HOST JACKIE TANTILLO- Needing Room To Breathe with Guest Poet Richard Fireman

Clare was born in New York City yet her parents were originally from Ukraine. Rich is a very warm and caring son. Looking back, Rich would like to have asked his mom "what she was so worried about all the time."

Looking back, my guest also has regrets for his mom's lack of happiness and wellbeing. As a teen he was more concerned with himself than the welfare of his mom. In hindsight,  he wishes she had taken better care of herself- had more friends, etc.

As a young girl, Clare's mother, Rich's maternal grandmother, put a lot of pressure on Clare to practice her music. Clare was a phenomenal concert pianist.  She studied piano from a young age and within a few years she suddenly quit playing the piano, defiant to her mother's constant nagging.

Rich's mom was overprotected and as he says "kind of spoiled." Interestingly enough, Clare was overprotected by her own mother and then did something similar to her only son. Rich refers to it as a "constant hovering."  As a result, Rich created his own  internal world  or a world of imagination which he found at the library and through books.   

A college professor recognized that Rich  showed some true talent in his poetry and encouraged him to pursue it. Today, Rich is a poet and has almost one hundred poems published in the Monmouth Review (Monmouth University) and two in the International Journal of Poetry Therapy and several in other literary publications.

Twenty years since his mom's death, he looks back fondly on his memories of his mom . His memories don't rattle him as much now. He's embracing the whole picture of her life and not just the last five years that she endured Alzheimer's. 

Poem#1  The Science of Medicine

Poem #2  Bringing In The Tide

https://www.amazon.com/Writing-Away-Demons-Creative-Transformative/dp/0878393293

Richard's forthcoming book of poetry "Constellations" due to be published late 2022. 

"Constellations are our attempt to make sense of the universe.

We create patterns in the sky, trying to understand what God might mean,

and write our stories as if we knew.

These poems are my constellations. The words are stars.

May their light be a guide to find your way home."

- Richard Fireman

"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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