Press Releases…

She Survived Coups, Cancer, and Chaos—And Somehow Kept Her Sense of Humor: Julie Spencer’s Memoir Every Family Has a Kenny© Is a Story You Won’t Forget

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA — June 2, 2026— Most people don’t grow up navigating political unrest, crossing paths with world leaders, surviving an airplane hijacking, and later working with celebrities—but for Julie Spencer, that was just life.

In her debut memoir, Every Family Has a Kenny©, Spencer delivers a gripping, deeply human, and unexpectedly humorous account of a life shaped by extraordinary circumstances—and the resilience it took to survive them.

Raised between two vastly different worlds; a disciplined CIA operative father and a free-spirited, bohemian mother; Spencer spent her childhood living throughout developing countries, often in the midst of political upheaval and cultural transformation. Along the way, she met Presidents and Emperors, and later found herself working alongside celebrities; offering a rare, behind-the-scenes perspective on both power and influence.

Her life reads like fiction—but it’s not. From coups and civil unrest to famine, natural disasters, and an airplane hijacking, Spencer’s story unfolds against a backdrop few experience firsthand. Yet what makes her memoir truly compelling is what happens off the world stage.

At its core, Every Family Has a Kenny© is an intimate story of love, heartbreak, divorce, and survival. Spencer shares her battle with cancer and the devastating hit-and-run incident that nearly took her eldest son’s life—an experience that ultimately propelled her into advocacy, working to successfully drive legislative change for victims of violent hit-and-run crimes.

Her story explores family complexity, resilience, and the evolving role of women. And somehow, through it all, she found humor.

“I’ve learned that sometimes the only way through the unimaginable is to find a way to laugh, because if you don’t, it breaks you.” says Spencer.

Julie Spencer Celebrates Earth Day Milestone with 5,000th Tree Planted—A Legacy Rooted in Generations of Environmental Stewardship

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA — April 22, 2026 — Author and environmental advocate Julie Spencer marked this year’s Earth Day with a deeply personal milestone: the planting of her 5,000th tree. The moment represents more than a number—it reflects a lifelong commitment to sustainability inspired by her grandfather, an eco-conscious logger who instilled in her the importance of respecting and replenishing natural resources.

“Planting this 5,000th tree isn’t just about environmental impact—it’s about honoring where I came from,” said Spencer. “My grandfather believed you could use the land responsibly while protecting it for future generations. That philosophy has stayed with me my entire life.”

Spencer’s dedication to environmental advocacy extends beyond action into storytelling. Her first book, Danny the Dumptruck, a children’s story centered on the importance of recycling and environmental responsibility, earned recognition as an IPPY Award nominee and was named to RR Bowker’s Top 25 Reading List. Through both her writing and real-world efforts, Spencer continues to inspire the next generation to take an active role in caring for the planet.

The Earth Day milestone is part of a broader personal mission that has unfolded over decades—one rooted in small, consistent actions that collectively create meaningful change. Spencer hopes her journey encourages others to recognize that environmental impact doesn’t require perfection, just participation.

“Whether it’s planting one tree or five thousand, every step matters,” Spencer added. “We all have the ability to leave something better behind.”

In addition to her environmental work, Spencer is the author of the upcoming memoir Every Family Has a Kenny, which chronicles her extraordinary global upbringing and life experiences, offering readers a compelling perspective shaped by resilience, history, and humor.