About Kris and Richard Carlson

Richard and I met 25 years ago walking along Seaver Drive at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.  We were just kids in college.  I was a freshman, and had just turned 18 a few months before, coming from Portland, Oregon.  Richard grew up in Piedmont, California, was 20 and a transfer student, and nationally ranked tennis star from San Jose State University.  Ours was a magical beginning as it truly was “love at first sight.”  Twenty-five years later, to the day of our “death do us part” on December 13, 2006, we were still very much in love.  We knew it was a rare thing, and we always appreciated the ease that we found in our love for each other.  Life changes fast. 

Ours was not as some people might think: a typical “overnight” success story.  Richard wrote nine books, and it was ten years, before he struck a chord around the world with “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.”  As you can imagine, the first ten years were quite different from the last ten.  At one point, he almost quit writing because he received such a low advance on a book.  We were talking about how he might have to give up writing when the phone rang.  Oprah’s producer was on the line.  She said she was just in their library looking for a book on stress management and “You can be happy, no matter what” popped off the top shelf and hit her in the head!  She asked if there was any way Richard could fly out to Chicago the next day to be part of a guest panel on the Oprah Winfrey show?  This event marked a shift in the energy of Richard’s career.

Three years later, after "Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff" became a #1 Best Seller all over the world, Richard began the “Don’t Sweat” series.  Guess who was at home “sweating the small stuff,” literally, with two young girls ages five and seven at the time?  Richard wrote “Don’t Sweat With Your Family,” while on the road that year, and I called him daily with ideas from every day life.  Most of his books were written on airplanes after that.  The next three years were a whirlwind filled with interviews and speaking engagements. It was a crazy time, but an awesome time, as the Don’t Sweat series was on fire.  We made a conscious choice to keep life as “normal” for the kids as possible. Richard declined many opportunities that might have brought him more recognition publicly.  He remained devoted to family and even scaled back his traveling schedule the last five years.  He didn’t want to miss our kid’s childhood and all the special events in their lives.  He realized that every day life is where you receive the small joys and lessons in family, and he chose to be a part of that. 

“Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff in Love” is still one of the most popular books in the series; we were able to narrow down some very practical and simple ideas about how to make any couple feel better and help a good relationship become great.  It’s all about keeping that loving connection alive!  We had a great time launching the book on Valentine’s Day (2002) while on book tour in New York.  “Don’t Sweat in Love” made it to the New York Times List at #1. 

Hyperion, our publisher, approached Richard to see if I would be willing to write "Don’t sweat the small stuff for Women" which also became a New York Times bestseller, while he wrote “Don’t Sweat the small stuff for Men.”  I wasn’t immediately on board with the idea, because, frankly, I couldn’t see how two authors in one home would manage while raising a family.  Richard said if I didn’t write a book in the series for women, someone else would have to co-author the book with him.  The challenge had been issued, and I said “okay.”  It was an incredible experience and my editor said, I was like an otter that took to water for the first time.  So, when I went out on book tour, we temporarily reversed roles; Richard enjoyed every minute while staying home with the girls.  I was asked to write more but decided to retreat back to family life keeping Richard at the helm of the publishing world, even though I am sure he would have been just as happy staying home with the girls.  Along with managing a syndicated column, and an inspirational speaking career, he has written many amazing books since:

“What about the Big Stuff?”  “Easier than You Think”   “Don’t Get Scrooged”

Richard always had a passion for the written word.  He lived in a stream of consciousness that all he needed was his laptop and a bit of quiet to tap into. 

Now, he has pushed me to the helm, and he has become the wind beneath my sails.  I plan to carry on his work as a Tribute to the incredible man he was to me in every day life, finish some things that need to be finished for him, and keep this website inspirational.  So please keep signing on and remember to...