The joy of speaking out loud
The transition from desk to stage (or podcast mic) has been weird and wonderful.
I was terrified of making the transition from writing about a topic I’ve come to know so well to speaking about it. I am far more comfortable asking the questions. Answering them—in public and in the face of likely critics—requires a whole different set of skills.
I spent a lot of time before Mother Brain launched three weeks ago preparing for this new role. I worked with media coach Paula Rizzo. I talked with my therapist about my anxieties. And I practiced, recording myself answering hard questions, writing and rewriting possible responses, and asking small groups of friends and acquaintances to join me for mock book events.
The thing is, it’s been a blast! I love this part, far more than I had anticipated. This science is so important. Talking about it and hearing how people respond to it—where they see themselves in it and also where it seems to grate against what they know—is fascinating and so rewarding.
It helped that I was prepared. And, in fact, it helped that the excerpt of Mother Brain that ran in The New York Times received such a—ahem—vociferous response. I had already heard from the loudest critics. I had responded to many and figured out which required no response from me. All of that made more room for joy.
The Portland book launch at Mechanics’ Hall, with Print bookstore and Lynn Steger Strong, was magical. I got to share what I’ve learned with a room full of smart, engaged people, half of whom I know and love dearly, and half of whom walked in as strangers but came because they care about parents and families. They wanted to feel seen and known in this, too. The audience asked thoughtful questions. There were tears and laughter. And I’ll never forget it.
I’ve been grateful for the opportunity to have deep, probing conversations with so many excellent interviewers, including Nancy Reddy for Slate, Sara Fredman for her newsletter Write Like a Mother, and Gloria Riviera of the podcast No One Is Coming to Save Us, among many others. “I felt like someone I know really well was writing this book,” Gloria said in her intro, below. “And as I say that I think, well, yeah I do know her, because she’s a mom and she cares about kids, and we are all in this together.”
There’s still so much to say. Stay tuned. And here are some ways you can continue to support Mother Brain—an Amazon Editors’ Pick for best nonfiction—in the meantime:
BUY THE BOOK! Already have one? How about one for a friend, perhaps a new parent who might enjoy listening to the audiobook, narrated by yours truly.
POST A REVIEW on Amazon, Goodreads or Audible to let folks know it’s worth their while.
GET IN TOUCH. Are you hosting a conference or other event about perinatal care, maternal mental health, paid family leave, child care, gender and science, caregiving and politics, or parenthood and the workplace? Let’s talk.
JOIN ME:
Oct. 8: Maine Lit Fest panel with Kristen Arnett, Joshua Bennett, and Lynn Steger Strong. “Parenthood: It Changes Everything.” 1:25-2:25 p.m. Free.
Oct. 29: Book talk and signing at Curiosity & Co., Jamestown, RI. 4:30 p.m.
Nov. 2: In conversation with Boston Globe reporter Lisa Wangsness at Gibson’s Bookstore, Concord, NH. 6:30 p.m.
Thank you, truly.