What It's Like To Write "Bizarro" Cartoons

Not many people's resumes include “pediatrician, medical Philanthropy consultant, and cartoon writer”… but Dr. Cliff Harris clearly is a man of many talents.  In this episode, he shares how he got started in cartooning (including a very special childhood story involving “Peanuts” creator Charles M. Schulz); how he got connected with “Bizarro” creator Dan Piraro; and how his careers in medicine and Philanthropy affected his writing.  

We walk through specific cartoons and discuss how Cliff was inspired to write them (he even tests Elizabeth on a word puzzle!); links below.

This is a story about much more than just cartooning.  Cliff takes us on a journey of discovery, self-awareness, and finding joy.

Cliff's “Bizarro” cartoons mentioned in this episode:

• https://www.dropbox.com/s/7nsft0klehinzfj/Address.JPG?dl=0
• https://www.dropbox.com/s/hnbpuezlbdbta08/Grape%20Nuts.jpg?dl=0
• https://www.dropbox.com/s/bdgh1l612dd8of2/4%20to%20104.jpg?dl=0
• https://www.dropbox.com/s/xoabwpuolugkg4m/Air%20Guitar.JPG?dl=0
• https://www.dropbox.com/s/5h0smjn1ec8fuwu/Analogy.gif?dl=0
• https://www.dropbox.com/s/j1j7j43362525ub/Bizarro%2010-24-21%20WEB.jpg?dl=0

Dan Piraro's graphic novel: https://peyotecowboy.net/ 

In this episode:

Cliff's story of talking with Charles M. Schulz as a child (02:02)
How he connected with Dan Piraro of “Bizarro” (06:51)
Connection between hard times and good joke writing (10:38)
A second link to Charles M. Schulz (13:35)
Going through various cartoons and explaining them (20:20)
Describing word puzzles (29:55)
Leaving the practice of medicine (35:17)

Want to know more about Cliff Harris?

• email him at: doctorcliffharris@yahoo.com

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Elizabeth Pearson Garr Podcaster

Elizabeth Pearson Garr has spent a lot of her life asking questions. A daughter of a professor and a principal, as a kid she loved sitting at the “adult table” during their dinner parties so she could participate in the “real” conversations.

Elizabeth went on to graduate with honors from Harvard with a degree in History and Literature, and promptly attended professional cooking school to become a food writer. That led to various career opportunities, including becoming one of the first employees of the Television Food Network; writing/producing gigs at networks from PBS to E!; anchoring/reporting at the NBC affiliate in Billings, Montana; earning a graduate degree in Documentary Film & Video from Stanford University; and various and sundry other things. The through-line to all this has been curiosity. Elizabeth is a skilled interviewer who loves diving deep into research, finding connections, and telling good stories.

Elizabeth has a husband, two daughters, and a fluffy white dog who rarely leaves her side.