Ep. 199 - Nancy Jasin Ensley: The Tire Swing

Guest: Nancy Jasin Ensley

Host: Melvin E. Edwards

Release Date: April 28, 2026

Episode Summary

Nancy Jasin Ensley is a multifaceted creator whose work is deeply rooted in her 54-year career in healthcare and her personal journey of transformation.

Here are the key details about her life, career, and literary contributions:

Professional Background

* Healthcare Career: Nancy has spent over five decades in the medical field. Her roles have been diverse, including Registered Nurse, Hospice Specialist, Legal Nurse Consultant, Coding Specialist, and Clinical Supervisor.

* The “Nurse’s Promise”: A defining moment in her career (and a centerpiece of her memoir) is her commitment to the “I won’t leave you alone” philosophy, stemming from a traumatic experience caring for a severely burned patient.

* Education & Teaching: Beyond clinical practice, she has served as an educator, sharing her medical and legal expertise with others in the field.

Literary Work & Genres

Nancy is a highly prolific author who writes across a vast spectrum of genres. Her passion for writing began at age five with a poem dedicated to her mother.

* Memoir: * The Tire Swing: A Memoir About Survival: Her most personal work, chronicling her “metamorphosis” from a frightened, abused child to a successful professional and matriarch. The tire swing in her grandmother’s yard serves as the central metaphor for her refuge and resilience.

* Fiction & Thrillers:

* Orphans: A Young Adult novel involving two boys caught in a high-stakes terrorist plot.

* Mitered Corners: A gripping fiction title that often explores intense emotional and medical themes.

* Indigo-35: A venture into science fiction/thriller territory.

* Children’s Literature:

* Bernard Bartholomew Bostlebean (3-B) Series: Stories about a boy with a unique planetary heritage (his father is from outer space) that teach lessons on diversity, respect, and self-worth.

* Isla and the Imaginary Iguana: A whimsical exploration of imagination for younger readers.

* Poetry: Her work has been recognized by the National Library of Poetry, reflecting a rhythmic and reflective quality that carries over into her prose.

Personal Life

* Location: She lives in rural Michigan, which provides a quiet backdrop for her creative process.

* Family: She is married to her husband, John, and is the matriarch of a large family including five children and fourteen grandchildren.

* Interests: She is known for her love of her King Charles Cavalier dog and has a deep interest in historical eras like Vaudeville, which inspired her short story A Penny for Your Thoughts.

Key Takeaways

* The Power of Narrative Journalism: Why storytelling is the most effective tool for processing complex historical trauma.

* A Look Behind the Curtain: Melvin shares the “impulsive” yet intentional journey of founding Media Well Done, LLC and the lessons learned over 199 episodes.

* Nuremberg, Mississippi Teaser: A deep dive into the protagonist, Henry Logan, and the legal hurdles faced by attorney Silas Thorn in the pursuit of justice.

* Reflecting on Service: How membership in organizations like the Sons of the Republic of Texas informs a modern perspective on ancestral roots and responsibility.

Important Dates & Announcements

* May 1, 2026: The official launch of Nuremberg, Mississippi. Mark your calendars for the release! Also, it will be the 200th episode of this podcast. Don’t miss it!

* July 1, 2026: Submissions open for the PEN/Faulkner Award; stay tuned for updates on our manuscript entry.

Connect with the Show

* Website: Media Well Done

* Follow Melvin: Keep up with the latest journalism and author updates on social media.

* Support the Podcast: If these stories move you, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Next Episode: The Big 200! You won’t want to miss it.

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Thanks!