Totally Booked with Zibby Joe McGinniss Jr., DAMAGED PEOPLE: A Memoir of Fathers and Sons
Nov 25, 2025
In this episode, Joe McGinniss Jr., an author known for his poignant memoir 'Damaged People', opens up about his turbulent childhood as the son of bestselling author Joe McGinniss. He shares insights into the emotional distance caused by his father's fame and struggles with addiction. Topics of generational trauma, accountability versus the 'disease' narrative of addiction, and his own mental health journey highlight the complex dynamics of father-son relationships. Joe's reflections on parenting reveal both vulnerability and a quest for redemption.
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Early Literary Stardom And Distant Fatherhood
- Joe McGinniss Jr. recalls his father Joe McGinniss becoming a literary rock star after The Selling of the President.
- He describes a warm, affectionate dad who was present in bursts but ultimately chose distance to protect his work and appetites.
Inherited Burdens Shape Behavior
- Joe connects his father's brilliance to inherited burdens: depression, alcoholism, loneliness, and Catholic upbringing.
- He argues those gene-pool forces shaped his father's compulsions and emotional life across generations.
Choosing Distance Over Daily Presence
- Joe describes his father's decision to live apart to avoid harming the children with his instability.
- He also recounts wishing the family had unified around a formal intervention when resources and time were available.
