How to Share 1970’s Chicago

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“Nostalgia: because everything about the past is perfect, except how it led to the present.” – Homer Simpson

The Friday night tv lineup when I was growing up was The Love Boat and then when I was old enough to stay up to 11pm, Fantasy Island. I mention that because our How to Share podcast guest this week, Doug E. Jones, was a production assistant on The Love Boat. But also because for people who are near my age and grew up in America, The Love Boat often evokes a time and place memory for them like what their Friday night ritual was. Funny how some things just bring back such powerful memories.

Doug’s recently published fourth novel, Take Me Back to Chicago (Eckhartz Press) is like that too. It is rich with characters, music, and the feel of Chicago in 1974.

Doug gives Vicki Atkinson and me the elevator pitch for the book and we get a great sense of how he sets up the hero’s journey for his 26-year protagonist.

We talk about the differences and similarities between his novels and Doug tells us what was so compelling about 1974 and some of the popular characters of the time and place like Joe Pepitone.

Vicki and I wondered how writing novels differs from being a tv show writer and Doug gives us a peek into the writing room for the hit show Charmed where he worked as a production assistant and writer for all 178 episodes of the show. We highlight a few of his great lines from the book and it’s easy to see why Doug is a great writer for all formats.

This is a great episode where Doug not only shares the arc of his book journey but a sense of his personal one too. Take Me Back to Chicago is a great book and it makes for a rich episode. We know you’ll love it.

Takeaways

  • Doug E. Jones’s novel is set in 1974 Chicago, rich with cultural references.
  • The protagonist, Rick, faces a significant debt left by his father.
  • The book features strong female characters, including Rick’s daughter Elena.
  • Doug’s writing process involves integrating real Chicago characters and events.
  • The transition from TV writing to novel writing was liberating for Doug.
  • Music plays a crucial role in setting the tone of the story.
  • The character dynamics between Rick and his friend Javi add humor and depth.
  • Historical context is woven into the narrative, enhancing the story’s richness.
  • Doug’s personal experiences influence the characters and settings in his novels.
  • The book is described as a ‘beach read’—entertaining and engaging.

Here’s Doug with the elevator pitch for Take Me Back to Chicago

Here are some ways you can watch this interesting and fun episode:

Please listen, watch, provide feedback and subscribe.

51: Letting Go of Outcomes: The Mindset That Keeps You Moving – The Life of Try: Personal growth, one try at a time.

Expectations can inspire us to try—until they harden into a demand for a specific outcome. In this episode of The Life of Try, Wynne Leon explores how unmet expectations fuel disappointment, why that disappointment can keep us from taking healthy risks, and what it looks like to stay hopeful without clinging. From a childhood lesson about “pressing for the answer” to Alexander Fleming’s accidental discovery of penicillin, we’ll trace how openness, curiosity, and faith can turn apparent failures into forward motion. Along the way, we’ll draw from Brené Brown’s research on disappointment, Maya Shankar’s reframing of identity after loss, and spiritual wisdom about surrender and non‑attachment—so you can keep trying even when the path changes.In this episode, you’ll learn how to:Recognize when expectations are motivating you—and when they’re setting you up for disappointmentPractice openness and curiosity when a try doesn’t go as planned (and why that matters)Name and communicate your expectations to reduce “unspoken contracts”Reconnect with your deeper “why” when your “what” gets taken awayHold onto faith that trying will lead somewhere good—even if it’s not the destination you imagined.The Life of Try is a podcast about personal growth, one try at a time.What happens when trying becomes more important thangetting it right?The Life of Try is a personal growth and self‑help podcast about getting unstuck, navigating uncertainty, and choosing to try—even when it’s uncomfortable, inconvenient, or not your idea.Hosted by Wynne Leon, the show explores how real growth, reinvention, and discovery often begin not with confidence orclarity—but with a single attempt. Through thoughtful interviews, reflective conversations, and real‑world case studies, each episode examines what it looks like to keep going when doubt shows up, plans fall apart, or life forces achange you didn’t ask for.This podcast is for anyone who:Feels stuck or uncertain about what’s nextIs navigating change, burnout, or reinventionWants to live more intentionally without pretending growth is easyBelieves progress starts by trying—again and againThe Life of Try isn’t about hustle or perfection. It’s about learning as you go, surfacing what matters, and sharing what you discover along the way.If you’re ready to surf the uncertainty, outlast the doubts, and step into your own try‑cycle, you’re in the right place.Links for this episode:The Life of Try HomeLetting Go of Outcomes: The Mindset That Keeps You Moving transcriptSir Alexander Fleming – Biographical – NobelPrize.orgHow to Regulate Your Emotions and Mental Chatter When Bad Things Happen | Maya ShankarAtlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Connection by Brene BrownPenicillin Wasn't Alexander Fleming's First Major Discovery | Scientific American
  1. 51: Letting Go of Outcomes: The Mindset That Keeps You Moving
  2. 50: How to Write the Book You've Been Meaning to Write | Dr. Victoria Atkinson (Slivers)
  3. 49: Personal Growth Pivot Points: Pause, Quit or Keep Going?
  4. 48-How to Get Unstuck: Michael Yang on Saying Yes, Resilience, and Coming Alive
  5. 47-From Stuck to Momentum: Thomas Edison’s Method for Progress (Try, Learn, Improve, Repeat)

Links for this episode:

How to Share1970’s Chicago

Take Me Back to Chicago by Doug E. Jones on Eckhartz Press

Q&A with Take Me Back to Chicago author Doug E. Jones

From the Hosts:

Vicki’s book about resilience and love: Surviving Sue; Blog: https://victoriaponders.com/

My book about my beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith

(featured photo from Pexels)

51 thoughts on “How to Share 1970’s Chicago”

  3. Nice! I’m looking forward to this one. My dad moved from Chicago to Phoenix in 1974, so it will neat to a catch a glimpse of the time, place, and culture that represented that stage of his life.

    Liked by 3 people

  5. I do remember Joe Pepitone’s brief period with the Cubs, but missed 1974. I was in New Jersey then, a professor at Rutgers and then Princeton. Maybe Doug’s book can fill in the time.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Isn’t that interesting that 1974 was a year you weren’t in Chicago, Dr. Stein? I believe Doug said that Joe Pepitone wasn’t a Cub in that year but he’s woven him into the story in a very interesting way!

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  8. Love this post! Okay so I say this to a lot of your post but I love all your posts The realness,the humor and they’re just so fun and lastly knowledgeable. I love the quote at the beginning. Omg! the great show era I used to drive my parents crazy singing the love boat theme song lol! One more for you nostalgia moment. Mork and Mindy lol! love the podcast clip also.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. What a kind comment – thank you! Mork and Mindy – yes! Okay, maybe you remember what was on before Love Boat. I think Eight is Enough was on Wednesdays but I can’t remember what else was on Fridays??

      Liked by 1 person

  10. I can’t wait to listen to how he integrates his novel with actual events from 1974. That’s something I’ve been working on in a manuscript of mine set in the Vietnam War era. I was surprised one summer in Laguna Beach we went to a movie and they announced Gavin MacLeod was there.

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      1. I know! That was 10:00, right? When we lived near Dayton, my parents had friends in the Columbus area we would frequently visit. I have fond memories of me and my brother, and their son Chris, hanging out in the family room, lights out, watching “Fantasy Island” while the adults hung out in the kitchen, talking and drinking wine. Good times!

        Liked by 1 person

  14. I have this funny brain that remembers useless stuff like the characters from The Love Boat (Hello, Julie; Captain Stubing; Isaac; Doc; Gopher), yet I can’t remember what meetings I have this week unless I write them down.🤣

    Interesting pitch! (Speaking of memory, I recall that Eckhartz Press is also Vicki’s publisher.) I know Joe Pepitone (baseball player for the Yankees and Cubs, known in the day for his womanizing), Bozo the Clown (My parents are from the Chicago suburbs, and Bozo was on a TV show there), but not George Morley. (I had to Google him.)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes, Pete! And Julie forever seared in my memory the role of cruise director. I can’t use that word without her popping into my head.

      I didn’t know that Bozo that clown was Chicago specific so that was news to me. George Morley was an interesting reference because he’s alluding the ship that was wrecked off a beach in Evanston. A little tricky!

      Thanks for sharing your delightful cast of characters. I hadn’t thought of Isaac! Right!

      Liked by 1 person

  16. I enjoyed this interview and Doug’s approach to writing a novel. I agree, you have to write something you would want to read. I recall saying to my husband after the 20th edit through one of my manuscripts. “It’s a good thing I like this story, otherwise I’d be sick of it by now.” By his enthusiasm, it appears Doug had fun writing this book. I also like that he included familiar characters, events and music.

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    1. I love that you love your story, Darlene. Yes, it matters a lot if we are writing what we want to read! Love hearing your take on Doug’s interview – so fun to hear author’s feedback on authors!

      Liked by 1 person

  17. I couldn’t agree more that the 1970’s was a magical decade. For me, I suppose it had to do with my teen and college years, but the music (come on now!) and movies and pop culture are iconic. So, I’m definitely susceptible to a book set in the 70s. 😊 I also live for interesting tidbits in pop culture and it’s good to know that a fireball in Charmed cost about $1000 bucks, so production had a budget, hahahaha. So fun. I’m putting this one on my Christmas list. (P.S. I didn’t arrive in Chicago until 1984, but I understood many Chicago references which doubled that fun.)

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    1. Oh yes – the music! I love that you picked up on Doug’s references. There were many I didn’t know – like that Bozo originated from Chicago. And the fireball — I thought that was interesting too! Thanks for tuning in, Melanie!!

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  18. Wynne, thanks for bringing this book to my attention here. Doug’s background alone sounds like this would make for a great read. I just read a Q & A he did where he gave a shout-out to some former 70s Cubs…which I happily remember watching them play like it was yesterday. The elevator pitch hit the ball oit of the park for me. This might need to be a Christmas present for myself…

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  19. What a treat to have interviewed someone who’s worked with the legendary Aaron Spelling, one of my idols, and who created such iconic shows that shapes pop culture. 😊

    It’s so interesting to hear Doug’s perspective on the difference between working in a writers room because on a novel. Such different creative processes, each with its own rewards and challenges! Had a chuckle at the $1,000 budget per fireball thrown on tv. Definitely more creative freedom with novels!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The legendary Aaron Spelling — you said it, Ab! Isn’t it interesting? I’m laughing about the creative freedom that comes with novels! Right – no extra charge for magic!! Thank you so much for listening!

      Liked by 1 person

  20. What a treat to have interviewed someone who’s worked with the legendary Aaron Spelling, one of my idols, and who created such iconic shows that shaped pop culture. 😊

    It’s so interesting to hear Doug’s perspective on the difference between working in a writers room vs on a novel. Such different creative processes, each with its own rewards and challenges! Had a chuckle at the $1,000 budget per fireball thrown on tv. Definitely more creative freedom with novels!

    Like

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