Case study: Daughter's podcast with her 83yo poet laureate dad

Creative memoir of emeritus professor of English Eugene B. Redmond

This week I have a radically honest and touching case study to share with you!

It is the story of how Dr Treasure Shields Redmond started a podcast with her well-known father Dr Eugene B. Redmond, age 83.

The show, The Memoir My Dad Wouldn’t Write, began in 2018 and has no topics off limits.

“It is a limited series of conversations between a daughter and a father about the things that make us family and the items in my dad’s life that have helped to shape who he is today,” Treasure said.

“You know he has had this incredible life as a cultural worker, poet, professor, activist and mentor but he wouldn’t write a memoir.

“So this podcast is a way to get those conversations onto tape and to find out exactly what shaped this incredible, complex – and far from perfect – man that I love.”

Let’s discover more about this fascinating life-story project plus Treasure’s tips for doing something similar of your own …

Daughter and poet begin a memoir podcast

Getting started

I am a Mississippi native, a published poet, master educator, community arts organiser and a successful entrepreneur.

And I count my father as a major influence on me personally and artistically.

My dad, Eugene B. Redmond, is an emeritus professor of English at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and was named Poet Laureate of East St Louis (Illinois) in 1976.

Indeed this was the year Doubleday published his critical history Drumvoices: The Mission of Afro-American Poetry.

Certainly my dad has had an incredible life as a poet, activist, professor and cultural worker.

However, he wouldn’t write a memoir so this series of conversations in our podcast, The Memoir My Dad Wouldn’t Write, is partly that.

Your Family Stories System. Father and girl on his shoulders with arms spread wide at the beach.

Finding a strong why

Firstly, I did not record my maternal grandmother and I regret it mightily.

So I was determined not to lose my father’s stories.

Secondly, I have the rare privilege of having a very forthcoming and transparent elder.

Though he comes from the ‘silent generation’ he is very verbose!

Also my poet father and I are both writers so I was interested in collaborating on something creative with him.

Support for the show

My friends and family think the podcast is only right because my poet father and I are known for being similar ‘creative types’.

And listeners who are not kin have said the most complimentary things.

For example, one listener said he was just astounded by our conversations and wished he and his dad could talk so openly.

Meanwhile, another listener suggested we turn the podcast into a book.

Daughter and poet get recording

Behind the scenes

I live very near my father – less than four miles (6.4km) away.

So I simply drive to his home and use Zoom software to record.

But the hardest thing is staying on a schedule because we are both very busy.

However, the most rewarding part of the project has been understanding my poet dad better.

He is age 83 and I believe he feels good about giving an honest account of his life while he is still sharp and healthy.

Treasure’s favourite part

The mission of the podcast is to talk through my dad’s life chronologically.

However, because the world we live in often parallels earlier times, I love it when my poet dad’s experiences offer insight into current times.

For example, he was able to talk about his relationship with the famous writer Toni Morrison when she died.

Another example was him relating what it was like to hear of the lynching of Emmett Till when he was a teenager.

And then we also drew comparison to some high-profile police murders of African Americans.

Tips for recording life stories

One tip is to just start: do not let technology concerns stop you.

So start by simply talking on your phone and you can upgrade along the way.

And I would also say to start with a ‘mission’.

For instance, my mission is to talk through my poet dad’s life chronologically.

However, your mission might be to get parenting strategies, spiritual teachings or recipes.

Final say: Podcast of a poet

Treasure and her poet father have created 24 episodes of The Memoir My Dad Wouldn’t Writ‪e‬ and are going strong!

They have recorded so many priceless memories and amazing insights.

But most importantly the pair want you to take a listen and try an interview of your own today.

“I can’t recommend this type of project enough,” Treasure said.

“Collecting and preserving the stories of our elders provides an invaluable resource for generations to come.”

Happy writing and recording!

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Your say

Who are you thinking of interviewing or sitting down to record? I always love hearing from different people. Drop me an email or leave a reply in the comments section at the end of this article.

Get in touch

Got a question about starting a life story or an idea for a future article? Let me know!

Case study: Daughter’s podcast with her 83yo poet laureate dad