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Welcome to Episode 248! This episode is a bit different. We have an Author Spotlight with biographer Natalie Dykstra. If you've been listening to the podcast since this summer, you know that we both read her fascinating biography, CHASING BEAUTY: THE LIFE OF ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER. We also visited the exceptional, impressive, excellent – let's go with indescribable – Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. As a result, we had A LOT to talk about with Natalie, and our conversation went long. We greatly appreciated Natalie taking so much time to speak with us, and when it came to editing, well, we didn't know how to cut anything, and, to be honest, we didn't want to cut anything! So, this episode is an extended Author Spotlight with Natalie Dykstra! We hope you enjoy it and that you pick up CHASING BEAUTY. This biography won a New England Society of New York Book Award and the Marfield Prize, the national award for arts writing. We read it in paper, digitally, and can also recommend the audiobook narrated by Maggi-Meg Reed. We'll be back with a “regular” episode in two weeks, when we'll discuss Edith Wharton's “Afterward,” the last story in our year-long reading of THE PENGUIN BOOK OF GHOST STORIES. Thank you to this episode's sponsor: CLOSING COSTS by Janie Steele. Happy Listening and Happy Reading! https://www.bookcougars.com/blog-1/2025/episode248
Discover five talented Christian mystery authors writing clean, suspenseful novels for families. From Pennsylvania Dutch cozies to college campus thrillers tackling tough issues, these faith-based mysteries deliver edge-of-your-seat entertainment without compromising values. For more recommendations, visit https://bettyjohansen.com/2023/08/02/christian-mysteries-why-i-love-them/ Wordsmith World City: Big Spring Address: Texas Website: https://bettyjohansen.com/
Leah and Amanda sit down with the wildly talented Elizabeth Stephens—mastermind of sharp humor and soft yet bold heroines.
Leah sits down with author Laney Hatcher to chat all about her newest small-town rom-com, Leaf You Hanging.
Is your life comfortable, but feels too settled? Discover the marathon mindset that breaks self-imposed limits for good.Join us for an inspiring conversation with Dr. William Thomas, who embarked on an incredible journey to run a marathon on all seven continents and the North Pole. In his book, "Cross the Lines," he shares profound lessons on why getting to the starting line is often harder than crossing the finish line, and how to stop limiting yourself in personal and professional pursuits. This is more than a running story; it's a compelling guide for anyone feeling established but unfulfilled, ready to design a life of greater adventure and purpose.Get the Book Here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0998216801/=========================================
Audible Bleeding Editor and vascular surgery fellow Richa Kalsi (@KalsiMD) is joined by 4th year general surgery resident Joe El Badaoui (@JosephBadaouiMD), JVS editor Dr. Audra Duncan (@ADuncanVasc), and JVS-VS editor Dr. John Curci (@CurciAAA) to discuss two great articles in the JVS family of journals. The first article discusses an extensive experience using cryopreserved arterial allografts for vascular reconstruction after major oncologic surgery. The second article sheds light on nanoplastics in atherosclerotic plaques. This episode hosts Dr. Sebastian Cifuentes, Dr. Randall DeMartino (@randydemartino), Dr. Pierce Massie, and Dr. Ross Clark, the first and senior authors of these two papers. Articles: Part 1:Ten-year experience using cryopreserved arterial allografts for vascular reconstruction during major oncologic surgery (Drs. Cifuentes & DeMartino) Part 2: Micro- and nanoplastics are elevated in femoral atherosclerotic plaques compared with undiseased arteries (Drs. Clark & Massie) Show Guests Dr. Sebastian Cifuentes is a first year integrated vascular surgery resident at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI Dr. Randall DeMartino is a Professor of Surgery and the chair of the Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN Dr. Pierce Massie is a general surgery resident in his research time at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine in Albuquerque, NM Dr. Ross Clark is an Assistant Professor of Vascular Surgery and Assistant Professor of Cell Biology and Physiology at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine in Albuquerque, NM Follow us @audiblebleeding Learn more about us at https://www.audiblebleeding.com/about-1/ and provide us with your feedback with our listener survey.
Bonus Podcast today for Spoken Label (Poetry Podcast) with the return of Amanda Nicholson and Courtney Ward assisting me interviewing the return of Lee McShane talking about his debut poetry book 'The House built from Shadows'.Lee McShane is a Neurodivergent actor, filmmaker, and published writer and poet from Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. His work often blends psychological horror with themes of mental health, creating emotionally charged and thought-provoking narratives. His writing has appeared in All Your Stories, All Your Poems, and the PoeticEdge Fantasy Anthology. He will appear in the next anthology by Black Eye Publishing. He headlined Spoken Word Online in July 2025 and is set to headline an online AccessAbility Arts event.Lee's book 'The House built from Shadows' can be found on Amazon
Ruth Ware: https://ruthware.com/Marple : Twelve New Mysteries https://youtu.be/uBdPzYByMMU?si=yGC3U68-rXrPfN8mPatreon https://www.patreon.com/talkbookishpodcastInstagram https://www.instagram.com/talkbookishpodcast/Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/talkbookishpodcast/Interested in being a guest on the podcast? https://forms.gle/KtaEnr2Z8eKi6E1x8
Leah and Amanda chat with author Cynthia St. Aubin about her Tails from the Alpha Art Gallery series.
Leah sits down with author Alix E. Harrow to talk about her latest release, The Everlasting.
In this episode of Reading Materials, we're joined by author H. R. Cole to discuss her debut adult fantasy novel Daughter of the Void, published in August 2025.H. R. shares her thoughts on the bias women face in the fantasy genre, what it takes to craft a truly captivating enemies-to-lovers romance, and how her background in medical journalism shaped her approach to writing.It's an engaging and insightful conversation about resilience, romance, and breaking boundaries in fantasy fiction.
Jess sits down with Jackie Pflug, author of Wake Up! It's Time to Say Yes to a Life Worth Loving. Join us for an inspiring conversation about breaking free from autopilot and consciously choosing joy. Jackie shares how to recognize when parts of your life aren't working—and what it takes to release what's holding you back so you can fully say yes to life.The episode also explores the benefits of working with Soul Speak Press, from maintaining creative control and ownership of your book rights to having an authentic voice in every step of the publishing process.Jackie Pflug is a best-selling author, motivational speaker, and survivor of the 1985 EgyptAir hijacking—an event that left her shot at point-blank range and left for dead. While that moment changed everything, her greatest transformation came years later as she reckoned with what it means to create a life built on authentic joy.Today, Jackie brings her story to intimate stages across the country—from women's circles and bookstores to podcasts—inviting people into honest conversations about growth, healing, and reclaiming joy. With a rare blend of humor, heart, and hard-won wisdom, she shares insights on navigating change, listening to your inner voice, and finding your way home to yourself.Jackie has been featured in People, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Times of Malta, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and Larry King Live. Her story is unforgettable—and her message is universal.This podcast is hosted by Jessica Buchanan, a NYT Bestselling author, speaker, survivor and founder of Soul Speak Press. Soul Speak Press is a boutique non-traditional publishing company focused on publishing stories from women who have been through something, now they know something, and can teach us something. Learn more about Jessica's first book: Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six Learn more about the Deserts to Mountaintops Anthologies. If you're interested in hearing interviews with our Soul Speak Press authors, check out the Deserts to Mountaintops Podcast.
In this episode of Reading Materials, we're joined by author Ross Montgomery to talk about his latest release, The Murder at World's End, published on October 30, 2025. Ross shares insights into his career as a beloved children's author, what it was like transitioning to writing murder mysteries for adults, and the books he read as a child that completely blew his mind. It's a fun and fascinating conversation about creative evolution, storytelling across genres, and the stories that shape us.
Discover the strategies behind financial independence with Steve Selengut's Retirement Money Secrets. In this episode, Steve shares how focusing on income rather than market growth can transform your retirement planning. Learn the six principles of risk minimization and income generation that make this book a must-read for anyone aiming for financial freedom. Get ready to rethink how your money works for you.
Naima Simone stops by the podcast to chat with Leah about Huntsman and start of The Hunted Kingdom series.
This week Jess sits down with Gillian Lichota, author and founder of the iRise Above Foundation, to explore the power of writing as a healing process. Together, they discuss the practice of sacred truthtelling—how sharing one's story can transform pain into purpose—and invite listeners to join a collective conversation about breast cancer, honoring the experiences of both patients and caregivers. Gillian's new book is available tomorrow, October 23rd.RISING ABOVE: Our Transformational Journey to Wholeness After Breast Cancer is a sacred gathering of voices from young women who faced breast cancer at a time when life was just beginning to unfold-when they were falling in love, building careers, becoming mothers, and discovering their truths. The diagnosis didn't wait. It struck early, shattering timelines and rewriting dreams. But within that breaking open, something deeper awakened.This anthology arises from that awakening.About iRise Above: Founded by Gillian Lichota in 2017 following her own experience as a young, pregnant woman with breast cancer, the foundation empowers young women to seize control of their well-being during and after treatments and surgeries, with targeted, age-appropriate and integrative resources. Through wellness programs, webinars, retreats, and adventure trips designed by wellness and medical experts, these women are equipped with the latest research to improve their health through nutrition, exercise, and mindfulness practices. They are inspired to see their journey as a transformational one.Most importantly, iRise connects young women with breast cancer to a community of like-minded thrivers with the same goals: the desire to live full, vibrant lives aligned with their passion and purpose, and to move the needle on their prognoses.Connect with Gillian on Instagram or FacebookThis podcast is hosted by Jessica Buchanan, a NYT Bestselling author, speaker, survivor and founder of Soul Speak Press. Soul Speak Press is a boutique non-traditional publishing company focused on publishing stories from women who have been through something, now they know something, and can teach us something. Learn more about Jessica's first book: Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six Learn more about the Deserts to Mountaintops Anthologies. If you're interested in hearing interviews with our Soul Speak Press authors, check out the Deserts to Mountaintops Podcast.
Join Leah and Amanda as they chat with author B.K. Borison about her newest holiday romance, Good Spirits.
In this special episode, author Marie Birtel opens up about her deeply personal and powerful book I Love You When..., a journey through covert narcissistic abuse in families. She shares how childhood conditioning shapes emotional patterns and how breaking free from toxic systems can lead to healing and freedom. Discover a story of courage, awareness, and transformation—written by someone who's lived it.
In this episode of Author's Voice with KAJ, meet Donovan Pyle, CEO of Health Compass Consulting and author of Fixing Healthcare. Discover how his groundbreaking book exposes the hidden waste in America's healthcare system — nearly $300 billion a year — and reveals how companies can reclaim lost profits while improving employee care. Pyle shares real-world strategies and case studies that challenge conventional thinking and inspire smarter healthcare decisions.
Welcome to a bonus episode of the Cops And Writers Podcast, where the tables, or mics, are turned. Today on this special Author Spotlight, I’m being interviewed by book coach and editor, Lori Puma. A little about Lori: Lori Puma helps authors write novels that inspire readers to skip bathroom breaks and survive on chips and salsa. She started her writing career by publishing scientific papers. (Great reading if it’s 3:12 am and you’ve run out of Ambien.) Since then, she’s worked a variety of jobs, many of which involved telling stories. Now a developmental editor and story coach, Lori works with writers who are trying to figure out how to tell a story readers can’t put down, as well as seasoned authors who are looking for ways to make their stories stand out. For today’s interview, Lori will pick my brain, analyzing what today’s crime writers can learn from the Edgar Allan Poe classic The Murders in the Rue Morgue. Of course, we go off course a bit with some of my war stories from working the streets. I had a lot of fun chatting with Lori and learned a bunch! Lori asked some excellent questions that will be of service for crime writers. Please enjoy this informative and fun interview with Lori steering the boat. In today’s episode, we discuss: · Edgar Allan Poe's classic The Murders in the Rue Morgue. · What is a ‘locked room’ mystery? · My first locked-room mystery on the street. · Interviewing a potential homicide suspect. · Managing a chaotic homicide scene with multiple witnesses/suspects. · Setting up a formal interrogation. · Being the first cop on the scene of a homicide with over 100 people running out of a tavern. · The surprising way police obtain confessions from a suspect. All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast. Visit Lori's website to learn more about her and her services! Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel! Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!!!!! Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series. Please visit the Cops and Writers website.
Join Leah and Amanda for a conversation with debut author Ariel Sullivan..
If you love books, and you love dogs, and you love books that feature dogs, these authors are writing for you.Margaret Mizushima and Kathleen Donnelly share all the details of their writing and publishing lives in this joint episode.Margaret's latest: Dying Cry: a Timber Creek K-9 MysteryKathleen's latest: Colorado K-9 Rescue
On this episode of Author's Voice with KAJ, writer Nkrumah Mensah shares how a forgotten manuscript—and her daughter's curiosity—sparked a seven-book journey. Her story reveals the courage it takes to bring creative ideas to life and the power of persistence even outside your day job. A must-watch for creators, entrepreneurs, and anyone building something meaningful from passion and purpose.
In this episode of Reading Materials, we're joined by author Serra Swift to talk about her upcoming fantasy novel Kill the Beast, out October 14, 2025. Serra shares her thoughts on navigating the pitfalls of professional jealousy, the differences between YA and adult fantasy from the author's perspective, and how to strike the balance between being a great writer and a great storyteller. It's a candid and inspiring conversation about creativity, perseverance, and the craft of writing fantasy.Thank you to Tor Books for sending us advanced copies of Kill the Beast!Episode Timepoints:00:00 - Intro00:20 - Interview with Serra Swift01:04:50 - Outro
Leah sits down with author Nadia El-Fassi to chat about her newest release Love at First Fright. And they answer all the burning questions.
Send us a textFor this special episode, we will be starting our new series called Author Spotlight, with our first author being Casey Cline. Casey has recently published her debut novel “The Wayfaring Widow” which was released September 30. We loved being able to read the ARC and then discuss her novel on this episode. Enjoy!As Holbrook Jackson said, "Never put off till tomorrow the book you can read today."Now go stick your nose in a book!
In this episode of Reading Materials, we're joined by author Nuala Ellw0od, also known as Iris Costello, to talk about her newest novel The Paris Bookshop Secret, released in July 2025. Nuala shares how a haunted Georgian mansion inspired her current project, the power of books to help readers process grief, and the rituals she uses to get into the writing zone.It's a rich and reflective conversation about creativity, emotion, and the healing power of storytelling.Thank you to Penguin to sending us proofs of The Paris Bookshop Secret.Episode Timepoints:00:00 - Intro00:20 - Our interview with Nuala Ellwood01:05:00 - Outro
Audible Bleeding editor Wen (@WenKawaji) is joined by 4th year medical student Nishi (@Nishi_Vootukuru), JVS editor Dr. Duncan (@ADuncanVasc), JVS-CIT associate editor Dr. Jimenez to discuss some of our favorite articles in the JVS family of journals. This episode hosts Dr. Darling, Dr. Banks and Dr. Beck. Articles: Outcomes following drug-coated balloons and drug-eluting stents in patients with peripheral arterial disease Fiber Optic RealShape (FORS) and three-dimensional overlay technology in preemptive segmental artery embolization to reduce the risk of spinal cord ischemia prior to fenestrated endovascular aortic aneurysm Show Guests Dr. Jeremy Darling- integrated vascular surgery resident at BIDMC Dr. Charles Banks - integrated vascular surgery resident at UAB Dr. Adam Beck- Director of the division of vascular surgery and endovascular therapy, professor of surgery, director of quality and associate chief medical quality officer at the University of Alabama. Follow us @audiblebleeding Learn more about us at https://www.audiblebleeding.com/about-1/ and provide us with your feedback with our listener survey.
Author Melissa Marr sit down with Leah in this author spotlight episode to chat Toni and Addie Go Viral.
We are Traci and Ellie, two bookish friends who read in any spare minute that we have. This week, we are starting a new series: Author Spotlight! This week, we are talking all about the legend, Jane Austen. To shop the books listed in this episode, visit our shop at bookshop.org. Care to join us on Patreon with even more content? We would love to have you join us at From the Bookstacks of Literally Reading! Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Mansfield Park by Jane Austen Emma by Jane Austen Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen Persuasion by Jane Austen
Juanita provides a powerful reminder of God's love for us and his longing for our love in return. Hear more about her book and her journey of becoming a published author here on 4 Friends & A Book Podcast.Pick up the book: https://www.thegreatembracing.com/Connect with 4 Friends & A Book Podcast:INSTAGRAM | / 4friendsandabook FACEBOOK | / 4-friends-a-book-104994371734599 YOUTUBE: / @4friendsandabook #4friendsandabookpodcast #bookreviewers #2025reading #bookrecommendation #bookclubreads #booktok #bookpodcast #booktube4 Friends and A Book podcast centers discussions on books, life experiences, and a little bit of everything else in between. We have organic conversations which flow naturally from the book at hand, through the writer's journey, and of course, the impact it has on the culture. Our mission is to bring inspiration and reinforce the joys of literacy within our community.
Caleb begins today's episode with a revelation! One that deals with some Stephen King criticism. After that, we settle in for the long haul as we shout out some notable writers who have been guests on the podcast or are affiliated with us in some capacity. Things get a bit weird as the whiskey flows, but we have a fun time talking about some of our favorite people in the writing world. You can check out most of the writers mentioned in the show on Instagram: Nicolás Obregón - https://www.instagram.com/obregonbooks# David Scott Hay - https://www.instagram.com/david.scott.hay.official/# Tyler C. Gore - https://www.instagram.com/tylermustwashhands/# A.D Jones - https://www.instagram.com/the_evergrowing_library/# Hayden Robinson - https://www.instagram.com/geekwriter92/# Amber Hathaway - https://www.instagram.com/amber_hathaway_writes/# Michael Wegener - https://www.instagram.com/_michael_wegener_/# Shane Joaquin Jimenez - https://www.instagram.com/shane_joaquin_jimenez/# Stevie Hosler - https://www.instagram.com/steviehosler_writes/# L. Stephenson - https://www.instagram.com/l._stephenson/# Harriet Everend - https://www.instagram.com/h.everend.author/#
Audible Bleeding editor Wen (@WenKawaji) is joined by 5th-year general surgery resident Sasank Kalipatnapu (@ksasank) from UMass Chan Medical School, JVS editor Dr. Duncan (@ADuncanVasc), JVS-VLD associate editor Dr. Hingorani (@hingorani_anil) to discuss some of our favorite articles in the JVS family of journals. This episode hosts Dr. Omar Moussa-Pasha, Dr. David Ebertz, Dr. Rashad Bishara, and Dr. Ahmed Gaweesh, the authors of the following papers. Articles: An audit of physical waste and fluoroscopy energy consumption in vascular surgery and suggestions for the future Impact of great saphenous vein ablation on healing and recurrence of venous leg ulcers in patients with post-thrombotic syndrome: A retrospective comparative study Show Guests Dr. Omar Moussa-Pasha: Medical student at St Louis University. Dr. David Ebertz (@EbertzDavid): second year vascular surgery fellow at St. Louis University Dr. Rashad Bishara (@agaweesh): Chairman of Vascular Surgery Organization for Teaching Hospitals of Egypt President, Egypt & Africa Vein and Lymph Association, Chair of the International Committee of the American Venous Forum Dr. Ahmed Gaweesh: Dr. Gaweesh is a Consultant Vascular Surgery in Egypt/UAE; Senior Lecturer in Alexandria University. Founder and Board Chairman of iVein Clinics – the first specialized chain of vein clinics in the Middle East since 2013. Follow us @audiblebleeding Learn more about us at https://www.audiblebleeding.com/about-1/ and provide us with your feedback with our listener survey.
Welcome to a bonus episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast! This is something I will throw out there to you all once in a while. Today’s bonus episode will be a part of my author spotlight series, where I focus on the author side of the business to see what is working for them and what makes them tick as successful authors. So, as you can guess, today’s episode is for the authors out there who are looking to start, level up, or might need a tad bit of inspiration to keep going. Or, if you aren’t an author, maybe you are just curious to see how all of this book writing stuff actually works. Either way, I think the content is valuable, and we, of course, will have some fun as well. For today’s show, I have brought on three very successful authors who write crime thrillers with K9s as an integral part of their stories. Let’s meet our authors. Jodi Burnette is a bestselling self-published author who has published over 23 books. Before she was an author, she was busy raising four kids and pursuing other businesses. After the kids left the nest, she felt a void and began writing. She hit the ground running, pumping out bestselling thrillers, and has a loyal following that most authors would be envious of. Margaret Mizushima writes the award-winning and internationally published Timber Creek K-9 Mysteries, which feature Deputy Mattie Cobb, her German shepherd partner Robo, and veterinarian Cole Walker. Together they fight crime in the fictional mountain community of Timber Creek, Colorado. There are nine books in Margaret's series, and the tenth, Dying Cry, will be published on October 14th this fall. In real life, Margaret and her veterinarian husband recently moved from a small ranch in Colorado, where they raised two daughters and a multitude of animals, to a home in the Pacific Northwest. Award-winning author Kathleen Donnelly brings heart-pounding suspense and unforgettable K-9 heroes to life in her National Forest K-9 and Colorado K-9 series. A retired K-9 handler, she draws on her real-life experience and brings to life the powerful bond between humans and working dogs. Her upcoming release, Colorado K-9 Rescue, shines a light on crisis canines and their power to help victims recover. I had a lot of fun doing this interview, and I believe you will get a lot of useful information out of today’s show, and maybe a couple of chuckles! In today’s episode, we discuss: · Why and how they started writing books. · Best and worst writing advice. · What lessons they learned from writing their first book? · How they learned police procedure, more specifically K9 police procedure, being civilians. · Why are dogs so popular in movies and books? · Why did they choose to be traditional or self-published authors, and what are the pros and cons of both? · Best marketing advice to sell more books. · Artificial intelligence, how to use it, or not use it. All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast. Visit Jodi Burnett on her website to learn more about her and her books! Visit Kathleen Donnelley at her website to learn more about her and her books! Visit Margaret Mizushima at her website to learn more about her and her books! Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel! Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!!!!! Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series. Please visit the Cops and Writers website.
Leah sits down with author Jan Moran to chat about her author journey and her upcoming novels.
A special conversation with author Deborah Coviello on their book “The CEO's Compass: Your Guide to Get Back on Track.”
A special conversation with author Ryan T. Reichert on their book “God Only Knows When the Devil Comes for You: A Second Chance at Life.”
A special conversation with author Dr. Josh McConkey on their book “Be the Weight Behind the Spear.”
Amanda and Leah sit down with author Brigid Kemmerer to chat Warrior Princess Assassin and her author journey.
Author Samantha Cole stops by the podcast to chat with Leah about Burning for Him and her journey as an author.
What are the compelling reasons to sell one's RIA? Where are potential buyers found? What factors should go into the decision to sell? What about the common mistakes that can blow a deal? Linda Bready, author of “The Exit Equation,” deals with those questions and others during this episode. (08/2025)
Interview with Debra Cohen, author of Jewish Palestine/Arab Palestine: A History of Conflict
A special interview with author Andy Dietrich on his book “Play Stupid Games Win Stupid Prizes: Short stories about friendship, growth, and social misdemeanors.”Get the Book Here: https://www.andysbook.com/=================================
Interview with Author Terry Whalin about his book, "10 Publishing Myths."===============================================
Jess K. Hardy stops by the podcast to chat with Leah and Amanda about her Bluebird Basin Series.
A special conversation with author Neena Perez on their book “Hit Me with Your Best Shot!: How I Overcame A Hard-Hitting Life.”
Leah sits down with Navessa Allen to talk about the Into the Darkness Trilogy and its latest installment, Caught Up.
A special conversation with author Leslie A.M. Smith on their book “Laws of Promotion: The quintessential marketing guide to help any small business or nonprofit put promotion in motion.”
Author Mallory Marlowe stops by the podcast to chat with Leah about her latest release Love at First Sighting.