This week I wrote about the wisdom of water and fire, a thought-provoking new memoir by River Selby, and a slew of TV shows with a Native American point of view you might have missed. sweavermph.substack.com/p/the-wisdom...

Last week had me thinking about blueberries and World War II and how normal people can do terrible things. I'd appreciate a read if you have time. sweavermph.substack.com/p/here-there...

Last week was... a LOT. So today I’m talking about pain. There’s a reason my newsletter is called Fun to Be Around. Plus a great movie rec and a gorgeous novel by Helena Rho. sweavermph.substack.com/p/were-swimm...

SO excited, this book will be a game-changer for anyone who has experienced trauma, the 4th trauma response is Fawning. This book is the most important self-help book of this decade and Ingrid is the real deal. See my review here: sweavermph.substack.com/p/emotional-...

Last week got me thinking about gurus, plus a movie about an AMAZING woman you probably never heard of, and an astonishing new memoir by Melissa Fraterrigo: The Perils of Girlhood. sweavermph.substack.com/p/dont-make-...

Holiday Monday is the perfect time to read this post. It's okay to be slow. Really. Snail-time is the best time. sweavermph.substack.com/p/its-okay-t...

This week I wrote about being in the messy middle, a quote from Samuel Butler, how my five books have come to pass, a great documentary, and a beautiful book by Mallary Tenore Tarpley. sweavermph.substack.com/p/messy-midd...

Reflecting on dharma today, plus a really cool underwater video of my dog swimming, TV show recommendation, and a book review. sweavermph.substack.com/p/whats-your...

Some of you did not sing Dona Nobis Pacem in a round and it shows. Go try it. Seriously. The world needs this.

No matter what advertisers try to tell us, August is still summer and beach reads are a wonderful thing. Plus I recommend four fun movies and two great novels set in the Outer Banks by Heather Frese sweavermph.substack.com/p/in-praise-...

It's not that I wanted to write about And Just Like That. But they gave me no choice, dammit. sweavermph.substack.com/p/im-not-mad...

Today I wrote about history repeating itself, the haves and the have-nots, a trip to El Salvador I took in 1988, the tv series Paradise, and the new novel Greenwich by Kate Broad. Link in bio or here: sweavermph.substack.com/p/the-haves-... #elsalvador

Disability Pride month has me feeling some THINGS. Read on. sweavermph.substack.com/p/its-disabi...

This week I talk about why it took me 15 years to move to California, as well as two Hollywood-centric media recommendations. sweavermph.substack.com/p/california...

Does anyone else still think about the (AITA) daughter-in-law who mother was trying to kill her with mushroom powder and if she's okay or is that just me?

Love this piece from my friend, World Bank economist Dr. Rebekka Grun von Jolk. You’re Taking Vacations Wrong | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/maxi...

This week I explain why The Bear isn't about restaurants and Carmy isn't the main character. Plus TV and book recommendations. #TheBear sweavermph.substack.com/p/the-bear-i...

Come inside my head this week to find out why I had an emotional hangover after a conversation. sweavermph.substack.com/p/emotional-...

The world feels terrible. I've made a conscious decision to bring a bright spot every week in my post, rather than writing directly about current events. Shout outs this week: Laura Bashar, Anne Aspler, Rebekka Grun V. Jolk, and Jessica Tudos sweavermph.substack.com/p/mutual-adm...

A lot happened this weekend. I wrote about it. sweavermph.substack.com/p/a-complica...

Wrote about the waste of lost potential... sweavermph.substack.com/p/the-unbear...

This week I reviewed a beautiful memoir by Kari O'Driscollabout childhood, motherhood, and learning how to care for ourselves when our family is a disaster. sweavermph.substack.com/p/please-put...

I reviewed a fantastic cozy mystery series with the most delectable food styling EVER. Check it out. If you like my weekly posts, please subscribe and share! sweavermph.substack.com/p/please-put...

Today I wrote about the slippery slope between caring and caregiving, recommended a cozy mystery series, and reviewed Kari O'Driscoll's powerful memoir. sweavermph.substack.com/p/please-put...

Vanna’s dress is giving me serious vintage deja vu. Anyone recognize this? Barbie dress?

Yes Chef is not the best cooking show out there, but I am HERE for Chef Jose Andres’ Dad jokes all day long.

We have arrived at the point in the new Wheel of Fortune season where Ryan Seacrest is referring to Vanna White as Vee Dubs and I am here for it.

This week I wrote about Memorial Day and serving a cause greater than oneself. sweavermph.substack.com/p/serving-so...

So excited to be one of the authors pitching these PR pros next Tuesday to get promo ideas for my upcoming memoir. Can't wait for Seven Minutes in PR Heaven on The Writers Bridge. It's FREE; sign up at this link: writingcraft.com/event/the-wr...

Happy Pub Day to Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding by Lian Dolan! If you’re looking for a smart beach read, read my review here! It’s all lemonade, no lemons. sweavermph.substack.com/p/confections

In this week's reflection I encourage everyone to make a little bit of art cheer on Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, rave about @elissaaltman.bsky.social's gorgeous new book, and share some art of my own, a blood-orange upside-down cake. sweavermph.substack.com/p/make-art-y...

This week’s reflection includes yesterday’s incredible sky, a grief bell, a Zen movie, and a gorgeous upcoming novel. sweavermph.substack.com/p/feeling-numb

OMG @bestbuysocial.bsky.social we are having an absolute nightmare of a situation buying a dang microwave. Do you really not let store employees answer the phone any longer? Will NEVER buy anything from you ever again.

How do you take a fiercely divided country and unite everyone? Focus on something that impacts everyone. Simple messaging. Get the media to cover it. sweavermph.substack.com/p/is-it-time...

We were the first diners at an Argentinian restaurant in Santiago, Chile. We ordered pork chops. Two chops the size of my head arrived. We ate. We ordered another round. I will never have another pork chop like that, ever. Rest in peace, sweet porcine angel.

This week I reviewed Julie Rehmeyer's amazing book, Through the Shadowlands: A Science Writer's Odyssey into an Illness Science Doesn't Understand. Seemed appropriate for this week. sweavermph.substack.com/p/my-life-in...

Recent events got me pondering my journey into and with public health, starting with the death of my cousin, Jack. sweavermph.substack.com/p/my-life-in...

I wrote about all the ways people have been showing up for me since my sister died. How are people showing up for you? sweavermph.substack.com/p/showing-up

We lost my oldest sister this week. I wrote about her here. sweavermph.substack.com/p/goodbye-sw...

AMAZING time at the San Diego Writers Festival. Kudos to the team, speakers, and elite cadre of volunteers for making a perfect day even more special. Was honored to be on a self-help panel with Marijke McCandless, book coach extraordinaire Kim O’Hara, Madonna Treadway, and Jill Badonsky.

Panel & book signing this Saturday at the FREE San Diego Writers Festival! If you’re in the Coronado area please come by. 🧡 Self-Help on Fire panel at 2:15 pm Hear from five amazing women who have taken different approaches to self-help books. We have lots to share! sandiegowritersfestival.com

My most popular post in a while, could it be the gelato pic I took in Cinque Terra? :) Featuring Lian Dolan's fabulous new book, Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding. sweavermph.substack.com/p/confections

Well done, Corey Booker. "Good trouble!"

My interior design style is beach cottage without a sign on weathered wood that says “Beach Cottage.”

YES

#TeslaTakedown NYC

One thing you might not know about me is that I have a weirdly loud clap.

AWP day 1: Hung out w @karilodriscoll.bsky.social Susannah Drissi, and @debkossmann.bsky.social Also loved this sign at The Book Incubator’s booth

Who knew Greenland would be providing the blueprint for resistance?