Here are some of the latest noteworthy happenings for Evalogue.Life writers. There’s a lot going on around here, and we love sharing good news!
NPR: Morning Edition & All Things Considered on KUER
“Eat life, don’t let it eat you.”
Listen on Utah’s NPR affiliate, KUER for an interview masterfully conducted and edited by Pamela McCall. It aired four times live on Morning Edition and All Things Considered. Heidi Posnien tells her gripping eyewitness account of watching neighbors get hauled away in Berlin and of seeing the city burn. Author Rhonda Lauritzen shares additional thoughts about the historical context written into A Child in Berlin. Read the written story and listen to the audio replay here: https://www.kuer.org/arts-culture-entertainment/2025-01-21/eat-life-says-this-88-year-old-utahn-born-in-wwii-berlin-dont-let-it-eat-you
Coming to The King’s English Bookshop
If you are in Utah, I’d love to see you at The King’s English Bookshop in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, January 29 from 6:00-7:30 PM. I will give a short talk and sign books with Heidi Posnien, the 88-year-old subject of A Child in Berlin. Space is limited, so they are asking for RSVPs here: https://www.kingsenglish.com/events/1408120250129
Deseret News quotes Rhonda Lauritzen. “Remembering Becky Lockhart a decade after her death.”
The article includes this: Rhonda Lauritzen, her biographer, said this of Becky: “Although confident, fearless, and with a wonderful sense of humor, she had a self-effacing personality that deflected attention from herself. She turned the limelight to others and considered her role as one of facilitating collaboration and ensuring that all voices were heard … The world needs more Becky Lockharts.” Read the article here: https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/01/16/remembering-becky-lockhart-a-decade-after-her-death/
Can Insecurity Be Your Secret Weapon in Entrepreneurship?
On this episode of The Small Business Radio Show, Barry Moltz writes, “Most entrepreneurs see insecurity as a bad thing. They tell themselves that they have to be overly confident in everything they do. But what if insecurity actually feeds success? I love the title of the book from this guest- ‘Creative Insecurity: Lean into the Unknown and Unleash Your Inner Misfit.’” Barry Moltz interviewed serial entrepreneur James M. Sweeney on the book, which was also co-authored by Evalogue.Life founder Rhonda Lauritzen. Check out this short, insightful podcast here: https://barrymoltz.com/small-business-radio-show/820-can-insecurity-be-your-secret-weapon-in-entrepreneurship/
WBZ Boston 1030 FM: Nightside with Dan Rea – on Creative Insecurity
The segment featuring Creative Insecurity starts at timestamp 22:13. This interview was conducted with James M. Sweeney, co-author of Creative Insecurity.
The Motivation Show with Eli Marcus, “Mayor of Times Square.”
“Incredible book…it’s a page turner, and the story just gets jucier and jucier. It’s an amazing story, and a book everybody should read. I’ll be reading it a second time.” —Eli Marcus, “The Mayor of Times Square,” and host of The Motivation Show.
This was such a thoughtful conversation with pro interviewer, Eli Marcus. He has interviewed many New York Times bestsellers and two Holocaust survivors. It was a real privilege to be on his show with Heidi Posnien about A Child in Berlin.
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Radio, IHeart, etc.
Here it is on YouTube: https://youtu.be/oXzAuhCd08E?si=XjYJ5KeRBe3xvWb2
Here is the Apple podcasts link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-motivation-show/id1530745286?i=1000681441884
Here is the Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/show/3NVmTDAvGbzooN8TCW7tuN
All Things Considered – KUER with Pamela McCall – Utah’s NPR Station at FM 90.1
Watch for an upcoming interview by Pamela McCall, Utah’s host of All Things Considered on FM 90.1, Utah’s NPR station. The interview will feature eyewitness storytelling by Heidi Posnien, the subject of A Child in Berlin, as written by Rhonda Lauritzen. You won’t want to miss this one.
The Mommies Reviews – Creative Insecurity
This blog featured Creative Insecurity in its news feed: https://www.themommiesreviews.com/attention-corporate-misfits-caremark-founder-james-m-sweeney-reveals-his-secrets-to-failing-your-way-to-success-press-release/
Motherhood Moment – Book Nook
We were touched that this blog for and about mothers would share our book. It makes sense, though; this is a mother-daughter story, and it tells of the greater struggles of women and children during wartime. Read the blog here: https://motherhood-moment.blogspot.com/2025/01/book-nook-child-in-berlin-poignant.html?lr=1736286482862
“Breathtaking stories,” Dee Armstrong, ABC-9 TV in Columbus, Georgia.
“The most credible way to know history, largely, is to hear it from someone who was there. Rhonda Lauritzen listened to the stories of a little girl, Heidi, who grew up in Germany during the Hitler atrocities. She has written Heidi’s story in the book called A Child in Berlin—breathtaking stories and pictures that take you into a time in our history most people would rather forget. But we know we cannot and should not.” –Dee Armstrong, ABC9, Columbus, Georgia Watch the clip here.
This week’s genealogy crème de la crème.
Featuring Rachel Trotter’s article, “It’s your turn – write your own Christmas Story.”
“Crushingly Emotional.” A touching article by an unexpected source.
Journalist Mike Ritchie usually covers the music scene and movies, but he was so moved by A Child in Berlin that he wanted to interview Rhonda Lauritzen and Heidi Posnien. He wrote a detailed and heartfelt story. Read the article about Creative Insecurity here.
“Such an important story…rarely heard.” 106.9 Warm in Seattle: Podcast with Kate Daniels – Inspirational Women.
Heidi Posnien and Rhonda Lauritzen speak with host Kate Daniels about Heidi’s life as a child in Berlin during WWII. This is the 80th anniversary of the beginning of that war. Rhonda had learned about Heidi who lived near her, and being an author spent time hearing Heidi’s story and together they present the book “A Child in Berlin: The Poignant Story of Heidi Posnien and her Mother During the Fall of Germany.” Heidi has had an incredible life and is another testament to living life to the fullest each day, even now in her 89th year. Listen to the podcast with Kate Daniels about A Child in Berlin.
The Haven for Soul Care Podcast with Brianna Headen.
In this podcast, we started by discussing A Child in Berlin, but the conversation quickly turned to the healing power of storytelling, which aligns with host Brianna Headen’s work and mission. Listen to the podcast conversation with Brianna Headen
San Diego Jewish World – “Another side of World War II.”
“You might call this biography an introduction to another side of World War II…it captures the horrors of war and its transforming impact on some of the civilian adults and children.” —Donald H. Harrison, San Diego Jewish World. Read the full review of A Child in Berlin here.
“A Harrowing Story of Survival.” ABC 4 Utah – 6:00 News.
Watch this short prime-time interview on ABC4 Utah Television’s 6:00 News here. https://www.abc4.com/video/utah-woman-tells-story-of-growing-up-in-nazi-germany/10239728/
Front page of the Standard-Examiner.
We were positively thrilled by the front-page coverage of A Child in Berlin before our event at the Ogden Valley Library on November 22. Many people who came to the standing-room-only event read about it in the paper. Read the Standard Examiner article here.
Great coverage in the Ogden Valley News.
Hometown coverage is the best! The Ogden Valley News, a weekly paper in Heidi Posinen’s community wrote a very nice article in the December 1 issue. They also shared about it far and wide in local social media groups. Thank you, Shanna Francis!
Creative Insecurity went live on December 10, 2024.
Have you ordered your copy yet? Rhonda’s latest collaborative effort, which she co-authored with James M. Sweeney was traditionally published on December 10. Read the article about Creative Insecurity here.
Ogden Valley Library Event – standing room only
The kickoff event for A Child in Berlin brought hundreds of community members and friends to the Ogden Valley Library on November 22, 2024. Author Rhonda Lauritzen and Heidi Posnien discussed the book and signed copies.
A Child in Berlin
Traditionally published by Post Hill Press on October 28, 2024. Read more about A Child in Berlin here.
History of the Ephraim Relief Society Granary Video – made in partnership with Granary Arts and the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street program
Granary Arts Fellow Rhonda Lauritzen tells the story of the Ephraim Relief Society Granary, an oolitic limestone structure built in the 1870’s for storing wheat inventories collected as part of the historic grain saving program run by the women’s organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called the Relief Society. The building is now a locus for creative activity and the home of Granary Arts. Watch the history of the Ephraim Relief Society Granary short video here.
History of C.C.A Christensen and the Cabin at Granary Arts – video
Granary Arts Fellow Rhonda Lauritzen wrote the script and participated in this video, telling the story of C.C.A. Christensen. He is the famous painter best known for his sweeping Mormon Panorama featured at the Whitney Museum in Art in America Magazine. Watch the history of the Ephraim Relief Society Granary short video here.
Family Tree Magazine – The Goldilocks Zone of Storytelling
Find the “just-right” sweet spot of details to include when writing family stories, by Rhonda Lauritzen. Read the Goldilocks Zone in Family Tree Magazin here
Family Tree Webinars – Tell a Better Family Story: Goldilocks Zone of Storytelling (Recording available)
$49 Webinar recording – What is the right amount of detail to breathe life into your family history story without overwhelming readers? Do you find yourself overwhelmed with more information or unsure how to keep your readers engaged? Discover the art of incorporating historical context without overwhelming your readers. This webinar addresses common questions faced by aspiring family historians, providing practical advice on how to craft engaging stories that resonate with your audience. Get the recording from Family Tree Webinars
Utah Humanities – Beehive Archive – Ephraim Relief Society Granary
In the late nineteenth century, the local Granary building in Ephraim gave women an unusual public presence on Main Street and became a proud symbol of early female autonomy, economic success, and charitable endeavors. (Source for this story: Rhonda Lauritzen, “History of the Ephraim Relief Society Granary,” Granary Arts, 2019.) Listen to the Beehive Archive story here or read the transcript.
APG Quarterly – From Passion to Profession – The Journey to Becoming a Building Historian
Rhonda Lauritzen had this article published in the September 2024 issue of the Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly magazine.
Family Tree Magazine:
Rhonda recently had this article featured: Writing Compelling Characters in Your Family History. Get her writing tips by reading the article here.
Family Tree Podcast:
We’ve been doing some podcasts lately! Lisa Louise Cook with Family Tree Magazine interviews Rhonda Lauritzen, “Bring Your Ancestors to Life in Writing”
See you at APG’s Professional Management
Conference
Want some guidance for your genealogy career? We have just the ticket! Coming up soon, Rhonda Lauritzen will deliver a workshop, “The Year My Business Grew Up,” on implementing systems, automations, and efficiencies. Read all the details here.
Rhonda Lauritzen advocates for wetlands in Utah
Sometimes you have to speak up! That’s what founder of Evalogue.Life did when she helped to draft a statement for community members expressing concern regarding a massive 9000-acre inland port in sensitive wetland areas. Next, she spoke at a press conference that was featured by news outlets in Utah. You can read the full article here.
Rhonda Lauritzen speaks for MyHeritage
and Legacy Family Tree Webinars,
“Tell the stories of buildings & places” is a workshop that guides researchers through a series of steps and stops to find the history of buildings and places. This webinar was received very well with a lot of positive feedback! We hope you enjoy the replay! Listen to it here.
Aultorest Memorial Park Historic District
receives destination to the National Register
Aultorest Memorial Park, which includes Leavitt Mortuary and the mausoleum, received
designation to the National Register of Historic places. Evalogue.Life was honored to research and write the history portion of the nomination in partnership with Io LandArch. Read the nomination, which includes the historical narrative here.