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Recently I sat down with Jenniffer Weigel, author of Stay Tuned: Conversations with Dad From The Other Side. A journalist by trade, in this, her first book, Weigel shares the story of a spiritual journey she and her father undertook together that carried on even after his death.

Having lost my own parents a number of years ago, I worried that reading this book might bring up difficult feelings again. The beauty of the book is that while it did evoke sadness, the tears were matched with laughter as well. Reading Weigel’s story felt like a gift, so I jumped at the chance to chat with her about her book.

fhi: Why take this journey?
JW: Some people are curious as to what is out there. Even at four or five I was interested in what is out there. In my twenties, when I had advanced to a great job, I still had a thirst for more. I went to the book stacks in search of answers because I knew there was more than just black or white.

fhi: How did you get the idea to write this book?
JW: A book was not my original intent; I thought the material would lend itself to be a series of articles in the local papers. But when that idea did not take wings, I pitched it to book agents. It was the second agent I contacted that gave it this format. Rather than write about psychic and medium bestselling authors that I had researched and studied, it was to be my story. With the urging of the second agent, the book came together very quickly.

fhi: How did you decide on the ending?
JW: Actually I did not have an ending. So I locked myself into a hotel room to gain some perspective but nothing came to me. Frustrated, I went to visit a local person of interest to try to get unstuck.

What I did not expect was a visit from my Dad during my time with Therese. I already had written about the encounter with my Dad in Chapter Seven. So based on what my dad said during this visit I had the title and the ending.

fhi: What is the biggest door you walked through related to the book?
JW: It was actually the door I walked out of when I left my job. Had I not walked out this door, I would not have been looking for answers and doing the interviews that shaped this book.

fhi: Have you changed spiritually?
JW: Yes. I am very thankful for everything that comes my way. I now know it is okay to sit back and open myself to what comes next. It took seven years to get to this point in my life.

fhi: What is your next book project?
JW: It began as soon as I handed in this book. The new chapters pick up from 2007 and concern my son, communicating with her husband and searching for the next step in my career. It is about trust and listening.

fhi: What book can you recommend to our FHI Good Read community?
JW: Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life, by Anne Lamott.

** Visit Jenniffer Weigel’s website at staytunedwithjen.com to learn more about this spirited woman.

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