True Crime, Memoir, and Mental Health

This podcast features a conversation with Kali White VanBaale and several readers of this column. It samples the many interests held by our guest from memoir writing to True Crime, and mental health issues in Iowa.If you don’t already subscribe to Kali, please consider doing so. You will be better informed about one of the most critical and widespread issues facing far too many Iowans today. Kali will be a speaker during the Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat, September 28-October 2. To receive updates about the event, click here and subscribe: Podcast RecapMental Health as a Central Theme* One of the most impactful portions centers on mental health. One speaker recounts a personal tragedy—a harrowing incident where a neighbor’s son, overwhelmed by untreated mental illness, committed an unspeakable act. This moment, as painful as it is profound, sparked the speaker’s ongoing advocacy and writing about mental health.* The conversation explores not only the stigma surrounding mental illness (like the challenges of understanding conditions such as anisognosia) but also how mental health is intricately linked to broader social issues such as homelessness, food insecurity, and public safety.Memoir Writing: Craft, Challenges, and Choices* A significant part of the dialogue delves into memoir writing. The speakers compare memoir to autobiography—emphasizing that while an autobiography might be a full life chronicle, a memoir is more focused and thematic.* They discuss how writers must decide what parts of their life to share. Here, the idea of “what stays and what goes” becomes crucial, as every memory feels precious but not every detail serves the story. The insights are both practical and encouraging, reminding writers that personal stories—even those that seem “ordinary”—can be fascinating when told with honesty and clarity.* There’s clever advice on dealing with sensitive subject matter too: using pseudonyms or composite characters to protect the identities of real people, which is especially important when dealing with family history or ongoing relationships.True Crime by Accident and by Passion* The guest candidly explains how she “fell into” the true crime genre. What started with a novel loosely based on real events soon led her to write articles and profiles in true crime—a field she’s now a serious buff of.* Although the idea of hosting a true crime podcast is floated (and humorously shot down as “I hate the sound of my own voice”), it shows the organic evolution of a writer’s interests and how one topic can seamlessly lead into another.The Iowa Factor and the Writer’s Identity* There’s a reflective discussion about being an Iowa-based writer, touching on the stereotype that you can’t “make it big” out there. The speakers note that humility and down-to-earth attitudes—which are common in Iowa—can sometimes be a disadvantage when it comes to self-promotion in the arts.* Despite this, the conversation is hopeful: successful Iowa writers have found ways to break through these stereotypes, and the local literary community is vibrant even if it sometimes feels overlooked by the larger mainstream.Audience Q&A and the Realities of Telling Personal Stories* The session isn’t just a monologue—it’s interactive. Listeners ask pointed questions about the challenges of writing memoirs, like dealing with family disagreements over how past events are remembered.* The advice offered here is practical: embrace your own honest interpretation rather than obsessing over an objective “truth,” and remember that different perspectives can coexist. There’s even a humorous nod to the inevitable “freeze” moments during online calls!Legal and Ethical Considerations in Memoir Writing* A lighter but equally important point: the discussion touches on the legal risks of fictionalizing real events in memoirs. Citing well-known controversies (a nod to the infamous case involving James Frey and, later, the issues around Alice Sebold’s recounting), the speakers emphasize that creative nonfiction must balance narrative flair with accuracy.* The overall message is clear: if you’re changing names or melding characters, do it with integrity to safeguard both your story and the people in it.In a nutshell, this interview is a treasure trove for anyone interested in the intersections of mental health, memoir writing, and true crime. It’s as much a reflective dialogue on personal storytelling as it is a practical workshop sprinkled with humor and genuine advice. Whether you’re working on your own memoir or just love a good, deep-dive conversation about life’s messy, meaningful experiences, there’s plenty here to inspire you to get writing—even if you sometimes feel “frozen” in the moment!Resources* Memoir Nation: Founded by Grant Faulkner and Brooke Warner—great for writers seeking structure and community.* Favorite craft book: Lit by Mary Karr—both her memoir and memoir-writing bible.Party, Meet Our Iowa Writers’ Collaborative Community We are throwing a shindig in Winterset on July 26, and our paid subscribers (to any member of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative or this roundup) are invited. For details, click on this RSVP form: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit okobojiwriters.substack.com/subscribe