Garth Callaghan, author of Napkin Notes: Make Lunch Meaningful, Life Will Follow, did not know how long he had to live. Although he began his writing career tucking simple notes to his daughter Emma’s lunchbox, the notes took on new meaning when he was diagnosed with cancer--four times! Seemingly out of nowhere, his school-day ritual went viral. News media inundated the Callaghans, and, just months later, the book Napkin Notes became a runaway bestseller. 

00:15   Nonfiction4Life celebrates Valentine’s Day sharing a book about love

00:30   Intro to Napkin Notes: Make Lunch Meaningful, Life Will Follow by Garth Callaghan

00:35   Janet shares surprising true story of contacting Garth Callaghan for the podcast

01:00   How Callaghan begins writing napkin notes to his daughter to affirm his love and teach her how to live

2:30     After he’s diagnosed with cancer, Callaghan puts more thought into notes

4:00     Emma, who saves all the notes, reads some favorites in the audiobook format

05:00   Notes evolve to include quotes “from the greats,” dad jokes, and inspirational and motivational thoughts

06:00   Discussing uncomfortable topics (e.g., prostate cancer, death)

09:30   Reads in-flight article about Alex Sheen, founder of nonprofit Because I Said I Would

10:30   Promises to write 826 notes, enough to carry Emma to high school graduation

12:00   Avoids duplicates by creating a spreadsheet

13:00   Intent on writing (vs. merely verbalizing) positive, encouraging, and affirming words

14:00   Tangible, written notes carry enduring power

14:45   “I don’t need to beat cancer; I just need to tie it.” ~ Callaghan

15:00   “A tie counts as a win.” ~ Emma

16:00   Advice for well-intentioned parents with multiple children: “Just copy me!”

17:00   Takes pictures of napkin notes; posts them online and share with others

17:30   Website offers a free download of monthly notes

18:00   Writing a simple note takes five seconds

18:15   “It doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to be done.”

18:45   “Napkin notes” idea goes viral

21:00   Family heads to NYC for interviews with NPR, The Today Show, Fox & Friends, etc.

21:30   Callaghan’s national exposure offers the opportunity to share an idea he believes in wholly

22:00   He quiets his mind and prays and before writing notes, recognizing his purpose is Emma

25:45   Going viral and taking the story public is a family decision

28:30   Writes the book for Harper Collins in 80 days; meets deadlines to ensure he sees the book before dying

31:00   Book is a wakeup call to people who procrastinate or feel uncomfortable sharing feelings

32:00   Most people die without wills and life insurance. (“Last time I checked, everyone is going to die.”)

33:00   If you die without sharing your thoughts and feelings with loved ones, “it all goes away.”

35:00   A seven-time cancer patient, Callaghan faces his uncertain future with purpose and positivity

36:00   Movie rights to Napkin Notes sold

36:30   Napkin Notes message aligns with Nonfiction4Life goals: finding insightful, inspiring, and uplifting ideas that attract people seeking goodness

37:25   “I’m the most boring man in the world!”

38:30   Callaghan’s promise to write many notes is one everyone can make and keep

39:15   “You can strengthen your relationship with anyone through the written note.”

39:30   Finds an old file full of notes from a manager who celebrated successes in writing

40:30   Callaghan keeps lots of pens and paper handy, writing notes often--even to strangers

41:45   Recommendations: two books about love (see below)

42:50   More recommendations: lunch box note packs for all ages (see links below)

BUY Napkin Notes: Make Lunch Meaningful, Life Will Follow

BUY Everything I Need to Know About Love I Learned From a Little Golden Book

BUY Listening Is an Act of Love: A Celebration of American Life from the StoryCorps Project

Best Paper Greetings Pack of 60 Lunch Box Notes - Colorful Inspirational and Motivational Cards for Kids (Young & Old)

BUY Juvale Pack of 60 Lunch Box Notes - Colorful Inspirational and Motivational Cards for (Younger) Kids

BUY Love Note Card Deck - Cute Sentimental Quote Cards - Set of Thirty 2" x 3.5" Cards - Assorted Designs

For more information about Garth Callaghan and his mission, go to The Napkin Notes Dad website

Check out Alex Sheen's website, Alex Sheen's website Because I Said I Would.

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Special thanks…

• Music Credit
• Sound Editing Credit