Kimberley Johnson: Know the Truth, Not the Hype
Kimberley Johnson’s reading list
10 books mentioned in this interview
- Dancing With Crazy · Emily Pearson
- Forever · Judy Blume
- The Infidel · Georgia Elizabeth Taylor
- Disloyal: A Memoir: The True Story of the Former Personal Attorney to President Donald J. Trump · Michael Cohen
- The Diary of a Young Girl · Anne FrankRecommended 7 times
- The Audacity of Hope · Barack Obama
- A Call To Action: Women, Religion, Violence and Power · Jimmy Carter
- Brain Droppings · George Carlin
- The Virgin Diaries
- If It Bleeds · Stephen King
Books by Kimberley Johnson: Peyton’s Choice
Born in Baltimore, Maryland and raised in southern California, Kimberley Johnson is the host of the Start Me Up podcast, an author, an activist for women’s rights and has written for HuffPost. She is the Director of Media and Public Relations Spokesperson for the national advocacy group We Are Woman. Her first foray into fiction is a Young Adult novel inspired by one of her favourite authors, Judy Blume, and is titled Peyton’s Choice.
Her entry into the women’s rights movement began when she was asked to be the spokesperson for RTSV United during the 2012 election season and in the summer of 2012, she gave a speech at the We Are Woman rally on the west lawn of the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. Kimberley Johnson is also a political blogger and is well known for her outspoken stance on the need to enshrine women’s rights into the U.S. Constitution. Kimberley Johnson encourages all Americans to participate in the political process.
Please enjoy our interview with Kimberley Johnson.
How would you describe your occupation to a 7-year-old?
I write books. I host a political podcast (kind of like radio over the internet) and I’m an activist (I do what I can to stick up for people who need help.)
What is something about you that people might find surprising?
I struggle with my body image. I used to be an actress and had a small role on the daytime drama “Days Of Our Lives” for seven years. I’m tall and have large bones, and didn’t fit the Hollywood ideal. My years as an actress and growing up in Los Angeles magnified what I consider(ed) to be flaws. However, I’m a work in progress and I make an effort to improve my self-esteem.
What are you reading at the moment and what made you want to read it?
I’m not reading anything at the moment…work has me busy. The last book I read was Dancing With Crazy by Emily Pearson. I wanted to read it because I knew Emily years ago. The book is about why she left the Mormon church and it was fantastic.
What was your favourite book as a child and why?
Forever by Judy Blume was my favorite book. I discovered it when I was 10 and even though I was younger than the target audience, I was fascinated by the subject of first-time sex. I wasn’t interested in experiencing it first-hand, but I was very curious and I felt the book answered questions I was too embarrassed to ask my mom.
What inspired you to write your book ‘Peyton’s Choice’?
I wanted to write a pro-choice book for teens because some American lawmakers are doing everything they can to take abortions rights away. I also wanted to address how “good guys” can sometimes say sexist and hurtful things (without realizing it) and I wanted to encourage young women to address it head-on in a thoughtful way.
What are the perfect reading conditions for you?
In bed with a hot beverage.
What’s the most obscure book you own; how did you discover it?
The Infidel by Georgia Elizabeth Taylor. My Mom introduced it to me when I was in my 20s. It’s set in the 1500s and it’s the story of what might have happened to Jimena Gomez—wife of El Cid the Conqueror. Absolutely riveting.
What’s the best book you’ve read in the last 6 months?
On your brilliant podcast, ‘Start Me Up’, is there an episode that stands out as the one you’re most proud of?
There are so many, it’s hard to name one. I interview political people and actors. A stand out political interview was with Noel Casler—he worked on “Celebrity Apprentice” with Donald Trump and he spilled all kinds of tea. It was my most-listened-to show. I was also very honored to interview actor Vincent D’Onofrio about his craft. I’ve always been a huge fan and it was a wonderful conversation.
If you were trying to impress a visitor, which book that you own would you leave on the coffee table?
If an alien landed in your garden; which three books would you gift them to showcase humanity in the best possible way?
What is the book that you feel has had the single biggest impact on your life? What impact did it have?
I’ll go with Forever by Judy Blume. It was the first real “grown-up” book I read. I loved it—read it in 24-hours. The focus of first-time sex was a draw because I had questions and I was too shy to ask. Impact on me: In 2010, my mom and author Ann Werner collaborated on an anthology The Virgin Diaries. We interviewed 72 men and women on what it felt like to have sex for the first time. The focus was more on the emotional side, although the physical was also described. Our goal was not to be gratuitous. We wanted to offer a book to young people who were curious and had questions about sex, and we wanted them to know the truth…not the hype.
Which book sat on your shelf are you most excited about reading next and why?
If It Bleeds by Stephen King…for obvious reasons.
If you’d like to learn more about Kimberley Johnson, you can head to her website or follow her on Twitter.
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