HOST JACKIE TANTILLO - Difficult Waters To Navigate with Guest Author Ken Gagne

My guest grew up in Chicopee, MA, a mill town, textiles/paper, with hard working moms and dads just trying to provide for their families. The  large immigrant community was trying to develop new skills while developing new ties with their new neighbors.  Ken's father's family was from Quebec, Canada and his mom's family immigrated from Scotland. 

There's quite a bit to this story that Ken shared with me and I'm  not going to reveal all of it other than saying it was at times very difficult to navigate.  When things are left better off not spoken about, that leaves lots of unanswered  questions.

Ken was often made to feel that he was the special son, the baby of the family, the youngest boy. His 2 older sisters were always there to help out but Ken definitely got his fair share of attention. However, there were 2 other  brothers that Ken  tells us about in our interview.  It's heartbreaking, yet at times maybe one can understand why the decision was made so many years ago.

One of the hardest challenges for Ken as a young boy, was that he "didn't want to be the cause of any more pain for my parents. I grew up trying to do all the right things. My parents were so forgiving." Yet there was always the underlying feeling that "he and his sisters were born to  fill the void left by his brothers."

I thought that this was overwhelming and exhausting for a little boy but Ken "thinks that this gave him a real purpose in life. "I turned myself into a person who always did my best, not a perfectionist. Mom just wanted us to do our best."  Ken never cut a class, didn't drink till he was of legal age and never got into trouble because he hoped he was helping his parents.

When Ken started working as a  producer for the NBA (National Basketball Association), he basically walked through those doors as a lucky, young  ambitious kid.  Twenty nine years passed and he walked out as a talented, resolute adult with so many questions to answer.  He was determined to write about his life and his family and it's all captured in "You're Gonna Miss Me Some Day."

Robert and David were the answer to lots of those questions. He couldn't turn back time but he has them to thank for giving him clarity and peace.

Hope you enjoy our conversation.

BOOK TITILE:

"You're Gonna Miss Me Someday"   

https://www.amazon.com/Ken-Gagne/e/B099TRH83L%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

"Should Have Listened To My Mother" is an ongoing conversation about mothers and the roles they play in our lives. And my guests answer the question, 'are you who you are today because of, or in spite of, your mother'? You'll be amazed at what the responses are.

"Should Have Listened To My Mother" would not be possible without the generosity, sincerity and insight from my guests. In getting ready to launch my podcast, so many were willing to give their time and share their personal relationships with their mother.

Some of my guests include Baritone Singer Christopheren Nomura, Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist Tim Wacker, Activist Kim Miller, Freighter Sea Captain Terry Viscount, Film Production Manager Peg Robinson, Professor of Writing Montclair State University Dr. Bridget Brown, Tammy Steckler, attorney and family advocate @CUNY Law; NYC First Responder/NYC Firefighter Mark Heingartner, Child and Adult Special Needs Activist, Maryellen Valyo Cole and Roger Evens, Property Manager in New Jersey and so many more talented and insightful women and men.

I've worked in the broadcasting industry for over four decades. I've interviewed so many fascinating people including musicians, celebrities, authors, activists, entrepreneurs, politicians and more.

A big thank you goes to Ricky Soto, NYC based Graphic Designer, who created my logo for "Should Have Listened To My Mother".

Check out my website for more background information: https://www.jackietantillo.com/

Or more demos of what's to come at https://soundcloud.com/jackie-tantillo

Find audio versions of the podcast here: https://shltmm.simplecast.com/

Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/60j14qCcks4AP3JUrWrc2M

Link to website and show notes: https://shltmm.simplecast.com/

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