HOST JACKIE TANTILLO -Putting Others Before Herself Was Her Priority with Guest New York Times Bestselling Author and Writing Teacher Betsy Cornwell

IN THE PAST, MY GUEST HAS REFERRED TO HERSELF AS A “FIXER UPPER.” HOWEVER, I CONSIDER HER A SURVIVOR, EMPATH AND OPTIMIST.    A SINGLE MOTHER AND SURVIVOR OF DOMESTIC ABUSE, HOMELESSNESS, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION AND DESPAIR. SHE IS ALSO A DREAMER. REGARDLESS OF HOW ISOLATED AND DESPERATE SHE WAS, SHE NEVER GAVE UP HOPE, OF ONE DAY BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE AN OASIS OF A “CHILDCARE-INCLUSIVE ARTS RETREAT SPACE FOR SINGLE MOTHERS” AND OTHER TWICE-MARGINALISED SINGLE PARENTS.

SHE TOO HAD STRUGGLED TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE AND PAY RENT WHILE WORKING MULTIPLE JOBS AND FRANTICLY LOOKING OVER BOTH SHOULDERS OUT OF CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF HERSELF AND HER YOUNG CHILD, NOT YET COMFORTABLE TRUSTING STRANGERS. YET SHE NEVER GAVE UP HOPE TO ONE DAY BE THE CONDUIT THAT OPENED THE DOOR FOR OTHER WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN VICTIMIZED.

BETSY CORNWELL IS A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR. SHE RECENTLY RELEASED, HER FIRST BOOK FOR ADULTS, HER MEMOIR TITLED, “THE OLD KNITTING FACTORY” SET IN COUNTY GALWAY, WESTERN IRELAND. IT’S THE STORY OF A HISTORIC 1906 KNITTING FACTORY THAT BETSY HAS TRANSFORMED, BRICK BY BRICK, INTO A SAFE HAVEN FOR SINGLE ARTISTIC MOMS AND THEIR CHILDREN INCLUDING CHILDCARE FUNDED BY DONORS. 

BETSY HAS PUBLISHED MANY YOUNG ADULT BOOKS INCLUDING “READER, I MURDERED HIM,” THE CIRCUS ROSE, MECHANICA, THE FOREST QUEEN, VENTURESS AND TIDES.

Excerpt below from Notre Dame Magazine Autumn 2021

https://magazine.nd.edu/stories/better-than-fiction/

"And then I saw the Old Knitting Factory, and my heart started beating faster. The name called to me first: I have always loved to knit, and my dream had been born at the Dublin knitting show.

The listing showed a long, white-and-yellow house nestled on the rugged, overgrown shore of a Connemara lake. Built in 1906, it was a mess: crumbling paint and peeling vinyl floors, a leaky roof and a cinder-block-lined backyard. It had been built, the listing said, to teach rural women knitting skills to support themselves.

A house built to foster women’s independence and centered on my favorite craft: It had been reincarnated in the 1970s as an Irish-language cinema and later as a jewelry-making studio. In recent years, it had been a little-used vacation home, and parts of it were well-nigh falling down. It was more witch’s cottage than castle, though I’ve always been more of a witch than a princess anyway.

The house was one hell of a fixer-upper, but so was I. In my hollowed and leaking heart, I carried a soul-deep longing to find a haven for myself and my baby."

Betsy Cornwell’s six novels include The Circus Rose and the forthcoming Reader, I Murdered Him. Learn more about the Old Knitting Factory project at betsycornwell.com/the-old-knitting-factory.

WEBSITE:

https://www.betsycornwell.com/

WEBSITE FOR THE OLD KNITTING FACTORY:

https://oldknittingfactory.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA:

<https://mailchi.mp/24a83cce888a/oldknittingfactory>

Crowdfunding <https://oldknittingfactory.com/get-involved> 

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"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/

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

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