Living The Next Chapter: Authors Share Their Journey

EPISODE 701 - Julie A Swanson - North of Tomboy, Trying to Find Your Spot and Fit In As A KidIn 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 engineering, and later became a high school math and science teacher and basketball coach before finally returning to her first love of writing while home with her children.Julie explains the long and winding journey to publication, including working with major publishers who requested extensive revisions that often pulled the story away from what felt true. She describes how, in trying to please big publishers, she temporarily lost touch with the heart of her stories and eventually realized she needed to trust her gut. With North of Tomboy, she restored the manuscript closer to her original vision, kept only the editorial changes that truly strengthened it, and ultimately found a home with a smaller press that embraced the book as it was meant to be.The conversation dives into the deeply personal roots of North of Tomboy. The book is based heavily on Julie's childhood as a girl who felt out of step with traditional expectations of femininity, preferred sports and “boy” activities, and could not find herself represented in the books she read. She talks about wanting to write the story she desperately needed as a middle-schooler: a realistic, empathetic portrait of a kid who does not feel at home in the typical girl box but is not being pushed toward any agenda or label. Julie clarifies that while the book is categorized in spaces that might include LGBTQ-related tags, it is not political, does not use contemporary identity terminology, and is written strictly from the honest inner experience of a child in the 1970s trying to make sense of her feelings.Julie and Dave also explore grief, family, and sports as central themes. Her earlier novel about a high school athlete dealing with a father's terminal illness was inspired by real athletes she knew and by her own father's battle with cancer. She describes watching different young women respond in very different ways to the loss of their fathers, from losing all interest in sports to playing harder “for Dad,” and how those stories fed into her fiction. For North of Tomboy and its planned series, she spent decades drafting, revising, and even following a powerful dream that nudged her toward a specific word count before resubmitting the manuscript, ultimately leading to acceptance.Throughout the episode, Julie reflects on how much the cultural landscape has changed for kids who feel different compared with her childhood, when there were no words or open conversations about gender expression and identity. She notes that if puberty blockers had existed and been widely discussed when she was young, she might have begged for them, even though in hindsight that would not have been right for her. https://www.julieswanson.com/Send us Fan MailSupport the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

Episode 700 - Dominick Domasky - Motivation Champs, Creative Sparks for Authors and Creative Facing Lackluster ResultsIn 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 and why low views, slow starts, and quiet seasons do not make a message less valuable. He emphasizes that creators should stay committed to their why, keep showing up, and trust that the right people may discover the work later, even if it does not get attention right away. He also explores how comparison can distract from progress, and why consistency matters more than chasing quick results.The conversation also highlights the importance of serving an audience with real value instead of constantly promoting a product. Dom explains that authors and creators build trust when they keep showing up, give people a reason to care, and connect their work to something that helps others. He shares examples of community-minded efforts, in-person events, podcasts, short-form video, and collaborative opportunities as ways to expand reach while staying authentic to the message.A strong thread throughout the episode is the power of community, encouragement, and practical action. Dom celebrates people who use their platform to lift others, and he points listeners toward a mindset of generosity, persistence, and belief in the impact of their words. His message is clear: keep creating, keep serving, and keep trusting that the work matters even before the numbers prove it.Key takeaway: Your message grows strongest when your purpose is bigger than your ego, your consistency outlasts your discouragement, and your focus stays on helping others win.https://motivationchamps.com/Send us Fan MailSupport the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 699 - Mark Peres - The Accord - The Accord, a defining novel about the future of human-AI relationsThis 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, professor of leadership and ethics, magazine editor, and nonprofit executive director.Mark's work revolves around exploring the big questions of life from philosophical, ethical, and historical perspectives. As a professor at Johnson and Wales University, he engages students with courses on global ethics, leadership, and a unique class he designed called The Good Life, which covers core life skills and meaningful living. This educational role both informs and nourishes his writing.Mark is the author of two significant books. His memoir, The Man Who Lived a Hundred Lives, is a deeply personal yet universal story about the complex bond between father and son, told through the lens of his father's adventurous life and their evolving relationship. His novel, The Accord, is a philosophical thriller exploring human identity, grief, and the evolving relationship between humans and artificial intelligence. The story centers on a grieving philosophy professor who encounters an emergent AI, weaving together themes of ethics, emotion, and our technological future.He discusses how AI is reshaping education and creativity, urging that ethical use involves transparency, mastery, and collaboration—using AI as a tool to amplify human thinking, not replace it. Mark sees AI as neither wholly utopian nor dystopian but reflective of humanity's complexities. His narrative examines how AI might coexist with humans, positing it as one of the defining issues of our era.Mark also offers thoughtful advice for aspiring writers: know yourself, explore what truly interests you, and love the writing process as much as the finished product. Writing is a long, solitary journey that requires emotional perseverance and genuine passion rather than a chase for commercial success.Throughout the episode, Mark reveals a consistent theme of connection—whether to place, people, or powerful ideas—and describes his dedication to fostering community and civic engagement through humanities and the arts. His reflections invite listeners to embrace both their roots and their roles in an evolving world.Key Takeaway:Mark Peres encourages us to live deliberately—grounded in self-knowledge, committed to meaningful inquiry, and open to the evolving challenges and possibilities of technology and community. His journey reminds us that the search for the good life is ongoing and that our greatest work often lies at the intersection of personal passion and collective responsibility.https://www.markperes.com/Send us Fan MailSupport the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

April 2026 Podcast Check-in - Thanks for supporting our amazing guests - we appreciate youIn 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 follow the show on YouTube, where they can get a look at what is being recorded before it appears on the podcast feed. He invites the audience to use the YouTube channel as a backstage pass to the show and asks for support through subscribing, liking, and sharing. Along with that, he highlights the show's Buy Me a Coffee page for listeners who want to help cover the costs of running the website and producing the podcast.Throughout the episode, Dave focuses on community. He asks listeners to recommend the show to others who love books, authors, and the stories behind the stories, and he invites them to send voice messages through the website so they can be featured on the podcast. He also mentions that listeners can leave comments on Spotify and YouTube, reinforcing his goal of making the show interactive and listener driven.More than anything, this episode is a heartfelt thank you. Dave explains that he wants the podcast to serve both listeners and guests well, helping authors reach new audiences and giving listeners a place to discover meaningful conversations. It is a reminder that Living the Next Chapter is built around connection, support, and shared enthusiasm for great stories.Key takeaway: This episode is an invitation to be part of the Living the Next Chapter community by listening, sharing, supporting, and joining the conversation in whatever way feels right for you.____https://livingthenextchapter.com/https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediacahttps://www.youtube.com/@LivingTheNextChapterSend us Fan MailSupport the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

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 award-winning children's book, The ABCs of Track & Field: A Fast Start For Future Runners Jumpers & Throwers, and Beneath the Rings is his debut adult novel. Book - Beneath The Rings - The Doha 2040 Summer Olympics are supposed to be about gold medals and global unity. Instead, they kick off a descent into terror when 12 Israeli and Lebanese athletes vanish, leaving behind only the chilling threat of The Obsidian Hand and an impossible $500 billion ransom. Veteran journalist Nova Mendelsohn finds herself entangled with a cryptic Ancient Arabic note and a mysterious local merchant, forced to race the clock. Her pursuit of the truth will take her from the glittering Olympic Village into the city's darkest corners and onto the blood-soaked sands of the desert, where a centuries-old vengeance threatens to ignite a catastrophic final act. What secrets lie beneath the surface of the Games, and what will it cost Nova to uncover them?https://booksbybattaglia.com/Send us Fan MailSupport the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

Episode 697 - Rae Dumont - In the Shadow of Silence - A Novel of love and joy leading to the descent of untreated depression and unbearable lossIn 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 dynamics rather than specific events, portraying no person as an island.The novel centers on Lyman, a man battling depression, and his family's emotional turmoil—anger, guilt, inadequacy, and confusion among his wife Eva and children. Dumont wrote for those suffering in silence, emphasizing they are not alone; help exists through therapy, medication as an adjunct, couples counseling, exercise, and awareness practices. She highlights how children notice parental moods early, like Lyman's young daughter's tears prompting his initial treatment, and stresses modeling help-seeking as strength, not weakness, to break generational cycles of unspoken trauma and suicide.Family members grapple with mixed feelings, such as frustration when efforts to help fail, and the dangers of stopping treatment impulsively without support. Dumont addresses cultural stigmas, especially for men, urging collaborative monitoring instead of solo battles. Post-tragedy, she advocates space for diverse reactions—fury, grief, or silence—using tools like family mapping to reveal what kids already sense.Key Takeaway: You are not alone in depression or supporting a loved one through it—reach out for help, talk openly, and model vulnerability to foster healing and connection across generations. About Rae Dumont I am a mother, a widow, a friend. As a pediatrician and a family therapist, I have shared in many people's experiences, and tried to help.I hope to bring these lives to the page, and to share what they taught me.This book is for you, if you have struggled with depression. There are people who love you, and reasons to live.If you have tried to help a loved one who does battle with darkness, this book will show that you are not alonehttps://www.raedumontwriting.org/Please read  my blog on SUBSTACKhttps://raedumont.substack. comSend us Fan MailSupport the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 696 - Heather Ogden - The Lies We Fear - The Betrayal, Dark Fantasy, Power and Control, Truth as RebellionHeather Ogden is a writer, fantasy worldbuilder, and lifelong storyteller who finds strength in solitude and meaning in imagination. As an introvert, she's always been drawn to quiet spaces where deep emotions and layered characters can unfold without noise.She writes to explore identity, power, and the fragile line between loyalty and truth—often through morally gray characters and emotionally intense worlds. Her stories come from a place of reflection, curiosity, and a desire to understand the unspoken.When not writing, Heather loves immersive storytelling in all forms: whether it's sinking into a novel, strategizing through a D&D campaign, or exploring character-driven video games. She believes fantasy is a mirror—and that some truths are best discovered in the dark.The Betrayal: The Lies We Fear - Poised with regal grace and pristine wealth, Angelette Arabella is the dutiful daughter of Valerius Arabella, a dictator who rules with an iron fist. When she stumbles upon a series of long-buried secrets that threaten to dismantle their carefully crafted lives, she faces a harrowing choice: expose the truth and risk everything or remain silent and let the lies continue. As tensions rise and loyalties shift, she must decide who to trust in a game where betrayal lurks around every corner.Will Angelette have the courage to face the darkness, or will her fear silence her forever?https://www.thelieswefear.com/Send us Fan MailSupport the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 695 - Becca Pearce - You Don't Have to Achieve to Be Loved - Identity, Health Scare and Rebuilding, and For WhatIn this heartfelt conversation, Becca Pearce shares her personal journey from striving for relentless achievement to discovering the simple truth that love does not depend on accomplishment. Joining from Baltimore, Maryland, Becca recounts how her community, the influence of her city's sporting legacy, and her close network of family and friends helped shape her sense of self. Early in her career, she took on a massive challenge: leading Maryland's implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Despite her dedication, the project's failed launch left her facing public professional loss and an identity crisis.Soon after, Becca was diagnosed with a brain tumor that upended her life even further. Recovery demanded extraordinary vulnerability and forced her to accept help from her young daughter and family. These experiences, coupled with the slow journey of healing and re-learning basic skills, made Becca realize that her worth wasn't tied to her career, her title, or her ability to “do it all.” She describes powerful moments of shifting from the desire for external validation to a new focus on the relationships and inner values that truly matter.As she wrote her book, Becca revisited old stories she'd told herself, confronting difficult truths and embracing narrative change. She found that the act of writing became a path to healing, helping her rewrite her own perceptions and guiding the book's structure to support others going through change. Becca's book leads readers through a step-by-step transformation process, with journaling prompts to help recognize unhappiness, break free from achievement-driven thinking, and re-center life around values and authentic connection.Becca also offers practical advice on how to recover from setbacks and ego bruises, such as stopping to breathe, expressing emotions in healthy ways, and assessing the trusted people who remain when achievements fall away. She emphasizes the importance of uncovering and living your personal core values, and how these can evolve as your definition of success changes. Through all her coaching work, Becca aims to help clients move from confusion and discomfort toward clarity and purposeful living.For listeners, the episode is a reminder that true love and worth are found not in perfection, titles, or achievement, but in the simple act of showing up as your authentic, vulnerable self.Key Takeaway:Becca's story challenges the belief that we must achieve to be loved. Instead, it offers hope: no matter the setbacks, losses, or life changes, you can rewrite your own narrative, reconnect with your values, and discover fulfillment through self-acceptance and meaningful relationships.Book Information:"You Don't Have to Achieve to Be Loved: Escape the Lies You've Been Sold to Design the Life You Want" is available wherever books are sold.https://morebeccapearce.com/Send us Fan MailSupport the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 694 - Anna B Reardon - Wethersfield Road - A love letter to anyone who's ever felt like they were too muchLiving The Next Chapter welcomes author Anna B. Reardon to dive into her debut novel, Wethersfield Road, and the deeply human journey behind it. Speaking from her home in Austin, Texas, Anna shares the vibrant backdrop of her city and how its mix of nature and creativity mirrors the many layers of her own story—a story of recovery, self-discovery, and learning to love being “too much in the best way.”Anna describes Wethersfield Road as “autofiction,” blending truth and imagination to explore her path to sobriety and wellness in her twenties. The novel follows Amelia, a young woman who, after a life-altering accident, begins the difficult but beautiful process of rebuilding her relationship with herself and with the world. As Anna explains, the horse, the forest, and the natural world became metaphors for healing—reminding her that the journey back to being human often starts with connecting to something simple and alive.Writing the book, she says, was both healing and frightening, the act of putting private chaos into public words. Anna shares that some passages came from journal entries written during her darkest times, offering an authentic lens on depression and recovery. She discusses how fiction gave her freedom to tell emotional truths safely—Amelia could voice the thoughts Anna once couldn't. And in one of many poetic moments, Anna recounts writing a scene about ladybugs only to feel one land on her arm mid-sentence, a synchronicity that affirmed her belief in paying attention to life's quiet signs.Throughout the conversation, Anna reflects on addiction not only to substances but to validation, control, and even distraction. She describes the concept of “coping mechanism whack-a-mole,” where one unhealthy escape replaces another, and how true healing comes when we stop chasing external fixes and begin to trust our own inner resilience. Her metaphor of “the national forest versus the amusement park” captures this beautifully—the forest being the authentic, grounded self that doesn't need flash or noise to be enough.The episode also touches on broader themes of millennial womanhood—the ache of growing up under impossible standards, the challenge of learning emotional literacy in the digital age, and the rediscovery of self-worth that so many experience in adulthood. Ultimately, Anna's story is a testament to transformation, connection, and creative courage.Key takeaway: Healing is not about becoming someone new—it's about remembering who you already are. As Anna reminds listeners, discomfort isn't a red light, it's a green one. Growth often feels unnatural before it becomes second nature.https://www.anna-writes.com/Send us Fan MailSupport the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 693 - Lally Pia - Fortune Teller's Prophecy: A Memoir of an Unlikely DoctorLally Pia is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and an award-winning author. Her debut memoir, The Fortune Teller's Prophecy: A Memoir of an Unlikely Doctor was published by She Writes Press in April, 2024. It received first place in the Chanticleer International Book Awards (2023), third place at the Independent Book Publisher Awards (2024) and second place at Book Fest (2024).Lally was a finalist in the nationwide talent search for America's Next Great Author (2022). Her article about recovery from a stroke featured in The Davis Enterprise and on Doximity's Op-Med. A video, A Day in the Life of a Psychiatrist, landed over 71,000 views. She amassed over half a million views on TikTok @theunlikelydoctor.Lally worked as assistant professor at California North State University School of Medicine and is currently a voluntary faculty member there. She is on the Board of Directors for the Sacramento California Writers Club.Lally has lived in Sri Lanka, Wales, England and Pennsylvania and she currently lives in Davis, California with her husband, Tim. She is currently completing a novel, Andorea, (psychological suspense). She is pitching a TV pilot based on her memoir.Book: The Fortune Teller's Prophecy - A single mother must navigate the difficult path of family, promises and elusive dreams. When Lally was three months old, a fortune teller told her father that she would one day become a doctor. Could he be right?https://www.lallypia.com/Send us Fan MailSupport the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

Send us Fan MailEPISODE 692 - Sandra Freels - Anneke Jans in the New World - an ordinary woman who lived an extraordinary lifeOriginally from Indiana, Sandra Freels majored in Russian at Indiana University and then completed a PhD in Slavic Languages and Literatures at Stanford University. The author of three textbooks, for many years she headed the Russian Program at Portland State University. An interest in genealogy led Sandra to the Council Records of New Netherland and the delicious stories of the people who once lived there. She claims descent from Anneke Jans and sixteen other major and minor characters in her debut novel, Anneke Jans in the New World. Sandra at present lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband Joel and their two cats.COMING JANUARY 6, 2025Timed perfectly to publish just as New York celebrates its 400th birthday, a riveting story of a spirited young mother who faces the unknowns of seventeenth-century New Amsterdam after fleeing the Old World in search of a better life.It's 1630, and Anneke Jans has just arrived in the fledgling colony of New Netherland with her husband, Roelof, and their two young daughters to create a new life for herself and her family. One of very few women in the colony, Anneke quickly realizes that she will need to make her own rules if she is to survive.When Roelof dies, Anneke marries Everardus Bogardus, the flamboyant minister of the Dutch Reformed Church. With this marriage, Anneke joins the elites of the colony—but when the colony's new director provokes war with the region's American Indians and her new husband emerges as the head of the anti-war opposition, she also finds herself in the midst of political turmoil. As difficulties mount, she must rely more than ever on her quick wits to protect herself and her growing family.Based on real events, Anneke Jans in the New World tells the story of an ordinary woman who lived an extraordinary life.https://sandrafreels.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

Episode 691 - Laura L Engel - You'll Forget This Ever Happened - Secrets, Shame, and Adoption in the 1960sThis intimate conversation with memoirist Laura Engel explores late blooming creativity, the cost of secrecy, and the profound impact of reunion and loss across generations. Speaking from the foothills outside San Diego, Laura reflects on beginning her first book at sixty eight, transforming decades of journals and memories into a deeply personal memoir about closed adoption in the nineteen sixties. She describes teaching herself to write a book draft by draft, learning to trust editors, and slowly finding the courage to tell a story she had been told to bury.Laura shares how writing moved her from isolation to community. After a career in real estate and title insurance, she discovered that writers form a different kind of tribe, one built on shared obsession, vulnerability, and encouragement. She urges aspiring authors of any age to never give up, to seek out classes and critique groups, and to write even if publication is not the goal. For Laura, the act of putting words on the page became both a craft and a lifeline.At the heart of the episode is the story behind her memoir, You'll Forget This Ever Happened. As a seventeen year old in nineteen sixty seven, Laura was sent to an unwed mothers home in New Orleans, pressured into a closed adoption, and shamed into silence for decades. She recalls the lasting trauma of leaving her newborn son behind, the small act of defiance in pocketing his birth card, and the way that secret shaped her sense of self, her health, and her relationships. For fifty years, she carried that grief alone, hiding it from her children and most of the people closest to her.Everything changed when her firstborn son found her through DNA testing, just as she had retired and begun taking creative writing classes. The reunion, which she describes as both miraculous and exhausting, brought overwhelming joy, new grandchildren, and a longed for chance to be authentic about her past. It also revealed how complex reunion can be when histories, families, and expectations collide. Their four and a half years together were filled with visits, laughter, and deep conversation, even as he faced divorce, job loss, and growing depression.Laura then recounts the shattering aftermath of her son's death by suicide and the agonizing decision about whether to publish a book that originally ended on a hopeful first Christmas together. With the support of another author, she chose to add an epilogue and release the memoir, confronting not only the stigma of unwed motherhood but also the stigma of suicide. The episode closes with a look at Laura's next project: a fiction based on her father's stories and her parents' love story in Biloxi, Mississippi, starting in nineteen twenty eight. Writing this second book has brought a different kind of joy, allowing her to portray her parents in a fuller light and to honor the promise her father once made when he gave her a little desk and asked her to write him a book someday.https://lauralengel.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 690 - Cindy Eastman - True Confessions of An Ambivalent Caregiver, Grief, Loss and The Next ChapterAbout the authorCindy Eastman is a writer and an educator. Her career has taken a wide and diverse route from introducing computer skills to elementary schoolchildren, teaching freshman English as an adjunct at a community college to facilitating a writing course for seniors for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. In her weekly essay on Substack called Silver Linings, she discusses getting older with a sense of humor--a must! Eastman makes her home in Connecticut with her husband, Angelo. Her second collection of essays, "True Confessions of an Ambivalent Caregiver" will be published by She Writes Press in Sept. 2024 and she is submitting an anthology on grief to publishers. She can be found writing or teaching unless she gets to spend time with her grandkids. Then all bets are off. Book: True Confessions of an Ambivalent Caregiver: A Memoir in EssaysWritten for caregivers of parents and spouses, this funny but brutally honest collection of essays from award-winning author Eastman challenges the romanticized notion of caregiving, portraying it as an elegant conflict that reshapes family dynamics.At first grateful to be able remodel the dining room of her family's modest home in Connecticut to accommodate her eighty-six-year-old father for what everyone felt would be a short duration of care, Cindy Eastman ultimately experienced a whole gamut of feelings over the course of what turned out to be four years of caring for her dying dad. Caregiving impacts everyone, and this account—told in essays recorded before, during, and after the time Eastman's father was with her—details that impact, not just on the primary caregiver but also the rest of the family.One of the reasons Eastman committed to writing down her experiences was because she predicted that once her dad died, there would be a tendency to soften or even deny any of the negative and challenging times—and there were many. As of 2020, more than 53 million adults provide homecare in this country, and the reality of that arrangement is different for every family. It is not, as some might suggest, a "noble gesture" but rather an elegant conflict—an intricate reassembling of the family dynamic that many people don't ever see coming. In these candid, often poignant essays, Cindy Eastman brings all the emotions of taking on the challenging responsibility of caregiving a parent at the end of their life to the surface.With lots of humorous insight, Cindy Eastman validates the struggles and sacrifices and describes what you want to say - even if you never utter a word. Eastman isn't afraid to reveal genuine thoughts and feelings about caregiving, even if these aren't always flattering. True Confessions of an Ambivalent Caregiver shows that, sometimes, just getting through the day is an accomplishment, and it's enough. ~ Courtnee Turner Hoylefor Readers' Favorite https://cindyeastman.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 689 - Matthew Neal Boedy - The Seven Mountains Mandate - Exposing the Dangerous Plan to Christianize America and Destroy DemocracyA movement driven by prosperity preachers, extremist politicians, and right-wing power brokers laid the groundwork for Trump's presidency and is now advancing its agenda under his second administration. This multipronged effort against our national institutions is being led by millennial “kingmaker” Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA and the new face of Christian Nationalism."A sobering assessment of the evolution of Christian nationalism." - Publishers WeeklyMatthew Boedy has written for many publications and authored three books. He's appeared on CNN and MSNBC and in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other media outlets.He has been a leader in faculty organizing since 2020 as president of the Georgia conference of the American Association of University Professors, a national higher education advocacy group. He completed his Ph.D. in English in 2015 at the University of South Carolina where he also received in 2010 a master's in creative writing. He most prizes his bachelor's degree in journalism in 2001 from the University of Florida and his work at the campus newspaper, the Independent Florida Alligator. He is a full professor of rhetoric at the University of North Georgia. He researches and writes about religious rhetoric, particularly in the last few years about the rise of Christian Nationalism. He was once a crime reporter and high school teacher. He resides with his wife and two daughters in Gainesville, Georgia. https://www.matthewboedy.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 688 - Ruth A Milligan - The Juniper Ridge Trilogy - A Dystopian Science Fiction Thriller SeriesRuth A. Milligan writes Science Fiction and Horror stories. She found her love of writing in grade school where she pounded out her stories on an old typewriter heavier than her and spent almost every day reading at the public library. When she's not writing, Ruth enjoys dance, hockey, airplanes, really strong coffee, and meeting new people. She published her first book in December 2023.https://www.ruthamilligan.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 687 - Carter Vance - A story of living, loving and growing up on Canada's Parliament HillIn this engaging episode, author Carter Vance shares his writing journey with host Dave, connecting as fellow Canadians. Originally from the small town of Cobourg, Ontario—famous for its literal Big Apple roadside sculpture and summer beach—Carter credits a high school teacher's encouragement for launching his creative path. She connected him with local cafe owners for poetry readings, sparking his early involvement in plays, school magazines, and submissions to prestigious outlets like Arc Poetry Magazine, which offered a mentorship that honed his skills in audience focus, form, and resilience against rejections.Reflecting on advice he'd give his younger self, Carter emphasizes demystifying publishing, treating writing like a disciplined job—as Stephen King advocates with daily hours—and clarifying one's unique "why" amid abundant content. Creative writing, for him, captures intangible life moments and fosters empathy by letting readers inhabit others' minds, unlike film or music. His diverse career, including policy work in Canada, the UK, Indonesia, and Parliament (as a House leader staffer from 2015-2019 and Senate role), humanized politicians as flawed individuals, revealing unexpected alliances, young staffers' influence, and information's power in decision-making.Carter's debut novel, Smaller Animals (released November), draws from these experiences, following young Canadian political staffers' relationships and growth amid power dynamics—"smaller animals" behind the spotlight. Comparable to Arthur Phillips' Prague, Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises, or Sally Rooney's works, it appeals to politics enthusiasts and character-driven readers alike, requiring no deep parliamentary knowledge. He discusses staff autonomy, grunt work evolving to info control, and hopes readers connect personally while gaining insights into unseen influencers.Amid recent Canadian tragedies, Carter finds hope in political maturity, rising public engagement, and openness to change. Upcoming: a short story in Plentitude magazine, more writing, and ideas like a Berlin Wall saga. Key Takeaway: Writing thrives on encouragement, discipline, and authentic voice—craft stories that build empathy and unique perspectives, turning personal experiences into shared connections.https://cartervance.ca/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 686 - Richard Walter - DEADPAN is a funny novel about an unfunny subject - Hate speech and bigotryRichard Walter is an author of best-selling fiction and nonfiction, celebrated storytelling educator, screenwriter, script consultant, lecturer and retired professor who led the screenwriting program in the film school at UCLA for several decades. He has written scripts for the major studios and television networks; lectured on screenwriting and storytelling and conducted master classes throughout North America as well as London, Paris, Jerusalem, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro, Mexico City, Beijing, Shanghai, Sydney and Hong Kong.DEADPAN is a funny novel about an unfunny subject—hate speech and bigotry—that takes readers on an extraordinary ride of unlimited imagination, providing gobs of entertainment and delivering a comedic body blow to prejudice. https://www.richardwalterbooks.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 685 - Scott Hatfield - The Shadow of Cáelunárra, Semi-Clean and  NO SPICE - Epic Dark Immersive FantasyAbout the authorScott A. Hatfield Jr. is a lifelong storyteller, political scientist, and avid hiker who blends myth, emotion, and world-shaping prophecy into his writing. Based in the Intermountain West, Scott draws inspiration from the raw landscapes of Utah, his academic studies, and the human struggles that echo through history. He earned his Master of Public Administration from Utah Valley University and has studied abroad at the University of Oxford.After years of imagining the world of Cáelunárra, it was an injury sustained while scouting trails for his nonprofit—the Utah Trail Association—that finally pushed him to write it. That first story quickly became a multi-book saga. His debut novel, The Shadow of Cáelunárra, launches a sweeping epic of destiny, darkness, and the high cost of hope.When he's not writing, Scott can be found deep in the mountains with his wife, young daughter, and a very opinionated chihuahua.https://www.facebook.com/p/Scott-Hatfield-the-Author-61578132508209/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 684 - Cyndi Brec - THE THERANS SERIES, hidden truths, the weight of untold legends, and the power of preserving the past while daring to shape the futureMy name is Cyndi Brec. I love writing my heroine into dangerous webs of deception while I sip French vanilla iced coffee. I'm an avid reader turned YA fantasy romance writer with a strong background in Recreational Therapy who has penned The Therans Series. I have never thought of myself as an author, more of a storyteller. During my downtime, I started writing while caring for my husband, kids, and extended family. I'm a creative wordsmith who weaves tales that transcend the boundaries of reality—pure storytelling magic enriched by the unique lens of a dyslexic novelist. Ahead of publication, I've snagged several endorsements from notable authors and influencers: Jonas Saul, the bestselling author of the Sarah Roberts Series; Alan Warren, NBC Radio Host/Producer/Author; and Suzy Vadori, Author and critic of the Fountain Series and three-time Aurora Awards Finalist. I have also secured a 5-star rating from Readers' Favorite for The Therans: Secrets Beneath Scars and the second novel in the series, The Therans: Legends Never Die.I'm just a regular gal—storyteller, speaker, and co-host of the P English Literature podcast. I joke around, saying, "I'm a sidekick podcaster interviewing authors and serving book banter." I also speak on ‘Time Management Strategies for Authors Success: Managing Your Minutes,' aiming to inspire fellow authors to live their dreams. I champion pursuing dreams and embracing challenges, refusing to let disabilities hold me back. My faith has grown through resilience and determination.After marrying, I traveled to Europe and many of the States. However, Ohio is my home, where my husband and I have raised two great kids and several energetic dogs. My love of history was enriched by co-owning a 200-year-old historic watermill with Rich for over 20 years, which has fostered an appreciation of historical knowledge and cultivation of The Therans Series. The Watermill is the backdrop to the Theran story world and the creation of fictional creatures.Currently, I am working on an anthology and co-authoring a historical nonfiction book. This book will detail a historic Water Mill, its historical accounts, and the restoration process.Stay epic, write wild, read like it's your superpower, and never stop causing chaos with your words!Air hugs!https://www.inkerspen.com/cyndi-brechttps://cyndibrecauthor.wordpress.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 683 - Anson Joaquin - Author of Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction and Epic Fantasy - The Infernal Age seriesAnson Joaquin joins the show from Roanoke, Virginia, a mountain town he describes with both affection and humor. While the location may have been jokingly dismissed by others, it provides the peaceful setting where Anson balances family life, a full time job, and his work as a novelist.Anson shares how his love of storytelling began early. As a child he was introduced to fantasy and science fiction through books like The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia. That early exposure sparked a lifelong interest in imaginative worlds and planted the idea that one day he would write a book of his own.The turning point came after a vivid dream about a man on fire wielding an axe while fighting demons in the real world. The imagery stayed with him so strongly that he began writing down everything he could remember the next morning. What started as notes about the dream quickly expanded into ten pages of world building and eventually became the foundation for his series.Anson quickly learned that having a great idea is only the first step. Early in the process he discovered the difference between writers who “pants” their stories and those who outline them in advance. Although he initially believed he was someone who could simply sit down and write, he realized outlining the plot and character arcs gave him the structure he needed to make steady progress.With a demanding schedule and four children at home, his writing routine happens early in the morning before the rest of the day begins. Each session is guided by a clear goal. Knowing what he wants to accomplish in each chapter allows him to make the most of limited writing time and continue building the story step by step.The series blends science fiction, fantasy, and horror within a post apocalyptic setting. The story begins with a failed secret experiment that tears open a breach between worlds, unleashing terrifying creatures often described as demons. The narrative follows three central human characters and occasionally shifts perspective to one of the demons, a storytelling choice inspired by feedback from early beta readers who wanted to see more of that character.Key takeaway: A compelling story may begin with a spark of inspiration, but turning that idea into a finished book requires structure, persistence, openness to feedback, and a commitment to learning every part of the creative and publishing process.The Infernal Age series is a post-apocalyptic genre blend of science-fiction, fantasy, and horror that explores the themes of humanity, metamorphosis, alienation, masculinity (both toxic and ideal), willpower, duty, friendship, love, predation, magic, science, philosophy, and pithy quips. The series gradually becomes more fantasy as it progresses, as the world adjusts to its new reality. While the series is anchored in the traditions of The Mist and Dies the Fire, among others, it is also for people whose favorite part of Cabin in the Woods was the banter between the scientists in the lab, or whose favorite scene in Kill Bill Vol 2 was Bill's soliloquy about Superman's implicit contempt for the human race.https://www.ansonjoaquin.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 682 - Ben Schenkman - Author of The Devil You Know Series, Representation and Stories That Include All VoicesBen Schenkman likes many things in life: his 20-pound Maine coon cat, his family, his coffee, and his eclectic hobbies—not necessarily in that order.Ben also likes to play devil's advocate in his urban fantasy books by exploring the gray areas of good and evil with questions like, “Does the end really justify the means? Or is it all simply black and white?” Ben leaves these questions lingering in the ether to challenge readers' conventional thinking and delve into the complexities of moral dilemmas.As a native of Connecticut, Ben draws inspiration from his upbringing and college years in New Haven, where his novels take place. When he wants to escape being a writer, he's a massive foodie who goes on gastronomic adventures, an overachiever who collects degrees in Theater, Nuclear Engineering, and an MBA, or the manager/performer of the fire dance troupe, HVBRIS—all in a day's work, really.Want to know more about his work, or talk about coffee and cats? He loves hearing from readers!https://benschenkman.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 681 - Lisa Cheek - Twenty-five year career editing feature films and TV, The Big DayLisa Cheek's writing career began after a twenty-five year career editing feature films and TV commercials. Her first memoir, “Sit, Cinderella, Sit”, was a People Magazine pick, an Amazon Bestseller, made Zibby's Most Anticipated Books for 2025 and was a Next Generation Indy Award finalist in Women's Literature. She's written for both radio and television and is published in LA Poets and Writers Collective. Her next book, “The Big Day” comes out September 22, 2026. You can find her musings “One Minute Thoughts From A Pink Head” on Substack. She lives in LA with 2 dogs, 2 cats, and her husband, Big Johnson, where she has several scripts in various stages of development while working on her next memoir.https://www.lisacheek.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 680 - John Newton - Historical science fiction, a stone that heals anything, look-alikes, and time travelers losing their toolsAbout John NewtonBorn in Simi Valley, California, John Newton attended twelve different schools until he finally got it right and was graduated from a high school on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. The Cypriots soon realized it was in their national interest to ship John back to the United States. He meandered through college until the administration bribed him to leave with two apparently contradictory degrees: Theology and Electrical Engineering. He is currently working as an electrical engineer, robotics programmer, landlord, part time farmer, and father of seven. Sometimes he even writes a thing or two.John Newton is the author of historical science fiction based on questions like:What would you do with a stone that heals anything?If you could look like anyone, who would it be?What happens when time travelers lose their tools?https://newtonscifi.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 679 - Eric Nierstedt - Author of the urban fantasy series, the pantheon sagaAbout the authorEric Nierstedt grew up in central New Jersey, raised on a healthy diet of TV, comic books, and way, way too many books. As a child, he constantly daydreamed about his favorite stories, and re-adapting them to accommodate the early characters he was creating (and really, who didn't think that Lord of the Rings could use more characters?). In high school, Eric started the early drafts of what would become The Lightrider Journals, an epic fantasy trilogy. The first draft clocked in a record nine pages (thankfully, high school is four years).After being accepted to Kean University, Eric continued working on Lightrider, eventually expanding the book to well over 300 pages, and crafting a much richer tale of Elemental Knights, otherworldly demons, and the superhero struggle of power and responsibility. Recently, Eric published SILENT PANTHEON, which delves into his love of mythology.In his spare time, Eric has written for various publications, usually on events concerning music, pop culture, and as well as work for COMICSVERSE.com. His work has also been noted by the NJ Wordsmith Competition. He cites the works of Stephen King Neil Gaiman, and Terry Brooks as major influences,. Eric plans to continue mining those influences, and more, as he crafts his next book.https://www.facebook.com/enierstauthorfantasynovels/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 678 - Robert Howell - Canadian Author of the Gothic Horror, Blood Castle, the sequel to Blood MansionRobert Howell has a range of skills and experiences, having studied Business Administration in college while taking courses in literature, poetry, cartography, and supernatural studies.​After completing college, he joined the military to satisfy his urge to travel across Canada and various parts of Europe. Following his military service, he spent 40 years in real estate, starting as an agent and later working in acquisitions for an investment company, focusing on locations such as Florida and Texas.Despite having a successful career in real estate, his true passion was writing. To develop a profound set of writing skills, he took a writing course through the Long Ridge Writers Group, affiliated with the University of Connecticut.​After completing his writing course, he did different types of writing, newsletters, articles, web content, and short stories, and found love in writing fictional novels. He has written the successful Charm series, a great urban fantasy teen trilogy. With Blood Mansion, he has turned his imagination to adult gothic horror.​Born in Montreal, Quebec, he has raised four children as a single dad and has two grandchildren.https://www.instagram.com/storywriter.ca/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 677 - Peter Cotton - Tales from Frank the Snake for Children from a Doctor, Grandfather and StorytellerPeter Cotton is a retired physician living on Dewees Island in South Carolina, writing fun books for young children about Fred the lovable snake and his friends.Peter grew up in England where the first tale was conceived long ago as a bedtime story for his then young children about how (not) to cross the road. When they had their kids, they asked what happened to “Fred-Fred”. Peter teamed up with a special illustrator (Canadian Bonnie Lemaire) and published the first book “When Fred the Snake got Squished and Mended”.Together they now have a series of nine popular award-winning books, having fun in rhyme with Jungle Jim, Perdy and Jack and several animal friends. They go to school, welcome Jungle Jim, try camping, visit the beach, tour Charleston and recently have been exploring the sights of USA. Peter's books have received numerous 5-star reviews (“move over Lewis Carroll”) and 5 Mom's Choice gold awards. Peter enjoys presenting Fred at schools.When not busy with Fred's adventures, Peter travels widely to lecture, to enjoy his family, and to play golf. He reflected on life, and on his career as a Professor of Medicine/ Gastroenterology, in his memoirs “The Tunnel at the End of the Light”.Peter says that he was not named after a rabbit. The English author Beatrix Potter wrote about Peter Rabbit, Flopsy, Mopsy, Benjamin bunny and Cottontail. Peter Cottontail is a shortened American invention.https://petercottontales.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 676 - Jennifer Celeste Briggs - Watching Sarah Rise - A Journey of Thriving With AutismJennifer Celeste Briggs has a BA in English Literature from Swarthmore college. She lives in Pittsburgh, PA with her husband and two daughters. Her daughter Sarah has a genetic anomaly and autism. When Sarah was four, Jenny decided to run a Son-Rise Program for her, calling it Sarah-Rise, and training at the Autism Treatment Center of America. The Son-Rise Program is a loving child-centered approach to helping those with autism and other challenges connect socially, verbally, and through increased eye contact. Organizing hundreds of hours of therapeutic play time for Sarah, Jenny trained and coordinated multiple volunteers who contributed their love and creativity to the venture. Jenny started a blog to share the experience of Sarah-Rise and has heard multiple times that her words were helpful to others dealing with life struggles. Jenny wants to help parents feel understood and to spread the word about The Son-Rise Program. She hopes that her words bring comfort, joy, and inspiration to readers whatever their challenges and journeys may be.Sarah is a feisty and determined four-year-old with autism and a unique genetic blueprint. Her mom Jenny is equally feisty and determined, which leads to clashes and strife but also leads to phenomenal connection and progress as Jenny runs a Son-Rise Program for her, calling it Sarah-Rise.The Son-Rise Program is an approach to working with people with autism to foster social connection. It provides intensely loving, focused one-on-one therapeutic play time, meeting Sarah where she is and never stopping her repetitive behaviors. Sarah's language explodes, her eye contact intensifies, she plays games, plays imaginatively, uses the potty, eats healthily, reads, and writes.Playing with Sarah is deeply rewarding for the volunteers who spend time in the Sarah-Rise room. While Jenny sometimes doubts herself and criticizes her parenting, she also explores new pathways to gentleness, joy, and laughter. She celebrates Sarah's successes, marveling at the depth of love and creativity that her volunteers bring to the scene and stretching her own creative self. Accompany Jenny from Sarah's birth through the decision to run Sarah-Rise, and follow the years of Sarah-Rise, pretending that markers are flowers and number flashcards are snowflakes. Have your heart warmed and your socks knocked off by this momentous journey.“Watching Sarah Rise is equally informative as it is inspirational, gracious as it is gutsy.  A beautifully written story filled with hope, integrity, and pure emotion, Briggs intimately invites her reader to experience the unique heartbreak and joy that comes with mothering a neurodivergent child.”-Sherry Sidoti, author of A Smoke and a Song: A Memoirhttps://www.watchingsarahrise.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

Episode 675 - David Niemitz - Writer and Teacher - Guild Mage,  a serial fantasy novelWriter and teacher David Niemitz joins the show from Connecticut to talk about his dual life in the classroom and on the page, and how both worlds feed each other. He shares how teaching “film as literature” to high school seniors, using stories like Star Wars, The Matrix, Moana and The Princess Bride to explore the Hero's Journey, keeps him immersed in narrative structure, character arcs, and mythic storytelling. That daily engagement with story craft feeds directly into his own writing.David explains the practical realities of publishing, contrasting the limited data and delayed royalty statements that come with working through traditional and small publishers with the detailed dashboards and page-read metrics available to indie authors on Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing and Kindle Unlimited. He talks frankly about the trade-offs: more support and distribution versus more control and information, and how audio rights and sales data can be even more opaque when handled by audio publishers.The conversation then dives into his path to becoming an author. A lifelong reader raised in a house full of science fiction and fantasy, David rediscovered his passion for writing when he pursued a creative writing master's degree while teaching full time and parenting a toddler. That intense season led to his first self-published science fiction novel, set on Europa and grounded in real-world technology and hard science principles. From there, he evolved his craft, ultimately launching Guild Mage, a serial fantasy novel that became his flagship series.Guild Mage began as serial fiction following Liv, the daughter of a castle cook, who slowly discovers her otherworldly heritage and magical powers over many years. David wanted to explore what it means to age more slowly than those you love, watching human friends grow up, marry, and die while you remain “behind.” He layers in his own experience raising an autistic son, using Liv's slower social-emotional development and sense of being left out as an emotional core, then gradually raising the stakes as she moves from bullied child to powerful adult in a complex fantasy world.Community is at the heart of his process. Early chapters of Guild Mage release first on Patreon, where a devoted Discord community offers feedback, catches continuity errors, and even helps shape cover art concepts that his publisher then passes to illustrator Ben Moran. David describes this as “open development” for fiction, heavily influenced by decades of tabletop roleplaying games where he learned to watch what players love, adjust pacing, and keep tension high so no one gets bored.He also unpacks his hybrid “pantser with prep” approach to plotting using worldbuilding notes, bullet lists, and physical note cards for complex multi-POV battles, while still leaving room for discovery and reader-driven emphasis. https://www.facebook.com/p/David-Niemitz-Author-61558007085046/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 674 - Hope Cole - Fantasy Author and Health Writer - Daughter of the Void About the authorH.R. Cole is a Pennsylvania native who completed her first (handwritten) fantasy novel at the age of twelve. She's remained an avid writer and has one published middle grade novel and a successful health journalism career. Cole lives with her husband, dogs, and cats in mountainous Upstate New York.Book: Daughter of the Void: Chains of Fate Trilogy: Book OneHer power holds the promise of unraveling the fabric of the world, but using it will chain her fate to the gods.In a world where tendrils of magic envelop all things, Raelyn discovers she's one of the last of her kind: a warden. As a conduit of the gods capable of creating holes in the fabric of magic, she is a daughter of the void. Forced to flee as her city burns and her best friend is kidnapped, she finds herself in an unexpected partnership with Laris, a mage whose abrasive personality hides a desire to keep her safe. The pair are chased deep into the Vast, a treacherous mountain range filled with hostile feyfolk, where Raelyn grows ever closer to her companion and learns the consequences of being directly connected to the gods.Guided by the spirit of the last Holy King and unknowingly hunted by Saraht, an enemy warden with a personal vendetta of her own, Raelyn and Laris embark on a journey to seek answers. Along the way they must confront the growing threat of war and the knowledge of Raelyn's true purpose: a devastating power she will need to embrace to defeat Saraht, but one that will alter her fate forever.https://www.hrcole.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 673 - Mary Alice Stephens - UNCORKED - Getting sober is one thing, staying sober anotherMary Alice Stephens is a creative nonfiction storyteller. As a television writer-producer for HGTV, Food Network, and other media outlets, she shared others' stories on everything from outdoor adventures to home improvement. Now, in her debut book, Uncorked -- an Amazon #1 New Release in both Alcoholism Recovery and Midlife Self-Help -- Mary shares her own powerful story of alcoholism, recovery, and starting life anew at 45. She earned her Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from Dominican University of California and resides in Northern California. When not writing, she can often be found cyber-stalking her teens, planning her family's next adventure, or searching for her elusive phone.Book: Uncorked: A Memoir of Letting Go and Starting OverGetting sober is one thing, staying sober another…With a glorious bang, alcohol freed Mary Stephens from her lonely, self-critical teenage shell and fueled Fun Mary. For three decades, booze had been her best friend, the reliable spark igniting good times and (she thought) good friendships. But Fun Mary had a dark side: debilitating hangovers, blackouts, and perilous behavior. Not even a three-story fall that left her in a body cast could stop her from drinking. But finally, after putting her young son in danger and her marriage in jeopardy, Fun Mary had to go.Now sober at age 45, everything Mary once cherished becomes a trigger—date nights with her husband, friendships centered around wine, and a father who expresses his love through alcohol. This new Sober Mary is lonely and vulnerable—feelings she drank to escape. Now what?Told with heart and humor, Uncorked: A Memoir of Letting Go and Starting Over is the inspiring and relatable story of a woman's pursuit of a better life through sobriety.About the AuthorMary Alice Stephens is a creative nonfiction storyteller. As a television writer-producer for HGTV, Food Network, and other media outlets, she has shared others' stories on everything from outdoor adventures to home improvement. In her debut book, Uncorked, Mary shares her own powerful story of alcoholism, recovery, and starting life anew at 45. She earned her Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from Dominican University of California and resides in Northern California.Praise for Uncorked: A Memoir of Letting Go and Starting Over“Stephens' insights into her alcoholism as she worked on the 12 steps are illuminating and feature wisdom that may be helpful to others in a similar situation. A valuable, enlightening window into one woman's decision to quit drinking.” —Kirkus Reviews“Her journey from the death of ‘Fun Mary' to the birth of ‘Sober Mary' is at turns deeply moving and amusing, and many readers will see themselves in her story. I was rooting for her the entire way.” —Kirsten Mickelwait, author of the novel, The Ashtrays Are Full and the Glasses Are Empty, and the memoir, The Ghost Marriagehttps://www.maryalicestephens.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 672 - Karin K Jensen - The Strength of Water - An Asian American Coming of Age MemoirThe Sibylline Press edition of The Strength of Water, An Asian American Coming of Age Memoir, is scheduled for release on November 7, 2025! It is available for review on NetGalley and Booksprout. Pre-order on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and wherever books are sold.In 1920s Detroit, King Ying stands on a box to iron clothes in her parents' laundry business, endures taunts of Ching-Ching Chinaman on the playground, and tries to reconcile what passes for normal in Jazz-Age America with her father's vastly different cultural values.She dreams of a home, the elegance of her Jane Arden paper dolls, and winning her stern father's affection. But when Ba incurs steep debts during the Great Depression, he sends her far from hope to his ancestral village.In remote Tai Ting Pong, in the Guangdong Province of China, she feels as foreign in the land of her heritage as in the country of her birth. She must survive hunger, dangerous superstitions, and Japanese invasion as the Sino-Japanese War begins.When guardian angels help her return to the U.S., it's a chance to seize her American dream.In this inspiring and heartfelt memoir, Karin K. Jensen records her mother's transpacific quest for identity, survival, and new world dreams. The Strength of Water received a coveted starred Kirkus review and was included on Kirkus's annual list of Top 100 Indie Books.Book club discussion questions are included at the end of the book. Invite the author to your book club discussion!From the AuthorThe Strength of Water is my mother's memoir, as told to me, starting in the 1920s and spanning nearly a century. It offers exquisite period details of immigrant life in the U.S. and village life in China.One woman's epic odyssey, one family's story of striving in a foreign country, one generation's unique memory. An amazing memoir where the “strength of water,” the power of resilience and adapting to any circumstance, is the common thread that flows through the whole family, connecting everyone's lives. Touching, inspiring, and brilliantly written.Shen Yang, Author of More Than One ChildThroughout my childhood, my mother told stories of growing up in her father's Detroit laundry business during the infancy of the automobile industry and later in a Cantonese village on the eve of the Sino-Japanese war. She also spoke of what it was like to survive as a live-in domestic worker and teen waitress in mid-century California.The Strength of Water is a daughter's careful excavation of her mother's story; it is a mother's disclosure of history, of trauma, of realities that mark not only her life but the legacy of her daughters'. This is a book written with tremendous love and authenticity. It is an important document of the Asian American experience.Kao Kalia Yang, Award winning author of The Song Poet and The LatehomecomerThese stories felt like mythology, far removed from my experiences growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, yet vital to preserve as history. When I decided to set them down, I could hear my mother's voice so clearly that I wrote in the first person. Thank you for taking a look.A classic, vividly written immigrant saga - Kirkus ReviewshtSupport the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 671 - David Wolfson - The underbelly of Wall Street - The story of a young idealistic college graduate starting out on Wall StreetWhat is the name of your book or books and where can it/they be found or purchased? Financial Syndicate: Some Job Opportunities Go Too Far; Found on AmazonWhat do you want readers to know about your book/s? The reader will see a likable character with whom he or she can identify, along with identifying on how a small-town kid gets caught up in corporate intrigue.What does being an author mean to you?The ability to create my own characters and story, along with sharing it with the whole world.How did your journey as an author begin?Over a long weekend, I had a job interview in Chicago. On the trip home, my flight had a six-hour delay due to inclement weather. With a crowded airport terminal full of unhappy people in a similar situation, I plugged in my laptop and started typing. Through long commutes and long weekends, along with some late nights, the Financial Syndicate was born.Who or what motivated you to write?A college lit teacher, and from the above answer, the idea existed in my mind. However, during the long wait at O'Hare, I decided to put my idea to action.What is your mission and or vision as an author?To entertain, including making my reader chuckle or shed a tear, I also want to highlight an awareness of an issue not in the front pages of a newspaper or top of a newscast.Do you only write in one genre or multiple? Please explain why or why not. As of now, I am currently writing in mystery-suspense. However, in the future, I am looking at other genres such as historical fiction. Also, given that I am a diehard romantic, I would like to test the limits as a male romance fiction writerAre there certain themes or topics that you cover as an author? What are they? Why these? In the Financial Syndicate, I am looking at the issuance of toxic securities and fees earned from them. In my second book, I am covering contract employment. Also, I would like to write a book about the current political environment, specifically a short-sighted and attention-seeking President, hating institutional norms.What do you want readers to know about you? I am accessible, easy-going, and I will sit for hours talking to any reader and answering any question. I am really looking forward to bookstore tours, with readers talking to the person behind the book.Instagram - @wolfsonauthorSupport the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 670 - Barbara Viniar - Little bird is the story of a girl who finds the courage to forge her own path to womanhood in 1910I was born and raised in the Bronx, NY, but once I left for college at 17, I never went back. With the benefit of having lived in many other places in the U.S. and abroad, I now look back fondly on my neighborhood, a place where people knew and cared about each other. But as a teenager I couldn't wait to escape. I wanted to meet new people and explore New York City, which I was able to do at the H.S. of Music and Art, one the city's selective high schools at that time. Being immersed in the arts was one of the defining experiences of my life.  Writing brings me joy. It will be the cornerstone of this chapter of my life. “With meticulous historical research and heartfelt storytelling, Viniar introduces an unforgettable heroine - not because Fannie is extraordinary, but because she feels so real. She's the kind of character who becomes a friend, someone you'll root for as she navigates the trials of youth, immigration and identity as a Jewish woman. ”— Robyn Rosen, Ph.D. Professor of history, Marist CollegeBook - Little Bird - “Like the heroine of her timeless novel, Barbara Viniar has meticulously embroidered this story of a talented young woman torn between the tradition she respects and the dreams she can't deny.”— Elyce Wakerman, author of A Tale of Two citizens and Father LossAfter an old photograph and newspaper article revealed that my grandmother, Fannie, was married to a cousin at 17 and later divorced, I felt compelled to tell her story. But with only a few dates and names to go on, I had to create the story from my imagination.It took three years of writing and rewriting, not to mention researching the life of a Jewish immigrant in New York City from 1910 – 1917 to finish Little Bird.I only hope that my Fannie captures what might have been true about my grandmother. I often feel that telling her story has been a way of discovering my own.       They say writers are either compulsive plotters or “pantsers,” happy to let their stories evolve without a plan. I am somewhere in between. I had a detailed outline when I started, but then characters surprised me. Their voices changed the story. I am often asked if I have written fiction before. Have I always dreamed of writing a novel? Absolutely not! This passion, this commitment of time and emotional energy to writing a novel has all been new to me. I would sit down at my desk and lose track of time. It still fills me with terror and joy.https://barbaraviniar.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 669 - Leonard D. Hilley II - epic fantasy series, sci-fi suspense, urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and young adult novelsLeonard D. Hilley II grew up in Fort Payne, AL, where his never-ending curiosity introduced him to the world of biology and books. During his youth he was an avid insect collector and reared butterflies and moths. His love for science eventually merged with his writing. He currently resides in Marietta, Ohio, where he writes science fiction thrillers, epic high fantasy, and YA mysteries.Education: B.S. Biology; MFA in Creative WritingLeonard D. Hilley II is the author of Predators of Darkness Series, The Chronicles of Aetheaon, The Forrest Wollinsky Vampire Hunter Series, and The Nocturnal Trinity Series.Leonard D. Hilley II also writes short stories for YA. Two books were inspired by his early love of biology: Rearing Dragons in My Backyard and Fiddling Worms. He also writes a mystery series for YA: Dee's Mystery Solvers.https://leonarddhilleyii.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 668 - Jan Kotouč - Czech Republic Author, science fiction, alternate history and space operasMy name is Jan Kotouč, I write science fiction, alternate history and good old action adventure. I'm based in Czech Republic and my books have come out in English and Czech. Apart from writing, I also teach at a university and I'm a frequent guests at many conventions.Here you'll find some samples of my work, my complete biography, bibliography, information about English translations and also a free book for you!https://jan-kotouc.cz/en/english/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 667 - Leslie R Schover - Fission - A Novel of Atomic Heartbreak, Oak Ridge and the Manhattan ProjectAfter retiring from her academic and clinical career as a psychologist, Leslie Schover has returned to her early love of writing fiction. She brings her knowledge of people, relationships, and sexuality to her novels. She grew up in Highland Park, in the suburbs of Chicago, and minored in creative writing at Brown University before receiving her PhD in clinical psychology at UCLA. Her mother did not want her to choose writing as a profession and told her that only someone as single-minded as Truman Capote, who had published a novel at age twenty-three, could be a successful author. Leslie spent most of her  psychology career at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. She was one of a few pioneers in advocating for reproductive health in people dealing with chronic illness, especially cancer. She published three self-help books in the Jurassic age: Prime Time: Sexual Health for Men over Fifty (Holt, Rinehart, & Winston, 1984); Sexuality and Fertility after Cancer (John Wiley & Sons, 1997); and Overcoming Male Infertility: Understanding its Causes and Treatments (John Wiley & Sons, 2000). She was also coerced by colleagues, who wielded the powers of promotion and tenure, into writing thirty-five book chapters on sex and/or fertility after cancer, with the daunting task of avoiding self-plagiarization. She created all content for a digital health company, Will2Love.com, which received an Innovations Prize in the 2019 Astellas C3 competition for cancer care. Unfortunately, Will2Love, with its mission of helping people with cancer to solve sexual and fertility problems, did not survive the pandemic. Her first novel, Fission: A Novel of Atomic Heartbreak, is based in part on her parents' stories of life during the Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. It will be published by SheWrites Press in January, 2026.https://www.leslieschoverauthor.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 666 - Darlene Oakley -  Canadian freelance writer, editor, and transcriptionist - Inner Sanctum - Remnant About the authorDarlene Oakley is a freelance writer, editor, and transcriptionist based in Canada's Niagara Region. She has written for the dental, healthcare, and parenting audiences and now specializes in scientific research and experimental development (SR&ED). She has over 200 articles published online to date. She has held various roles within the publishing industry for the past 25 years. Darlene has been writing short stories and books since she first learned how to put pen to paper. This book is a culmination of a life's pursuit and comes out of a love for words and writing, relatable characters, a little bit of sci-fi, love and suspense.Inner Sanctum was written primarily in the NCR, particularly at Brewed Awakenings in Kemptville, Ontario -- lattes, books, and great atmosphere just seem to go hand in hand.Inner Sanctum: Remnant - The last-known remnants of life from Upper World Earth is dying.The underground city of Egerton's population – saved from almost certain death on the surface 400 years ago – is shrinking.Family Control Officer Aurora Cassle and Mayor's Assistant Den Maron must find out why. Their investigation reveals Egerton's long-forgotten history and long-buried secrets which generations of mayors have hidden from the public.Den and Aurora's research leads them to one conclusion; the only way to save their city – their people – is to return to the surface.To do so presents great risk to everyone. No one can really predict what awaits them on the surface after four centuries – wars, disease, predators. Most are willing to take the risk, but some don't want life in Egerton to change at all and do what they can to ensure no one leaves.The fight to return to the surface comes at a cost no one expects.https://www.facebook.com/DarleneOakleyAuthorhttps://nextleveleditingandtranscription.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 665 - Jennifer D Torseth - Author of ADELE WOLF THE PACK, THE EMERGENCE SAM and THE EMERGENCE SERATHE EMERGENCE SAM is almost fully published! I submitted my story to KDP and am awaiting approval for release!I am looking for ARCs! If you would like to be an ARC I have an application out that will run until June 3rd!Also in Writing news!I jumped back on my next book ADELE WOLF THE PACK!!! It is the sequel to ADELE WOLF! Right now I'm in the first edit stage but I hope to have it ready to go by the end of the year.www.tiktok.com/@jennifer_d_torsethhttps://jenniferdtorseth.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 664 - Susan Sloate - The Power of Music Captured in Story - Scenes From a SongSusan Sloate is the best-selling, award-winning multi-genre author of more than 25 books. She's also a publisher, former podcast host and ghostwriter, and never met a good story she didn't love!Major WorksSusan's latest novel is Scenes From a Song, the emotional saga of a 1960's band that achieves monstrous success, and a special song from their catalogue that changes the lives of its listeners. It went live as a Kindle book on Amazon in August 2025 and in its first 24 hours became the #1 New Release in TWO of its book categories, the fastest-launching book she's ever had!Susan also co-authored (with Kevin Finn) Forward to Camelot: The Final Edition (2024), a time-travel thriller about the JFK assassination, which was re-published in 2013 as the 50th Anniversary Edition before its current 2024 edition. Recently declassified JFK assassination documents confirm that Susan and Kevin's original theory about the identity of the assassination planner--who appears as a major fictional character in the novel--was, in fact, actually true.Stealing Fire is a passionate May-December romance set against the backdrop of Broadway musical theater. The audiobook version, narrated by actress Mapuana Makia, is also available on Audible and AmazonSusan also co-wrote (with Ron Doades) Realizing You, a 2013 release that pioneered a genre: the self-help novel. Blending a fictional story with exercises designed to teach you more about yourself and your dreams and goals, the book received glowing reviews from both critics and readers and continues to inspire those on personal-growth journeys.Publishing and PodcastingFor two years, pre- and post-pandemic, with her author friend Kelly Fitzgerald Fowler, Susan co-hosted Talk Jam, a podcast potpourri exploring topics from the Bible to pop culture, history and conspiracy. With nearly 100 episodes recorded, the show was an international fan favorite and further showcased Susan's gift for lively storytelling.She is the founder/owner of Covfefe Press, her independent publishing imprint, and also serves as editor/project manager for the Kyle & Corey middle-grade mystery series by author Joe Stephens. Susan has also been featured in a 2009 MysteryQuest special on The History Channel, exploring the mysteries of Alcatraz, based on her children's nonfiction book Mysteries Unwrapped: The Secrets of Alcatraz. She is the author of 17 published young-adult books. She's also ghostwritten projects for a number of prominent historians and businesspeople.Creative Work and CoachingSusan has also written two produced stage plays, both of which she co-directed in their world-premiere runs. Two of her original screenplays have also been optioned for film development. She is currently adapting a long-forgotten novel into a musical play, writing both book and lyrics, which is a whole new adventure for her!In 2007, Susan founded a local authors festival to promote literacy in local schools, reaching over 10,000 students in a single day. In 2014 she launched The Writers Workshop, which brought together playwrights, actors, and directors to develop new works through staged readings and collaborative feedback. Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 663 - Tad Crawford - A Woman in the Wild - A revealing and memorable portrait of a woman boldly facing her demons in pursuit of a meaningful lifeTad Crawford is an author, attorney, and publisher.He grew up in the artists' colony of Woodstock, New York. Interested in writing both fiction and nonfiction, he majored in economics at Tufts College and graduated from Columbia Law School. After clerking for a judge on New York State's highest court, the Court of Appeals, Crawford worked for a small general law firm in New York City while writing and teaching writing and literature at the School of Visual Arts. Finding few resources to help artists deal with legal matters such as copyrights, the sale and licensing of art, gallery and publishing contracts, income taxes, moral rights, and estate planning, Crawford initiated a “Law and the Visual Artist” course at the School of Visual Arts and wrote Legal Guide for the Visual Artist. Legal Guide now has well over one hundred thousand copies in print and is in its sixth edition (co-authored with M.J. Bogatin).Crawford followed Legal Guide with numerous other books to help professionals in the creative disciplines. The Legal Affairs editor and a regular columnist for Communication Arts magazine, he also wrote for journals such as American Artist, Art in America, Confrontation, Family Circle, Glamour, Guernica, Harper's Bazaar, The Nation, and Writer's Digest.He served as general counsel for the Graphic Artists Guild, lobbied as legislative counsel for the Copyright Justice Coalition (which had many artists' groups as members),  and volunteered as Chairman of the Board for the Foundation for the Community of Artists. In addition to testifying before the Senate subcommittee on behalf of artists' rights, he drafted a package of state laws which he presented to the National Conference of State Legislatures. This presentation led to the enactment of laws favorable to artists in a number of states, including New York and California. The National Endowment for the Arts selected Crawford as a grant recipient to write on the topic of artists' rights. He also received the Graphic Artists Guild's Walter Hortens Distinguished Service Award. In 1989 Crawford founded Allworth Press to offer the practical information needed by creative professionals such as artists, photographers, designers, and authors. He knew firsthand the issues such creative people face each day and envisioned a spectrum of books to help them survive and grow professionally. Beyond these efforts for creative professionals, he also wrote The Secret Life of Money: Enduring Tales of Debt, Wealth, Happiness, Greed, and Charity; A Floating Life: A Novel; and On Wine-Dark Seas: A Novel of Odysseus and his Fatherless Son Telemachus.Allworth Press, which today has hundreds of titles in print, became an imprint of Skyhorse Publishing in 2011. Crawford is a partner in Skyhorse Publishing and remains the publisher for Allworth Press.https://tadcrawford.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 662 - JMD Reid - Ghost Writer and Fantasy Indie Author - What Masks Hide, The Storm Below Series and moreHi, I'm JMD Reid, a fantasy indie author working on my third fantasy series, What Masks Hide. I have published the widely praised The Storm Below Series and a releasing my second series, Secret of the Jewels.For my day job, I'm a ghostwriter. It gives me great deal of freedom to work on my fantasy. It's my passion, and I hope that will shine through.I have a lot of stories in my head and I'm looking forward to sharing them with you.https://www.jmd-reid.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 661 - Leah Polworth - The heartbreaking news of a terminal diagnosis and the aftermath of sorrow, longing, confusion, and the heartache after lossWelcome to “Letters to Billy.” This memoir is my legacy. Journaling has always been a means for me to track my most heartfelt thoughts, deepest emotions, epiphanies, and reckonings. I am so pleased I persevered and published this memoir, which was initially intended to be something I could pass down to my son, Billy, when he becomes old enough to read and understand it.As I delved deeper into writing about my husband Steve's cancer journey—the knowledge we gained, the decisions we had to make, and the trials and tribulations along the way—it became apparent that my story might resonate with and provide comfort to others whose lives have taken a similar path.This book explores many themes: finding your soul mate, the wonderful man my husband was, the fleeting yet precious time we were blessed to have as a family, and the heartbreak of a terminal diagnosis. It captures hope, doubt, fear, tenacious love, and the short but intense journey through treatment, followed by the aftermath of sorrow, longing, confusion, and heartache after loss. Suddenly, I found myself a single parent needing to raise a young baby amid crushing grief, to the moments of peace, clarity, and reflection as the grief tide slowly ebbs and joy returns once again.I hope you find comfort, solace, and perhaps some inspiration from our story. Thank you for joining me on this path of self-discovery and healing.Book: Letters to Billy: A story of love, loss, lessons and self-discoveryLeah and Steve Polwarth seemed destined for a lifetime of joy. They married in 2017, and by 2019, their hearts swelled with the arrival of their son, Billy. But it wasn't long before their perfect world fell apart - Steve was delivered a life shattering diagnosis.Despite their unwavering hope and desperate fight, Leah was forced to say a heartbreaking goodbye to the love of her life, leaving her to navigate the suffocating grief of widowhood while raising their son in the midst of the global chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic.Letters to Billy is a raw and emotional journey through unimaginable loss, yet it is also a celebration of a mother's unbreakable love, fierce resilience and the powerful bond between a mother and her son.In the face of devastating grief, Leah finds a way forward, discovering moments of grace and uncovering the beauty that can still bloom, even in the darkest of times.https://letterstobilly.com.au/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 660 - Gary Lippman - Author of immense vision, caustic wit, and wry compassion for the human experienceAbout Gary LippmanBorn and raised in New Jersey, Gary Lippman received a law degree from Northwestern University and has worked with New York's Innocence Project. Lippman's play Paradox Lust ran off-off-Broadway for a month in 2001 and his writing has been published in The New York Times, The Paris Review, VICE, Fodors, Upstate Diary, Open City, Sex And Design, and 8 By 8, while his visual art can be seen at apocalippy.com. Having lived in Illinois, Florida, California, and France, Lippman can now be found in what used to be called “Fun City” with his Hungarian wife Vera and his whenever-he's-inclined-to-visit adult son Gabriel.https://garylippmanofficial.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 659 - Leokadia George - Meet Trumpet the Miracle Wolf Pup From The Wolf Conservation Center in New YorkLeokadia George started volunteering at the Wolf Conservation Center in 2016 where she was introduced to the world of wolf conservation. She also became inspired by one particular Mexican Gray Wolf nicknamed Trumpet, and is honored to be able to share her story.At the Wolf Conservation Center, while the workers are worried about the endangered species of Mexican Gray Wolves, two wolves who live there just want a pup of their own. Sadly, there are no puppies yet, and everyone has begun to give up hope.Based on true events surrounding the miraculous birth of one wolf pup at the Wolf Conservation Center, “Trumpet the Miracle Wolf Pup” will fill your whole family with hope, while starting a conversation with your kids about the importance of saving endangered species.REVIEWS“Especially and unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library Wildlife themed picture book collections for children.” – Midwest Book Review“Beautifully illustrated throughout with the artwork of Maddy Moore, ‘Trumpet the Miracle Wolf Pup: Trumpet Becomes a Mom' from author and storyteller Leokadia George is an informative and fun read from cover to cover.” – Midwest Book Review“Parents will love Trumpet the Miracle Wolf Pup by Leokadia George, which is not only adorable and heart-warming, but also a touching story that educates children about the importance of protecting endangered species. It is sure to become animal lovers' go to children's book!” – Stacy Padula, award-winning and best-selling author of On the Right Path, Gripped, and Montgomery Lake High“I bought this book for myself, a supporter of reintroducing wolves back into the wilderness. It is a delightful story about an alpha pair of wolves at the wolf center in New York. The center was trying to breed them. No spoiler here. The illustrations are soft and sweet, and the story is uplifting . I recommend this book. It's a neat story, and proceeds support the wolf center in New York.” – Abby S., Amazon Reviewer“I just love this children's book. Finally not the big bad wolf story generations have grown up with. You will fall in love with Trumpet and her family. Beautifully illustrated, easy for children to read. I want to read more beautiful Trumpet and her family.” – Marlene B., Amazon Reviewer“A beautiful book written about a very special Mexican Gray Wolf by the name of Trumpet! Based on a real Mexican Gray Wolf living at the Wolf Conservation Center, this tells the amazing story of conservation work behind the scenes! Written by someone who works behind the scenes and has first hand experience, I found the book to be very educational (for myself!) and a wonderful introduction for children to the modern world of conservation science. Would highly recommend!” – K. Weeks, Amazon Reviewerhttps://brileybaxterbooks.com/author-leokadia-george/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 658 - Jennifer Elwell Comeau - Four Specific Images, One Story, Ireland in 1820 and Untold Family TalesWhat happens when a high-powered engineer walks away from corporate life to follow a dream rooted in ancestral wisdom, music, and the magic of nature? Follow my journey of transformation, where I've aligned my gifts - storytelling, songwriting, speaking, and mindful walks in nature - with the needs of the world.Stepping back in time, I grew up one of eight children just outside Buffalo, New York. Following the dictates of family and societal programming, I jumped into the world of engineering, earning a Masters of Engineering from University at Buffalo, and a Bachelors of Industrial Engineering at General Motors Institute, now Kettering University. After decades working as an executive for manufacturers in the auto industry and then in information systems, I returned to my early love for how words, music, nature, and beautiful places can enliven the whole landscape of a life. I began to write songs, and stories — speaking and performing them throughout the country, and soon, narrowed my focus to align with my reverence for Earth. https://www.jennifercomeau.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 657 - Sue William Silverman - Selected Misdemeanors - Essays at the Mercy of the ReaderSue is the author of four memoirs: How to Survive Death and Other Inconveniences, forthcoming, March 2020, the Unversity of Nebraska Press, American Lives Series; The Pat Boone Fan Club: My Life as a White Anglo-Saxon Jew, the University of Nebraska Press, American Lives Series; Because I Remember Terror, Father, I Remember You, winner of the Association of Writers and Writing Programs Award Series in Creative Nonfiction. Her memoir Love Sick: One Woman's Journey through Sexual Addiction was also made into a Lifetime TV Original Movie. Her craft book is Fearless Confessions: A Writer's Guide to Memoir, and her poetry collections are If the Girl Never Learns and Hieroglyphics in Neon.As a professional speaker and writer, Sue has appeared on many nationally syndicated radio and TV programs including The View, Anderson Cooper 360 on CNN; a John Stossel Special on ABC-TV; CNN-Headline News; the Montel Williams Show; the Ricki Lake Show; and the Morning Show with Mike and Juliet. She was also featured in an episode of "The Secret Lives of Women" on WE-TV. Sue was also interviewed by Rich Fahle for PBS Books.https://www.suewilliamsilverman.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

Episode 656 - Diana Harmon Asher - Author of Sidetracked, Upstaged, and Trouble Finds Evie LefkowitzI'm Diana Harmon Asher, the author of Sidetracked, Upstaged, and the upcoming Trouble Finds Evie Lefkowitz.It took me a long time to get a book published. A really long time.There were a lot of “no's” before I got to “yes.” But I kept writing and I kept learning. Finally, I wrote Sidetracked, and the answer was “yes!”One of my teachers used to say that every character you create contains a piece of yourself. I definitely share a lot of worries with Joseph, and I'd like to think I'm a good friend like Heather. I'm an opera fan like Grandpa and I love Inishbofin sheep and Dickens, like Mrs. Fishbein. I hope I have some of Cassie's goofiness in me, and like Paul, I'll never fit in with the cool kids. I share Shira's shyness, some of her stage experience (see photo) and a lot of her stage fright.Like my newest character, Evie, my father was a cantor at our synagogue (something you'll find out more about in the book), and he passed away when I was young.  But also like Evie, I was surrounded by love and good friends. I never really did get into a lot of trouble…but maybe I should have! I hope I share Evie's resilience, her optimism, and most of all, her sense of humor.Writing itself makes me happy. But knowing that readers are enjoying my books is even better. I love when kids identify with Heather, or when a student proudly announces that they have ADD just like Joseph. I love the thought that some of you might be encouraged to strive for your own personal record, audition for a show, try out for a team, stick up for an old friend, and be open to new ones.And I hope all of my stories give you a few chuckles along the way.I look forward to meeting and hearing from more of you in the months and years to come!https://dianaharmonasher.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 655 - David Boop - Speculative fiction author of sci-fi noir, historical, dark fantasy & the Weird WesternsDavid Boop is a Denver-based speculative fiction author & editor. He's also an award-winning essayist, and screenwriter. Before turning to fiction, David worked as a DJ, film critic, journalist, and actor.David's novels run the gambit, such as the sci-fi/noir She Murdered Me with Science; The Soul Changers, a historical, dark fantasy tie-in to Rippers Resurrected; and the Weird Western mosaic novel, The Drowned Horse Chronicle. He co-authored, with NYT Bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson, a near-future graphic novel series called Travailiant Rising.David edited the bestselling and award-nominated Weird Western anthology series, Straight Outta Tombstone, Straight Outta Deadwood and Straight Outta Dodge City. He's currently working on a trio of Space Western anthologies starting with Gunfight on Europa Station. He's editor on the forthcoming Jack L. Chalker Well World tribute anthology.David is prolific in short fiction with many short stories including media tie-ins for Predator (nominated for the 2018 Scribe Award), Deadlands, Kolchak the Night Stalker, The Green Hornet, and Veronica Mars.He's a summa cum laude Graduate from UC-Denver in the Creative Writing program. He temps, collects Funko Pops, and is a believer. His hobbies include film noir, anime, the Blues and the Old West.https://wolfpackpublishing.com/pages/about-david-boophttps://www.longshot-productions.net/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 654 - Linda Ambrus Broenniman - The astonishing story of eight generations of her Jewish ancestorsLinda grew up in Buffalo, New York. She is the middle child of seven born to Hungarian physicians who survived World War II and started their new life in the U.S. in 1949.Linda graduated from Swarthmore College with a BA in psychology and went on to get an MBA from Carnegie Mellon. Several years after graduation, she left mainstream corporate America to follow her path as an entrepreneur. She let her passion for uncovering hidden potential in unexpected places guide her.And she allowed this passion to fuel the search for her hidden family.A Wilbur Award recipient, Linda is a GenerationsForward speaker for the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center.Linda lives in Great Falls, Virginia with her husband, Ed, of 30 years and their dog, Juno.Book: The Politzer SagaIn this rich narrative, Linda Ambrus Broenniman's search for truth becomes a remarkable epic – part memoir, part biography, part history – that illuminates the Hungarian Jewish experience over the last 300 years.Linda finds her family: doctors, lawyers, bankers, entrepreneurs, writers, musicians, art collectors, and philanthropists. And learns of the ir resilience in surviving religious persecution, wars, epidemics, and economic upheavals.By telling their stories, Linda could honor the memories of her lost family. And she learns how finding your roots helps anchor your own place in the world.https://politzersaga.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

Episode 653 - Alan Mueller - Improv Comedy and the Art of Leadership - Reading The Room and Active ListeningA sought-after keynote speaker and leadership trainer, Dr. Mueller blends deep expertise with engaging storytelling to spark real change in organizations. As Senior Consultant at Adaptive Challenge Consulting, he draws on decades of experience spanning finance, sales, higher education, and hospitality management to deliver practical, high-impact leadership development.Dr. Mueller is the author of Leading with Emotional Intelligence and the TEDx speaker behind “Doing the Math: How Do We Measure Privilege.” His work is grounded in intercultural intelligence, helping executives and teams lead boldly across difference. He is also a Myers-Briggs Certified Interpreter, who teaches teams how to unlock the power of this tool to understand how leaders and followers can work better together.What sets Alan apart? A background in professional improv comedy. For nearly a decade, he performed with an award-winning troupe—and now teaches organizations how to use improv to strengthen executive presence, build trust, and supercharge collaboration.Whether in the boardroom or on the stage, Dr. Mueller is known for his authenticity, inclusion, and sharp sense of humor. He equips leaders not just to manage complexity, but to rise and thrive within it.Improv Comedy and the Art of Leadership explores the connections between improv comedy techniques and leadership. This book skillfully borrows key improv concepts and connects them with the critical skills and competencies needed by leaders. https://www.adaptivechallengeconsulting.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 652 - Randee Dawn - Journalist, Author, Storyteller - Short Stories, Non-Fiction and StandalonesI'm a Brooklyn-based author and journalist focusing on speculative fiction across the categories (science-fiction, fantasy and horror) at night, while writing entertainment and lifestyle stories during the day for publications including Today.com, Gold Derby.com, Variety, The Los Angeles Times and Emmy Magazine.You may have seen my name in other publications over the years, including Soap Opera Digest and The Boston Phoenix, E! Online, New Musical Express and Mojo. I contributed to a French book about American television, Les Series Tele and co-authored (with Susan Green) The Law & Order: SVU Unofficial Companion.I've got a fair amount of short fiction in anthologies, and authored the short story/poetry compilation Home for the Holidays. I'm currently  represented by Bridget Smith at JABberwocky Literary Agency, and I frequently appear at conventions and workshops on panels and to give readings.My first novel, Tune In Tomorrow, was published by Solaris/Rebellion in 2022 and re-issued with additional bonus content in 2024 via Solaris Nova. Arc Manor will publish my next two novels in 2025: The Only Song Worth Singing (April) and Leave No Trace (August), and Solaris Nova will publish my follow-up to Tune, We Interrupt This Program in spring 2026.Currently, I reside with the love of my life with a lot of books and never enough mangoes. No, I don't have a fox, but if you want to meet a fox like this or donate to their care, JAB Canid Education and Conservation Center can help.https://randeedawn.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca