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 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 get older, most of us will have a health scare. One moment, you’re moving along with the rhythm of your days—groceries, phone calls, mowing the lawn—and the next, you’re staring at a hospital ceiling. When that happens, time slows down, everything feels sharper, and suddenly you’re thinking about what really matters. A health scare carves a before and after in our lives. And even when the scare […]

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. Intro 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 about […]

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 in a […]

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 a […]

The Memoir Club Podcast Episode Number: 9 Episode Description: Some of our best stories begin with a full tank of gas and no itinerary. In episode 9, we explore road trip memories: the good, the weird, the memorable, and how to approach them in your memoir. Welcome back! In episode 9, let’s talk about an approach to writing a “Road Trip Memories.” I’ll start with a personal story. A PERSONAL STORY In the summer of 1974, my wife and I left College Park, Maryland, with a loose plan and two months to reach her hometown of Golden, Colorado. […]

The Memoir Club Podcast Episode Number: 8 Date: August 8, 2025 Episode Description: Some values aren’t written down; they’re lived, repeated, and carried forward. In this episode, we talk about the personal values that shape us, the moments that test them, and how to write them into stories that last. Episode Transcript: How Personal Values Shape Your Storytelling In today’s episode, we’ll explore how personal values take root in real-life moments, and how those moments can become powerful memoir material. Such moments reveal who we really were at that time. We’ll walk through how to recognize your […]

The Memoir Club Podcast Episode Number: 7 Date: July 22, 2025 Episode Description: In July 1969, millions gathered around their TVs, holding their breath as humans took their first steps on the moon. This week, Wayne shares his memory of that historic night and reflects on how shared moments shape a generation’s dreams. Plus, a listener question on memoir-writing fears, and a prompt to inspire your own storytelling. Episode Transcript: One Giant Leap – Memories of Historical Events Good morning. Let me ask: Where were you when Neil Armstrong took his first step on the moon? The […]

The Memoir Club Podcast Episode Number: 6 Date: July 1, 2025 Episode Description:What’s the oldest thing you still own—and why have you kept it? In this episode of The Memoir Club Podcast, we explore the power of everyday objects to hold memory. From rocking chairs to keepsake boxes, these ordinary items become anchors for emotion, connection, and personal history. Wayne shares a personal story about a well-traveled family rocker, reflects on how to write about meaningful things, and answers a listener question about writing from feeling instead of fact. You’ve probably got something in your house that […]

The Memoir Club Podcast Episode Number: 5 Date: July 1, 2025 Episode Description:Before there were streaming services and smart TVs, there was just you, a bowl of cereal, and the glow of the screen. In this episode, we revisit the classic TV shows that shaped our weekends and our worldview. Wayne shares his own memories of The Lone Ranger, and we explore how even the simplest TV moments can carry lessons about justice, kindness, and imagination. What Was Your Favorite Classic TV Show As a Kid? Before streaming and smartphones, our favorite tv shows shaped our routines—and […]

The Memoir Club Podcast Episode Number: 4 Date: July 1, 2025 Episode Description: We all got in trouble as kids—but what if those missteps are where our best stories live? In this episode, we explore the power of “getting caught,” why trouble is a rich source for memoir, and how to write about those rebellious or embarrassing moments without shame. Plus, we answer a listener’s question about writing scenes when you’re not the hero of the story—and share a writing prompt that’s equal parts funny and revealing. The Power of Getting Caught In episode 4 of the […]

Listen to the Complete Episode: The Memoir Club Podcast Episode Number: 3 Date: June 11, 2025 Episode Description:Family dinners were more than meals—they were where stories were told, lessons were learned, and identities were shaped.In this episode of Memoir Club, we pull up a chair to remember the tables we gathered around growing up. Whether it was lively, quiet, awkward, or full of laughter, your dinner table holds stories worth telling. In episode 3, we’re exploring the theme of Family Dinners. You can tell a lot about a family by how they eat dinner. Some prayed first. […]

Listen to the Full Episode The Memoir Club Podcast Episode Number: 1 Date: June 11, 2025 Episode Description: Explore the memories of your childhood home and how they shaped who you are.This episode of Memoir Club takes you back to where it all began—the walls, smells, and stories of the house that built you. Perfect for memoir writers reflecting on place and identity. The House That Built Me In episode one, we’ll unpack why physical spaces leave such lasting impressions, how to mine those memories even if they’re fuzzy, and how your childhood home might just be […]

Listen to the Full Episode: The Memoir Club Podcast Episode Number: Episode 02 Date: April 16, 2025 Category: Memory and Recall Episode Description:What do you do when you just can’t grasp that memory? When it’s “right on the tip of your tongue,” but not quite there? In this episode, I’ll explore why forgetting is normal, how sensory details can help you remember, and why emotional truth matters more than perfect recall. Plus, we answer a listener’s question about patchy childhood memories and offer a gentle writing prompt to get you started. Sometimes, We Just Can’t Remember the Details In episode […]

Listen to the Full Episode: Memoir Club. Everyday Stories, Told Well. Hello and welcome to the Memoir Club Podcast. I’m Wayne Jordan, your host—and if this is your first time listening, you’re in just the right place. Because in this first episode, I’ll share what Memoir Club is, why ordinary stories matter, and how this podcast helps you gather the memories that matter—without pressure, deadlines, or outlines. Just one story at a time. The Memoir Club Podcast isn’t about writing a book. It’s about capturing your legacy, one story at a time. You don’t need to be a writer. You […]