**Jana Kramer Discusses Her Memoir and Co-Parenting Journey with Ex-Husband Mike Caussin**
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Jana Kramer, the former star of *One Tree Hill*, has recently released a memoir titled *The Next Chapter: Making Peace with Hard Memories, Finding Hope All Around Me, and Clearing Space for Good Things to Come*. This book, which hit the shelves in October 2023, explores her personal growth following her divorce from Mike Caussin in April 2021. In a recent episode of her podcast, *Whine Down*, Kramer shared insights about her decision to keep her ex-husband informed about the contents of her book.
In the podcast episode, released on 13th March, Kramer, who is 42, stated that she had communicated with Caussin, seeking his approval and input on certain aspects of the memoir. “Even writing stuff about my ex in my book, it’s like, ‘Hey, I’m obviously writing stories, here are some of them. Would you like to see them?'” she recounted, adding, “I think it’s the respectful thing to do to reach out to people if you’re going to talk about them.”
Kramer and Caussin share two children: a son, Jace, aged seven, and a daughter, Jolie, aged ten. She clarified that her memoir was not intended as a diatribe against her ex-partner. Instead, she aimed to convey a more general narrative of her personal experiences, including a notable incident from March 2021 that she described as a turning point in their relationship.
The memoir does not shy away from discussing challenging moments in their marriage, particularly what Kramer referred to as “the laundry room incident.” However, she expressed that the book is more about her own reflections rather than painting Caussin in a negative light. “I feel like I was tasteful enough with the stories… it was more of a reflection on me,” she emphasised.
In her memoir, Kramer opens up about the emotional journey she undertook after her separation. Initially, she found herself in a victim mentality, pointing fingers in the aftermath of her divorce. “The book started off very much like a blame game and more of a victim place,” she explained in a conversation with *PEOPLE*. “Realising that at the end of the day, blaming other people for where you’re at is going to get you nowhere, I began to reflect on my own choices.”
She proudly shared how she transformed her perspective over time, focusing on self-improvement and personal accountability. “Now I don’t want to, even today, place blame. I want to learn, do better, and fix the pieces of me that make me feel like, why would I stay in this relationship when it’s not serving me, and it’s very unhealthy,” she noted.
In a follow-up episode of her podcast, Caussin, who is 39, revealed that he chose not to read the memoir before its publication. He clarified that this decision stemmed from his deepened trust in their relationship. “Jana asked me if I wanted to read it before it comes out, and I told her, ‘No,’ because I trust our relationship more now than I ever have,” he shared. Caussin felt that revisiting past emotions would not be productive for him. “For me, I thought, ‘Why read it and rehash — in my own work and journey — rehash some of these things emotionally and internally?’” he reflected.
While acknowledging the complexities of their past, Caussin highlighted that he separated his own journey from Kramer’s narrative. “I know where her heart is and anything in there I know doesn’t necessarily directly have to do with me anymore. It’s just her story,” he said, expressing his support for Kramer’s endeavours.
Now married to Allan Russell and sharing a two-year-old son, Roman, Kramer underscored the importance of co-parenting with Caussin. In a candid Instagram Stories Q&A from the previous August, she provided insight into their collaborative efforts in parenting. “What we both do well on is adjusting for each other,” she said, reflecting on their shared commitment to prioritising their children’s well-being.
Kramer also mentioned that both she and Russell are adaptable and supportive of Caussin’s needs whenever necessary. “It’s always about what’s best for the kids’ mindset, and we all need to be a team when things come up,” she concluded.
As she continues her personal and professional journey, Kramer appears resolute in fostering a healthy dynamic between all parties involved, emphasising the importance of communication and mutual support in their co-parenting arrangement. The memoir, while echoing the challenges she faced, ultimately serves as a testimony to her evolution and hope for the future.