Mark Steven Porro was a carefree LA bachelor — never married, no kids — when his mother stopped eating at 89 and hospice was called in. He moved from Los Angeles into the New Jersey house he grew up in and became a first-time parent at 55, to his own mother. A Cup of Tea on the Commode came out of that, and he's now eighty percent through his second book, …

In this episode of Home of Misfits, Mark Steven Porro pulls up a chair with Sabine for an honest, unscripted conversation about what happens when life hands you a role you never auditioned for — and you decide to jump in, find the joy, and make it your own. At 55, Mark traded his carefree bachelor life in Hollywood for something he never expected: becoming the full-time caregiver for his 90-year-old mother.

It's Tea Time for caregivers. Join author Mark Steven Porro as he dives into heartfelt conversations with caregivers from all walks of life. This episode reflects on the complexities, joys, and laughter that come with taking care of a loved one. Drawing inspiration from his memoir, "A Cup of Tea on the Commode," Mark shares touching stories while encouraging open discussions about the emotional and humorous aspects of caregiving.

We know it’s coming...that moment when we become caretakers for our aging parents. There’s no roadmap for the emotional, physical, and spiritual toll it takes. In this moving episode of UnLost Cause, Mark Steven Porro shares his unexpected journey. He was living a carefree life in LA as an actor, designer, and entrepreneur when he dropped everything to care for his 89-year-old mother.

Today we celebrate Genevieve who chose Heaven over earth on this day in 2014. She continues to teach from long distance. And for that I am truly grateful. Here's a fun chapter from "A Cup of Tea on the Commode" that will give you a taste of my mother's funny side. Enjoy! Mom, may your cup of tea never go empty and may your bowls of sherbet never run dry.

Have you ever found yourself caring for someone you love and wondered how to keep your heart open when life becomes difficult, exhausting, or uncertain?

For nearly three decades, Mark Steven Porro built a life in Hollywood. Then one phone call sent him home to say goodbye to his mother during what everyone believed were her final days. What was supposed to be a last visit turned into years of moving back into his childhood home at 55 and learning, hands on and in real time, how to care for the woman who once cared for him.

Grandpa Po's Originals were the Snack of the Day on Rachael Ray The origins of Grandpa Po's Originals (aka Nutra Nuts) appears in this chapter in "A Cup of Tea on the Commode." The full story and more will be revealed in my follow-up memoir "Slightly Unsalted." Stay tuned. Better Than Food Aside from my father’s corny jokes and avoiding Mom’s shopping marathons, most of our family traditions revolved around food.

Finding Clarity in Crisis with Mark Steven Porro What happens when a carefree Los Angeles bachelor gets a call that changes everything? Mark Steven Porro went from pursuing acting and entrepreneurship to becoming a full-time caregiver for his dying mother—and discovered a clarity that became "A Cup of Tea on the Commode," his multi-award-winning memoir. His story reveals how life's interruptions can become life's greatest gifts.

I thought it would be fun to repost this story in honor of Mel Brooks' 100th birthday. Happy Birthday, Mel. And thank you for all the laughs! That Time I Lied to Mel Brooks 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…

Who or what has left an imprint in your life? How has it influenced you as a person? Where is it leading you? How are you going to leave your footprint on someone else? Exploring these questions is what this podcast is all about. Join host Anthony Davis for a candid conversation with Mark Steven Porro, award-winning author of "A Cup of Tea on the Commode: My Multi-Tasking Adventures of Caring for Mom and How I Survived to Tell the Tale"

Dad and Me in Rome 1995 "A Cup of Tea on the Commode" is not just about mothers. Fathers also deserve to be treated like royalty in their Golden Years. Here's a chapter from my memoir that helped prepare me for not only caring for my mother, but also caring for my father. Enjoy! Natale the Mayor “Natale Porro, America 1891.” —Vito Cupola, Celle historian…

Di-ver-tic-u-what? —Me Two smiles before the first of three emergency surgeries In honor of Men’s Health Awareness Month, I post this chapter from "A Cup of Tea on the Commode" as a reminder, especially for caregivers of the male persuasion. Third Time, No Charm Once in a while life throws you a curveball. On June 4, 2013, it threw me a humdinger.

Today Patty welcomes Mark Steven Porro, a New Jersey native who spent 28 years in Hollywood, to discuss his bestselling, award-winning debut memoir, A Cup of Tea on the Commode. The book is about caring for his mother during the final three and a half years of her life after a near-death experience in 2011. Mark explains the title’s origin from a daily bedside commode routine that included his mother’s favorite tea.

What happens when life flips the script—and you’re called to become the parent to your parent? In this deeply moving episode of Balance & Breakthroughs, host Wil Singleton sits down with former Hollywood actor turned author Mark Steven Porro, whose life took an unexpected turn when he became the full-time caregiver for his 90-year-old mother. After nearly three decades in Hollywood and building a successful snack food business, Mark traded his bachelor lifestyle for something far more demanding—and meaningful: caring for his aging mother through dementia, physical decline, and the emotional complexities of end-of-life care.

What if some of life’s hardest seasons also hold some of its most meaningful lessons? In Episode 159 of heCast, Mike Chisholm sits down with Mark Steven Porro for an honest, heartfelt, and unexpectedly funny conversation about caregiving, aging, family, grief, dignity, and finding joy in hard seasons. Mark Steven Porro is an award-winning designer, writer, director, actor, and the author of…

Mother’s Day Sale. A Special Price for a Special Day Genevieve always loved a good sale. And though she’ll miss this one, you don’t have to. In honor of all mothers this Mother’s Day, “A Cup of Tea on the Commode” eBook is just $4.99. You’ll laugh out loud. You’ll cry out loud. (Sorry for the crying part). To purchase, click here. If you yearn to learn more about Mark Steven Porro’s multi-award winning memoir before purchasing, click here.  #Humor #Memoir #eldercare #acupofteaonthecommode #mothersday

In honor of Mother's Day, my hometown magazine has honored me with the cover and a feature in the May 2026 issue. We appreciate the local love. Thank you, Kris Pepper and Ridgewood & Ho-Ho-Kus Magazine. Mom's Irish eyes are smiling. To read the full article, click here. Here's an excerpt: When Mark Porro became the primary caregiver for his nearly 90-year-old mother, Genevieve, in 2011, he stepped into a role still more commonly associated with women.

Now for something completely different. The passing of Chuck Norris prompted another lively visit between authors Mark Steven Porro and John Daly. This is their third podcast together. The first two were a lot of fun, but let’s see if the third time is indeed the charm. In this episode, Mark discusses working with Chuck, Tom Hanks, Ryan Reynolds, and others.

In this episode, I sit down with Mark Steven Porro, author of "A Cup of Tea on the Commode." We talk about his experience giving up his bachelor lifestyle to care for his mother during her final years with humor and heart . Mark shares the raw, unfiltered reality of stepping into the role of caregiver with no experience outside of a sense of humor.

Mom attends Easter Mass in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Happy Easter! Or as we say here in France "Joyeuses Pâques!" #Humor #Memoir #eldercare #acupofteaonthecommode #HappyEaster #JoyeusesPâques

Love sometimes looks like sacrifice. Sometimes it looks like patience. And sometimes, it looks like a son who chooses to stay. Stay tuned for the story behind the story. To listen on Apple podcast, click here. To listen on Podbean, click here. In this powerful episode of Backstory Sessions: Love Stories, we sit down with author Mark Steven Porro…

Mark shared his story on Zach Tidwell's "Going in Blind" podcast. Zach has his own powerful story. To learn more about it, click here. From Zach's show notesMark Steven Porro is a multi-talented creative professional who has lived a remarkably diverse life. His career began in industrial design, then moved to Hollywood, where he spent 28 years building a career as an actor, writer, and director.

Authors News Network just released a lovely one-on-one interview with the author of "A Cup of Tea on the Commode." Here's the full transcript. Enjoy! Mark Steven Porro is an award-winning designer, writer, and director. He has written lots of jokes, several screenplays, and one award-winning short film. A Cup of Tea on the Commode—a sad, sweet, and funny memoir—is his first published book.

One year ago, Broadway’s bright neon lights shone for “A Cup of Tea on the Commode.” Fresh off two more literary wins, the NYC Big Book and the Independent Press Awards, we appeared on Broadway. And though Mother Nature rained on our parade, she did not dampen our joy. My niece, Shea Smith, braved the weather to capture a bit of that joy!

Caregiving is heavy—but it doesn’t have to be hopeless. MARK STEVEN PORRO lives by a simple but powerful mantra: “Find the joy.” In today’s episode of "The Unfiltered by G'Ade," he shares how this mindset, "Finding Joy in the Hard Places," helped him navigate emotional tension, exhaustion, and difficult moments while caring for his mother. From sensing emotional shifts to managing unspoken pain, Mark explains how empathy became his superpower—and how caregiving deepened their bond instead of breaking it.

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!"