Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino is a worldwide television personality best known for starring on MTV’s record-breaking series Jersey Shore and its reboot, Jersey Shore: Family Vacation. Over the past 15 years, Mike has transformed his public journey into one of resilience and reinvention, from pop culture icon to bestselling author, motivational speaker, and advocate for sobriety. His 2023 memoir, Reality Check, became a national success with over 110,000 copies sold and widespread acclaim for its raw honesty and message of hope.
Beyond television, Mike continues to expand his influence as a co-owner of Bang Cookies, a nationally recognized premium cookie brand, and founder of the Archangels Centers, a growing network of recovery and wellness facilities. Now over a decade sober, he is partnering with his mom, Linda, on this heartfelt collection of family recipes and traditions. Balancing business, advocacy, and family, Mike remains a household name whose story inspires millions.
Linda Sorrentino is a mother of four children and a grandmother of three. She is a retired elementary school teacher and a self-taught cook with a lifelong passion and deep love for Italian cuisine. After years of nurturing young minds in the classroom, she pours that same heart and dedication into the kitchen—where food, like teaching, is all about love, patience, and bringing people together. Inspired by family traditions, cozy Sunday dinners, and a deep respect for simple ingredients, Linda’s debut cookbook is a celebration of home cooking born from years of experimenting in the kitchen, honoring the past, and feeding the people she loves most.
According to the baby book compiled by his mother, Bill Spangler wrote his first fan letter to a television show while he was in elementary school. (The show? “Romper Room.”) These days, his fan letters are being published by BenBella Books in volumes such as Farscape Forever and Star Wars On Trial, as well as this one. He has also written articles about pop culture for national magazines and original comic-book stories based on science fiction TV shows such as “Alien Nation” and “Quantum Leap.” Bill and his wife Joyce live in Bucks County, Pa., with two ferrets and a dog. Bill would like to thank his wife, Jon Plante, and Kathy Morrow for their help in pulling this essay together on a relatively tight schedule.
Catherine Spangler is the author of the award-winning Shielder series, futuristic romances that are literally out of this world. The latest book in the series, Shadow Fires, was a 2005 RWA RITA finalist for best paranormal book. Coming next is a dark and edgy paranormanl Sentinel series, set on current-day earth. Catherine grew up in Alabama and now resides in Texas with her husband and a menagerie of animals. You can visit her Web site at www.catherinespangler.com.
Rachelle Sparks worked as an award-winning journalist for a daily newspaper in Prescott, Arizona, where she wrote stories about the unforgettable “wish” families who became her inspiration for writing Once Upon A Wish. She then became a freelance writer for numerous publications, including Arizona Highways magazine and the Phoenix and San Francisco editions of 944 magazine, while touring the country to interview and capture the stories of the families featured in this book. She lives with her husband, Bobby, and their two sons, Andrew and Evan, in San Diego. This is her first book.
Christia Spears Brown, PhD, is a Professor of Developmental Psychology, and the Director of the Center for Equality and Social Justice, at the University of Kentucky. Her research focuses on children’s experiences with ethic, racial, and gender discrimination and stereotypes and how racism and sexism impacts the academic, social, and psychological lives of children and teens. In addition to award-winning scientific research articles, chapters, and academic books, and numerous teaching awards, she is the author of Parenting Beyond Pink and Blue: How to Raise Children Free of Gender Stereotypes. She was the 2019 Society for Research in Child Development Scholar-in-Residence. She regularly speaks with and consults parent groups, schools and teachers, toy and media companies, and businesses about reducing the impact of stereotypes, is regularly featured in international media outlets, and has served as an expert witness for the ACLU on cases of gender discrimination in schools.
Books by Christia Spears Brown
Many consider RJ Spina the world’s leading authority on metaphysics. His own incredible story of healing permanent paralysis and enlightenment is well-documented and verifiable. He is an internationally published author of four bestselling revolutionary books, a humanitarian award winner, and highly sought-after counselor and healer. He has changed the lives of millions of people across the globe and his audience and following continues to grow exponentially.
Norman Spinrad is the author of some 20 novels and 60 stories published in 14 languages, including Bug Jack Barron, The Iron Dream, He Walked Among Us and Mexica. He has also written feature films, television programs and songs. He is also a journalist, film critic, literary critic and political commentator. He has been a radio talk show host, vocalist, literary agent and president of the Science Fiction Writers of America and World SF. He grew up in New York, has lived in Los Angeles, London, San Francisco and Paris, and traveled widely in Europe, less so in Latin America and Asia.
Michael Spivey, Ph.D., is full professor of cognitive science at the University of California, Merced, and author of The Continuity of Mind. He received his B.A. in psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and his Ph.D. in brain and cognitive sciences at the University of Rochester.
Timothy Sprinkle is a longtime business journalist whose work has appeared in Wired, Entrepreneur, Outside, and on Yahoo! Finance, among other outlets. He has covered the technology space—and tech startups, in particular— for more than a decade as a reporter and editor and is widely published, both in print and online, on the subject of entrepreneurship and small business.
