Memoir Club Podcast

Episode Title: Starting Over When the Ground Shifts Episode Number: 19 Episode Description: In episode 19, we explore writing Starting Over stories: What it means to start over after life knocks the wind out of you. You’ll hear a personal story about losing a livelihood and rebuilding from scratch, learn how to shape your own “reset” stories on the page, and discover how writing can help you find steady ground again. Then, in the Listener Mailbox, I answer a common question about turning journal pages into a memoir. Episode Transcript Welcome to episode 19 of the Memoir […]

Episode Title: Embarrassment as Story Gold Episode Number: 16 Episode Description: We all have a moment that still makes us blush. In Embarrassment as Story Gold, we explore how to turn those memories into scenes that connect with your reader. You’ll learn how to write cringe-worthy moments with empathy and humor, without turning them into self-punishment. Episode Transcript Today’s Topic Welcome to episode 18 of the Memoir Club Podcast. I’m your host, Wayne Jordan, and today we’re going to explore how to turn embarrassment into relatable stories. I’ll share a story about my most embarrassing moment and […]

Episode Title: If Only: Regrets and Do-Overs Episode Number: 17 Episode Description: We all have moments we wish we could live again—some to savor, others to change. In this episode, Wayne shares a story of a stray dog that still haunts him, and reflects on how writing about regrets helps us see who we were then, and who we are now. Plus, a listener question about whether you can change the ending of a true story to make it more satisfying for the reader. Transcript Welcome to Episode 17 of the Memoir Club Podcast. I’m your host, […]

Episode Title: The Teacher Who Changed You Episode Number: 16 Episode Description: Some teachers leave more than lessons in math or grammar; they leave a mark on the way we see ourselves. In this episode, we’ll revisit the voice of a teacher who changed you, explore how to capture them on the page, and answer a listener’s question about how much background to include before a story begins. Episode Transcript Welcome to Episode 16 of the Memoir Club Podcast. I’m your host, Wayne Jordan. Today, we’re going to discuss writing about a teacher who changed you. I’ll […]

Episode Title: When Life Presses Pause: Writing a Health Scare Story Episode Number: 15 Episode Description:In this episode, we explore how health scare stories shape our memories and our writing. You’ll hear a personal story, get tips for writing about vulnerable moments, and learn why these experiences matter in memoir. Plus, in the Listener Mailbox, we tackle the question: How long should a memoir story be? Episode Transcript Welcome back to the Memoir Club Podcast. I’m your host, Wayne Jordan. In episode 15, we’ll explore how a health scare story can shape your memories and oyur writing. As we […]

Episode Title: Backfired! The Best Laid Plans That Weren’t Episode Number: 14 Episode Description: A can’t-miss plan meets real life. We visit a rain-soaked family getaway that went sideways, then break down how to turn misfires into scenes that land with heart and humor. Listener Mailbox: making dialogue sound natural without inventing whole conversations. Episode Transcript In episode 14, we’ll talk about plans that backfired. We’ve all had them. Some plans feel bulletproof when we sketch them out in our heads, don’t they? The reservations are set, the timing is just right, the variables look tame. Then […]

The Memoir Club Podcast: Episode 13 Episode Title: Love Hurts: First Crush, First Crash Episode Description: First crushes often bring first heartbreaks. In this episode, we revisit those adolescent missteps, where courage met rejection and love delivered its first sting. Along the way, we’ll explore how to write about those early heartbreaks with humor and honesty, and I’ll answer a listener’s question about how to keep from rambling in your stories. Episode Transcript Just for fun, I’ve titled episode 13 “Love Hurts: First Crush, First Crash.” We’ll start with a story from my teenage years, when I was […]

The Memoir Club Podcast – Episode 12 Episode Title: The Hardest Goodbye: Losing a Pet Episode Description: Saying goodbye to a beloved pet can be one of life’s hardest moments. In this episode, Wayne shares the story of his Boxer, Porter, and reflects on how pet loss shapes memory, ritual, and resilience. Plus, a listener question about blending two memories into one story. Episode Transcript Welcome back. In episode 12, I’ll begin with the story of my favorite dog and his final days. We’ll reflect on why losing a pet often feels overwhelming, and how you might approach writing […]

Episode Transcript In Episode 11, we’re talking about career turning points, the moments you don’t see coming, but that shape your path all the same. We all like to think we’re steering our own ship, choosing the jobs we take. But sometimes, life steps in and grabs the wheel. I’ll start with a turning point that changed my path. We’ll also talk about how to write work-related stories in a way that focuses on the human side of the change, rather than a list of accomplishments. And in the Listener Mailbox, I’ll answer a question about how to write dialogue […]

Episode Transcript: Hey there, welcome to Episode Ten of the Memoir Club Podcast. I’m Wayne Jordan, and today, we’ll be discussing how to write honestly about moments of change, especially those tied to loss. I’ll share a personal story from my life, then look at a listener’s question about writing through change. And as always, I’ll wrap up with a prompt to get you started. If you’d like a transcript of today’s episode, or the printable worksheet that goes with it, head over to MemoirClub.net. You’ll find everything there. You know, some stories begin with a bang, and others with […]