Get to Know the Author

John Abendshien never set out to be part of movie history, but life had other plans.

A nationally recognized expert in healthcare strategy and policy, John spent decades advising major health systems across the country. He’s an accomplished author, speaker, and thought leader in his field.

But in the early 1990s, his quiet suburban life took a turn when a Hollywood film crew knocked on his door in Winnetka, IL, with a big idea: turning his home into a movie set.

That movie? Home Alone.
That house? One of the most iconic in cinema history.

In his new book, Home, But Alone No More, John shares the extraordinary true story of how his family’s house became the backdrop for a global holiday classic, and how the unexpected spotlight brought with it a lifetime of unforgettable experiences.

Through humor and reflection, John offers more than just a behind-the-scenes look. He explores themes of family, connection, resilience, and what it means when your personal story becomes part of something much bigger.

Because as John has come to learn, when your home becomes everyone’s Home Alone house... you’re never really home alone.