In this second conversation with Mike Dickerman, North of Normal becomes less of an interview and more of a shared space for processing life in real time. Amanda McKeen opens the episode with honesty about her own health, setting the tone for a conversation that moves naturally between grief, humor, and the quiet strength of community.
Dickerman reflects on the recent loss of his wife and how connection, both in person and through social media, has helped carry him through the hardest moments. He shares stories from decades in local journalism, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the responsibility, tension, and unexpected access that came with the role, while also returning often to what matters most now: simple conversations, familiar places, and the people who show up.
