Interviewed on NBC’s “Daytime” show (WFLA-TV)

Jonathan and I were just interviewed about our family journey depicted in my memoir A Family, Maybe. The 5-minute conversation was very warm. The “Daytime” show hosts Maggie Rodriguez and Farron Hipp (an adoptive mother herself) asked us questions about the joys and pitfalls of the foster adoptive process, and whether it has changed overContinue reading “Interviewed on NBC’s “Daytime” show (WFLA-TV)”

Interviewed on “NY and NJ’s #1 Drive Time Morning Show”

Earlier today, I spoke live about my book A Family, Maybe on “The Frank Truatt Morning Show: NY and NJ’s #1 Drive Time Morning Show.” Frank’s co-host Taylor and I chatted for about 10 minutes about our family’s foster/adoptive journey depicted in the book, and the social issues it brings up. The segment aired onContinue reading “Interviewed on “NY and NJ’s #1 Drive Time Morning Show””

Interviewed by The Impactful Parent podcast

Delighted to be interviewed by the parenting coach Kristina Campos on her popular parenting app, podcast, and YouTube channel The Impactful Parent. In this 35-minute episode, which went live today, I summarize some of the takeaways from our foster adoptive experience. So here it is, “5 Things You Need to Know before You Foster toContinue reading “Interviewed by The Impactful Parent podcast”

New “Foster / Adoptive Parent Resources” page

As a parent, writer, and speaker, I have engaged over the years with some excellent organizations, sites, and other resources that serve current and prospective adoptive parents. I am sharing some of them on a new “Foster/Adoptive Parent Resources” page and will continue to update as times goes on.

“Am Yisrael Chai: Essays, Poems, and Prayers” review in Jewish News

Earlier today, the Jewish News of Northern California published my book review of an anthology of poetry and essays in response to the tragic events of October 7. Am Yisrael Chai is a very special book. I describe it as “… raw, unvarnished and often uncomfortable to read, but that’s why its testimony is soContinue reading ““Am Yisrael Chai: Essays, Poems, and Prayers” review in Jewish News”

Reading a new piece at Authors Guild LA

I read “Postcards to a Stranger,” a new piece about meeting my husband Jon the same day I met President Clinton and his family oh-so-many years ago, the two events intertwined, at the Holiday Get Together of the LA Chapter of Authors Guild. Catching up with other working writers, learning from their works, sharing tipsContinue reading “Reading a new piece at Authors Guild LA”

“Foucault in Warsaw” review in Lambda Lit

A startling book I picked up at a publishers fair turned into my latest book review for Lambda Literary. Michel Foucault’s work forever changed our understanding of sanity, sexuality, morality, and crime. And yet his life concealed a personal secret that might explain how he first arrived at his profound realizations about society. . .Continue reading ““Foucault in Warsaw” review in Lambda Lit”

Presenting on culturally inclusive English teaching

Course content and delivery at my college, as in all higher education institutions in California, remains exclusively monolingual, while serving the student population that is often majority Latinx and bilingual. On Aug. 24, as part of the annual LACC Convocation (faculty training) Day, I gave a talk on the pedagogies in English composition courses thatContinue reading “Presenting on culturally inclusive English teaching”

Lahaina, as I will always remember it

In 2011, prior to the start of a Sierra Club hiking trip, I spent two days in Lahaina, and it left a bittersweet memory – discovering a quaint, sleepy, laid back port town dating back to pre-Victorian times. So much was preserved – from its ethnic groups’ heritage (Chinese, Japanese) to the mansions of theContinue reading “Lahaina, as I will always remember it”

Authors Guild reading

Reading my travel/spirituality essay “Out of Dark Depths” (Parabola Magazine, Winter 2022-23) at the Authors Guild / LA chapter meeting/reading in North Hollywood. Great group of writers; interesting stories spanning the globe from Ghana to Kaua’i to John Lennon at The Dakota to, in my case, Yucatan.