Reading Michael Jackson

In this emotional 2-part episode we discuss Michael's dear friend Ryan White. In the first half of the episode - Starting with a brief review of Ryan's life circumstances as an American teen who contracted the HIV virus through a blood transfusion, we read Michael's own dedicated and pained words to Ryan White and the world that ostracized him. In the second half, I will read from Ryan...

With this week's episode we have officially reached the halfway point of Dancing the Dream and, therefore, Season 1 of Reading Michael Jackson . Starting with a brief review of the themes we've explored through Michael's work, this episode continues with an in depth discussion of "How I Make Music." This short reflective piece demonstrates some of Michael Jackson's creative philosophy. Through inc...

S1x22 “God” Michael Jackson was famously a faith-driven person, but what did that mean for his beliefs about God? In this episode, we are discussing just that. In reading his brief reflection incidentally titled “God,” we are discussing Michael’s relationship to religion vs. God, how he viewed God and gender, and the miracles of the universe. Join me for a thoughtful discussion on God, creation, a...

As Michael famously said, “it’s all for love” and in this episode that is certainly true! Starting with a reading of Michael’s short reflection “Love” from Dancing the Dream , in this episode we discuss the limitations Michael’s unique life had on his love life, his perspectives on love and creativity, and much more. Join me for an especially “lovey” episode of Reading Michael Jackson . 

As a meditation and reflection on courage, the 20th piece from Dancing the Dream asks us to reevaluate what we consider courageous in search of something more meaningful. In this analysis of “Courage,” we discuss how the unique challenges of Michael’s life made emotional vulnerability even harder for him than the average person. Touching upon issues of gender, toxic masculinity, and Michael’s lyri...

On this week's episode of Reading Michael Jackson we discuss the short essay "Trust." Written as a reflective piece, Michael offers readers some unexpected perspectives on the role trust plays in our lives, offering that trusting ourselves and overcoming internal fear is at the root of making room in our lives for love. Through discussion and analysis of Michael's words, in this episode I seek to...

We all know that Michael Jackson revered "innocence" and all things associated with purity of heart and spirit. But what exactly does "innocence" mean to him? In this week's episode of Reading Michael Jackson , we will deep dive into this topic in our reading and reflection of the 18th piece featured in Dancing the Dream , aptly titled "Innocence." While some people accuse Michael of being naive,...

In this week's episode of Reading Michael Jackson we kick off with a brief continuation of last week's conversation about "magic" and Michael Jackson. Referencing two books, Michael Jackson: Thrill by Caroline Latham and On the Road with Michael Jackson by Mark Bego, I share insights into how Michael was not only described as a "magical creature" in analyses of his work, but also how he himself sa...

In this 16th episode we discuss his short reflection, "Magic," in which Michael draws out the magical elements of nature, calling our inability to be amazed by it an "illusion." For most fans, the word "Magic" is synonymous with Michael Jackson, so tune in for this episode for a discussion on not only the piece, but on Michael's special magic as a performer, and p...

In the poem "Mother," Michael honors Katherine Jackson, crediting her for all he became in life. In this episode we discuss not only the relationship he had with his mother, but also the relationship between creativity and motherhood, and the role unconditional love (and striving for it) may have played in Michael's life. We will also discuss Rose Fine, Michael's school teacher when he was a child...

Following a brief but enthusiastic review of amateur concert footage, episode 14 of Reading Michael Jackson explores one of the shortest pieces we have read from Dancing the Dream so far. "Children" is a short reflection of sorts that offers a more straightforward understanding of Michael's compassion for and admiration of children. With part of the piece reading almost identically to Michael's 19...

In this special episode of Reading Michael Jackson, we are discussing the 13th piece in Dancing the Dream , the familiar lyrics of Michael's song "Heal the World." While we all know this song, in this episode we dive deep into the structure and meaning of the words and how we can read the repetition of lines, and the specific call to action Michael is making for each and everyone of...

In this essay, Michael tells the story of a teacher traveling the land and telling his student about “the ancients.” As the student struggles to identify any physical sign of where the ancients lived or died, the teacher reminds the student that this absence of evidence is the point. What commentary does this short piece of prose offer a modern reader? Considering both an environmental and spiritu...

In this 11th episode we discuss one of my personal favorites from "Dancing the Dream" - Michael's short essay "Enough for Today." In this piece, Michael describes being deeply impacted by the death of a dolphin reported in the newspaper, and what he sees this animal's death representing in the greater scheme of life. Tune in for an emotional discussion highlighting how Michael's life philosophy an...

In his short story "The Boy and His Pillow," Michael explores themes of giving, authenticity, and faith. When we break down this piece, what might we learn about Michael's perspectives on self sacrifice and doing the "right" thing? How could this parable represent not only Michael's view of a child's wisdom, but also his own relationship to his father? Tune in for an in depth discussion of this un...

In this 9th episode we read and discuss Michael's essay "So the Elephants March." As an early favorite of mine and a piece that calls back to the many references Michael makes to elephants throughout his work (such as in "Earth Song" - both lyrics and video) as well as his overarching love of animals in general. But this piece, while centered on elephants, is also deeply hu...

In this 8th episode of "Reading Michael Jackson" we will start with a brief discussion of the artist David Nordhal, whose work is featured in "Dancing the Dream," sharing a bit from an interview he conducted in 2009. Then we discuss the poem "Children of the World" and Michael's belief in resilience and maintaining innocence in the face of difficult circumstances. But it could also be argued that...

In this 7th episode of "Reading Michael Jackson" we will be reading and discussing the piece "But the Heart Said No." This essay, or perhaps prose poem, is a great example of Michael's humanitarian focus, as well as his belief in the inner wisdom and hopefulness that children possess, which could inspire all of us. In this piece, Michael explores the justification of homelessness, climate change,...

On the surface, "When Babies Smile" may seem like a simple poem, but it is ripe for discussion and dissection. How much of this poem was literal and how much was symbolic? What can we take from this piece and apply to our own lives? Tune in for a deep dive and discussion in this 6th episode of "Reading Michael Jackson."

In this short essay "Dance of Life," Michael interacts with the moon. Driven to return to her and dance in her presence, he gets lost in his own transcendence. In this episode, we read and discuss "Dance of Life" and the many symbolic meanings of the moon and how we might interpret Michael's relationship to it.

"Wings Without Me" is the first "reflection" we are discussing from "Dancing the Dream." It is the first piece with a narrative voice and "characters" that interplay in the narrator's attempt to find meaning in his own limitations of flight. It is a deep and moving piece that offers insight into Michael's philosophies about life, as well as his struggles to understand it.

In this first episode of "Reading Michael Jackson," I discuss how I came to be a fan of Michael Jackson, why I'm starting this podcast, as well as read and discuss the title piece from "Dancing the Dream."

In this second episode of Reading Michael Jackson we focus on the poem "Planet Earth," reading it and discussing elements of Michael's perspectives on the planet and (possible?) existential angst. As referenced in the episode, if you have not listened to Michael's own reading of "Planet Earth" check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCxy8PmljSE You may also be interested in Carl Sagan's...

Michael's poem "Magical Child" can be read in a multitude of ways. But what does it say about his view of his own childhood, or the many ways he was said to have maintained a "childlike" aura throughout his life? Tune in to hear a reading and discussion of this beautiful piece.