Susan, your host, welcomes Michael J. Florio to today's episode. Michael is an American independent comic book editor and writer working out of Biloxi, Mississippi. He graduated from Full Sail University with his bachelor's and master's in creative writing for entertainment. Currently, he works as a copy editor and writer for Inked Studios, a small crowdfunding think tank that helps comics creators, new and old, market their books. His work can be found in various independent comics such as Thirst, by Limitless Comics, The Killing Machine, by SHP Productions, and six issues of Shadows Daughter by Serious Sam Comics published by Markosia Publishing. Michael is releasing his first creator-owned comic series this year titled Wild Oni.

Today, Michael shares his very difficult upbringing and how he was impacted by the sudden death of his mother; their relationship was not ideal and that translates into a lot of guilt on his side.

Key Takeaways:

• Michael shares his grief story.
• Michael recently lost his mother; he shares the guilt he experiences now for not prioritizing the relationship with her in the past.
• Michael shares his feeling of anger toward the way his mother died, feeling that it could have been preventable.
• Michael talks about his creative talent and how he started to develop his gift.
• Michael wanted to give a voice to all of those who are not heard.
• Surviving was what dominated the most part of his childhood, now being safe is a new experience and he shares how he is learning not to love in survival mode anymore.
• Susan and Michael discuss trauma bonds.
• Michael suggests the audience to listen and stay open to opportunities; don't settle!

Resources

Tendrilsofgrief.com

Email Susan: [email protected]

Meet Michael J. Florio

Listen to Super Serious Comics

Inked Pub

Morgan Quaid