a different track. It didn't matter to me if I made the cast, the real change that occurred was in how I began to think of myself that morning at auditions.

Since then, I have become a live storyteller, a writer, a blogger, a humorist, published author, columnist, public radio essayist, and now, a co-producer of Listen To Your Mother Milwaukee.

All because of that day in auditions, when I listened to the voice inside me that pushed me to share my story and seek that connection.

You, too, can answer that call and listen to the advice of my mother, "Never tell yourself you can't."
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Our LTYM shows are now in 41 cities, and they are transforming: not just for the reader, but for the audience, too. We find ourselves in each other's stories, and we show up for each other, by witnessing in this share. Find a show near you, audition for a show near you. Give this a listen, and then, write down your Listen To Your Mother Story.

Here's some footage of me getting passionate, geeky, fire in my eyes, about the Listen To Your Mother Show process:

http://www.tmj4.com/shows/the-morning-blend/listen-to-your-mother-2016-show-auditions

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Parenting: It's So Easy

For the past 20 years, I have mothered. And for every year that passes while I guess, bluff, hope, and put my heart into this role, I wish for another year to try again and fingers crossed, get it right.

But I don't think we can ever get it right. But we can aim to.

When I was invited to talk about raising boys in today's world, and the shift (so welcome) from forcing boys to be tough, strong, never cry, and never feel hurt, I jumped at the chance.

We can change, do what we're supposed to, and accept our kids for who they are.

This morning's topic on The Morning Blend. "Raising Today's Boys."

Toy Talk

Does it bring you joy? If the answer is no, then it's time to toss and send it on its way. BUT if it's a toy, and you're asking a kid, the answer will always be YES I LOVE IT SO MUCH!

Toys will always bring joy to their owners but what about your house running out of room? What about every inch of shelf crammedjammedpacked to the brim with toys toys toys.

Teach your children to share them -- maybe it's not natural for them to want to let things go, but when you work with them to help them understand there are kids that don't get even a sixth of what I know our own receive from aunts, grandparents, cousins, friends, birthday parties, you may be able to lead them to water and make them drink.

I talk about encouraging a spirit of giving with your children, of spreading the good that we have when we have more than we need on The Morning Blend.

Thanks for watching! And thank you for helping me spread the message, Morning Blend!

Click here to watch.

Happy de-cluttering!

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Interview about a Mother

This week, families around the country are sharing their inspiring, funny, honest, and heartbreaking stories with Yahoo! Parenting in an effort to spark conversations, a little compassion, and change in the way we think about parenting forever. I loved the interview that Raven Snook did with her daughter about Raven's occupation as a burlesque hostess, her Goth dress, and many tattoos, so I did my own here. If you have a story to share, use the hashtag #NoShameParenting or email YParenting at yahoo dot com.

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As a kid, I dreamed about being someone's mom. I had baby dolls that I would diaper and pour asthma-triggering Johnson's powder over their plastic dimpled bottoms like they were biscuits about to go into the oven. I had plastic baby bottles and would coo and feed and coddle and coo and feed and coddle my imaginary children, then go to sleep for the night, and wake up fresh the next day for another day of pretend mothering. Feed Coddle Coo, I loved the rhythm of it. I wanted to take care of little ones in my life, no matter if they were real or not. When I finally did become pregnant, at an age old enough for my OB-GYN to stamp my medical chart with the red letters AMA, and not because they were part of the American Medical Association, I walked on air and patted the kidney bean in my womb for nine months straight. 

 

I had big dreams about motherhood. At the head of it all, even more than wanting to nurture and feedcoocoddle, was how I knew I would be a cool mom. Without a doubt, I would listen to my children, I would possess a bottomless well of patience and wisdom, and they would never be embarrassed about who their mother was.

 

Now that I am a mother, it's time to check the status of that dream of mine. So I did an interview with my youngest, based on the awesome piece by Raven Snook I mentioned above. My life pales compared to hers--that of a one woman burlesque show, but still, I thought my children would answer my interview questions with shouts resounding enough to knock the cedar shingles off the roof . YOU ROCK, MOM! they would yell. Not quite so, as evidenced below: 

1.) When I was a kid, my mom embarrassed me. She was so different from the other moms. I just wanted to blend in and she was having nothing doing with the Sally Homemaker in the Midwest. She was Colombian and loved it. She wore red lipstick when other moms wore pink. She wore gold hoops when other moms had gold studs. She had curls of Ava Gardner hair--don't ask, she's an actress from the stone age you don't know her. What about you? Do you feel embarrassed when I'm around? 

No. You dress like you should for your age. You don't try to be hip and hot like you're not. But you don't dress like a really old lady, either. And you look pretty good for your age. And you don't wear embroidered cat clothes.

 

 

2.) Do you think I wear the clothes I do like my heels and stuff because I like them?

 

Well, you wear like 43 year olds stuff because you look pretty good for your age. You don't dress like the other moms--they dress younger like Old Navy. Because they are younger.

 

3.) I used to worry about my mom. She did things that didn't make sense, and she would sometimes get frustrated over things I didn't understand. Is there anything I do that confuses you?

No. I kind of never wondered about that because you act like you don't care. So anything that happened was just funny, like we would both be surprised. But the stuff that makes me angry... [topic shelved for later at mother's request]

4.) If I were to dress and act like other moms, would this make you feel like you fit in more? Like, do you ever wish I looked and acted like the moms of your friends?

Hmmm. No. How you act created an essential part of who I am.

5.) Is there anything you want to ask me for this interview? I'm good at interviews.

 

Yes. Why do I have to do this interview.

6.) Do your friends ever say anything about how I am as your mother? 

 

Well, when you taught Sunday School they would say they thought you would be a neat parent. And I would tell them that yeah you give us a lot of freedom with how we think and what we think BUT that we need to obey you or you really lose your mind.

 

7.) Nice. Thank you.

[giggles]

8.) Do you wish you had a different mom?

No. Because then I wouldn't be the kid I am.

9.) You got me! A surprise 30 minutes of PS4 for you!

Nailed it. High five!

10.) What bugs you about me? Anything?

No. Wait... yeah. No. Wait. Yeah. With the rights you give me. I have no rights. I wish you gave me technology rights and let me hang out with people without having to know who they are.

11.) If someone asked you what I did all day, what would you say?

Write. Sike! No, I'd say , [lowers voice] "She is productive and makes sure her family is cared for. She probably cleans too. And goes to Starbucks."

12.) Ok, last one and then you can go. If there was one thing you could change about me, what would it be?

 P-H-O-N-E. Get me one. And let me hang out with girls without asking questions about who they are and where they go to school.

 

13.) [me dying laughing] Like that's going to happen.

 

"Mom, I opened all the Christmas presents and not a single dang box has a PHONE in it!"

Be sure to click over and check out Raven Snook's interview with her daughter as part of Yahoo! Parenting's #NoShameParenting campaign. 

 

P.S. It's fun to talk to your kids.

* * *

How To Tell a Great Story: by The Moth

With words, we open each others' worlds.

I would always ask my grandmother to tell me a story. She never hesitated, and every time I would marvel at the bottomless well of stories she had. Tales of her life would tumble from her mouth, there were so many.

I know now that the stories came at the ready because I was there to hear them. I was my grandmother's audience and with ears eager to hear, how much there is that we want to tell.

That's what a Moth show brings: the community and audience of one, all there with open hearts, both from the listener and the presenter. We have stories to tell, and we gift each other with words and with the giving of our time to  listen.

"Tell me another story, Abuelita,” I would sit before my grandmother and look at her, hopeful. Within a heartbeat, the shutters to her world opened, and I stepped inside the life of another. What a mesmerizing time-stopping way to step out of our lives and into the time and place of someone else.

The more stories I hear from others, the more I want to know. Our true to life stories, filled with spirit, humor, love, determination and the beauty of life.

If you are fortunate enough to have the chance to see a Moth show, don't miss it. You'll leave loving who we are and grateful for the chance to see the good we have inside each other. 

 

Milwaukee has a Moth show TONIGHT, September 16, 7:30 p.m., at Turner Hall. I wouldn't miss it for anything. Tickets are available at the door.

 

**And here's something special: Click to hear from the storytelling experts at The Moth, “How To Tell A Great Story. “

 

If you're in the Milwaukee area, I hope to see you at The Moth show tonight. You will leave transformed, and a Moth fan forever. 

 

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Is There Any Way in the World to Make Back to School Fun?

I don't know, but I try.

I do it, for the children.

Summertime, and Soon My Time Will No Longer Be Mine...

You know what's fun? Talking about summer -- what I'll give up, what I'll gain -- on Milwaukee's BEST morning show, The Morning Blend.

Hosted by two of the funniest women on Milwaukee's local TV, Molly Fay and Tiffany Ogle. Click and watch.

Thank you, and come on, summer!

You Might Have Heard Me Talk About This. Maybe Once, or So.

Why Go For The Risk?

Why do we try new things? What's the purpose in pushing beyond what we think we're able to, even risking the uncomfortable squirm of sticking your neck out?

Because there's a new frontier on the other side of the shaky knees and trembling hands. Taking a leap that leads to more of YOU.

When I discovered Listen To Your Mother Shows in 2010, it changed my life. I now am a story teller and have the incredible opportunity of giving that same not so gentle nudge to a life bigger than I imagined for myself than Ann Imig gave to me in the LTYM Madison show five years ago.

I am now the co-producer of Listen To Your Mother Milwaukee, along with Jennifer Gaskell and Rochelle Fritsch. I am so lucky, to be able to offer the podium, the microphone, the lights, for others to take a breath and dive into their story.

Whether you land steady or panting and wobbly legged, a leap of faith is a jump into a new land.

I love talking about the possibility of in our lives, and I had the opportunity to do so this week. I hope listening here inspires you to get to know yourself beyond what you think you can do.

(Thank you, Ann Imig, for Listen To Your Mother)

Life Changing Stories

photo credit: Reid Peterson Life Changing Stories

Everyone should be free to live a life that celebrates who they are. Living with joy and without the weight of things that hold you back, things like shame.

I have often spoken on shame and how it keeps us from feeling included, accepted, and understood. Reid Peterson, of the podcast Life Changing Stories, contacted me after hearing me present for The Moth, and asked if I would explore the topic of shame for his listeners. I was honored, and couldn't wait to share my experience of how letting go of that emotion set my life on a new path, one that was made of a sense of solid self-worth and value.

We spent a great half hour talking to each other, and I'm proud to share our dialogue of that with you, via his podcast, Life Changing Stories.

If you know of someone who needs to lighten their load on this life journey and has been carrying the burden of shame for too long, please share this with them.

Thank you so much, for hearing, and listening.

http://lifechangingstories.me/31/

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About Life Changing Stories: "I was inspired by stories shared from The Moth, I realized that we often hear someone tell a story but seldom hear what the person learned from the experience. That’s when I thought “Man, if people share more of the wisdom of what they went through, it could be extremely supportive and inspirational to the listener!” That’s why I do Life Changing Stories. To give you more meaning and depth- of what someone goes through. To provide more hope, inspiration, and support in your own life." ~ Reid Peterson

* * *

Learn the Secrets of a Blogger! All This and More!

• How READING YOUR WRITING ALOUD IS DIFFERENT than someone reading your words online
• My FIRST TIME READING MY WORK ALOUD!

• HOW IT FEELS TO AUDITION for Listen To Your Mother and why it’s WORTH A LONG DRIVE if you don’t have one in your backyard

• Why not to let FEAR OF PUBLIC SPEAKING hold you back

• TIPS FOR AUDITIONING for Listen To Your Mother and how it CHANGED MY LIFE
• MY plan for PITCHING YOUR LOCAL PUBLIC RADIO and why it’s important to BE PREPARED and TIMELY

Information about how and when to PITCH YOUR LIVE STORYTELLING TO THE MOTH including WHICH CELEBRITY I HAD QUAIL EGGS WITH !

• How I landed MANY OTHER SPEAKING OPPORTUNITIES

• Listen To Your Mother Show details from Carisa Miller, co-producer of LTYM Portland, about WHO CAN AUDITION and HOW TO AUDITION for Listen To Your Mother

• Whether you can AUDITION FOR MORE THAN ONE SHOW and/or IN SUCCESSIVE YEARS

• Answers about the TYPE OF PIECE you should audition with/read for the show including TOPIC, LENGTH and more

• How the Listen To Your Mother shows are CAST and HOW MANY CAST MEMBERS are selected in each city

• Carisa’s TIPS FOR AUDITIONING for Listen To Your Mother

• Why Auditioning for Listen To Your Mother is such a GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR BLOGGERS

• Carisa’s MAIN TAKEAWAY from being involved in Listen To Your Mother

• Why BEING AN AUDIENCE MEMBER for a Listen To Your Mother show is an amazing experience and HELPS YOUR COMMUNITY

Resource Links:

--Alexandra’s BlogHer Voice of The Year piece: When Someone You Love Has A Blog
--Alexandra’s first reading at Listen To Your Mother: The Reach of a Small Moment
--Alexandra’s readings on local public radio (WUWM, Lake Effect): We Don’t Eat Peacocks, Magic Memory and Fred and Me
--Pitch Information for The Moth

--Alexandra’s story for The Moth: “The Candy Bar”

 

ALL THIS and more! On Beyond Your Blog's Podcast: Finding Outlets for reading your work aloud: 

 

 http://www.beyondyourblog.com/beyond-your-blog-podcast-022-listen-to-your-mother-and-other-opportunities-for-bloggers-to-tell-their-stories-aloud/

 

**A huge thank you to Susan Maccarelli, founder of Beyond Your Blog, a site that helps bloggers get published on sites beyond their own blogs! Follow Beyond Your Blog if you want to get read!

 

And for fun, let's have some more exclamation marks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

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Finding Your Place in the Blogosphere

A few weeks ago, I was interviewed by Tammy Soong of Blogging Betties for their newly launched podcast series. (Congratulations!) I was asked the question, How did you find out where you belong, what your space is, in the internet world where there are thousands of blogs?

I breathed an audible sigh because I wasn't thinking how obnoxious and rude that sounds when taped live, as if they're making me endure the biggest torture of my life, and then I went full-scale into what I feel explains how we fall into that which we're drawn to.

I hope you'll give the podcast a listen. And maybe, there might be a pearl or two of wisdom that will help you feel your way home in this vast world of internet real estate. (After all, miracles happen and it is Holy Week)

Thanks so much, and have a wonderful spring break!

Click here to listen: Podcast Episode #006: Alexandra Rosas Finds Her Place in the Blogosphere

**ABOUT Blogging Betties:  Blogging Betties Podcasts, where veteran bloggers/gal pals Poppy, Tammy, and Vanita share all the tips, tricks, and tools you’ll need to navigate the blogosphere. Each week we bring in top bloggers to tell their stories, spill their best secrets, and share their past screw-ups. Get ready to make your mark — the Blogging Betties are here to help. Follow them on Facebook , twitter, or the Blogging Betties website.

**thank you to Poppy, Tammy, and Vanita: I had so much fun talking with you!

* * *

This Was a Fun Time

I had a lot of fun today talking with Val Curtis, founder of the online magazine Bon Bon Break.

We talked about what came up, bit of this, bit of that, some parenting experiences, and generally, showcasing my corniness.

The dork at the keyboard shall forever remain the dork at the keyboard.

Thanks for the company and the indulging, Val, I had a great time.

If you'd like to peek in on the 18 minutes we spent together, here's the video:



Enjoy, have fun, all on my account. It's no problem. Thank you so much, Val, I had a great time!

**Check out Bon Bon Break: the online magazine featuring bite size inspiration straight from the source.

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