Podcasts about barnes and noble

Upgrade to the Ad Free Premium Podcast Experience - https://rachelhollis.supercast.com Get your copy of Rachel's Book Here: Audible, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Millon, Bookshop.org, or wherever books are sold! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices In this episode of The Rachel Hollis Podcast, recored live during a recent keynote speech, Rachel delivers an energizing message for entrepreneurs about pursuing ambitious goals with confidence, focus, and resilience. She encourages listeners to take ownership of their mindset, focus on one meaningful goal at a time, embrace rejection and failure as part of growth, and recognize that they already have everything they need to create the life and business they want. Rachel reminds listeners that lasting success comes from consistent action, self-belief, and the courage to stop playing small. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome back to SANDCAST: Beach Volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter, where, for the first time the entire year, Travis is back in the studio, where he's hanging with Kyle Friend, answering all of your fan questions for the July Mailbag. A sampler: Is Russia back on the Beach Pro Tour? How is Olympic qualifying going to work for LA 2028? Is there a fall event or not for the Beach Pro Tour? Have Chase Budinger and Trevor Crabb found their perfect partners? And a whole lot more. SHOOTS! We have a NEW BOOK! Pre-order your copy of Volleyball for Dummies today at Barnes and Noble! Get 25 PERCENT off and FREE SHIPPING on all Mikasa products with our code, SANDCAST and play with the ball. played with the best in the game. Head to Mikasa's website and get your bag of balls today! Get 10 PERCENT OFF VBTV using our discount code, SANDCAST10 Want to get better at beach volleyball? Use our discount code, SANDCAST, and get 10 percent off all Better at Beach products!  Want SANDCAST merch? We got you covered. Check it out here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After surviving multiple strokes without permanent damage, I was left wrestling with a question I could not answer. Did God step into my kitchen to warn me? This is a story about an unexpected answer to prayer, and the deeper truth about the God who sees us, knows us, and is far closer than we realize. -- NEW Everyday Miracle compilation book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/45cgbP8 Everyday Miracle compilation book on Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/everyday-miracles-julie-hedenborg/1146173449?ean=9798881501808 Subscribe to Julie's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@everydaymiraclespodcast1395 Website for Everyday Miracles (APPLY!): http://everydaymiraclespodcast.com/ To follow Everyday Miracles Podcast on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everyday-miracles-podcast/id1447430033 On Social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everydaymiraclespodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everydaymiraclespodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@everydaymiraclespodcast X: https://x.com/miracles9598 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hedenborg-452028a7/ To email Julie directly: everydaymiraclespodcast@gmail.com -- Scripture ✝️: Matthew 7:11 Psalm 46:1 Psalm 139:1-3 Matthew 10:29-31

Upgrade to the Ad Free Premium Podcast Experience - https://rachelhollis.supercast.com Get your copy of Rachel's Book Here: Audible, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Millon, Bookshop.org, or wherever books are sold! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices In this edition of "Ask Rach" on The Rachel Hollis Podcast, Rachel answers listener questions about finding balance after years of hustle, managing multiple priorities while raising young children, and navigating a career that no longer feels fulfilling. She encourages listeners to embrace different seasons of life, create structured routines that support both family and ambition, and make thoughtful transitions toward new dreams without sacrificing long-term financial stability. Rachel reminds listeners that success isn't about doing everything at once—it's about building a life that aligns with your values while taking intentional steps toward the future you want. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Have you ever been told that your golden years should be about rest, only to find yourself back in the world of school runs, sports practices, and sleepless nights? Are you a grandparent raising your grandchildren, wrestling with exhaustion and identity loss, while quietly wondering if you'll ever reclaim a piece of yourself? You may be feeling the heavy weight of duty, but beneath the surface, there's a quieter transformation happening—one that science now recognizes as generativity.I'm Laura, and on this episode of 'Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity,' we're flipping the script on aging. Joined by Dr. Deborah Heiser, a leading voice in developmental psychology, we discover why stepping up as a kinship caregiver might be the healthiest thing you can do for your brain. From the emotional boost of newfound purpose to the surprising cognitive benefits of mentoring a new generation, you're not just surviving—you're gaining a powerful new identity. Download her free Mental Mapping checklist here.https://mentalmapping.floot.app/You'll hear real stories of messiness and joy, practical advice for adapting to unexpected parenting, and scientific insights into the ways kinship care can stave off stagnation and loneliness. We'll talk openly about transitioning from struggle to meaning, and how embracing the joys (and the chaos) of your grandchildren revitalizes your mind, body, and legacy.Join us as we celebrate the mentors, athletes of the soul, who are nurturing through adversity and building a legacy stronger than ever before.Send us Fan MailAs a grandmother raising two grandchildren, one of my favorite things is watching them connect with the world around them. That's why I'm so in love with Dr. Dale Atkins new children's book "Dear Deer". Purchase directly through her website, Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Help our kids log off the screeens and tune back into the world! A grandmother raising grandchildren leaves a review and share her story and how every listener encourages her in her role as a kinship caregiver, one podcast at a time.Thank you for tuning into today's episode. It's been a journey of shared stories, insights, and invaluable advice from the heart of a community that knows the beauty and challenges of raising grandchildren. Your presence and engagement mean the world to us and to grandparents everywhere stepping up in ways they never imagined.Remember, you're not alone on this journey. For more resources, support, and stories, visit our website and follow us on our social media channels. If today's episode moved you, consider sharing it with someone who might find comfort and connection in our shared experiences.We look forward to bringing more stories and expert advice your way next week. Until then, take care of yourselves and each other.Want to be a guest on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity? Send Laura Brazan a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/grgLiked this episode? Share it and tag us on Facebook @GrandparentsRaisingGrandchilden Love the show? Leave a review and let us know!CONNECT WITH US: Website | Facebook 

Upgrade to the Ad Free Premium Podcast Experience - https://rachelhollis.supercast.com Get your copy of Rachel's Book Here: Audible, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Millon, Bookshop.org, or wherever books are sold! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices In this episode of The Rachel Hollis Podcast, Rachel shares the mindset shifts that can create meaningful change in just 90 days, emphasizing that lasting transformation starts with radical honesty. She encourages listeners to honestly assess where they are today, narrow their focus to what matters most, evaluate the people and habits shaping their lives, and stop seeking validation for goals they haven't yet accomplished. Rachel reminds listeners that real progress comes from consistent action, self-awareness, and the willingness to face uncomfortable truths in pursuit of the life they want. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Power in negotiation isn't about forcing outcomes—it's about having the confidence, clarity, and self-awareness to make decisions that align with your values. In this insightful episode of The Art of Feminine Negotiation, Cindy Watson sits down with entrepreneur, executive coach, angel investor, and best-selling author Scott Abbott to explore "Redefining Power: Calm, Clarity, And The Courage To Walk Away." As the Founder & CEO of BOS-UP, Straticos, and Phase4 Investments, Scott has spent decades helping leaders build resilient businesses and make high-stakes decisions with confidence. Together, Cindy and Scott discuss why true influence comes from emotional control rather than dominance, how staying calm creates better negotiation outcomes, and why knowing when to walk away is often the greatest source of power. Whether you're negotiating in business, leadership, or life, this episode offers practical strategies to help you lead with confidence, clarity, and purpose.   Join us as we explore:   Where the negotiation actually starts? What happens when people enter negotiations without clarity? Even if they are confident. How does preparation can be more intentional in negotiation? How can it reduce emotional reactivity in negotiations, especially high stakes negotiations? How to define real power in negotiation? What is the important work that you should do before sitting down for a conversation. And many more!   Learn more about Scott:   Website: https://scottabbottabc.com/                https://www.leadwithscott.com/   Instgram: https://www.instagram.com/scottabbottabc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottabbottabc X: https://www.x.com/scottabbottabc   Checkout Scott's books:  https://www.amazon.com/stores/Scott-Abbott/author/B08FHF648X?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=a318e171-55fb-4c8f-aa82-af177b64278a   If you're looking to up-level your negotiation skills, I have everything from online to group to my signature one-on-one mastermind & VIP experiences available to help you better leverage your innate power to get more of what you want and deserve in life. Check out our website at www.artofFeminineNegotiation.com if that sounds interesting to you.   Get Cindy's book here: Amazon   https://www.amazon.com/Art-Feminine-Negotiation-Boardroom-Bedroom-ebook/dp/B0B8KPCYZP?inf_contact_key=94d07c699eea186d2adfbddfef6fb9e2&inf_contact_key=013613337189d4d12be8d2bca3c26821680f8914173f9191b1c0223e68310bb1 EBook   https://www.amazon.com/Art-Feminine-Negotiation-Boardroom-Bedroom-ebook/dp/B0B8KPCYZP?inf_contact_key=94d07c699eea186d2adfbddfef6fb9e2&inf_contact_key=013613337189d4d12be8d2bca3c26821680f8914173f9191b1c0223e68310bb1 Barnes and Noble   https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-art-of-feminine-negotiation-cindy-watson/1141499614?ean=9781631959776 CONNECT WITH CINDY: Website: www.womenonpurpose.ca Website: www.practicingwithpurpose.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/womenonpurposecommunity/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenonpurposecoaching/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/thecindywatson Show: https://www.womenonpurpose.ca/media/podcast-2/ X(Twitter):  https://twitter.com/womenonpurpose1 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hersuasion Email: cindy@womenonpurpose.ca  

You know him as Dani Rojas on Ted Lasso. He's also a professional footballer with El Paso Locomotive FC, a filmmaker, and now the author of a bilingual picture book, Fútbol Is Life! / ¡Fútbol es vida!, illustrated by James Rey Sanchez. But before all of that? He was a life insurance salesman who sold nothing for a year.  This conversation is about what happens between the dream and the arriving. About injuries that turn out to be redirections. About why "be curious, not judgmental" might be the most useful thing we can teach — and keep learning ourselves. In this episode: (00:01) The gotcha question: is Cristo actually a superhero? (01:27) The family example: why "the more you give, the more you receive" (03:32) What team sports teach us about not being the star (04:19) Injuries, rejection, and becoming a hustler: "I love when someone tells me no" (09:22) The market scene: remembering to pause and notice (10:31) What Dani Rojas reminds Cristo about joy (12:55) Embracing where you come from as a superpower (14:09) Collaboration, and never thinking you know everything (16:30) Why a children's book is the perfect format for dreaming big Quotes worth stealing: "I love when someone tells me no. It might not be no here, but it might be yes somewhere else." "Aim for the moon. If you don't hit the moon, you hit a star. And if you don't hit a star, you hit some space dust — and that's fine too." "There's not one single way of being Mexican or being American or being Latino. We all bring something great to the table." Links: The book (Barnes & Noble): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/futbol-is-life-futbol-es-vida-cristo-fernandez/1148772346 More episodes: https://pod.shiftingschools.com

Emily the Movie Girl shares her reviews of the movies she's seen, including Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey," the month-long Criterion Collection sale is currently running at Barnes & Noble, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You just spent two years writing a book. Now what? That's the question at the center of this conversation about book publicity, expectations, and the long game of building a body of work. Bill Sherman sits down with Sandy Smith, CEO of Smith Publicity, to unpack what a smart book launch actually looks like — and why most of the excitement (and anxiety) authors feel in the 60 days around publication misses the point. Sandy's first move with any client is to ask what success looks like a year out. That reframe — from launch week to long horizon — shapes everything else: how to define goals, how to find the right audience for a big idea, and why a book should be treated less like a product drop and more like a two-to-three-year (or longer) relationship-building asset. The conversation moves through sharp, practical territory: the difference between an audience that's ready for your message and one that isn't (yes, even when they need it most), how publicists match authors to podcasts, bylined articles, and expert commentary opportunities, and why revisiting an author's earlier books can sometimes be more valuable than pushing the new release. Sandy and Bill also talk through the emotional arc of a launch — the pre-launch momentum, the 60-day flurry, and the letdown that can follow once the initial push ends. Underneath the tactics is a bigger idea both return to again and again: books create relationships. They let readers spend time with an author's thinking in a low-stakes, high-trust way, and that trust compounds over years, not weeks. The episode also touches on what makes an idea worth an audience's attention in the first place, and why generosity — not ego — tends to separate thought leaders who build lasting influence from those who burn out chasing a moment. Whether you're planning a first book launch or trying to get more mileage out of one published years ago, this episode offers a grounded, experience-based look at what actually works. Three Key Takeaways: • A launch is a beginning, not a finish line. Treat the book as a two-to-three-year (or longer) asset rather than a 60-day sprint — the real payoff comes from what you do with it after publication week ends. • Define your goal before you plan tactics. Whether the aim is sparking conversation, building visibility, or attracting clients, that goal should shape everything from media targets to messaging. • Audience readiness matters more than audience size. The right strategy meets people who are already primed to hear your idea, then lets them bring others along — rather than forcing a conversation an audience isn't ready for. This episode landed right in the middle of launch week for The Thought Leadership Handbook — the new book from Bill Sherman, Peter Winick, and Naren Aryal — and everything Sandy Smith unpacked about goals, audience readiness, and building a lasting asset is exactly what's behind it. If you want to see those ideas in practice, head to thoughtleadershiphandbook.com for a free excerpt, your own thought leadership avatar, and tools to sharpen your strategy. Then preorder your copy today at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop, or Amplify — and become part of the conversation this book is meant to start.

Join host Sue Rose Minahan as she welcomes Rick Levine—internationally renowned astrologer and Seattle local—to speculate on the profound “4° Barbault Basket Burst” occurring on July 19th.The celestial sky is presenting a powerful alignment. The first major shift arrives on July 19, 2026, anchoring at 4° and involving five distinct planets: the Moon, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.This interlocked pattern forms a grand trine and mystic triangle, creating a supportive "cradle" of trines and sextiles that will hold a tight, potent orb at 4° for three consecutive days.The Core Dynamics of the Alignment-The Outer Planet Foundation: The mystique of this pattern pivots on the outer planets, which are currently engaging in an extended mini grand trine spanning 2024–2029 (concentrating at its tightest from 2025–2027).-The Jupiter Amplifier: Jupiter in Leo adds a massive dynamic energy to the mix, hinging a "BIG" tag onto this aspect and promoting a lasting legacy that pushes humanity forward.-The Lunar Trigger: While the outer planets move slowly, the Moon transiting Libra acts as the crucial fifth point. The Moon unites these five archetypes of transformation, serving as the immediate catalyst that begins a collective bursting through old paradigms.With Uranus and Pluto intensely breaking old patterns, this extraordinary planetary cradle acts as a true launching pad for elevated cultural consciousness.RICK LEVINE: is a world-renowned astrologer, scholar and author. He continues to be a widely respected voice in the global astrology community, giving professional talks and seminars around the world. Astrology Hub Foundations: Midpoints Aug 20 (18-22) 2026 Lily Dale; 2026 UAC; 2027 TBA 6-day workshop Buellton, California.https://www.RickLevineAstrologer.com/https://www.patreon.com/ricklevine https://www.youtube.com/@RickLevineTHE EDUCATORHe has a special gift for bridging the gaps between astrology and spirituality, science and religion, the head and the heart. For over twenty years, millions of readers from around the world became acquainted with the relevance of astrology through Rick's authentic daily horoscopes that appeared on Yahoo, AOL, Huffington Post, LA Times, Tarot.com, and many other sites. Tens of thousands of serious astrology students view Rick's teachings on YouTube every month. Classes with Astrology Hub, Kepler Astrology College, Heaven & Earth.COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS-Founding trustee of Kepler College-Co-founder (with Jeff Jawer) of StarIQ.com-Co-author of eight editions of Barnes and Noble's annual Your Astrology Guide. -Subject of Sacred Mystery's DVD, Quantum Astrology: Science, Spirit, and Our Place in the Cycles of History. COMMUNITY AWARDS-The International Astrologer of the Year at the Krishnamurti Institute of Astrology's 28th International Astrology Conference in Kolkata, India.-The Fomalhaut Award for Astrological Excellence in Istanbul, Turkey.-Favorite Social Media Content Creator and Favorite Astrology YouTube Channel by ISAR (The International Society for Astrological Research). THE PERSONRick Levine's articles and poems have graced the pages of many magazines and websites, including The Mountain Astrologer. He is a true modern-day wizard, a net-junkie, a lover of fine red wine and is rumored to have been initiated into his astrological studies by Pythagoras, himself. Email: rlevine@stariq.comSUE ‘Rose' MINAHAN: Evolutionary Astrologer, Consultant, Writer, Speaker, Mythology enthusiast. Dwarf Planet University graduate; Vibrational Astrology Student under Linda Berry, Kepler Astrology Toastmaster Club (KAT). Wine Country Speakers. Associate of Fine Arts Music Degree, & a Certificate of Fine Arts in Jazz. Artist, musician. Founder of Talk Cosmos weekly conversations awakening heart and soul consciousness since 2018.#4°BarbaultBasket #AndreBarbault #RickLevine #astrology2026 #UranustrinePluto #JupiterinLeo #Moon #TalkCosmos #SueRoseMinahanSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Best-selling fantasy author, Gabrielle Wanek, brings us SONGS OF ASH AND DAWN - BOOK TWO, the second installment of a ten-book, female lead-driven fantasy fiction series. Her novel, Songs of Ash and Dawn - Book One debuted as #1 in Fantasy Series on Barnes and Noble and #1 in Urban Fantasy new releases on Amazon. A writer with a love for sharp-edged stories, complex characters, and mythologies that create new worlds, her series SONGS OF ASH AND DAWN, blends modern-day Midwest life with ancient power in an urban fantasy setting. Gabrielle started writing when she was 14 and draws inspiration from real-world folklore and family stories. She was previously a video game designer, which honed her craft of story and multi-layered narratives. SONGS OF ASH AND DAWN - BOOK TWO continues the adventures of heroines Aidan and Cora, while introducing key villains like Elizabeth, and continues to investigate the shadows – a group of nefarious beings who may be pulling all the strings. In this second book SONGS OF ASH AND DAWN, something dark continues to plague Cora, Aidan, and the rest of the population. Shadow creatures are casting dark magic no one understands, leaving ash where people once stood, and growing bolder with every passing day. But who's behind it all? And how will main characters Cora and Aidan overcome? As a demigod shifter awakening to the power within her and a witch learning to control a volatile power source, Cora and Aidan respectively, are pulled deeper into a hidden world of supernatural threats, mythical creatures, and ancient forces who will stop at nothing to claim or destroy what they carry. New alliances are forged. Old truths are shattered. And the deeper they go, the clearer it becomes—this is only the beginning.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-like-it-s-live--4113802/support.

A few weeks ago, a longtime listener and subscriber named Leo tried to order my book on Amazon. It didn't go smoothly — stock issues, shipping headaches, the usual Amazon runaround. Most people would have just given up and moved on.Leo didn't. He found his way to Signature Brandworks and ordered a copy directly from me instead. That alone means a lot. Leo's been with the podcast and the site for a long time, and knowing he cared enough to track down the book rather than let a broken checkout page stop him is exactly the kind of support that keeps this whole project going.But what really got me was what he said after he read it.Leo described the book as “pure gold” — not just for drummers, and not just for musical theater players, but for any working musician taking on all kinds of gigs. That phrase has been stuck in my head ever since, because it's exactly what I set out to make. This was never meant to be just a drumming book. It's a career guide — contracts, negotiating with producers, breaking into a market, understanding the business side most of us were never taught. If you're a professional musician of any kind, that's information you need.Leo put it better than I could, so I'll let him say it in his own words:“This is pure gold for anyone who's interested, especially in musical theater, but it applies to any kind of musician doing all sorts of gigs. Beyond our instrument — we get really focused on the instrument — but looking up content and resources that are important for a professional musician's training... financial education, negotiation, understanding contracts, and the laws that apply to musicians. I think all of that is important for us to become better professionals and to improve the market for everyone too.”Coming from someone who's spent 23 years developing his own teaching method, that's not a compliment I take lightly.Who is Leo?Leo Bandeira is a Brazilian drummer, author, and educator — and honestly, someone every drummer reading this should be following. He's the author of Teoria Musical para Bateria (Music Theory for Drums), the accompanying Livros de Exercícios volumes 1–3, and Leitura à Primeira Vista (Sight Reading). He also teaches A Bateria no Teatro Musical — Drums in Musical Theater — so when a guy who spends his career teaching this stuff calls my book pure gold, that means a lot to me.His beginner-level video course builds directly on those books: over 400 exercises covering reading, writing, coordination, orchestration, and rhythmic dictation, all developed over two decades of teaching drummers how to actually read and understand music, not just play by feel. If you're a drummer looking to get more literate on your instrument, his material is worth your time.Follow Leo here: instagram.com/leobandeiramusicoLeo's Full Review (translated from Portuguese)I wanted to share it in full, exactly as he gave it, rather than just pulling the one line:Guys, I want to share with you a book I just finished reading, and it's amazing. Clayton is a Broadway drummer with a ton of experience. He has a podcast where he interviews Broadway musicians, so he really lays out how the industry works over there, you know? Which is basically the top of the musical theater world.So, in this book, he explains exactly how everything works over there: contracts with producers, how negotiations happen, how you break into the market. He talks about networking — honestly, he covers so many topics. This is pure gold for anyone who's interested, especially in musical theater, but it applies to any kind of musician doing all sorts of gigs, you know?Yeah, it's really important information that every professional musician should have access to.So folks, I'm leaving his Instagram here so you can find his materials. I think being a good professional musician also means doing your research. Beyond our instrument — we get really focused on the instrument — but looking up content and resources that are important for a professional musician's training, you know?Financial education, negotiation, understanding contracts, and the laws that apply to musicians. I think all of that is important for us to become better professionals and to improve the market for everyone too. Alright? So here's the golden tip. Follow him over there, and look for the book. Thanks!And if you've been on the fence about the book like Leo was — go grab a copy on Amazon. Or get a copy from me here at SignatureBrandworks.com. Also, Leo, if you're reading this: I'm taking a lesson from you the day I finally make it to Brazil, no excuses.I'm proud of this one, and it means the world that it's resonating with musicians outside the Broadway pit too.Clayton Craddock is the founder of Broadway Drumming 101.His Broadway and off-Broadway theater credits include Cats: The Jellicle Ball, Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, Memphis, Altar Boyz, and tick, tick... BOOM!, plus subbing on Rent, Motown, Evita, Avenue Q, and the Hadestown tour. He's appeared on The View, Good Morning America, The Tonight Show, The Today Show, and the Tony Awards, performing alongside artists from Chuck Berry to Kristin Chenoweth.His book, Broadway Bound and Beyond: A Musician's Guide to Building a Theater Career, is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and at Signature Brandworks. His course, Broadway Bound and Beyond: The Course — The Career Foundation Every Working Musician Needs (But Nobody Teaches) — is coming soon.www.claytoncraddock.com Get full access to Broadway Drumming 101 at broadwaydrumming101.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Daily, I am discussing my latest author news, but first, I dive into the Netflix movie Voicemails for Isabelle. The film follows Jill after her sister Isabelle passes away. Left to pick up the pieces while working as a chef and missing her best friend, Jill decides to call Isabelle's phone. Through leaving voicemails, she connects with the new owner of the phone number. They end up falling in love amidst the chaos. Featuring the music of Robyn's "Dancing On My Own," it is a great film adapted from a screenplay that beautifully covers grief, mourning, love, and moving on. Please note there will be spoilers in this discussion.For my author news, I will be at the American Legion Post 116 for their annual Christmas in July Craft Fair, sponsored by the auxiliary, where I will be selling and signing my books. I also have an upcoming author expo in September at the Barnes & Noble in Triangle Town Center. In this episode, I read an excerpt from my book, Battered Mind. Additionally, I am currently working on the audiobook for Battered Mind. I have chosen Chelsea Peña as the narrator and am incredibly excited to bring this project to audio.All royalty-free music for this episode is provided by pixabay.com.There will be a newsletter coming in August by the talented Terra James—thank you to both her and Samantha Soccorso. I am also excited to be working with my beautiful niece, Doris Agard, on TikTok, and I will share more news on that soon.Best regards,Sylvia SteinBattered Mind © 2026

*Original Airdate: April '22 Upgrade to the Ad Free Premium Podcast Experience - https://rachelhollis.supercast.com Get your copy of Rachel's Book Here: Audible, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Millon, Bookshop.org, or wherever books are sold! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices In this throwback "Friday Favorites" episode of The Rachel Hollis Podcast, Rachel encourages listeners to stop waiting for the perfect moment and fully commit to the dreams that have been placed on their hearts. She reminds listeners that past challenges have prepared them for what's ahead, that growth comes from continuing to move forward through difficult seasons, and that they don't need everyone else's approval to pursue a meaningful life. Rach urges listeners to trust themselves, embrace the opportunities in front of them, and keep taking the next step toward the future they want. *Friday Favorites are a collection of our all-time most popular episodes replayed for the newest members of the community and anyone who wants a relisten. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week, Tiny and I review the new Christopher Nolan epic, The Odyssey in a feature review. Then, in lieu of a secondary review, I share my full Lawrence of Arabia review from my Backhalf Blindspots project on Patreon. We also discuss recent news, Indianapolis movie events, and Barnes & Noble's 50% off Criterion sale. Timestamps Show Start - 00:28 Catching up with Tiny - 03:58 Indianapolis Film Events - 09:23 News Before the Reviews - 15:47 Feature Review The Odyssey (2026) - 38:53 Spoiler - 1:15:50 Patreon Review Lawrence of Arabia (1962) - 1:50:07 Closing the Ep - 2:26:05 Related Links Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' to Skip Social Media Influencer Screenings Barnes & Noble Criterion Sale Netflix Among Parties in Early Talks to Buy Letterboxd: Report Sam Neill, 'Jurassic Park' Star, Dies at 78 Christopher Nolan Dedicates 'The Odyssey' to Late Imax Pioneer David Keighley Follow the IFJA on Letterboxd My 2026 Podcast and Writing Archive The Gotham Project on Patreon Backhalf Blindspots Project on Patreon Backhalf Blindspots 001 - Cool Hand Luke (1967) & Remember the Daze (2008) - Jul 2, 2026 Backhalf Blindspots 002 - Lawrence of Arabia (1962) & Once Upon a Time in China (1991) - Jul 5, 2026 Backhalf Blindspots 003 - Boyz n the Hood (1991) & Menace II Society (1993) - Jul 12, 2026 Patreon Companion Episodes Collection Indianapolis Theaters Alamo Drafthouse Indy Kan-Kan  Living Room Theaters Keystone Art  Flix Brewhouse Ways to Support Us Support Us on Patreon for Exclusive Content My Criterion Amazon Wish List Official OV Merch Buy Me A Coffee Obsessive Viewer Obsessive Viewer Presents: Anthology Obsessive Viewer Presents: Tower Junkies As Good As It Gets - Linktree Follow Us on Social Media My Letterboxd | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | TikTok | Tiny's Letterboxd   Mic Info Matt: ElectroVoice RE20 into RØDEcaster Pro II (Firmware: 1.7.3) Tiny: RØDE Podmic USB Episode Homepage: ObsessiveViewer.com/OV511 Next Week on the Podcast OV512 - Motor City (2026) & The Dink (2026)

Upgrade to the Ad Free Premium Podcast Experience - https://rachelhollis.supercast.com Get your copy of Rachel's Book Here: Audible, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Millon, Bookshop.org, or wherever books are sold! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices In this "Better This Week" episode of The Rachel Hollis Podcast, Rachel shares practical strategies for shifting your mindset when you're feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, or stuck. She encourages listeners to stop waiting until they feel motivated, instead focusing on taking small, intentional actions, challenging themselves physically, keeping promises to themselves, and creating a simple plan that builds momentum. Rachel reminds listeners that lasting confidence and resilience are built through consistent action, not perfect circumstances or the right mindset. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode of SANDCAST: Beach Volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter, features Miles Partain, who has rekindled his passion for the game of beach volleyball. We're sitting down in Gstaad, chatting: How Miles has rediscovered his love of volleyball again His partnership with James Shaw How a baseball pitching coach has changed his offensive game in beach volleyball When he is going to solidify his partnership decision for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games And a whole lot more. SHOOTS! We have a NEW BOOK! Pre-order your copy of Volleyball for Dummies today at Barnes and Noble! Get 25 PERCENT off and FREE SHIPPING on all Mikasa products with our code, SANDCAST and play with the ball. played with the best in the game. Head to Mikasa's website and get your bag of balls today! Get 10 PERCENT OFF VBTV using our discount code, SANDCAST10 Want to get better at beach volleyball? Use our discount code, SANDCAST, and get 10 percent off all Better at Beach products!  Want SANDCAST merch? We got you covered. Check it out here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When Olivia Paige entered a Christian coffee shop carrying tarot cards, Jerilyn sensed something deeper surrounding her. Jerilyn herself understood the danger of the occult from personal experience.  But God gave her one clear instruction: LOVE HER. This is the other side of Olivia's journey from witchcraft to Jesus: a story of rescue from spiritual darkness, and the ordinary coffee-shop encounter that changed two lives. -- NEW Everyday Miracle compilation book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/45cgbP8 Everyday Miracle compilation book on Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/everyday-miracles-julie-hedenborg/1146173449?ean=9798881501808 Subscribe to Julie's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@everydaymiraclespodcast1395 Website for Everyday Miracles (APPLY!): http://everydaymiraclespodcast.com/ To follow Everyday Miracles Podcast on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everyday-miracles-podcast/id1447430033 On Social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everydaymiraclespodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everydaymiraclespodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@everydaymiraclespodcast X: https://x.com/miracles9598 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hedenborg-452028a7/ To email Julie directly: everydaymiraclespodcast@gmail.com To connect with Jerilyn and Wall of Fire Ministries: https://walloffire-ohio.org/ -- Scripture ✝️: Romans 2:4 Matthew 12:30 Isaiah 58:6 John 10:27 John 16:13 Proverbs 3:5-6 Psalm 68:6 Mark 16:20

Upgrade to the Ad Free Premium Podcast Experience - https://rachelhollis.supercast.com Get your copy of Rachel's Book Here: Audible, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Millon, Bookshop.org, or wherever books are sold! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices In this episode of The Rachel Hollis Podcast, Rach answers listener questions about setting healthy boundaries with family members, finding motivation after a major life milestone, and navigating mood changes tied to the menstrual cycle. She encourages listeners to let go of codependent patterns, create purpose through intentional goals instead of waiting for inspiration, and take a proactive approach to their physical and mental health by understanding their bodies and seeking the support they need. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Magicians that can talk to butterflies, and glass dogs that bark. Two American fairy tales by L. Frank Baum, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.   Welcome to this VINTAGE episode of The Classic Tales Podcast, where an audiobook approach delivers an immersive experience in classic literature. I'm your host BJ Harrison.  I'm glad you could join us.   With the audiobook library card, you gain access to the entire Classic Tales Library that I've been working on for 19 years. Hundreds of titles, and thousands of hours of classic audiobooks in tons of genres. These are the same titles found on Audible, Spotify, Barnes and Noble, etc.. They already have thousands of five-star ratings. Many have won awards. And you can download all you want. No limits.   Stop counting credits, or waiting for Libby, and get your Audiobook Library Card for only $9.99 a month. It's the best deal on the internet. You're going to love it.   Go to audiobooklibrarycard.com and choose the plan that's right for you.   And now, The Mandarin and the Butterfly, and The Glass Dog, two fairy tales by L. Frank Baum     Follow this link to get The Audiobook Library Card for a special price of $9.99/month   Follow this link and get Multiple Licenses for The Audiobook Library Card   Follow this link and watch the new video walkthrough using PocketBook.     Follow this link to subscribe to our YouTube Channel:     Follow this link to subscribe to the Arsène Lupin Podcast:     Follow this link to follow us on Instagram:     Follow this link to follow us on Facebook:

Are there some Hebrew words that you need to know as a Christian? Pastor, author, and filmmaker Ed Grifenhagen, whose unique perspective bridges Jewish tradition and Christian belief, reveals the profound impact of Hebrew words on understanding scripture and God's promises. He uncovers how ancient words like "shalom" and "Elohim" carry deep meaning that can revolutionize your spiritual growth and illuminate the connection between the Old and New Testaments. Whether you're seeking a richer Bible study or hoping to share your faith more authentically, this conversation is packed with insights and practical wisdom to help you flourish in your walk with God. In This Episode: From Synagogue to Savior: Ed Grifenhagen shared his story of growing up observant, discovering the Bible for himself, and encountering Jesus for the first time at age 35. Connecting the Dots: Learn how Hebrew words and Old Testament stories point to Christ—like the blood of the Passover Lamb (Pesach) foreshadowing Jesus as the Lamb of God. The Power of "Shalom": Find out why "shalom" in Scripture means so much more than "prosperity," and how understanding the depth of these terms can transform your walk with God. Remember: Discover the vital role of remembering God's faithfulness and how writing down His works in your life can change your spiritual journey 08:35. Practical Evangelism: Ed Grifenhagen emphasizes the importance of meeting people where they are, building relationships, and letting the Holy Spirit lead as you share faith—there's no "one size fits all."  Featured Hebrew Word Elohim: The very first name of God in Genesis—plural by form, hinting at the Trinity and the magnificence of God. Ed encourages you to ponder and pray this name as you draw closer to the Lord. Ready to Dig Deeper? Get the Book: 365 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know is available on Amazon, as well as major retail stores like Walmart, Barnes & Noble, and local booksellers. Connect With Ed Grifenhagen: Visit edgrifenhagen.com and follow him on Facebook and Instagram for devotionals and more resources. Action Step: This week, choose one Hebrew word—like shalom or Elohim—and meditate on its meaning. Journal how it shifts your perspective as you read Scripture! We're thrilled to accompany you on this journey of faith, growth, and transformation. As always, we appreciate your support! Please subscribe and share this episode. We can't wait for you to join us for future episodes of Flourish-Meant. To book Tina as a speaker, connect with her life coaching services, and more, visit her website: https://tinayeager.com/ Optimize your mind and body with my new favorite, all-inclusive supplement, Cardio Miracle! I love the energy and focus this health-boosting drink mix provides without toxins, caffeine, or sugar! Get a discount on your purchase with my link: http://www.cardiomiracle.com/tinayeager Live your healthiest life with Sustainable Healthy Weight Loss! Tina Yeager's unprecedented whole-person program is bundled with profound insights and tools to help you embrace the revitalized, slimmer you that you might never have dreamed possible! OR Manage stress and anxiety in 10 minutes a day with the course presented by 15 experts, Subdue Stress and Anxiety https://divineencouragement.onlinecoursehost.com/courses Connect with Tina at: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tyeagerwriting/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinayeager/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tina.yeager.9/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TinaYeager

Are you a grandparent shouldering the daily stress of raising your grandchildren while quietly navigating your own chronic pain or health challenges? Is the health of the kinship caregiver your top priority? Have you found yourself getting up at 3am to manage family needs, only to realize your own body is running on empty? Do you feel guilty for putting your medical needs last while caring for kids who have experienced trauma—kids who might be battling their own struggles with body image or eating? In this space, we tackle these heavy realities head-on, focusing deeply on the vital connection between Eating Disorders and Kinship Caregiver Health.You're doing the heart-work. We're here to help you lead with love—without losing yourself in the process.After becoming a kinship caregiver, I learned how easy it is to sacrifice your health for the sake of stability at home. In our community, we rarely talk about how stress, medical trauma, and the demands of caregiving can lead to disordered eating, body image struggles, or emotional burnout. But ignoring our own well-being puts our families at risk—if the kinship CEO crashes, the whole organization feels the fallout.In this episode, Tamie Gangloff, unpacks how chronic illness and eating disorders intersect—both for grandparents and the kids in our care. We'll share practical steps for self-advocacy with medical providers, tips for re-centering your health in the midst of chaos, and gentle daily reminders that nurture compassion for yourself. For more information about Tamie visit her website and don't forget to download her "medical appointment planning worksheet" here!Send us Fan MailAs a grandmother raising two grandchildren, one of my favorite things is watching them connect with the world around them. That's why I'm so in love with Dr. Dale Atkins new children's book "Dear Deer". Purchase directly through her website, Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Help our kids log off the screeens and tune back into the world! A grandmother raising grandchildren leaves a review and share her story and how every listener encourages her in her role as a kinship caregiver, one podcast at a time.Thank you for tuning into today's episode. It's been a journey of shared stories, insights, and invaluable advice from the heart of a community that knows the beauty and challenges of raising grandchildren. Your presence and engagement mean the world to us and to grandparents everywhere stepping up in ways they never imagined.Remember, you're not alone on this journey. For more resources, support, and stories, visit our website and follow us on our social media channels. If today's episode moved you, consider sharing it with someone who might find comfort and connection in our shared experiences.We look forward to bringing more stories and expert advice your way next week. Until then, take care of yourselves and each other.Want to be a guest on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity? Send Laura Brazan a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/grgLiked this episode? Share it and tag us on Facebook @GrandparentsRaisingGrandchilden Love the show? Leave a review and let us know!CONNECT WITH US: Website | Facebook 

Upgrade to the Ad Free Premium Podcast Experience - https://rachelhollis.supercast.com Get your copy of Rachel's Book Here: Audible, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Millon, Bookshop.org, or wherever books are sold! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices In this episode of The Rachel Hollis Podcast, Rachel explores seven common ways people unintentionally make life harder than it needs to be, from seeking constant approval and self-sabotaging their goals to staying stuck in draining relationships and treating every decision like it's permanent. She encourages listeners to let go of perfectionism, stop creating stress around imagined problems, release the need to control everything, and recognize when busyness is being used to avoid deeper issues. Rachel's message is a powerful reminder that while life will always have challenges, many of the obstacles we face are self-created and can be changed with greater self-awareness and intentional action. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if the most important negotiation you'll ever have isn't with someone else—but with yourself? In this empowering episode of The Art of Feminine Negotiation, Cindy Watson sits down with betrayal recovery expert, attorney, somatic attachment therapist, and bestselling author Lora Cheadle to explore Negotiation With Identity, With Worth And Self-Belonging.    Whether you're healing from betrayal, navigating a major life transition, or seeking greater confidence and self-trust, this conversation offers transformative insights into self-leadership, emotional resilience, and the courageous negotiation of becoming fully yourself. Tune in to discover how self-belonging is the foundation for every successful negotiation—in life, relationships, and beyond.    In this episode, you will discover:   How betrayal ruptures our identity, how can betrayal breaks inside us when it occurs? How does a shift in identity change the way we make choices, speak to ourselves, and show up in future relationships?  Self advocating What does it mean to truly reclaim your sense of self-belonging?  What's the most important negotiation someone must have with themselves after betrayal? And many more!   Learn more about Lora:   Website: https://loracheadle.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lora.cheadle LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lora-cheadle-lifechoreographer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loracheadle   Checkout Lora's books: https://loracheadle.com/books/   Betrayal Recovery Guide: https://loracheadle.com/betrayal-recovery-guide/   If you're looking to up-level your negotiation skills, I have everything from online to group to my signature one-on-one mastermind & VIP experiences available to help you better leverage your innate power to get more of what you want and deserve in life. Check out our website at www.artofFeminineNegotiation.com if that sounds interesting to you.   Get Cindy's book here: Amazon   https://www.amazon.com/Art-Feminine-Negotiation-Boardroom-Bedroom-ebook/dp/B0B8KPCYZP?inf_contact_key=94d07c699eea186d2adfbddfef6fb9e2&inf_contact_key=013613337189d4d12be8d2bca3c26821680f8914173f9191b1c0223e68310bb1 EBook   https://www.amazon.com/Art-Feminine-Negotiation-Boardroom-Bedroom-ebook/dp/B0B8KPCYZP?inf_contact_key=94d07c699eea186d2adfbddfef6fb9e2&inf_contact_key=013613337189d4d12be8d2bca3c26821680f8914173f9191b1c0223e68310bb1 Barnes and Noble   https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-art-of-feminine-negotiation-cindy-watson/1141499614?ean=9781631959776 CONNECT WITH CINDY: Website: www.womenonpurpose.ca Website: www.practicingwithpurpose.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/womenonpurposecommunity/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenonpurposecoaching/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/thecindywatson Show: https://www.womenonpurpose.ca/media/podcast-2/ X(Twitter):  https://twitter.com/womenonpurpose1 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hersuasion Email: cindy@womenonpurpose.ca  

In this week's episode, we share nine tips and tricks to help indie authors manage their files. Since I now have 174 novels, file management has become important! This coupon code will get you 25% off the ebooks in the Dragonskull series at my Payhip store: JULYSKULL The coupon code is valid through July 27, 2026. So if you need a new ebook this summer, we've got you covered! TRANSCRIPT 00:00:00 Introduction and Writing Updates Hello, everyone. Welcome to Episode 311 of The Pulp Writer Show. My name is Jonathan Moeller. Today is July 10th, 2026. Today we are discussing file management tips for indie authors. Before we get into that, we'll have Coupon of the Week and an update on my current writing, publishing, and audiobook projects. First up, let's do Coupon of the Week. This coupon code will get you 25% off the ebooks in the Dragonskull series at my Payhip store. That coupon code is JULYSKULL. As always, the coupon code and the links to the appropriate pages in my Payhip store will be available in the show notes for this episode. This coupon code is valid through July the 27th, 2026. So if you need a new ebook for this summer, we have got you covered. Now let's have an update on my current writing, publishing, and audiobook projects. As I mentioned last week, Blade of Thieves is now out. You can get it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Google Play, Apple Books, Smashwords, Bookshop.org, and my own Payhip store. It is selling well and people seem to be enjoying it, so thank you all for that. Now that Blade of Thieves is out, my next main project is Cloak of Frost, which will be the 15th book in the Cloak Mage urban fantasy series. As of this recording, I am 52,000 words into it. I'm thinking the rough draft will be about 100,000 words. So if all goes well, I hope to have the book out in August. My secondary project is Blade of Visions, the sequel to Blade of Thieves, and I am 4,000 words into that. Once Cloak of Frost is finished, Blade of Visions will become my new main project. In audiobook news, recording is done for Dragon-Mage, the sixth book in the Rivah series, and that will be excellently narrated by Leanne Woodward. I just have to proof/listen to that and then we can submit it to QA and then it should be showing up on the audiobook stories in a few weeks. Recording has started on Cloak of Worlds, which will be [recorded by] Hollis McCarthy, and Blade of Thieves, which will be [recorded by] Brad Wills. So look for more news and updates about that in the coming weeks. So that is where I'm at with current writing, publishing, and audiobook projects. 00:02:16 Main Topic of the Week: File Organization for Writers So let's move on to our main topic this week, file organization tips for writers. One of the inspirations for this episode was an episode of the sitcom Community, which is quite funny. In the episode, the college is making a movie based on a legal loophole because they have some archival footage of a suddenly popular actor. One of the characters, Jeff, becomes concerned that people aren't treating the movie as seriously as they would deserve. So he steals the laptop with the movie and sets out to edit it himself. However, Jeff doesn't know anything about editing a movie, so he watches a YouTube tutorial about how to edit videos. The first lesson is "Step 1: How to properly organize your files." Jeff rages that no, he just wants to learn how to edit movies. While realizing that proper file organization is vital in the age of digital video editing, maintaining a good file structure isn't quite as rigid for authors and writers as it would be for video editors. However, even though many people consider file structure to be old-fashioned or pointless in the age of Google Docs and AI, in my years working in IT, I found that people wasted many hours trying to find files unnecessarily. For example, I always flinch a little bit when I see someone whose desktop is just a wall of misplaced icons and thousands of documents stacked upon each other. I used to do tech support for someone who had the most amazing gift for the most unhelpful and un-useful file names, often with misspelled words. He would get very frustrated and angry that he couldn't find anything because he hadn't labeled files properly with good file names. Better file structures and file naming conventions would have saved them all that stress and time. It's not wise to have all your files stacked up on your desktop and hope for the best. As you grow as a writer, files suddenly become much more complicated than one single draft in a word processing file. There needs to be organization for audiobook files, cover art, marketing materials, research, and much more. Blade of Thieves was my 174th book. So if you think about it, that means I have 174 separate book files on my computer. Many of them have audiobooks. They all have cover art. The audiobooks have cover art, to say nothing of the hundreds of short stories I've written and all of that needs to be organized properly so I can find it when I need it to. So today we're going to talk about setting up and organizing file structures for your writing work. First of all, what do I mean by file structures? In traditional computing, files like Word documents and Excel spreadsheets are organized in folders. How you navigate through the folder structure on your computer or server to find the files is called a path. Much like with a real path on a hiking trail, you want the path to find a file in a folder to be as clear from junk and confusion as possible. Good file and folder naming is like setting up signs on that hiking trail to help you find the way. Setting up your folders and files correctly makes them easier to use, find, and share with others. So let's go through some tips on how to properly organize your writing files and save yourself much stress and hassle of trying to find things. #1: Make a plan before you begin. Instead of borrowing someone else's file structure, take some time to think about how you use your writing files every day. Do you have a lot of project files for each book like book research, cover ideas, mood boards, and so on? Do you do most of your writing collaboratively? Think about your working style, the amount of files you have, and what kind of files you have that need organizing. It helps to plan for flexibility and growth in the future as the amount of files you have grows. For example, if someone currently runs only ads on Amazon but wants to add other companies like Facebook or BookBub, it'd be messier to add files from those projects if everything in their advertising folder was all Amazon documents with no sub-folder for Amazon. Making an Amazon sub-folder right away in your advertising folder prevents confusion as you start to add other companies into your advertising strategy. What you design should be realistic and as simple to use as possible. Are you someone who makes grand and complicated plans, but then sees them fall by the wayside after a couple of weeks? Many people are. Good organization is something where it's easy to let the perfect be the enemy of the possible. If you design overly complicated file and folder structures and naming conventions that you can't remember without a 20-page guide, you're not very likely to keep up with it. It's better to make something simple that it's easy to remember. Carve out the time to do this with your full attention instead of trying to do it in bits and pieces on the fly. It may take anywhere from an hour to days, depending on how many writing files you have. At the very least, set up the initial folders in one chunk of time so the organization is in place before you start moving files around. #2: Clean up before you start organizing. Get rid of duplicate and obsolete files before starting to organize other files. It will save time and make the process easier. #3: File structure is supported by good naming. Versions and drafts should be numbered to find the most recent one. Be specific. "Second draft" or "Volume one" without a book title isn't helpful if there are multiple books with that name across multiple folders. If you are using dates, be sure to include day, month, and year because in 10 years, "March ads" is not going to make much sense without the context of a year. Be consistent in how you order month, date, and year in a file because being inconsistent with it could make for mixed up dates. #4: Version control. "Rough draft THIS ONE" is not a good name to indicate that this is the latest draft and never use "final" as part of a draft or project name until it's well and truly done. On both Windows, Mac, and Linux, you get 256 characters for file names and it's a good idea to use them to be as descriptive as possible in your file names. #5: Be consistent. Don't make a folder called "Fix These File Names Later" because guess what? That date won't come. In the meantime, you'll probably get annoyed trying to find one of those files that don't have a correct name. If you're struggling with remembering to use your folder and file names, either make yourself a one-page reminder guide or take it as a sign that you might have made your structure and naming conventions too complicated. Remember that simpler is always better. #6: Document it. As with so many areas of life, proper documentation will help you remember something in the future. Write out how your folders are going to be structured, what style and formatting you will use to name the folders and files, and give yourselves some examples to jog your memory. If you're sharing the files and folders with others, make sure to share documentation with them and go over the system with them. That will save much time later since you won't have to spend so much time explaining to people where to find things in your file structure. #7: Decluttering isn't just for your college t-shirts. Schedule a regular time monthly or quarterly to declutter and fix anything in your file structure that isn't working or isn't consistent or correct. Much like organizing a drawer of shirts, things will only stay in order if you keep up with putting in and taking things out using your system. #8: It should fix, not create problems. Your first attempt at file organization may not work once you've added more files or tried it out for a while. Reflect on what is causing problems, what you would like your system to be able to do, and what you dislike about your current system. Train others who will use it. For example, differences in month/[day]/year naming conventions between countries can lead to incorrect dates if it isn't clear what date style is being used. Abbreviations should be standard to prevent confusion. For example, United States state abbreviations could follow the US Postal Service Conventions instead of writing your own abbreviations. MN would be Minnesota instead of M-I-N-N or M-I-N-N-E-S. (Though this can cause a confusion if you're not accustomed to them since, for example, in the postal codes, people often get Missouri and Minnesota mixed up.) Tip #9: Sharing isn't always caring. You can set up password protection on folders and files you don't want to share with others, especially if you're in a shared storage space. Read-only access is a way to share documents with others without worrying about them changing the files. For example, I have read-only access set for my book files so that someone working on my series bibles can download them without editing or changing the files themselves. So instead of having to make extra folders and files that are safe for someone to use without changing, I just set read-only access to those files [for that user]. Now let's take a look at some pros and cons of some typical structures. I'm going to provide examples of three possible folder structures you could use for writing and give you some of the pros and cons for each. #1: Organizing by date. In this system, the year is the first file and more specific files like quarters and months are sub-folders. This system might work best if you write based on challenges or projects such as National Novel Writing Month where each year is its own project. If you're taking writing courses, organizing by date and then by semester or course also would make sense for many people. For many writers, however, this could be a difficult way to organize because then you have to remember what year each book was written and many books are written across several years or months. If you're sharing the files with others, then you have to give them information on the history of each book project so they know which folder dates to look at, which creates extra work and most likely confusion. Like for example, off the top of my head, I could tell you that Ghost in the Forge is the sixth book in the Ghost series. However, I couldn't remember what year or month it was written in. I think it would be 2012, maybe February of 2012, but I would not be able to confirm that without looking it up, which would mean trying to find the file for Ghost in the Forge if I needed it would be a bit of a challenge. #2: Organizing by book. In this system, each book has its own folder and then other aspects like drafts, marketing materials, research, and covers are subfolders. If you don't have a large volume of books and don't have many writing adjacent activity files like research and advertising and don't share files with others, often this is a pretty straightforward way to organize your writing files. #3: Organizing by project type. In this system, the type of project is the main subfolder and sub-folders such as the books, marketing materials, covers, and series bibles would be in folders instead of being organized by individual books. For example, there would be a folder for marketing images. Instagram would be a sub-folder, and then there would be sub-folders in that folder for specific images and ads or individual books. If you have a lot of marketing images, that can be easier than trying to remember what image was for a certain book. This file organization system is more complex than just organizing by book and could be hard to keep up without some dedication. It might be unnecessarily complex for someone who only has a handful of books and only a small amount of files. As your writing adjacent activities like marketing and social media grow, it can be easier to organize this way than just by individual books. It's also much easier to share folders in a granular way using this method. For example, if you hire an assistant to help with social media posts, you can give them access to the social media marketing folders without having to give them access to the folders that have the book files and drafts in them. Now, what do I do for my own file organization system? Now, my system has partly been thought out and partly developed organically over the 15 years I've been doing this. And I found for me, since I've written so many books and series, that the best organizational principle is to run by series. My rough drafts are not super organized because once I am done with the book, I tend not to look back at the rough draft files. So usually my rough drafts are sitting in individual folders for the series like Frostborn, Dragontiarna, Blades of Ruin, and so forth. I am much more organized in the final drafts. Each individual series has its own folder and within the series, each individual book has its own folder as well. To help with keeping things in order, I usually number the folders. So for example, in Blades of Ruin, the first folder within it would be 01 Blade of Flames, then 02 Blade of Shadows, 03 Blade of Storms, and so forth. Within the individual book folders, I have the final files in ePub and PDF form for the books along with the cover images for both ebook, audiobook, and paperback. However, as I mentioned earlier in the podcast, I don't have just the book files. I also have audiobook files, advertising files, and a very large photo library from a combination of stock photos, 3D renders, and photographs I have specifically taken over the years for the purpose of using for ebook covers and advertising materials. For advertising images and materials, like I said, I found the best organizing principle for me is by series. So I generally tend to just organize them by series. So Frostborn, Sevenfold Sword, Dragontiarna, and the Andomhaim books generally have just one folder of advertising images since I can use the advertising image for both Frostborn: the Gray Knight and Sevenfold Sword: Champion. For my audiobooks, I keep those on a separate drive because they eat up a lot of space. But then I just have them organized out by book and series, which is pretty easy when I need to find something. For my stock photos, I do have those pretty well organized and again, in a separate drive, which I back up separately. I divide out the images by type. So I have a folder for castles, a folder for medieval or ancient cities, a folder for modern cities, a folder for fireballs and so forth. And so if I'm making a book cover image and I think, hmm, I want a sword, I can go into the swords folder and look at appropriate pictures of swords until I find one that would work for the project. How this [has] changed over time is I've had to become a bit more organized with the files because I started using Vellum, which generates a separate file of its own. So then I had to make sure that those were organized into proper files. I used to keep all my stock photos in just one big folder that quickly became unmanageable. So I once took two days to properly organize these stock photos. Just keeping all the rough drafts in one big folder for the series has worked pretty well for me because once I am done with the rough draft and have turned into the final draft, I just ignore the rough draft file and any changes that need to be made are obviously made to the final draft file. I also used to keep all the cover images in one folder for some reason and that was a bad idea. So then I started keeping the specific cover image in the folder with the specific book and that has worked out well. Would this be something I would recommend to someone just starting out? I think so. You can obviously get more complicated with this and my file structure is pretty simple overall, but it works for me. I can find anything I need to pretty quickly. In fact, my folder structure is deep enough I find sometimes that I get halfway down the folder structure and forget what I am looking for before I find it, which is a separate problem from folder organization. But I've stuck to this pretty consistently over the last 15 years and it's worked well for me. So I think I could recommend this to someone starting out. I'd have a folder for your rough drafts and then a folder with separate folders within it for your final drafts. Conclusion File organization is not glamorous, but as any records manager at a US government agency can tell you, it is extremely important for finding, organizing, and preserving what you create. Searching for files is not a writing adjacent activity that you want to take up your time and you definitely don't want the stress of losing something that you worked on for a long time by naming and storing it incorrectly. Finally, I want to close out with a reminder that however you set up your writing files and organizing them, they absolutely need to be backed up on a regular basis. I would recommend using a combination of cloud and local backups since they reinforce each other. If heaven forbid your house explodes and you lose your local backups, you still have your cloud backups. And if your cloud provider goes down or gets hacked or something, you still have your local backups. So no matter how you organize your files or how well organized they are, you definitely want to back them up on a very regular basis. So that is it for this week. Thank you for listening to The Pulp Writer Show. I hope you found the show useful. A reminder that you can listen to all of the back episodes at https://thepulpwritershow.com. If you enjoyed the podcast, please leave a review on your podcasting platform of choice. Stay safe and stay healthy and we'll see you all next week.  

*Original Airdate: May '25 Upgrade to the Ad Free Premium Podcast Experience - https://rachelhollis.supercast.com Get your copy of Rachel's Book Here: Audible, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Millon, Bookshop.org, or wherever books are sold! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices In this rewind episode of The Rachel Hollis Podcast, Rachel shares simple, affordable ways to add more joy and intention to everyday life through small “luxuries” that support self-care and well-being. From creating cozy home rituals and treating yourself to favorite foods to building relaxing routines and writing a letter from your future self, she encourages listeners to romanticize the ordinary and make time for moments that help them feel more grounded, cared for, and connected to themselves. *Friday Favorites are a collection of our all-time most popular episodes replayed for the newest members of the community and anyone who wants a relisten. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Will David get captured once Alan has secured his passage? Robert Louis Stevenson, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.   Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast, where an audiobook approach delivers an immersive experience in classic literature. I'm your host BJ Harrison.  I'm glad you could join us.   With the audiobook library card, you gain access to the entire Classic Tales Library that I've been working on for 19 years. Hundreds of titles, and thousands of hours of classic audiobooks in tons of genres. These are the same titles found on Audible, Spotify, Barnes and Noble, etc.. They already have thousands of five-star ratings. Many have won awards. And you can download all you want. No limits.   Stop counting credits, or waiting for Libby, and get your Audiobook Library Card for only $9.99 a month. It's the best deal on the internet. You're going to love it.   Go to audiobooklibrarycard.com and choose the plan that's right for you.     And now, David Balfour, Part 5 of 9, by Robert Louis Stevenson   Follow this link to get The Audiobook Library Card for a special price of $9.99/month   Follow this link and get Multiple Licenses for The Audiobook Library Card   Follow this link and watch the new video walkthrough using PocketBook.       Follow this link to subscribe to our YouTube Channel:       Follow this link to subscribe to the Arsène Lupin Podcast:     Follow this link to follow us on Instagram:     Follow this link to follow us on Facebook:

Send us Fan MailSomeone wiring money into a film isn't just making a transaction. They're handing you trust. I close out the season with a solo, from-the-heart conversation about what that trust really means for filmmakers, producers, and investors and why it should shape every choice you make on set, in the edit room, and in your distribution strategy. This is also where I clear up a big misunderstanding about my book Hollywood Money Traps: it's not a cynical “Hollywood exposé.” It's a practical guide built on decades of producing, consulting, acquiring, and selling films, designed to help people avoid the same painful mistakes that cause projects to collapse.  Some pages of my last chapters are read for you!We talk about the patterns I see over and over in independent film financing: investors saying yes without understanding how movies are funded, filmmakers entering partnerships without grasping the business implications, and teams building plans on unrealistic expectations. When that happens, everyone loses the filmmaker, the investor, and the story itself. I share why creativity deserves good business practice, and why understanding pitching, positioning, deal structures, and distribution isn't optional if you want a sustainable career in film and media. You'll also hear two big announcements. I'm working on an expanded edition of An Insider's Secret: Master In The Hollywood Path, updated for the realities of AI, shifting studios, theatrical headwinds, and a crowded streaming landscape. And the podcast is evolving: The Heart of Show Business is becoming Chasing the Extraordinary, a wider conversation about the people behind the work, entrepreneurs, humanitarians, founders, artists, and adventurers who choose courage over comfort and keep evolving. If this season has helped you think bigger or move smarter, please subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more creators and investors can find it. What's one partnership or decision that changed your path?The Book HOLLYWOOD MONEY TRAPS is available on Amazon worldwide and Barnes and Noble. Support the showThanks for listening! Follow us on X, Instagram and Facebook and on the podcast's official site www.theheartofshowbusiness.com

My guest is Kurt Johnson Co-author of The Moon Tavern, A Culinary Love Story With Recipes. The Moon Tavern takes the reader on a romantic and culinary journey through the Islands of Croatia, where dark family secrets are revealed, quirky friends and relatives are found, and love is discovered.Vesna, or Ves, is a cookbook writer from Minneapolis who travels to the remote, exotic island of Lastovo off Croatia's Mediterranean coast to reconnect with her biological grandmother. She'd been adopted as a young child after her parents died in the Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s. Ves is also fleeing a frayed relationship with her live-in partner, Reed.In Lastovo, she meets Dinko, a single, handsome, and wealthy vineyard owner, and his cute daughter Mia. With his help with the translation, Ves discovers her biological family's history and the dark secrets of what happened during the war. Romance, travel, and cooking ensue. She ultimately learns what matters most to her: simplicity in life, closeness with family, and someone to share love with. And, of course, food!Stephanie [00:00:00]:Hello, everybody, and welcome to Dishing with Stephanie's Dish, the podcast where we talk to people in the food space and other spaces. All the spaces of all the fun things. Kurt is my spouse, Kurt Johnson, and also the co author of the Moon Tavern, a culinary romance with recipes. It is a fiction book that is available on your bookshelf now. Welcome to the podcast, Kurt.Kurt Johnson [00:00:22]:Hi, thanks for having me.Stephanie [00:00:24]:Thanks for having us. The idea that we should work on a book together. I am, as many of you listening know, a cookbook writer and my husband is a fiction writer. And somewhere along the way, we decided that maybe it would be good to collaborate together. Kurt, was it you or me that had the idea first? I think it was you.Kurt Johnson [00:00:42]:Yeah, probably. I was kind of done with my past book writing about Las Vegas and looking for something different. And we'd been traveling a lot, so going to Croatia, going to Italy, going out west, going to Turkey. So I wanted to incorporate travel with a novel, and I also wanted to incorporate food. And so I thought this would be a lot of fun. Since we're traveling together, we have those shared experiences and you have the food experience and the food writing experience. So I thought it'd be a fun collaboration. And I've always liked the idea of love stories.Kurt Johnson [00:01:18]:Even my thriller books in Las Vegas had kind of a love story element. And it adds a dimension to a novel that, I don't know, makes it cohesive, makes it pull together in an emotional arc that's kind of fulfilling in the end.Stephanie [00:01:33]:Do you think you're a romantic at heart, or what is it about romances that are fun to write for you?Kurt Johnson [00:01:39]:Maybe I'm a romance at heart. I may be more stoic than that, though. I just. I like the idea of seeing people get together, seeing people enjoy the same interests and finding people that can fall in love. Of course, that's always the fun part. The hard part is once you get married and move on from there and have to deal with kids and daily life and work and all the other things that go with living life. And that's not that much fun to write.Stephanie [00:02:07]:Yeah, exactly. We as a couple, I think I can speak for me and you maybe on this one. We've always had great experiences traveling. We are good traveling companions. We like the spirit of adventure. Did you know that Croatia would be the spot for the first fiction endeavor?Kurt Johnson [00:02:24]:Yeah, that was a given since we'd been there five times and four times running a sailboat and visiting the islands. And as you know, Stephanie, I'm just enamored with those islands, I think they're so beautiful. And there was one island we discovered out there, Lastovo, which is the furthest island out. So a lot of the sailors and tourists just never get there. They stay closer to shore. So, you know, going out there the first time, this beautiful bay of Zachlopedia, where, you know, it's a, it's a protective cove which is beautiful turquoise water. And then taking the dinghy in, and then you walk up this path, I think it's about a two mile hike. And then you go over this ridge and this 16th, 15th century town opens up.Kurt Johnson [00:03:10]:You know, at one point maybe it had 10,000 residents. And, and it, it, when we first saw it, I don't know, 10, 15 years ago, it was abandoned. So it was a ghost town of 15th century buildings and churches and apartments in this beautiful valley of lush green foliage. So that's very picturesque. We had an incredible meal there of just simple anchovies and blitfa. And for you, for you people out there that don't know, blitfa is ubiquitous in Croatia. And it's, it's just spring potatoes with Swiss chard, but it's served with everything.Stephanie [00:03:52]:It is served with everything. And they sometimes have spinach, sometimes have like another type of green, but it's sort of like the potatoes are cooked till they're pretty soft, and then it's kind of mashed in a little bit. So it's not fully a mashed potato and it's not fully a roasted potato. It's sort of a combination of both. But it is good.Kurt Johnson [00:04:12]:Yeah, so, yeah, that's so, you know, it seemed such an exotic place, the island of Lastovo in Croatia, that it was a natural to place it there.Stephanie [00:04:23]:Can you tell a little bit of just an introduction of the story, like what people will find when they crack open the book?Kurt Johnson [00:04:30]:Sure. It's about Vesna, who is. Has a breakup with her live in boyfriend, and they'd had a restaurant. She was a chef, a cookbook authority, and had a restaurant, not unlike my dear wife Stephanie. And she has a breakup and she leaves Minneapolis to go to Croatia to uncover her. Her heritage. She had been adopted from Croatia, specifically Dubrovnik, when her parents died in the Serb bombing of Dubrovnik in 1991. So she was adopted out of there and raised in Minnesota.Kurt Johnson [00:05:05]:So then she goes to Croatia and rediscovers her dark family secrets and meets Dinko Radek, who is a winery owner, and, you know, romance ensues. But she has a life still back in Minneapolis that she has to go back to and resolve.Stephanie [00:05:24]:When we talked about putting this first concept together, you know, I see the world through food. Like, literally everything in sort of my life is framed by a meal, an experience, just the way that I see the world. It's always around food, celebrations. And so did you know that that would work for this Croatia book? Because I didn't. When you first brought it up, I was like, I can't be a Croatian grandma here. And writing recipes about what at the time I perceived as, like, dumplings.Kurt Johnson [00:05:53]:Yeah, I wasn't sure either, frankly. You know, so each chapter, there's 25 chapters, and each chapter in it has a description of cooking. And it's all Croatia cooking, Croatia recipes. You know, all food we at over the years where we were there. And then the idea of tagging on recipes was just kind of bringing it home. Like, here's the Croatia experience. Now here's how Stephanie would bring that back to the real world, which is here in the United States.Stephanie [00:06:21]:We have talked about doing a series of books. What is it about this genre that you think lends itself to other titles and other characters?Kurt Johnson [00:06:29]:Well, you know, it's an adventure book on one level, and there's always new places to visit. So the next book is based in Panza, Italy, where we've been a couple times. And it's this beautiful island off the coast of Italy in the Mediterranean. And, you know, Italian food. You go to Italy and what you remember is the pizza in Naples or the. The pasta in Rome and. And the busteca up in the hills. So, you know, a way to experience a place is.Kurt Johnson [00:07:04]:Is through food. And I like writing about new settings. You know, it. It's not as interesting writing about Minnesota,Stephanie [00:07:11]:but you've written a lot about Las Vegas. You've had how many books about Las Vegas? Three.Kurt Johnson [00:07:16]:Yeah, three. You know, two of the. Of kind of a thriller in. Two thrillers in a series, and then a book about RVing that ends up in. In Las Vegas. And Las Vegas is a interesting place, and I lived there for five years running nightclubs and restaurants. And so two of the books are Underbelly of Las Vegas, which I was a part of in the nightclub scene back in the late 80s. So that's just flat out fun to write about.Kurt Johnson [00:07:39]:And Las Vegas is such a weirdo place that it's fun to bring that to life.Stephanie [00:07:45]:It's interesting to hear you talk about that. The way you choose your stories is about place, because the first book, the Barrens, that you wrote with our Daughter Ellie, inspired by her experiences as a canoe camper in the tundra. That's also based in Place, too. Place is sort of what starts you on these journeys. It seems like, yeah, you know something,Kurt Johnson [00:08:07]:you threw me a curveball because I never really thought about it. But you're exactly right.Stephanie [00:08:12]:All.Kurt Johnson [00:08:12]:All these books start off with a setting, with a place, and then, you know, the plots revolve around. Around that. And there's just so many. So many different. There's a finite number of, really, plots you can choose from. It's kind of like a piano keyboard has all the. The notes that you want to make up a. A music piece the same way with plot structures.Kurt Johnson [00:08:34]:And so to take it to the next level, you really have to search out characters, and the characters are in a setting, so those two are inexplicably, Inextricably. Inextricably linked. Yeah, exactly. So, you know, the two go hand in hand. So character and place really can set a novel apart.Stephanie [00:08:59]:Can you think of other books that you've written or. Excuse me. No, not that you've written, that you've read. Where Place sort of started you off on this adventure?Kurt Johnson [00:09:07]:Yeah, probably. I really love Beautiful Ruins.Stephanie [00:09:11]:Jess Walters.Kurt Johnson [00:09:13]:Walters, yeah. And that starts off in Italy, kind of near Cinque de Terre. And it's kind of the poor version of Cinque de Terre, where the tourists don't go. And it was such a fascinating story. And then they bring that all back to Hollywood in America, and it just works so well. But what really captures your imagination is the description of this little seaside community. Before the whole plot takes over, IStephanie [00:09:41]:kind of think about that book. The Embarrassment of Mangoes.Kurt Johnson [00:09:44]:Yeah.Stephanie [00:09:44]:When you and I first started sailing and going on these adventures, we read that book. It was about a couple that buys a boat and sails through the Caribbean, and she is discovering spices and fruits and vegetables and things that she's never eaten before. And I just loved that book. It was really what got me into sailing and thinking about how to make that our life and whether or not, you know, we could buy a boat and do that. And that boat really had a huge setting of place. Can you think of, like. I don't know. When I think of other books, there's very few books that I think about character first.Stephanie [00:10:19]:I usually always think about the place. Maybe that's just something.Kurt Johnson [00:10:22]:Or the plot, too. Yeah, they're all just linked together. And you don't think about. Well, you were saying you don't think about character as much.Stephanie [00:10:31]:Not really.Kurt Johnson [00:10:32]:Yeah, it's funny. I think, you know, the best books people say are character driven, but they're inexplicable. What's the word again?Stephanie [00:10:41]:Inextricably.Kurt Johnson [00:10:43]:Inextricably. Trouble with that. Linked. So, you know, you pick a place and you pick a plot and then you build these characters. The characters have to build around that plot and so they kind of naturally flow. And, and I, I think they, if they're well written and honest, you shouldn't think of them. You know, they're interesting characters and you'll say, you know, this is Rabbit and the Rabbit series. And you'll know, but you won't say, oh, that's just a great character.Kurt Johnson [00:11:10]:I, I, I don't know that I certainly, you know, I'm probably deep into it and I look at the craft a lot so I can see where somebody has really spent some time to develop an honest character or where, you know, the narrative voice comes through and, and a character comes to life through this first person narrative voice. So I see that a lot moreStephanie [00:11:30]:people have a real, like they can't believe you can write a book. Like the idea of the literal act of sitting down and writing and how that works. People fantasize about writing it, but then very few people do. What was it that got you over the hump from thinking about writing it to actually sitting down and doing it?Kurt Johnson [00:11:47]:Well, selling our business and all of a sudden being able to free up time. Because for me, novel writing and I think was it Chrisham talked about, you know, writing at 5 in the morning before he goes to work at 7. I just couldn't do that. You know, I just, I'm very focused on one thing and, and so I needed to free up my time from work in order to get going. And then it was, can you put together, you know, a thousand or fifteen hundred words every day so that it links up into a novel and have that, not only that, that discipline, but also have the creative juices to produce scenes almost every day because, you know, like a, a good novel is created from 50 scenes. So I went from, you know, writing a memoir that I probably won't publish just to see if I can get, you know, a thousand words every day and put this together to then writing Las Vegas turnaround. And there I, I, I really just copied a lot of plot structures that I saw that I liked. And so it was easier for me to set up main characters, set up tertiary characters, subplots, because I had a blueprint from somebody else.Kurt Johnson [00:12:56]:And then, and then once, you know, you Keep writing. You get muscle memory for it and it becomes more, more natural and actually more fun because it becomes more organic. You'll follow characters through a town and they'll meet somebody and all of a sudden that person becomes a character in their universe and they say something and all of a sudden that takes off and you have to follow it. Now, you know, the woman's gonna fall in love with a guy at the end. But getting there is the fun part. And now I can do that a lot more organically.Stephanie [00:13:27]:If you are talking to any aspiring novel writers, what kind of advice do you have for them to get started?Kurt Johnson [00:13:34]:Well, you know, you gotta lower your expectations just because publishing is so hard, you know.Stephanie [00:13:39]:Can you elaborate on that?Kurt Johnson [00:13:41]:Well, you know, there's maybe two or three or 400 agents, most of them in New York City and they're all trying to make a buck. And it's hard to make a buck off a debut writer. It helps if you're MFA and you're writing in a genre because, you know, let's say 70% of the books are read by women and 70% of those are romances. And then men, the other 30%, probably 80% of what they read are, you know, thrillers or mysteries. So if you can pick a genre, that always helps. But yeah, it, you have to be more thoughtful about it. And I think, I think so many first time writers, you know, once they get the discipline and put, put the, the words on a page, they write that first personal novel, you know, and I wrote my memoir and it's, it's really 90% of those, they, you know, people have the, they aspire for the great American novel and it's too personal, it's too close to home. They can't break out from the reality of their lives to have fun with the plot and make things happen.Kurt Johnson [00:14:45]:So a lot of times these books, nothing happens. They're deeply emotional books where nothing happens and they're, they're excruciatingly boring. So you gotta get past that phase and then you gotta look at it as a, as a craft. And, you know, a big chunk of it's art, of course, whatever you wanna call that, you know, shedding light on the human experience. But a big chunk is craft. And I don't think you can get to the craft for most people in that first book. So you gotta keep writing, you know, and realize that the first couple books may not get published. So, you know, the barons got published.Kurt Johnson [00:15:21]:That was one, two, that was my third, fourth book, you know, and the, and two, the, the first three, two of them were duds that will never be published.Stephanie [00:15:31]:Yeah. Yeah. All right, well, it's good to chat with you about the book. We are in the marketing process of the book. I feel like books come in three waves. One is the idea that you're thinking about it. The second, the actual writing of it. And then the third is actual the marketing of it.Stephanie [00:15:48]:What do you think's the hardest part?Kurt Johnson [00:15:49]:Well, I mean, it's. The hardest part's finding an agent and finding a publisher. Then if you self publish, the hardest part is marketing. And at least it is for me because writing is so natural and fun for me. But I think for most people, you know, the writing's a hard part. And, and you know, like the Minnesota writer o', Brien, he hates writing, so he forces himself. Tim o'. Brien.Kurt Johnson [00:16:12]:So he forces himself to get those books out there. So probably that's the hardest part for him.Stephanie [00:16:17]:We had, I had a cookbook, two cookbooks out and I had a publisher, but they didn't publish this book because it was a fiction book. I think some people just assume like, oh, well, they've already had books out, but we self published this book. Why did we make that decision from your standpoint?Kurt Johnson [00:16:33]:Well, we couldn't get an A list agent or a New York publisher. There's just not, it comes off as almost a debut book and it's hard for them to make any money. So if you can't get an A lister, then you're, you know, stuck with boutique publishing companies and others and, and they just don't support the marketing of your book. And I've self published books in the past, so I know how to do it. I know how to put a professional product out there. And, and we can, you know, both of us are marketers and, and Stephanie has a large platform, so we can do a lot of our own marketing or, or outsource it, you know, but still we retain most of the profits. So when we do the marketing, we can reinvested or keep those profits.Stephanie [00:17:17]:Yeah, I, when you say profits, it sounds like there's a lot there. I'd like to, I mean, I mean,Kurt Johnson [00:17:22]:maybe, maybe we broke it even at this point, but then now we're looking at a marketing PR firm that's going to set us back another $5,000. But you know, if, if these books succeed and somebody makes a lot of money, it's the, it's the third, you know, book that's going to put them over the top. It's not the first.Stephanie [00:17:40]:I have this idea too that we're going to write these books and then sooner or later someone's going to turn them into a T series because it's going to be like the White Lotus where each season is a different location and a different cast of characters, but sort of the general premise is sort of the same.Kurt Johnson [00:17:56]:I hope so. You know, I hope an A list agent comes along and, and frees us from our servitude or whatever. And, but, and yeah, you know, there's, there's plenty of stories of self published authors that, that get deals or even boutique. Boutique authors that get deals. So you know, we can dream.Stephanie [00:18:16]:One thing that I'd like the listener to hear is what their part is in this because we've. I was leaving the coffee shop today. We're in Ely. That is the vacation backgrounds. But.Kurt Johnson [00:18:25]:Right.Stephanie [00:18:25]:I was leaving the coffee shop today and a woman stopped me and said, Stephanie, I had the opportunity to read the Moon Tavern. It's so good. I loved it so much. And she's telling me about it and telling her friend. And I have that experience a lot where people have really, really enjoyed this book. And I just want the listener to know that leaving reviews on Goodreads or Amazon or Barnes and Noble or wherever you bought the book or if you can' find a book, asking for it at your local bookseller. Cause they can always order it when you're self published. The more buzz you can create about these books, the better chance that someone will hear about it, someone will buy it and eventually a publisher, if they hear about a book and they like it, then they may pick it up.Stephanie [00:19:03]:So I think if you like what you're reading and you want to see more of this type of work in the world and books that you like, that's something that you can do to help us out.Kurt Johnson [00:19:13]:Yes, a 5 on Amazon or top rating on any other Goodreads is good too. Yeah, it's, it's all, it's all good. So yes, those, those help a lot. Just because the more reviews you can get and the more five star reviews you get, the more people will pick up the book, the more buzz you'll get. So yeah, so it helps us immeasurably.Stephanie [00:19:35]:Another thing before we wrap up here, someone asked me about the Cover of the book. Do you want to talk about how you picked the artwork?Kurt Johnson [00:19:41]:Yeah, I was pretty much online Xee Reider, she's in St. Paul and she's a muralist mostly. And I really liked the look that she had. So I reached out to her, and she did the original artwork, and then each chapter ends with a recipe, and there's a pen and ink drawing, and she did those. And I really think that adds another level to the book. And I love a beautiful cover.Stephanie [00:20:10]:Yeah, the cover is really nice. She did a great job. All right, well, that is it for this episode of the podcast. Just want to chat with you and give people a little background. Thanks for being a guest. Stephanie Hansen's @StephaniesDish Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stephaniehansen.substack.com/subscribe

My guest is Kurt Johnson Co-author of The Moon Tavern, A Culinary Love Story With Recipes. The Moon Tavern takes the reader on a romantic and culinary journey through the Islands of Croatia, where dark family secrets are revealed, quirky friends and relatives are found, and love is discovered.Vesna, or Ves, is a cookbook writer from Minneapolis who travels to the remote, exotic island of Lastovo off Croatia's Mediterranean coast to reconnect with her biological grandmother. She'd been adopted as a young child after her parents died in the Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s. Ves is also fleeing a frayed relationship with her live-in partner, Reed.In Lastovo, she meets Dinko, a single, handsome, and wealthy vineyard owner, and his cute daughter Mia. With his help with the translation, Ves discovers her biological family's history and the dark secrets of what happened during the war. Romance, travel, and cooking ensue. She ultimately learns what matters most to her: simplicity in life, closeness with family, and someone to share love with. And, of course, food!Stephanie [00:00:00]:Hello, everybody, and welcome to Dishing with Stephanie's Dish, the podcast where we talk to people in the food space and other spaces. All the spaces of all the fun things. Kurt is my spouse, Kurt Johnson, and also the co author of the Moon Tavern, a culinary romance with recipes. It is a fiction book that is available on your bookshelf now. Welcome to the podcast, Kurt.Kurt Johnson [00:00:22]:Hi, thanks for having me.Stephanie [00:00:24]:Thanks for having us. The idea that we should work on a book together. I am, as many of you listening know, a cookbook writer and my husband is a fiction writer. And somewhere along the way, we decided that maybe it would be good to collaborate together. Kurt, was it you or me that had the idea first? I think it was you.Kurt Johnson [00:00:42]:Yeah, probably. I was kind of done with my past book writing about Las Vegas and looking for something different. And we'd been traveling a lot, so going to Croatia, going to Italy, going out west, going to Turkey. So I wanted to incorporate travel with a novel, and I also wanted to incorporate food. And so I thought this would be a lot of fun. Since we're traveling together, we have those shared experiences and you have the food experience and the food writing experience. So I thought it'd be a fun collaboration. And I've always liked the idea of love stories.Kurt Johnson [00:01:18]:Even my thriller books in Las Vegas had kind of a love story element. And it adds a dimension to a novel that, I don't know, makes it cohesive, makes it pull together in an emotional arc that's kind of fulfilling in the end.Stephanie [00:01:33]:Do you think you're a romantic at heart, or what is it about romances that are fun to write for you?Kurt Johnson [00:01:39]:Maybe I'm a romance at heart. I may be more stoic than that, though. I just. I like the idea of seeing people get together, seeing people enjoy the same interests and finding people that can fall in love. Of course, that's always the fun part. The hard part is once you get married and move on from there and have to deal with kids and daily life and work and all the other things that go with living life. And that's not that much fun to write.Stephanie [00:02:07]:Yeah, exactly. We as a couple, I think I can speak for me and you maybe on this one. We've always had great experiences traveling. We are good traveling companions. We like the spirit of adventure. Did you know that Croatia would be the spot for the first fiction endeavor?Kurt Johnson [00:02:24]:Yeah, that was a given since we'd been there five times and four times running a sailboat and visiting the islands. And as you know, Stephanie, I'm just enamored with those islands, I think they're so beautiful. And there was one island we discovered out there, Lastovo, which is the furthest island out. So a lot of the sailors and tourists just never get there. They stay closer to shore. So, you know, going out there the first time, this beautiful bay of Zachlopedia, where, you know, it's a, it's a protective cove which is beautiful turquoise water. And then taking the dinghy in, and then you walk up this path, I think it's about a two mile hike. And then you go over this ridge and this 16th, 15th century town opens up.Kurt Johnson [00:03:10]:You know, at one point maybe it had 10,000 residents. And, and it, it, when we first saw it, I don't know, 10, 15 years ago, it was abandoned. So it was a ghost town of 15th century buildings and churches and apartments in this beautiful valley of lush green foliage. So that's very picturesque. We had an incredible meal there of just simple anchovies and blitfa. And for you, for you people out there that don't know, blitfa is ubiquitous in Croatia. And it's, it's just spring potatoes with Swiss chard, but it's served with everything.Stephanie [00:03:52]:It is served with everything. And they sometimes have spinach, sometimes have like another type of green, but it's sort of like the potatoes are cooked till they're pretty soft, and then it's kind of mashed in a little bit. So it's not fully a mashed potato and it's not fully a roasted potato. It's sort of a combination of both. But it is good.Kurt Johnson [00:04:12]:Yeah, so, yeah, that's so, you know, it seemed such an exotic place, the island of Lastovo in Croatia, that it was a natural to place it there.Stephanie [00:04:23]:Can you tell a little bit of just an introduction of the story, like what people will find when they crack open the book?Kurt Johnson [00:04:30]:Sure. It's about Vesna, who is. Has a breakup with her live in boyfriend, and they'd had a restaurant. She was a chef, a cookbook authority, and had a restaurant, not unlike my dear wife Stephanie. And she has a breakup and she leaves Minneapolis to go to Croatia to uncover her. Her heritage. She had been adopted from Croatia, specifically Dubrovnik, when her parents died in the Serb bombing of Dubrovnik in 1991. So she was adopted out of there and raised in Minnesota.Kurt Johnson [00:05:05]:So then she goes to Croatia and rediscovers her dark family secrets and meets Dinko Radek, who is a winery owner, and, you know, romance ensues. But she has a life still back in Minneapolis that she has to go back to and resolve.Stephanie [00:05:24]:When we talked about putting this first concept together, you know, I see the world through food. Like, literally everything in sort of my life is framed by a meal, an experience, just the way that I see the world. It's always around food, celebrations. And so did you know that that would work for this Croatia book? Because I didn't. When you first brought it up, I was like, I can't be a Croatian grandma here. And writing recipes about what at the time I perceived as, like, dumplings.Kurt Johnson [00:05:53]:Yeah, I wasn't sure either, frankly. You know, so each chapter, there's 25 chapters, and each chapter in it has a description of cooking. And it's all Croatia cooking, Croatia recipes. You know, all food we at over the years where we were there. And then the idea of tagging on recipes was just kind of bringing it home. Like, here's the Croatia experience. Now here's how Stephanie would bring that back to the real world, which is here in the United States.Stephanie [00:06:21]:We have talked about doing a series of books. What is it about this genre that you think lends itself to other titles and other characters?Kurt Johnson [00:06:29]:Well, you know, it's an adventure book on one level, and there's always new places to visit. So the next book is based in Panza, Italy, where we've been a couple times. And it's this beautiful island off the coast of Italy in the Mediterranean. And, you know, Italian food. You go to Italy and what you remember is the pizza in Naples or the. The pasta in Rome and. And the busteca up in the hills. So, you know, a way to experience a place is.Kurt Johnson [00:07:04]:Is through food. And I like writing about new settings. You know, it. It's not as interesting writing about Minnesota,Stephanie [00:07:11]:but you've written a lot about Las Vegas. You've had how many books about Las Vegas? Three.Kurt Johnson [00:07:16]:Yeah, three. You know, two of the. Of kind of a thriller in. Two thrillers in a series, and then a book about RVing that ends up in. In Las Vegas. And Las Vegas is a interesting place, and I lived there for five years running nightclubs and restaurants. And so two of the books are Underbelly of Las Vegas, which I was a part of in the nightclub scene back in the late 80s. So that's just flat out fun to write about.Kurt Johnson [00:07:39]:And Las Vegas is such a weirdo place that it's fun to bring that to life.Stephanie [00:07:45]:It's interesting to hear you talk about that. The way you choose your stories is about place, because the first book, the Barrens, that you wrote with our Daughter Ellie, inspired by her experiences as a canoe camper in the tundra. That's also based in Place, too. Place is sort of what starts you on these journeys. It seems like, yeah, you know something,Kurt Johnson [00:08:07]:you threw me a curveball because I never really thought about it. But you're exactly right.Stephanie [00:08:12]:All.Kurt Johnson [00:08:12]:All these books start off with a setting, with a place, and then, you know, the plots revolve around. Around that. And there's just so many. So many different. There's a finite number of, really, plots you can choose from. It's kind of like a piano keyboard has all the. The notes that you want to make up a. A music piece the same way with plot structures.Kurt Johnson [00:08:34]:And so to take it to the next level, you really have to search out characters, and the characters are in a setting, so those two are inexplicably, Inextricably. Inextricably linked. Yeah, exactly. So, you know, the two go hand in hand. So character and place really can set a novel apart.Stephanie [00:08:59]:Can you think of other books that you've written or. Excuse me. No, not that you've written, that you've read. Where Place sort of started you off on this adventure?Kurt Johnson [00:09:07]:Yeah, probably. I really love Beautiful Ruins.Stephanie [00:09:11]:Jess Walters.Kurt Johnson [00:09:13]:Walters, yeah. And that starts off in Italy, kind of near Cinque de Terre. And it's kind of the poor version of Cinque de Terre, where the tourists don't go. And it was such a fascinating story. And then they bring that all back to Hollywood in America, and it just works so well. But what really captures your imagination is the description of this little seaside community. Before the whole plot takes over, IStephanie [00:09:41]:kind of think about that book. The Embarrassment of Mangoes.Kurt Johnson [00:09:44]:Yeah.Stephanie [00:09:44]:When you and I first started sailing and going on these adventures, we read that book. It was about a couple that buys a boat and sails through the Caribbean, and she is discovering spices and fruits and vegetables and things that she's never eaten before. And I just loved that book. It was really what got me into sailing and thinking about how to make that our life and whether or not, you know, we could buy a boat and do that. And that boat really had a huge setting of place. Can you think of, like. I don't know. When I think of other books, there's very few books that I think about character first.Stephanie [00:10:19]:I usually always think about the place. Maybe that's just something.Kurt Johnson [00:10:22]:Or the plot, too. Yeah, they're all just linked together. And you don't think about. Well, you were saying you don't think about character as much.Stephanie [00:10:31]:Not really.Kurt Johnson [00:10:32]:Yeah, it's funny. I think, you know, the best books people say are character driven, but they're inexplicable. What's the word again?Stephanie [00:10:41]:Inextricably.Kurt Johnson [00:10:43]:Inextricably. Trouble with that. Linked. So, you know, you pick a place and you pick a plot and then you build these characters. The characters have to build around that plot and so they kind of naturally flow. And, and I, I think they, if they're well written and honest, you shouldn't think of them. You know, they're interesting characters and you'll say, you know, this is Rabbit and the Rabbit series. And you'll know, but you won't say, oh, that's just a great character.Kurt Johnson [00:11:10]:I, I, I don't know that I certainly, you know, I'm probably deep into it and I look at the craft a lot so I can see where somebody has really spent some time to develop an honest character or where, you know, the narrative voice comes through and, and a character comes to life through this first person narrative voice. So I see that a lot moreStephanie [00:11:30]:people have a real, like they can't believe you can write a book. Like the idea of the literal act of sitting down and writing and how that works. People fantasize about writing it, but then very few people do. What was it that got you over the hump from thinking about writing it to actually sitting down and doing it?Kurt Johnson [00:11:47]:Well, selling our business and all of a sudden being able to free up time. Because for me, novel writing and I think was it Chrisham talked about, you know, writing at 5 in the morning before he goes to work at 7. I just couldn't do that. You know, I just, I'm very focused on one thing and, and so I needed to free up my time from work in order to get going. And then it was, can you put together, you know, a thousand or fifteen hundred words every day so that it links up into a novel and have that, not only that, that discipline, but also have the creative juices to produce scenes almost every day because, you know, like a, a good novel is created from 50 scenes. So I went from, you know, writing a memoir that I probably won't publish just to see if I can get, you know, a thousand words every day and put this together to then writing Las Vegas turnaround. And there I, I, I really just copied a lot of plot structures that I saw that I liked. And so it was easier for me to set up main characters, set up tertiary characters, subplots, because I had a blueprint from somebody else.Kurt Johnson [00:12:56]:And then, and then once, you know, you Keep writing. You get muscle memory for it and it becomes more, more natural and actually more fun because it becomes more organic. You'll follow characters through a town and they'll meet somebody and all of a sudden that person becomes a character in their universe and they say something and all of a sudden that takes off and you have to follow it. Now, you know, the woman's gonna fall in love with a guy at the end. But getting there is the fun part. And now I can do that a lot more organically.Stephanie [00:13:27]:If you are talking to any aspiring novel writers, what kind of advice do you have for them to get started?Kurt Johnson [00:13:34]:Well, you know, you gotta lower your expectations just because publishing is so hard, you know.Stephanie [00:13:39]:Can you elaborate on that?Kurt Johnson [00:13:41]:Well, you know, there's maybe two or three or 400 agents, most of them in New York City and they're all trying to make a buck. And it's hard to make a buck off a debut writer. It helps if you're MFA and you're writing in a genre because, you know, let's say 70% of the books are read by women and 70% of those are romances. And then men, the other 30%, probably 80% of what they read are, you know, thrillers or mysteries. So if you can pick a genre, that always helps. But yeah, it, you have to be more thoughtful about it. And I think, I think so many first time writers, you know, once they get the discipline and put, put the, the words on a page, they write that first personal novel, you know, and I wrote my memoir and it's, it's really 90% of those, they, you know, people have the, they aspire for the great American novel and it's too personal, it's too close to home. They can't break out from the reality of their lives to have fun with the plot and make things happen.Kurt Johnson [00:14:45]:So a lot of times these books, nothing happens. They're deeply emotional books where nothing happens and they're, they're excruciatingly boring. So you gotta get past that phase and then you gotta look at it as a, as a craft. And, you know, a big chunk of it's art, of course, whatever you wanna call that, you know, shedding light on the human experience. But a big chunk is craft. And I don't think you can get to the craft for most people in that first book. So you gotta keep writing, you know, and realize that the first couple books may not get published. So, you know, the barons got published.Kurt Johnson [00:15:21]:That was one, two, that was my third, fourth book, you know, and the, and two, the, the first three, two of them were duds that will never be published.Stephanie [00:15:31]:Yeah. Yeah. All right, well, it's good to chat with you about the book. We are in the marketing process of the book. I feel like books come in three waves. One is the idea that you're thinking about it. The second, the actual writing of it. And then the third is actual the marketing of it.Stephanie [00:15:48]:What do you think's the hardest part?Kurt Johnson [00:15:49]:Well, I mean, it's. The hardest part's finding an agent and finding a publisher. Then if you self publish, the hardest part is marketing. And at least it is for me because writing is so natural and fun for me. But I think for most people, you know, the writing's a hard part. And, and you know, like the Minnesota writer o', Brien, he hates writing, so he forces himself. Tim o'. Brien.Kurt Johnson [00:16:12]:So he forces himself to get those books out there. So probably that's the hardest part for him.Stephanie [00:16:17]:We had, I had a cookbook, two cookbooks out and I had a publisher, but they didn't publish this book because it was a fiction book. I think some people just assume like, oh, well, they've already had books out, but we self published this book. Why did we make that decision from your standpoint?Kurt Johnson [00:16:33]:Well, we couldn't get an A list agent or a New York publisher. There's just not, it comes off as almost a debut book and it's hard for them to make any money. So if you can't get an A lister, then you're, you know, stuck with boutique publishing companies and others and, and they just don't support the marketing of your book. And I've self published books in the past, so I know how to do it. I know how to put a professional product out there. And, and we can, you know, both of us are marketers and, and Stephanie has a large platform, so we can do a lot of our own marketing or, or outsource it, you know, but still we retain most of the profits. So when we do the marketing, we can reinvested or keep those profits.Stephanie [00:17:17]:Yeah, I, when you say profits, it sounds like there's a lot there. I'd like to, I mean, I mean,Kurt Johnson [00:17:22]:maybe, maybe we broke it even at this point, but then now we're looking at a marketing PR firm that's going to set us back another $5,000. But you know, if, if these books succeed and somebody makes a lot of money, it's the, it's the third, you know, book that's going to put them over the top. It's not the first.Stephanie [00:17:40]:I have this idea too that we're going to write these books and then sooner or later someone's going to turn them into a T series because it's going to be like the White Lotus where each season is a different location and a different cast of characters, but sort of the general premise is sort of the same.Kurt Johnson [00:17:56]:I hope so. You know, I hope an A list agent comes along and, and frees us from our servitude or whatever. And, but, and yeah, you know, there's, there's plenty of stories of self published authors that, that get deals or even boutique. Boutique authors that get deals. So you know, we can dream.Stephanie [00:18:16]:One thing that I'd like the listener to hear is what their part is in this because we've. I was leaving the coffee shop today. We're in Ely. That is the vacation backgrounds. But.Kurt Johnson [00:18:25]:Right.Stephanie [00:18:25]:I was leaving the coffee shop today and a woman stopped me and said, Stephanie, I had the opportunity to read the Moon Tavern. It's so good. I loved it so much. And she's telling me about it and telling her friend. And I have that experience a lot where people have really, really enjoyed this book. And I just want the listener to know that leaving reviews on Goodreads or Amazon or Barnes and Noble or wherever you bought the book or if you can' find a book, asking for it at your local bookseller. Cause they can always order it when you're self published. The more buzz you can create about these books, the better chance that someone will hear about it, someone will buy it and eventually a publisher, if they hear about a book and they like it, then they may pick it up.Stephanie [00:19:03]:So I think if you like what you're reading and you want to see more of this type of work in the world and books that you like, that's something that you can do to help us out.Kurt Johnson [00:19:13]:Yes, a 5 on Amazon or top rating on any other Goodreads is good too. Yeah, it's, it's all, it's all good. So yes, those, those help a lot. Just because the more reviews you can get and the more five star reviews you get, the more people will pick up the book, the more buzz you'll get. So yeah, so it helps us immeasurably.Stephanie [00:19:35]:Another thing before we wrap up here, someone asked me about the Cover of the book. Do you want to talk about how you picked the artwork?Kurt Johnson [00:19:41]:Yeah, I was pretty much online Xee Reider, she's in St. Paul and she's a muralist mostly. And I really liked the look that she had. So I reached out to her, and she did the original artwork, and then each chapter ends with a recipe, and there's a pen and ink drawing, and she did those. And I really think that adds another level to the book. And I love a beautiful cover.Stephanie [00:20:10]:Yeah, the cover is really nice. She did a great job. All right, well, that is it for this episode of the podcast. Just want to chat with you and give people a little background. Thanks for being a guest. Stephanie Hansen's @StephaniesDish Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stephaniehansen.substack.com/subscribe

Part 2   Check out our 2026 Atlanta Live Show! With the new age of Exandria upon us, and the chaos that has followed in its wake, a once-isolated undersea kingdom of Exandria has breached their waters with dark intent! Bells Hells must delve into the depths to confront this tumult, or be swallowed by what lurks in the dark below…   Featuring Laura Bailey, Taliesin Jaffe, Ashley Johnson, Matthew Mercer, Liam O'Brien, Marisha Ray, Sam Riegel, Travis Willingham, and Robbie Daymond   Captured live from Gas South Arena in Atlanta, Georgia on May 26th, 2026.   Maelstrom Kingdom artwork by Loren Hontanilla || @_solelle (Instagram)   DAGGERHEART To learn more about Daggerheart, visit https://daggerheart.com.  Purchase your copy at friendly local game stores, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other bookstores, or Critical Role shops: US: https://shop.critrole.com UK: https://shop.critrole.co.uk EU: https://shop.critrole.eu AU: https://shop.critrole.com.au CA: https://canada.critrole.com     BEACON We're excited to bring you even MORE with a Beacon membership! Start your 7-day free trial today at https://beacon.tv/join and get unparalleled access to the shows you love completely ad-free! You'll receive NEW Beacon exclusive series, instant access to VODs & podcasts, live event pre-sales, merch discounts, & a private Discord.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Upgrade to the Ad Free Premium Podcast Experience - https://rachelhollis.supercast.com Get your copy of Rachel's Book Here: Audible, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Millon, Bookshop.org, or wherever books are sold! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices In this episode of the Rachel Hollis Podcast, Rachel shares simple ways to make the most of summer by being more intentional with how you spend your time instead of waiting for the “perfect” moment. She encourages listeners to create a seasonal bucket list, explore their local community, host friends, and embrace small daily rituals that make life feel more meaningful. Rachel reminds listeners that the best summers aren't defined by expensive vacations, but by the memories, experiences, and moments of joy we intentionally create. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Part 1   Check out our 2026 Atlanta Live Show! With the new age of Exandria upon us, and the chaos that has followed in its wake, a once-isolated undersea kingdom of Exandria has breached their waters with dark intent! Bells Hells must delve into the depths to confront this tumult, or be swallowed by what lurks in the dark below…   Featuring Laura Bailey, Taliesin Jaffe, Ashley Johnson, Matthew Mercer, Liam O'Brien, Marisha Ray, Sam Riegel, Travis Willingham, and Robbie Daymond   Captured live from Gas South Arena in Atlanta, Georgia on May 26th, 2026.   Maelstrom Kingdom artwork by Loren Hontanilla || @_solelle (Instagram)   DAGGERHEART To learn more about Daggerheart, visit https://daggerheart.com.  Purchase your copy at friendly local game stores, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other bookstores, or Critical Role shops: US: https://shop.critrole.com UK: https://shop.critrole.co.uk EU: https://shop.critrole.eu AU: https://shop.critrole.com.au CA: https://canada.critrole.com     BEACON We're excited to bring you even MORE with a Beacon membership! Start your 7-day free trial today at https://beacon.tv/join and get unparalleled access to the shows you love completely ad-free! You'll receive NEW Beacon exclusive series, instant access to VODs & podcasts, live event pre-sales, merch discounts, & a private Discord.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode of SANDCAST: Beach Volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter -- and Kyle Friend, in this case -- features Savvy Cory, who is currently having the best year of her career alongside her former UCLA teammate Devon Newberry. Chapters with Savvy Cory, Kyle Friend, and Tri Bourne 00:00 Reconnecting and Reflecting on Recent Travels 02:54 The Challenges of Competitive Volleyball 06:02 Understanding the Point System and Its Impact 09:06 Building Confidence and Consistency in Performance 12:02 Mental Toughness and the Importance of Belief 15:13 Skill Development and Coaching Dynamics 18:03 The Role of Team Support and Financial Considerations 27:31 Investing in Coaching and Resources 30:10 Financial Struggles and Support Systems 31:39 Understanding the Elo System 34:38 Monthly Funding and Travel Stipends 39:16 Mental Challenges and Balancing Life 45:35 Performance Metrics and Transition Rates 48:43 Foundational Work in Volleyball 49:11 Transition Setting as a Key Weapon 51:02 The Importance of Aggressive Setting 52:43 Handling Long Rallies and Frustrations 56:15 Excitement for Upcoming Competitions 57:51 The Social Aspect of Volleyball 01:00:40 Building Relationships in the Volleyball Community 01:03:32 Future Plans and Competitions SHOOTS! We have a NEW BOOK! Pre-order your copy of Volleyball for Dummies today at Barnes and Noble! Get 25 PERCENT off and FREE SHIPPING on all Mikasa products with our code, SANDCAST and play with the ball. played with the best in the game. Head to Mikasa's website and get your bag of balls today! Get 10 PERCENT OFF VBTV using our discount code, SANDCAST10 Want to get better at beach volleyball? Use our discount code, SANDCAST, and get 10 percent off all Better at Beach products!  Want SANDCAST merch? We got you covered. Check it out here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Do you believe the spirit realm is real? Many Christians say they believe in angels, demons, and spiritual warfare, but how many of us actually live with an awareness of that reality? In this episode, we'll try to piece together different experiences in the spirit realm and what some people believe many Christians are missing. This conversation is not about fear. It is about discernment, prayer, holiness, Scripture, and the victory of Jesus above all. -- NEW Everyday Miracle compilation book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/45cgbP8 Everyday Miracle compilation book on Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/everyday-miracles-julie-hedenborg/1146173449?ean=9798881501808 Subscribe to Julie's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@everydaymiraclespodcast1395 Website for Everyday Miracles (APPLY!): http://everydaymiraclespodcast.com/ To follow Everyday Miracles Podcast on itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everyday-miracles-podcast/id1447430033 On Social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everydaymiraclespodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everydaymiraclespodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@everydaymiraclespodcast X: https://x.com/miracles9598 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hedenborg-452028a7/ To email Julie directly: everydaymiraclespodcast@gmail.com -- Scripture ✝️: Ephesians 6:12 Ephesians 6:18 1 Peter 1:15-16 1 John 4:1 Psalm 119:105 Colossians 2:15 1 John 4:4 Hebrews 10:24-25

TVC 741.4: Ed welcomes Perry Hibner, author of Centennial Revisited, a deep dive into the epic length, twelve-part, twenty-six hour miniseries that originally aired on NBC at various times throughout the 1978-1979 season. Centennial was ambitious in scope, majestic to watch, and almost universally praised by television critics for its quality production values and stellar acting performances. And yet, due to erratic scheduling and poor promotion, Centennial never received the audience or recognition it deserved. Centennial Revisited is available in hardcover, paperback, and as an eBook from DorrancePublishing.com, Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and wherever books are sold online. Topics this segment include how Centennial remains a point of pride for just about every actor who appeared in it, both at the time they filmed the miniseries in 1978 and when they look back on the experience today; why novelist James Michener felt that Centennial was the best adaptation of his works ever; and how Universal's decision not to promote Centennial hurt the series (and actor Robert Conrad in particular).

Upgrade to the Ad Free Premium Podcast Experience - https://rachelhollis.supercast.com Get your copy of Rachel's Book Here: Audible, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Millon, Bookshop.org, or wherever books are sold! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices In this edition of Ask Rach on The Rachel Hollis Podcast, Rachel answers listener questions about finding your identity after growing up as a parentified child, creating a home that feels fresh and inviting, and deciding whether to reconnect with a former friend after a difficult falling out. She encourages listeners to approach self-discovery with curiosity instead of pressure, intentionally create environments that support their well-being, and recognize when it's healthier to let go of relationships that no longer serve them. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Can Sherlock Holmes discover why so many busts of Napoleon are getting mysteriously destroyed? Arthur Conan Doyle, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.     Welcome to this VINTAGE episode of The Classic Tales Podcast, where an audiobook approach delivers an immersive experience in classic literature. I'm your host BJ Harrison.  I'm glad you could join us.   With the audiobook library card, you gain access to the entire Classic Tales Library that I've been working on for 19 years. Hundreds of titles, and thousands of hours of classic audiobooks in tons of genres. These are the same titles found on Audible, Spotify, Barnes and Noble, etc.. They already have thousands of five-star ratings. Many have won awards. And you can download all you want. No limits.   Stop counting credits, or waiting for Libby, and get your Audiobook Library Card for only $9.99 a month. It's the best deal on the internet. You're going to love it.   Go to audiobooklibrarycard.com and choose the plan that's right for you.     Follow this link to get The Audiobook Library Card for a special price of $9.99/month   Follow this link and get Multiple Licenses for The Audiobook Library Card   Follow this link and watch the new video walkthrough using PocketBook.     Follow this link to subscribe to our YouTube Channel:     Follow this link to subscribe to the Arsène Lupin Podcast:     Follow this link to follow us on Instagram:     Follow this link to follow us on Facebook:

Upgrade to the Ad Free Premium Podcast Experience - https://rachelhollis.supercast.com Get your copy of Rachel's Book Here: Audible, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Millon, Bookshop.org, or wherever books are sold! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices In this preview episode of this month's premium edition of The Rachel Hollis Podcast, Rachel encourages listeners to pause for a mid-year check-in and honestly evaluate the progress they've made toward their goals. She shares practical exercises for assessing different areas of life, adjusting priorities, and recognizing where growth has happened without losing sight of long-term balance. Rachel also explains why the middle of any journey often feels the hardest, reminding listeners that lasting success comes from staying consistent through the unglamorous work rather than constantly starting over. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if the key to successful negotiation isn't asking for more—but creating an experience people want to be part of? Discover why the most successful negotiations aren't just about making the right ask—they're about creating the right experience.    In this episode of The Art of Feminine Negotiation, Cindy Watson sits down with marketing and digital strategy expert Shamir Duverseau to explore "Negotiation Isn't The Ask, It's The Experience." Drawing on more than 15 years of leadership in marketing, product management, user experience, digital strategy, and his role as Senior Director of Digital Strategy and Services for Marriott International's Vacation Club Division, Shamir shares how understanding human behavior, trust, and customer experience can transform the way we negotiate. Whether you're leading a team, growing a business, or building stronger relationships, this conversation will help you create negotiation experiences that inspire lasting influence and better outcomes.    In this episode, you will discover:   How do we define negotiation? And what point does the so-called negotiation actually begins? What does clarity actually mean in a negotiation context? How to make someone safe in a conversation? What we can negotiate more effectively without that constant friction or emotional depletion? How can you renegotiate how you show up and get this clarity? What would be the starting zone for you? What is one negotiation that people need to start having with themselves? And many more!   Learn more about Shamir: Website: https://smartpandalabs.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shamirduverseau/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/smart-panda-labs/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smartpandalabs   If you're looking to up-level your negotiation skills, I have everything from online to group to my signature one-on-one mastermind & VIP experiences available to help you better leverage your innate power to get more of what you want and deserve in life. Check out our website at www.artofFeminineNegotiation.com if that sounds interesting to you.   Get Cindy's book here: Amazon   https://www.amazon.com/Art-Feminine-Negotiation-Boardroom-Bedroom-ebook/dp/B0B8KPCYZP?inf_contact_key=94d07c699eea186d2adfbddfef6fb9e2&inf_contact_key=013613337189d4d12be8d2bca3c26821680f8914173f9191b1c0223e68310bb1 EBook   https://www.amazon.com/Art-Feminine-Negotiation-Boardroom-Bedroom-ebook/dp/B0B8KPCYZP?inf_contact_key=94d07c699eea186d2adfbddfef6fb9e2&inf_contact_key=013613337189d4d12be8d2bca3c26821680f8914173f9191b1c0223e68310bb1 Barnes and Noble   https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-art-of-feminine-negotiation-cindy-watson/1141499614?ean=9781631959776 CONNECT WITH CINDY: Website: www.womenonpurpose.ca Website: www.practicingwithpurpose.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/womenonpurposecommunity/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenonpurposecoaching/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/thecindywatson Show: https://www.womenonpurpose.ca/media/podcast-2/ X(Twitter):  https://twitter.com/womenonpurpose1 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hersuasion Email: cindy@womenonpurpose.ca  

We have our final recap from the Gstaad Elite, where Travis Mewhirter and Kyle Friend sit down to chat: Kristen Cruz and Taryn Brasher completed their three-peat of Gstaad gold medals Kelly Cheng and Megan Kraft slaying almost every demon en route to a silver medal in Gstaad Alex Brouwer's magic, where the universe seemed to be conspiring for him to win his first Gstaad gold medal in 14 years trying alongside Stefan Boermans Trevor Crabb and Chase Budinger winning a huge silver out of the qualifier Arthur Lanci's dream come true, with a bronze medal in Gstaad SHOOTS! We have a NEW BOOK! Pre-order your copy of Volleyball for Dummies today at Barnes and Noble! Get 25 PERCENT off and FREE SHIPPING on all Mikasa products with our code, SANDCAST and play with the ball. played with the best in the game. Head to Mikasa's website and get your bag of balls today! Get 10 PERCENT OFF VBTV using our discount code, SANDCAST10 Want to get better at beach volleyball? Use our discount code, SANDCAST, and get 10 percent off all Better at Beach products!  Want SANDCAST merch? We got you covered. Check it out here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

*Original Airdate: October '22 Upgrade to the Ad Free Premium Podcast Experience - https://rachelhollis.supercast.com Get your copy of Rachel's Book Here: Audible, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Millon, Bookshop.org, or wherever books are sold! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices In this throwback (Friday Favorites) episode of The Rachel Hollis Podcast, Rachel explores the importance of surrounding yourself with people who help you grow and shares the four types of friends everyone should have. She encourages listeners to build relationships with people who offer wisdom, fresh perspectives, shared experiences, and guidance while also becoming the kind of person they hope to attract. Rachel emphasizes that meaningful friendships are built through intentionality, shared values, and a willingness to invest in others. *Friday Favorites are a collection of our all-time most popular episodes replayed for the newest members of the community and anyone who wants a relisten. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Can David meet Alan again in good conscience – knowing he's putting him in danger? Robert Louis Stevenson, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.   Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast, where an audiobook approach delivers an immersive experience in classic literature. I'm your host BJ Harrison.  I'm glad you could join us.   With the audiobook library card, you gain access to the entire Classic Tales Library that I've been working on for 19 years. Hundreds of titles, and thousands of hours of classic audiobooks in tons of genres. These are the same titles found on Audible, Spotify, Barnes and Noble, etc.. They already have thousands of five-star ratings. Many have won awards. And you can download all you want. No limits.   Stop counting credits, or waiting for Libby, and get your Audiobook Library Card for only $9.99 a month. It's the best deal on the internet. You're going to love it.   Go to audiobooklibrarycard.com and choose the plan that's right for you.     And now, David Balfour, Part 4 of 9, by Robert Louis Stevenson   Follow this link to get The Audiobook Library Card for a special price of $9.99/month   Follow this link and get Multiple Licenses for The Audiobook Library Card   Follow this link and watch the new video walkthrough using PocketBook.       Follow this link to subscribe to our YouTube Channel:       Follow this link to subscribe to the Arsène Lupin Podcast:     Follow this link to follow us on Instagram:     Follow this link to follow us on Facebook:

This week, Riverhorse Nakadate takes a cold plunge with Johnny Utah and makes Dairy Queen sound better than ever, we nearly die trying to reach brook trout that we decide not to cast too, get rowdy at the Barnes & Noble with INXS after fighting a car thief, and cure food poisoning with a 9-inch worm and homemade blueberry pie. 

Upgrade to the Ad Free Premium Podcast Experience - https://rachelhollis.supercast.com Get your copy of Rachel's Book Here: Audible, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Millon, Bookshop.org, or wherever books are sold! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices In this edition of "Better This Week" on The Rachel Hollis Podcast, Rachel shares practical tips for building stronger, more defined arms while encouraging listeners to focus on strength over appearance. She explains why resistance training becomes increasingly important with age, offers simple workout strategies for all fitness levels, and emphasizes the value of consistency, proper form, and having a plan. Rachel also reminds listeners to celebrate the body they have today while making intentional choices that support their long-term health and confidence. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Upgrade to the Ad Free Premium Podcast Experience - https://rachelhollis.supercast.com Get your copy of Rachel's Book Here: Audible, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Millon, Bookshop.org, or wherever books are sold! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices In this edition of Ask Rach, Rachel answers listener questions about navigating body image and health goals before a wedding, knowing when it's time to walk away from a career that no longer feels sustainable, and supporting a child with ADHD and dyslexia. She encourages listeners to make decisions that align with their long-term values, honestly evaluate whether their current path is serving them, and seek the tools and support needed to help themselves and their families thrive. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Upgrade to the Ad Free Premium Podcast Experience - https://rachelhollis.supercast.com Get your copy of Rachel's Book Here: Audible, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Millon, Bookshop.org, or wherever books are sold! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices In this motivational episode of The Rachel Hollis Podcast, Rachel challenges the belief that it's ever too late to pursue your dreams, encouraging listeners to stop comparing their timeline to everyone else's. She explores how fear, self-doubt, and comparison can keep us feeling stuck, while reminding us that success has no age limit and that many of the world's most accomplished people found their calling later in life. Rachel urges listeners to let go of imagined deadlines, trust that their unique path is unfolding as it should, and take the next step toward the life they truly want. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

*Original Airdate: March '25 Upgrade to the Ad Free Premium Podcast Experience - https://rachelhollis.supercast.com Get your copy of Rachel's Book Here: Audible, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Millon, Bookshop.org, or wherever books are sold! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices In this episode of The Rachel Hollis Podcast, Rachel shares practical strategies for creating a home that supports your goals instead of working against you. She encourages listeners to think about “current you” versus “future you,” making small decisions today that will make life easier tomorrow. From organizing everyday essentials where they're actually used to meal planning, automating recurring purchases, and creating systems that reduce daily friction, Rachel offers simple ways to make routines more efficient and your home feel less stressful and more supportive of the life you want to build. *Friday Favorites are a collection of our all-time most popular episodes replayed for the newest members of the community and anyone who wants a relisten. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.