EPISODE 782 - Camille Burgin - In the Grey - When Things Aren't Black and White and You Are Waiting on an Answer 

Writing through uncertainty, learning how to wait well, and building self awareness shape the heart of this conversation with author Camille Burgin. Her work centers on the space she calls “the gray,” the stretch of time between asking for something and seeing the outcome. That space often feels uncomfortable. She reframes it as active time that can shape growth, clarity, and resilience.

Living in the Gray

Camille defin...

EPISODE 781 - Paul Hlabse Jr. - Violent Disturbance - Wrestling with faith, justice, and morality when a traumatic event changes your story

Author Paul Hlabse joins the podcast for a thoughtful conversation about creativity, perseverance, storytelling, and the deeply personal experiences that shaped his debut novel, Violent Disturbance. What begins as a discussion about woodworking and craftsmanship quickly expands into an exploration of writing as both a creative pursuit and a way to process life's most difficult moments.

Paul shares the twenty year journey behind his first novel, explaining how an unfinished manuscript...

Episode 780 - T. R. Monroe - We Still Rise is a Workbook of Loss, Betrayal, and Becoming

Healing, Grief, and Becoming Yourself

T. R. Monroe shares how journaling, faith, community, and professional support helped her move through loss, betrayal, and years of trying to be the strong one for everyone else. Her book, We Still Rise, is a workbook of grief, loss, betrayal, and becoming, drawn from her personal testimony and journals.

The Many Forms of Grief

Monroe explains that grief extends beyond death. People...

EPISODE 779 - Mandie Dufour - Sci-fi, fantasy, and horror writer's new book Devour

In this episode, Mandie Dufour shares her lifelong journey as a writer, shaped by early exposure to books and a deep love of storytelling. Growing up in Atlantic Canada, she found inspiration in both literature and pop culture, from Margaret Atwood to superhero stories and anime, which influenced her early creative voice. What began as unstructured, imaginative writing evolved into a more intentional craft rooted in character development and emotional depth.

Mandie emphasizes that storytelling is deeply personal. She encourages...

EPISODE 778 - Patrick d'Entremont - Acadian Shorelines, the Acadian expulsion of 1755

A former columnist with the Chronicle Herald newspaper and belong to the Writers’ Council of the Writers Federation of Nova Scotia. Acadian Shorelines is my debut novel. I live in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where I spent the bulk of my professional life as an IT entrepreneur and business writer.

Having lived to this grizzled old age means I have perspective on life, which I put to good use in narrating the thrills and misfortunes of Tommy Breau, a teenage Acadian boy who ju...

EPISODE 777 - Ben Berwick - drawing inspiration from classic sci-fi like Star Trek and Doctor Who

In this episode, the conversation explores the mindset, craft, and persistence required to bring stories to life, through the lens of a sci fi author shaped by curiosity, imagination, and real world responsibility.

From the outset, the importance of perseverance stands out as a foundational trait for any writer. The guest shares the reality of sitting down to write and being met with doubt, hesitation, and creative resistance. The breakthrough is not waiting for perfect inspiration, but...

EPISODE 776 - Alisa Goodwin Snell - Lasting Love Academy - Are you tired of being single or struggling in a relationship

What happens when a marriage and family therapist experiences the very heartbreak she spent her career helping others navigate? In this episode, Alisa Goodwin Snell shares her deeply personal journey through divorce, single parenthood, remarriage, and the lessons that ultimately shaped her life's work helping people build healthier relationships.

Growing up in a family marked by both love and turmoil, Alisa believed that if she learned all the right things and made...

EPISODE 775 - Dr. Christopher Choukalas - Even the Darkest Night, A father's harrowing journey through paternal depression

Christopher G. Choukalas, MD, MS spent twelve years on faculty at the University of California San Francisco as an anesthesiologist, intensive care physician, researcher, academic author, and teacher to hundreds of students, residents, and fellows. He is most proud of his mission-driven work with veterans.

Originally from Minnesota, Chris now lives with his wife Lindsey, their twin girls, and their poodle mutt, Couscous, in Marin County, California.

Even the Darkest Night started out as...

Episode 536 - Julie Riga - Stay on Course The Life and Legacy of Ennio Riga, Chef to the Stars

When Ennio Riga passed away in February 2016, he left behind an incredible legacy. To his many admirers who enjoyed his delicious culinary creations, he was a world-renowned chef. 

To Julie Riga, he was a loving father who taught her the importance of leadership, perseverance, and determination.

About the Author

Julie Riga, Ennio’s daughter, continues his legacy as a leadership coach, trainer, speaker, and author. In compiling the sto...

Episode 393 - Adam Nimoy - The Most Human, Reconciling with My Father, Leonard Nimoy

Adam was born during the Eisenhower administration to Leonard and Sandra Zoberblatt Nimoy. He attended the University Elementary School, a “lab school” run by UCLA, where he was subjected to numerous psychological experiments. The experimentation continued at UC Berkeley in the form of mind-altering substances from which he may, or may not, have fully recovered. In a state of absolute certainty, Adam attended Loyola Law School. He was wrong. 

After seven years of practicing entertainment law and one moment of cl...

EPISODE 774 - Molly Best Tinsley - Air Force Brat to US Naval Academy literature and creative writing teacher

In this thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation, author and educator Molly Tinsley reflects on a lifetime shaped by storytelling, teaching, military culture, and the creative process. From her early love of theater to a distinguished career teaching literature and creative writing, Molly shares the experiences that ultimately led her to fiction and her latest novel, *A Modest Trumpet Fanfare*.

Drawing on decades of experience as both a writer and teacher, Molly discusses the challenges many aspiring...

EPISODE 237 - Stewart Lee - Me and My Addiction - one man’s battle to break free from a life heavily impacted by alcoholism

About our Guest -
I grew up in Exeter, Devon and lived with my parents and 2 older sisters. I didn't really have a troubled life but from a young age I discovered alcohol and my journey into addiction began.

Drugs and alcohol consumed my life from that point on. It got so bad that I thought I would either end up in prison, a psychiatric unit or dead. Ei...

EPISODE 489 - Author Darlene Campos Shares the Amazing Story of Holocaust Survivor Pete Philipps

Hello! Hola! I'm Darlene P. Campos, an Ecuadorian-American author who is also a proud Houstonian.

I earned my BA in English-Creative Writing with a Medicine and Society Studies minor from the University of Houston (Go Coogs!) and my MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Texas at El Paso (Go Miners!).

I am the author of the young adult novels Behind Mount Rushmore, Summer Camp is Cancelled, and Heaven Isn't Me, traditionally published by Vital Narrative...

EPISODE 773 - Erin Blechman - My Unexpected Journey Reflections After Losing My Son to Suicide, grief support to bereaved parents

Erin Blechman is an author, speaker, and certified Grief Educator whose mission is to elevate the conversation around grief and loss, mental illness, and suicide.

Her book, My Unexpected Journey: Reflections After Losing My Son to Suicide, chronicles the eighteen months following the devastating loss of her own beloved son, Max to suicide after his long battle with mental illness.

On June 3, 2020, we lost our firstborn son, Max, to suicide, after a long...

EPISODE 772 - William Loving - Fells Point, The Soul of a The City Baltimore through the eyes of Daniel Doyle Jr

In this episode, author William Loving joins the conversation to share the journey behind his evolution from longtime newspaper journalist to published novelist. Speaking from Pasadena, California, Loving reflects on a career that spanned nearly three decades in journalism, including time at the Los Angeles Times, before returning to a dream he first had at eighteen years old: becoming a novelist.

Loving explains how life experience ultimately gave him the depth and...

EPISODE 771 - Corinne Hoebers - Tethered Spirits - A Historical novel set in 18th-century Mi’kma’ki (Nova Scotia)

In this episode, author Corinne Hoebers shares the deeply personal and historical roots behind her writing, tracing her journey from an interest in genealogy to crafting richly layered historical fiction. Living in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley, Corinne reflects on how her curiosity about her German ancestors, who arrived in Lunenburg in the 1700s, sparked her first book and eventually led to a much larger creative path.

Corinne describes herself as a lifelong reader whose...

EPISODE 770 - Joshua James Owens - Heartfelt Poems that share wisdom of life, vulnerability, and the art of unconditional connection

This episode features author Joshua James Owens in a thoughtful conversation centered on time, creativity, and the value of human connection. Joshua opens by reflecting on the importance of shared moments, emphasizing that when someone gives you their time, it is one of the greatest gifts they can offer. That perspective shapes both his life and his work.

Rooted in Western New York, Joshua shares how his upbringing, faith background, and early exposure...

EPISODE 769 - Colin Belcourt - The Blue Hour Gospel is about the fear of living the wrong life, and the slow erasure of the self

Colin Belcourt joins the podcast to reflect on the curious alchemy between place, identity, and the quiet work of writing. Based outside Ottawa after moving from Toronto, Colin describes the unexpected ease of life beyond big-city rush hour and how his new role leading a municipal data team sits beside his creative life, where he acts as a translator between technical systems and everyday people. That juxtaposition—structured meetings by da...

EPISODE 768 - Maria Giesbrecht - A Little Feral, a collection of poems written several years after leaving a conservative Mennonite family

In this episode, author guest Maria Giesbrecht opens up about the deeply personal journey behind her poetry collection and the complicated path that led her toward becoming a writer. She reflects on the surreal experience of stepping into a live radio interview with little time to prepare, sharing the vulnerability that comes with putting creative work into the world and wondering how it will be received. What emerges throughout the conversation is an honest...

EPISODE 767 - Karen E Osborne - Justice For Emerson - Dual time-line murder mystery

In this episode, author Karen E. Osborne reflects on her writing life, her craft, and the community that surrounds it. A former New York‑based professional in philanthropy and leadership, Karen now lives in Port Saint Lucie, Florida, and has built a rich second chapter as a published novelist and podcaster. She shares that she began writing fiction late in life, publishing her first novel at age sixty‑nine, and has since produced a steady string of books while remaining deeply comm...

EPISODE 766 - Nicolette Halladay - Inspired Hearts Publishing, The Golden Thread & The Lineage of the Light

In this heartfelt conversation, Nicolette Halladay, founder of Inspired Hearts Publishing and author of The Golden Thread & The Lineage of the Light, shares a deeply personal look into her writing journey and the transformative power of storytelling. Speaking from her home near the Colorado and Utah border, Nicolette reflects on the importance of trusting yourself as both a writer and a human being navigating life’s challenges.

At the core of her message is a call fo...

EPISODE 765 - Barb Rebon - A journey through trauma, faith, and ultimately self-acceptance

In this episode, guest Barb Rebon shares her deeply personal journey from a childhood dream of becoming a nun to embracing her true self after decades of inner conflict. Originally from Tampa, Florida, Barb entered the convent at 16 with the Disciples of Jesus and Mary in Boston, drawn by a longing for the family and safety she lacked at home amid abuse, dysfunction, and her mother's witchcraft practices. Despite rigid rules—no close friendships, daily prayers from 5 a.m., studies, and media wo...

EPISODE 764 - Gary Wise - Certified PGA of Australia member - No Junk Reps, the Adaptive Performance State

This episode features Gary Wise, an Australian-born performance coach whose journey spans elite surf lifesaving, professional golf, and decades of coaching athletes at the highest levels. Now based in Florida, Gary reflects on a life shaped by sport, discipline, and ultimately a deeper understanding of how the mind influences performance.

Gary’s early years were defined by movement and competition, from ocean rowing and surf lifesaving in Australia to rugby, water polo, and eventually golf. Wh...

Episode 763 - Mark Hummel - A fast-paced dark comedy, Man, Underground

Mark Hummel’s most recent work is the award-winning dark, comic novel Man, Underground. He is also the author of the novel In the Chameleon’s Shadow and the short story collection Lost and Found. He has been publishing fiction, essays, and poetry in literary magazines and anthologies since 1991. His work has appeared, among many other places, in the pages of The Arlington Literary Journal, The Bloomsbury Review, Dogwood, Fugue, Per Contra, Talking River Review, The Wrath-Bearing Tree, Weber: the Contemporary West...

EPISODE 280 - Kyle Jetsel - The Loss of A Spouse, Raising Kids With Autism and Measuring the COST

In the heart of adversity, our guest today, Kyle Jetsel, discovered that life's most formidable challenges could be transformed into profound opportunities for growth.

Growing up in a tough neighborhood Kyle found himself in a world where the line between safety and chaos was razor-thin.
In this episode, Kyle takes us on a deeply personal journey, sharing how he navigated the turbulent seas of his youth.

Kyle faced yet another colossal test...

EPISODE 762 - J.M. Werlein - Professional Horse Trainer Takes the Reins as Author of The Adventures Of The Last Wives Club

In this episode, the conversation moves between a life built around horses and the deeper meaning found in caregiving, writing, and community. The guest shares how she grew up in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, began writing at age five, and later built a career training hunters and jumpers, working with everything from off-the-track thoroughbreds to warmbloods. She explains how horses are intuitive, social, and highly responsive to the emotions people bring into the...

EPISODE 761 - Andy Vargo - Uber Stories and Owning Your Awkward - Discovering Your True Self and Rewriting Your Story

In this engaging episode, Andy Vargo joins from Tacoma, Washington—home to surprises like Almond Roca, the origins of Mars bars, and inspiration for Frank Herbert's Dune from the local Asarco smelter plant. Andy shares his nonlinear path to authorship, sparked by childhood encouragement but paused for decades amid family life, until divorce and job loss reignited his passion. He pivoted from unfinished projects like The Awkward Interview to self-publishing personal stories that became his br...

EPISODE 760 - Bill Haase - Our Mindset on Money - It’s Easy to Control, So Why, Impact over Income

In this episode, Bill Haase shares a deeply personal and practical conversation about money, mindset, and the life experiences that shape how we handle both. Drawing from decades in finance and his own financial سقوط and recovery, Bill brings a grounded perspective to a topic many people avoid discussing.

Bill explains how his work intersects with broader mindset principles, especially through partnerships that address both the emotional and financial sides of major life transitions like l...

E142 - Laura Cayouette - Actor, Writer, Producer, Blogger - Character Development and Author Tools

A professional actor for over 25 years; Django Unchained, Now You See Me, Kill Bill, Enemy of the State, True Detective, Friends & more.

Endorsements from actor/filmmakers Richard Dreyfuss, Kevin Costner, Lou Diamond Phillips, Reginald Hudlin, Adam Rifkin & more.

Private coach available through Zoom, Skype and FaceTime for actors/writers/filmmakers, UNO Adjunct teaching directors how to work with actors​​. Guest teacher. Speaker.

LEARN HOW LAURA WENT FROM WRITING 1 BOOK IN 20 YEARS TO 5 BOOKS IN 4...