The Last Cherry Blossom // Author Interview with Kathleen Burkinshaw

Joining me on this episode is my guest Kathleen Burkinshaw.  Kathleen is a Japanese American author, the daughter of a Hiroshima survivor and resides in Charlotte, NC. She’s a wife, mom, and owns a dog who thinks she’s a kitchen ninja. In 2019 Kathleen spoke about her mother’s experience in Hiroshima at the United Nations (NYC) and on UN virtual events for the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombing. She most recently spoke at a Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum virtual event in February. Kathleen has presented to middle/high schools around the world for the past 10 years. She now serves on the Advisory Council at the International Center for Multigenerational Legacies of Trauma.

She also has been a featured guest on NHK World Japan, Asian American Magazines, and on numerous podcasts. Writing gives her an outlet for her daily struggle with chronic pain from Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. The Last Cherry Blossom (Distributed by Simon &Schuster and Scholastics,2016/2020), is now a United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs Resource for Teachers and Students, nominated for 2019 NC School Library Media Association YA book award, 2019-2020 Volunteer State Book Award (Tennessee), 2018 & 2016 Scholastic WNDB Reading Club selection, and Finalist for NC Sir Walter Raleigh Fiction Award, 2018 Sakura Medal, Japan, and SCBWI Crystal Kite Award (southeast region). The Last Cherry Blossom audiobook (English, Dreamscape Media) released in September 2021.& Holp Shuppan Publishing, will be released the written Japanese Translation of The Last Cherry Blossom in November 2022. The audiobook version of The Last Cherry Blossom (Dreamscape Media) released on September 27, 2021.

In this episode, we discuss:

The book journey involving 3 generations  How and when Kathleen’s mother shared her story Stigma and PTSD from the atomic bombing How the trauma that Kathleen's mother experienced affected the 2nd and 3rd generation of their family 

Purchase The Last Cherry Blossom: https://bookshop.org/shop/booksbetweensessions 

Kathleen's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathleenburkinshaw/

Kathleen's Website: https://kathleenburkinshaw.com/

This podcast is not psychotherapy or counseling. If you need to speak with a professional, you should find one local to you and contact them directly. IF THIS IS AN EMERGENCY, PLEASE CALL YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY NUMBER OR GO TO YOUR NEAREST EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.

Music Credit: https://www.purple-planet.com