Reading Michael Jackson

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...

In this week's episode of Reading Michael Jackson we discuss the piece, "Mother Earth." As a reflection on humanity's toxic relationship with the natural world, Michael calls out the often exploitative way we treat the earth, likening our dismissal of it's preciousness to a tenant trashing a rental apartment. Culminating with a call to action for us to reignite our commitment...

Michael Jackson did not often comment on specific global issues, but in this week's episode we discuss "Berlin 1989," a short written work in which he explores the fundamental power of hate. Positioning hate as a kind of psychological warfare fostered by those in power and stronger than any physical barriers that divide people, Michael tells the story of the Berlin Wall and it's eventual fall in 1...

In this week's episode, we discuss a poem from Dancing the Dream that encapsulates Michael's view on how to achieve a life of true happiness and freedom. In "Ecstasy" Michael demonstratively declares a reconsideration of "sin" and the ease of which we can all access our true self if only we could find a way to bridge the gaps between ourselves and others. For questions...

In this week's episode of Reading Michael Jackson , I start with a brief overview of June 25th and the many beautiful global fan efforts to commemorate Michael that we saw this year online and beyond. Then, we get deep in discussion of the 28th piece from Dancing the Dream - the short reflection, "The Last Tear." As a piece that seems to depict the heartbreak of a relationship ending...

In this special bonus episode of Reading Michael Jackson, I share an essay I wrote about my experience traveling to and visiting Michael Jackson's Neverland ranch in the fall of 2024. While June 25th, the anniversary of Michael's death, is a painful one for anyone who loves him, I share this story to not only express my deep care for him, but to offer my own perspective on his "presen...

In this week's episode of Reading Michael Jackson we read and discuss,"Two Birds." As a beautiful meditation on the ever presence of God and the nature of unconditional love, this short reflection is ripe with opportunity to consider not only our own relationship to these concepts, but how and to what extent Michael's mission to unite the world through his art manifested. For questions or comments...

In this week's episode of Reading Michael Jackson, we discuss "On Children of the World," one of the shortest pieces from Dancing the Dream. However, despite the short length, Michael still touches upon themes about human disconnection that remain relevant even today. In addition, given the recent passing of the 20th anniversary of Michael's "vindication day" from the c...

Michael Jackson was a deeply complex person. In this episode, as we discuss his poem "The Elusive Shadow" that complexity becomes all the more evident as we discuss the possible meaning of this piece and the turmoil of his inner struggles. Whether about a crisis of faith, battle with insecurity, or seeking love in the wrong places, this piece gives us much to consider when it comes not o...