top of page
Search

Book Club #1: From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley & Riley Keough

Writer's picture: Tami West, PhDTami West, PhD

Welcome to Consider Yourself Hugged! Click below to watch or Click here to listen to Episode 193


*Disclaimer:

The information in this show is not intended to be therapy or to address your individual situation. It is information based on experiences, opinions, and research. If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources at the end of the show notes, or others in your area.




Welome!

Hi, friends! Today we’re diving into Lisa Marie Presley’s book From Here to the Great Unknown. Michelle is taking the lead on this episode, but I just finished the book on Audible a couple of days ago and absolutely loved it. We’ll explore the heart-wrenching yet beautiful journey of Lisa Marie’s life, her relationships, and the legacy she left behind.


Stick around until the end because we’ll be sharing some exciting updates on the upcoming books in our mini book club series. Hint: Our next read is The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom. It's a bit longer, so we encourage you to start soon!


First Thoughts: What Comes to Mind When You Hear Lisa Marie Presley?

Before diving into the book, we asked listeners (and ourselves) what first comes to mind when you hear the name Lisa Marie Presley. For Michelle, it was her highly publicized relationship with Michael Jackson. For me, it was Elvis Presley and the assumption (which the book clarified) that she passed from a drug overdose. What about you? Let us know!


Highlights from the Book

  • A Glimpse of Graceland: Lisa Marie paints a vivid picture of her early days at Graceland. Her bond with her father, Elvis Presley, was unbreakable, and she was undoubtedly the apple of his eye. The loss of Elvis at just nine years old shaped much of her life and decisions.

  • Connection and Loneliness: A central theme in Lisa Marie’s life was her deep yearning for connection. Despite her fame and fortune, loneliness and broken relationships often overshadowed her life.

  • Complex Grief: We discussed the concept of “complicated grief,” a longing for relationships to be “more, better, or different.” Lisa Marie seemed to carry this weight, particularly in her relationship with her father. Michelle discusses the concepts of more, different, better!

  • Motherhood and Fierce Love: Lisa Marie’s love for her children shines throughout the book. Riley Keough, her eldest daughter, describes her mother as fierce in her devotion and love.

  • Battling Demons: The book doesn’t shy away from Lisa Marie’s struggles with addiction, grief, and loss. Her vulnerability in sharing these struggles makes the book incredibly raw and relatable.


Our Takeaways

  • Michelle’s Insight: Lisa Marie’s relationship with Michael Jackson made sense in the context of her search for familiarity and connection. The book helped clear up a lot of misconceptions about her life.

  • Tami’s Reflections: The father-daughter and mother-daughter dynamics stood out the most to me. I couldn’t help but reflect on the sweet moments, like Elvis bringing her a puppet to sing “Can’t Help Falling in Love” after an argument.


What’s Next?

We’re thrilled to announce the next three books in our mini book club series (FYI, the Amazon link includes Audible as an option!):

  1. Next Week: The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom (Nonfiction). An unforgettable story of faith and resilience during WWII. You can also find it on Amazon.

  2. Two Weeks from Now: The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix (Fiction). A lighter, fun read with a unique twist! Also available on Amazon.

  3. Final Book: Chatter by Ethan Kross (Self-Help). A must-read for anyone who wants to understand and manage their inner dialogue. Find it on Amazon.


Feel free to click the links to grab a copy or start listening on Audible! Let’s read (or listen) together! 🎧📚


A Beautiful Closing: Lisa Marie’s Eulogy

To end today’s episode, Tami reads the heartfelt eulogy written by Riley Keough for her mother. This touching tribute reminds us of the enduring power of love and connection. Be sure to listen - it is SO powerful!


Join the Conversation

We’d love to hear your thoughts on Lisa Marie’s book! Did anything surprise or move you? Share your reflections with us on social media or through our website.


Don’t forget to:

  • Rate and review the podcast.

  • Download and subscribe so you never miss an episode.

  • Share with friends who love a good book discussion.


As we've always asked in the past, please pass the show link along to your friends and subscribe, download, and review wherever you are listening. If you’re a woman and you haven’t joined our private FB group A Place for Women, please do that now! It’ll be your source of encouragement. I'd love for you to follow my Tami West Seminars Facebook page as well. If you'd like to know more about my Mental Health First Aid Courses, contact me at 615-497-7714 or tamiwest@tamiwest.com.


And next time, Consider Yourself Hugged 😘🤗


Mental Health Resources:






Michelle Kixmiller, MSN, MAE, RN, APN, PMHNP-BC 

Michelle Kixmiller is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Licensed Educator. She works with children and adults with mental health needs including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, ADHD, autism, schizophrenia, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Michelle served as a public school teacher and science department chair for over a decade when a family tragedy pulled her in a different direction. The death of her younger brother after a multiple year battle with depression and alcoholism led her to pursue a career in the mental health field. She went back to school to become a registered nurse graduating and gaining experience as a critical care nurse at a level 1 regional burn center prior to completing a graduate degree to become a mental health nurse practitioner. Her vision is holistic care through teamwork to create a more peaceful school environment for students and staff alike. No one should have to struggle alone. Michelle currently works full time for a non-profit community mental health center at an outpatient clinic and works PRN for an inpatient crisis stabilization unit. When not at work she loves spending time with family, traveling, watching movies (not scary ones), running (slowly), and Crossfit. Contact Michelle at Silver Lining Psychiatric Solutions, 615-378-7713 or mkixmill@gmail.com. 


Tami West, PhD

Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges.

Tami has worked in a variety of industries including healthcare, school nutrition, corporate sales, and 10 years as a public-school teacher. In 2013 she received her PhD in Human Development, studying the connections among stress, emotions, and identity.

Dr. West has spoken in 48 states across the US, as well as the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. In any given year, Tami speaks to groups with audiences consisting of anywhere from 100 to 3,000 people.


Dr. West is the author of several successful publications including three books: The Stress Club, Life Without the Monsters and Thrive. When she's not speaking or writing, you might find her with her traveling with her husband and family, reading historical fiction, or watching Big Bang Theory.


Tami connects with audiences through real experience, cutting edge research, and transparent stories – all sprinkled with humor! She will make you laugh, cry, and shine a refreshingly new light on life's challenges.


Television Interviews


Contact Tami at tamiwest@tamiwest.com 


11 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


Let's Engage!

Thanks for submitting!

© 2024 by Tami West,  PhD

bottom of page