Halfway Homeless, Fully Healed: Reflecting on 20 Years of "Girlbomb" With Author Janice Erlbaum

n this episode host Bill Thompson sits down with author, poet, and writing coach Janice Erlbaum to celebrate the 20th anniversary of her groundbreaking memoir, *Girl Bomb: A Halfway Homeless Memoir*. Janice opens up about what it means to be "halfway homeless" as a teenager in 1980s New York City, navigating shelters like Covenant House, group homes, and public school while keeping meticulous diaries. She candidly discusses the privileges that helped her succeed, the ethical mistakes she made along the way, and how she eventually found her center through writing and long-term therapy. Janice also shares invaluable advice for aspiring writers on embracing "ugly first drafts" and explains how she now helps others heal by putting their painful memories safely onto the page.Get your copy of Girlbomb by Janice ErlbaumAs an Amazon Associate, Now I've Heard Everything may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.Chapters:00:42 Reflecting on 20 Years of 'Girlbaum' 01:12 Returning to Covenant House 02:24 The Impact of the James Fry Exposé 03:07 The Universality of Youth Running Away 03:28 What Does 'Halfway Homeless' Mean? 06:10 Balancing School and Shelter Life 07:17 The Role of Writing in Her Life 09:05 Honesty About Mistakes and Ethical Dilemmas 10:53 Centering Yourself Amid Chaos 11:58 From Writer to Mentor 15:06 The Writing Process and Embracing Imperfection 18:35 Looking Back After 20 Years 19:40 Reflections on Happiness and Gratitude 21:35 Reconnecting with People from the BookGuest InformationJanice ErlbaumWebsiteSocial:YouTube Facebook Instagram TikTok1994 interview with Susanna KaysenFor more intriguing and engaging interviews each week, subscribe now on:Spotify Apple Podcasts YouTube