Charles Levin · Feb 4, 2026

We often think of storytelling as an act of reflection. But what if it’s something deeper—something evolutionary? A survival mechanism.

In the latest episode of The Munn Avenue Muse, host Charlie Levin sits down with Karen B. Gerson, author of the gripping memoir I Should Not Be Here. This isn’t just another trauma narrative. It’s a revelation.

Karen’s story weaves through childhood trauma, OCD, PTSD, and depression—but instead of being crushed by these experiences, she used them as raw material for transformation. For readers, writers, and healers alike, this conversation is a masterclass in how to turn your most painful truths into powerful storytelling.

When the Title Is the Story

“I should not be here.”

That was Karen’s internal refrain for years. Raised in a high-pressure school system where she felt she didn’t belong, she struggled academically and socially. Add to that undiagnosed mental health challenges, and the fact that she even made it through school, let alone wrote a bestselling book, is nothing short of remarkable.

The title of her memoir isn’t dramatic, it’s accurate. And that’s what makes it land with such weight.

“Memoirs aren’t about the extraordinary,” Charlie notes. “They’re about the impossibly personal.”

Rethinking OCD: Not a Disorder, a Defense

One of the most profound takeaways from the episode is Karen’s reframing of obsessive-compulsive disorder. For years, she viewed her compulsions as symptoms of something broken.

But in writing her story, something shifted.

She realized that her rituals lining up glass ducks just right, counting stairs before bed, were actually mechanisms of control in a world that felt terrifying. In that light, OCD became not a weakness, but a resource. A lifeline. A brilliant (if exhausting) tool for survival.

“It wasn’t pathology,” she says. “It was my strategy.”

Writing from the Wound, Not in the Wound

Karen had tried to write the book before. Twice. But each time, it dragged her back into the pain.

It wasn’t until she was far enough along in her healing that she could revisit the hardest moments without reliving them. She worked with ghostwriter Aaron to craft a safe container—one where she could pause, breathe, and return when ready.

Some days, she simply had to say: “I’m done for the day.”

And that was okay.

This process led her to a fundamental insight:

“If you’re writing from trauma, wait until you can touch it without bleeding.”

Breaking the Mold: A Memoir Told by a Village

Instead of a singular voice, Karen’s memoir features interviews with eleven people in her life, family, friends, even her children.

The result? A multidimensional portrait of pain and healing.

One of the most gut-wrenching moments came from her oldest son, who admitted that during Karen’s mental health crises, he had to seek out “other villages” for support.

That chapter alone changed how they talked as a family.

The truth didn’t just set Karen free—it opened new conversations.

From Publication to Purpose

I Should Not Be Here was released on November 18th, a day that left Karen in tears. The outpouring of support was immediate:

Childhood friends who never knew her struggle reached out.
Therapists thanked her for helping them understand their patients.
Readers said the book gave them permission to begin their own healing.

Now, Karen is using her platform to advocate for mental health awareness, partnering with Kansas City news outlets ahead of Mental Health Month in May.

This story isn’t just published, it’s in motion.

Is Your Story Waiting?

If you’re sitting on a story that feels “too messy,” “too painful,” or “too unfinished,” Karen’s message is simple:

Don’t wait for perfection. Wait for readiness. And when that arrives tell the story like your life depends on it. Because for someone else, it might.

Read It Now

🎧 Listen to the full episode of The Munn Avenue Muse featuring Karen B. Gerson on your favorite podcast platform.

📘 I Should Not Be Here is available now at:

🌐 Connect with Karen at KarenBGerson.com

✍️ If you are ready to share your own story, whether it is fiction, nonfiction, or a blend of both, Munn Avenue Press is here to help you bring it to life. If you would like to publish your book or your audiobook (or are just dreaming about it), let the MunnAvenuePress.com team help make your dream a reality.

Happy Writing! Charlie Levin, Publisher & Founder

👉 Want more unfiltered author journeys and publishing wisdom? Subscribe below for weekly insights from The Munn Avenue Muse.

Subscribe now

🗣 Ask Siri or Alexa to “Play The Munn Avenue Muse podcast!”
This post is public. Feel free to share.

Share

Writing to Stay Alive: The Memoir as a…