213: John Abendshien KNOWS Movies, Healthcare, Curiosity Gone Wild, Human Nature, Kevin McCallister & Home Alone Home Ownership

Imagine your home suddenly transformed into a Hollywood icon.

 

That's precisely what happened to John Abendshien, whose real-life house became the star of "Home Alone." More than just a film set, it turned into a character of its own, filled with traps and slapstick chaos that helped make the movie a global hit.

 

Decades later, the house remains legendary. Tourists visit, merchandise abounds—even gingerbread replicas exist. In his new book, "Home But Alone No More," Abendshien shares the fascinating behind-the-scenes story: how the location was chosen, what filming was like, and the surreal experience of having a blockbuster take over his home—and life.

 

Filming lasted five months in 1990, but the impact never ended. What followed was a mix of magic and madness, as the family's home became a permanent tourist attraction.

 

Blending humor and heartfelt reflection, Abendshien draws parallels between himself and young Kevin McCallister, noting the film's deeper themes of family, independence, and resilience. Over time, the house stopped being just his—it became everyone's house. And as he says, when you're part of something this beloved, you're never really home alone.

 

John Abendshien has over 45 years of experience providing consulting services to healthcare organizations in enterprise strategy, clinical services development, organizational design, and mergers and acquisitions. He has played a key role in the planning and development of some of the country's leading healthcare systems and has conducted 400+ consulting engagements across the United States with a broad range of organizations. 

 

John is a frequent speaker and lecturer on strategic planning and organizational change management, and is the author of the book "Health Care in the Next Curve: Transforming a Dysfunctional Industry" (CRC Press, 2018). In 2023, John was recognized by Marquis Who's Who for his contributions to the healthcare industry.

 

John holds an M.B.A. and an M.S. degree in Health Services Management from the University of Missouri-Columbia and completed his administrative residency at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, Washington. He also served as an officer in the U.S. Army Medical Services Corps.  

 

"ON THE KNOWS with Randall Kenneth Jones" is a podcast that features smart, funny, and heartfelt conversations with celebrities, innovators, and everyday heroes. The show is designed to entertain, enlighten, and offer listeners new insights into the world, others, and themselves. 

 

The podcast is hosted by Randall Kenneth Jones, a bestselling author, speaker, and creative communications consultant. The announcer is the celebrated voice actor Susan Bennett, widely known as the original voice of Siri.

 

The podcast offers a unique spin on knowledge and education, emphasizing the importance of conversation, laughter, listening, and critical thinking. It is often described as an "antidote to today's anxiety-ridden media landscape."

 

"ON THE KNOWS" is produced and edited by Kevin Randall Jones.

 

Podcast Highlights:

 

• The only thing John didn't like about the final film was the horrible wallpaper, which didn't match the décor of John's home.

 

• John shared why he waited 35 years to write the book—and John and Randy discuss why that has actually made it a better book. 

 

• John's 2nd-favorite memory from the set was time spent behind the scenes learning from production designer John Muto and cinematographer Julio Macat. John ultimately expresses very complimentary sentiments toward John Hughes, Chris Columbus, John Williams, and everyone involved in the movie.

 

• John and Randy discuss their favorite cast members and why they have this honor. John's is Daniel Stern and Randy's is "the great and powerful" Catherine O'Hara. 

 

• John describes a childhood in which he was "home alone" much of the time. John and Randy share a hometown in Columbia, Missouri, and are both alums of the University of Missouri-Columbia. John and Randy discuss that neither of them ever "learned how to play."

 

• John shares how his work in healthcare administration relates to his experience with HOME ALONE, both during filming and in the decades following the film's release.

 

• John talks about his wonderful neighbors.

 

• John shares how the film—and the chaos that followed—changed his view of life and how he personally changed over time.

 

Best Quotes:

 

• John Abendshien: "The 'Home Alone' crowd shattered almost every cliché ever said about Tinseltown. Every single person—yes, every last one—was down to earth and surprisingly easy to get along with."

 

• John Abendshien: "We weren't just homeowners anymore; we were unwitting participants in a film production, witnessing the magic of moviemaking firsthand—crazy stunt scenes, a cast and crew who practically moved in, and the utter chaos that came with it all."

 

• John Abendshien: "Kids, left to their own devices, are amazingly resourceful. Kids can figure things out and take care of themselves."

 

• John Abendshien: "Despite having managed to take care of myself as a kid, there is a big gap in my upbringing—I never quite learned how to play."

 

• John Abendshien: "It took me a while to realize it, but the truth is, we're all just guests in our own homes, whether we're talking about a house or our own bodies. We're here for a short time, and it's up to us to make room for others, to share our space."

 

www.OnTheKnows.com 

 

John Abendshien: www.HomeButAloneNoMore.com   

Randall Kenneth Jones: www.RandallKennethJones.com

Susan Bennett: www.SusanCBennett.com

Kevin Randall Jones: www.KevinRandallJones.com