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Elisa Faison joins Book Gang to discuss Skin Contact, her debut exploring the impact of an open marriage on a couple and their circle. This week on Book Gang, Elisa Faison—acclaimed short story writer, debut novelist, and someone living openly in a nontraditional marriage—joins us for an unflinching conversation about her novel, Skin Contact. Elisa brings rare firsthand insight to the page, drawing from her own experience to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about open marriage that have long been absent in our fiction stacks. In this episode, we'll talk about writing from the inside of creative work and what it means to craft intimacy and connection in this refreshing story that hits all the romance story beats. Elisa reveals how she built the intricate structure of Skin Contact, her approach to nontraditional relationships on the page, and the craft of weaving multiple storylines into a resonant whole. In this rich conversation, we discuss:

In this episode of the Legacy Dads Podcast, hosts Dave and Dante dive into 2 Corinthians 5:20 to redefine a father's role from a burdened owner to a faithful ambassador of Christ. They tackle the heavy performance pressures, shifting identities, and daily frictions that modern men face, offering a liberating perspective: a dad's authority is delegated, his identity is immutably fixed by the King, and his home is his embassy. By shifting from ownership to stewardship, Dave and Dante challenge fathers to relieve the pressure of perfection, anchor their souls in their divine title, and embrace a ministry of reconciliation over retaliation. Ultimately, they call men to be the chief de-escalators and grace-givers in their homes, strategically winning the hearts of their families rather than trying to win arguments. Connect With Us Join the Conversation: Have a story or a struggle you want to share? Email us at dave@legacydads.org and dante@legacydads.org. You can also find us on Facebook Legacy Dads Online Community and Instagram.

Kia Abdullah joins Book Gang to discuss Next of Kin, her gripping backlist thriller about sisterhood laced with a high-stakes courtroom drama you won't forget. This week on Book Gang, we're joined by Kia Abdullah, award-winning novelist and founder of Asian Booklist, for a deeply engaging conversation about her acclaimed thriller Next of Kin. We'll dig into Kia's unique journey from a career in tech to her bold work as a full-time author, and explore how her advocacy is changing the landscape for British-Asian writers in publishing. Kia share more behind the art of writing high-stakes suspense, the impact of BookTok on the thriller genre, and the real-life inspirations behind Next of Kin's unforgettable courtroom drama. Discover the secrets to building authentic tension, crafting twisty plots, and what she hopes readers will take away from her exploration of sisterhood, responsibility, and the complexities of motherhood. In this informative conversation, we discuss:

How does a Chief Scientific Adviser envision the future of climate action?  In this special episode, CSCEN's Cate Bone caught up with Professor Patricia Thornley after her panel: The CSA Perspective at the 2026 CSCEN Conference.  We discussed how Professor Thornley sees her role as Department for Transport's Chief Scientific Adviser, how her academic work shapes her approach, and what she wants the public to know about the role transport plays in tackling the climate crisis.  Professor Patricia Thornley is a research leader in sustainable fuels. She has led the national research programme in bioenergy (UKRI Supergen Bioenergy Hub) for 14 years. Previous work includes leading on fuel scale up in the Clean Maritime Decarbonisation Hub and environmental assessment in the NewJet aviation project. Patricia continues to lead an EPSRC & BBSRC funded centre for doctoral training on negative emission technologies to remove greenhouse gases from atmosphere across Aston, Nottingham, Warwick and Queen's University, Belfast. She was appointed Chief Scientific Advisor for the Department for Transport in February 2026. Connect With Us: Join the conversation: ⁠⁠environment.network@energysecurity.gov.uk⁠⁠ CSCEN website:  ⁠⁠Civil Service Climate + Environment Network | CSCEN Online⁠⁠ Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker's own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the Civil Service Climate and Environment Network or the Civil Service. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only 

Why does everything worth having take so long?In Episode 18 of the "What's In Your Hands?" series, we unpack one of the most quoted verses in scripture — Isaiah 40:31. But we're going deeper than the soaring. The Hebrew word for "hope" here is qavah — it means to wait with expectation, to be braided together like a rope, getting stronger strand by strand. The wait isn't idle time. It's braiding time.We'll explore what eagles actually do — how they fly into storms instead of away from them, how they go through a painful molting process where they strip themselves down to nothing before emerging renewed — and why the verse is structured in reverse order: soar, run, walk. Because more people faint in the walk than fail in the flight.If you're on the cliff right now wondering when the wings will grow back, this episode is your reminder — the wait builds the wing. And God doesn't build wings for birds that will never fly.

Travel to Ireland with Charleen Hurtubise to celebrate her US debut, Saoirse—a moving story of art, memory, and reinvention set on Donegal's wild Atlantic coast. Book Gang welcomes Charleen Hurtubise, novelist and artist, to discuss her sweeping and quietly powerful novel, Saoirse. Charleen draws on her transatlantic life, her creative work as an artist, and her deep ties to Ireland and Michigan to bring this immersive story to life. Set in 1990s Donegal, this immersive novel follows Saoirse Byrne, an artist whose life is transformed when she unexpectedly wins the prestigious Margaret Dowling Art Prize. As fame threatens to uncover long-buried secrets from her Michigan past, Saoirse must navigate a world shaped by Ireland's social and political change, Catholic influence, and her own search for freedom. In this layered and moving conversation, we discuss:

Who told you that you can't?In Episode 17 of the "What's In Your Hands?" series, we go back to the very beginning — the garden of Eden. After Adam and Eve ate the fruit and hid in shame, God asked a question that should stop every one of us in our tracks: "Who told you that you were naked?"God didn't ask "what did you do?" His first response to their shame was — who told you? Where did that voice come from? Because that feeling of not being enough? That's not from Me.We'll trace the enemy's strategy from the garden to your 2026 thought life — how he twists God's truth into believable lies, why shame is his favorite weapon, and what God actually does with our fig leaves. Spoiler: He replaces them with something better.If you've been believing a lie about yourself, this episode will help you trace it back to its source — and replace it with what God actually says.

Blair Fell joins Book Gang to discuss The Sign for Home, exploring the DeafBlind experience and a moving journey of autonomy and connection in this backlist feature. Book Gang welcomes Blair Fell, acclaimed playwright, television writer, essayist, and ASL interpreter, to discuss his heartfelt and eye-opening novel, The Sign for Home. Fell's unique life experience—including decades as an ASL interpreter for the Deaf and DeafBlind communities—shapes this deeply immersive story. Longlisted for The Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, The Sign for Home is a funny, moving, and transformative read that will leave you curious and inspired. I'm thrilled to celebrate this unforgettable debut as part of this year's Summer Reading Guide backlist feature and to honor the community it serves. Don't miss how Blair's story left such an impression on a reader that they changed their will after reading it. In this rich, humorous, and moving conversation, we discuss:

What do you do when you've got nothing left and the bills are still coming?In Episode 16 of the "What's In Your Hands?" series, we go to one of the most overlooked miracles in the Old Testament — the widow's oil in 2 Kings 4:1-7. A widow at absolute zero. Dead husband. Creditors coming to take her sons. And all she has is a small jar of olive oil that she almost didn't mention.But Elisha asks her the same question God has been asking us throughout this series — what do you have? And then he tells her something that changes everything: go borrow jars from your neighbors. Don't ask for just a few. Because the oil kept pouring — and it didn't stop because God ran out. It stopped because she ran out of jars.Your capacity to receive determines the size of your miracle. We'll unpack why God starts with what you already have, why faith requires action before evidence, and why God's supply outlasts your capacity — every time.If you've been playing small, it's time to go get more jars.

Have you ever prayed for God to remove something — and He said no?In Episode 15 of the "What's In Your Hands?" series, we go to one of the most vulnerable moments in scripture — Paul pleading with God three times to remove his thorn in the flesh. And God's answer wasn't removal. It was something more radical: My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.We don't know what Paul's thorn was — and that's intentional. Because whatever your thorn is, this passage is for you. We'll unpack why God doesn't always remove the pain, what "sufficient" actually means, and the kingdom paradox that when you are weak, then you are strong. Your weakness isn't disqualifying you — it's creating the exact conditions for God's power to show up in its fullest expression.If you've been hiding your thorn, this episode will set you free.

In this episode of the Legacy Dads Podcast, hosts Dave and Dante sit down with Dr. Kathy Koch, founder of Celebrate Kids, to discuss the often-overlooked challenges of parenting adult children. Centered around her book, Resolve Conflict and Find Peace and Hope with Adult Children, the conversation addresses the "identity crisis" many fathers face when their role shifts from protector and fixer to a more hands-off, supportive influence. Dr. Koch offers practical, biblical strategies for releasing control, overcoming "dad guilt" from past mistakes, and navigating the tension between loving a child and endorsing their lifestyle choices. Ultimately, the episode serves as a powerful guide for fathers to surrender their children to God's timing while maintaining a faithful, grace-filled presence that prioritizes reconciliation over being right. Connect With Dr. Kathy Visit Celebrate Kids, Inc. for more information and to get any of Dr. Kathy's books today! Connect With Us Join the Conversation: Have a story or a struggle you want to share? Email us at dave@legacydads.org and dante@legacydads.org. You can also find us on Facebook Legacy Dads Online Community and Instagram.

If you knew exactly how many days you had left, would you spend today the way you're planning to?In Episode 14 of the "What's In Your Hands?" series, we unpack one of the oldest prayers in the Bible — Psalm 90:12. Moses didn't pray for more time. He prayed for the wisdom to use the time he had. Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.James says your life is a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Moses says seventy or eighty years — and they quickly pass. This isn't meant to scare you. It's meant to wake you up.We'll talk about why we live like time is unlimited, the difference between head knowledge and heart knowledge about the brevity of life, and three practical ways to start numbering your days — including a challenge that involves your phone calculator and a number that will change how you see every morning.If you've been drifting, this is your wake-up call.

How does the Climate Change Committee approach external affairs and communications? What can we learn from other countries when planning for future climate policies in the UK? In this special edition of the podcast, CSCEN's Millie Cave explores these questions and more with the Climate Change Committee's (CCC) Director of External Affairs Sophie Vipond. This podcast was recorded live at the annual CSCEN conference. Guest Bio:Sophie Vipond is a communications and engagement specialist. She is currently the Director of External Affairs at the CCC. She has recently led on the communications strategy for the UK's 7th Carbon Budget (which we also discuss in this episode) and the upcoming 'Well Adapted UK' report. Highly experienced in global climate policy, she also co-chairs the International Climate Council Network's Communications Working Group. Connect With Us:Join the conversation: ⁠⁠⁠environment.network@energysecurity.gov.uk⁠⁠⁠CSCEN website:  ⁠⁠⁠Civil Service Climate + Environment Network | CSCEN Online⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker's own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the Civil Service Climate and Environment Network or the Civil Service. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only

In this episode of the Legacy Dads podcast, host Dante Girolimon and guest co-host Joe Svoboda are joined by leadership expert Mac Lake to discuss the intersection of ministry, multiplication, and intentional fatherhood. Drawing from his decades of experience and the framework of the "Leadership Pipeline," Lake shares how his philosophy evolved from a passion for church reproduction to a deep conviction that every father is called to be a "multiplier" in his own home. The conversation moves through the distinct seasons of parenting—from the high-energy early years of building family culture to the nuanced shift of maintaining influence with adult children. Lake emphasizes that leadership development is, at its heart, a form of high-level discipleship that balances character and competency, a lesson he applied while raising his own children, including worship leader Brandon Lake. The episode concludes with a forward-looking vision of legacy, where Lake encourages fathers to view their homes not just as places of management, but as the primary training ground for the next generation of Kingdom leaders. Connect with Mac: Mac Lake Online Instagram: @maclake24 Connect With Us Join the Conversation: Have a story or a struggle you want to share? Email us at dave@legacydads.org and dante@legacydads.org. You can also find us on Facebook Legacy Dads Online Community and Instagram.

Who told you who you are?In Episode 13 of the "What's In Your Hands?" series, we go to one of the most dramatic moments in scripture — Jacob wrestling with God all night long at the river Jabbok. God asks him one question: what is your name? And the moment Jacob confesses the old name — deceiver, trickster, manipulator — God renames him Israel. Overcomer.But here's what most people miss: God didn't rename him before the confession. He renamed him after. Because you can't receive a new identity until you're honest about the old one. And the limp Jacob walked away with? That wasn't punishment. That was proof he met God in the dark and came out transformed.We'll talk about why so many of us answer to names that were never ours, why the wrestling is part of the process, and three truths about your name — including why the limp is part of the testimony.If you've been wearing a label someone else put on you, it's time for a rename.

Christina Baker Kline joins Book Gang to discuss The Foursome, a novel inspired by her family ties to the descendants of conjoined twins Chang and Eng Bunker. This week's Book Gang conversation welcomes #1 New York Times bestselling author Christina Baker Kline, whose new novel The Foursome delivers a captivating book club premise inspired by the true story of Chang and Eng Bunker. Kline's narrative follows the conjoined twins from their international stardom to settling in North Carolina, where they seek love and family, culminating in an unexpected and unforgettable love story with sisters Adelaide and Sarah. Kline invites readers into her flourishing career, where she reflects on Orphan Train's success and what's changed since she began in the 1990s. For writers and readers alike, she offers compelling advice on weathering publishing changes. In this inviting and deeply immersive conversation, we discuss:

Have you ever had a plan that was perfect — and then God said… turn left?In Episode 12 of the "What's In Your Hands?" series, we unpack Proverbs 16:9 — in their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Your plan is your intention. God's establishment is the actual path. And they rarely match.We'll walk through Joseph's thirteen-year detour from the pit to the palace, why the Israelites took forty years on an eleven-day journey, and the powerful difference between trusting the dashboard and trusting the Driver. God's detours are not delays — they're divine setups for destinations your GPS couldn't find.If God just rerouted your plan and you're standing on a road you didn't choose — this episode will change how you see it.

Laurie Frankel joins Book Gang to discuss Enormous Wings, a bold, bighearted novel about aging, autonomy, and the messiness of modern family life. This week's Book Gang conversation welcomes New York Times bestselling author Laurie Frankel, whose latest novel delivers a juicy book club premise wrapped in the chaos and warmth of a multigenerational Jewish family. When breast cancer survivor Pepper Mills loses her home and independence, she's thrown into a new world at Vista View Retirement Community—only to face the unimaginable: a pregnancy at seventy-seven, and a gauntlet of opinions from loved ones, doctors, and the wider world. In this lively, surprising conversation, we discuss:

Have you ever run completely out? Not just low — out. The money, the energy, the options — gone.In Episode 11 of the "What's In Your Hands?" series, we go to the Wedding at Cana — the very first miracle Jesus ever performed. And He didn't do it in a synagogue or on a mountaintop. He did it at a dinner party. Around food. Around celebration. Around a table.The wine ran out. The servants had nothing but water. And Jesus said — fill the jars to the brim. What happened next changed everything. He turned ordinary water into the finest wine the room had ever tasted. And the master of the banquet said something that will reshape how you see your life — "You have saved the best till now."We'll unpack why Mary's prayer is a masterclass in trust, why obedience comes before understanding, and the radical truth that God saves the best for last — your best days aren't behind you.

Author Janelle Brown joins us as our May MomAdvice Book Club pick to discuss What Kind of Paradise, a 1990s-set literary thriller filled with twists and turns. In our May Book Club episode, we welcome New York Times bestselling author Janelle Brown for a spoiler-free conversation about her latest literary thriller, What Kind of Paradise. This psychologically rich novel plunges readers into the chaotic optimism of the 1990s dot-com era, unraveling the deeper currents of family, technology, and survival that shape its unforgettable characters. Through the story of Esme—a gifted coder navigating the promise and perils of the 1990s tech boom and her father's ideological obsessions—Brown crafts a compulsively readable tale that asks what we inherit, what we choose, and what we risk in pursuit of our own paradise. In this fascinating conversation, we discuss:

Dur e Aziz Amna joins us to discuss A Splintering, a sharp, compulsive novel about class, ambition, and the cost of becoming who you believe you're meant to be. This week's Book Gang conversation brings us together with award-winning author Dur e Aziz Amna to talk about A Splintering, a novel that pulls you in from its very first line and refuses to let the reader go. This novel made my Best Books of the Year list, and I'm so excited to celebrate this story today. From a childhood shaped by poverty in rural Pakistan to the calculated, high-stakes world of social mobility, Amna introduces us to Tara—a narrator who dares you to judge her even as she demands to be understood. This is a story about ambition sharpened by circumstance, about the quiet and not-so-quiet ways women navigate power, and about what it means to reshape your life when the world has already decided your place within it. In this compelling conversation, we discuss:

Have you ever felt like everything is coming at you at once?In Episode 10 of the "What's In Your Hands?" series, we go to Ephesians 6:10-13 — Paul's battle manual for spiritual warfare. Written from a Roman prison cell, these verses reveal that our struggle isn't against flesh and blood. There's a spiritual dimension behind what you're experiencing. And if you're fighting the wrong enemy, you'll never win.We'll walk through every piece of the armor — the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit — and unpack what each one actually does in the fight. Plus, we'll talk about why the intensity of the attack is often an indicator of the size of what's on the other side.If everything is hitting at once right now, this isn't random. You might be closer to your breakthrough than you've ever been. Suit up.

In this final episode of our four-part series, Dave and Dante tackle the "Great Release"—the pivotal transition from parenting by authority to leading through influence as your children enter young adulthood. Grounded in the joy of 3 John 1:4, we explore how to stay spiritually connected without becoming controlling, providing a roadmap for fathers whose children are navigating college, careers, or even seasons of doubt and deconstruction. Whether you're learning to trust the foundation you've built or figuring out how to be a "safe harbor" during their recalibration, this episode challenges you to stop trying to control the outcome and start trusting the God who brings the growth. It's time to move from holding the bow to watching the arrow fly, confident that your legacy is anchored in faithfulness rather than perfection. Key Takeaways: The Role Shift: Transitioning from daily control to foundational investment and coaching. Staying Connected: Practical ways to maintain a spiritual bond without being intrusive. Handling Doubt: How to remain a "safe harbor" if your child deconstructs or walks away from their faith. Trusting the Growth: Remembering that you planted the seeds, but God brings the increase. Connect With Us Join the Conversation: Have a story or a struggle you want to share? Email us at dave@legacydads.org and dante@legacydads.org. You can also find us on Facebook Legacy Dads Online Community and Instagram.

Author Sam Wachman joins us as our April MomAdvice Book Club pick to discuss The Sunflower Boys, a powerful coming-of-age story set during the war in Ukraine. This week, Sam Wachman joins Book Gang to discuss The Sunflower Boys, our April MomAdvice Book Club pick. This story offers a remarkable blend of the tenderness of boyhood and the brutality of war, set against the backdrop of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, bringing to life its heartbreaking history. As the brothers in this story undertake a harrowing journey across a war-torn landscape, a love of art becomes both guide and witness, leading these two boys toward hope and a desperate reunion with their father. Wachman offers a war chronicle and an intimate, profoundly human portrayal of the enduring spirit of family, deeply humanizing the Ukrainian struggle. In this remarkable conversation, we discuss:

The teenage years are often viewed with dread by parents, but for the Legacy Dad, they represent the most crucial season of discipleship. In this episode, Dave and Dante discuss how to move from being a "manager" of your child's life to a "mentor" of their soul. It's about anchoring them in biblical truth while providing the safe harbor they need to navigate identity, doubt, and independence. Connect With Us Join the Conversation: Have a story or a struggle you want to share? Email us at dave@legacydads.org and dante@legacydads.org. You can also find us on Facebook Legacy Dads Online Community and Instagram.  

In The Lady's Handbook for Her Mysterious Illness, Sarah Ramey shares her journey through chronic illness and the medical system's blind spots. This week, we're bringing forward a powerful 2022 conversation with Sarah Ramey, author of The Lady's Handbook for Her Mysterious Illness, whose novel was selected as a MomAdvice Book Club Book the year that this conversation was recorded. This discussion remains as urgent and resonant today as when it first aired, offering an unflinching look at chronic illness, medical bias, and the stories women are too often forced to carry alone. In this episode, we also discuss the complexities of the mind-body connection, the role of privilege in accessing care, and the turning point that led Sarah toward healing through functional medicine. Anne Patchett featured The Lady's Handbook for Her Mysterious Illness in her "If You Haven't Read This Book, It's New to You" series for Parnassus Books. She described it as crackling, electrifying, funny, and fast-paced—a book that will outrage you and one you won't be able to put down.  I co-sign this recommendation and am proud to pull this out from our studio vault as we celebrate this month's book club book, The Mad Wife, and the ways women's health has been so misunderstood.   In this spoiler-filled conversation:

In this episode of the Legacy Dads Podcast, Dave and Dante dive into the "Training Wheels" phase of fatherhood—discipling adolescents aged 8 to 12. This is a critical developmental window where children shift from simply absorbing their parents' beliefs to investigating the "why" behind them. The conversation centers on Proverbs 4:23, highlighting the father's role in helping children "guard their hearts" as they begin to encounter more complex social and cultural pressures. Dave and Dante discuss the transition from providing "spiritual milk" to "solid food," offering practical strategies for teaching kids how to read the Bible independently and apply a biblical worldview to school, sports, and friendships. Connect With Us Join the Conversation: Have a story or a struggle you want to share? Email us at dave@legacydads.org and dante@legacydads.org. You can also find us on Facebook Legacy Dads Online Community and Instagram.

Bestselling author Meagan Church returns to discuss our March Book Club selection, The Mad Wife, and its whirlwind success. This month, we welcome Meagan Church back to Book Gang to celebrate our March Reader's Choice selection, The Mad Wife—the most-voted book by our community. Meagan first joined us earlier in her writing journey to discuss the inspiration behind this story. Now she returns following the novel's breakout success, including appearances on the bestseller lists and recognition as a Barnes & Noble Fiction Pick. In this follow-up conversation, we talk about how Life has changed since The Mad Wife reached readers around the country—from touring and meeting fans to seeing Lulu's story resonate with audiences. We also take a lighter turn with a fun round of writer habits, reading life confessions, and quickfire questions designed to help listeners get to know Meagan beyond the page. In this spoiler-free conversation with my friend, we explore:

Episode Summary Parenting a toddler feels like planting a garden in the middle of a windstorm—chaotic, messy, and loud. But it is also the most critical season for planting seeds that will last a lifetime. In this episode, Dave and Dante break down the "why" and "how" of discipling children ages 2–7. We're moving away from the pressure of perfection and leaning into the beauty of simple, faithful rhythms that point little hearts toward their Creator. Key Scriptures Deuteronomy 6:6-7 – The mandate to weave faith into the fabric of everyday life. Matthew 18:3 – Why the simplicity of a child's faith is the blueprint for our own. Numbers 6:24-26 – The power of the priestly blessing. 1 Corinthians 11:1 – Modeling faith for those who are always watching. What We Cover The Toddler's Spiritual World: Why their "concrete" thinking isn't a limitation, but a gift. We discuss why heart formation beats theological precision every time. Practical Rhythms: From morning gratitude to the transformative power of bedtime blessings. Discipling Through the Senses: Faith shouldn't just be heard; it should be seen, touched, and experienced. Learn how to translate big theology into language a 4-year-old understands. Modeling Over Teaching: You are your child's first "Bible." We get real about what happens when you blow it and how saying "I'm sorry" is a crucial discipleship tool. The Long View: Trusting the "compound effect" of small, consistent habits even when you don't see immediate fruit. Action Step for the Week The Bedtime Blessing: This week, we're keeping it simple. Whether you've never done it or just got out of the habit, commit to implementing a consistent bedtime prayer or blessing routine for your toddler. Speak the truth of God's love over them before they drift off to sleep. Connect With Us Join the Conversation: Have a toddler story or a struggle you want to share? Email us at dave@legacydads.org and dante@legacydads.org. You can also find us on Facebook Legacy Dads Online Community and Instagram. Next Episode: We're turning the page to Adolescents. Get ready for a shift in strategy as we talk about navigating the pre-teen years.

Kate Schatz joins the show to discuss Where the Girls Were, a novel inspired by the hidden history of maternity homes and the young women sent away during the 1960s. This week, Kate Schatz joins the Book Gang podcast to discuss her adult fiction debut, Where the Girls Were, a novel that explores a little-discussed chapter of American history: the maternity homes that housed more than a million young women during the 1950s and 1960s. Drawing inspiration from her own family's haunting history and years of research, Schatz brings readers into the world of a teenage prodigy sent away to give birth in secret just weeks before graduating high school. In our conversation, we discuss how the story first took shape, the transition from writing nonfiction about activism and history to crafting a deeply researched novel, and the realities of maternity homes in the mid-twentieth century. Schatz also shares some of the surprising details uncovered during her research. In this fascinating conversation, we explore:

Rachel Hochhauser joins us to discuss her debut novel, Lady Tremaine, a reimagining of Cinderella told from the perspective of its most misunderstood figure. This week, we're stepping back into a story we think we know, and turning it inside out. Rachel Hochhauser joins us to talk about her debut novel, Lady Tremaine, a bold and lyrical reimagining of Cinderella told from the perspective of its most misunderstood figure. Together, we explore what it means to reclaim a villain, the power structures embedded in fairy tales, and the quiet, often invisible labor of women navigating survival in a world that offers them very little protection. This conversation is full of trivia, with fascinating tidbits about falcons to reimagining the hinges of one of our favorite fairy tales. In this fascinating conversation, we explore:

Aisha Hassan discusses her debut novel, When the Fireflies Dance, a moving family saga set in Lahore and the research inspired by real stories of bonded labor. In this week's episode of Book Gang, I'm excited to share my conversation with debut novelist Aisha Hassan about her first novel, When the Fireflies Dance. This moving family saga is set in Lahore and draws on real-life stories of bonded labor in Pakistan's brick kilns. The narrative follows one family's struggle for survival, dignity, and hope after the loss of their son. During our discussion, we explore Aisha's journey to publication, the intricate construction of her novel, and the important responsibility of addressing social injustices through fiction. In this informative conversation, we explore:

Debut author Lauren Morrow joins us to discuss Little Movements, a sharp, funny, and deeply perceptive literary novel set in the world of professional dance.Lauren Morrow joins Book Gang to discuss her satirical novel, Little Movements, which follows Layla, a Black choreographer navigating a fragile marriage, a long-delayed hope of motherhood, and a career-defining opportunity at a prestigious arts institution.When Layla relocates alone to create a new piece from the ground up, she finds herself confronting not just the physical demands of dance but the subtler pressures of tokenization, institutional expectations, and who gets to define what her work "means."Drawing from Morrow's background in dance and arts publicity, Little Movements offers an insider's view of how cultural organizations frame progress, how money shapes artistic freedom, and how women—especially Black women—are often asked to carry symbolic weight they never volunteered for.In this fascinating conversation, we explore:

Author Nancy Johnson joins us to discuss People of Means, our February Book Club selection for Black History Month, a powerful, moving dual-timeline novel.Nancy Johnson joins Book Gang to discuss her richly layered second novel, which explores race, class, ambition, and resistance in 1960s Nashville and 1992 Chicago, offering readers a perfectly baked reading experience for Black History Month.In this deeply thoughtful conversation, Nancy reflects on writing a novel that spans decades—from the Jim Crow South and the Fisk University protest movement to the corporate corridors of the early 1990s and the aftermath of the Rodney King verdict. We talk about generational inheritance, the pressures of Black excellence, and the quiet, everyday decisions that shape history just as much as headline-making acts of protest.Nancy also shares what it was like to speak at Fisk University, a moment that mirrors the heart of People of Means, and how beginning her fiction career later in life shaped both her confidence and her creative freedom. From navigating second-novel pressure to crafting two distinct voices for Freda and Tulip, this conversation offers insight into both the craft of writing and the moral questions at the center of the book.In this enlightening conversation, we explore:

Journalist Christine Kuehn joins us to discuss Family of Spies and her gripping emotional reckoning with her family's shocking personal ties to Nazi espionage.The book begins in 1994, when a single letter from a historian pierces Kuehn's quiet suburban life, revealing a secret she never suspected. Kuehn discovered that members of her own family were Nazi intelligence agents. What follows is a thirty-year investigation that pulls from FBI files, government and family archives, photographs, correspondence, and interviews.In today's Book Gang conversation, Kuehn reflects on reporting on her own lineage, the ethical and emotional stakes of uncovering a truth that implicates the people who raised her, and how she structured the book across dual timelines to hold both the global history and her personal reckoning.This episode airs the week of National Holocaust Remembrance Day. This moment calls us to remember not only the victims of Nazi violence, but also the systems, enablers, and silences that allowed it to spread. Christine now uses her research to support Jewish organizations, which you will hear about in today's conversation as we unbox the past together.In this emotional conversation, we explore:

Author Lior Torenberg unpacks her debut Just Watch Me, a darkly funny livestream novel that exposes the cost of performing pain online, and our hunger to watch.Debut author Lior Torenberg joins us to talk about Just Watch Me, a bold, internet-shaped novel that unfolds over seven days of nonstop livestreaming. Together, we dig into what it means to write fiction rooted in our current digital moment, and why stories about performance feel so urgent right now.We talk about Torenberg's path from initial concept to publication, the realities of debuting with a formally inventive novel, and the creative risks of building a narrative around livestream chats, audience participation, and escalating dares. She also walks us through the choice to compress the story into a single week, and how that story structure intensifies both tension and intimacy.In this fun conversation, we explore:

Author Elizabeth DeLozier joins us to discuss Eleanore of Avignon, our January Book Club pick, and her bold debut, shaped by plague, medicine, and female power.In this free conversation, Elizabeth DeLozier takes us behind the scenes of Eleanore of Avignon—a richly researched historical novel set during the Black Death, written during the modern pandemic that reshaped how many of us think about illness, fear, and survival.Elizabeth shares how long it took to bring this ambitious debut from first idea to finished book, what it was like to pitch such a high-stakes story as a first novel, and how her background in medicine deeply informed the way she wrote Eleanore's work as a healer and midwife. We also talk about writing outside of traditional MFA pathways, balancing historical plausibility with emotionally resonant characters, and what surprised her most while researching 14th-century Avignon.Gratitude to Our Show Patrons: This week's episode is open to all listeners thanks to generous donations made through Buy Me a Coffee and your community memberships. If you'd like to keep the conversation going, you're invited to join our Patreon Book Club chat on January 29 at 8 PM ET, where we'll dive deeper into spoilers, themes, and reader reactions. Membership is $5 a month, or you can prepay for the year and save 10%. In this fascinating conversation, we explore:

Head to the Arctic with Nathaniel Ian Miller and discover the true story that inspired his debut, The Memoirs of Stockholm Sven, for our final episode of 2025.For our final episode of 2025, we're bringing forward a beloved conversation from the Book Gang archives with debut novelist Nathaniel Ian Miller, discussing his magical winter read, The Memoirs of Stockholm Sven, and the enduring pull of a great winter story with found-family themes. This episode originally aired for patrons in 2023, and it felt like the perfect moment to share it more widely, along with some gentle reflections from this year, including YOUR best book club book of the year.In this funny conversation, we discuss:

Get ahead of 2026's biggest releases this year. We highlight ten must-read backlist books from authors with upcoming titles, so you have your best library day.What could be better than a discussion on 2026's biggest releases? We wanted to do something fun (and genuinely helpful) to help you plan next year's TBR. Today, Jessica Bearak is back, and she's bringing her idea to pair readers with books we don't want slipping through the cracks. We've gathered ten brilliant backlist titles from authors with major books arriving next year, so you can reserve your library holds, fill your Kindle, and feel delightfully ahead of the curve before celebrating their next book. Think of it as your literary pre-game for the year ahead.In this fun conversation, we discuss:

Join the 2026 MomAdvice Book Club to explore 12 handpicked novels, enjoy lively author chats, and celebrate a year of stories that inspire and delight.Get ready to kick off another unforgettable reading year with the 2026 MomAdvice Book Club. In this episode, I'm unveiling my twelve handpicked selections—an extraordinary lineup of novels that challenge perspective and remind us what it means to live bravely and wholeheartedly.I read widely and intentionally all year so that every MomAdvice pick feels worthy of your time, your library holds, your gift lists, and your precious reading hours. Announcing the selections early means you can gather copies however is easiest for you. Shop the library, used shops, holiday gifting, or straight from your favorite indie bookshop this year.To discover this year's selections, you can head to today's post, which includes all the details, including the recommended format, the reading mood of the novel, and pacing information. Each description also offers the accompanying reader experience for each book.I've also uploaded a podcast that goes through each of these books for those of you who prefer an audio experience with some behind-the-scenes details. Please join me on this reading adventure!This year, your participation in the book club directly supports the podcast and sustains a space where readers can connect deeply over stories that genuinely matter. Thank you for choosing this space to invest in. I never take it for granted!Connect With Us:Join the 2026 Book ClubMake a One-Time Donation to My Show (SO, SO GRATEFUL THIS YEAR!!)Connect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdviceGet My Happy List NewsletterGet the Daily Kindle Deals Newsletter

Marisa Kashino turns being new to publishing into a superpower, revealing her surprising journey from first draft to the darkly funny thriller, Best Offer Wins.Being brand-new to publishing turned out to be this author's secret weapon in landing her book deal. This week on Book Gang, we're stepping into the ruthless, dream-chasing world of real estate with Marisa Kashino, journalist and author of Best Offer Wins. She shares how the freedom from expectations fueled her thriller's creativity and story structure, how her query journey unfolded with unexpected serendipity, and why stepping into fiction opened doors she never imagined… including an adaptation already in the works.In this heartwarming and hilarious conversation, we discuss:

Discover the writing hack that Emma Pattee uncovered with a creativity coach, which helped her debut novel, Tilt, transition from her Google Drive to publication.Emma Pattee, climate journalist and fiction writer, joins the Book Gang podcast to discuss her heartpounding debut novel, Tilt. In Tilt, we follow a pregnant woman through a single, intense day as an earthquake hits Portland, where Pattee blends the chaos of the city with the intimate messiness of her marriage and motherhood journey.In our virtual walk with Emma through Portland, we explore:

Discover Pagebound, the social reading app by Lucy Zhao & Jennifer Dobak. Learn how to gamify your reading life from quests to forums in today's beginner chat.Ever wish Goodreads had a heart or deeply desired a buddy read for every book in your book stack? It exists. This week, we're stepping inside Pagebound, the new social reading app built by readers for readers, with co-founders Lucy Zhao and Jennifer Dobak.This week's "building block" podcast episode is designed to deepen your reading life and provide a behind-the-scenes look at tools you can use to enhance it. Discover how these two women built a no-AI, reader-first platform that's reimagining how we connect through stories online.In this enlightening conversation, we discuss:

Take a crash course in Gothic fiction with Junie author Erin Crosby Eckstine as we trace the genre's origins, evolution, and enduring allure.Erin returns to Book Gang to share what surprised her most about debut life and what she's learned about balancing writing, book promotion, and an ever-growing TikTok community. Then, we dive deep into the eerie, elegant world of Gothic literature — where decaying mansions, stormy moors, and family secrets reflect the darkness within.If you've ever wondered what makes a book Gothic, how the genre evolved from the 18th century to the present day, or how writers can utilize Gothic techniques to explore contemporary fears, this episode is your guided tour through the creeping shadows, courtesy of a former English teacher.In this illuminating conversation, we discuss:

What if success didn’t require sacrificing your relationships, health, or happiness along the way?

Go behind the scenes with Bindery Books to discover their innovative publishing process, where tastemakers reshape how diverse books are made and sold.In this week's episode, we sit down with Matt Kaye, cofounder and CEO of Bindery Books, to explore how his multifaceted career—from traditional publishing to Amazon to Patreon—shaped a bold new model for the book world.Matt shares how the company identifies and empowers their carefully selected Tastemakers who curate, acquire, and co-develop books, offering listeners a rare, inside look at how these partnerships work from manuscript to marketing. Discover how the company tackles its small business challenges and the heartwarming pride that infuses many of its published works, including a project that's even captured the attention of celebrities.In this enlightening conversation, we discuss:

Debut novelist Olivia Muenter joins Book Gang to discuss her hit debut, Such a Bad Influence, and the dark side of online fame in her real and imagined worlds.What happens when your child becomes famous? In Such a Bad Influence, Olivia Muenter pulls back the curtain on the innocent early days of a fictional family's online moment that went viral, to later reveal the insidious nature of the influencer era when fame and fortune find them.A self-described "recovering influencer," Olivia shares how her debut became a sharp, emotional page-turner and the ways her work as an influencer tied into her more complicated truths in this mixed media thriller.In this revealing conversation, we discuss:

Author Meagan Church unpacks the hidden lives of women in her chilling novel, The Mad Wife, as we explore the history of hysteria in women's health diagnoses.If you loved Meagan Church's historical fiction, you'll be captivated by the bold turn she takes in The Mad Wife, her third novel. Rooted in the untold medical stories of women's lives, this book lulls readers into the familiar rhythms of mid-century domesticity, before flipping the script with a shocking plot twist.In our revealing conversation, we explore:Building a Vivid 1950s World – From S&H stamps to molded salads, how Meagan nailed the texture of the era, weaving ordinary domestic details into a setting that feels both authentic and unsettling.From History to Suspense – Why Meagan pivoted from a traditional historical fiction lens in her earlier novels to the creeping tension of domestic suspense, and how she made the genre shift feel authentic to her writing process. We discuss the bravery required for this project and how she felt haunted, both in real life and on the page, as she told Lulu's story.The Medical History of “Hysteria” – What her chilling research revealed about diagnoses like hysteria, prescriptions like Miltown, and procedures like lobotomy and ECT that shaped women's lives in disturbing ways.