The Art of Storytelling, the obligatory bird nerd nonsense, and a whole lot of Muppets. Odds-n-Ends for April 17.
So many odds-n-ends today. Let’s get into it.
Anne and I are doing a Momentus Event together on April 27 at 10am Pacific. What is this, exactly? I’m so glad you asked.
It’s The Art of Storytelling!
Join us for an inspiring virtual event featuring creative juggernauts Anne and Wil Wheaton as they dive into the craft of storytelling, their writing processes, and the art of developing creative ideas. Whether you’re an aspiring writer, a seasoned storyteller, or simply a fan of great stories, this fun discussion will provide valuable insights into the creative journey.
Anne, a lifelong rescue pet advocate, will discuss her popular children’s book “Piggy and Pug” — a heartwarming tale about the journey of Pug, who’s searching for a new family, and Piggy, who’s looking for a new friend.
Wil, a celebrated writer, actor, and geek culture icon, will talk about the process behind his best-selling annotated memoir, “Still Just A Geek,” which continues to sell out at bookstores around the world.
Upgrade your ticket to include a copy of “Piggy & Pug” by Anne Wheaton and an exclusive character enamel pin set! Meet-and-greets will include a copy of Wil’s “Still Just A Geek” while supplies last!
They’ll share their personal experiences, challenges, and successes in the writing world. They’ll discuss how to cultivate original ideas, overcome writer’s block, and craft compelling, resonant artistic ventures.
The conversation will be followed by a Q&A session, allowing attendees to ask questions and gain deeper insights from their perspectives.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of an inspiring discussion about the power of stories and the creative process behind them!
Reserve your spot now and get ready to be inspired.
Some of our friends have done these events, and they tell us that they love them. We are both looking forward to hanging out. We can’t make any promises, because cats, but we’ll do our best to get Marlowe and Watson to come say hello.
I have a Patreon for my podcast, if you’d like to support the show directly and help us make more episodes. I put a whole bunch of stuff there which I didn’t feel belong in the main show feed, like my reflections on each piece and why I chose it, copies of our marked up scripts so you can see how we do it, and live chat events (like an AMA) with me to talk about the show.
And speaking of Patreon … everyone there has been super supportive of me and the podcast. They even put me on a billboard in Times Square, as part of their creators campaign!
That’s me! On a billboard! In Times Square! LOOK! My podcast and I are right there! For everyone to see! WOW!
Nothing I’ve ever done has gotten me on a billboard in Times Square. Not even Star Trek. I don’t know that it will convert a single person into a subscriber, but I feel like this is one hell of a moment to enjoy. You made it to the big city, kid!
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I’m reposting my recent episode of Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown, because I talked about really important things that seem to be resonating with a lot of people. If you missed it, here it is again.
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Someone on Bluesky showed me this picture:
And it sparked this memory:
In 1987, I was invited to do a photo shoot with Pigs In Space for Muppet Magazine, to promote The Next Generation. I put a copy of the magazine in a box of my stuff that my mom refuses to give me (I’m NC with my abusive parents). Now and then, I see this picture online and it always makes me smile.
That memory inspired me to go looking for the magazine, which is how I found out that the Muppet Wiki is a thing, and I have an entry! In that entry is a scan of the entire piece, which I was able to read for the first time in over thirty years.
Aw, Lil’ Wil! You’re awesome, kiddo. I know you don’t feel that way, and you won’t for … 40ish years, but I know you’re great, and worthy of unconditional love.
I remember when we did this, and how much I loved it. There is this moment in 1987 when I feel like everything is finally working out. I’m finally on a series, so I don’t have to go on auditions after school any more. I’m working regularly, so my mom is more calm and doesn’t heap pressure on me to support the family. I absolutely love that I am on Star Trek, a show that means so much to me. I really believe that everything is finally going to be okay. My dad will finally notice me, because I finally earned it. My mom will finally be satisfied because I’m getting all this attention.
It lasted for a little less than I year, I think, before I had to admit that my dad was still an asshole who hated me, my mother was still a bottomless pit of attention-craving neediness, and neither of them gave a shit about the work I was doing, as long as they could spend my money. It was around this time that I heard the first alt.wesley.die.die.die stuff, and the beginning of one of the darkest times in my personal life.
I try not to think about that time, and I talked about it all in Still Just A Geek, but it does occasionally surface, and writing about things is how I process and reprocess them, so.
I know most of you are appalled by these memories. Some of you reading this may be finding out for the first time that I’m an abuse survivor and have no relationship with my family (except my sister). I wrote all about this in Still Just A Geek, if you’re interested. In any case, I got better. I am better! I can revisit these moments with a distance and sense of safety that I’ve earned through years of EMDR therapy, and I want anyone else who knows the secret handshake that I am so sorry, and I see you. I hate that we are in this club, but I’m glad neither of us is alone inside it.
Okay, let’s get out of Sadtown and back to Joyville:
The wiki entry also contains this picture of Anne and me with Grover, from the time we got to go visit Sesame Street a few years ago.
I may have told this story before, but I’m going to tell it again. When we went to Sesame Street, both of us wept with joy as we were consumed by nostalgic memories. Everyone who worked there told us that happens whenever folks who grew up with Sesame Street visit.
PS fuck Trump and his thugs for going after Sesame Street. Also fuck the billionaires who could fund it for the rest of eternity without missing a penny of it, but don’t, because they didn’t learn how to share by watching Sesame Street.
Anyway.
We met Abbie, and we got to see Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch. I got to meet Mister Snuffleupagus, and he gave me a hug with his trunk (more weeping). I told him that I always believed he was real, and he told me that he always believed in me, too. More weeping. Then I showed him that Big Bird gave me one of his feathers that fell off when I met him. So Snuffy picked up a couple of his little feathers and gave them to me to keep with Big Bird’s feather. He said, “best friends should always be together,” and that’s when I looked at Anne, who was weeping, and told him, “We always are.”
We walked over to Mister Hooper’s store, next, and while we were looking around, the man who is Grover came over and introduced himself. He asked me if I wanted to meet Grover.
Y’all, Grover is my favorite Muppet, just barely sneaking past Gonzo. Lovable, furry old Grover, who always tries to do the right thing, who is easily frightened, who is so excited about everything all the time, is pretty much who I was when I was a little kid. Hell, it’s pretty much who I am now. I heavily identified with him. I can’t remember if I squeaked or what, but I said yes and before I knew it, I WAS TALKING TO GROVER. (And weeping with joy).
I … just totally forgot that there was a person there, and after a minutes, I asked Grover if I could have a hug. He said yes, put his arms around me, and then I hugged the hell out of Grover (or a guy’s arm, if you want to spoil the magic of the moment). I felt all the feelings. This was during the first Trump regime, when we had no idea how bad it would become, or that this idiot country would elect him on purpose again. I remember how scared we were, how the world felt as uncertain as it does now, only it was kind of new to feel that uncertainty, and I think all the things that Trump triggers in survivors just came up to the surface while I was hugged by a character I have loved my whole life.
I hugged him so tightly, and I could feel my tears on his fur. Grover said, “You give very good, very strong hugs, Mister Wil Wheaton,” and I said “it’s because I love you so much, Grover, and I had no idea how much I needed this.”
I have a picture of me giving him a hug that Anne took. It’s in a frame with Snuffy’s and Big Bird’s feathers.
Wow, I haven’t thought about that in a long time, and I feel all of it in my body. That’s wild.
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Okay, one last thing before I get to the last thing.
My evolution from mostly-normal person to very weird Bird Nerd continues. The vast majority of birds in my yard are finches. There are the occasional Cowbirds and White Crowned Sparrows, a pair of Doves who really love the patio next to Anne’s art studio, but it’s mostly Finchburg, USA.
Yesterday, a Black-Headed Grosbeak showed up and posed for the most amazing picture.
Aren’t they beautiful? I hope they come back and bring their friends.
The last thing, as always, is a collection of links to get It’s Storytime with Wil Wheaton.
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Thanks for spending some time with me today, and thank you to everyone who is spreading the word about the podcast. We’re growing slowly, adding new listeners every day, and I know that’s largely because y’all are talking about it with your friends and family. I do not take that for granted, and I am grateful. Come on over and leave a comment; I enjoy interacting with y’all.
