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Author Revealed

Amy E. Goodman
Photograph by Anna Moller

Amy E. Goodman

Amy E. Goodman is a frequent contributor to the Today show, as well as The View, Good Morning America, The Early Show, CNN, and Movie & a Makeover, among others. A former correspondent and editor for In Style and senior editor for All You, she is... Read full bio

Author Revealed:
Q. What is your motto or maxim?
A. Your body is your temple and live by your heart.
Learn more about Amy E. Goodman
Amy E. Goodman Revealed
About Amy E. Goodman
  • What is your birthdate?:
    2/5
  • Previous occupations:
    In college I worked in public relations and assisted a writer, after graduation I taught English in Japan through the JET Programme and following grad school I've held every job thereafter in journalism and women's magazines.
  • Favorite job:
    Fortunately my job as a magazine editor, frequent broadcast contributor and devoted mommy are so utterly and perfectly suited for me that I'M LIVING THE DREAM people!
  • High school and/or college:
    Santa Rosa High School (go Panthers), The University of California at Los Angeles (go Bruins) and Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism
  • Name of your favorite composer or music artist?:
    From Eva Cassidy to Colbie Caillat. But you can always melt me with a true gentleman like Sting.
  • Favorite movie:
    "Charade"
  • Favorite television show:
    "The Good Wife" and "So You Think You Can Dance!"
Revealing Questions
Q. How would you describe your life in only 8 words?
A. Super mom by day, media maven by night.
Q. What is your motto or maxim?
A. Your body is your temple and live by your heart.
Q. How would you describe perfect happiness?
A. Watching my children play and nap at an isolated beach, where the sun warms the skin while we eat ice cream cones, watch dad surf in the distance and decorate sand castles (more like sand mounds) with feathers, shells and sticks.
Q. What’s your greatest fear?
A. Oh yes, let's start with a super light-hearted question. This is honestly difficult to write: the death of a child. I have chills.
Q. If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you choose to be?
A. In principle, where I am in this moment. In theory, New Zealand. I hear it's lovely this time of year.
Q. What are your most overused words or phrases?
A. During my TV segments, I have to be very cautious about the word "absolutely." It's my go-to word that's fancier than "yes"...but I can absolutely use it too often, absolutely.
Q. What do you regret most?
A. NO REGRETS. Can we scream that? Life is too short. If I had a second motto that's it.
Q. If you could acquire any talent, what would it be?
A. I was raised a musician on multiple instruments, but I so wish that piano came naturally. You can only sweat so much.
Q. What is your greatest achievement?
A. My greatest achievement is in progress. I'd love to get back to you on this one: after my kids are accepted to colleges AND I've managed to save enough to fund their tuitions! But if I can manage to live each day fully, present and aware of my actions and interactions with those around me, then that's the daily work that applies towards a greater whole.
Q. What’s your greatest flaw?
A. I have a tendency to dismiss sleep. As in right now. Working towards 2 a.m.
Q. What’s your best quality?
A. I am utterly devoted and will go the extra mile for the people and passions I hold dear.
Q. If you could be any person or thing, who or what would it be?
A. For our honeymoon, I became scuba certified and voila, another underwater world revealed itself. I've always admired the camaraderie of dolphins. That's what we call the social network.
Q. What trait is most noticeable about you?
A. I'm Japanese-American so people always take a double take. My features are hard to pin down. I've been asked if I'm French, Spanish, Eastern European...you name it. But maybe it's my hair. Remember Breck? I could've been a Breck girl.
Q. If you could meet any historical character, who would it be and what would you say to him or her?
A. Delete "historical" from the question above and it would be Lady Gaga: what were you thinking with the raw meat dress? Honestly? And don't tell me you donated the chops to charity afterwards.
Q. What is your biggest pet peeve?
A. People who are inexplicably rude: boy, does that get my goat.
Q. What is your favorite occupation, when you’re not writing?
A. I adore cooking up a storm. There is no greater feeling in the world than nourishing those around me with wholesome, home-cooked food. I could skip the dishes, but I otherwise love the process.
Q. What’s your fantasy profession?
A. It must be something else to travel untethered like Samantha Brown on the TRAVEL channel. Can you imagine HER photo journals?
Q. What 3 personal qualities are most important to you?
A. Passion. Loyalty. Authenticity.
Q. If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your days, what would it be?
A. Without a doubt, ice cream. I've dreamt of this scenario and I survived every flavor. I try to eat some every day, which reminds me that I need to get a scoop.
Q. What are your 5 favorite songs?
A. Why narrow it to five? I'm truly a lover of all music, but am horrible about song titles. "Name that Tune" would be my ultimate, worst nightmare.