Rogan Meets Sheridan and Changes My Memoir Structure Completely
Of the three books I have in development — after recently launching A Catholic Gospel Journey Through the Lens of Alcohol Recovery — the big kahuna burger is my memoir. It’s maybe six months off release. And I’ve been wrestling with the structure like it’s a wild animal: chopping, changing, adding, deleting, shuffling, pivoting. Writing, at least for me, is harder than it looks.
Last night, after watching an episode of Landman, I said to myself: “Damn, Taylor Sheridan is good at writing characters. What’s his secret?”
At 1 a.m. I was deep into a Joe Rogan podcast where Sheridan was the guest for one of those three‑hour curiosity marathons.
By 2 a.m., I had a completely new structure for my memoir.
Multi‑generational.
Starting in 1790 England.
With my great‑great‑great grandmother sailing on the Second Fleet to Australia.
That’s all I’ll say — I’d still like a few people to buy the book.
But here’s the Pursuit of Grace moment:
My curiosity — watching Landman, drifting into daydreams, following it with a podcast — somehow turned into a structure that is twenty‑seven times better than what I had on 31 December 2025.
That’s the practice:
• Notice.
• Listen.
• Observe.
• Wonder.
• Be curious.
Let other people’s ideas, stories, and conversations from all over the world flow straight into your head.
In 1790, it took my ancestor three brutal years at sea — Thames to Botany Bay via Tenerife, Rio de Janeiro, and the Cape of Good Hope.
Today, the voyage is Copilot and Spotify on your phone.
The practice is the same: reach out, reach in, shake the spiritual apple tree — and see what falls.
About Jason Bresnehan
Jason is a writer and recovery advocate whose work explores the intersection of Catholic faith and the lived experience of addiction. His books and essays weave scripture with the rhythms of everyday life, showing how grace can surface in the most ordinary encounters.
Through A Catholic Gospel Journey – Through the Lens of Alcohol Recovery and related projects, Jason offers reflections that connect the Sunday readings to the struggles and victories of recovery. His approach is rooted in clarity, rhythm, and respect for tradition, while remaining accessible to those navigating the challenges of addiction and renewal.
Founder of the Hadspen Foundation, Jason is committed to building frameworks for spiritual recovery that are both repeatable and personal. His writing is guided by discernment, narrative cadence, and the belief that doctrine should support—not overshadow—the human story.