A nursing home in Deventer, Netherlands has adopted an innovative intergenerational housing model: in exchange for thirty hours per month of companionship (not caregiving), local college students receive rent-free room and board. The idea grew from a desire to foster more warmth and connection in the home, while also alleviating a shortage of student housing. Although the “volunteer hours” are flexible, much of the students’ role is simply being present, conversing, and forming relationships with older residents.

What does it truly mean to show up for someone you love? In this profoundly moving and surprisingly funny episode, we sit down with Mark Steven Porro—actor, designer, and award-winning author—to discuss his journey from the Hollywood hills to taking care of his 89-year-old mother. Mark shares the deeply personal origin story behind his acclaimed memoir, "A Cup of Tea on the Commode," which chronicles his 3.5-year adventure as a first-time "parent" to his sharp-tongued, guilt-tripping mother.

Welcome to the "A Cup of Tea on the Commode" family. As a thank you for joining us, we are offering our subscribers the first three chapters of this multi-award-winning book for FREE. Click here to download. Or if you rather purchase the book in its entirety, you can find plenty of options here. If you have already purchased the book, we invite you ask a friend to subscribe so they can get get their first three chapters.

My brother David, sister Caryl, and yours truly in Lincoln Center, NYC Our Champion of the Arts Indeed. Enjoy this chapter from “A Cup of Tea on the Commode: My Multi-Tasking Adventures of Caring for Mom and How I Survived to Tell the Tale.” I’d be hard-pressed to recall a dull moment growing up in Mom’s world. It was always full of surprises; some welcome, some not so much.

Let's Think About "A Cup of Tea on the Commode" With Special Guest Mark Steven Porro Mark shares his thoughts on a cup of tea on the commode, reminding people to show love and compassion to those they care about. While learning about Mark, we discussed his book and the ups and downs of caring for his mother in her final days of life.

Here's an excerpt from "A Cup of Tea on the Commode: My Multi-Tasking Adventures of Caring for Mom and How I Survived to Tell the Tale" exposing just a few of my parenting mishaps. Enjoy at my expense. If You Rebuild It, They Will Return Mom: I’m sad.Me: How can you be sad? You have your health and a house that’s getting more and more beautiful each day.

Before heading into 2026, join us in celebrating our 2025. Not only has "A Cup of Tea on the Commode" earned a total of eighteen literary awards, appeared on over 130 podcasts, continued to resonate with readers around the world, will soon be published in three more languages, our YouTube channel has now reached over 25,000 views. Our old year was pretty good, and we look forward to the new one.

Sorry, Santa may be a bit late this year, but he has a good excuse. He's reading "A Cup of Tea on the Commode," a book he just can't put down. So to help pass the time, here's a Christmas chapter from that very book Santa just can't put down. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good book!

If your mother deserves to be treated like royalty in her golden years, you'll love this book. You'll laugh out loud. You'll cry out loud. Sorry for the crying part. Click here to watch the video teaser. Here's an excerpt from the award-winning "A Cup of Tea on the Commode: My Multi-Tasking Adventures of Caring for Mom and How I Survived to Tell the Tale." …

What happens when you trade bachelor life for caregiving? Mark Steven Porro, author of the award-winning memoir "A Cup of Tea on the Commode: My Multi-Tasking Adventures of Caring for Mom and How I Survived to Tell the Tale," shares his unforgettable journey caring for his ninety-year-old mother. Through humor, love, and resilience, Mark found joy in one of life’s hardest roles — and became a better man for it.

This article by Elizabeth Passarella appeared in The New York Times. Here's an excerpt. Begin by listening and validating. It can be hard to know what wisdom or help to offer, so resist the urge. “Caregivers don’t want to be fixed; they want to be heard,” said Susanne White, author of “Self-Care for Caregivers.” You can break the ice with: “What’s annoying you right now?

“Today on Rockstar Diaries – Healing Out Loud, we welcome a man whose life reads like a screenplay — equal parts heart, humor, and humanity. Mark Steven Porro is an award-winning actor, artist, entrepreneur, and the brilliantly soulful author of 'A Cup of Tea on the Commode' — a memoir that proves laughter and love can show up even in life’s hardest rooms.

Sorry for the crying part. If you have a mother, you WANT to read this book. If you love your mother, you NEED to read this book. And moms need to give this book to their kids to make sure they know how to treat you in your "Golden Years." A recent reviewer wrote, "Overall, this touching story celebrates ‘the strength of family, the power of memory, and the quiet heroism of everyday love’.

We don't know how long the sale will last, but for a limited time the Kindle Edition is just $6.99. It's good to be back in the Top Ten in Eldercare. Check out this lovely review from "Book Reviews Cafe." “A Cup of Tea on the Commode: My Multi-Tasking Adventures of  Caring for Mom. And How I Survived to Tell the Tale.”

November is National Family Caregivers Month. Let's celebrate those who not only care for their loved ones, but those who care for others as well. "The number of people 80 years or over is projected to triple to 426 million by 2050. In the US alone, there are currently over 50 million seniors eighty years or older. And when the time comes, women assume the role of caregiver.

CONVERSATIONS WITH CALVIN WE THE SPECIES with host CALVIN SCHWARTZ Meet MARK STEVEN PORRO: “Thinking about what to write after my interview with Mark. One word popped. Sonnet. Let me count the ways Mark Steven Porro amazed. A life beyond. A devoted son who became caretaker of his 89-year-old mother. Yes, the word ‘Commode’ is in his best-selling book title.

Happy Halloween. As a low-calorie treat, here's a chapter from "A Cup of Tea on the Commode." Enjoy! Halloween, both a strange and wonderful tradition, conjures up mostly fond memories for me. Strange because the night before—Cabbage Night to us in New Jersey, Mischief Night to others—we smashed pumpkins, toilet-papered trees, shave-creamed front doors, and egged everything in sight. And yet wonderful because the next evening we returned to those same houses, in disguise, said “trick or treat,” and collected a sweet reward.

I've always preferred even numbers, and especially when they're in double digits. As we cruise toward November, we received this delightful email announcing our 18th literary award for A Cup of Tea on the Commode. Certainly something to crow about. "We are pleased to announce that our judges of the 2025 PenCraft Book Awards for literary excellence voted your book "

What happens when life throws you the ultimate curveball — going from Hollywood auditions and bachelor life in L.A. to caregiving for your mom back in New Jersey? Our guest this week, Mark Steven Porro, not only lived it, he wrote an award-winning book about it "A Cup of Tea on the Commode." Mark joins Hafa & David to talk about the funny, awkward, and downright absurd side of caregiving.

This article first appeared in "The Ridgewood News" and "The Record" In his book, "A Cup of Tea on the Commode," Ridgewood native Mark Porro recounts his 3½ years of caring for his 89-year-old mother, Genevieve, at her village home. Porro was the least likely of Genevieve's six children to assume charge of her care in 2011. The 54-year-old single man had pursued an "adventurous" career path since graduating from Ridgewood High School in 1975 and Ohio State University in 1980 with a degree in industrial design: Hollywood actor, snack business entrepreneur, and helping with his sister's Michigan design firm.

Enter to win the ultimate nonfiction book giveaway, featuring a signed copy of The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins!

I never believed in angels, but for some reason they believed in me, and I’m truly thankful for it. They kept watch over me during the many crazy, death-defying stunts I indulged in as a kid. I hopped on freight and passenger trains, and—only after learning the hard way—made sure to hit the ground running when hopping off. Still, chances were, momentum slammed me ass-first onto the sidewalk.

Take 50+ years of life, add thousands of traumatic experiences, sprinkle in a touch of arrogance and what do you get? A Middle Age Mess, where noted author/curmudgeon Dan Indante walks you through everything you need to know to stumble, bumble and fail your way through your Not So Golden Years. Or as my Dad would say, "The Golden Years, the ham with them!"

Yes, I lied to one of my heroes, but I didn’t lie to get the job.  I enjoyed many highlights in Hollywood. My first and second came when filming an episode of Hill Street Blues, my first television role. Booking that role alone was a highlight, as my goal in coming to Hollywood was to get on that show. And less than two years later, voilà.

Just when we thought awards season was over, we received this announcement. Not only are we golden, but we're global. "Congratulations! Your book  A Cup of Tea on the Commode has been awarded the GOLD medal in the category Parenting & Relationships - Aging at the Global Book Awards." The Global Book Awards recognizes author with global appeal in the publishing industry.