In this third episode of Season 2, we dive deeper into Michael's childhood and early career, continuing our reading of "Moonwalk," pages 35-50. In this segment, Michael shares what it was like to work the night club scene in Gary and Chicago at the age of 9, recording with Steeletown Records, his early inspirations in James Brown and Jackie Wilson, and winning Amateur Night at the Apollo.

In the emotional discussion portion of the episode, we review not only the highlights from this time in Michael's life, but the disturbing confessions Michael shares about his early exposure to adult sexuality in nightclubs, and the relentless work expected of him as a young child. Though Michael frames many of these experiences as necessary to his growth as a performer, for those of us with "normal" childhoods in comparison, deep empathy for Michael's unique life can help us understand his choices as he grew older, and the passion he had for protecting children.

In this episode, I play a segment of the Jackson 5's first single, "Big Boy." If you are interested in listening to the full song, check out this link! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiFN2DQqBFE

For questions and comments, please reach out to readingmichaeljackson@yahoo.com.

This week, we continue our reading of Chapter 1 of "Moonwalk." Spanning from pages 21-35, this week's segment covers the earliest days of the Jackson 5, including the infamous "broken guitar string" story, Joseph Jackson's discipline, and the intensity of performing at such a young age.

In the discussion portion of this episode, we dissect the complications of Michael writing and releasing a memoir about complicated family dynamics, his narrative of physical discipline and abuse, the hardships of performing at such a young age, and more.

As Michael Jackson fans, knowing what we know about the pain Michael experienced as a child and how that impacted him throughout his life, if he had to do it all over again, would we choose this path for him? Does Michael's incredible success and impact justify the means through which he achieved it?

For comments or questions, please feel free to email me at readingmichaeljackson@yahoo.com.

Today we are officially diving into Moonwalk! Starting with the touching forward by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, included in the original publication of Moonwalk, we begin Chapter 1, covering pages 1-21. In this section, Michael introduces himself, his family, and some of the challenges he has in telling this story. He not only identifies his earliest memories with music, but begins to explore the complicated relationship he had with his father, Joseph Jackson. Through this, he touches upon the scars he has from childhood, which remain a theme throughout Michael's life and central to how he tells his story.

In the discussion portion of this episode, we explore Michael's approach to storytelling and forming a narrative, as well as the early normalization of hard work for Michael and his brothers, as well as the pain he experienced as a child.

For questions or comments, please comment or email me directly at readingmichaeljackson@yahoo.com.

After a short hiatus, "Reading Michael Jackson" is back with Season 2! This time around, we are covering Michael Jackson's 1988 autobiography Moonwalk. Much like Season 1 which covered Michael's book of poetry and essays, "Dancing the Dream," each episode this season will contain a reading of a section of "Moonwalk," as well as a discussion of the contents. In preparation for the forthcoming biopic "Michael" (out April 24th), the goal of this season is to read and examine the way in which Michael himself chose to tell his life story, now that Michael's estate, family, and Hollywood executives will be recreating it on the big screen.

Though this episode is technically serving as the premiere of Season 2, given the timing of the holiday season, as well as the content we are covering in this episode, this episode can be viewed as a "bonus." In this episode we will be covering my reasoning and decision for choosing "Moonwalk" as our focus, as well as a reading and discussion of the book's Afterword, written by one of Michael's editors, and the Forward written by Berry Gordy. By reading and discussing these materials, we are setting the foundation for understanding Michael's approach to writing this book, his process, and perhaps some of the pitfalls facing celebrity memoir in general.

So while this could definitely be considered "bonus" content, if you want to be fully prepared to engage with the book starting next week, I recommend listening!

From here forward, we will follow a tight schedule, with new episodes out each Tuesday leading up to the release of the biopic! So be sure to stay caught up this season!

For any questions or feedback email readingmichaeljackson@yahoo.com.

We are back for season 2 of Reading Michael Jackson! This time around, we will be focusing on reading and discussing Michael's 1988 autobiography "Moonwalk." Each episode will feature a reading from the book followed by a discussion.

Tune in with new episodes dropping on Tuesday December 30th!

After nearly a year, we have completed our full reading of "Dancing the Dream." Now comes the real question... as Michael Jackson fans what exactly do we make of this book? What was Michael's purpose in writing it and what role does it play in his overall legacy? Join me for one final discussion covering this tremendous collection. Starting with a reading of Michael's one and only interview in which he is interviewed, specifically, about "Dancing the Dream" (Chicago Tribune 1992), we will then briefly discussion Elizabeth Amisu's understanding of this work as outlined her book "The Dangerous Philosophies of Michael Jackson," followed by my own personal review.

It has been an outstanding Season 1 of Reading Michael Jackson and I am so grateful for each and every one of you who has joined me along the way!

Please be sure to follow the show closely so you don't miss the Season 2 trailer... it may be dropping sooner than you think!

For questions or comments please email readingmichaeljackson@yahoo.com!

In this final essay from Dancing the Dream, Michael interrogates his own relationship to the world around him, and what he “owes” other life forms on earth. While examining a famous photograph of a baby seal, he finds himself projecting his own feelings and views onto the seal, forcing him to question his role in the good and bad that happens in the natural world. As a thoughtful close to this book, "Look Again, Baby Seal" challenges all readers to consider what role they play in both the betterment and suffering of the modern world.

Please tune in for next week's season 1 season finale episode!

For questions or comments, email readingmichaeljackson@yahoo.com.

In this penultimate essay in Dancing the Dream, Michael writes from a place of intentional and intense self-reflection. "Mirroring" the themes from his song "Man in the Mirror," his essay "The One in the Mirror" takes the reflection a step further. Illustrating an internal battle between hope and cynicism, in this piece Michael literally argues with himself about his responsibility to the world as a person largely shielded from its suffering, while still deeply impacted by it.

For me, this is one of the strongest pieces in the book that offers more than a purely idealistic view into the genuine struggle to show up for others, when it would be much easier to turn away.

The interview featured in this episode is from the 1987 interview with Ebony Jet.

For questions and comments, please email readingmichaeljackson@yahoo.com