Jennifer Cramer-Miller is a writer, speaker, and joy seeker. She’s the Minnesota Board Chair for the National Kidney Foundation, and a Donate Life Ambassador for LifeSource. She’s also the author of the award-winning memoir, Incurable Optimist: Living with Illness and Chronic Hope, which is available now. On today’s show, Annmarie and Jennifer discuss kidney failure, unconditional love, and how the stories of our lives seldom unfold quite how we plan.

Episode Sponsors

Excelsior Bay Books – A locally owned & independent bookstore. Our atmosphere is casual and inviting with a comfy seating area in the center of the store. We have an interesting mix of titles and can special order anything not on the shelves. Our children's section is outstanding! All books and toys are hand-picked for quality and fun. We also offer a great selection of reading accessories (lights, bookmarks, book plates), puppets, puzzles, notecards, and educational gifts and toys. And we are dog-friendly. Come in and browse, or shop online at excelsiorbaybooks.net.

Big Hill Books – The happiest bookstore in Minneapolis. Big Hill Books welcomes you to Bryn Mawr, one of the most charming and eclectic neighborhoods in the Twin Cities. As a general interest bookstore, we offer an engaging, inclusive inventory of titles and a bright, airy space for customers to sit, read and relax. Our feline friends, Goose and Addie, are also available for some complimentary lap time. Visit Big Hill Books and help us build a community in which "we all do better when we all do better." Find us online at bighillbooks.com.

Authors and Titles Mentioned in This Episode:

Incurable Optimist: Living with Illness and Chronic Hope, by Jennifer Cramer-Miller

Kelly Corrigan recently featured Jennifer Cramer-Miller’s story on Thanks for Being Here.

Here’s a trailer for Steel Magnolias, a film which you should not watch if you do not want to cry.

Here’s the opening credits for ThirtySomething which ought to be streaming somewhere – I’d love to see if it still holds up.

Bruce Springsteen singing Thunder Road in Barcelona – fantastic!

Follow Jennifer Cramer-Miller:

Instagram: @jennifercramermiller

Facebook: @JenniferCramerMiller

Twitter: @JenniferCramerMiller

LinkedIn: @jenniferCramerMiller

Learn more at jennifercramermiller.com and join her monthly-ish newsletter here.

Buy Jennifer’s book here.

Jennifer Cramer-Miller's Awards and Recognition:

International Impact Book Award, Family + Medical

Book Excellence Award Winner, Family

BookFest Award Winner, Transformational Memoir + Relationships & Family

2024 IPPY E-Book Award: Gold Winner

2024 Next Generation Book Finalist, Memoir + Cover Design

National Indie Excellence Book Award - Inspiration + Medical + Non-Fiction

Living Now Award Bronze Medal: Health and Wellness

Readers' Favorite Award: Gold Medal - Non Fiction

Publishers Weekly, starred review "...a knockout memoir..."

*Also, here’s a link to donatelife.net if you want to learn more about organ donation and kidney.org if you'd like more about kidney health.

Photo Credit: Belu Photography

**Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment:

If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing abroad, consider joining Annmarie and co-leader Athena Dixon for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025.

You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We’d love to help you make your wishes come true.

As of this moment, we only have 2 spots left. This will sell out. Act now and join us!

Or for women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, message Annmarie to learn more.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices