Charm City Dreamer: Dionne Joyner-Weems

Just two-weeks before my father was rushed to the emergency room, I was a guest on the Charm City Dreamers podcast.

I was so excited—grateful for the chance to talk about something I love deeply: my city.

When Zack followed up a few weeks later to let me know the episode was ready for the world, I was completely consumed by my father’s recovery. I didn’t have the capacity—or the heart—to share it.

I remember my father reading the podcast caption from my phone and cracking a joke about my headshot photo (it’s an oldie)! My mother and brother encouraged me to play the interview right there in the hospital.

But I didn’t.

I didn’t want to shift the visit’s focus away from him—and, truthfully, I was scared.

Scared of how I sounded.

Scared I’d missed the mark.

I regret that.

I’m my own harshest critic—and all I wanted was for my father to be proud.

Yesterday, when I opened up to a friend and colleague about this, she said—gently, but firmly:

“Dionne, you have a powerful story to tell. Share it.”