Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard Jedidiah Jenkins (author and memoirist)
Nov 23, 2023
Jedidiah Jenkins, an acclaimed author known for his insightful memoirs, dives deep into personal identity shaped by faith and sexuality. He explores the nuances of preparation for intimacy while navigating social norms. The conversation touches on finding common ground with differing beliefs and the emotional journey of retracing his mother’s walk across America. With humor and heart, Jedidiah shares how memoir writing has helped him understand complex family dynamics, and the vital role of therapy in overcoming shame and fostering connection.
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Friend as Bridge to Mother
- Taking his mother and her friend on a road trip softened Jenkins’s tension with his mother and revealed her playful, human side.
- This buffer of a friend allowed more open, fun communication and deeper connection.
The Glenn Beck Cruise That Wasn’t
- Jenkins’s mother booked a Glenn Beck cruise during COVID, which promised lectures and ended in Israel with Bill O’Reilly, highlighting political divides.
- The cruise’s cancellation opened space for a more meaningful mother-son road trip retracing her historic walk.
Powerful Women as Approval Surrogates
- Jenkins illuminates how seeking approval from powerful women can fill unmet childhood needs for maternal approval.
- This subconscious drive often informs friendships with famous women in gay culture.
