S2 Ep 56 - Honoring Family with Humor

Keywords: Mark Steven Porro, memoir, caregiving, family, humor, writing, France, personal story, book publishing, awards

Summary:
In this episode of the Rosabel Unscripted Podcast (formerly The Life Unscripted), host Rosabel Zohfeld welcomes award-winning designer, writer, and best-selling author Mark Steven Porro—creator of the memoir A Cup of Tea on the Commode. Mark shares his journey of living in a small village in France, the emotional challenges of caring for his mother for three and a half years after her near-death experience, and the humorous yet poignant stories that inspired his memoir. He discusses the process of writing and publishing the book (released on Mother’s Day 2023), the 16 awards it has received, and his plans for future projects, including a follow-up book and possible film adaptations. Throughout the conversation, Mark emphasizes the importance of family, caregiving, and the power of authentic storytelling.

Takeaways:

• Mark Steven Porro is an award-winning designer and author.

• He currently lives in a small village in France.

• His memoir chronicles his experiences caring for his mother.

• The book blends humor with emotional storytelling.

• He needed emotional distance to write the memoir.

• His mother lived for three and a half years after a near-death experience.

• A Cup of Tea on the Commode was published on Mother’s Day 2023.

• Mark received 16 awards for his memoir.

• He emphasizes the importance of honoring parents through caregiving.

• He is working on a follow-up book and a potential film adaptation.

Episode Titles & Segment Themes:

• Caring for Mom: A Journey of Love

• From Hollywood to France: A New Life

Sound Bites:

• “Let’s go unscripted.”

• “I want to hear them.”

• “It’s a very personal story.”

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Mark Steven Porro
02:00 Life in France and Writing Journey
09:08 Caring for Mom: A Personal Journey
12:04 The Book: A Cup of Tea on the Commode
17:54 Publishing Experience and Awards
22:24 Navigating Sensitivity in Storytelling
23:59 The Importance of Authenticity in Memoir Writing
26:52 Marketing and Future Projects
30:03 Community and Connection Through Storytelling
35:23 The Joys and Challenges of Caregiving
40:44 Creating a Meaningful Book Cover

Please tune in to hear Mark’s candid reflections on caregiving, family, and the humor he found along the way. Whether you’re a writer, caregiver, or memoir enthusiast, this episode offers heartfelt insights and practical lessons about honoring loved ones, finding emotional distance for creative work, and navigating the book-publishing journey.

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