Welcome to 700 new subscribers
....and we will have a Zoom call today.
Holy moly. There have been 700 new subscribers here to the Potluck column in the past two weeks! Welcome aboard!
It might have something to do with a Note that went viral and is still getting shares. All I did in that quick post was suggest all the former presidents come together and hold a press conference to denounce how Zelensky was treated in the Oval Office. It’s been viewed over 32,000 times, ‘liked’ by 2.2K, and 1000 folks commented. If that brought you to us, I’m glad you’re here. You’ll like our community vibe, I predict.
Or, perhaps you found us through the Zoom interview we did with Substack co-founder Hamish McKenzie. Whatever brought you here, you have stumbled upon a place I call a ‘potluck’ because everyone brings something to the table. That can mean you, too.
Maybe you are here by way of one of the new Iowa Writers’ Collaborative members.
? ? ? I founded the IWC three years ago, and we now have 70 members.In this space, I’m all over the place. One day, I might write a personal column about deep feelings. Next, I could be dropping in on an iconic character in Milford, Iowa, using the wonders of Substack Live and doing a surprise pop-up interview. My interests reflected here are centered on Iowa - what’s working and what can be better - in the state. Plus, of course, the national issues that impact us all.
Iowa is my place of birth and the home I recently returned to after a career that took me to Annapolis and Chicago.
I resist writing about my dog in this column, knowing you serious folks would leave in droves, but he writes under his name using Google Dog Translate: J Dudley’s Adventures. Some readers say Dudley is hilarious, but you be the judge. For me, he is a bright spot in a world gone mad.
A feature in the Potluck column is a Monday Zoom call with someone of interest. Our guest today, March 10, is Helen Miller. She recently published a memoir about her extraordinary life (so far). We start the call at noon central, and subscribers can join us. Then, we upload the conversation into podcast form, and over 5,000 readers either read the transcript or listen when they can. Here is the link for today’s call:
"I DON’T SWIM" is an authentic and moving memoir that weaves Helen Miller’s personal story with Black America's monumental struggles and triumphs. From her family’s migration north in search of freedom and opportunity to her role in shaping history as a lawyer, legislator, and activist, Miller offers a deeply personal lens on the collective fight for justice.
With courage and candor, Miller recounts the heartache of racism, the hope of the Civil Rights Movement, and the joy of witnessing Barack Obama’s historic election. Each page reminds the reader of history intertwined with the raw emotion of lived experience. Whether recalling her awe at the bravery of the Little Rock Nine, her heartbreak over the senseless racism her grandson endured, or her reckoning with America’s ongoing struggle with equality, Miller’s words resonate deeply and universally.
This memoir is more than a life story—it’s a journey through generations of resilience, pain, and hope. It’s a celebration of progress, a lament for the injustices that linger, and a call to action for the future. Miller’s reflections on how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go remind us that history is not just something we read about—it’s something we live, shape, and carry forward.
"I DON’T SWIM" is a triumph of the human spirit, a testament to the power of perseverance, and a love letter to those who dream of a better America. Helen Miller’s work can challenge one's perspective and leave us inspired to keep marching forward.
Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat
Oh, new subscribers, this Substack column also discusses the writers’ retreat I put on in the fall.
Everyone has a story; sometimes, it just needs some coaxing to get out of them. To that end, I produce a writers’ retreat in Okoboji, Iowa, a lakes region in northwest Iowa. The fifth annual retreat will take place September 28-October 1. I wouldn’t call it a cult, but it does have a special culture, and folks keep coming back year after year, and they won’t let me stop. So, here we are.
Helen Miller came to the first one we held in 2021, and her memoir was published just a few weeks ago. She’ll return this year as one of our growing list of published authors.
Ta-da.
Not everyone has a big project like this in mind, but the retreat is designed for everyone, wherever they are in the process and whatever their skill level.
And last year, we included songwriters - a big hit. Below watch as
demonstrates how he goes about writing a song.Check out the web page for more information about the retreat. I’m finalizing speakers and workshops, so the website is still a work in progress.
If you like what we’re doing here at the Potluck, forward this to someone you think might want to join us. Although we appreciate our paid subscribers A LOT, none of this content is behind a paywall. We have some perks for paid subscribers, but we are glad you’re all here.
The last Friday of the month
hosts a Zoom call for all of our paid subscribes. It’s a fun way to acknowledge those who support any member of the IWC.
The Iowa Writers’ Collaborative is an extraordinary group of top-notch, professional writers who comment on life from all over the state.
hosts an outstanding podcast that currently covers the Iowa Legislature. He is joined by a panel of other Iowa Writers’ Collaborative members, as well as Kathie Obradovich, who leads Iowa Capital Dispatch - a hard-hitting news site. Panelists include , and others on occasion.The Sunday Roundup of columns can be found here:
Dang, 700 new! Congrats! They have landed in a great place. Also, love knowing that she published her memoir after attending an OWR! Cheers to both of you!
Congratulations Julie, a testament to all of your hard work. Bravo Helen.