An Hour With Mother

Each week I sit down with my mother-in-law and she tells me stories about her life experiences. She's met Jim Jones, the Charles Manson murderers, and has had countless experiences. These are those stories.

Hoodoo Voodoo 03/21/2018

Hoodoo Voodoo Today's episode is a fun one, as well as slightly educational. The African-American experience in Louisiana, and many other parts of the country, were unique when it came to medicine. Due to racism, black people could not simply go to a hospital or a doctor. Instead, they found home remedies, and yes, voodoo. Mother explains this history and some unique stories surrounding her ex-husband and her father. Enjoy. /episode/index/show/thedecidedgamer/id/6388838

Vicki Clark 03/13/2018

Vicki Clark As I'm sure many of us have, Mother had a tremendous friend in Vicki Clark. However, through the death of one of her children, and her battle with cancer, Vicki's life was difficult. For a time, Mother took Vicki in to her own home and cared for her while Vicki was very sick. This is a story that spans decades and is one of love and friendship. Enjoy. /episode/index/show/thedecidedgamer/id/6361299

The Gas Explosion 03/06/2018

The Gas Explosion While staying over at a friends house, Mother, her kids, and husband at the time, experienced a traumatic event. Due to a gas leak, the house exploded, causing injuries to Mother, and one fatality. But, as she always does, mother describes this event in a charming, funny way. /episode/index/show/thedecidedgamer/id/6337284

Uptown Girl 01/23/2018

Uptown Girl Being from South Central Los Angeles, Mother had never experienced any type of lavish lifestyle. That all changed when she met Reverend Ike. Before she knew it she was eating caviar and picking out dresses from fancy Beverly Hills stores. She has a fondness from this time period in her life that I hope everyone gets to experience at some point in their lives. She is smiling throughout this entire episode, and even though it's only audio, you can see it. /episode/index/show/thedecidedgamer/id/6181588

Jim Jones and Christine Miller 01/16/2018

Jim Jones and Christine Miller The Jonestown Massacre, orchestrated by Jim Jones, is an infamous part of U.S. history. On November 18, 1978, 909 people died, most of whom took their own lives at the request of Jim Jones. One of those people was Christine Miller. Mother knew both Jim and Christine, but Christine was a good friend and mentor. In today's episode, Mother relives that experience and tells you what it was like meeting Jim Jones, as well as why Christine Miller was important in her life. /episode/index/show/thedecidedgamer/id/6157263

The Atlanta Murders 01/09/2018

The Atlanta Murders Between 1979 and 1981 there were close to 30 children that were murdered near the Atlanta, Georgia area. The entire country looked on frightened and confused, waiting for the police to capture somebody. These feelings were felt even in California. In today's episode, mother discusses how she and her family dealt with the Atlanta Murders, and how the black community responds to police. It is a pretty wide ranging conversation, hope you enjoy. /episode/index/show/thedecidedgamer/id/6132475

When Mother was Homeless 01/02/2018

When Mother was Homeless Mother has had many difficult times in her life, one of which was when she was homeless. After her husband left her, took her car and all of the money in her bank account, mother was left without a home and without much help. She turned to her church, but did not receive a substantial amount of help. Yet, she recovered. She persevered and got back on her feet, for herself and her children. This is that story. /episode/index/show/thedecidedgamer/id/6108916

How Vietnam Almost Killed Mother 12/19/2017

How Vietnam Almost Killed Mother Mother's first Husband was a Vietnam veteran. Prior to going to the war, he was the life of the party, fun, and exciting guy. When he came home, he was different. Intense PTSD episodes, excessive drinking, and at one point, almost killing mother. In this episode we discuss all of this, as well as the treatment of veterans in the United States, the mentally ill, and the homeless. /episode/index/show/thedecidedgamer/id/6065716

Kelly Louisiana 12/12/2017

Kelly Louisiana Mother had to fly to Monroe Louisiana when she was a young woman to escape her first husband. When she arrived she met some new family members that she had never met before and they were...interesting. These new relatives take her to a small town called Kelly. In this episode we play a little game where you the listener try to discover the secret before mother realizes it. So get ready, it's a fun ride. /episode/index/show/thedecidedgamer/id/6037862

How Emmett Till Changed Everything 12/05/2017

How Emmett Till Changed Everything Emmett Till. Just a mention of his name brings about a number of emotions. In 1955 this young black man was brutally murdered for allegedly whistling at a white woman. Mother was a child and living near Los Angeles when the murder occurred and it sent shock waves through her family and community. In today's episode, mother remembers what her world was like prior to and after Emmett Till's murder. /episode/index/show/thedecidedgamer/id/6013539

Mother Meets the Charles Manson Cult 11/28/2017

Mother Meets the Charles Manson Cult In 1970 mother had a bit of a run in with the FBI. While she hadn't really done anything wrong, she was forced to wait in a jail in Los Angeles for a month until she had her trial. It just so happens that three of the Charles Manson Family women were also being held in this jail: Susan Atkins, Leslie Van Houten, and Patricia Krenwinkel. Mother tells the story about how she ended up in prison, her experiences with the infamous murderers, and how she dealt with the entire ordeal. /episode/index/show/thedecidedgamer/id/5988691

The Twins 11/10/2017

The Twins In this weeks episode mine and mother's conversation turns towards her youngest children, one of them being my wife, Cherish and Charity. The two girls are twins and were born when mother was 40 years old. There were many complications along the way, and mother provides the story of one of them dying in the hospital, as well as many other details. Enjoy. /episode/index/show/thedecidedgamer/id/5933564

An Hour With Mother

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