Rewriting My Bio: Less Junk, More Me
Labels, Self-Branding, and Finally Launching the Life In Michigan Podcast
Our Life In Michigan Podcast has been simmering on the back burner for years. Now, it’s sizzling in a red-hot skillet. Fingers crossed, we don’t burn it.
Some housekeeping was needed to prepare for our podcast’s debut. While doing said housekeeping, I rummaged through our site (hoping I wouldn’t blow it up and have to call Kate for rescue), and I stumbled upon my About Brenda page.
My bio was a junk drawer—full of facts I had stashed away, unsure if I was ready to let them go. Like where I worked for decades—who cares? I don’t. I shudder when I think about it.
After much wordsmithing and deleting, my new bio better reflects who I am now, not who I was.
Then, there was my bio picture to contend with. I love it because my hair was wild and obscured my face. Chuck took it while crossing Lake Michigan on the Badger in 2014.
It doesn’t take a psychoanalyst to understand why I chose this picture. In 2014, I was hiding, worried that someone would dislike my writing or word choice or point out that I had forgotten a comma.
Ann Handley (one of my writing idols) says every writer should have one ideal reader—their “Doris.” Find your Doris, and always write for them. If they’re confused, revise. Simple as that.
Well, I’ve found my Doris, and I’m writing to them. So fuck the critics.
My new bio picture says, "Hey, I’m looking up, and I see you!" It's much better, don’t you think?
With the bio rewritten and the new photo in place, I thought I was done. But then came the labels – the two or three or four words that supposedly sum me up. No, I’m not talking about pronouns—though if you’re curious, she/her.
I mean the other labels. I’m talking about labels like wife, mother, aunt, sister, friend, artist, storyteller, writer, humorist, photographer, producer, cook, manager, publicist, recovering vegetarian, board member, gardener, birder, ex-runner, avid reader, Michigander, or American—all the boxes I could check.
It’s a little like filling out a health questionnaire at the doctor’s office. Are you pregnant? (Hello, have you looked at my bio pic? I’m almost 60!) How much alcohol do you consume? (Per day or per week? Ugh, why do you need to know?) Are you in good health? Well, that depends. Can I outrun a bear? No. But could I outrun at least one of my friends? Probably. So, yes?
But back to the labels. Which two, three, or four labels should I actually use? And am I even qualified for some of them? Am I an artist just because I create things? Or a humorist because Chuck thinks I’m funny? If I write, am I automatically a writer? If I garden but routinely kill my plants, can I still claim to be a gardener? After spending way too much time pondering these deep existential questions, and it was clear Chuck was done talking about it, I pulled off the bandaid and picked a few.
Check out my new ”Life In Michigan About Brenda” page and let me know what you think. Since the old one is gone, you can’t compare it, but trust me, this one is better.
Finally, the podcast.
We’ve kicked the idea around for a Life In Michigan podcast for years. Well, it is time; come hell or high water, it is happening. It will either become a thing or a gigantic time suck, and we kill the project. We’ve divided the production work. Chuck will handle the recording, mixing, and publishing, and I’m tasked with the guest wrangling and show notes.
If you have an idea for a guest, email me (info@lifeinmichigan.com). We are looking for people who call Michigan home, such as farmers, writers, brewers, game inventors, dog walkers, artists, festival organizers, bakers, photographers, chefs, hair stylists, bartenders, or firefighters—yes, another list. Basically, we want anyone who is creative, passionate and has a story to share about their Life In Michigan.
We plan to release monthly shows starting soon. Yes, I’m being vague, but it will likely be in February. Our first interview is on 2/17, and four other guests (i.e., friends) have agreed. All right, not all of them are friends. One person I’ve never met emailed after seeing our podcast announcement on Substack.
Sharing stories that might otherwise go unheard has got me motivated. We’re publishing the podcast on Substack, where listeners can find show notes and extra links or join the conversation by leaving a comment.
If you are already a Life In Michigan subscriber (you received this in your email), you are all set! Otherwise, subscribe now before the rates go up. (Teasing! It is free and will be free in the future, too. But upgrading to paid is proof of your love.)
Fans With Bands
Another Fans With Bands episode featuring the American Hotel System has dropped. I loved the discussion about the band's name! Since I’m a gadget girl, I have to share; you can search the podcast’s transcript. It is freaking cool if you are into techie things.
Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve published a few articles! Please read them and then share them with your family, friends, or people you don’t know. Sharing is caring! Click on the image to read the full article.
I have a serious crush on
. I want to be her when I grow up.
The other Substack you need to check out ASAP is
’s substack. I love his recent post with amazing pictures from New Zealand.
Upcoming Events
Chuck always shares a comprehensive list of events you should check out. Here is last week’s Sunday Sip:
I like shining the spotlight on just one event! I’ll be there sipping beers with thousands of my beer friends. Join us.
B’s Cozy Nook
I have been trying to reduce my dependency on Amazon. So I hate to recommend anything that is only available on it, such as an Audible Original. But I loved this audible book, “The Unusual Suspects with Kenya Barris and Malcolm Gladwell.” It's not because I’m a total Malcolm Gladwell fangirl; ok, that is why I started it, but not why I finished it. It is a series of interviews with, you guessed it, unusual people. Each person was more fascinating than the previous one. I’d love to know what you think of it.
Whew, you made it—
We played Monopoly the other night, and despite the new rules, I still lost. When my siblings tortured me with the game, landing on “Free Parking” was a big deal, but now, not so much. And if you pass on buying a piece of property, it goes up for auction. So, property is sold quickly, and the game is over within a few hours. Alcohol makes this game better.
