Mommy Talk Show Candid Conversation with a TV Mom
I realized that many of you may be new around here and don’t know much about me. Or maybe you stopped by via one of my popular posts on Pinterest and aren’t engaged on the Mommy Talk Show Facebook page. That’s where I relatable parenting stories, photos and where my son and I host a live Facebook show called “Thursday Things We’re Obsessed With.” Since you may not know much about me I decided to do a fun look at some of the interesting things I’ve experienced as a TV reporter, mom and blogger I hope you enjoy 30 Interesting Facts You Probably Don’t Know About Me!
Family
I’m the youngest of four siblings.
I learned sign language at an early age because my niece is deaf.
On my 16th birthday, I passed my driver’s permit test with a 100 score. I made my Mother take off from work to take me to the driver’s testing center!
I’m still in contact with one of my junior high school teachers, Mr. Anderson. He came to our wedding reception.
Education & Career
I moved five times in seven years.
I hosted two TV talk shows when I was in college.
I finished graduate school when I was 23.
I met Oprah & Gayle at a Burger King in Mississippi. This was before I had an iPhone! I got in a few interview questions, but I didn’t take a photo.
I’ve been on ABC’s ‘The View’ twice. You can watch the clip here:
When I interviewed blues legend, B.B. King, he flirted with me. When I told him my name was Joyce, he asked “Can I call you JOY because you make me happy?” He was very charming!
I’m definitely not a hurricane chaser, but when I was a reporter I covered Hurricane Dennis in 2005 along the Mississippi coast in Biloxi. I was wet and hungry for hours. It’s one of the main reasons I don’t miss being a TV reporter.
I earned a Southeast Regional Emmy award for my station’s coverage of Hurricane Katrina in Jackson, Mississippi.
I’ve been a professor at two universities.
Health
I lost 30 pounds on the South Beach Diet, twice. I wish I had that much discipline again.
I fainted in an ER bathroom, then got admitted for a condition that’s common in third world countries that causes fatal cases of diarrhea. A very strong antibiotic caused me to develop C. difficile or C Diff. My doctor told me that if I hadn’t gone to the ER I might not have survived. Whew!
I suffer from uterine fibroids (non-cancerous tumors) which are prevalent among African American women. I had them surgically removed which probably helped make it possible for me to get pregnant with A.J. They grew back, but I’m not having surgery again.
Talents
I played the alto sax in elementary, junior high and high school. I was drum major of my high school marching band.
I sang at the weddings of two close friends. I didn’t sing at my own wedding.
I sang the national anthem at a Youngstown State University football game.
My most popular YouTube video has 72,000 views and it shows how to assemble a toddler basketball set. Apparently, this set has been frustrating parents for at least eight years, then Google helps them find my video! Watch it here:
I wrote a book designed to help moms start their own businesses.
My friends think I give great advice.
Travel
I started saving for a trip to Europe when I was 25, then paid cash for the trip that I enjoyed on my 30th birthday.
My favorite place in Europe was Lucerne, Switzerland. The streets were so clean you could eat off of them.
I once drove by myself from Maryland to Missouri.
I’ve traveled on three Caribbean cruises; here’s what NOT to do on your next cruise.
Entertainment
The only movie I liked so much that I saw it twice in the theater was Drumline.
I have a healthy obsession with the TV shows, ‘Heroes,’ Lost’ and ‘Law & Order.’
I know everyone else is obsessed, but I’ve NEVER watched an episode of ‘Friends,’ ‘The Sopranos,’ ‘The Wire’ or ‘Breaking Bad.’
I have been in the audience for live tapings of ‘The Cosby Show,’ ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’, ‘The Phil Donahue Show’ and a dress rehearsal for ‘Saturday Night Live.’
Talkback to me: What stood out to you in this interesting facts list? Do we have anything in common?
