This Metaphorical Bar

Authors Robyn Fleming, Karen Healey, and Carla M. Lee discuss pregnancy in fiction, with plenty of stories from Robyn's experiences and horrified responses from Karen and Carla. Summary of the episode and all show notes can be found at ThisMetaphoricalBar.com. Content note: Body horror, vomiting This episode originally recorded April 2019. Who We Are Karen: I’m Karen Healey, a writer and teacher in Christchurch New Zealand and I may have eaten my twin in the womb Robyn: I’m Robyn Fleming, a writer and parent in Tucson, Arizona. I have been pregnant twice, which makes me the foremost expert in this podcast.  Carla: I’m Carla M. Lee, an author, artist, and attorney in the Midwest USA, and I have never and will never be pregnant. I love everyone in this metaphorical bar.

Authors Robyn Fleming, Karen Healey, and Carla M. Lee discuss the media they consume when they need comfort. Summary of the episode and all show notes can be found at ThisMetaphoricalBar.com. This episode was recorded on May 31, 2020, in the middle of another publicized outbreak of police violence and brutality captured on video in the USA and in New Zealand, specifically violence and brutality against Black people. This episode is about media we consume in times of crisis, media that can help us find a moment of comfort so that we can keep fighting. The number of Black people murdered by police continues to rise, and we must continue to fight. This Metaphorical Bar stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter in the USA and around the world. We have donated money to bail funds and Black community resource groups and have volunteered when able. No life can matter until Black lives matter, and we encourage our non-Black listeners to fight for Black lives. All Black lives. Trans Black lives. Queer Black lives. Disabled Black lives. Black lives in all their forms. 

Authors Robyn Fleming, Karen Healey, and Carla M. Lee discuss how they write, how other authors write, and how there's no One True Way. Summary of the episode and all show notes can be found at ThisMetaphoricalBar.com. Who We Are I’m Robyn Fleming, a writer and parent in Tucson, Arizona. I threw a birthday party with 28 children in attendance last weekend, and I am still recovering. Carla: I’m Carla M. Lee, an author, artist, and attorney in the Midwest USA, and I once answered a question Karen asked me and then told her she’d interrupted make-outs. She thought I meant real make-outs. I meant writing make-outs. I can safely say I would not interrupt real make-outs to answer a text. Karen: I’m Karen Healey, a writer and teacher in Christchurch New Zealand, and I once punched myself in the throat while trying to choreograph a fight scene.

Authors Robyn Fleming, Karen Healey, and Carla M. Lee discuss fashion and fiction and fatness. Summary of the episode and all show notes can be found at ThisMetaphoricalBar.com. Who We Are I’m Carla M Lee, an author, artist, and attorney living in the Midwest USA, and I’m wearing a University of Michigan hoodie over a black pro wrestling shirt (Bray Wyatt), blue jeans, and red and black socks. I’m Karen Healey,  an author and teacher living in Otautahi New Zealand, and I’m wearing my new! favourite! jeans! and a purple sleeveless top I’m Robyn Fleming, a parent and writer in Tucson, Arizona. I am wearing pajamas right now, but earlier I had on a tshirt that said “Not to brag, but I totally got out of bed today” - I often get compliments from other moms on my sick t-shirt game.

Authors Robyn Fleming, Karen Healey, and Carla M. Lee discuss fashion and fiction and fatness. Summary of the episode and all show notes can be found at ThisMetaphoricalBar.com. Who We Are I’m Carla M Lee, an author, artist, and attorney living in the Midwest USA, and I’m wearing a University of Michigan hoodie over a black pro wrestling shirt (Bray Wyatt), blue jeans, and red and black socks. I’m Karen Healey,  an author and teacher living in Otautahi New Zealand, and I’m wearing my new! favourite! jeans! and a purple sleeveless top I’m Robyn Fleming, a parent and writer in Tucson, Arizona. I am wearing pajamas right now, but earlier I had on a tshirt that said “Not to brag, but I totally got out of bed today” - I often get compliments from other moms on my sick t-shirt game.

Authors Robyn Fleming, Karen Healey, and Carla M. Lee discuss the bad and the ugly of writing the weather (okay, some good too). Summary of the episode and all show notes can be found at ThisMetaphoricalBar.com. Who We Are I’m Karen Healey,  an author and teacher living in Otautahi New Zealand, and yesterday I got hella sunburned. I’m Robyn Fleming, a parent and writer in Tucson, Arizona. Last month I went to the Grand Canyon with Karen, and it was beautiful! But also super fucking cold and I slipped on ice and fell RIGHT on my butt. And my pride. I’m Carla M Lee, an author, artist, and attorney living in the Midwest USA, and I had two different birthday trips cancelled do to storms that took Missouri from 70 degrees to blizzard.  

Note: We’re talking about menstruation over the next couple of episodes; we try to use gender-neutral language because not all women menstruate and people who menstruate are not all women. We apologize for moments when we mess that up. Note: This is the third, and final, episode in a series about writing menstruation. Note: There are some personal details about how each host experiences menstruation that may be considered TMI. This is the episode that we had to record a second time and the conversation went even longer than normal, so this will be split into multiple episodes. Authors Robyn Fleming, Karen Healey, and Carla M. Lee discuss menstruation. Summary of the episode and all show notes can be found at ThisMetaphoricalBar.com. Who We Are I’m Robyn Fleming, a parent and writer in Tucson, Arizona. I got my first period on my twelfth birthday. Which was also the day I got my ears pierced. It was a pretty eventful birthday. I’m Carla M. Lee, an author, artist, and attorney living in the Midwest USA, I don’t remember when I got my first period, so instead I’ll tell you that I have a scar on my face sort of shaped like North and South America. I’m Karen Healey, an author and teacher living in Otautahi New Zealand, and my mother said “Congratulations!” in a way that was cool but also she looked DEEPLY FEARFUL about the fact that her oldest child was now official maturing.

Note: We’re talking about menstruation over the next couple of episodes; we try to use gender-neutral language because not all women menstruate and people who menstruate are not all women. We apologize for moments when we mess that up. Note: This is the second in a series about writing menstruation. The first episode ended with talk about “Boobs” by Suzy McKee Charnas, and how a perfectly appropriate response to bullying is to eat them. Note: There are some personal details about how each host experiences menstruation that may be considered TMI. This is the episode that we had to record a second time and the conversation went even longer than normal, so this will be split into multiple episodes. Authors Robyn Fleming, Karen Healey, and Carla M. Lee discuss menstruation. Summary of the episode and all show notes can be found at ThisMetaphoricalBar.com. Who We Are I’m Robyn Fleming, a parent and writer in Tucson, Arizona. I got my first period on my twelfth birthday. Which was also the day I got my ears pierced. It was a pretty eventful birthday.I’m Carla M. Lee, an author, artist, and attorney living in the Midwest USA, I don’t remember when I got my first period, so instead I’ll tell you that I have a scar on my face sort of shaped like North and South America.I’m Karen Healey, an author and teacher living in Otautahi New Zealand, and my mother said “Congratulations!” in a way that was cool but also she looked DEEPLY FEARFUL about the fact that her oldest child was now official maturing.

Production notes: Still a faint echo sometimes when Robyn is speaking. Working on it, but we had recorded through the next few episodes before we knew about it.  Notes: We’re talking about menstruation over the next couple of episodes; we try to use gender-neutral language because not all women menstruate and people who menstruate are not all women. We apologize for moments when we mess that up. This is the episode that we had to record a second time and the conversation went even longer than normal, so this will be split into multiple episodes. Authors Robyn Fleming, Karen Healey, and Carla M. Lee discuss menstruation. Summary of the episode and all show notes can be found at ThisMetaphoricalBar.com. Who We Are I’m Robyn Fleming, a parent and writer in Tucson, Arizona. I got my first period on my twelfth birthday. Which was also the day I got my ears pierced. It was a pretty eventful birthday.I’m Carla M. Lee, an author, artist, and attorney living in the Midwest USA, I don’t remember when I got my first period, so instead I’ll tell you that I have a scar on my face sort of shaped like North and South America.I’m Karen Healey, an author and teacher living in Otautahi New Zealand, and my mother said “Congratulations!” in a way that was cool but also she looked DEEPLY FEARFUL about the fact that her oldest child was now official maturing.

Production notes: We fixed the previous issue with the popping and cutting out in Robyn’s recording. Yay! And promptly ran into another issue where there is now a faint echo in her recording. Boo. Working on that resolution now, but we recorded a few episodes before we realized it was happening. Authors Robyn Fleming, Karen Healey, and Carla M. Lee discuss the redemption through death trope. Summary of the episode and all show notes can be found at ThisMetaphoricalBar.com. Who We Are I’m Karen Healey, an author and teacher living in Otautahi New Zealand. And I totally DESTROYED our last recording session and it was REALLY GOOD I’m Robyn Fleming, a parent and writer in Tucson, Arizona. If I eat too many walnuts, my gums bleed. I’m Carla M. Lee, an author, artist, and attorney living in the Midwest USA, in October, I went shopping for a giant inflatable donkey for a Christmas display. For work. Yes, I’m still a corporate attorney. In-house lawyering is great.. and I love everyone in this metaphorical bar

Production notes: We fixed the previous issue with the popping and cutting out in Robyn’s recording. Yay! And promptly ran into another issue where there is now a faint echo in her recording. Boo. Working on that resolution now, but we recorded a few episodes before we realized it was happening. Authors Robyn Fleming, Karen Healey, and Carla M. Lee discuss the trapped in a cabin (forced proximity) trope. Summary of the episode and all show notes can be found at ThisMetaphoricalBar.com. Who We Are I’m Carla M. Lee, an author, artist, and attorney living in the Midwest USA, and I’ve trapped myself in a cabin (also known as my studio) to avoid the cold and the snow. I’m Karen Healey, an author and teacher living in Otautahi New Zealand, and I’m coming to you LIVE from my mother’s house in Oamaru. (not actually live) I’m Robyn Fleming, a parent and writer in Tucson, Arizona, and two nights before my wedding I got trapped in an elevator with Karen Healey – but, not being fictional persons, we didn’t make out. I love everyone in this metaphorical bar!

Production notes: Karen had some recording issues this time and her volume fades in and out a little. Authors Robyn Fleming, Karen Healey, and Carla M. Lee discuss writing groups. Summary of the episode and all show notes can be found at ThisMetaphoricalBar.com. Who We Are I’m Robyn Fleming, a parent and writer in Tucson, Arizona. One of my eyes is nearsighted, and the other is farsighted! I’m Carla M. Lee, an author, artist, and attorney living in the Midwest USA, and once I worked as legal counsel for a bigfoot hunter. I’m Karen Healey, an author and teacher living in Otautahi New Zealand, and I have never been part of a physical writing group.

Production notes: Robyn had some recording issues. There are a few minor places where she’ll drop a word or two and some popping noises. We apologize and are working on making sure this doesn’t happen in future recordings. (However, we’ve recorded several episodes prior to editing this, so there may be issues in the next few podcasts as well. Where possible, I’ll note anything big that is missing.) Authors Robyn Fleming, Karen Healey, and Carla M. Lee discuss fake marriage, a bulletproof trope. Summary of the episode and all show notes can be found at ThisMetaphoricalBar.com. Who We Are I’m Karen Healey, an author and teacher living in Otautahi New Zealand, and I’m into perfume now. I’m Robyn Fleming, a parent and writer in Tucson, Arizona. I once fell into a cactus! It was terrible. I’m Carla M. Lee, an author, artist, and attorney living in the Midwest USA, I once nearly broke my neck saving my dog from a spider and I love everyone in this metaphorical bar.  

Content: Opens with some lightly descriptive talk about oral surgery. Production notes: Karen and Robyn both serenade Carla during the Ask Your Friendly Neighborhood Bartender, because they are amazing. Robyn had some recording issues. There are a few minor places where she’ll drop a word or two and some popping noises. We apologize and are working on making sure this doesn’t happen in future recordings. (However, we’ve recorded several episodes prior to editing this, so there may be issues in the next few podcasts as well. Where possible, I’ll note anything big that is missing.)  Authors Robyn Fleming, Karen Healey, and Carla M. Lee discuss fake marriage, a bulletproof trope. Summary of the episode and all show notes can be found at ThisMetaphoricalBar.com. Who We Are I’m Carla M. Lee, an author, artist, and attorney living in the Midwest USA and I’m pretty much fake married. I’m Karen Healey, an author and teacher living in Otautahi New Zealand, and I spent over $300 on bras this morning - and not that many of them. I’m Robyn Fleming, a parent and writer in Tucson, Arizona. I have between four and eight fewer teeth than everyone else in this podcast! I love everyone in this metaphorical bar

Content: Some discussion of trauma and toxic parents. Brief mention of suicide attempt in fiction around the 33 minute mark. Authors Robyn Fleming, Karen Healey, and Carla M. Lee discuss parental relationships. Summary of the episode and all show notes can be found at ThisMetaphoricalBar.com. Who we are: I’m Carla M. Lee, an author, artist, and attorney living in the Midwest USA and my mom and dad are my sister’s grandparents. I’m Karen Healey, an author and teacher living in Otautahi New Zealand, and I MCd a NZ poetry day competition where I formatted the instructions as a sestina. I’m Robyn Fleming, a parent and writer in Tucson, Arizona. I had to make up a song about bandaids last week, and my three-year-old critiqued my meter. Note from Carla: Robyn had some recording issues. There are a few minor places where she’ll drop a word or two and some popping noises. We apologize and are working on making sure this doesn’t happen in future recordings. (However, we’ve recorded several episodes prior to editing this, so there may be issues in the next few podcasts as well. Where possible, I’ll note anything big that is missing.) Due to these recording issues, we lost a chunk of the discussion around traumatic and/or difficult relationships with their parents and segue quickly into complicated relationships between parents and their adult children.

Authors Robyn Fleming, Karen Healey, and Carla M. Lee discuss the bulletproof trope enemies to lovers. Summary of the episode and all show notes can be found at ThisMetaphoricalBar.com. Who we are: I’m Karen Healey, an author and teacher living in Otautahi New Zealand, and I spent $400 on books last weekend. I’m Robyn Fleming, I write and Mom in Tucson, Arizona, and I can break bricks with my bare hands. I’m Carla M. Lee, an author, artist, and attorney living in the Midwest USA and I recently explored a run-down, abandoned manufacturing building that had a weird little house inside, and I did it as part of my job as a lawyer -- never got to do that at a law firm. I love everyone in this metaphorical bar! Note from Carla: Robyn had some recording issues. There are a few minor places where she’ll drop a word or two and some popping noises. We apologize and are working on making sure this doesn’t happen in future recordings. (However, we’ve recorded several episodes prior to editing this, so there may be issues in the next few podcasts as well. Where possible, I’ll note anything big that is missing.)

Authors Robyn Fleming, Karen Healey, and Carla M. Lee discuss worldbuilding in second world fantasy. Summary of the episode and all show notes can be found at ThisMetaphoricalBar.com. Who We Are Robyn Fleming: I write and wrangle children in Tucson Arizona, and I have spent objectively way too much time with flatworms. Carla M. Lee: An author, artist, and attorney living in the Midwest USA and when I drove past a graveyard this morning, my dog started barking at nothing at all. I think she’s warning me about the black dog. Karen Healey: An author and teacher living in Otautahi New Zealand, and I outed myself to a staff meeting last week. Note from Carla: Robyn had some recording issues. There are a few minor places where she’ll drop a word or two and during her definition of second world fantasy (about 18 minutes into the episode), a chunk of her definition, including the first part of an example, were lost. We apologize and are working on making sure this doesn’t happen in future recordings. (However, we’ve recorded several episodes prior to editing this, so there may be issues in the next few podcasts as well. Where possible, I’ll note anything big that is missing.)

Authors Robyn Fleming, Karen Healey, and Carla M. Lee discuss what they wish they knew about reading any number of years ago. Summary of the episode and all show notes can be found at ThisMetaphoricalBar.com. Who are we? Carla M. Lee: An author, artist, and attorney living in the Midwest USA with my partner and ridiculous dog. Karen Healey: An author and teacher living in Christchurch, New Zealand with my awesome flatmate and an overgrown herb garden. Robyn Fleming: I write, parent, and sometimes teach martial arts in Tucson, Arizona. My five year old is internet famous for asking whether our country is named after Captain America, which probably tells you everything you need to know about our household.

Authors Robyn Fleming, Karen Healey, and Carla M. Lee discuss what they wish they knew about writing any number of years ago. Summary of the episode and all show notes can be found at ThisMetaphoricalBar.com. Who are we? Carla M. Lee: An author, artist, and attorney living in the Midwest USA with my partner and ridiculous dog. Karen Healey: An author and teacher living in Christchurch, New Zealand with my awesome flatmate and an overgrown herb garden. Robyn Fleming: I write, parent, and sometimes teach martial arts in Tucson, Arizona. My five year old is internet famous for asking whether our country is named after Captain America, which probably tells you everything you need to know about our household.