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This podcast discusses writing life, reviews books, and interviews authors and industry professionals.
95 Episodes
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What happens when ancient biblical narratives collide with Wall Street ambition? Author Jean Blasberg takes us on a fascinating journey through her literary trilogy, culminating in Daughter of a Promise- a bold, contemporary reimagining of the David and Bathsheba story set in the high-stakes world of investment banking. The conversation reveals how Blasberg transforms this ancient tale of power imbalance into a relevant examination of workplace dynamics, consent, and unexpected love. H...
Dr. Nicole Janz, author of The Write Habit planner, brings an honest perspective to the psychological barriers that prevent writers from establishing consistent creative practices. Drawing from her own journey from burnt-out academic to thriving authorpreneur, she reveals how the most common writing struggles—procrastination, avoidance, and inconsistency- often mask deeper fears about worthiness and vulnerability. This conversation goes beyond surface-level productivity advice to expl...
When a creative mind trained in Hollywood's competitive structure ventures into the world of novel writing, the results can be illuminating. Shan Serafin's journey from James Patterson collaborator to solo novelist offers fascinating insights into the modern creative landscape, and a passionate warning about the future of human expression. Serafin reveals the unexpected path that led him to co-authoring bestsellers with Patterson, crediting his manager for seeing novel-writing potential...
What happens when a child spills leftovers on the kitchen floor and immediately labels himself "stupid"? For author Brenda Do, this heartbreaking moment sparked the creation of It's Okay Not to Know, a children's book challenging our perfection-obsessed culture. Growing up Chinese in 1970s America, Brenda never saw herself represented in children's literature; every book featured white children. This experience shaped her determination to create characters that every child could identi...
For Neera Mahajan, a professional critique about her written English didn't derail her career; it sparked an extraordinary second act as an author, book coach, and community builder. "The only thing standing between you and the senior management position is your written English," Neera's boss told her years ago. Rather than accepting this limitation, she embraced it as a challenge, eventually publishing eight books and building a thriving community of writers who benefit from her uniqu...
What does it take to build a sustainable career as a writer? In this special episode, the tables turn as I’m interviewed by author Jean Alfieri about my 25-plus years in the writing world. I talk about how it all began with a letter to the editor challenging gender discrimination in Jordan’s labor laws. Seeing that letter published and realizing my words could spark debate was the moment I knew storytelling would be at the heart of my life’s work. We cover everything from building...
What if becoming a parent actually made you MORE creative, not less? Writer and "book therapist" Heidi Fiedler discovered something surprising: when life became more demanding after she became a mom, her creative drive didn't disappear. It intensified. "I had less time, less energy when I became a mom, and yet I wanted to keep writing. It felt more important to me than ever." In this deeply personal conversation, Heidi reveals why the pressure to write fast is killing our creativity and...
What if you could design your entire life around freedom and flexibility? That's exactly what Kayla Ihrig did when she bought a one-way ticket to Mexico in 2017, launching herself into the world of digital nomadism. This journey ultimately led to an unexpected book deal, "How to Be a Digital Nomad," and a thriving freelance career. In this conversation, Kayla shares the truth about the digital nomad lifestyle beyond the Instagram highlights. While beautiful destinations like Croatia and...
Imagine being just 20 years old when police force you to confess to a double murder you didn’t commit. Then imagine spending the next 21 years of your life behind bars, with no hope of release. This isn’t fiction; it’s the reality Deon Patrick lived before his exoneration in 2014. In this powerful conversation, Deon shares how Chicago police built a false case against him and seven others, including a 15-year-old with borderline intellectual disability. One of the most shocking pa...
What would drive someone to leave behind a comfortable six-figure corporate career and sell everything they own to pursue writing? For JD Barker, New York Times bestselling author and collaborator with James Patterson, it was a calculated risk that changed everything. In this conversation, Barker reveals the eerie inspiration behind his upcoming thriller Something I Keep Upstairs, a real-life haunted house perched on a tiny granite island just off the New Hampshire coast. He desc...
What if anyone could have a biological child with anyone, regardless of gender, fertility, or age? That’s the provocative premise behind Baby X, the new novel by author and bioethicist Kira Peikoff. In this episode, we explore the world of In Vitro Gametogenesis (IVG), a cutting-edge technology that transforms ordinary cells into sperm or eggs using stem cells. It’s already been tested in mice. Humans may be next. Kira explains how IVG could revolutionize parenthood for same-sex couples...
What happens when a marketing strategist decides history shouldn't be boring? In this captivating conversation, Paul Lloyd Hemphill shares how a simple question to his teenagers about history sparked an unexpected creative journey. When they repeatedly called history "boring," Hemphill set out to change the narrative, literally. Hemphill shares the fascinating evolution of his book, Inspiration for Teens, which uses stories from the Battle of Gettysburg to teach leadership skills and charact...
What makes a truly unforgettable literary villain? According to bestselling thriller author Gary Braver, it's not mustache-twirling evil, but rather those "sweet smelling reasons" that justify their actions in their minds. Drawing from over four decades of teaching creative writing and penning critically acclaimed mysteries, Braver takes us behind the curtain of compelling thriller construction. Braver's latest novel, "Rumor of Evil," follows two Cambridge homicide detectives inv...
What does it take to reinvent your life in your 40s, face down hundreds of rejections, and still come out on top? In this episode, I speak with Dr. Christina LePort, a former cardiologist turned medical thriller author, about her remarkable journey from the operating room to the written word. Born in Bologna, Italy, Christina once dreaded writing assignments. But everything changed in her mid-40s as she waited to start cardiology training. That’s when she discovered the magic of fiction. “I r...
What if it didn’t take a life-altering tragedy to change your life for the better? In this uplifting episode, I sit down with Scott White, also known as the “Life is Too Short Guy,” who’s on a mission to make the world a happier place—one smile at a time. Scott breaks down the ten simple but powerful principles from his Amazon #1 bestselling book. These aren't vague motivational quotes—they're real, actionable tools you can use right now to shift your mindset and improve your life. From “Atti...
When Patricia Bonis lost her children to international abduction, she was thrust into every parent’s worst nightmare—fourteen years of silence. In her memoir Jeddah Bride, Patricia recounts the unimaginable journey from Florida courtrooms to the heart of Saudi Arabia, where a judge’s decision to allow unsupervised visitation led to more than a decade of separation. With raw honesty and emotional clarity, Patricia exposes the human toll of international custody battles. Her story reveals the a...
When Karen De Bonis arrived at her library book reading to find zero attendees, she didn't crumble—she took a photo. That single photo of empty chairs would go viral on Twitter, reaching over a million views and revealing something profound about vulnerability in our success-obsessed world. Behind this viral moment lies a much deeper story. De Bonis spent seven years crafting her memoir "Growth: A Mother, Her Son, and the Brain Tumor They Survived," which chronicles not just her son's m...
What if the secret to publishing success isn't TikTok or Instagram but good old-fashioned hustle and real-world connections? In this episode, I chat with Jean Alfieri, author of the beloved Zuggy the Rescue Pug series and an advocate for shelter pets everywhere. Jean’s journey into authorship began with one determined rescue pug and has blossomed into an impressive 11-book series (and counting!). Jean's practical approach is a breath of fresh air, flipping conventional wisdom on its hea...
In this episode, I sit down with the marketing strategist and author of The Art of Resilience: The Refugee State of Mind—Hussein Al-Baiaty, to explore the power of writing communities and the evolving world of indie publishing. We discuss how building connections, honing communication, and embracing community can shape an author’s journey—whether you're considering traditional publishing, self-publishing, or growing your presence as a writer. What We Cover in This Episode: The impact of writi...
Renowned executive coach Antonia Bowring joins us to reveal how coaching has evolved in the digital age, especially amidst the challenges brought on by COVID-19. This shift has increased the acceptance and accessibility of coaching across regions like Africa and the Middle East. Through her book "Coach Yourself: Increase Awareness, Change Behavior, and Thrive," Antonia empowers listeners to harness their own potential with the right mindset and resilience. We addr...
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