23 OCT 2023 · Today’s guest is author, poet, editor, and writing teacher Michelle Cameron. Michelle is also a director of The Writers Circle, which offers creative writing instruction to adults and kids. She recently published her fourth novel, https://michelle-cameron.com/babylon-a-novel-of-jewish-captivity/y, which is published by https://posthillpress.com/wicked-son. In this episode, Michelle joins the conversation to share how she learned that we can't always predict our paths for ourselves or our children. She talks about her experiences with four different publishing houses, adapting to unexpected changes, and why both patience and persistence are important. Michelle also delves into her creative process, why she loves her craft, and how characters often lead writers to unexpected plot twists. Her favorite part of the creative process is that moment when she is birthing a new idea or story. We also discussed the fulfilling journey of growing a small organization into a larger one, teaching young creators, parenting, and much more. What an insightful, engaging, and heartfelt conversation!

18 SEP 2023 · Today’s guest is author Elizabeth Sumner Wafler. She recently published her fourth novel, A Cleft in the World. In this episode, Elizabeth shares how she learned that her grandfather was Jewish when she was 50 years old. Elizabeth talks about her childhood, sharing she grew up in “an insular world and provincial community” in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She talked about how her family in the ‘60s swept controversial or topics perceived as embarrassing under the rug. We laughed as we bantered about our mutual love of Yiddish, an endearing language, and that she and her cousins enjoy exchanging Rosh Hashanah cards. Elizabeth now lives in Greenville, South Carolina. She discussed her unique writing process, cultural influences, and the fascinating revelations about her heritage that impacted her upcoming book. We also chatted about Elizabeth’s love of words, the influence of her first editor's advice, and how observation plays a key role in storytelling. She shared how she explores the themes of identity, love, and compassion in her novels. And why it's taken her a long time to not worry about what others think of her; she lives life on her own terms. What an insightful, lively, and connective conversation!

12 SEP 2023 · It’s not every day you get to chat with someone who has experienced life in two vastly different environments. Today’s guest is @jennifer.anglade.dahlberg, who recently published her fourth novel, A Norn In Bloom. A New York native and former executive recruiter, Jennifer experienced a significant turning point after falling in love and moving to Sweden. Learn how Jennifer adjusted to a new country, language, and culture. Jennifer talks about her career shift, her publishing journey, and being true to yourself. We chatted about authenticity on and off the page, what inspires Jennifer, and how she stays connected to her family in the U.S. We also delved deep into the impact of social media, community, and connections. Jennifer shares her experience of self-discovery during the pandemic, the importance of self care, and how self-publishing her novel expanded her journey. We also discussed how the choices we make in life shape us. When Jennifer returned to the United States for five years, she rediscovered who she was and what she wanted. Loved our conversation @jennifer.anglade.dahlberg and your insights!

20 JUL 2023 · Jennifer Vido is the author of the Piper O'Donnell Social Lite Mystery series, a mystery and romance author with a love for all things cozy. When a twist of fate landed Jennifer at the "Reading with Ripa” roundtable discussion with Kelly Ripa and Meg Cabot, her entrée into the publishing world officially began. As an avid book lover, she blogs about bestselling book releases and writes the Jen’s Jewels author interview column for http://freshfiction.com/. She also is a certified copy editor. A longtime Romance Writers of America member, she recently began penning the Gull Island Series with The Wild Rose Press. Serendipity by the Sea is the first book in the series. Jennifer is also a national spokesperson for the https://www.arthritis.org/, she has been featured by https://www.mylifetime.com/, https://www.redbookmag.com/, https://www.healthmonitornetwork.com/, https://www.nytimes.com/, http://baltsun.com/, http://healthguru.com/ and https://www.arthritis.org/arthritis-today-magazine. As a former national trainer for The Arthritis Foundation’s Aquatic and Land Exercise Classes and a current aquatics instructor, she advocates for those like herself who suffer from arthritis, the nation’s #1 cause of disability. On today's episode, we talked about letting of what we cannot change, how we are both adjusting to being empty nesters, and the highs/lows of life. When Jennifer was diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis as a young child, she realized she couldn't control how her body may ache or swell. She doesn't sugarcoat the challenges and also shares why this diagnosis doesn't define her. Yoga, prayer, and reading are a few of the ways Jen cares for herself. We also chatted about writing, family, and much more! What an honest, hopeful, and inspiring conversation!

13 JUL 2023 · What an honest, heartfelt, and profound conversation. Loved chatting with @May Cobb May is the author of MY SUMMER DARLINGS, THE HUNTING WIVES and BIG WOODS. Originally from East Texas, May moved to San Francisco where she studied Victorian Literature; then she lived in Los Angeles for a few years working for filmmaker/writer Ron Shelton and his wife, the actress Lolita Davidovich. She resides in Austin, Texas, with her husband and son where she says, “I enjoy napping, staring into space, making to-do lists for my to-do lists, shoveling cookies down my throat when I'm writing a particularly difficult scene (and even when I'm not), wearing my PJ’s as often as I can get away with and collapsing into bed at the end of a day with a great book.” May’s currently finishing a book about the late, jazz great, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, a project which has been in the works for twenty years. Kirk was a human phenomenon—a multi-instrumentalist who was best known for his miraculous ability to play three saxophones simultaneously. During his brief life, he defied staggering odds—from blindness, to prejudice, to a paralyzing stroke—to play the music that came to him through dreams. And May shares on today’s episode why she felt a deep connection with Kirk’s story, which also inspired her to become a writer. The mother of a child with autism, May talks about societal expectations and the judgment she’s experienced. And we also talked about the representation of autism in her latest book, A LIKELY WOMAN. In today’s episode, you’ll learn more about May’s inspiring story, how she carves time to create, and what inspires her writing. Thank you, May, for this honest, poignant conversation.

17 JUN 2023 · What a lively, heartwarming conversation with Rob Schwartz! We chatted about Rob’s late father, Morrie, his childhood memories, and the indelible impact of Morrie’s wisdom on his family and the world. The book Tuesdays With Morrie touched my heart in the 1990s and has stayed there ever since. Rob Schwartz is a writer, producer, and entrepreneur. His work has appeared in Time, Newsweek, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Interview and Melody Maker, among many others. He was a script editor at NHK World TV in Japan and has been an Asia Correspondent for Billboard magazine since 2008. In 2005 he founded the electro-rock crossover label Dynastic Records in Japan. In today’s episode, we chatted his father, childhood memories, and the layers of loss. We discussed how Rob discovered his father’s manuscript, written before Morrie was diagnosed with ALS that became the book Rob just edited/published—The Wisdom of Morrie: Living and Aging Creatively & Joyfully. Rob’s journey is inspiring, fascinating, and a life well lived.

8 JUN 2023 · Corie Adjmi is the author of the short story collection Life and Other Shortcomings, which won an International Book Award, an IBPA Benjamin Franklin award, and an American Fiction Award. Her prize-winning essays and short stories have appeared in dozens of journals and magazines, including HuffPost, North American Review, Indiana Review, Medium, Motherwell and Kveller. She’s been featured in Travel and Leisure, New York Magazine, The Hollywood Times, Parade and BuzzFeed. Her novel, The Marriage Box, was named a Must-Read New Book of 2022 on Katie Couric Media. When she is not writing, Corie does volunteer work, cooks, draws, bikes and hikes. She and her husband have five children and a number of grandchildren, with more on the way. She lives and works in New York City. On today's episode, we discussed the danger of repeatedly showing a group in only one way; people can become "othered." We also chatted about how we evolve as individuals in a marriage, compromise, and the nuances within the Orthodox community. Corie writes about the Syrian Jewish community, and she shared why it's important to have a more expansive view of what Orthodox Judaisim can and does look like. We talked about the name of her book; the marriage box was a real place in the early '80s! Teens would gather during the summer in New Jersey--boys would go there to ask them on dates. Originally from New Orleans, Corie shares that she avoided the Marriage Box and why. She chose to write a novel instead of memoir because she found writing fiction is so much more fun. Initially a teacher, Corie fell in love with writing when working on her graduate school thesis on storytelling. We also talked about how being creative is when we feel most alive, the joy it brings us, and much more. Thank you, Corie, for the fascinating, lively conversation!

1 JUN 2023 · Loved chatting with Jennifer Rosner is the author of the novels ONCE WE WERE HOME and THE YELLOW BIRD SINGS, a National Jewish Book Award finalist in debut fiction and book club and a Massachusetts Fiction Honors Book. She is also author of the memoir IF A TREE FALLS: A FAMILY'S QUEST TO HEAR AND BE HEARD, and the children's book, THE MITTEN STRING, a Sydney Taylor Book Award Notable. Jennifer's books have been translated into a dozen languages. Her writing has appeared in the New York Times, The Times of Israel, The Massachusetts Review, The Forward, and elsewhere. In addition to writing, Jennifer has taught philosophy. She earned her B.A. from Columbia University and her Ph.D. from Stanford University. She lives in Western Massachusetts with her family. The hearing parent of two deaf children, Jennifer shares about how her experiences raising children with hearing loss in a hearing world have had a significant influence on her work and themes throughout her writing. In today’s conversation, you’ll learn more about Jennifer’s inspiring story and background. And how to navigate “…handing over this child to native speakers, which means you’re losing this intimacy and connection.” Jennifer explains what those challenges were like, how the experience differed from her first child to her second, and how the politics of her decisions for her daughter’s evoked reactions from people outside the family. Thank you, Jennifer, for this insightful, poignant chat.

18 MAY 2023 · Many mothers can relate to juggling kids and careers, and Julie Chavez is no exception. An elementary school librarian, mother, and writer, Julie experienced her first panic attack at the age of thirty-eight. She had a happy life, a solid marriage, and a fulfilling job. What could possibly be the matter? Julie’s upcoming memoir, Everyone But Myself, explores this difficult time period and her journey back to a healthier, balanced life. Julie “writes to explore the joys and impossibilities of mothering and modern womanhood.” Her writing has been featured in Zibby Owens’s “Moms Don’t Have Time to Write” and the Story Circle Network. Listen to our conversation to learn how she came up with the title of her memoir, what it was like to navigate depression and anxiety while parenting, and what she does now to keep herself grounded. We shared, we laughed, and we went there. Thank you, Julie, for sharing your relatable story infused honesty and humor. Loved our chat!

12 MAY 2023 · I loved connecting with guest Joanna Rakoff on today's Every Soul Has a Story episode. Joanna is the author of the international bestselling memoir My Salinger Year and the bestselling novel A Fortunate Age, winner of the Goldberg Prize for Fiction and the Elle Readers’ Prize. Rakoff’s books have been translated into twenty languages, and the film adaptation of My Salinger Year opened in theaters worldwide in 2021 and is now streaming. She has been the recipient of fellowships and residencies from MacDowell, Sewanee, Authors’ Guild, PEN, Ragdale Foundation, Art, and Saltonstall; and has taught at Columbia University, Brooklyn College, and Aspen Words. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, O: The Oprah Magazine, Vogue, Elle, Porter, and elsewhere, and her new memoir, The Fifth Passenger, is forthcoming from Little, Brown in 2024. Joanna discusses her upcoming project, a memoir about her own family, and the revelation of a shocking, life-altering family secret. Listen to our conversation to hear about her background, including her experiences with being bullied as a child, family dynamics, motherhood, the concept of "replacement children," and much more. Thank you, Joanna, for sharing your evocative, inspiring story! Quotes: "I as a kid definitely did not envision this as my future. Not at all. I mean it didn’t even occur to me.” “We existed kind of in radical opposition to each other.” “I think maybe replacement children may be prone to having some survivor’s guilt.”