Living The Next Chapter: Authors Share Their Journey

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

EPISODE 651 - Mark J Wilson - Full of Beans - A dead professor. A missing student, And a time-traveling detective.Mark is a scientist who works in gene therapy and very foolishly decided he had to write a novel about a time-traveling detective in his spare time.I live in Washington, DC with my wife, Carrie, but I was born and brought up in Reading, England. My favourite place in the world is in the Cotswolds, just down the road from Oxford (where most of Full of Beans is set).I went to college in Canterbury where I studied biochemistry and got a PhD. I have worked in biopharmaceuticals for the last 35 years or so.I'm currently working in gene therapy, helping to develop a much-needed cure for Rett Syndrome.I worked in Nottingham and Cambridge before moving back to Reading (so it can't be all bad, right?). Then I came to America in 2009. It does seem like a drastic move just to get out of Reading again. I lived in North Carolina for 7 years before moving to the DC area.Growing up in Reading gave me a fascination with trains and planes, being as how there wasn't much else there to interest a kid. I loved hanging around at the west end of Platform 5, and when Concorde would fly over. And there was a Model Shop. I loved the Model Shop. And Eames' model train shop.My dad gave me lifelong passions for astronomy, physics, chess, cooking, and model-making. And I love model trains. Over the years, in my spare time, I've also been a watercolor artist and a music producer. I love electronic dance music.Full of Beans is my first published novel and it is dedicated to Carrie and her coffee machine, which would constantly instruct us to “Fill Beans,” whether the hopper was full or empty. Without either of them this book might never have been written. It took over two years to write, on the weekends and holidays, and I learned a lot about writing.I heard they are bringing back Clippy... ‘I see you're writing a novel. Do you need help with that?' I did need help, but instead I have relied on some actually talented hooman-beans for that.The book was an editor's nightmare to work on. We chose British English spellings (like ‘colour') and phrases (such as ‘bugger off') to go with most of the settings and characters. However, we also chose to go with the Chicago Manual of Style for other stuff like punctuation, rather than the Oxford Guide to Style. Sorry Oxford. Please check the CMOS before levelling criticism at the editing; it was a heroic effort. Thanks Kevin and Avery.Feel free, however, to debate the choice to liberally use the Oxford comma. And to jolly-well split some infinitives. And start sentences with conjunctions.If strict British grammar is your passion, rather than a fun read, then hard cheese. It isn't meant to be bloody Shakespeare. I'm sure there'll be a new Booker Prize nominee along any minute now.The artwork was accomplished with help from artlist.io, using its Comic Noir algorithm and many, many attempts, amalgamations, and many hours of editing images to get what I wanted. The book cover was a team effort with Joe and Michelle. https://markjwilson.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 650 - Jeff and Andy Crocker - Mister and Mischief - Mister and Mischief - Infinite Right AnswersWhen you're asking big questions, chasing connection, and reminded why you started making things in the first placeWe're pretty fun and we think you are too.Mister & Mischief (a.k.a. Jeff and Andy Crocker) create fun-forward interactive experiences designed to delight audiences and turn strangers into pals. Mixing games, theater, and comedy into playful, participatory events, Andy and Jeff are passionate about increasing the visibility of immersive design and audience-empowering art wherever they go.Infinite Right AnswersPart creative manifesto, part behind-the-scenes brain dump, and part choose-your-own-reflection, this zine explores the deeply human art of making stories with your audience, not just for them.Whether you're an artist, educator, producer, or general play-loving human, Infinite Right Answers is a companion for the moments when you're asking big questions, chasing connection, and need to be reminded why you started making things in the first place.Coming in October 2025.https://misterandmischief.fun/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

E649 - Roger Chiocchi - From Advertising Executive to Author, The Brushy Ridge Militia - Parents Take Gun Control Into Their Own HandsAbout the authorEclectic is a word that aptly defines Roger Chiocchi. Constantly questioning, How does it work?, Chiocchi graduated from Ithaca College and then the Wharton School (MBA) with distinction. He then rose through the ranks at mega-agency, Young & Rubicam, to Senior VP where he ran the advertising campaigns for Advil, TWA, AT&T, Sears (the “Softer Side of Sears” campaign), among others. He then went on to eventually become President of Y&R subsidiary, The Lord Group, where he helped transition NYNEX to Bell Atlantic then to Verizon, while bringing in new accounts like The Sports Authority, the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, and HIP Health Plans.Chiocchi regards himself as a perpetual student, constantly scouring YouTube for lectures on astrophysics, quantum mechanics and human consciousness and whatever else suits his fancy next. But why not? His appetite for knowledge is eclectic.How a School Shooting Turned Suburban Parents into Federal Criminals.Book: The Brushy Ridge Militia is about how the intersection of grief and helplessness leads a group of parents to become so enraged after a mass shooting to conclude that enough's enough, compelling them to commit a major act of civil disobedience.After progressing through the many stages of grief, the parents of the deceased children of Brushy Ridge, Ohio High School lobby Congress to pass tighter gun control legislation. When they attempt to meet with conservative Speaker of the House, Fred Grantham, he refuses and walks right by, emotionless, as they stand outside his office, displaying pictures of their precious children.At that point, they conclude enough's enough.Upon return to their hometown, the parents feel like they've banged their heads against a wall. Why when over half of Americans want stricter gun laws, even after the tragedies of Sandy Hook, Columbine, Marjory Stoneman Douglas and, now, Brushy Ridge, why won't Congress budge?Hank Patrick, an attorney and father of one of the deceased students, tells them it's because of twenty-seven ambiguous words called the Second Amendment. While many gun advocates hide behind those words to protect their right to unfettered access to guns of all types, those words say nothing of the sort, Patrick explains. What they do say is that Americans have the right to form citizen militias to fight a government that has become tyrannical.They decide to be true to the words of the Second Amendment as originally intended and form a citizen's militia, The Brushy Ridge Militia, and scheme to take Speaker Fred Grantham hostage until he agrees to bring more reasonable gun legislation to the floor.By surreptitiously following Grantham's moves and cleverly evading the FBI, the parents intercept Grantham at an apartment building in DC and bring him to a spot in rural West Virginia where no radio transmissions are allowed. For four days, they force him to watch the security cam video of the shooting and morgue shots of their cherished children.Finally, he agrees, but shortly after, recants.https://www.facebook.com/RogerChiocchi/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 648 - Chester L Richards - From The Potato to Star Trek and Beyond, Smithsonian Institution, Being A MonsterChester L. RichardsAerospace Engineer (Ret.), Inventor, Adventurer, Author, Storyteller, RomanticThe philosophy developed by Chester L. Richards, aerospace engineer, adventurer and inventor (19 patents), has indeed caused him to view all that comes his way as an adventure. Even a visit to the hospital! (Look for stories about these surprisingly entertaining forays into Deep Space Medical soon in his blog, "Stories.")That attitude took shape early. In college, a bit after those early escapes from being thoroughly roasted by The Great Potato's molten lead flinging tricks, Chester and friend Judy Burns co-authored a spec script for “Star Trek” on a lark. The story, “The Tholian Web,” became one of the series' most popular episodes. A veteran writer advised the young man, “You should write….write your passions.” “But I have nothing to say,” Chester thought. That was the moment he decided the real message was to fill his life with adventures. And he did — adventures in surfing, learning and performing music, travel to exotic places for river rafting, and his work as a rocket scientist. Along the way, he's always met fascinating characters. He did write — essays (over 50 have been published so far). At the house in Thousand Oaks he and his late beloved  Sarah once shared, he brought himself back from the brink of despair by writing the hair-raising adventures Sarah loved, and that continue to occur, though as the author says, he no longer has much hair.Book: From The Potato to Star Trek and BeyondBook: The Trek Continues: More Memoirs of a Rocket Scientisthttps://www.chesterlrichards.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 647 - Christine Devane - Elephant Beach - A Children's Book That Talks About Being Shy and Being Open to Others About the author Christine grew up in North Andover, MA with her parents Tony and Joyce and brothers Anthony and Eddie. She was very shy when she was young and spent a lot of time reading. Throughout her childhood Christine loved animals, especially elephants. People started to buy them for her as a collection. Her grandparents, Eddie and Ginger, as well as her parents would bring her back lucky elephants from their trips. Throughout her childhood Christine always enjoyed trips to the beach with her family and grandparents. In 2006 Christine graduated from Merrimack College with a bachelor's degree in English and a minor in Elementary Education. In 2008 she received her master's degree in Elementary Education from Merrimack College. Christine would then go on to teach elementary school for the next 13 years. Her favorite part of the day was reading to her students. It was during reading time that she connected with her students through books. They learned, laughed and felt a range of emotions together. Christine decided that she wanted to write her own book for students to engage with, while learning and laughing. Since elephants have always been her favorite animal, she found it fitting to include them in her story. In 2017 Christine traveled to Africa with her mother and husband where she was able to see elephants living in the wild, which was always a lifelong dream. Many of the elephants were playing in the water and seemed to be having fun as they appear to in her book. Christine and her husband John have 3 children- Joey, Nick and Adeline and a dog named Sophie with whom she loves to read with. They laugh at her stories and enjoy trips to the beach together as a family. Book: Elephant Beach - A young girl is expecting a quiet, peaceful beach day of reading—but she's in for some disappointment. It turns out elephants love to play, especially at the beach! At first, the girl is annoyed when the elephants break her beach chair. Then, they block her sun amidst other loud and distracting shenanigans. Soon, though, the girl becomes intrigued by the elephants' playful nature. She still tries to read, but their games continue and can't be ignored. Having a change of heart, the young girl joins in when the elephants play volleyball. She surfs huge waves and even helps the elephants when they are scared. The young girl came to the beach to be alone, but she now finds herself surrounded by new friends. The silliness of these gentle giants amuse her, and what was once a plan to find some peace turns into a feast of fun! Come along to Elephant Beach, where distractions are welcome and adventure arrives with each and every wave.https://www.christine-devane.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 646 - Chef Franck Desplechin - Relentless Growth - Cultivating a Chef's Mindset for Professional FulfillmentMost people simply know me as or simply call me Chef Franck; and that is exactly how I like it. Over time, "Chef Franck" has become more than just a name; it is a reflection of the way I show up in everything I do, with heart, passion, and a relentless commitment to grow and improve. Behind the title is a lifetime dedicated to the craft of hospitality: My career began in the kitchens of Brittany, France, where I trained under Michelin-starred chefs who demanded nothing short of excellence. Those early years forged a deep respect for precision, discipline, and creativity. As I grew, my path took me beyond the kitchen, leading and mentoring teams, building businesses, and evolving with one constant: a love for creating meaningful connections. From fine dining restaurants to luxury hotels and entrepreneurial ventures, every chapter has been a pursuit of one thing: creating meaningful experiences that stand the test of time. It has become so much more than food or leadership. It is about connection, transformation, influence and the pursuit of something greater than the work itself. It is the energy you bring into a room, the standard you set without saying a word, and the respect you earn by how you show up day after day.Cheffranck.com was created as an extension of that spirit, a way to connect directly, without layers or filters. A place where craft, leadership, and authenticity meet opportunity. Whether it is building unforgettable workplace culture, strengthening teams, or guiding personal and professional growth, my mission remains the exact same: to elevate, to inspire, and to leave every place - and every person - better than I found them.This is not just what I do. It is who I am.I have never been one to follow a straight path; mine has been forged through pressure, uncertainty, reinvention, and an obsession with meaningful growth. What began in a small kitchen in Brittany at the age of 15 has become a lifelong pursuit of mastery, resilience, and purposeful leadership. From chasing Michelin stars in France to leading five-star operations across the Pacific and the U.S. I have learned that excellence is not found in the title, the awards, or the prestige; it is in the process. I have “failed”, started over, worked in languages I did not speak, and rebuilt my identity more than once. Along the way, I have grown from an apprentice with a dream to a chef tested by fire, an hospitality executive with a broader vision, and now, a founder, CEO and author driven by the same hunger I had on day one; but with far more perspective. Today, my work lives at the intersection of precision, purpose, and transformation; guiding teams, leaders, and organizations to rise, evolve, and deliver at the highest level. Not because it is easy, but because it is worth it.Book: Relentless Growth - Cultivating a chef's mindset for professional fulfillmentWhat if the only thing standing between you and true professional fulfillment was your mindset? Relentless Growth: Cultivating a Chef's Mindset for Professional Fulfillment is my answer to this problem, offering a bold and practical blueprint for both emerging and seasoned hospitality professionals who want to thrive—not just survive—in one of the most demanding industries in the world.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 645 - Anthony Dyer - Moon Child - Roots and Wings of a USAF Combat Special MissionsANTHONY DYER grew up in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, where adventure and resilience were woven into his very being. That same spirit of fearlessness carried him into a life of service, leading to an extraordinary career in Special Operations Aviation as a USAF Combat Special Missions Aviator. Over the course of more than a decade, Anthony flew into some of the most dangerous and unpredictable environments on the planet, executing high-risk missions that demanded precision, courage, and an unbreakable will.His exceptional skill and unwavering commitment to his team earned him numerous accolades, including the Air Force's Jolly Green Rescue Mission of the Year award in 2018 for his role in a daring, life-saving operation. Throughout his career, he witnessed both the triumphs and the burdens of combat, experiencing firsthand the weight that warriors carry long after the missions end.When he's not writing or speaking on behalf of those who have walked a similar path, Anthony finds solace in fishing, basketball, and the simple joys of family life. Above all, he is a devoted father and husband, embracing the adventure of parenthood with the same passion and intensity that defined his military career. Now residing in New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment, Anthony continues his journey—one that is no longer defined by combatBook - Moon Child: The Roots and Wings of a USAF Combat Special Missions AviatorBorn in the rugged Appalachian town of Sylva, North Carolina, Anthony Dyer was raised in a world of untamed adventure, where resilience was a way of life. That same fearless spirit propelled him into the elite realm of Special Operations Aviation, where he spent over a decade as a USAF Combat Special Missions Aviator, flying into the world's most volatile war zones. Tasked with executing high-risk missions under relentless pressure, Anthony's career was defined by precision, courage, and sacrifice. But what happens when the mission ends?In Moon Child, Anthony delivers a raw, unfiltered account of his life in combat-the triumphs, burdens, and unseen wounds that follow Warriors home. He shares the harrowing details of his most dangerous operations, including the 2018 Jolly Green Rescue Mission of the Year, where split-second decisions meant the difference between life and death. Yet, beyond the battlefield, Anthony faced a far deadlier enemy: the silent battles of addiction, trauma, and the search for purpose beyond war.For those who have known war, for those who have battled addiction, and for those still finding their way-Moon Child is your story, too.https://www.traitmarkermedia.com/moonchildSupport 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 644 - Marshall Fine - Journalist, Critic, Historian, Filmmaker, and Author of Hemlock LaneAbout the authorAfter a fifty-year career as an award-winning journalist, critic, and filmmaker, Minneapolis native Marshall Fine made the transition to writing fiction in 2024 with the Kindle best-selling novel, "The Autumn of Ruth Winters." Fine has written biographies of filmmakers John Cassavetes and Sam Peckinpah, directed documentaries about film critic Rex Reed and comedian Robert Klein, conducted the Playboy Interview with Howard Stern, and chaired the New York Film Critics Circle four times. The author currently lives in Ossining, New York. His second novel, "Hemlock Lane," will be published in November 2025.Book: Hemlock LaneIn this riveting story of family bonds and buried truths, a young woman's homecoming becomes a reckoning as four days together threaten to shatter the comfortable lies that have held her family together.In the summer of 1967, the Levitsky family convenes for a long weekend at their home in the suburbs―an idyllic holiday for the perfect family.But Nora has always known better.Growing up, she learned to tiptoe around her mother Lillian's explosive temper. Her father did the same. Nora's sole confidante was their housekeeper, Clara, and their bond has only strengthened through the years. In fact, it's all that's keeping Nora together for her homecoming. But under that lifetime of pressure, the facade is beginning to splinter.Over the next four days, everyone's secrets are at risk. None more so than what Nora really wants for her life, how Clara has helped her get it…and how they've orchestrated it all behind Lillian's back.As the family grapples with the complex ties that bind them, Nora discovers that facing the truth―however painful―might be the key to finally breaking free. This weekend, Nora's bravest act may be in knowing which bonds to cherish and which ones need to be gently set aside, making room for a future of her own choosing.https://www.marshallfine.com/https://amzn.to/4n9ZIEDSupport 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 643 - Mitchell Levy - Executive Abundance Through Clarity & Credibility, LinkedIn Basics for Authors and CreativesGlobal Credibility Expert Mitchell Levy is a 2x TEDx speaker (including the 28th most popular in 2021), an international bestselling author of over 60 books, a Certified Stakeholder Centered Coach, and an executive coach at Marshall Goldsmith's 100 Coaches. As an Executive Coach, Mitchell is a sounding board, a thinking partner, and someone who can hold the mirror to generate insights for personal change. This impact has earned him a place among the world's Top 200 Leadership Voices by LeadersHum (#16 in 2023), and as the #1 Thought Leader in Ecosystems and Top 100 Thought Leader Overall by Thinkers360.He's an accomplished Entrepreneur who has created twenty businesses in Silicon Valley including four publishing companies that have published over 750 books. He's provided strategic consulting to hundreds of companies and has been the chairman of a board of a NASDAQ-listed company.https://mitchelllevy.com/books/Mitchell Levy has authored and co-authored over 60 books. You can see these books on Pintererst. He's written on topics surrounding thought leadership and credibility in many vertical and functional areas.https://mitchelllevy.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchelllevy/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 642 - Ryan Null - The Flare Chronicles - Into the Blaze and Into the Shadows, Marketing Your Book, Giving Back and PizzaAbout the authorRyan Null, an American author, is a great father to his children and a loving husband to his wife. He began his writing journey in 8th grade, inspired by his love for reading and a teacher's challenge.Balancing a busy life running an egg business, working multiple jobs, and raising a family, Ryan finds time to craft detailed, imaginative stories. His unique worlds and clever wordplay set him apart. Outside writing, he enjoys taking care of chickens, building projects, and engaging in men's ministry at his church. This is his first published book, with more in the series to come.Book - The Flare Chronicles: Into the Shadows"When the blaze fades, only the brave survive the dark."The story continues… After the explosive events of Into the Blaze, Daniel, Trisha, and Broctree rise from the ruins of rebellion—scarred but not broken. Seeking refuge at the sacred Godeware Lake, they hope for healing… but peace is fleeting.Whispers of ancient evils stir in the dark. A forgotten terror—the Korkulan Skugga—returns, threatening to plunge Azrin into a new era of fear. As long-buried secrets surface and trust is tested, the trio must face an enemy born from myth itself.A world on the brink. A destiny rekindled. Shadows that know your name.The Flare Chronicles: Into the Shadows pulls you deeper into the fire—and far beyond.Book: The Flare Chronicles: Into the Blaze"A spark can ignite a legend."Step into a kingdom ruled by shadows and secrets, where sixteen-year-old Daniel embarks on a journey to uncover the truth about his mysterious bloodline. Armed with only his bow, a satchel of essentials, and an unbreakable will, Daniel's quest soon ignites into a blaze of rebellion, redemption, and an ancient prophecy coming to life.Along the way, he encounters a legendary warrior, a mysterious rogue, and a world brimming with hidden magic. With the tyrannical Order watching from the shadows, Daniel must decide: cling to safety or embrace the fire of destiny.Epic battles, loyal companions, and gods of old lurking in the shadows—The Flare Chronicles: Into the Blaze is the thrilling start of an unforgettable adventure.https://www.authorryannull.com/homeSupport 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 641 - E K Wise - The Debilis Rising - Keepers of the Rock Book 1, magical realism and earthbound fantasy and M.A.S.H. E.K. Wise's endless curiosity about cultural history and geology developed in her youth after living abroad and traveling internationally. She is enticed by multicultural cuisine and will sample almost any food once. When not creating stories, she's likely wrangling teenagers, sweating on her stationary bike, reading, or studying cool rocks and minerals. Wise passionately advocates for learning evaluation, as she and three of her four kiddos (and maybe the dog), have ADHD. She earned degrees in psychology and clinical social work and lives with her family in Southern California.Book: The Debilis RisingWhen you know the Earth is dying, what will you do to save it?Tessa Horton knows there's more to life than meets the eye and her unique ability is proof. Tú Chen feels guilty about keeping his ability secret from his parents, but does it to protect them. The truth about the world is finally unveiled when they are accepted into the College of Geological Evolution, an exclusive international school run by an ancient secret society: the Keepers of the Rock.The Keepers, bestowed with supernatural abilities connected to the Earth, have a duty to protect the planet and its creatures, so humanity can reverse its accelerating course toward destruction. They alone are aware of the insidious evil that exists in the world: the Debilis—monsters who prey on mankind and willfully manipulate them for their ultimate goal—control of all Earth's resources and humanity itself. As they settle in at school, Tessa and Tú are relieved to find they are not alone. However, the pair and their extraordinary classmates soon learn how challenging their destined responsibilities will be. As Keepers, they are forbidden from directly meddling in human affairs and must rely on covert guidance to save humanity. With the stakes incredibly high, the Keepers must prepare their young scholars to stop the resurging evil. For in truth, “the hand that cradles the rock rules the world.”Keepers of the Rock: The Debilis Rising is Book One in an exciting and original YA fantasy series by E.K.Wise. If you like secret worlds, crystals, minerals, history, or science you will love this immersive 4-D reading experience! https://ekwise.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 640 - R D Moreno - Zada 5 - Path of the One - A prophecy waits for Connor if he can survive long enoughRetired communication executive after 41 years. Married for the second time to my loving wife of 30 years, with five grown kids between us, and fourteen grandchildren. Our family pets include two small dogs and a large macaw. We are now living in NC. We just finished remodeling our current home. Other hobbies include writing among a host of others, like landscaping and woodworking. Zada 5 Saga - Connor Balcazar never expected to have a destiny. Though his family has served the galactic empire for generations, his older brother Adam has always outshone him in combat abilities and natural charisma. The brothers are the best of friends, but Connor is determined to prove himself and master his hidden ability to see the future to assist Emperor Esteban any way he can.https://www.rdmorenoauthor.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 639 - Deepa Anappara - Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line, Letters to a Writer of Colour and The Last of EarthDeepa Anappara's debut novel Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line was named as one of the best books of the year by The New York Times, The Washington Post, Time and NPR. It won the Edgar Award for Best Novel, was longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2020, and shortlisted for the JCB Prize for Indian Literature. Time included it in its list of ‘The 100 Best Mystery and Thriller Books of All Time'. It has been translated into over twenty languages.Anappara is the co-editor of Letters to a Writer of Colour, a collection of personal essays on fiction, race, and culture, published by Random House (US) and Vintage (UK) in 2023. Her second novel, The Last of Earth, will be published by Random House in the US, and Penguin Random House in India, in January 2026, and by Oneworld in the UK in February 2026.She has a PhD in Creative-Critical Writing and an MA in Creative Writing (Prose Fiction) from the University of East Anglia, Norwich. She teaches creative writing and is a mentor on the South Asia Speaks mentorship programme for emerging writers in South Asia. Anappara was born in Kerala, southern India, and worked as a journalist in India for eleven years. Her reports on the impact of poverty and religious violence on the education of children won the Developing Asia Journalism Awards, the Every Human has Rights Media Awards, and the Sanskriti-Prabha Dutt Fellowship in Journalism. Book: THE LAST OF EARTHFrom the award-winning author of Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line comes a stunning historical novel set in nineteenth-century Tibet that follows two outsiders—an Indian schoolteacher spying for the British Empire and an English “lady” explorer—as they venture into a forbidden kingdom.1869. Tibet is closed to Europeans, an infuriating obstruction for the rap­idly expanding British Empire. In response, Britain begins training Indians—permitted to cross borders that white men may not—to undertake illicit, dangerous surveying expeditions into Tibet.Balram is one such surveyor-spy, an Indian schoolteacher who, for several years, has worked for the British, often alongside his dearest friend, Gyan. But Gyan went missing on his last expedition and is rumored to be imprisoned within Tibet. Desperate to rescue his friend, Balram agrees to guide an English captain on a foolhardy mission: After years of paying others to do the exploring, the captain, disguised as a monk, wants to personally chart a river that runs through southern Tibet. Their path will cross fatefully with that of another Westerner in disguise, fifty-year-old Katherine. Denied a fellowship in the all-male Royal Geographical Society in London, she intends to be the first European woman to reach Lhasa.A polyphonic novel about the various ways humans try to leave a mark on the world—from the enduring nature of family and friendship to the egomania and obsessions of the colonial enterprise—The Last of Earth confirms Deepa Anappara as one of our greatest and most ambitious storytellers.https://www.deepa-anappara.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 638 - Janet Skeslien Charles - Author of The Paris Library and Miss Morgan's Book Brigade comes a charming and cinematic multi-cast audiobook, The Parisian ChapterJanet Skeslien Charles is the New York Times, USA Today, and #1 international bestselling author of The Paris Library, Moonlight in Odessa, Miss Morgan's Book Brigade (called The Librarians of Rue de Picardie in the UK and Commonwealth), and the audiobook The Parisian Chapter. Her essays and short stories have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, The Sydney Morning Herald, and the anthology Montana Noir. Her work has been translated into 40 languages. Janet was born and raised in Montana. After graduating from the University of Montana, she got a job teaching English in Ukraine. She later went to France intending to teach for a year, and has been there ever since. Place is at the heart of every story she has ever written. She loves traveling, spending time with friends and family, and researching stories of forgotten people and places.The Parisian ChapterFrom the New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Library and Miss Morgan's Book Brigade comes a charming and cinematic multi-cast audiobook following a young woman from Montana who lands a job in the American Library in Paris, where she discovers the power of storytelling and writes her own Parisian chapter. https://www.jskesliencharles.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 637 - Jann Alexander - Unspoken - Historic Texas during the Dirty Thirties and beyondAbout Jann AlexanderI'm an author, photographer, and artist.My characters face down their fears, in novels that are as close-to-true as fiction can get.I specialize in time travel. Read Unspoken, my best-selling novel and the first in my Dust series that stars historic Texas during the Dirty Thirties and beyond. Explore my photography featuring Vanishing Austin, Mother Earth, and Texana. Journey into the American southwest and Mexico, along the Mission Trail, as I capture the colors in my paintings and photos. ​"Jann Alexander's blazingly alive novel Unspoken asks how do we keep a family intact? Especially during a time of upheaval and betrayal in the 1930s Dust Bowl? Here, in a story told by both a mother and her daughter, two people struggle to both understand their world and each other." — CAROLINE LEAVITT, New York Times bestselling author ofPictures of You and Days of WonderUpheaval, betrayal, estrangement, families lost and found, poverty, and homelessness, are the themes we wake up to in today's headlines. In the 1930s, the Texas Dust Bowl was no different — with one exception. Nobody knew how to fix air you couldn't breathe.https://www.jannalexander.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 636 - Gil Merrick - Haunted Victory, Come September, Olympics and HorsesBorn in Shaker Heights, Ohio, Gil Merrick attended Hiram College, earning a BA in International Finance and German. Upon completing his MBA at Cleveland State University, he began a forty-year career managing companies throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia. An avid horseman with credits as Team Leader for the U.S. Equestrian Federation at the 2007 Pan American Games and the 2008 Olympic Games, he now devotes himself full-time to writing in South Florida.​Book: Haunted Victory: Healing From Childhood Sexual Abuse and the Decades of Addiction That Followed - A small and effeminate boy—bullied for years while growing up in an alcoholic family in suburban Cleveland—Gil finds refuge in the equestrian world. A coach instills in him the dream of going to the Olympics and becomes his mentor, his guide—and his predator.Gil survives rape, betrayals, setbacks, and the loss of family and friends—all while on a quest to fulfill his dream. This book is not only about surviving; it's about the resilience of the human spirit and the pursuit of dreams against all odds. Gil makes it to the Olympics, but not in the way he imagined. He discovers what happens when a dream ends, and all you have left are your addictions.What does it take to finally realize that our lives can't go on as they are? How do we put an end to our self-destructive ways? Is it even possible to grasp the complexities of untreated and unrealized trauma? How do we come to terms with the cost of the abuse we suffered?Gil tells his story with a breadth of detail and thought-provoking insights rarely shared by male victims of sexual abuse. Readers will find a story of hope, determination, and the transformative power of confronting one's past.Book: A small and effeminate boy—bullied for years while growing up in an alcoholic family in suburban Cleveland—Gil finds refuge in the equestrian world. A coach instills in him the dream of going to the Olympics and becomes his mentor, his guide—and his predator.What does it take to finally realize that our lives can't go on as they are? How do we put an end to our self-destructive ways? Is it even possible to grasp the complexities of untreated and unrealized trauma? How do we come to terms with the cost of the abuse we suffered?Gil tells his story with a breadth of detail and thought-provoking insights rarely shared by male victims of sexual abuse. Readers will find a story of hope, determination, and the transformative power of confronting one's past.Book: Come September - Ryan Jackson is a shy, scrappy teenager from a poor Appalachian town. Kip Reynolds is a talented high school polo player from a wealthy family living in the suburbs of Detroit. Sharp and stunning, Claudia Kinzler wins the admiration of both young men before her world is shattered by her father's death in the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks.With unforgettable characters and emotionally charged storytelling, this novel explores what binds us and what breaks us, the power of strength and perseverance, and how truth and forgiveness can be the key to reconciling the pain of our past and building a new life.https://www.gilmerrick.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 635 - Deb Coviello - The CEO's Compass - Your Guide to Get Back on TrackThis episode features Deb Coviello, author of The CEO's Compass: Your Guide to Get Back on Track, who shares her inspiring journey of rediscovering her creative voice and becoming a published author and sought-after speaker. Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, Deb reflects on overcoming self-doubt and imposter syndrome, encouraging aspiring authors and leaders to recognize their unique gifts and take courage to share their stories.Deb recounts how she reconnected with her creative roots through writing, moving from technical writing and corporate roles to launching her author career and consulting business. Her book offers a practical framework—a compass with seven points—to help leaders and individuals align with their purpose, improve their performance, and ultimately find peace of mind. She emphasizes that no one is a finished project; growth and self-improvement are continual.A key message from Deb is to reject the narrative of being broken or inadequate, and instead embrace support systems and self-belief. She encourages listeners to start by acknowledging their strengths and to approach challenges with discipline and reflection. Deb also highlights how impactful even reaching one person through your work can be—creating ripple effects that extend far beyond a single interaction.Throughout the conversation, Deb shares insights into leadership struggles, the importance of staying purpose-driven amidst daily pressures, and the value of stepping back to evaluate what truly adds value in work and life. She speaks candidly about balancing professional ambitions with personal fulfillment and the joy of helping others through her voice and message.Listeners will find inspiration not just in Deb's story, but practical tools and encouragement to begin their own creative journeys, overcome fears, and live more purposefully in their next chapters.Key Takeaway:Your unique voice and perspective matter. By embracing growth, seeking support, and aligning with your purpose, you can overcome doubt and make meaningful impact—whether as an author, leader, or in any role where your message can inspire change.In this book you will find:- The real reason you're feeling off track…  and no, it has nothing to do with your expertise!- A seven-point assessment you can use to find the problem in days…not months!- Why your peace of mind is critical for the success of you and your organizationhttps://dropinceo.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 634 - Kelly Farley - He Lost His Baby Too, Survival Guide for the Grieving Dad and Grieving DadsIf you have ever loved a child, then you understand what it's like to love someone more than you love life itself. If you have ever lost a child, then you understand more about hell than anyone could possibly be expected to know. This isn't something you get over. Only those who have lost a child can understand the depths to which this pain travels. Like most of the men who will read these books, I too am a grieving dad.The message I want bereaved fathers to understand is that I know it's hard, I know it hurts, I know it's scary — but you can get through this. You can survive. It will be the hardest thing you will ever experience; it will drain you physically, mentally, and emotionally. You can come out on the other side of this very long and lonely tunnel, but you will be a different person when you do. There is no going back to the old you.You also need to know that you are not alone in your grief. Other men have been through this and that the emotions they keep inside are the same emotions all of us experience, even if we don't talk about them. The best thing you can do is to reach out for help and to know it is not a sign of “weakness” to do so. Instead, it's a sign of courage and strength — the kind that's required to face this battle head on.Book: He Lost His Baby TooSurvival Guide for the Grieving DadThis book was written specifically for fathers grappling with the unbearable aftermath of losing a baby. It is all too easy for a bereaved father to succumb to a haunting sense of isolation after such a loss. However, within these pages lies a lifeline—a survival guide infused with wisdom, providing a roadmap through the complicated path of grief.In the wake of a tragic loss—whether it be a miscarriage, a stillbirth, or the untimely passing of an infant—this invaluable resource unravels the layers of anguish that overwhelm grieving fathers. Written by a grieving dad, this book offers unflinching honesty and poignant insight, it also delves into the raw pain that accompanies such a profound loss, assuring these men that their emotions, however overwhelming, are both valid and shared by others who have walked a similar path.Book: Grieving DadsTo the Brink and BackA collection of candid stories from grieving dads that were interviewed over a two-year period. The book offers insight from fellow members of, in the haunting words of one dad, “this terrible, terrible club,” which consists of men who have experienced the death of a child. This book is a collection of survival stories by men who have survived the worst possible loss and lived to tell the tale.They are real stories that pull no punches and are told with brutal honesty. Men that have shared their deepest and darkest moments. Moments that included thoughts of suicide, self-medication, and homelessness. Some of these men have found their way back from the brink, while others are still standing there, stuck in their pain. The core message of Grieving Dads is “you're not alone.” It is a message that desperately needs to be delivered to grieving dads who often grieve in silence due to society's expectations.https://www.grievingdads.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 633 - Chris Kruger - Walking Away from the Ledge - A Soldier's Memoir, the raw truth of war, survival, and self-destructionWalking Away from the Ledge: A Soldier's MemoirWalking Away from the Ledge is a hard-hitting, no-BS military memoir that goes beyond the battlefield to expose the raw truth of war, survival, and self-destruction. With an unapologetic voice and brutal honesty, Chris takes readers deep inside the challenging world of an Army Ranger, the brotherhood that holds soldiers together, and the personal demons that threaten to tear them apart.More than a war story, this book is about what happens when the fight doesn't end—the toll of combat, the grip of addiction, and the struggle to hold onto love when everything else is falling apart. This memoir hits hard, digs deep, and refuses to look away.https://paradedeck.com/news/author/christopher-krugerhttps://a.co/d/b4CukhOSupport 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

E632 - Shelley Grandy - Devious Web - A bingeworthy mystery thriller through business and politicsShelley Grandy, Canadian author of the tech‑thriller Devious Web, joins the show to talk about her path from journalism and corporate communications into fiction, and how her real‑world experience in high‑tech and politics shaped the novel. Born in Timmins and now living in Trenton, Ontario, Shelley spent years as a reporter and then as a writer in the telecom and fibre‑optics world, eventually running her own PR firm. That background in data, networks, and media handling feeds directly into Devious Web, which follows Tom Oliver, a Toronto tech CEO whose data‑analytics company becomes the center of a dangerous conspiracy just as he's about to sell to a Silicon Valley buyer. The story weaves together business intrigue, family tensions, politics, and a homicide investigation led by Tom's detective friend, with Shelley using interviews and media moments in the book to naturally explain complex technology and U.S. issues like gerrymandering for general readers.Shelley also opens up about the reality of being a debut novelist later in life: finishing the manuscript isn't the finish line, it's the starting gun. She describes the emotional and practical challenges of claiming the title “author,” battling imposter syndrome, and then having to learn social media, build a website, start a newsletter, and get comfortable showing up in public to market the book. For someone used to writing behind the scenes, events like speaking at the National Women's Show in Toronto, experimenting with Instagram, and nurturing an email list are all part of what she calls “The Journey”—the ongoing process she chronicles on her blog. Her training as a journalist still shapes her fiction: she writes in tight, scene‑based chapters that she can easily imagine on screen, focuses on strong openings, and then has to consciously slow down to add colour, atmosphere, and richer description.A big part of the conversation dives into how Devious Web blends entertainment with timely themes. Shelley talks about drawing on her long‑standing interest in U.S. politics—especially the Trump era and debates over democracy—to bring gerrymandering, data analytics, and the misuse of personal information into the plot without turning the book into a lecture. She explains gerrymandering in plain language, connects it to modern data‑driven targeting, and hints at how the wrong hands using the right software could tip the balance of power, all while keeping the focus on mystery, character, and suspense. The book also reflects her personal passions: there's a romantic subplot, horses and equestrian life, Canadian settings she knows intimately (from Toronto restaurants and banks to Honey Harbour and Caledon stables), and vivid secondary characters like Patrick, the charming Irish “bad boy” whose Las Vegas misadventures were especially fun for her to write. Shelley even shares how she fact‑checked locations after the pandemic by revisiting them in person, turning research into a kind of mini‑adventure.https://www.shelleygrandy.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 631 - Tia Lashay - Question of Affection, A heartfelt journey of vulnerability, courage and love Book: Question of Affection - Ian is a self-reliant pharmacist in her late 30s, navigating the labyrinth of love and loss. With a past marred by heartbreak, Ian has been searching for the missing piece to complete her life. Her journey turns unexpectedly when she meets Wyatt at a speed-dating event, sparking a glimmer of hope that true love might be within reach. However, life throws her a curveball when she finds herself drawn to her enigmatic female neighbor, challenging her perceptions and stirring up emotions she's never faced before.As Ian delicately balances these newfound relationships, she embarks on a path of self-discovery, exploring the multifaceted nature of her heart. Delve into Ian's world, where love knows no bounds, and learn how embracing one's true self can lead to the most profound connections. Will Ian find the courage to embrace her desires and redefine her understanding of love? Join her on this heartfelt journey of vulnerability, courage, and the beautiful complexities of sexuality and growth.https://www.winsbookspublishing.com/store/p/question-of-affection?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAae38prEvOv1c6-Xn9t39qOMh2g0CSzt7ICOnBjVlVXduA_jgQod0fXd2biHhQ_aem_N3xCZCVH6H2oToQ45MnFqQSupport 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 630 - Sheral DeVaughn -  The “Word Whisperer.” She is a 3-time #1-rated radio morning show host, podcast host, keynote speaker and professional emceSheral DeVaughn is a 3-time, #1-rated radio morning show host and podcast host. She is a sought after speaker impacting global audiences and is the voice on commercials and marketing promotions nationwide. She is the founder of Speaking with Sher, a Communication Strategy Consultation service connecting your voice and your message to your ideal audience.The Frog BookSheral DeVaughn takes you on an adventure where there are no fairy godmothers nor white knights in shining armor, but there still are steps you can take to get to your “happily ever after.”Using anecdotes of her own personal struggles, and professional obstacles in both the radio and wine and spirit industries, she masterfully tells stories and gives you steps on how to overcome your own hurdles and find your voice once again.Part autobiography, part motivational book, part self-help primer, you'll find a piece of your own story within the pages, and discover where you might be holding yourself back, how to come to terms with life's scars and baggage, and how to get yourself to the finish line of a life that is fulfilling and joyful.If you've ever felt like you have an “invisible voice” and struggle to be heard, then The Frog in Your Throat is the unconventional primer you need to leap over life's hurdles and open the door to a more satisfying life experience.https://thefroginyourthroat.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 629 - Allison Cundiff - Hey, Pickpocket - Is it possible to leave behind one life and find a new oneAllison Cundiff's publications include the novel Hey Pickpocket (2025, JackLeg Press), two books of poetry: Otherings (2016, Golden Antelope Press), and In Short, A Memory of the Other on a Good Day, co-authored with Steven Schreiner, (2014, Golden Antelope Press), and two chapbooks: Snapshot (2023, Bottlecap Press), and Just to See How It Feels (2018, Word Press). Her second novel, The Mysterious Women of J Road is forthcoming in March of 2026 (April Gloaming). She is a graduate of the University of Missouri (MA English Literature, MEd Secondary Education) and Truman State University (BA English Literature). She teaches at Lindenwood University and at Parkway North High School. Book: Hey Pickpocket“Is it possible to leave behind one life and find a new one? This is the provocative question ‘Hey, Pickpocket' poses, and the result is a deeply felt exploration of grief, redemption, and the human heart. Spanning cultures and continents, foggy mornings on the Arans and hazy memories of the States, Allison Cundiff's debut novel probes the eternal riddle of home, the enduring allure of hope.”-Jeffrey Zuckermanhttps://www.allisoncundiff.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 628 - Nicholas Casbarro - Vitalerium, A novel was written at 36,000 feet - the narrative of Roman MatthewsWelcome to the Vitalerium UniverseA Sci-Fi Series By Nicholas Keating CasbarroA dark, thrilling odyssey that will challenge everything you think you know about humanity's future. Seven centuries from now, the stars are both a refuge and a battlefield, where ambition, deception, and survival collide.Hailed as a critically acclaimed sci-fi epic, Vitalerium – Descent into the Void delivers a relentless adventure filled with political intrigue, forbidden power, and cosmic mystery. Will you uncover the secrets that lie beyond the void—or be consumed by them?Nicholas CasbarroBorn in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1990. He attended Northeastern University's Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in Boston, class of 2013. Though he never practiced, he maintained his curiosity and love for the sciences. After college, he worked in the medical device field with a specialty in wound-healing and burn treatment. In 2021, he joined a regenerative medicine company where he would spend five days a week on a plane, traveling the country to work with burn surgeons and victims. While flying, he experienced a spark of inspiration, and decided to follow the thread. Since childhood, he had a deep love for science fiction, growing to appreciate the greats in sci-fi like Aldous Huxley, George Orwell, Frank Herbert, Isaac Asimov, and many others. Nicholas used his time on countless flights to create the Vitalerium Series and its universe. The majority of the Vitalerium novel was written at 36,000 feet. He has seven books planned in the Vitalerium Series and continues to craft the narrative of Roman Matthews.https://vitaleriumseries.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 627 - Cameron Reuben Hudson - Actor, Writer and Author - the novel series, Preter-Human ChroniclesCameron Reuben Hudsonthe founder of Hudson Media Collective™, is a uniquely multifaceted artist who is always creating new works and telling stories for future generations to remember.Whether he's writing a new book for his upcoming novel series"Preter-Human Chronicles"™ or exploring a new character on film, (Watch his acting debut in J&M Productions' Reacher)There is always something bright shining on Hudson's horizon. You'll often find him mingling and collaborating with new artists to create meaningful stories people can relate with and look up to.Hudson Media Collective redefines storytelling by seamlessly blending film production and book publishing under one creative house.We are committed to crafting innovative, immersive narratives that captivate audiences across multiple mediums, pushing the boundaries of how stories are told, experienced, and remembered.https://www.hudsonmediacollective.com/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12364897/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 626 - Suzanne Parry - The Soviet Experience Through Historical Fiction, Pentagon Tour, Iron Maiden of StockholmRaised in a quiet rural corner of western New York State, I didn't always want to be a writer. I was, however, always surrounded by books. Bookcases in every room. Entire walls of them. My mother was an avid reader and regular trips to the library were part of my childhood. My stepfather was a creative writing professor and words floated through the rooms and into the nooks and crannies of that pre-Civil War era farmhouse. Books weren't my escape so much as they were part of my daily diet. At twenty I made a list of things I wanted to accomplish and “write a book” was on it. That list included both measurable things like “learn five foreign languages” and “complete a significant athletic achievement” and less quantifiable items like “make the world a better place.” During the Cold War of my high school and college years, I very much wanted to help reduce the possibility of conflict between the US and the USSR.I earned a bachelor's degree at Purdue University, and then continued my Russian studies at the Pushkin Russian Language Institute in Moscow. I studied Public and International Affairs at Princeton University, received a Master's in 1982 and started a career in public service with the US Department of Defense. My work in the Office of the Secretary of Defense focused on European security issues between NATO, Warsaw Pact, and neutral nations. While at the Pentagon I helped negotiate the Conference on Disarmament in Europe, the first security agreement of the Gorbachev era. At the Stockholm talks as we often called the CDE, a number of my European colleagues jokingly called me the “Iron Maiden of Stockholm” in a not altogether flattering reference to British PM Margaret Thatcher, the original tough-as-nails female negotiator. The many months I spent crafting an agreement with diplomats from thirty-five nations, sitting at a table alongside NATO colleagues and opposite Soviet and Warsaw Pact counterparts, was my great honor.After this heady time, I put most of my energy into raising a large family (requiring its own negotiating skills). Funny enough, having a family was not on that list and yet today I would say without hesitation that the most impactful (and most difficult) thing I've ever done is raise four children. I lived in several countries, including the former Soviet Union, Belgium, Sweden, Singapore, and Germany. Throughout adulthood I've been a committed runner. I've completed dozens of marathons in more than twenty countries, including the fifty-six-mile Comrades Marathon in South Africa. I eventually landed in the wonderful and welcoming city of Portland, Oregon as a single parent. There, I coached high school cross country and track at a large public high school before deciding it wasn't too late to dust off that forty-year-old list and write a book.I now divide my time between Portland and Washington, DC, but also travel for fun, for research, and best of all, to visit my children and grandchildren.https://suzanneparrywrites.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 625 - Urmi Hossain - Discovering Your Identity, A Rebirth From Interracial StruggleAbout the authorIntroducing Urmi Hossain, a published author of "Discovering Your Identity: A Rebirth From Interracial Struggle". With an extensive finance background, she works full-time in the financial services industry and firmly believes in the adage "higher the risk, higher the return". Urmi is an avid opportunity seeker and is dedicated to continuous self-improvement and lifelong learning. During her leisure time, she enjoys reading and refining her public speaking skills, as well as advocating for women's empowerment. Urmi is not solely an author, but also an accomplished blogger, YouTuber, speaker, and mentor for young women. Her life philosophy revolves around the notion that anything is attainable if it is genuinely desired. Let's #beagogetter Book: Discovering Your Identity: A Rebirth From Interracial StruggleDo you ever feel like the challenges you face as a brown girl are unique to you or experienced universally? Are you living in a culture where others control your life to maintain their reputation in the community? Do you feel like you're living in a bubble, unable to share your point of view? This book tells the story of a brown girl who grew up in Italy with Bengali parents who wanted her to be the perfect and obedient Bengali girl. Through reflections and confessions, she shares her experiences growing up as a third-culture kid and the struggles many South Asian girls face.https://www.iambrownstyle.com/author/urmi-hossain/https://www.instagram.com/urmamio/https://amzn.to/4fBlPkWSupport 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 624 - Beverly Burch - What You Don't Know - One contrary ghost, two women, three trianglesAbout the authorMy newest book is the novel, What You Don't Know. I also have four collections of poetry and two nonfiction books. My work has won a Lambda Literary Award, a John Ciardi Prize, a Gival Poetry Prize and was a finalist for Audre Lorde Award. I live in the Bay Area with my wife and two Maine coon cats, Mac & Zadie.Praise For What You Don't Know“A dazzling story, containing so much more than the width of its spine. Love is all over the place in this novel, and you don't know which way it will turn next, and you stay glued to the page to find out. Burch reminds us that life is complex and dynamic and we really don't know what might happen next.”—Nina Schuyler, award-winning author of In This Ravishing World“Dreamy and poetic, What You Don't Know chronicles the awakening of two young women to the intertwined forces of grief and desire. Set in soul-freeing San Francisco and music-rich Nashville, this immersive novel deeply explores the hearts of its characters.”—Lucy Jane Bledsoe, award winning author of Tell the RestOne contrary ghost, two women, three triangles, four children: What You Don't Know is a bisexual love story from the Music City, the Blueridge Mountains and the Bay Area.Chloe, beautiful, whip-smart, flees a difficult childhood and sexual betrayal to the Bay Area where she falls in love with a woman. Afraid of this love, she devotes herself to making money instead. At 29 she moves to Nashville and meets Peter, a producer whose wife Angie recently died. Angie still seems to be around though, quietly coaching Chloe about Peter and helping her twin sister Rosie through grief. Rosie is devastated by the loss of Angie and dislikes Chloe immediately, that is, until she becomes intrigued by her. After Chloe marries Peter, their relationship grows close, displeasing Angie. Chloe realizes she's in love with Rosie, creating yet another triangle. A terrible accident ensues that upends everyone's lives again, but bringing Chloe home to her true desires.https://www.beverlyburch.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 623 - Bonnie Moore - Buried Bones - A Maggie Anderson Mystery - When a vacation turns deadly, justice is servedAbout the authorBonnie Moore is a semi-retired attorney, accountant, management consultant, and Golden Girls Network's founder. A former senior consultant at a CPA firm in Washington, D.C., she developed financial processes and investigated improprieties in governmental organizations. Her self-help book "How to Start a Golden Girls Home," earned widespread media coverage in 2015. An avid traveler, Bonnie has explored remote corners of the world, from archaeological digs in France to a safari in South Africa.In 2017, she retired to Utah to be near family and pursue her dream of writing, resulting in her debut novel, "Buried Bones."Book: Buried BonesA murder in small-town Utah, a town full of secrets, and a retired prosecutor's determination to expose the truth-can the killer's identity be revealed before a family with hidden secrets and everything to lose stop the prosecutor?While vacationing in the mountains east of Ogden, Utah, retired prosecutor Maggie Anderson learns about the discovery of Audrey Stillman's body buried near the home she once shared with her former husband, Ben. Maggie witnesses Ben threatened by a gang of local cowboys and the town quickly blames him. Haunted by her past failure to save another innocent man, Maggie offers Ben help and begins investigating.As she delves into the case, Maggie uncovers ties between Audrey's murder and the influential Stevenson family, who control much of the town's political and economic life. It's discovered Audrey was pregnant when she died, and Maggie suspects the father may be the killer. But the deeper Maggie digs, the more secrets she uncovers-secrets that certain powerful people will go to great lengths to protect.With help from the district attorney and her growing connection to her friend Robert, Maggie secretly collects DNA sampleshttps://www.bonniemoorebooks.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 622 - 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 621 - Deborah Lee Luskin - Hunting for Your Next Great Read - Reviving Artemis - The Making of a HuntressDeborah Lee Luskin earned a PhD in English Literature from Columbia University and expected to become an academic, not a deer hunter. She moved from New York City to Vermont for the summer in 1984, fell in love with the landscape, the community, and the new doctor in town. Forty years later, she's still in Vermont, where she's raised daughters, taught, and—always—wrote.Luskin's novel, Into the Wilderness (White River Press, 2010) a love story set against the backdrop of Vermont's political sea-change in 1964, won the Independent Publishers Gold Medal for Regional Fiction and praise from the Vermont Library Association for its “sense of place.”Luskin started her career in print, penning her first professional column from France while in high school. Her work has since appeared in newspapers and magazines; been broadcast on public radio; and sent into cyberspace in blogs.Luskin spent more than thirty-five years driving all over Vermont, delivering literature-based humanities programs for the Vermont Humanities Council to parenting teens, new adult readers, educators, life-long learners, healthcare workers, and prison inmates. She has lectured widely and taught countless writing workshops. Since 2016, Luskin has been facilitating the on-going Rosefire Writing Circle, a place to write in community and with support.Engaged in civic life, Luskin practiced restorative justice as a volunteer at the Brattleboro Community Justice Center and served as the elected Town Moderator in Newfane, Vermont.All along, Luskin grew vegetables, kept bees, and stuck to well-marked trails through the woods. She knew how to read a text closely, slaughter chickens, and can tomatoes, but she didn't know how to read the untracked forest that dominates the Green Mountain State. Until she was sixty, she was scared of getting lost in the woods. Then she heard a call from the universe that the deer could teach her how to read the untracked landscape. Reviving Artemis: Becoming a Huntress tells the story of how she learned to navigate through the forest of her fears and find her place in the natural world.Finding a Place in the Natural WorldReviving Artemis is the unlikely story of a woman raised in mid-twentieth-century suburbia, then lived in New York City as a young adult, and moved to Vermont in 1984. For more than thirty years, she raised domestic livestock, kept bees, and cultivated fruits and vegetables while teaching literature and telling stories. But when she turned sixty, something shifted. Luskin was overtaken by a primal urge to step out of the garden, off the blazed trails, and into untracked forest by learning to hunt deer.Deeply personal, lyrically told, and funny, Reviving Artemis reveals Luskin's ambivalence about guns and her fear of entering the forest alone in the dark. She persisted, using her literary acumen to read the forest and, as thoughtfully as she hunts for words, to hunt for deer. With the stories of Artemis, goddess of the hunt, childbirth, and wild nature to inspire her, Luskin became a huntress determined to age fiercely and compelled to tell this story of finding her place in the natural world.https://www.deborahleeluskin.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 620 - Jill MacLean - Canadian Author of a Poetry Collection, Non-fiction Historical biography, Young Reader and Young Adult NovelsJill MacLean is the Canadian author of a poetry collection, a non-fiction historical biography, three novels for young readers, two young adult novels, and The Arrows of Mercy, historical fiction for adults set in medieval England, released in 2023. The Arrows of Fealty, a stand alone sequel to The Arrows of Mercy, will release in September 2024.Jill MacLean's somewhat truncated biography:Although I was born in England in Berkshire (the county where my medieval novel, The Arrows of Mercy, is set), I left there many years ago, and happily took out Canadian citizenship in 1970.I began writing poetry in the nineties, along with completing a Masters degree in theology, and my poetry collection was published in Manitoba in 2003. My young grandson then asked me to write him a book – and changed the direction of my life. Three middle-grade novels and two Young Adult novels followed in fairly quick succession (you can check them out under Publications).All five novels were contemporary, four were set in Newfoundland (where my family lived for seventeen years), and four overtly dealt with bullying.Was I in danger of falling into a literary rut?If so, what to write next?The hiatus was frightening; but gradually there surfaced my abiding fascination with the medieval period, and even more gradually characters began to emerge, chief among them Edmund – I know from the beginning he would be an archer. I also knew I wanted to write about war and its aftereffects, as well as plague (this was well before Covid) – and that I did not want to write about aristocrats. Edmund and his cohorts are peasants, serfs, villeins, the lowest of the low.I read widely about rural life in mid-14th century England, my son drove me around the back lanes of Berkshire in search of the exact setting, and I started to write in 2015. The novel was initially intended for a young adult audience, but morphed into fiction for adults – I wanted no constrictions.Because I was in love with the research, and assumed you would be too, I wrote a sprawling, unmanageable mess of a novel, and then spent years (literally) cutting it back until it was the length it needed to be.The Arrows of Mercy was launched.Although set in 1348, the novel's themes of plague, PTSD and scorched-earth warfare (think Syria and Ukraine) are all-too relevant to today's world.https://jillmaclean.mywriting.network/about-me/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 619 - Alex R. Johnson - Brooklyn Motto A coming-of-age,  New York-centric, detective noir debutALEX R. JOHNSONJohnson's feature film TWO STEP premiered to critical acclaim at SXSW and went on to become a New York Times Critic's Pick, as well as remaining 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. His screenplay NORTHEAST KINGDOM was selected for the Black List. It was acquired by Paramount Pictures for Platinum Dunes to produce, with Johnson attached to direct. His screenplay ANY ROUGH TIMES ARE NOW BEHIND YOU was selected by the Austin Film Society's Artist Intensive lab. There, he spent three days working one-on-one with late director Jonathan Demme, an experience that was as inspiring as it was creatively life changing. He also wrote the screenplay adaptation of Ernest Tidyman's novel, BIG BUCKS, for Pascal Pictures.His debut novel, BROOKLYN MOTTO, will be released in March of 2025.Prior to writing and directing, Johnson was a seasoned NYC based commercial and documentary producer. He started his career at the legendary Maysles Films and then branched off to work with other directors, including producing the feature documentary I AM SECRETLY AN IMPORTANT MAN for filmmaker Pete Sillen. Johnson's family hails from the Andes of Ecuador. A government brat, he moved frequently but was raised mostly between New York City and the suburbs of DC. He lives and works in Brooklyn, NY..BROOKLYN MOTTO by Alex R. JohnsonFans of Richard Price, Charlie Huston, and Jonathan Lethem will love this coming-of-age New York-centric detective noir debut from esteemed filmmaker and screenwriter Alex R. Johnson. New York City, 1998. New York is changing around Nico Kelly, and he can feel more coming. A private investigator and self-proclaimed photographer, Nico is stuck in a loop of city contracts and self loathing. What little middle class there was is disappearing—long-standing factories are moving out and taking their reliable neighborhood jobs with them, and Mayor Rudy Giuliani's police force has the streets in a stranglehold. Nico spends his days looking for fraudsters while taking photos of municipal employees on disability claims. He spends his nights trying to get rid of the nagging feeling that his day job makes him a professional snitch—traversing dive bars, playing pinball, and fighting through the haze of hungover mornings and blurry evenings.Pushing thirty years old and feeling split between his American and Latin heritage, between youth and adulthood, Nico finds himself at a precipice—who is he and what should he become? When Nico witnesses and records a murder during one of his insurance fraud investigations, bodies start to turn up all around him and he's forced into solving a mystery he didn't ask to solve. Humorous, gritty, and real, Nico's search for what it means to be human takes him through the deepest and darkest parts of New York City.https://www.brooklynmotto.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 618 - Heidi Bacon - Ratliner - Fictional Stories with Roots in History, Archaeology, Genealogy Heidi Bacon is an American novelist who uses her experience as a former Realtor, artist, filmmaker, and researcher and draws on her family history to weave historical fiction stories. When not writing, Heidi likes to paint, teach art classes and oversee The Artist Sanctuary, an arts nonprofit organization that she founded and is Executive Director. Heidi was born and raised in the Midwest and spent a decade in Savannah, GA, where she married and started a family. Three children later, after raising alpacas & other animals in Colorado, having art galleries, and a divorce in Kansas, Heidi and her children relocated to Minnesota, where previous generations of her family had settled. Heidi and her sisters created plays and stories as children, and expressed their creativity through Children's Theater, Children's Orchestra, ballet, violin, and piano lessons. As an adult, Heidi has been a Master Naturalist volunteer, worked in the Department of Commerce, Department of Health, and Department of Agriculture, and created murals for Minnesota's State Parks. Her interest in history, archaeology, genealogy, caving, and cryptozoology inspired her stories.Book: RatlinerWhen Karl Conrad uncovers his grandfather's shocking past after inheriting his estate, he finds himself pulled into a high-stakes quest for justice - and a race to stop sinister forces from unleashing unspeakable evil. Karl teams up with the alluring real estate agent Jessica to return long-lost artifacts to their rightful owners. But neo-Nazi zealots are determined to keep Karl from exposing dark secrets that could upend the world order. Ratliner is a gripping novel of suspense, passion, and redemption. As Karl and Jessica crisscross the country to unravel a mystery, desire ignites even as danger closes in. Can stolen treasures from the past find their way home? Who can Karl trust when his own flesh and blood betrayed humanity? H. Bacon masterfully blends edge-of-your seat thrills with vivid history in this powerful redemption story. Ratliner will keep you guessing until the final page. For readers of adventure, mystery, and second chances, this top-rated book is one you won't want to miss!https://www.instagram.com/heidibacon1/https://hangar1publishing.com/blogs/writers/h-bacon?srsltid=AfmBOor7uG-UvvH9E61dlSUSLtqeYsWXuRZKkr9mVzfSAFHXX4wHr1_2Support 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 617 - Elizabeth Johnstone - Loss Within Waves, a heartfelt and poignant exploration of perinatal loss, stillbirthElizabeth Johnstone is a certified mindfulness instructor and has spent more than 15 years serving as a counselor and advocate for students struggling with mental health issues. Elizabeth's unique blend of expertise and empathy is not only evident in her career, but also through her art and writing. If life has taught her anything, it is to find happiness in the journey, cherish the beauty that surrounds us, exercise self-compassion and believe that challenges can be overcome — all themes she frequently weaves into her work. Her artist practice includes drawing, ceramics and oil painting.She is in training to become an art teacher. She lives in Montreal, Canada, by the banks of a river, with her family.Loss Within WavesIn Loss Within Waves, a heartfelt and poignant exploration of perinatal loss, Elizabeth takes us on an intimate journey through the deeply personal and often misunderstood realm of pregnancy loss and stillbirth.With authenticity and sensitivity, her collection of journal entries and blog posts delve into the profound grief, guilt, and resilience that emerge from perinatal loss, shedding light on the societal silence surrounding it and its impact on mental health, relationships, and the healing process.https://www.elizabeth-johnstone.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 616 - Michael Conte - Route 80 is an honest journey through family, identity, and the cost of loyaltyMichael was raised in Queens, caught between the disciplined life his mother offered and the legacy of his father—a man whose world revolved around loyalty, respect, and danger. From lavish weddings that erupt into brawls to road trips that end behind prison walls, Michael's story unfolds in sharp, cinematic flashes—equal parts grit, glamour, humor, and heartbreak.When his father is found dead in a prison cell, a final road trip to claim the body becomes more than a farewell—it's a reckoning. Memories flood in, forcing Michael to confront the pull of the past and the choices that shaped him.​Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by.And that has made all the differenceRaw, fast-paced, and laced with dark humor, Route 80 is an honest journey through family, identity, and the cost of loyalty. It's a story about breaking cycles, choosing your own path and realizing that some roads, once taken, change you forever.Buckle up. This ride doesn't come with brakes.Book: Route 80 by Michael Conte is an action-packed ride that takes readers on a journey through the high-stakes, adrenaline-fueled world of a young man torn between two destinies—one of honor and stability, the other of power and peril.Raised in Queens, Michael straddles two vastly different paths: his mother's unwavering moral compass and his father's intoxicating life, where loyalty is everything and danger lurks behind every handshake. From a picture-perfect Italian wedding that spirals into a parking lot brawl to familiar road trips to prison, the story unravels in a series of cinematic moments—glamour, violence, humor, and heartbreak.The real turning point comes when a single phone call shatters his world. His father, imprisoned for years, is found dead in his cell. As Michael embarks on one final journey to claim his body, memories of a life spent teetering between two worlds come rushing back. Through razor-sharp storytelling, raw emotion, and true Italian flair, Route 80 explores the cost of loyalty, the weight of legacy, and the road not taken.This is a story of survival, of choosing one's own fate, and of breaking free from the gravitational pull of the past. But in the end, can you ever truly escape where you came from?https://www.michaelconteauthor.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 615 - Trevor Jones - The Fantasy World of Kinthur - Created for my Dungeons and Dragons Games Welcome, TravelerTo the Official Home of the World of KinthurI'm glad you've found your way here—whether by chance, curiosity, or the call of adventure. I'm Trevor Jones, fantasy author and world builder, and this is the heart of Kinthur: a realm of ancient magic, fallen kingdoms, and stories forged in fire and blood.Inspired by the storytelling depths of tabletop role-playing games, Kinthur is a sprawling fantasy world where legends walk, magic is alive, and every soul carries a choice between light and shadow.Author: Trevor JonesStarting with a typewriter at 10 and inspired by the fantasy books and movies, Trevor thought writing was just a way to entertain himself. Little did he know it would lead to becoming a DM in his local Dungeons & Dragons group.Since the 90s, Trevor has expanded his fantasy world with hundreds of hours of game time, that led to a plethora of stories and tales. When his wife got him an editor for his birthday, publishing became a real possibility and since 2019, Kinthur has been shared with the world.https://kinthur.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 614 - Jonathan Stanley - Restoring Humanity to the Workplace, A Viral Tik Tok Clip, and Selling 12 BooksI'm deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, support, kindness, and encouragement from every corner of the world.You inspire me every single day.To my readers, thank you. Without you, my words would have stayed quiet on the page. Your support gave this book a voice, and that voice is now reaching farther than I ever imagined.If you know the TikTok story, then you see the spark. One small act of empathy. A video shared by Taylor Mae and her daughter, Ella, touched hearts around the world. That moment helped lift Purposeful Performance onto the bestseller list. I still struggle to find the words to express what that means.This journey is not mine alone. It belongs to them. And it belongs to you.When I wrote this book, my only goal was to make a difference in one person's life.I never imagined what would come next. And every part of it is because of this extraordinary community.Many of you have asked what's next. The vision is clearer, the mission is stronger, and the work ahead matters more. I've signed with a world-class literary agency, and booking speaking engagements and purpose-driven projects are already underway. Big announcements are coming soon. Thank you for being part of the journey.From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Your support has been one of the most beautiful gifts on this journey.Kindness matters. Humanity matters. And yes! Your voice matters. Let's keep bringing heart back into the workforce. Together.https://www.simplestrategicplans.com/Watch Jonathan's story here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Djdux3zZ4t8Support 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 613 - Dennis A. Blackledge - Working professional in the American Theatre, Writer and Short Story CreatorDennis A. Blackledge has spent a lifetime immersed in storytelling as a working professional in the American Theatre. As a writer, he has authored articles for Blue Suede News Magazine, written the script for the annual yearend radio broadcast of Rock & Roll Heaven (2005-2009), plus the book for the musical Smokestack Lightning. He is currently creating a series of short fiction stories about coming of age in small town New England in the mid-twentieth century.https://www.jerryjazzmusician.com/every-night-at-ten-a-short-story-by-dennis-a-blackledge/https://fabulaargentea.com/index.php/article/good-sam-i-am-by-dennis-a-blackledge/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 612 - Chris Kauzlarich - Short Story Collection, Menagerie in the Dark, And The Suspense Horror Novella, LAZARUSChris is the author of the short story collection, Menagerie in the Dark, and the suspense horror novella, LAZARUS. He is also a member of The Authors Guild, AWP, and the Chicago Writers Association. In addition to writing and reading extensively, he enjoys hiking, playing video games, binge-watching a good show with his husband and daughter, and simply being a dad. He graduated from Purdue University and lives between Chicago, IL, and Naples, FL, or on the open road in their RV.To stay updated with Chris and discover new books, connect with him on social media or sign up for his newsletter in the box below to receive a FREE ebook of one of his stories!Book: LAZARUSThey promised a world free of disease and suffering, but at what cost?Kami was strong, stronger than the others, but she couldn't outrun them. Taken and bled for one purpose, she holds on, following the spark and whispers of hope...Ruth's life is no longer her own, memories becoming as intangible as smoke, her fingers never able to grasp what had been. That is, until the elixir. The clock has turned back, but a flashing specter remains...Jarum was determined to succeed, founding Lazarus to find the key to immortality no matter the consequences. With ruthless determination, he was on the cusp of infamy until the lights. Until the dark...In a showdown between predators and prey, their stories will become interwoven in a near-future landscape where science at its zenith can't escape its bloody origins, their desires reflecting back at them in the glow of fireflies.Book: Menagerie in the DarkLife often appears darkest just before the dawn of a new day.In Menagerie in the Dark, Chris Kauzlarich immerses us in a speculative journey that explores the darker aspects of the human condition before bringing us back to the surface with the light of a new day. Through fourteen stories, this menagerie of characters faces trials of sorrow, death, loneliness, regret, deception, murder, delight, wonderment, and bliss, revealing what will either strengthen them enough to survive or plunge them to their demise. A boy's home burns down, forcing him to confront a terrifying new world. A man enters a door where he witnesses his wife's death, leaving him devastated; yet, he cannot stop returning to the scene, convinced he can save her. A nurse's patients continue to perish under her care, but she harbors a dark secret—an administered cocktail for nefarious purposes.These and other stories will stretch the limits of your emotions, from heartbreak to horror, leaving you yearning for more.https://www.chriskauzlarich.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 611 - Nick Peck - Award-Winning Journalist, Only Way Out, A Son and Brother That Finds His WayNick Peck, a California native, is an award-winning journalist who has primarily covered the world of finance and law and has garnered significant recognition for his work in the industry.Before starting his journalism career, Nick earned his bachelor's degree in communications from Upper Iowa University, where he was a standout football player.The book "Only Way Out" covers Jaylen Pierre, a high school senior growing up in an impoverished area of California who deals with many traumas daily, including brutal physical abuse from his alcoholic father and emotional abandonment from his mother, who battles a paralyzing depression. Since both of his parents are seemingly incapable of doing the job, Jaylen takes it upon himself to be the sole caregiver for his little brother, Elijah, and himself.Fueled by these hardships, Jaylen eagerly looks to find a way out of his situation and eventually finds one when he watches a television special late one night that ignites a fire in him to embark on a journey that he believes will lead to a better life for him and his little brother, but little does Jaylen know that he may find the love of his life along the way.https://www.nickpeckauthor.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 610 - Marianne Leone - Actor in The Sopranos, Three Stooges, Author of Five Dog Epiphany, Ma Speaks Up And a First-Generation Daughter Talks Back and Jesse A Mother's StoryMarianne Leone grew up seven miles outside of Boston, in the village of Nonantum that everybody called “the Lake,” a small blue-collar enclave of a larger city, Newton. Lake dwellers were pretty evenly divided between Italian and Irish-Americans, with a soupcon of French-Canadians. There was no actual Lake in the Lake. The original had dried up and all that remained during my childhood was a green-slicked puddle on the site of a factory my mother and aunt worked in during World War II. All the Italians in the Lake had migrated from the same southern mountain village, San Donato Val di Comino. My mother and father were both Italian immigrants, but my mom was an outsider, from Sulmona, Abruzzo. My dad owned a small workingman's bar, Leone's Café. I went to Catholic school for twelve years. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a saint, a reporter and a cowboy. I didn't become a saint, but I married a cowboy and sometimes I write for the Boston Globe. I've written a bunch of screenplays, and sold some of them, but I'm unproduced, except for a scene in With/In, a compilation film about the covid lockdown I shot with my husband and write about in FIVE DOG EPIPHANY. I was also lucky enough to play Joanne Moltisanti, Christopher's mother, on HBO's The Sopranos for four seasons. I live in a small town on the south shore of Massachusetts with my husband, Chris Cooper, and two rescue dogs, Titi and Sugar. KNOWING JESSE is about my son, whose luminous presence expanded and transformed everything else in my universe. I wrote the book to celebrate his life, to deal with his death, and to share him with others. MA SPEAKS UP is about my mother, who came to America to escape fascism and an arranged marriage to an old man. FIVE DOG EPIPHANY is about grief/mutual healing/rescue dogs.https://marianneleonecooper.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 609 - Kristin Aurelia - SHE Wise Publications, illuminate, guide, and empower souls on their journeyMeet Kristin AureliaKristin Aurelia grew up in a small town in New England and currently resides in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. She is a Soul-Led Author, Podcaster, Public Speaker, Coach and Teacher. Additionally, she is a Certified Health Coach (CHC), NASM Certified Nutrition Coach (CNC), Certified Wellness Coach (CWC), Certified Biofield Tuner and Reiki Master. Kristin obtained her MBA, M.A. in Human Resources Management and Instructional Design and B.A. in Psychology from Marymount University in Arlington, VA. She has spent much of her life studying and observing human behavior. She has made it her life's mission to share experiences and bring wisdom and knowledge to the forefront of her works with the desire to help others along their journey.Kristin is a messenger sent to spread light and love while creating unity. As she puts it, "We are ALL CHILDREN OF GOD…one collective consciousness…Surviving the Human Experience!"https://www.shewisepublications.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 608 - Paul J.C. Edge - Mercurial Novels to Unleash Your Imagination, and a Local BakeshopPaul J.C. Edge is a leading independent author , his works include the gritty Summer Haven and Book of Xaal Sci-Fi horror trilogies, fusing his love of space sagas, fantasy and Lovecraftian gothic horror stories.Paul studied IT at university, which included modules in Astro Physics, which built real knowledge around his love of tales of space travel and alien contact. Finally forsaking a successful career in pharmaceutical IT system design and scientific informatics, he became a full time author in 2020.Paul lives in Cheshire and loves spending time walking in nature, whilst dreaming up new ideas and stories. He also has a passion for rock and jazz, cooking and reading (ranging from sci-fi and thrillers to Dostoyevsky). His offbeat sense of humour will often solicit a groan from his wife and full time editor, Elaine. "A novel begins with the seed of an idea. However, by putting myself in the role of the protagonist I follow a trail led by the decisions made. The story writes itself to some extent.As an indie author, I do not have access to expensive resources, the marketing and graphics are brought to life by myself. I collage ideas from real world photographs from numerous sources, bringing together an image to meet the needs of the novel in question".Paul JC Edgehttps://www.pauljcedge.co.uk/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 607 - M C Paas - Debut novel Broken Rules of The Hunt and of the Fight- Dark romantic suspenseM.C.Paas writes dark romantic suspense where happily ever after is earned through shadows, secrets, and a heartbeat of danger. Her obsession with storytelling began at fourteen with a single poem and has grown into six completed manuscripts that blend pulse pounding stakes with sinful chemistry. Her debut novel Broken Rules of The Hunt strands two broken souls on opposite sides of a crime that could destroy them or bind them forever.When she's not plotting twisted fates, M.C. haunts Estonian coffeehouses, sketches gothic‑tinged art, and spoils her horses to no end. A certified bookworm, she lives for late night page turners and reader DMs.Book: BROKEN RULES OF THE HUNTWildcat is an elite criminal, thriving in a world built on danger and deception. But when an unknown syndicate places a massive bounty on her head, she becomes the hunted. Betrayed by the very criminal society she once ruled, Wildcat is thrust into a high stakes game of survival where every move could be her last.Enter Fox, a seductive and cunning rival. Torn between claiming the bounty or helping her uncover the dark secrets of her past, he becomes both Wildcat's greatest threat and her only chance at survival. With powerful enemies closing in and her heart on the line, Wildcat must decide: can she trust the man who has the power to destroy her? Or will falling for him be her most dangerous gamble yet?In a world where loyalty is deadly and betrayal is currency, the ultimate prize is her life and the cost of love could be her death.This is a pulse pounding tale of passion, betrayal, and high stakes danger, where the price of trust is survival, and the ultimate heist is her heart.Book: BROKEN RULES OF THE FIGHTIn the brutal world of the Undercrowd, Serpent has built his own empire. An underground fighting ring where only men step into the cage. It keeps things simple. Controlled. But when his search for his abducted sister leads him to the Russian Bratva's human trafficking network, his path collides with the last person he ever expected to see alive – Phoenix.Once a rising star in the ring, Phoenix was supposed to be dead. Now, she's an Undercrowder, a ghost in the criminal underworld, fighting for survival. And she might be the key to unraveling the Bratva's secrets. Serpent swore he'd never deal with female fighters again, but Phoenix isn't just any fighter. She's a force of nature.To take down the Bratva and uncover the truth, they'll have to break every rule, fight against their pasts, and trust each other in a world where trust is a death sentence.Because in the Undercrowd, the only thing deadlier than the fight itself… is coming back from the grave.https://mcpaaswrites.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 606 - Claire Isenthal - Balancing Family and Writing, An Adventurous Duology Made to OrderClaire Isenthal grew up traveling all over the world with her family. She graduated from Purdue University and went on to live in Chicago where she worked in Digital Marketing and Ad Sales for over ten years. She has since relocated her family back to her Indiana hometown, but is still an avid traveler and loves nothing more than to lose herself in a good book. She still attributes her knack for structure and pacing to reading some of the Harry Potter books over 10 times. Claire is an International Thriller Writers (ITW) member and has a Substack for new authors — Rising Talent, Earning Your Space in the Publishing Industry. When Claire is not attending writer's conferences or classes, her evenings are spent with her husband, two children, computer or writers group. The Rising Order is her first novel.The Rising Order kicks off a series reflecting the rise of extremism and threats society faces in the digital age.Losing everything changed Wolf. Orphaned at a young age, he had no family, no home, and no future. Until a domestic terrorist organization seduced him into their ranks when he was eighteen. Over the next ten years, he's transformed into a merciless killer and discovers his life's purpose in the organization's mission of societal breakdown. Building a new totalitarian regime consumes him and it starts with collapsing Chicago's vulnerable electrical grid.Flynn is trapped in a soul-sucking job, recruiting at a renowned computing firm. When Wolf takes her hostage during a brutal attack on Soldier Field, she becomes a pawn in their mission to take control of the city. Forced to help Wolf infiltrate her company, right and wrong is no longer black or white. If Flynn refuses, he will murder every person she loves. If she agrees, Chicago will suffer unimaginable horror. Killing Wolf is her only solution. But, while searching for his breaking point, she discovers a glimpse of humanity she didn't know existed—a loneliness she also recognizes in herself. Now, it will take more than wit and willpower to stop him from destroying her city, it will take everything she has.The New Order lands readers right where Isenthal left them in book I — on the edge of a cliffhanger… Chicago has fallen and Flynn Zarytsky, an unwilling accomplice in the city's takeover by REDS, has gone into hiding. As she and her fellow Allies, rebels to the new terrorist regime, scrounge for supplies and survival among the darkened buildings, measures grow desperate. When a meeting gone awry sends Flynn across the path of a familiar face, she's flung once more into a troubled partnership that could determine the city's fate. Alliances are formed and tested as Flynn, Nate, and their comrades create an ambitious plan that could save the nation—or get them all killed. If they want any chance of success, they must learn to place trust and hope in unlikely places. Can redemption be found for those who have done the most harm but suffered the deepest hurt? Is forgiveness, empathy, even love possible among the broken pieces of REDS's new order? The action continues in this final installment of Claire Isenthal's thrilling series, a page-turning read not to be missed.https://www.claireisenthal.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 605 - Jayne Mills - BOTTOM OF THE BREATH - Seeking Answers in The Grand Canyon, Using Our Write BrainLike both my mother and my daughter, I have always loved to read. I also dreamed of writing a book someday. In fact, as a young person, I planned to be a writer by profession.Life, however, has a way of reminding us that we're not in charge. In the book, Cyd's aunt tells her, “Man plans and God laughs.” That has certainly been true in my life. It was a happy accident that I ended up changing my major from journalism to finance. I have enjoyed a long, successful, and rewarding career doing math (which I also love) and working with the best clients anyone could hope for.In 2019, as I was undergoing chemotherapy treatments and spending lots of time on my sofa, I began writing this book in earnest. I haven't stopped since.BOTTOM OF THE BREATH is the result. I took five years to write, and another year to get published. I knew nothing about writing a novel when I began, and it's a good thing I didn't know what I didn't know—otherwise I'm certain I would have never started.In the course of writing this book and questioning everything from my writing ability to my sanity, I kept coming back to the desire to leave a story for my children and all my readers in which I share some of the lessons I've learned in my life—about the importance of family, the absolute necessity of friendship, and the power of forgiveness.https://www.jaynemills.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