Reading Michael Jackson

This week, we close out chapter 2 with Michael sharing details of his life in the studio and on the road with The Jackson 5, delving into details about his vocal stylings, recording songs like "ABC" and "I'll Be There," his relationship with his brothers, the fun and frustration of touring year round, and his physical insecurities as an adolescent. We discuss all of these p...

With the Jackson 5 officially signed to Motown, in the first half of Chapter 2 Michael recounts the early days of moving from Indiana to California, recording sessions, media training, and becoming a part of the "Corporation." Including snippets of an interview with Michael's former Victory-era publicist Howard Bloom, in the discussion we review Michael's unique connection to art...

This week, as the opening chapter of "Moonwalk" draws to a close, we learn about the Jackson family's eager wait for their big break. Michael shares memories of his role as a big brother and his own memories of traveling to Detroit for the Jackson 5's 1968 Motown audition. In the discussion portion of this episode, we explore the dynamics of the Jackson family and the Jackson sis...

Today we are officially diving into Moonwalk! Starting with the touching forward by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, included in the original publication of Moonwalk, we begin Chapter 1, covering pages 1-21. In this section, Michael introduces himself, his family, and some of the challenges he has in telling this story. He not only identifies his earliest memories with music, but begins to explore the...

This week, we continue our reading of Chapter 1 of "Moonwalk." Spanning from pages 21-35, this week's segment covers the earliest days of the Jackson 5, including the infamous "broken guitar string" story, Joseph Jackson's discipline, and the intensity of performing at such a young age. In the discussion portion of this episode, we dissect the complications of Michael w...

In this third episode of Season 2, we dive deeper into Michael's childhood and early career, continuing our reading of "Moonwalk," pages 35-50. In this segment, Michael shares what it was like to work the night club scene in Gary and Chicago at the age of 9, recording with Steeletown Records, his early inspirations in James Brown and Jackie Wilson, and winning Amateur Night at the Ap...

After a short hiatus, "Reading Michael Jackson" is back with Season 2! This time around, we are covering Michael Jackson's 1988 autobiography Moonwalk. Much like Season 1 which covered Michael's book of poetry and essays, "Dancing the Dream," each episode this season will contain a reading of a section of "Moonwalk," as well as a discussion of the contents. In...

We are back for season 2 of Reading Michael Jackson! This time around, we will be focusing on reading and discussing Michael's 1988 autobiography "Moonwalk." Each episode will feature a reading from the book followed by a discussion. Tune in with new episodes dropping on Tuesday December 30th!

After nearly a year, we have completed our full reading of "Dancing the Dream." Now comes the real question... as Michael Jackson fans what exactly do we make of this book? What was Michael's purpose in writing it and what role does it play in his overall legacy? Join me for one final discussion covering this tremendous collection. Starting with a reading of Michael's one and onl...

In this final essay from Dancing the Dream, Michael interrogates his own relationship to the world around him, and what he “owes” other life forms on earth. While examining a famous photograph of a baby seal, he finds himself projecting his own feelings and views onto the seal, forcing him to question his role in the good and bad that happens in the natural world. As a thoughtful close to this boo...

In this penultimate essay in Dancing the Dream, Michael writes from a place of intentional and intense self-reflection. "Mirroring" the themes from his song "Man in the Mirror," his essay "The One in the Mirror" takes the reflection a step further. Illustrating an internal battle between hope and cynicism, in this piece Michael literally argues with himself about his...

As we grow closer to the end of Dancing the Dream , the many themes and personal philosophies Michael Jackson explored throughout the book become all the more clear. With two more short essays to go, this final "poetic" piece "Quantum Leap" features Michael urging us to, once again, take action in shifting our own world view for a more spiritually fulfilling life in which we ca...

Throughout Dancing the Dream, Michael has explored the topics of a "universal oneness" and the ever presence of Heaven all around us. But perhaps no more directly does he do this than in this week's piece. In his poem, "Heaven is Here," Michael embodies a kind of spiritual mentor to his readers, offering wisdom and certainty for us to contend with in the face of our own dou...

In his poem “Once We Were There,” Michael is both separatist and invitational. In what could be seen as a thematic continuation of last week’s “Breaking Free,” in this piece Michael paints a picture of what we were “before” human existence” and what we can do now that we find ourselves here. Join for a heartfelt discussion of healing, acceptance, and recovering from the daily struggle of being hum...

This week, we review one of the shortest pieces from Dancing the Dream . In just eight lines, his poem "Breaking Free" explores the meaninglessness of time and the constraints we live in as human beings, so often afraid of taking chances. But in addition to a reading and analysis of "Breaking Free," this week's episode also features a deep and honest conversation about Mich...

This week, Michael asks us an important question: Are we listening? But what exactly is it he wants us to hear? Following a first-person omniscient narrator, in his poem "Are You Listening?" Michael explores themes of immortality, limitlessness, and spiritual ascension. But is the answer to all life's big questions as simple as he suggests? What can we take from this piece in our und...

As we progress toward the end of Dancing the Dream , this week's episode covers, "Magical Child," the first piece in the remarkably short "Part 2" of the collection. Calling back to the first "Magical Child" piece featured in episode 3 of Reading Michael Jackson, this piece offers perhaps an even stronger statement about what it means to be a "magical child&q...

As one of Michael's greatest songs, and one of his most notable foray's into Gospel music, "Will You Be There" is a profound plea to God, and all of those in heaven and earth, to recognize his humanity, and to reassure him that they will be there for him in his time of greatest needs. A chillingly prophetic piece, both the song and poem beg the question of what rock bottom moment...

With only 10 pieces left in Dancing the Dream, this week's poem "Child of Innocence" offers an honest portrait of Michael's own loss of innocence and effort to reclaim it, perhaps offering some perspective on why these themes continue to come to light throughout the book. Join me this week for an emotional discussion about Michael's own struggles with childhood trauma and the...

In this special bonus episode of Reading Michael Jackson , join me for a fun, lighthearted discussion centered around celebrating all things MJ on his special day! Starting with a review of where Michael stands in 2025 in terms of global popularity and relevance, continuing with a DJ-esque exploration of some of my favorite (lesser known) MJ songs, continuing with interview and book recommendation...

Michael's creative philosophy offers fascinating insight into who he was as a person. In this unique essay, Michael explores the ways in which music is all around us, within our body, and requires nurturing, much like a child. But how does this connect to his actual style of creating music (including vocal performance and production)? In what ways are his beliefs about music "within us&qu...

Michael Jackson spoke often about his unique childhood, but in our essay this week "I Searched for My Star," he reflects on a surprisingly normal childhood memory - stargazing. Told in a short essay form, Michael invites us into the world of his child self when he once hoped to befriend the stars in the sky, before growing up and out of such innocent fantasies. But in sharing this story,...

Though Michael Jackson's religious affiliations are well-documented, his ongoing pursuit of spiritual knowledge is less so. In his short essay "Angel of Light," Michael details his study of "angels" and what he has learned about them so far, ultimately reflecting on his introspective meditation to discover his own "angel within." This piece provides so much to con...

Though Michael Jackson didn't discuss much about his romantic life in the public eye, his short essay "I You We" demonstrates some of his thought process about what makes a relationship work. Positioning a relationship as a three way dynamic between the individual "I" and "you" and the constructed "we," Michael explores the power of having a strong foundation in order to make a relationship work....

In this week's episode of Reading Michael Jackson, we read and discuss the Michael's short essay "Wise Little Girl." As a reflection on the inspiration he felt meeting with a young disabled child, Michael explores what we can learn from observing and internalizing the resilience and innocence of children. However, this piece also offers fans additional insight into how Michael&#3...