Living The Next Chapter: Candid Conversations with Authors and Writers for Readers Searching for a New Read

Episode 525 - Richard DeVeau - Light's Out - We Paint a Picture of a special forces veteran, CIA officer, and leader of Boston's Homeland Security team

About the author

After majoring in marketing at Bentley University, Richard spent a career as a copywriter and creative director serving such clients as Red Lobster, Ducati Motorcycles, Marriott Hotels, and Clorox. He also brought his writing skills to bear for communications agencies that serve nonprofit organizations, including American Red Cross, Wounded Warrior Project, Toys for Tots, CARE, Special Olympics and many others. And he...

Episode 352 - Tammy J Cohen - Text Messages to My Sons - How to Connect Deeply with Your Kids in a Digital World

In this episode, Dave sits down with author Tammy J Cohen to explore a deeply relevant question in modern parenting: how do we truly connect with our kids in a world dominated by devices?

Tammy shares the unexpected origin of her book Text Messages to My Sons: Connecting Deeply in a World of Devices. What began as a simple desire to reach her three sons evolved into a powerful daily...

EPISODE 722 - Andrey Medina - Screenwriter and Author - Sci-Fi storyteller who's fascinated by the questions that don't have easy answers

In this episode, Dave sits down with author and screenwriter Andrey Medina to explore how imagination, movement, and instability as a child sparked a lifelong inner world that eventually led him to science fiction. Andrey explains that he was not so much “called” to authorship as he was found by science fiction itself, discovering in it a way to imagine alternatives to reality. Influences like Tolkien and Asimov did more than shape his taste; they...

EPISODE 721 - Janet Kintner - A Judge's Tale - A Trailblazer Fights For Her Place on the Bench

In this episode of Living the Next Chapter, host Dave sits down with Janet Kintner, a retired judge, attorney, and newly published author whose journey from the courtroom to the writer’s desk reveals a life committed to justice, courage, and reflection. Speaking from her homes in San Diego and Victoria, Canada, Janet offers a look into her groundbreaking career as one of the youngest female judges in California and the personal transformation that came with writing he...

Episode 720 - Hollis Jo McCollum - Epic Dark Fantasy with Inspired Romantic Subplots

In this lively author episode, Dave is joined by dark fantasy writer and podcaster Hollis Jo McCollum for an unscripted, improv flavored conversation about creativity, connection and the realities of podcasting as an author. Hollis broadcasts from Suwanee, in the north metro Atlanta area, where she loves the local community, walking trails and especially the vibrant Korean cafes and markets that have become part of her daily rhythm. Her podcast is called “I Do What I Want!” which she describes as both a ca...

EPISODE 719 - Alfred Muller - supernatural, occult fiction and traditional fantasy

Alfred Muller shares a personal, long-form reflection on writing, feedback, and growth as an author, framed by his Tennessee roots and a deep love of the craft. The episode weaves practical advice with candid stories—from embracing constructive criticism to the discipline of finishing a manuscript—into a portrait of how dedication, routine, and audience awareness shape a writer’s progress.

In this conversation, Muller emphasizes that criticism should be treated as a tool, not a personal attack. He recalls how classroom feedba...

EPISODE 718 - V. Maia - Cultural clashes and ordinary moments become intertwined with extraordinary dreams and the destiny of the universe

V. Maia is a Brazilian academic researcher, IT professional, and passionate storyteller. With a Ph.D. in cloud computing privacy and over two decades of experience in the information technology sector, his expertise ranges from data security to cybersecurity.

But V. Maia’s interests extend far beyond the digital realm. A lifelong fascination with astrophysics and science fiction fuels his imagination and shapes his perspective on life. His global travels, from his ro...

EPISODE 717 - Hal Glatzer - Accidental Detectives, Friends With Benefits and How Music Influences Writing

Hal Glatzer is a novelist who blends mystery with a rich musical background, sharing insights about his creative journey, his fiction’s settings, and the people who populate his work. The interview unfolds in three main threads: the mysteries Glatzer writes, the music he performs, and the biography that informs his storytelling.

Glatzer’s literary path begins in youth with classical training in violin and clarinet, moving through the folk revival and bluegrass, and finally embracing the Great Amer...

EPISODE 716 - Richard DeVeau - In Plain Sight - In Washington, nothing is what it seems

In this engaging return visit to the show, author Richard DeVeau discusses his new thriller In Plain Sight, the second installment in his Eve Tanzi series following the debut Lights Out. Living in Batavia, Illinois—a suburb along the Fox River west of Chicago—he shares how his brother's lighthouse refurbishment on Cape Cod sparked the idea for Lights Out. Intrigued by lighthouses as historic guides with foghorns offering comfort to sailors, DeVeau flipped the concept: what if someone weap...

EPISODE 715 - Babs Walters - Facing The Jaguar - Telling is Healing

In this moving episode, author Babs Walters discusses her memoir Facing the Jaguar, a deeply personal story of trauma, healing, and transformation. Speaking from her home in sunny Florida, she reflects on the lifelong promise she made to write her story and how the process of sharing it became both a journey of self-discovery and a tool for helping others confront their own pain.

Babs traces the origins of her memoir back to childhood, when she first dreamed of telling the...

EPISODE 714 - David Lomax - Trail of Thoughts - true story of survival, resilience, and self-discovery in the remote wilds of Alaska

In this heartfelt conversation, author David Lomax joins Dave to share the extraordinary story behind his deeply personal and historical memoir, Trails of Thoughts. Speaking from his serene home in Oregon, David reflects on his 25-year journey to complete a book rooted in his own lived experience and the remarkable legacy of his stepfather — a pioneering native Alaskan contractor, pilot, and visionary.

David opens up about his lifelong struggle with dyslexia an...

EPISODE 713 - Scott Pearson - Simon & Schuster’s Star Trek Novel Editor and Author Taking Us To New Places and Beyond

This episode features author and editor Scott Pearson sharing his woodland life in Carlton, Minnesota, and his multifaceted career in science fiction, Star Trek, and publishing. From fan to professional, he reveals how persistence and adaptability built his path through a rapidly changing industry.

Scott describes his detached office amid the trees, a quiet hub for editing and writing. Publishing has evolved dramatically since his early days mailing manuscripts; self-publishing, once taboo, is...

EPISODE 712 - Valerie Taylor - A Romantic Comedy Series and A Cozy Series - Write From A Different Perspective

This episode features novelist Valerie Taylor discussing her shift from corporate marketing to writing romantic comedies and cozy mysteries, sharing practical advice for aspiring authors on overcoming blocks, building series, and embracing new challenges.

Valerie shares a recent encounter at a senior living center craft fair, where she stood out as the only author among crafters. When a woman confessed she was stuck 30 pages into her book, Valerie suggested rewriting a scene from another...

EPISODE 711 - Reyna Marder Gentin - Jessica Harmon Has Stepped Away, A Mother Daughter Story and a Book Tour

This episode explores how former criminal appellate attorney turned novelist Reyna Marder Gentin reinvented her life and writing, and how law, empathy, and complex family relationships shape her fiction. It offers an honest look at creative risk, persistence, and the emotional truths behind her stories.

From Courtroom to Creative Writing
Reyna begins by describing life in Westchester County, just north of Manhattan, and her long career as a criminal appellate attorney. For more...

Episode 592 - Joe McClean - Screenwriter, Author and Director - Putting Yourself Out There and Into Your Story, That is Where the Opportunity Lies

Joe made a bunch of short films and one feature length movie with friends and no money. To this day, I enjoy watching those early attempts to craft a story, but essentially this era of on-the-job-training was my film school. Now it was time to take my first big swing. 

I wrote a script I felt I could raise enough money to shoot myself, a found-footage film, and I s...

EPISODE 710 - Corey Croft - Wrestling With Your Writing, A Novella - France V. Brazil

In this episode, author Corey Croft joins the show from Vancouver to explore the realities of writing, the creative life and the difficult choices facing modern authors. Corey speaks candidly about the tension between traditional and independent publishing, explaining that neither path is easy. One demands the perseverance to face repeated rejection while the other requires the stamina to handle every piece of the work alone. For Corey, the deciding factor always comes back to feedback. Writers need readers, and...

EPISODE 709 - Sandra Schnakenburg - The Housekeeper’s Secret - Uncover the story hidden by a family’s beloved housekeeper, Lee Metoyer

In this episode of Living The Next Chapter, author Sandra Schnakenburg shares the extraordinary origin of her memoir The Housekeeper's Secret, born from a deathbed promise to her beloved housekeeper, Lee Metoyer. A corporate finance veteran with no formal writing training, Sandra recounts how Lea, who raised her from age three on their 44-acre estate starting in 1965, lived with them for 30 years under a fabricated identity. Lee often teased the family about her unbe...

EPISODE 708 - Jeanette Gil - Cuban-American and proud Latina author - A book for kids - Aloe Vera's Special Gift

I’m a Cuban-American and proud Latina author who believes in the power of stories to celebrate culture, family, and the beautiful connections that shape us.

Whether you’re exploring my children’s books, or diving into my insights on education and leadership, my mission is to inspire and empower through the written word.

Grab a cafecito, take a look around, and discover something new. Let’s connect on this exciting journey...

EPISODE 707 - Dr. Dawn Filos - Tales of a Pet Vet - Stories from the Clinic and House Calls

Dr. Dawn Filos has been a practicing small animal veterinarian for over 31 years. She has taught pet first aid courses, CPR courses, and has always enjoyed educating her clients to enable them to be the best pet parents that they can be. She has a particular interest in sharing the emotional benefits that sharing our lives with pets provides. She speaks much about that, with guides on how to not just train your pets, feed and...

April 2026 Podcast Check-in - Thanks for supporting our amazing guests - we appreciate you

In this April 2026 check-in, Dave from Living the Next Chapter takes a moment to speak directly to listeners and thank them for supporting the show and its guests. He shares a behind the scenes update about having time left on his hosting site and uses the episode as a chance to connect one on one with the audience, reminding them that there are many finished interviews already lined up and more content coming soon.

Dave also encourages listeners to...

EPISODE 706 - John Schachnovsky - Beyond The Badge - CRIME, JUSTICE, AND THE FBI IN THAILAND

About the author
John Schachnovsky is the former head of FBI operations in Thailand. He spent 25 years as a law enforcement officer, motivating and managing diverse teams in demanding environments. 

Book: Beyond the Badge: Crime, Justice, and the FBI in Thailand
Welcome to Thailand: there’s no room for error, and the stakes are high.

As an FBI Agent stationed in Bangkok, John Schachnovsky must build trust, goodwill, and long-term relationships with his Tha...

EPISODE 705 - Jane Loeb Rubin - I run like the wind to stay ahead of my disease - living, family, writing - my refuge

In this captivating episode, author Jane Loeb Rubin shares her inspiring journey from healthcare executive to acclaimed historical fiction writer, sparked by her 2009 ovarian cancer diagnosis linked to a genetic mutation inherited from her great-grandmother Matilda. Living in Morristown, New Jersey, Rubin penned her debut essay memoir Almost a Princess before diving into a four-book series tracing Matilda's family from late-19th-century New York through World War I and into Prohibition-era 1924...

EPISODE 704 - Sasha Preston - The Sweetest Getaway, a gripping, girl-powered caper

About Sasha Preston
Originally from Michigan, I’ve made my home in the perfectly weatherless land of Southern California. I fell in love with a boy from Orange County and never looked back.

I write women’s fiction crime capers that help you to escape your daily reality, feel a sense of excitement, and plan your next adventure – all with some humor and close friendship thrown into the mix.

They say you should write about what you know. While...

EPISODE 703 - Michael Hunter - Resilience for leaders in tech, integrating heart, mind, body, and spirit to sustain leaders

In this episode of Living The Next Chapter, host Dave welcomes Michael, a seasoned guide for tech leaders who positions himself not as a fixer, but as a partner uncovering hidden dynamics that sap energy and stall progress in teams. From Columbia, Missouri—near the quirky geographic heart of the continental U.S.—Michael shares his winding path: childhood passions for drawing floor plans and self-taught coding on an Apple IIe, a pivot from architecture school to s...

EPISODE 702 - John R. Carlos - Retired Royal Australian Air Force Wing Commander and Author of Cryonic Dreams, Awakening

Amazon Bestselling Author John R. Carlos Launches a Bold Sci-Fi Trilogy That Confronts Power, Control and the Ethics of Resurrection

About John R. Carlos

Born in Madrid and raised in Perth, Australia, John R. Carlos is a retired Royal Australian Air Force Wing Commander. Over a 42-year career, he served in a variety of roles across Australia and on deployments to Egypt, Iraq, Sudan, the UAE and Afghanistan. His storytelling is strategic...

EPISODE 701 - Julie A Swanson - North of Tomboy, Trying to Find Your Spot and Fit In As A Kid

In this episode of Living The Next Chapter, Dave sits down with author Julie A. Swanson to talk about her novel North of Tomboy and the real-life experiences that shaped it. Julie shares that she has been writing since childhood, creating handmade books her mom would “send off to be published,” even though nothing actually happened with them. Although she originally dreamed of being a writer, she was steered into math and science, studied biomedical engi...

Episode 700 - Dominick Domasky - Motivation Champs, Creative Sparks for Authors and Creative Facing Lackluster Results

In this episode, Dominick Domasky shares an encouraging and practical conversation about purpose, consistency, and the long game of creating meaningful work. He reflects on the early mistakes he made with his first book, the years it took to find his direction, and how those experiences shaped a mission that is no longer centered on himself but on helping other people share stories that can inspire, heal, and uplift.

Dom speaks openly about why success is not always immediate...

EPISODE 699 - Mark Peres - The Accord - The Accord, a defining novel about the future of human-AI relations

This episode features author Mark Peres, who shares the story of his rich and varied life journey as a writer, educator, and civic leader based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mark describes growing up as the son of an international import-export salesman, moving often between port cities, which helped him build a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and human connections. He eventually settled in Charlotte over 25 years ago, where he has since worn many hats—including lawyer, pr...

EPISODE  698 - Joe Battaglia - Award-winning journalist, From High School Sports to Olympic Coverage - We Go for Gold “Beneath The Rings”

Joe Battaglia is a seasoned and award-winning journalist who spent years in The Olympics arena. With over two decades in sports media, Battaglia has led content creation across news, politics, and athletics, including a role on the NBCOlympics.com team that earned a Sports Emmys for Outstanding New Approaches To Sports Event Coverage for the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Summer Olympics. He currently lives in Texas with his family. Joe is the author of the a...

Episode 697 - Rae Dumont - In the Shadow of Silence - A Novel of love and joy leading to the descent of untreated depression and unbearable loss

In this episode, author Rae Dumont shares the inspiration behind her novel In the Shadow of Silence, a story drawn from her decades as a pediatrician and family therapist. Living in a New Jersey suburb near Manhattan, Dumont explains how the book demanded to be written, capturing fundamental truths about families facing mental health struggles, particularly depression. Influenced by James Baldwin's commitment to truth, she focuses on relational...