Podcasts about Historical fiction

One of the New York Times' 10 best books of 2025, Angel Down is a World War I story told as one continuous sentence, which vividly portrays the horrors of that conflict. Author Daniel Kraus is no stranger to horror. Growing up in Fairfield, he would watch horror movies like Night of the Living Dead and episodes of The Twilight Zone as a five year old with his mom. Kraus joins this episode to talk about his horror and Iowa roots, Angel Down, which is development for a film adaptation, and his 2023 novel Whalefall, whose film adaptation is to be released later this fall.

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes author and former teacher Sara Goodman-Confino to Set Lusting Bruce to talk Bruce Springsteen, fandom, and fiction. Sara shares her path from 21 years teaching to writing full-time, her Springsteen origin story rooted in hearing “Atlantic City” during a difficult college week, and her family's deep reading culture. She recounts seeing Bruce live (including being pulled onstage in Charlottesville in 2012 with a “Can I dance with Jake?” sign), attending dozens of shows, favorite songs and albums (especially Born to Run and “Backstreets”), and sending Bruce a copy of her novel Don't Forget to Write featuring a brief Bruce cameo. They discuss Sara's focus on humorous, intergenerational stories with strong female characters and “Jewish joy,” including why she writes Jewish characters beyond suffering narratives and how her novels highlight the recentness of women's legal and social limitations. Sara previews upcoming projects, including her June 9 release Off the Record about a young woman in a 1960s newspaper typing pool who uncovers a Cuban spy plot, plus a planned 2027 novel centered on the Beatles' first U.S. concert after Ed Sullivan. Find more about her and her books here - https://saraconfino.com/ 00:00 Welcome to Set Lusting Bruce + Meet Author Sara Goodman Canino 00:53 From Teacher to Full-Time Writer: Beyond the Palace Origins 03:54 Growing Up with Books & Classic Rock (and Early Bruce Memories) 05:24 The Springsteen Mix CD That Got Her Through Grief 10:13 Writing Strong Women & Finding Her Voice (Humor, Publishing, Historical Fiction) 13:29 Jewish Joy on the Page: Representation Beyond Trauma 16:28 Intergenerational Healing: The Mother-in-Law Story Behind Good Grief 19:24 New Release Spotlight: Off the Record—Jewish Romcom Meets Cold War Spy Thriller 23:00 Why the Early '60s Still Matters: Women's Rights, Research, and Remembering History 27:34 Why These Stories Matter (Especially for Younger Readers) 29:04 Next Novel Tease: The 1964 DC Beatles Show + A Photographer's Big Break 31:12 Switching Gears to Bruce: The ‘Dance with Jake' Sign & Getting Pulled Onstage 34:20 Counting Shows & Favorite Springsteen Songs (Born to Run, Backstreets, Sandy) 37:29 Have You Met Bruce? Mailing Him a Book + The New Jersey Cameo 39:27 Family Concert Memories: Dad, Uncle, and the Legendary Ticket Scores 42:46 What's Next as a Writer: Secret Projects, Building an Audience & Future Horror Book 44:09 Thunder Road Debate: Does Mary Get in the Car? (Plus ‘Waves' vs ‘Sways') 44:58 Where to Find Sara: Socials, Website, Buying Options & Final Wrap-Up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meet Amra Pajalic author of Time Kneels Between Mountainsaward winning author, educator, and PhD researcher. In 2009 she won the Melbourne Prize for Literature's Civic Choice Award for her debut novel The Good Daughter, which has since been re-released as Sabiha's Dilemma. Her latest novel, Time Kneels Between Mountains is a wonderful book. It is set in 1992 in Srebrenica,  a town in Bosnia which experienced deep conflict and trauma at this point in history. It tells the story of the teenage girl Seka, who tries to fight against the injustices she sees during this time of collective trauma, and also her fight to survive. Amra Pajalic Website Amra Pajalic Substack Buy Amra's Books Amra's Instagram   Click to join my mailing listTeachers Pay Teachers StoreGrab a copy of History, Her Story, Our Story from Amazon!If you would like to support the podcast, you and Buy Me a CoffeeWrite a review on Podchaser, Apple or Spotify.The History Detective Season 1 & 2 Album is now available on Spotify and all of your music streaming services.Contact: Instagram @HistoryDetective9, email historydetective9@gmail.comHistory Detective WebsiteAll music written and performed by Kelly Chase.

Send a textWill's Race for Home by Jewell Parker RhodesFor as long as he can remember, Will's father has seemed dissatisfied. Will never knows what it will take to make his father, a sharecropper in Texas, happy. Until, one day he comes back from town with a notice about a land rush that will be happening in Oklahoma the following April. Right away, everything changes when the decision is made for the family to try to get some land of their own. But Will's dad acts like he isn't sure Will is up for the journey. Will thinks he is, but as their travel begins, things happen along the way that make Will begin to doubt himself. Recommended for 6th grade and up. Support the show

Fluent Fiction - Korean: When Tradition Meets Modernity: A Winter Tale of Creativity Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ko/episode/2026-02-23-23-34-02-ko Story Transcript:Ko: 차디찬 겨울 아침, 창덕궁은 새하얀 설날 옷을 입고 있었다.En: On a freezing winter morning, Changdeokgung was dressed in a new year's coat of pure white snow.Ko: 눈이 소복이 쌓인 정원을 지나, 다채로운 건물들이 환하게 빛났다.En: As snow piled up in the garden, the colorful buildings shone brightly.Ko: 지호는 설레는 마음으로 궁궐에 들어섰다.En: Jiho entered the palace with an excited heart.Ko: 어린 시절 할머니가 들려주던 이야기가 떠올랐다.En: He recalled the stories his grandmother used to tell him during his childhood.Ko: 그 이야기 속의 궁궐은 마치 살아있는 듯 강한 인상을 남겼다.En: The palace in those stories left a strong impression as if it were alive.Ko: 한편, 은지는 두꺼운 메모장을 꺼내 놓고 있었다.En: Meanwhile, Eunji was taking out her thick notebook.Ko: 작년부터 준비해온 논문의 마무리를 위해 이제는 마지막 자료 수집이 필요했다.En: To finalize the thesis she had been preparing since last year, she needed to gather one last set of materials.Ko: 그녀는 깊이 있는 연구를 통해 조선 시대 궁궐의 숨겨진 이야기를 찾아내고 싶었다.En: Through her in-depth research, she wanted to uncover the hidden stories of the palaces from the Joseon era.Ko: 지호와 은지는 궁궐 투어 초반, 은퇴하신 가이드의 해설을 들으며 각자의 목적을 되새겼다.En: At the start of the palace tour, Jiho and Eunji listened to a retired guide's commentary, each rethinking their own objective.Ko: 지호는 아름다운 기와 지붕과 섬세한 건축 양식을 보며 영감을 찾으려 했다.En: Jiho sought inspiration by observing the beautiful tiled roofs and intricate architectural styles.Ko: 은지는 조선 왕실의 삶과 정치적 이야기에 귀를 기울이면서도 기회를 놓치지 않으려 집중했다.En: While Eunji was attentive to the lives and political stories of the Joseon royal family, she concentrated on not missing any opportunities.Ko: 투어 중반, 두 사람은 우연히 마주친 휴식 공간에서 서로를 알아보게 되었다.En: Mid-tour, the two happened to recognize each other in a rest area.Ko: 은지는 지호에게 먼저 말을 걸었다.En: Eunji was the first to speak to Jiho.Ko: "안녕하세요! 혹시 건축가신가요? 이곳은 특히 보면서 어떤 생각이 드시나요?"En: "Hello! Are you an architect, by any chance? What thoughts come to you as you observe this place?"Ko: 지호는 조심스럽게 미소를 지으며 대답했다. "안녕하세요. 네, 맞아요.En: Jiho, cautiously smiling, replied, "Hello. Yes, that's right.Ko: 궁궐 건축은 정말 대단하죠. 이번 프로젝트에 쓸 아이디어가 필요해서 왔어요."En: The palace architecture is truly amazing. I came here to seek ideas for my current project."Ko: 그들은 자신들의 고민을 나누기 시작했다.En: They began to share their concerns.Ko: 지호는 갈수록 현대적 감각에만 집중한 것 같아 전통이 가진 깊이를 놓쳤다는 생각이 들었다.En: Jiho felt that he might have missed the depth of tradition as he focused more on modern sensations.Ko: 반면, 은지는 시대와 적합함 사이에서 벗어나는 새로운 논문을 쓰고자 했다.En: On the other hand, Eunji aimed to write a groundbreaking thesis that steps outside the boundaries of time and conformity.Ko: 둘은 점점 더 깊이 대화하게 되었고, 창덕궁의 비밀정원에서 조용한 순간을 맞이했다.En: As their conversation deepened, they reached a quiet moment in the secret garden of Changdeokgung.Ko: 은지는 조심스럽게 말문을 열었다. "우리, 함께 일해 보는 게 어떨까요? 당신의 시각과 제 연구를 결합하면 멋진 결과물이 나올 것 같아요."En: Eunji cautiously spoke, "How about we work together? Combining your perspective with my research could lead to amazing results."Ko: 지호는 깊은 한숨을 내쉬며 동의했다. "좋아요. 서로 배울 게 많을 것 같아요.En: Jiho sighed deeply and agreed. "Sounds good. I think we have a lot to learn from each other.Ko: 아마 그게 가장 중요한 일이겠죠."En: Perhaps that's the most important thing."Ko: 궁궐을 떠나는 길에, 지호와 은지는 서로에게 연락처를 주고받았다.En: On their way out of the palace, Jiho and Eunji exchanged contact information.Ko: 그들은 설날 가족들이 모일 때처럼 따뜻한 기분에 잠겼다.En: They were enveloped in a warm feeling, similar to the gathering of families during the new year.Ko: 전통과 현대가 융합되는 새로운 프로젝트의 시작이었다.En: It was the beginning of a new project where tradition and modernity would merge.Ko: 그날 이후, 지호는 다시금 자신의 뿌리를 되돌아보게 되었다.En: Since that day, Jiho started to look back on his roots.Ko: 설레는 마음으로 은지를 기다리듯, 그의 건축물은 전통과 현대의 조화를 꿈꾸게 될 것이었다.En: Just as he eagerly awaited Eunji, his architectural works would aspire to harmonize tradition with modernity.Ko: 은지도 마찬가지로 자신이 발견한 이야기를 전할 때 더 큰 자신감을 가지게 되었다.En: Likewise, Eunji became more confident in sharing the stories she discovered.Ko: 결국, 둘은 협력의 힘이 가져다줄 새로운 가능성을 믿게 되었다.En: Ultimately, they came to believe in the new possibilities that the power of collaboration could bring. Vocabulary Words:freezing: 차디찬piled: 소복이 쌓인excited: 설레는recall: 떠올리다impression: 인상thesis: 논문gather: 수집in-depth: 깊이 있는uncover: 찾아내다retired: 은퇴commentary: 해설inspiration: 영감attentive: 귀를 기울이다intricate: 섬세한cautiously: 조심스럽게perspective: 시각groundbreaking: 새로운boundaries: 경계conformity: 적합함sigh: 한숨roots: 뿌리harmonize: 조화하다await: 기다리다ultimately: 결국collaboration: 협력merge: 융합하다confidence: 자신감possibilities: 가능성finalize: 마무리opportunities: 기회

Send a textAs Long As Rivers Run is a tale of lore, wisdom, and wonder; a story of hardship and healing in a rugged wilderness full of challenges and rewards. Protagonist Tom Dunagan was thrown into the role of a surgeon during the Civil War under conditions that yielded more sadness than success. The weight of the war is a cloak he struggles to shed. After the war, he and his 13 year-old daughter, Brooke, cross the Continental Divide and stumble upon a Ute father and son in their own tragic situation. Tom's heroic effort to save the Ute man's life after an intense encounter with a grizzly bear gives passage for Tom and his daughter to enter the mystic world of an Ute family band. They learn that the circle of the seasons is driven by the circle of water that drives the circle of life—a profound truth in a harsh land where water is not merely a resource, but the single, sacred thread that binds existence. The novel reiterates a lesson in survival that rings true to this day: the preciousness of water must never be forgotten.Taking place in a time when great riches for our Native Americans was measured in the number and quality of their horse herd, a time of strike-it-rich dreams in a rock's golden vein. While the story touches on greed, jealousy and violence common of that time, we also find moments of kindness, understanding and love, all cradled in the wilderness of the Rocky Mountains.Pick it up hereAbout the author, Larry Ray Rather:Larry Ray Rather is a rancher by day, and a weaver of words by night. A true 'Buddhist Cowboy,' Rather's deep connection to the land and the wisdom gleaned from a life spent outdoors resonate with his spiritual principles. Rather finds peace in the saddle and inspiration in the quiet contemplation of the mountains. His blend of Western heritage with the Eastern philosophies of Buddhism creates a unique perspective, one that emphasizes mindful observation, respect for all living things, and a deep appreciation for the present moment.A lifelong learner, Rather's curiosity extends beyond the written word. He is an avid student of history, archaeology, and the natural sciences, constantly seeking to understand the intricate web of life that surrounds us. Whether he's exploring the ancient ruins of the American West or simply observing the intricate dance of a hawk in the sky, Larry finds inspiration in every corner of the world.When he is not writing, he is often found with his horses and mules. Whether preparing for a day trip in the aspen-covered forests, or a weeks-long trip through rugged mountain terrain, you can expect him to return with documentation of arrowheads, wolf tracks, and things of that sort.  Support the show

Hello and welcome to The Relatable Voice Podcast! Today, we are driving to Australia to chat with Paul Rushworth-Brown. Paul is a storyteller, podcaster, and bestselling author of many books. He writes historical fiction and thrillers, and his latest novel, Outback Odyssey, is out now. Be sure to check Paul's website at paulrushworthbrown.com

Hello and welcome to The Relatable Voice Podcast! Today, we are driving to Australia to chat with Paul Rushworth-Brown. Paul is a storyteller, podcaster, and bestselling author of many books. He writes historical fiction and thrillers, and his latest novel, Outback Odyssey, is out now. Be sure to check Paul's website at paulrushworthbrown.com

How do you keep pursuing your dreams when rejection, discouragement, and life's responsibilities seem to stand in the way?In this week's episode of Latter-day Lights, Scott and Darla Brandley sit down with U.S. Today's bestselling author, Heather B. Moore, to hear how she built a full-time writing career through perseverance, prayer, and years of steady effort, despite the mountain of rejections as a new name to the publishing scene. Starting as a young mother who wrote her first manuscript at 30, Heather shares how critique groups and constant learning shaped her growth and prepared her for her first ever “pinch me” moment.She reflects on advice to aspiring authors, meeting impossible deadlines while raising four children, the pros and cons of traditional vs. self-publishing, and learning to see closed doors as redirections rather than failures. With her first successful book series, “Out of Jerusalem,” as well as her Praiseworthy Award-winning book, “Rebekah and Isaac,” Heather's story highlights the power of consistent effort, humility, and faith in the creative process, reminding us that when we keep showing up and stay close to the Lord, our gifts can grow in ways we never imagined.*** Please SHARE Heather's story and help us spread hope and light to others. ***To WATCH this episode on YouTube, visit: https://youtu.be/L-Oo9AJd2aY-----To READ Heather's book series, “Out of Jerusalem,” visit: https://a.co/d/0hWacFEATo READ Heather's book, “Rebekah and Isaac (Women of the Covenant),” visit: https://a.co/d/065deF6STo READ more of Heather's work, visit: https://amzn.to/45O8phGTo LEARN MORE about Heather's writing, visit: https://hbmoore.com/ To FOLLOW Heather on Instagram, visit: https://www.instagram.com/authorhbmoore/ To FOLLOW Heather on Facebook, visit: https://www.facebook.com/groups/37783537691To FOLLOW Heather on TikTok, visit: https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherbmooreauthor To WATCH Heather on YouTube, visit: https://www.youtube.com/@heatherbmooreTo READ Scott's new book “Faith to Stay” for free, visit: https://www.faithtostay.com/-----Keep updated with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latter.day.lights/Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/latterdaylightsAlso, if you have a faith-promoting or inspiring story, or know someone who does, please let us know by going to https://www.latterdaylights.com and reaching out to us.

Philippa Gregory has been called the ‘Queen of Historical Fiction'. The English royal court has inspired many of her best-selling titles, and she's written sixteen novels about the Plantagenets and Tudors. One of them – The Other Boleyn Girl – became a BBC TV drama and a Hollywood movie starring Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman. This success probably surprised her A level teachers: she says she found history ‘insanely boring' at school, but her passion was fired at university. She's also written non-fiction, notably seeking the stories of what she calls ‘normal women' over 900 years. More recently she's returned to the Tudors, with a novel called Boleyn Traitor, focussing on the intrigue surrounding Anne's sister-in-law, Jane.Her music choices include Mozart, Philip Glass, Scott Joplin and the Mazurka from Coppelia by Leo Delibes.Producer: Katy Hickman

Can one “ordinary” person really help save a nation during its darkest hour, or even help shape the outcome of a world war? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Steve Vesce on his new book One Ordinary Man: A Novel Based on the True Story of Harry Hopkins.Moments with Marianne airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio Affiliate!  https://www.kmet1490am.comSteve Vesce is a successful entrepreneur with a lifelong passion for Modern U.S. and European History. He was the Founder and CEO of three pioneering companies, and has given more than a dozen seminars on the people, events, and issues that impacted America leading up to and including World War II. One Ordinary Man is his first novel. https://www.stevevesce.comLearn more about publishing your book, publicity services, and show opportunities at: https://www.mariannepestana.com 

Fluent Fiction - Serbian: Winter Whispered at Kalemegdan: A Valentine's Tale of Love Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/sr/episode/2026-02-14-23-34-02-sr Story Transcript:Sr: На Калемегданској тврђави, усред зиме, све је било мирно.En: At the Kalemegdan fortress, in the middle of winter, everything was calm.Sr: Снег је покривао древне зидине, а река Сава се лагано сливала у Дунав.En: Snow covered the ancient walls, and the Sava River gently flowed into the Danube.Sr: Људи су долазили и одлазили, утапајући се у нежну лепоту белог пејзажа.En: People came and went, blending into the gentle beauty of the white landscape.Sr: Милоš и Јелена су разгледали утврђење, уживајући у лепом дану.En: Miloš and Jelena were exploring the fortification, enjoying the lovely day.Sr: Био је то Дан заљубљених.En: It was Valentine's Day.Sr: Милоš је био историчар.En: Miloš was a historian.Sr: Ћутљив и повучен, често је крио своја осећања.En: Reserved and withdrawn, he often hid his feelings.Sr: Јелена, његова колегиница, увек је желела да га боље разуме.En: Jelena, his colleague, always wanted to understand him better.Sr: Била је весела и радознала, насмешеног лица, чак и у најхладнијем дану.En: She was cheerful and curious, with a smiling face even on the coldest day.Sr: Док су пролазили около, Милоš је држао папир у џепу – писмо које је написао за Јелену.En: As they walked around, Miloš kept a piece of paper in his pocket - a letter he had written for Jelena.Sr: Хтео је да јој призна осећања, али страх га је држао.En: He wanted to confess his feelings to her, but fear held him back.Sr: Али, судбина је умешала прсте.En: However, fate intervened.Sr: Док су шетали, напустили су уобичајену стазу.En: While they walked, they veered off the usual path.Sr: Јелена је, у игри, покушавала да мило одврати Милоšа од његове стидљивости.En: Jelena, playfully, tried to gently coax Miloš out of his shyness.Sr: Наиме, из његовог џепа, испао је савијени папир.En: In doing so, a folded piece of paper fell from his pocket.Sr: "Шта ти је ово, Милоше?" питала је са смешком, наслонивши се ближе.En: "What is this, Miloše?" she asked with a smile, leaning closer.Sr: Узела је писмо пре него што је могао да реагује.En: She took the letter before he could react.Sr: Његове плаве очи шириле су се од изненађења.En: His blue eyes widened in surprise.Sr: "То...То..." почео је, али речи му нису долазиле.En: "That... That..." he began, but the words wouldn't come.Sr: Јелена је полако отворила писмо и почела да чита.En: Jelena slowly opened the letter and began to read.Sr: Како је читала, осмех се полако ширио по њеном лицу.En: As she read, a smile gradually spread across her face.Sr: "Милоše," рекла је, у хладном зимском ваздуху, "да ли је ово истина?"En: "Miloše," she said in the cold winter air, "is this true?"Sr: Њена топлина понекад је могла растопити и најтврдоглавије срце.En: Her warmth could sometimes melt even the most stubborn heart.Sr: Он је помислио на тренутак да порекне.En: For a moment, he thought about denying it.Sr: Али, гледајући у њене блиставе очи, знао је да не може.En: But, looking into her bright eyes, he knew he couldn't.Sr: "Јесте," признао је тихо, готово шапатом.En: "It is," he admitted quietly, almost whispering.Sr: Њихове руке су се среле у снежној тишини.En: Their hands met in the snowy silence.Sr: Милош је наставио, "Желео сам то да ти кажем... Али, нисам смео."En: Miloš continued, "I wanted to tell you that... But, I didn't dare."Sr: Јелена је осећала топлину у срцу и рекла, "Твоја осећања су у писму, а и ја имам слична.En: Jelena felt warmth in her heart and said, "Your feelings are in the letter, and I have similar ones.Sr: Хвала ти што си био храбар."En: Thank you for being brave."Sr: Њихово пријатељство прерасло је у нешто више, а између снежних зидина Калемегдана, срца су им се приближила.En: Their friendship grew into something more, and between the snowy walls of Kalemegdan, their hearts came closer together.Sr: Седећи на клупи, гледали су ка реци, сада не само као пријатељи, већ као двоје заљубљених.En: Sitting on a bench, they looked toward the river, now not just as friends, but as two people in love.Sr: Милош је коначно могао да буде искрен, и та искреност му је донела радост коју је дуго тражио.En: Miloš could finally be honest, and that honesty brought him the joy he had long sought.Sr: А Јелена је пронашла оно што је одувек желела – претворила је њихову пријатељску неизвесност у нежан почетак нечег лепог.En: And Jelena found what she had always wanted – she turned their friendly uncertainty into the gentle beginning of something beautiful.Sr: Калемегдан је тог дана био сведок једне приче која се развија, а зима се истопила под топлим осмесима и признатим осећањима.En: Kalemegdan was a witness to a story unfolding that day, and winter melted away under warm smiles and confessed feelings. Vocabulary Words:fortress: тврђаваancient: древниflowed: сливалаlandscape: пејзажexploring: разгледалиhistorian: историјанreserved: ћутљивwithdrawn: повученcoax: одвратиshyness: стидљивостleaning: наслонившиconfess: признаintervened: умешалаdenying: порекнеgradually: полакоstubborn: тврдоглавиadmitted: признаоunfolding: развијаgentle: нежнаcheerful: веселаcurious: радозналаfate: судбинаplayfully: у игриsurprise: изненађењаwhispering: шапатомfriendship: пријатељствоhonesty: искреностwitness: сведокmelted: истопилаconfessed: признатим

Who Tells the Story of Slavery — and Why It Still Matters w/ M.E. TorreyToday we have with us author M. E. Torrey, who has penned an award-winning, critically-acclaimed historical novel that poignantly shows the human toll of black slavery on society. Michele worked for twenty years as an writer for children before turning her talents to adults. Welcome, Michele.Links:https://www.metorrey.com/https://www.instagram.com/m.e.torrey/Tags:American History,Author,Black History,Empowering,Historical Fiction,Social Justice,Who Tells the Story of Slavery — and Why It Still Matters w/ M.E. Torrey,Live Video Podcast Interview,Podcast,Phantom Electric Ghost PodcastSupport PEG by checking out our Sponsors:Download and use Newsly for free now from www.newsly.me or from the link in the description, and use promo code “GHOST” and receive a 1-month free premium subscription.The best tool for getting podcast guests:https://podmatch.com/signup/phantomelectricghostSubscribe to our Instagram for exclusive content:https://www.instagram.com/expansive_sound_experiments/Subscribe to our YouTube https://youtube.com/@phantomelectricghost?si=rEyT56WQvDsAoRprRSShttps://anchor.fm/s/3b31908/podcast/rssSubstackhttps://substack.com/@phantomelectricghost?utm_source=edit-profile-page

Fluent Fiction - French: Healing Hearts Amidst Winter's Chill in Normandy Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/fr/episode/2026-02-12-23-34-02-fr Story Transcript:Fr: Dans un coin enneigé de la Normandie, un hôpital de campagne se dresse, agité et animé.En: In a snowy corner of Normandie, a field hospital stands, bustling and lively.Fr: Les tentes blanches sont battues par le vent froid de l'hiver.En: The white tents are battered by the cold winter wind.Fr: À l'intérieur, l'air est rempli de l'odeur douce et piquante de l'antiseptique.En: Inside, the air is filled with the sweet and sharp scent of antiseptic.Fr: Le jour de la Saint-Valentin semble lointain pour ceux qui s'affairent à l'intérieur.En: La Saint-Valentin seems distant for those busy inside.Fr: Luc, un brancardier dévoué, arpente le long des rangées de lits.En: Luc, a dedicated stretcher-bearer, walks along the rows of beds.Fr: Un soldat fait l'objet de toutes ses préoccupations.En: One soldier occupies all his concerns.Fr: Le soldat souffre d'une maladie étrange, indéfinissable.En: The soldier suffers from a strange, indefinable illness.Fr: Luc observe ses symptômes : fièvre, frissons, faiblesse extrême.En: Luc observes his symptoms: fever, chills, extreme weakness.Fr: Il veut à tout prix sauver cet homme.En: He wants, at all costs, to save this man.Fr: À ses côtés, Élodie, une infirmière expérimentée, l'assiste en silence.En: By his side, Élodie, an experienced nurse, assists him silently.Fr: Elle pose une main rassurante sur son épaule.En: She places a reassuring hand on his shoulder.Fr: "Ne te décourage pas, Luc," dit-elle, sa voix douce mais déterminée.En: “Don't get discouraged, Luc,” she says, her voice gentle yet determined.Fr: Élodie croit au pouvoir de l'amour et de la foi.En: Élodie believes in the power of love and faith.Fr: Pour elle, chaque patient guéri est un triomphe.En: For her, every patient cured is a triumph.Fr: Mais les ressources manquent.En: But resources are scarce.Fr: Les médicaments s'épuisent.En: The medications are running out.Fr: Les symptômes du soldat ne correspondent à aucun manuel médical que Luc ait lu.En: The soldier's symptoms do not match any medical manual Luc has read.Fr: Pourtant, il refuse d'abandonner.En: Yet, he refuses to give up.Fr: La nuit, alors que le camp s'apaise, Luc veille sur le soldat.En: At night, when the camp quiets down, Luc watches over the soldier.Fr: Élodie se joint à lui.En: Élodie joins him.Fr: Ensemble, ils parcourent les vieux livres de médecine que l'on conserve dans un coin de la tente.En: Together, they go through the old medical books kept in a corner of the tent.Fr: Ils discutent, analysent, échangent des idées.En: They discuss, analyze, exchange ideas.Fr: Leurs sourires et encouragements rivalisent avec la fatigue qui gagne leurs corps.En: Their smiles and encouragements compete with the fatigue overtaking their bodies.Fr: Au petit matin, une lueur d'espoir apparaît.En: At dawn, a glimmer of hope appears.Fr: Ils découvrent, cachée parmi les pages jaunies, une mention de remèdes naturels.En: Hidden among the yellowed pages, they discover a mention of natural remedies.Fr: Le remède semble simple, fait d'herbes locales et de chaleur.En: The remedy seems simple, made of local herbs and warmth.Fr: Ils s'empressent de préparer l'infusion.En: They hastily prepare the infusion.Fr: Luc administre le remède au soldat avec précaution.En: Luc carefully administers the remedy to the soldier.Fr: Peu à peu, la fièvre diminue.En: Gradually, the fever subsides.Fr: Le soldat commence à récupérer.En: The soldier begins to recover.Fr: Un sourire faible mais reconnaissant illumine son visage.En: A weak but grateful smile illuminates his face.Fr: Luc respire enfin, soulagé.En: Luc finally breathes, relieved.Fr: Il se retourne vers Élodie.En: He turns to Élodie.Fr: "Notre travail d'équipe a porté ses fruits", dit-il, avec une nouvelle reconnaissance dans son regard.En: “Our teamwork has paid off,” he says, with a newfound appreciation in his gaze.Fr: Luc comprend maintenant qu'accepter l'aide d'autrui n'est pas un signe de faiblesse, mais de force.En: Luc now understands that accepting help from others is not a sign of weakness, but of strength.Fr: Le soleil se lève, dissipant le froid hivernal.En: The sun rises, dispelling the cold of winter.Fr: La Saint-Valentin n'a pas été oubliée, bien au contraire.En: La Saint-Valentin has not been forgotten, quite the contrary.Fr: L'amour et l'espoir, portés par les efforts de Luc et Élodie, ont triomphé.En: Love and hope, carried by the efforts of Luc and Élodie, have triumphed.Fr: Dans le cœur de Luc, naît un changement profond, une promesse d'avenir basée sur la collaboration et l'amitié.En: In the heart of Luc, arises a profound change, a promise of a future based on collaboration and friendship.Fr: Ainsi, au milieu du champ enneigé et sous la tente agitée du vent, le soldat est sauvé.En: Thus, in the middle of the snowy field and under the tent shaken by the wind, the soldier is saved.Fr: Et avec lui, Luc a découvert qu'il n'est jamais seul face aux défis, et qu'ensemble, ils sont plus forts.En: And with him, Luc has discovered that he is never alone in facing challenges, and that together, they are stronger. Vocabulary Words:the stretcher-bearer: le brancardierthe nurse: l'infirmièreto bustle: s'agiterlively: animébattered: battuesthe scent: l'odeurthe concern: la préoccupationthe illness: la maladieindefinable: indéfinissablethe remedy: le remèdeto administer: administrerto recover: récupérergrateful: reconnaissantthe infusion: l'infusionthe triumph: le triomphescarce: rarethe fatigue: la fatiguethe symptom: le symptômeto refuse: refuserto save: sauverto watch over: veiller surto analyze: analyserto discover: découvrirthe page: la pagethe herb: l'herbeto dispel: dissiperprofound: profondthe future: l'avenirthe challenge: le défistronger: plus forts

February 9, 2026 Hello and Happy Day! This is Dr. MaryAnn Diorio, Novelist and Life Coach, welcoming you to another episode of Winning with the Word. Today is Monday, February 9, 2026, and this is episode #2 in Series 2026. This episode is titled, “The Great Deception.” Some of you may know that I am an author as well as a blogger. Recently in the publishing world, writers have reported a phenomenal increase in fraudulent offers promising wealth and fame for varying amounts of money. I myself have received several of these offers. All of them were generated by people using Artificial Intelligence. All of these offers were deceptive. Deception has taken over the world. But to the Christ-follower, this is not a surprise. Jesus Himself predicted that deception would abound in the last days. While Jesus was on the Mount of Olives with His disciples one day, they asked Him what would be the signs of the last days. Listen to His reply, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 24, verse 4. Jesus said, “Take heed that no one deceives you.” I find it quite interesting that the very first sign of the last days that Jesus mentioned was deception. He warned His disciples not to be deceived. In other words, Jesus foretold that deception would be the major signpost of the closing age of human history. In case you don’t know, my friend, we are living in that closing age today, and, just as Jesus predicted, deception is rampant. Fake videos depict fake images of celebrities speaking things they never said. These fakes, called deepfakes, clone human voices, alter human faces, and change written content to serve purposes that are deceptive, if not downright sinister. It is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between the truth and the lie. So, what are we to do? Let me answer by telling you a story. Years ago, I spoke with a friend of the family who was an executive at a local bank. I asked him how bank tellers recognize counterfeit money. His response surprised me. He said that in their training program, bank tellers never handle counterfeit money. They handle only real money. And they handle real money so well and so thoroughly that when a counterfeit bill passes through their hands, they immediately recognize it as counterfeit. Bottomline, the bank tellers first had to recognize real money in order to recognize counterfeit money. They had to know the truth in order to recognize the lie. The same principle applies regarding deception. In order for us to recognize deception—or the counterfeit to the truth—we first need to be able to know and recognize the truth. The problem is that today, few people know the truth, although most think they do. You may be asking, “So, Dr. MaryAnn, what is the truth?” Contrary to popular opinion, the truth is a Person, and His Name is Jesus Christ. In the Gospel of John, chapter 14, verse 6, Jesus made this profound statement: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Jesus identified Himself as the Truth. From this it logically follows that to know the Truth, one must know Jesus, and unless one knows Jesus, one cannot know the Truth. Sadly, most of the world today does not know Jesus. Hence, they do not know the Truth. When one does not know the Truth, one ends up, by default, believing and embracing the Lie. The Lie is what Satan peddles in order to steal, kill, and destroy you. When one believes the Lie, one loses his ability to think straight. The Bible tells us as much in Romans 1: 28: “. . . since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind . . . .” A debased mind is a mind that has lost its ability to think logically and truthfully. A mind that easily succumbs to deception. “Well,” you might say, “I have my truth. You have yours. What’s the problem?” Consider this. Suppose you hired two men to build you a tool shed. One man believed that a foot was twelve inches long while the other man believed that a foot was nine inches long. Each man was adamant that he was right. Do you think they’d get very far in building your shed? Moreover, logically speaking, both of the men could not be right. If you yourself did not know for sure that a foot consists of twelve inches, you wouldn’t know which man was right. You would not be able to determine who was telling the truth and who was not. Building a shed may not be a life-or-death matter, but knowing the truth is a life-or-death matter when it comes to your eternal destiny. For if you do not know the truth about what happens after death, you could spend forever in Hell instead of Heaven. So, “What is the Truth?” Simply put, the Truth is what God has said it is. And what God has said is the Truth is found in the Bible. Plain and simple. Because God alone is God, He alone has the right, the authority, and the wisdom to determine what is true and what is not true. We humans do not have that right. Nor do we have the authority and the wisdom to determine what is true and what is not true because we are not as smart as God. He is the Creator; we are the created ones. The created ones are not smarter than the One who created them. Now, most people don’t want to hear this. Why? Because they don’t want to be subject to a higher authority than themselves. Most people don’t want anyone telling them what truth is because most people don’t want anyone telling them what to do. Most people want to make up their own rules and live by them. Why? Because they want to continue in their sin. They want to set their own standards for right and wrong so that when they do wrong, they won’t feel guilty and condemned. But God has set the standards for right and wrong, and those standards will never change, no matter how much man tampers with them. Why won’t they ever change? Because they are the Truth, and Truth never changes. You see, my friend, we can reject the Truth, we can rebel against the Truth, we can mock the Truth, but we can never change the Truth. A foot will always equal twelve inches. Two plus two will always equal four. Good will always win out over evil. And Truth will always overcome the Lie. You can try to change this until you are blue in the face, but it will never work. Oh, it may look as though it’s working for a while, but in the end, Truth will overpower the Lie because God, Who is Truth, is more powerful than Satan, who is the Lie. Perhaps you’ve been living in your own self-made concept of truth. How is that working for you? You may say, “It’s working great.” But, friend, I will tell you that one day, you will discover it no longer works. At some point, the foundation of your life will crumble because it is built on a lie. Only a life built on the Truth will last. Only a life built on Jesus Christ will bring you true life. If you have never had an encounter with Jesus Christ, Truth Himself, I invite you to meet Him now. Pray this simple prayer with me: Lord Jesus, I want to know You because I want to know Truth. I’ve been living a lie, and it has gotten me into places where I don’t want to be. So I choose now to turn away from the lie and to embrace You. I invite You into my life and receive You as Truth, as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for saving me. Thank You for revealing to me that You are Truth. In Your Name I pray. Amen. If you sincerely prayed this prayer from your heart, you are now a born-again child of God. Welcome to the Family of God! Write to me at drmaryann@maryanndiorio.com, and I will send you a free PDF e-booklet titled After You're Born Again. In case you are not aware, I write heart-mending fiction that deals with the deepest issues of life. In my stories, you will find characters just like you who struggle with what seem like impossible problems and situations. Check out my books at my online bookstore at https://maryanndiorio.com/bookstore. That's https://maryanndiorio.com/bookstore.My featured book for this week is a story about the overcoming power of truth titled In Black and White. It is the love story of a young white woman and a young black man trying to sustain their love in the whirlwind of racism, prejudice, and family tradition. First Place Winner in Historical Fiction in the 2020 Christian Indie Book Awards Contest, In Black and White reveals the power of truth in overcoming the lie. Get your copy at one of the links in the show notes. Winning with the Word is available on Apple Podcasts and other major podcast venues as well as on YouTube. Check out my YouTube channel at youtube.com/drmaryanndiorio. Until next time, remember that God loves you just as you are and just where you are. Yet He doesn't want to keep you there. As you live in Him, He will help you to keep on winning with the Word.________________________________ Copyright 2026 by MaryAnn Diorio, PhD. All Rights Reserved. Featured Book for This Week:IN BLACK AND WHITE – A Gripping Christian Historical Romance First Place Winner in Historical Fiction – 2020 Christian Indie Awards A Forbidden Love. A Divided World. A Redeeming God. In Black and White is a poignant and powerful Christian historical romance that dares to explore the depth of love between two souls separated by culture, color, and the crushing weight of racial prejudice. Set against the backdrop of academic life and ancestral heritage, this award-winning novel weaves faith, endurance, and restoration into a story that transcends time and speaks to the heart of humanity's greatest struggles—and God's greatest triumphs. 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Novelists Maggie O'Farrell, Stacey Halls, and Ruta Sepetys on turning research into living scenes, building non-linear structure that still feels clear, and writing voice and dialogue that make the past feel immediate. Timestamps:00:01:30 Maggie O'Farrell00:26:14 Stacey Halls00:49:33 Ruta Sepetys You'll learn:The importance of "reading like a writer" to reverse-engineer time, tense, and technique from books you love.How to structure a non-chronological narrative using flowcharts and “breadcrumb trails” so readers never feel lost.Where to look for small, specific historical details that unlock character, scene, and momentum.A practical way to treat research as idea-generation, not “homework you must finish” before you start drafting.A simple plotting method (index cards + one-sentence scenes) that helps you see the whole book at a glance.Why a first draft is allowed to be rough, and how that mindset can help you write faster and finish.How “writing toward a feeling” can guide structure when you can't see the whole plot in advance.Ways to keep going through the long middle by focusing on the work itself, not external noise.How to use collaboration and expert readers to pressure-test cultural and historical authenticity. Resources & Links:Join our LWS community!Maggie's full episode and notesStacey's full episode and notesRuta's full episode and notes About the authors:Maggie O'Farrell is the bestselling author of Hamnet and The Marriage Portrait, noted for lyrical prose and inventive structure; her craft insights span sentence-level cadence, non-linear timelines, and historically grounded voice.Note: Our episode with Maggie was done in collaboration with Arvon, the UK's leading creative writing charity. Arvon believes everyone can benefit from the transformative power of creative writing. It hosts residential, online and community-based writing courses and events, embracing over 6,000 people each year, tutored by some of the most respected writers in the UK today. Find out more at arvon.orgStacey Halls is the UK author of The Familiars, The Foundling, and Mrs England, known for vivid period settings, propulsive plotting, and character-driven suspense; she outlines with index cards and drafts quickly before deep revision.Ruta Sepetys is a Lithuanian-American novelist (Between Shades of Gray, Salt to the Sea) whose work uncovers suppressed histories with YA-accessible clarity; she emphasizes collaboration, ethical research, and a clear “why” for every project. For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers' Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS' SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you're enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Fluent Fiction - Hindi: Unmasking History: A Museum Curator's Daring Revelation Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/hi/episode/2026-02-07-08-38-20-hi Story Transcript:Hi: ठंडी सर्दी की सुबह थी।En: It was a cold winter morning.Hi: सूरज की हल्की किरणें दिल्ली के नेचुरल हिस्ट्री म्यूज़ियम की ऊँची खिड़कियों से छनकर अंदर आने लगी थीं।En: Gentle rays of the sun began filtering through the tall windows of the Natural History Museum in Delhi.Hi: म्यूज़ियम के संरक्षक, आरती, हमेशा की तरह सुबह जल्दी पहुँच गई थीं।En: The museum's curator, Aarti, had arrived early as usual.Hi: आज उनका दिल किसी अनजाने ख्वाब में डूबा हुआ था।En: Today, her heart was immersed in an unknown dream.Hi: वे सोच रही थीं कि क्या वे कभी अपने काम में कोई महत्वपूर्ण बदलाव ला पाएंगी।En: She was pondering whether she would ever bring about any significant change in her work.Hi: म्यूज़ियम की गैलरियों में आजकल एक खास आर्टिफैक्ट प्रदर्शित किया गया था।En: A special artifact was being exhibited in the museum galleries nowadays.Hi: यह एक प्राचीन मूर्ति थी, जो देखकर पुराने समय की कहानियाँ सुनाई देती थीं।En: It was an ancient statue that seemed to narrate stories from times long past.Hi: राज और प्रिया, आरती के करीबी साथी, भी रोज़ आवास पर इस अद्भुत आर्टिफैक्ट को देखने आते थे।En: Raj and Priya, close companions of Aarti, would also come to the museum daily to witness this marvelous artifact.Hi: पर आज, कोई अलग संदेश छिपा हुआ था।En: But today, there was a different message hidden.Hi: आरती के मन में अचानक से खटका हुआ कि यह मूर्ति असली नहीं है।En: Suddenly a hunch struck Aarti's mind that this statue might not be genuine.Hi: उसे लगा कि इसे किसी ने बदला है।En: She felt that someone had possibly replaced it.Hi: उसने सोचा, "अगर यह सच है तो म्यूज़ियम की प्रतिष्ठा को ख़तरा होगा।"En: She thought, "If this is true, it could endanger the museum's reputation."Hi: लेकिन आरती को म्यूज़ियम की सुरक्षा टीम या अन्य लोगों से यह बात कहने का हौसला नहीं था।En: However, Aarti did not have the courage to bring this up with the museum's security team or others.Hi: वह अकेली इस बात को सुलझाना चाहती थी।En: She wanted to resolve this issue on her own.Hi: आरती ने राज और प्रिया से इस बारे में बात की।En: Aarti discussed this with Raj and Priya.Hi: उन्होंने भी इस रहस्य में आरती की सहायता करने का वादा किया।En: They also promised to help her with this mystery.Hi: तीनों ने मिलकर एक गुप्त जाँच शुरू की।En: The three initiated a secret investigation together.Hi: एक-एक सुराग को ध्यान से परखा और हर छोटी से छोटी चीज़ पर नज़र रखी।En: They carefully examined each clue and paid attention to every little detail.Hi: रात का समय था।En: It was nighttime.Hi: म्यूज़ियम की छत से सिर्फ फीके प्रकाश की धुंधली लाइनें दिख रही थीं।En: Only faint lines of dim light were visible from the museum's roof.Hi: आरती और उसके साथी गुप्त जानकारी के आधार पर म्यूज़ियम के एक पुराने गलियारे में पहुँचे।En: Based on confidential information, Aarti and her companions reached an old corridor of the museum.Hi: वहाँ उन्हें एक छुपा हुआ कक्ष मिला।En: There, they discovered a hidden chamber.Hi: भीतर एक पुराना स्टाफ मेंबर था, जिसे देखकर आरती हक्की-बक्की रह गई।En: Inside was an old staff member, which left Aarti stunned.Hi: इस कर्मिशाली का सामना करना आसान नहीं था।En: Confronting this treachery wasn't easy.Hi: उसने कभी यह सोचा भी नहीं था कि उसका विश्वासघात होगा।En: She had never imagined betrayal would occur.Hi: आरती के सामने असली मूर्ति रखी थी।En: Before Aarti lay the true statue.Hi: उसके सामने निर्णय करने का वक्त था - सत्य को उजागर करना या किसी की पहचान छुपा लेना।En: It was time for her to make a decision - to reveal the truth or conceal someone's identity.Hi: आरती ने सत्य उजागर करने का निश्चय किया।En: Aarti decided to reveal the truth.Hi: अगली सुबह, वे म्यूज़ियम के बोर्ड के सामने खड़ी थीं। प्राचीन मूर्ति उनके साथ थी।En: The next morning, she stood before the museum's board with the ancient statue.Hi: आरती ने सच बात बताई।En: Aarti told the truth.Hi: ऐतिहासिक विद्वान जब म्यूज़ियम आए, तो आरती की सत्यनिष्ठा और तत्परता के माध्यम से म्यूज़ियम का सम्मान वापस लौटा।En: When historians came to the museum, the museum's honor was restored through Aarti's integrity and promptness.Hi: इस घटना के बाद, आरती ने खुद पर भरोसा करना सीखा।En: After this incident, Aarti learned to trust herself.Hi: उसने समझा कि उसकी सबसे बड़ी ताकत उसकी ईमानदारी और मेहनत है, न कि बाहरी प्रशंसा।En: She understood that her greatest strength was her honesty and hard work, not external praise.Hi: म्यूज़ियम की प्रतिष्ठा दोबारा स्थापित हो गई और उसके साथ ही आरती की नई पहचान बनी।En: The museum's reputation was reestablished, along with Aarti's new identity.Hi: म्यूज़ियम के गलियारे फिर से पुरानी कहानियाँ सुनाने लगे, इस बार आरती की कहानी के साथ।En: The museum corridors once again began to echo old stories, this time with the story of Aarti. Vocabulary Words:curator: संरक्षकimmersed: डूबा हुआartifact: आर्टिफैक्टpondering: सोच रही थींgenuine: असलीendanger: ख़तराcourage: हौसलाresolve: सुलझानाinvestigation: जाँचclue: सुरागfaint: फीकेcorridor: गलियाराchamber: कक्षtreachery: विश्वासघातbetrayal: धोखाintegrity: सत्यनिष्ठाhonor: सम्मानreputation: प्रतिष्ठाconfronting: सामना करनाdecision: निर्णयconfidential: गुप्तexhibited: प्रदर्शितcompanion: साथीconfided: भरोसा करनाscrutinize: गौर से देखनाconceal: छुपानाhistorian: ऐतिहासिक विद्वानpromptness: तत्परताexternal: बाहरीidentity: पहचान

Send us a textIn today's episode, I am chatting with Joan Fernandez. Joan is a brings to light brilliant women's courageous deeds in history. She is a former senior marketing executive general partner of the financial powerhouse Edward Jones. In 2018, she retired from a 30+ year career to be a full-time writer. In April 2020, she founded a Historical Fiction affinity group within WFWA that grew from a handful of people to nearly two hundred authors. Her short story, “A Parisian Daughter,” is published in the anthology, Feisty Deeds: Historical Fiction of Daring Women. Her debut novel, Saving Vincent, A Novel of Jo Van Gogh, published in April 2025. Joan calls both St. Louis and Sedona, Arizona home, enjoys foodie meals with her Cuban husband and antics with grandkids.Episode Highlights:How Joan's first career shaped her writing life and the confidence that comes from starting something new after years of expertise.Applying the skills, discipline, and mindset from a long, successful career to the creative work of writing.Discovering the story of Jo van Gogh and what inspired Joan to center her debut novel on a woman often overlooked in art history.The realities of raising a child while running a business—and advocating relentlessly for Vincent van Gogh's work.Using personal letters and historical documents as research, including the powerful reminder that “art must touch your soul.”A book flight focused on characters searching for identity and learning how to live authentically, carrying who they are into every part of life.Connect with Joan:InstagramFacebookWebsiteShow NotesSome links are affiliate links, which are no extra cost to you but do help to support the show.Books and authors mentioned in the episode:Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow LindberghSong of Belonging by Michelle St. Romain (coming 04/21/26)Book FlightThe Hate U Give by Angie ThomasSuch a Fun Age by Kiley ReidOona, Out of Order by Marguerite Mortimer✨ Find Your Next Great Read! We just hit 175 episodes of Bookish Flights, and to celebrate, I created the Bookish Flights Roadmap — a guide to all 175 podcast episodes, sorted by genre to help you find your next great read faster.Explore it here → www.bookishflights.com/read/roadmapSupport the showBe sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening! Instagram Facebook Website

Steve McHugh- bestselling author of Urban Fantasy, Historical Fiction, and Science Fiction - joins Ben and Nico for a Showcase episode, with an accompanying interview!Send us a text Support the show

Send us a textLouder Than Hunger by John SchuIn 8th grade, Jake finds himself lost, except for the voice in his head, that tells him things will get better if he can just make himself small enough. As in, physically small, so no one will see him and therefore, can't hurt him. He feels the only one who really sees him is his grandmother, who is becoming concerned about his weight. And when things get really bad, Jake finds himself in a treatment center, that he really doesn't want to be in. Because if the voice he has listened to for it feels like, a very long time, is wrong, than how will he figure out what is right? How can he stop the voice and create a new path for himself? Recommended for grades 6 and up.Support the show

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Tiantan Tales: A Journey of Friendship and New Year Dreams Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2026-02-01-08-38-20-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 下雪的冬天，天坛的屋檐上覆盖着一层薄薄的白雪。En: On a snowy winter day, the eaves of the Tiantan were covered with a thin layer of white snow.Zh: 新年的节日气氛在空气中弥漫，红色的灯笼在树上轻轻摇曳，传递着节日的喜庆。En: The festive atmosphere of the New Year was permeating the air, and red lanterns gently swayed on the trees, conveying holiday cheer.Zh: 梅是一位年轻的历史学者，她来北京是为了收集书籍的素材。En: Mei is a young historian who came to Beijing to collect material for her books.Zh: 她对古代建筑充满热情，尤其是天坛。En: She is passionate about ancient architecture, especially Tiantan.Zh: 然而，面对大量的研究工作，她感到有些孤单和无助。En: However, faced with a large amount of research work, she felt somewhat lonely and helpless.Zh: 梅与好友莲一同前来，莲一直鼓励她探索新事物，享受旅程。En: Mei came along with her friend Lian, who always encouraged her to explore new things and enjoy the journey.Zh: 梅在天坛游览时，看到了旅行团的牌子。En: While visiting Tiantan, Mei saw a sign for a tour group.Zh: 她决定参加导游讲解。En: She decided to join the guided tour.Zh: 就是在这里，她遇到了金，一位本地导游，热爱讲述天坛的历史故事。En: It was here that she met Jin, a local guide who loves to tell the historical stories of Tiantan.Zh: 他的声音热情洋溢，对天坛的历史娓娓道来。En: His voice was full of enthusiasm as he narrated the history of Tiantan warmly and vividly.Zh: 梅被吸引了。En: Mei was captivated.Zh: 在导游的过程中，梅和金不经意间发现了一个隐秘的角落，这里是古树环绕的静谧之地。En: During the tour, Mei and Jin inadvertently discovered a hidden corner, a tranquil place surrounded by ancient trees.Zh: 金开始分享他的愿望，他希望能有一天重新走进学校，深入研究历史。En: Jin began to share his wish of one day returning to school to delve deeper into historical research.Zh: 梅也分享了她写作的理想，希望能通过书中的故事让更多人了解中国的文化。En: Mei also shared her writing aspirations, hoping to let more people learn about Chinese culture through the stories in her books.Zh: 随着交流的加深，梅不再觉得孤单。En: As their conversation deepened, Mei no longer felt lonely.Zh: 她意识到，历史并不仅仅是书本上的文字，它还在于人与人之间的连接。En: She realized that history is not just the words in books but also the connections between people.Zh: 金的讲解让她对天坛有了更深的认识，而她的热情也激励了金，给了他更多力量追逐学术梦想。En: Jin's explanations gave her a deeper understanding of Tiantan, and her enthusiasm also inspired Jin, giving him more strength to pursue his academic dreams.Zh: 临近傍晚，梅和金走出天坛，仍在讨论着那些古老的传说。En: As evening approached, Mei and Jin walked out of Tiantan, still discussing those ancient legends.Zh: 梅抬头望去，天空已染上了暮色，但她的心中充满了光亮。En: Mei looked up and saw the sky had been tinted with twilight, but her heart was filled with brightness.Zh: 她重新获得了写作的灵感和动力，准备将这种美好的相遇融入到她的作品中。En: She regained inspiration and motivation for writing and prepared to incorporate this beautiful encounter into her work.Zh: 冬夜的寒冷无法掩盖两人眼中的热情和希望。En: The cold of the winter night couldn't mask the passion and hope in their eyes.Zh: 梅觉得，正因为有了这样的缘分，她对于历史的理解更加生动。En: Mei felt that it was because of such a fate that her understanding of history became more vivid.Zh: 而金，也在这个充满祝福的冬季，决定追随自己的梦想。En: As for Jin, in this blessing-filled winter, he decided to follow his dreams.Zh: 故事在这片雪地中结束，梅和金的友谊就像冬日里的灯笼，温暖且明亮。En: The story ends in this snowy place, with Mei and Jin's friendship like lanterns in winter, warm and bright.Zh: 新年的钟声即将敲响，为即将启程的梦想送去祝福。En: The New Year's bell is about to ring, sending blessings to their dreams that are about to begin. Vocabulary Words:eaves: 屋檐permeating: 弥漫swayed: 摇曳historian: 历史学者architecture: 建筑helpless: 无助narrated: 娓娓道来captivated: 吸引inadvertently: 不经意间tranquil: 静谧aspirations: 理想delve: 深入connections: 连接vividly: 生动motivation: 动力incorporate: 融入tinted: 染上legend: 传说twilight: 暮色inspiration: 灵感blessing: 祝福encounter: 相遇pursue: 追逐lanterns: 灯笼tinge: 染色academic: 学术enlightenment: 启迪fate: 缘分depict: 描述cheer: 喜庆

Page One, produced and hosted by author Holly Lynn Payne, celebrates the craft that goes into writing the first sentence, first paragraph and first page of your favorite books. The first page is often the most rewritten page of any book because it has to work so hard to do so much—hook the reader. We interview master storytellers on the struggles and stories behind the first page of their books.About the guest author:Janet Rich Edwards is a professor of epidemiology at Harvard University and works in the Division of Women's Health at Brigham and Women's Hospital. A graduate of Grub Street's Novel Incubator program, she lives in Brookline, Massachusetts. Her bestselling debut novel of historical fiction, Canticle, follows a spirited young woman's explorations of faith, agency, and love in thirteenth-century Bruges and was named Editor's Choice for best fiction on Amazon, a REAL SIMPLE BEST BOOKS OF 2025, a SPOTIFY BEST DEBUTS OF 2025, a GOODREADS READERS' MOST ANTICIPATED BOOKS and People magazine called it “Atmospheric and unforgettable.”  About the host:Holly Lynn Payne is an award-winning novelist and writing coach, and the former CEO and founder of Booxby, a startup built to help authors succeed. She is an internationally published author of four historical fiction novels. Her debut, The Virgin's Knot, was a Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers book. As an author and writing coach, she knows that the first page of any book has to work so hard to do so much—hook the reader. So she thought to ask your favorite master storytellers how they do their magic to hook you. Holly lives in Marin County with her family and two Labrador retrievers, and enjoys mountain biking, hiking, swimming and pretending to surf. To learn more about her books and writing coaching services, please follow her on IG + X @hollylynnpayne or visit hollylynnpayne.com.Tune in and reach out:If you're an aspiring writer or a book lover, this episode of Page One offers a treasure trove of inspiration and practical advice. I offer these conversations as a testament to the magic that happens when master storytellers share their secrets and experiences. We hope you are inspired to tune into the full episode for more insights. Keep writing, keep reading, and remember—the world needs your stories. If I can help you tell your own story, or help improve your first page, please reach out @hollylynnpayne or visit hollylynnpayne.com.You can listen to Page One on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Pandora, Stitcher and all your favorite podcast players. Hear past episodes. If you're interested in getting writing tips and the latest podcast episode updates with the world's beloved master storytellers, please sign up for my very short monthly newsletter at hollylynnpayne.com and follow me @hollylynnpayne on Instagram, Twitter, Goodreads, and Facebook. Your email address is always private and you can always unsubscribe anytime. The Page One Podcast is created at the foot of a mountain in Marin County, California, and is a labor of love in service to writers and book lovers. My intention is to inspire, educate and celebrate. Thank you for being a part of my creative community! Be well and keep reading.~Holly~ Thank you for listening to the Page One Podcast! I hope you enjoyed this episode as much as I loved hosting, producing, and editing it. If you liked it too, here are three ways to share the love:Please share it on social and tag @hollylynnpayne.Leave a review on your favorite podcast players. Tell your friends. Please keep in touch by signing up to receive my Substack newsletter with the latest episodes each month. Delivered to your inbox with a smile. You can contact me at @hollylynnpayne on IG or send me a message on my website, hollylynnpayne.com.For the love of books and writers,Holly Lynn Payne@hollylynnpaynehost, author, writing coachwww.hollylynnpayne.com

Fluent Fiction - Hindi: Unveiling Heroic Ancestry: Aarav's Patriotic Discovery Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/hi/episode/2026-01-28-23-34-02-hi Story Transcript:Hi: सर्दियों का मौसम था।En: It was the winter season.Hi: दिल्ली का तापमान नीचे गिर रहा था।En: The temperature in Delhi was dropping.Hi: ठंडी हवा पूरे घर में घुसकर हलचल मचा रही थी।En: The cold wind was causing a stir throughout the house.Hi: परंतु, घर के अंदर गरमाहट महसूस हो रही थी।En: However, warmth was felt inside the home.Hi: हर कोने में गणतंत्र दिवस की सजावट झलक रही थी।En: In every corner, Republic Day decorations were visible.Hi: लाइटें और तिरंगे झंडे माहौल को देशभक्ति से भर रहे थे।En: Lights and tricolor flags were filling the atmosphere with patriotism.Hi: आरव, जो कि एक जिज्ञासु किशोर था, अपने परिवार के बड़े से घर में नई कहानी या पहेली की तलाश में घूमता रहता था।En: Aarav, who was a curious teenager, wandered around his family's large house in search of a new story or puzzle.Hi: उसे कहानियों और रहस्यों से बहुत प्यार था।En: He loved stories and mysteries very much.Hi: एक दिन, उसे एक अजीब पत्र मिला, जिसमें केवल कुछ अधूरी पंक्तियाँ लिखी हुई थीं।En: One day, he found a strange letter that only had a few incomplete lines written in it.Hi: पत्र अपने आप में एक रहस्य था।En: The letter was a mystery in itself.Hi: पढ़ते ही आरव की आँखें चमक उठीं।En: As soon as he read it, Aarav's eyes lit up.Hi: वह इसे हल करने के लिए बेचैन हो गया।En: He became restless to solve it.Hi: लेकिन जब उसने परिवार वालों से पूछा, तो सबने अनजान बनकर जवाब दिया।En: But when he asked his family, they all feigned ignorance.Hi: कोई भी इसके बारे में कुछ नहीं जानता था।En: No one knew anything about it.Hi: आरव ने बिना किसी को बताए चुपचाप अपने परिवार पर नज़र रखनी शुरू की।En: Without telling anyone, Aarav quietly began to keep an eye on his family.Hi: वह घर की हर चीज़ को ध्यान से देख रहा था।En: He was observing everything in the house carefully.Hi: उसकी खोज जारी थी।En: His search continued.Hi: एक दिन, वह अपने परिवार की पुरानी किताबों की अलमारी के पास बैठा था।En: One day, he was sitting near the family's old bookshelf.Hi: अचानक उसकी नज़र अलमारी के पीछे की चीज़ों पर पड़ी।En: Suddenly, his eyes fell on things behind the bookshelf.Hi: वहां एक पुरानी तस्वीर पड़ी थी।En: There was an old picture lying there.Hi: तस्वीर में उसके परिवार के पूर्वज थे।En: It was a photograph of his ancestors.Hi: आरव ने देखा कि तस्वीर में एक लापता तारिका थी और वह पत्र में कही गई बात से मेल खाती थी।En: Aarav noticed that there was a missing star in the picture, which matched with what was mentioned in the letter.Hi: आरव ने गौर से देखा।En: Aarav looked closely.Hi: उसका दिल तेजी से धड़कने लगा।En: His heart began to beat faster.Hi: तस्वीर के पीछे लिखी कहानी ने सब कुछ स्पष्ट कर दिया।En: The story written behind the picture made everything clear.Hi: उसका एक पूर्वज भारत की आजादी की लड़ाई में एक गुमनाम हीरो था।En: One of his ancestors was an unsung hero in India's struggle for independence.Hi: यह पत्र उसी की याद में लिखा गया एक भूला हुआ श्रद्धांजलि था।En: This letter was a forgotten tribute written in his memory.Hi: अंततः रहस्य हल हो गया।En: Finally, the mystery was solved.Hi: आरव को अपने परिवार और उनकी विरासत पर गर्व हुआ।En: Aarav felt proud of his family and their heritage.Hi: इस खोज ने उसे अपने पूर्वजों और देश की आजादी के लिए किए गए उनके बलिदानों के लिए अधिक जुड़ाव महसूस कराया।En: This discovery made him feel more connected to the sacrifices his ancestors made for the country's independence.Hi: उसने यह ठान लिया कि वह इस कहानी को अपने परिवार में सबके साथ साझा करेगा, ताकि सब उसे और उनके बारे में जान सकें।En: He decided that he would share this story with everyone in his family so that they could know about them.Hi: उस दिन, आरव के मन में शांति थी।En: That day, there was peace in Aarav's mind.Hi: वह अपनी संस्कृति और इतिहास से अधिक जुड़ा हुआ महसूस कर रहा था।En: He felt more connected to his culture and history.Hi: वह जान गया था कि उसकी कहानी अतीत से भरी हुई है, और वह कहानी जानकर वह एक बेहतर इंसान बन सकेगा।En: He realized that his story was filled with the past, and by knowing it, he could become a better person. Vocabulary Words:temperature: तापमानdropping: गिर रहा थाstir: हलचलwarmth: गरमाहटcurious: जिज्ञासुteenager: किशोरwandered: घूमता रहता थाpuzzle: पहेलीmystery: रहस्यincomplete: अधूरीfeigned: अनजान बनकरignorance: अनजानobserving: ध्यान से देख रहा थाbookshelf: किताबों की अलमारीancestors: पूर्वजmissing: लापताmatched: मेल खाती थीtribute: श्रद्धांजलिunsung: गुमनामstruggle: लड़ाईindependence: आजादीheritage: विरासतdiscovery: खोजconnected: जुड़ा हुआsacrifices: बलिदानोंrealized: जान गयाpeace: शांतिculture: संस्कृतिhistory: इतिहासbetter: बेहतर

This week, I talk with L.S. Stratton about the her new YA mystery thriller Sundown Girls. Stratton discusses how the story began as an adult novel and transformed into YA once she shifted the perspective to a sixteen-year-old protagonist, allowing the narrative to flow more naturally.She shares the real-world inspiration behind the book, including historical sundown towns, racial violence, and real kidnapping cases, and how these histories shaped both the setting and Naomi's identity as a formerly missing girl.We discuss her use of themes of belonging, family reunification, generational trauma, and racism—particularly how uncertainty, gaslighting, and “is this real or am I imagining it?” in the book mirror lived experiences of racism. She also dive into blending supernatural elements with psychological tension, the challenges of writing historical horror, the importance of family dynamics and emotional pacing in thrillers, and the decision to leave some questions—especially around Naomi's kidnapped childhood—unresolved as part of her growth.Follow L.S. Stratton hereSundown Girls SynopsisWhen sixteen-year-old Naomi Stoakes and her family head to a secluded cabin in the Shenandoah Valley for summer vacation they don't know the small, mountainous town of Sparksburg, Virginia has a dark and twisted past. But when they arrive, Naomi can't shake the feeling that something about Sparksburg just isn't right. When she learns Sparksburg had once been a Sundown Town—a town where Blacks weren't allowed after sunset lest they be murdered—well Naomi's unease starts to make sense.As Naomi digs more into Sparksburg's violent origins, she finds herself haunted by the ghost of a girl, appearing nightly outside her window. Then she learns of two girls who've recently gone missing and suspects the past may still be present in Sparksburg and beneath the quaint façade of this tourist town is a palpable danger.When Naomi decides to track the disappearance of the two girls herself and confronts the ghost of another, she become suspicious of a local man who has kindled fear in Naomi more than once. When she learns he has a connection to one of the missing girls, Naomi is certain he's responsible for the disappearances.When no one believes her, Naomi takes matters into her own hands. But to save the missing girls, she'll have to finally face her own past trauma as a “missing girl”, and risk losing everything she loves. Check Out Author Social Media PackagesCheck out the Bookwild Community on PatreonCheck Out My Stories Are My Religion SubstackGet Bookwild MerchFollow @imbookwild on InstagramOther Co-hosts On Instagram:Gare Billings @gareindeedreadsSteph Lauer @books.in.badgerlandHalley Sutton @halleysutton25Brian Watson @readingwithbrianMacKenzie Green @missusa2mba

Khan Wong, lives in San Francisco. His novel, “Down in the Sea of Angels” follows a Bay Area woman who discovers she has a special, and surprising, gift. New Arrivals is produced by Lisa Morehouse. Find many more episodes here! 

Why didn't U.S. leaders attend Churchill's funeral?In this episode of Chatting with Betsy, Betsy Wurzel speaks with bestselling author and historian David R. Stokes about his novel The Hope Not Plot: A Novel of Churchill's Final Farewell, a political espionage thriller inspired by real historical events.David shares his fascination with Winston Churchill, the Cold War atmosphere of the 1960s, and the unanswered questions surrounding Churchill's historic funeral. The conversation blends history, intrigue, and insight — along with thoughtful advice for writers.Check out our blog section on Passionateworldtalkradio  You just may find something you have searching for!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/chatting-with-betsy--4211847/support.

Fluent Fiction - Serbian: Whispers of Friendship: Rediscovering History at Kalemegdan Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/sr/episode/2026-01-26-08-38-20-sr Story Transcript:Sr: Снег је лагано падао на Калемегданску тврђаву, осветљавајући средњовековне зидине белим сјајем.En: Snow was gently falling on Kalemegdan Fortress, illuminating the medieval walls with a white glow.Sr: Хладни ветар носио је мирис старих тајни, као да шапуће приче давно заборављених времена.En: The cold wind carried the scent of old secrets, as if whispering tales of long-forgotten times.Sr: У овом зимском пејзажу, Милош је, са својим тешким капутом и шалом, веома пажљиво корачао.En: In this winter landscape, Miloš walked very carefully, with his heavy coat and scarf.Sr: Његове мисли су кренуле да лутају кроз векове, тражећи инспирацију за своју нову историјску причу.En: His thoughts began to wander through the centuries, seeking inspiration for his new historical story.Sr: Док је шетао, приметио је малу стазу која води до скривеног дела тврђаве, далеко од туристичког промета.En: As he walked, he noticed a small path leading to a hidden part of the fortress, far from the tourist traffic.Sr: Одлучио је да се упути тамо.En: He decided to head there.Sr: Волео је та места где је време било готово опипљиво, а историја наглашено жива.En: He loved those places where time was almost tangible, and history felt intensely alive.Sr: Истовремено, Анђела је, носећи свој блок за цртање и брзе кораке, истраживала тврђаву са другачијим оком.En: At the same time, Anđela was exploring the fortress with a different eye, carrying her sketchbook and moving quickly.Sr: Њу су фасцинирали необични углови и сенке. И била је у потрази за јединственим погледом за своју наредну изложбу цртежа која је тематски везана за историјска места.En: She was fascinated by unusual angles and shadows and was in search of a unique view for her upcoming drawing exhibition themed around historical places.Sr: Чула је од пријатељице да постоји један, мање познат поглед, који је вредан открића.En: She had heard from a friend that there was a lesser-known view worth discovering.Sr: Њихове стазе спојиле су се у старом, напуштеном дворишту.En: Their paths converged in an old, abandoned courtyard.Sr: Чим су се угледали, изненада су се сетили истог места, посете из детињства.En: As soon as they saw each other, they suddenly remembered the same place from a childhood visit.Sr: Њихове очи су се сусреле са истим осмехом, подсећајући се на тренутке невиног открића од пре много година.En: Their eyes met with the same smile, reminding them of moments of innocent discovery from many years ago.Sr: "Милоше! Нисам те видела годинама!" узвикнула је Анђела, затварајући свој блок са цртежима.En: "Miloš! I haven't seen you in years!" exclaimed Anđela, closing her sketchbook.Sr: "Анђела! Ово је невероватно! Овде сам дошао да потражим мир за своју причу, а нашао сам стару пријатељицу," одговорио је Милош са топлином у гласу.En: "Anđela! This is incredible! I came here to find peace for my story, and I found an old friend," Miloš replied warmly.Sr: Ветар је и даље био хладан, али сада их није спречавао.En: The wind was still cold, but now it did not deter them.Sr: Одлучили су да истраже заједно, спајајући милинсторични и уметнички угао.En: They decided to explore together, merging their historical and artistic perspectives.Sr: Милош је причао о старим биткама и значењу сваког камена, док је Анђела скицирала живописне сцене у оловку.En: Miloš talked about old battles and the significance of each stone, while Anđela sketched vivid scenes in pencil.Sr: Њихови различити погледи почели су да се прожимају, откривајући нове слојеве прошлом времену.En: Their different views began to intertwine, revealing new layers to the past.Sr: Када је дан почео да се завршава, а небо је захватило сумрак, седели су на камену поред зидина и посматрали како Сава и Дунав теку заједно.En: As the day began to end and twilight enveloped the sky, they sat on a stone by the walls and watched as the Sava and Danube rivers flowed together.Sr: Милош је сада доживљавао историју кроз Анђелин креативни објектив.En: Miloš was now experiencing history through Anđela's creative lens.Sr: Анђела је научила да у колективном сећању постоји дубина која богати сваку слику.En: Anđela learned that in collective memory, there is depth that enriches every image.Sr: "Зашто не бисмо повезали наше таленте и створили нешто ново?" предложила је Анђела са сјајем у очима.En: "Why don't we combine our talents and create something new?" suggested Anđela, with a gleam in her eyes.Sr: "То је одлична идеја. Фузија историје и уметности. Можда ће наше драгоцене разлике допринети нечему заиста посебном," сложио се Милош.En: "That's a great idea. A fusion of history and art. Perhaps our precious differences will contribute to something truly special," agreed Miloš.Sr: Тако су Милош и Анђела донели одлуку да искористе ово изненађујуће поновно пријатељство за стварање заједничког пројекта, који ће оживети заборављене приче тврђаве кроз речи и слике, због чега је зима постала мање ледена, а тврђава још више блистава у садашњости.En: Thus, Miloš and Anđela decided to use this surprising renewed friendship to create a joint project that would bring the forgotten stories of the fortress to life through words and images, making the winter less icy and the fortress even more radiant in the present. Vocabulary Words:gently: лаганоfortress: тврђаваilluminating: осветљавајућиwhite glow: бели сјајscent: мирисwhispering: шапућеwander: лутајуcenturies: вековиinspiration: инспирацијаhidden: скривеногtangible: опипљивоfascinated: фасцинираниangles: угловиshadows: сенкеexhibition: изложбаconverged: спојилеabandoned: напуштеномcourtyard: двориштуinnocent: невиногexclaimed: узвикнулаsignificance: значењуintertwine: прожимајуtwilight: сумракenveloped: захватилоcollective memory: колективном сећањуgleam: сјајемfusion: фузијаrenewed: поновноjoint project: заједничког пројектаradiant: блистава

Fluent Fiction - Dutch: Whispers of Hope: Embracing Stories at Anne Frank Huis Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/nl/episode/2026-01-25-23-34-02-nl Story Transcript:Nl: De lucht was grijs en koud, het seizoen koude adem over de grachten van Amsterdam uitblazend.En: The sky was gray and cold, the season exhaling cold breath over the canals of Amsterdam.Nl: De straten waren bedekt met een dunne laag sneeuw die zacht kraakte onder de voetstappen van bezoekers.En: The streets were covered with a thin layer of snow that softly crunched under the footsteps of visitors.Nl: Sanne had altijd al de Anne Frank Huis willen zien.En: Sanne had always wanted to see the Anne Frank Huis.Nl: Haar hart klopte iets sneller van opwinding terwijl ze de rij naderde.En: Her heart beat a bit faster with excitement as she approached the line.Nl: Binnen was het stil.En: Inside, it was quiet.Nl: De muren ademden historie en het verleden hing als een deken boven de bezoekers.En: The walls breathed history, and the past hung like a blanket above the visitors.Nl: Sanne nam plaats aan de zijkant van de groep, haar ogen scherend langs de oude foto's en voorwerpen die verhalen vertelden van moed en beperkingen.En: Sanne took a place at the side of the group, her eyes skimming along the old photos and objects that told stories of courage and limitations.Nl: Ze voelde een warme gloed van respect en bewondering.En: She felt a warm glow of respect and admiration.Nl: De gids, Bram, begon met de rondleiding.En: The guide, Bram, began the tour.Nl: Hij had een warme stem en een glimlach die de koude tentakels van de winter buiten leek te verdrijven.En: He had a warm voice and a smile that seemed to dispel the cold tentacles of winter outside.Nl: “Welkom,” zei hij, “hier, waar geschiedenis en heden samenkomen.”En: "Welcome," he said, "here, where history and the present meet."Nl: Zijn woorden werden gedragen door het tintelende geluid van winterwind.En: His words were carried by the tingling sound of winter wind.Nl: Bram vertelde de groep over Anne's dagboek, haar dromen en gedachten.En: Bram told the group about Anne's diary, her dreams, and thoughts.Nl: Sanne luisterde, maar voelde ook de woorden die ze zelf wilde uitspreken, gevangen ergens diep van binnen.En: Sanne listened but also felt the words she wanted to speak herself, caught somewhere deep within.Nl: Ze wilde delen wat dit alles voor haar betekende, maar ze aarzelde.En: She wanted to share what all of this meant to her, but she hesitated.Nl: Ze was bang voor de stilte die zou kunnen volgen, voor een moment van onhandigheid.En: She was afraid of the silence that might follow, of a moment of awkwardness.Nl: Terwijl ze door de nauwe trappen en kleine kamers liepen, voelde Sanne een groeiende behoefte om iets te zeggen.En: As they walked through the narrow stairs and small rooms, Sanne felt a growing need to say something.Nl: Bram's verhalen voedden haar geest, en toen de groep stil was in de kamer waar Anne haar brieven schreef, sprak Sanne zachtjes.En: Bram's stories fed her mind, and when the group was silent in the room where Anne wrote her letters, Sanne spoke softly.Nl: “Anne herinnerde me eraan... dat zelfs in de donkerste tijden, kleine daden van hoop een groot verschil kunnen maken.”En: "Anne reminded me... that even in the darkest times, small acts of hope can make a big difference."Nl: Bram keek op, zijn ogen ontmoetten de hare.En: Bram looked up, his eyes meeting hers.Nl: Er was iets in haar stem, een emotie die hij herkende.En: There was something in her voice, an emotion he recognized.Nl: “Inderdaad,” zei hij, “en door haar woord te blijven delen, blijft die hoop voortbestaan.”En: "Indeed," he said, "and by continuing to share her words, that hope endures."Nl: In dat moment, voelde Sanne de kikker in haar keel verdwijnen.En: In that moment, Sanne felt the frog in her throat disappear.Nl: Na de rondleiding stonden Sanne en Bram buiten het museum.En: After the tour, Sanne and Bram stood outside the museum.Nl: Hun adem vormde wolkjes in de koude lucht.En: Their breath formed clouds in the cold air.Nl: “Zou je zin hebben om verder te praten?” vroeg Bram, zijn stem warm te midden van de winterkou.En: "Would you like to continue talking?" Bram asked, his voice warm amid the winter chill.Nl: “Ja, dat lijkt me heel fijn,” antwoordde Sanne.En: "Yes, I'd really like that," answered Sanne.Nl: De eerste stap was gezet en het voelde goed.En: The first step was taken, and it felt good.Nl: Ze wisselden telefoonnummers uit en spraken af om elkaar later voor een kop koffie te ontmoeten.En: They exchanged phone numbers and agreed to meet later for a cup of coffee.Nl: Sanne glimlachte terwijl ze wegwandelde.En: Sanne smiled as she walked away.Nl: Haar introspectieve aard had haar niet meer opgesloten.En: Her introspective nature had no longer kept her trapped.Nl: Door te spreken had ze een nieuw verhaal begonnen.En: By speaking, she had begun a new story.Nl: En terwijl de sneeuw zachtjes naar beneden dwarrelde, voelde Sanne hoe haar eigen verhaal verder groeide, verbonden met dat van Bram en de geschiedenis die zich binnen de muren van de Anne Frank Huis bevond.En: And as the snow softly fluttered down, Sanne felt how her own story continued to grow, connected with Bram's and the history within the walls of the Anne Frank Huis. Vocabulary Words:layer: laagexhaling: uitblazendcanals: grachtencovered: bedektsoftly: zachtcrunched: kraakteapproached: naderdequiet: stilbreathed: ademdenblanket: dekenskimming: scherendcourage: moedlimitations: beperkingenglow: gloedadmiration: bewonderingdispel: verdrijventingling: tintelendethoughts: gedachtenhesitated: aarzeldeawkwardness: onhandigheidnarrow: nauwefed: voeddendifference: verschilendures: voortbestaanfrog: kikkertrapped: opgeslotenfluttered: dwarreldeconnected: verbondenmuseum: museumintrospective: introspectieve

In this episode, the panel discusses their favorite comic book picks of the week, delving into various themes such as the trend of grab bags in comics, the appeal of crossover stories, and the impact of historical fiction in graphic novels. They review new releases, including Marvel's black, white, and blood series, and explore the darker narratives found in indie comics. The conversation also touches on the storytelling techniques of Frank Miller in Daredevil, highlighting the contrasts between action and substance in superhero narratives.Send us a message (I'm not able to reply)Support the showPage Chewing Blog Page Chewing Forum Film Chewing PodcastSpeculative Speculations Podcast Support the podcast via PayPal Support the show by using our Amazon Affiliate linkJoin Riverside.fm Co-Hosts: Jarrod Varsha Chris Jose Carl D. Albert (author) Thomas J. Devens (author) Alex French (author) Intro and Outro Music by Michael R. Fletcher (2024-Current)

Fluent Fiction - Swedish: Mystery at the Vasa Museum: Linnea's Secret Journey Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/sv/episode/2026-01-25-23-34-02-sv Story Transcript:Sv: På Vasa-museet i Stockholm hängde en magisk spänning i luften under vintermånaderna.En: At the Vasa-museet in Stockholm, a magical tension hung in the air during the winter months.Sv: De gamla skeppen reste sig mäktigt, medan snön tystnade stadens ljud utanför.En: The old ships rose mightily, while the snow muted the city's sounds outside.Sv: Linnea, en nyfiken museiguide med ett hemligt intresse för arkeologi, kände på sig att denna dag skulle bli speciell.En: Linnea, a curious museum guide with a secret interest in archaeology, had a feeling that this day would be special.Sv: Museet skulle snart stänga för renovering, men precis den kvällen blev allting kaos.En: The museum was soon to close for renovations, but that very evening everything turned to chaos.Sv: Strömmen gick plötsligt, och i mörkret blev ett viktigt artefakt mystiskt borta.En: The power suddenly went out, and in the darkness, an important artifact mysteriously disappeared.Sv: Linnea misstänkte att artefakten innehöll en dold hemlighet, en symbol eller ett meddelande från det förflutna.En: Linnea suspected that the artifact contained a hidden secret, a symbol or message from the past.Sv: När ljuset återvände, var artefakten försvunnen.En: When the lights returned, the artifact was gone.Sv: "Vi måste hitta det," tänkte Linnea bestämt.En: "We must find it," Linnea thought determinedly.Sv: Förvaltningen förbjöd personalen att utföra egna undersökningar.En: The management forbade the staff from conducting their own investigations.Sv: Men Linneas nyfikenhet var för stor.En: But Linnea's curiosity was too great.Sv: Hon bestämde sig för att återvända efter stängning.En: She decided to return after closing.Sv: "Jag måste veta vad som döljer sig," viskade hon för sig själv när hon satte sin plan i verket.En: "I must know what is hidden," she whispered to herself as she set her plan in motion.Sv: Natten var kall och Vasa-museet låg tyst.En: The night was cold and the Vasa-museet lay silent.Sv: Linnea smög in, hennes steg ekade mot de kalla golven.En: Linnea snuck in, her steps echoing against the cold floors.Sv: Hon följde en känsla, en instinkt, som ledde henne mot en bortglömd del av museet.En: She followed a feeling, an instinct, that led her to a forgotten part of the museum.Sv: Där, bakom en dammig utställning, fann hon en dörr.En: There, behind a dusty exhibition, she found a door.Sv: Dörren öppnades knarrande, och där inne, gömt bakom en tunn vägg, fanns den försvunna artefakten.En: The door opened with a creak, and inside, hidden behind a thin wall, was the missing artifact.Sv: Just då stöter hon på Anders, en säkerhetsvakt.En: Just then, she encountered Anders, a security guard.Sv: "Linnea!En: "Linnea!Sv: Vad gör du här?"En: What are you doing here?"Sv: Anders lyste med ficklampan och såg både förvånad och bestört ut.En: Anders shone his flashlight, looking both surprised and dismayed.Sv: "Jag hittade det," började Linnea, "artefakten.En: "I found it," Linnea began, "the artifact.Sv: Jag tror den har ett meddelande."En: I think it has a message."Sv: Anders, som också älskar historia, blev nyfiken.En: Anders, who also loves history, became intrigued.Sv: "Låt oss undersöka det tillsammans," föreslog han, och deras gemensamma intresse blomstrade.En: "Let's investigate it together," he suggested, and their shared interest flourished.Sv: Tillsammans upptäckte de att artefakten var en del av ett länge förlorat historiskt pussel.En: Together they discovered that the artifact was part of a long-lost historical puzzle.Sv: Med vänliga och nyfikna sinnen avslöjade de hemligheten, en viktig ledtråd från Vasatidens hemligheter.En: With friendly and curious minds, they uncovered the secret, an important clue from the secrets of the Vasatiden.Sv: När de till sist lämnade museet, kände Linnea att hon hade funnit mer än bara en lösning.En: When they finally left the museum, Linnea felt that she had found more than just a solution.Sv: Hon blev säker på sina instinkter och vänskapen med Anders växte stark under deras gemensamma upptäcktsresa.En: She became confident in her instincts, and the friendship with Anders grew strong during their shared journey of discovery.Sv: I den tysta vinternatten visste de båda att detta bara var början på fler upptäckter tillsammans i historien om Vasa.En: In the silent winter night, they both knew that this was just the beginning of more discoveries together in the history of Vasa. Vocabulary Words:magical: magisktension: spänningmute: tystnacurious: nyfikenrenovations: renoveringchaos: kaosartifact: artefaktmysteriously: mystisktforbade: förbjödinvestigations: undersökningarinstinct: instinktforgotten: bortglömdcreak: knarrandedismayed: bestörtintrigued: nyfikenflourished: blomstradehistorical: historisktpuzzle: pusseluncover: avslöjaconfidence: självförtroendediscovery: upptäcktsilent: tystwhispered: viskadehiding: döljerechoing: ekadesecurity guard: säkerhetsvakttorch: ficklampaclue: ledtrådsolitude: ensamhetpursuit: strävan

We welcome author Shelley Dark to the show! After a lifetime raising cattle on Queensland's Granite Belt, Shelley and her husband swapped the bush for the Sunshine Coast of Queensland Australia. She's an award-winning Australian author who travels as often as she can and enjoys iPhone photography. She's a member of the ALLWRiTE Club and Writers on the Coast Noosa—a generous community of writers whose work and thinking continually stretches her own.Her books include Hydra in Winter (2024), awarded a Gold Medal at the Global Book Awards 2025 (Biographical—Traveler & Explorer), about her trip to the Greek island of Hydra to uncover her husband's ancestor, Ghikas Voulgaris—Australia's first Greek convict pioneer. And Son of Hydra (2025), awarded a Silver Medal at the Global Book Awards 2025 (Historical Fiction), inspired by his extraordinary life. Next will come Daughter of Cork, the story of his Irish wife, along with another exciting new narrative non-fiction. Her short fiction appears in anthologies. Join us in getting to know Shelley!WebsiteFacebookInstagramSon of Hydra on AmazonHear more on GreekAF!

This week Andrew talks with New York Times bestselling author Sarah McCoy.  Sarah shares a behind-the-scenes look at her creative process as well as many of the moments & experiences that have shaped her personally and professionally. You'll hear about Sarah's now decade-plus long pen pal relationship with former actress Dolores Hart – and the profound impact the correspondence has had on both of their lives. This conversation is a powerful reminder of what's possible when we seek connection, follow our curiosities, & lift others up along the way. ** Follow Andrew **Instagram: @AndrewMoses123X: @andrewhmosesSign up for e-mails to keep up with the podcast at everybodypullsthetarp.com/newsletterDISCLAIMER: This podcast is solely for educational & entertainment purposes. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a physician, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Some historical figures feel larger than life — until you finally meet the woman behind the myth.In this episode, I'm joined by Lynn Cullen, an acclaimed historical fiction author who has spent decades uncovering the real people behind cultural legends. We dive into her latest novel about Marilyn Monroe, focusing on Marilyn's deeply personal relationship with photographer Eve Arnold — the only woman Marilyn ever trusted to photograph her.We talk about trauma, fame, the female gaze, and what happens when a woman known entirely through images finally gets to be seen as herself. If you love feminist historical fiction, celebrity history, or stories that reclaim women's narratives from the male gaze, this conversation is for you.

Fluent Fiction - Italian: Artistic Revelations: A School Trip to Rome's Colosseo Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/it/episode/2026-01-20-08-38-20-it Story Transcript:It: Il cielo di Roma era grigio e cupo mentre la classe di Elena si preparava per la gita scolastica al Colosseo.En: The sky over Roma was gray and gloomy as Elena's class prepared for the school trip to the Colosseo.It: Il freddo dell'inverno si sentiva, ma l'entusiasmo di Giulia riscaldava l'atmosfera.En: The winter chill was felt, but Giulia's enthusiasm warmed the atmosphere.It: "Non vedo l'ora di vedere il Colosseo!" esclamò Giulia sorridendo, mentre Elena la seguiva lentamente, persa nei suoi pensieri artistici.En: "I can't wait to see the Colosseo!" exclaimed Giulia with a smile, while Elena followed her slowly, lost in her artistic thoughts.It: Il gruppo si riunì all'entrata, dove Alessandro, il carismatico guida della scuola, li accolse.En: The group gathered at the entrance, where Alessandro, the charismatic school guide, welcomed them.It: "Benvenuti, ragazzi! Oggi esploreremo il Colosseo, un gioiello della storia!", annunciò con energia.En: "Welcome, kids! Today we'll explore the Colosseo, a jewel of history!" he announced energetically.It: Tutti lo ascoltavano affascinati. Tranne Elena.En: Everyone listened, fascinated, except Elena.It: Lei aveva in mente una visione diversa e cercava il modo di condividerla.En: She had a different vision in mind and was searching for a way to share it.It: Mentre il gruppo iniziava la visita, il tempo peggiorò.En: As the group began the tour, the weather worsened.It: Una pioggia improvvisa cominciò a cadere, rendendo l'atmosfera ancora più mistica.En: A sudden rain began to fall, making the atmosphere even more mystical.It: Avvolti nei loro impermeabili, i ragazzi seguivano Alessandro, che continuava la sua spiegazione, ignaro dello sguardo speranzoso di Elena.En: Wrapped in their raincoats, the kids followed Alessandro, who continued his explanation, unaware of Elena's hopeful gaze.It: Elena, sentendosi trascurata, decise di agire.En: Feeling overlooked, Elena decided to act.It: "Giulia, devo fare qualcosa," disse determinata.En: "Giulia, I have to do something," she said determinedly.It: Allontanandosi dal gruppo, si incamminò verso una parte meno affollata del Colosseo.En: Straying from the group, she walked towards a less crowded part of the Colosseo.It: Sapeva di un punto particolare da cui si vedeva l'anfiteatro in tutta la sua magnificenza.En: She knew of a particular spot from which the amphitheater could be seen in all its magnificence.It: Mentre camminava sotto la pioggia, il vento aumentò.En: As she walked in the rain, the wind picked up.It: "Elena, ma dove vai?" preoccupata, Giulia la seguì.En: "Elena, where are you going?" Giulia worriedly followed her.It: Ma Elena non si fermò.En: But Elena didn't stop.It: Raggiunta la sua destinazione, un angolo nascosto del Colosseo, osservò la struttura sotto la pioggia.En: Reaching her destination, a hidden corner of the Colosseo, she looked at the structure in the rain.It: Voleva che Alessandro vedesse quello che vedeva lei, la bellezza della storia attraverso la lente dell'arte.En: She wanted Alessandro to see what she saw, the beauty of history through the lens of art.It: Proprio in quel momento, Alessandro si accorse della loro assenza e le trovò.En: At that moment, Alessandro noticed their absence and found them.It: "Elena! Giulia! State bene?" chiese.En: "Elena! Giulia! Are you okay?" he asked.It: Elena, bagnata ma determinata, spiegò la sua visione.En: Elena, wet but determined, explained her vision.It: "Guarda, Alessandro. Questo è il Colosseo che vedo.En: "Look, Alessandro. This is the Colosseo as I see it.It: La storia non è solo nei libri. È qui, intorno a noi, in ogni pietra."En: History isn't just in books. It's here, around us, in every stone."It: Alessandro fu colpito dalle sue parole.En: Alessandro was struck by her words.It: "Non ci avevo mai pensato così," ammise, ammirando la vista.En: "I never thought of it that way," he admitted, admiring the view.It: "Hai veramente un occhio artistico, Elena. Dobbiamo lavorare insieme su un progetto scolastico."En: "You really have an artistic eye, Elena. We should work together on a school project."It: Elena sentì un'ondata di soddisfazione.En: Elena felt a wave of satisfaction.It: Finalmente, era ascoltata.En: Finally, she was heard.It: Tornarono al gruppo, con Giulia che faceva loro l'occhiolino e un grande sorriso sul viso.En: They returned to the group, with Giulia giving them a wink and a big smile on her face.It: Alla fine della visita, il cielo si aprì leggermente, lasciando filtrare un po' di sole.En: At the end of the visit, the sky slightly cleared, letting a bit of sun through.It: Era come un segno di un nuovo inizio.En: It was like a sign of a new beginning.It: Elena aveva trovato la sua voce e una nuova fiducia in sé stessa.En: Elena had found her voice and a new confidence in herself.It: Scoprì che la storia e l'arte non erano solo sue passioni personali, ma un dono che poteva condividere.En: She discovered that history and art were not just her personal passions, but a gift she could share.It: E Alessandro, grazie a lei, aveva imparato a vedere il passato in un modo tutto nuovo.En: And Alessandro, thanks to her, had learned to see the past in a whole new way. Vocabulary Words:sky: il cielogloomy: cupochill: il freddoenthusiasm: l'entusiasmoentrance: l'entratacharismatic: carismaticojewel: il gioiellofascinated: affascinativision: la visionetour: la visitarain: la pioggiamystical: misticaraincoat: il impermeabilehopeful: speranzosodeterminedly: determinatacrowded: affollatamagnificence: la magnificenzawind: il ventodestination: la destinazionehidden: nascostoartistic: artisticocorner: l'angolostone: la pietrawave: l'ondatasatisfaction: la soddisfazionewink: l'occhiolinobeginning: il nuovo inizioconfidence: la fiduciagift: il donolearned: imparato

Fluent Fiction - Dutch: Threads of Compassion: A Merchant's Heartfelt Journey Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/nl/episode/2026-01-19-23-34-02-nl Story Transcript:Nl: Tussen de oude gebouwen van Amsterdam, glinsterend in de winterzon, rook men de geur van versgebakken broodjes en warme kruiden.En: Amidst the old buildings of Amsterdam, glistening in the winter sun, one could smell the scent of freshly baked rolls and warm spices.Nl: Het was een drukte van belang op de middeleeuwse markt, met vrolijke inwoners die zich warm hadden ingepakt.En: It was bustling on the medieval market, with cheerful locals bundled up warmly.Nl: Maarten, de jonge handelaar, stond trots bij zijn kraam vol zeldzame stoffen.En: Maarten, the young merchant, stood proudly by his stall full of rare fabrics.Nl: Zijn droom was om zijn zaken uit te breiden, verder dan Amsterdam.En: His dream was to expand his business beyond Amsterdam.Nl: Vandaag was een belangrijke dag.En: Today was an important day.Nl: Niet ver van hem stond Femke.En: Not far from him stood Femke.Nl: Ze was bekend vanwege haar kennis over kruiden en haar veelzijdige remedies.En: She was known for her knowledge of herbs and her versatile remedies.Nl: Al hoewel ze meestal stil was over haar hartconditie en de uitdagingen daarmee, genoot ze van de sfeer op de markt.En: Although she was usually quiet about her heart condition and the challenges that came with it, she enjoyed the atmosphere at the market.Nl: Ze was vastbesloten haar onafhankelijkheid te behouden en de dag zonder problemen door te komen.En: She was determined to maintain her independence and get through the day without problems.Nl: Vandaag was bijzonder koud.En: Today was particularly cold.Nl: De adem van de mensen vormde wolkjes in de lucht.En: People's breath formed little clouds in the air.Nl: Terwijl Maarten aan een potentiële klant zijn prachtige lila zijde demonstreerde, merkte hij Femke aan de overkant van het marktplein op.En: While Maarten was demonstrating his beautiful lilac silk to a potential customer, he noticed Femke across the market square.Nl: Ze leek plots te wankelen.En: She suddenly seemed to wobble.Nl: Haar gezicht werd bleek.En: Her face turned pale.Nl: Maarten aarzelde, maar slechts een fractie van een seconde.En: Maarten hesitated, but only for a fraction of a second.Nl: Hij rende naar haar toe, de kleuren van zijn stoffen wervelend achter hem.En: He ran towards her, the colors of his fabrics swirling behind him.Nl: Femke viel op haar knieën.En: Femke fell to her knees.Nl: Haar adem was kort.En: Her breathing was short.Nl: Maarten knielde naast haar, onzeker over wat te doen.En: Maarten knelt beside her, uncertain of what to do.Nl: Maar hij kon haar duidelijk niet alleen laten.En: But he clearly couldn't leave her alone.Nl: De markt om hen heen leek plotseling veel lawaaieriger en ver weg.En: The market around them suddenly seemed much noisier and far away.Nl: De stemmen mengden zich tot een vaag geroezemoes.En: The voices blended into a vague murmur.Nl: Op dat moment verscheen Jeroen, de sterke smid en trouwe vriend.En: At that moment, Jeroen, the strong blacksmith and loyal friend, appeared.Nl: Zijn handen, sterk van het smeden, namen Femke's slappe pols voorzichtig vast.En: His hands, strong from forging, gently took Femke's limp wrist.Nl: Met kalmte stelde hij vast wat er moest gebeuren.En: With calmness, he determined what needed to be done.Nl: "Hier, Femke, gebruik je eigen kruiden," zei hij terwijl hij snel in Femke's tas rommelde.En: "Here, Femke, use your own herbs," he said as he quickly rummaged through Femke's bag.Nl: Maarten en Jeroen werkten samen om Femke weer op haar voeten te krijgen.En: Maarten and Jeroen worked together to get Femke back on her feet.Nl: Ze gaven haar de kruiden en wachtten.En: They gave her the herbs and waited.Nl: Langzaam kwam de kleur terug op haar wangen.En: Slowly, her cheeks regained color.Nl: "Dank jullie," fluisterde Femke, nog licht in het hoofd, maar al sterker.En: "Thank you," Femke whispered, still a little lightheaded but already stronger.Nl: Met Femke stabiel op een bankje en onder de zorgzame blik van Jeroen, keerde Maarten haastig terug naar zijn kraam.En: With Femke stable on a bench and under the watchful eye of Jeroen, Maarten hurried back to his stall.Nl: Hij verwachtte zijn klanten kwijt te zijn.En: He expected to have lost his customers.Nl: Maar, in plaats daarvan, trof hij een verrassing aan.En: But, instead, he found a surprise.Nl: De mensen die hem hadden gezien, opmerkten zijn bereidheid om zijn zaken even te laten liggen voor zijn vriendin.En: The people who had seen him noted his willingness to set aside his business for his friend.Nl: Het gerucht verspreidde zich door de markt dat Maarten een man met een groot hart was.En: The rumor spread through the market that Maarten was a man with a big heart.Nl: De marktkooplui en bezoekers verzamelden zich rond zijn kraam, nieuwsgieriger dan ooit naar zijn stoffen.En: The market vendors and visitors gathered around his stall, more curious than ever about his fabrics.Nl: Het werd een drukke middag, maar Maarten glaande van vreugde.En: It became a busy afternoon, but Maarten beamed with joy.Nl: Zijn bezoekers waren niet alleen getroffen door zijn producten, maar ook door zijn verhaal.En: His visitors were not only impressed by his products but also by his story.Nl: Uiteindelijk leerde Maarten dat echte rijkdom niet altijd in goudstukken gemeten wordt, maar in de banden tussen vrienden en de gemeenschap die men opbouwt.En: Ultimately, Maarten learned that true wealth is not always measured in gold coins but in the bonds between friends and the community one builds.Nl: Die avond vertrok hij van de markt, met meer verkopen dan hij had durven dromen en een hernieuwd respect voor de kracht van vriendschap en medemenselijkheid.En: That evening, he left the market with more sales than he had dared to dream and a renewed respect for the power of friendship and humanity.Nl: Maarten voelde zich rijker, en niet alleen maar door zijn handelswaar.En: Maarten felt richer, and not just through his merchandise. Vocabulary Words:amidst: tussenglistening: glinsterendscent: geurbaked: gebakkenspices: kruidenbustling: druktemedieval: middeleeuwsemerchant: handelaarexpand: uitbreidenremedies: remediesversatile: veelzijdigeindependence: onafhankelijkheidwobble: wankelenswirling: wervelendpale: bleekmurmur: geroezemoesblacksmith: smidforging: smedenlimp: slapperummaged: rommeldelightheaded: licht in het hoofdloyal: trouwevendors: marktkoopluibonds: bandenhumanity: medemenselijkheidmerchandise: handelswaarstalled: kraamrejuvenate: hernieuwencheerful: vrolijkedetermined: vastbesloten

Fluent Fiction - Norwegian: The Secret Healer of Oslo: Sigrid's Viking Heritage Unveiled Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/no/episode/2026-01-19-08-38-20-no Story Transcript:No: Midt i den travle markedsplassen i Oslo, tusen år tilbake, var det vinter.En: In the middle of the busy marketplace in Oslo, a thousand years ago, it was winter.No: Snøen dalte mykt ned og la et hvitt teppe over de brosteinsbelagte gatene.En: Snow softly drifted down, laying a white blanket over the cobblestone streets.No: Sigrid, en dyktig urtekyndig kvinne, bøyde seg over Einar, en ung smed som lå utstrakt på en benk.En: Sigrid, a skilled herbal woman, leaned over Einar, a young blacksmith lying stretched out on a bench.No: Han hadde en mystisk sykdom, og ingen av de lokale healerne visste hvordan de skulle hjelpe ham.En: He had a mysterious illness, and none of the local healers knew how to help him.No: "Du trenger varme," sa Sigrid forsiktig.En: "You need warmth," Sigrid said gently.No: "Men det er noe mer.En: "But there is something more.No: Noe jeg ikke helt forstår.En: Something I don't quite understand."No: "Rundt dem var markedsplassen full av liv.En: Around them, the marketplace was full of life.No: Herrer og fruer snakket lavt mens de kjøpte varer fra de mange bodene.En: Lords and ladies spoke quietly as they bought goods from the many stalls.No: Lukten av stekt kjøtt fylte luften.En: The smell of roasted meat filled the air.No: Kjell, en eldre historieforteller, sto ved siden av og fulgte med.En: Kjell, an older storyteller, stood nearby watching.No: Han var kjent for å vite mye om gamle remedier og legender.En: He was known for his knowledge of old remedies and legends.No: "Du må finne det siste ingredienset," sa Kjell.En: "You must find the final ingredient," Kjell said.No: "Det vil hjelpe Einar.En: "It will help Einar."No: "Sigrid nikket.En: Sigrid nodded.No: Hun visste hva hun trengte, men det vokste bare dypt inne i skogen.En: She knew what she needed, but it grew only deep in the forest.No: "Jeg må dra ut til skogen," sa hun bestemt.En: "I have to go out into the forest," she said determinedly.No: "Snøen vil gjøre det vanskelig, men jeg må prøve.En: "The snow will make it difficult, but I must try."No: "Einar forsøkte å reise seg.En: Einar tried to rise.No: "Jeg blir med deg," sa han svak i stemmen, men med en glød av eventyrlyst i blikket.En: "I'll go with you," he said weakly, but with a spark of adventure in his eyes.No: Sigrid nølte et øyeblikk, men så lot hun ham støtte seg til armen hennes.En: Sigrid hesitated for a moment, but then she let him support himself on her arm.No: De ventet ikke lenge før de satte kursen mot den snødekte skogen.En: They didn't wait long before heading toward the snow-covered forest.No: Deres vei gjennom skogen var langsom.En: Their journey through the forest was slow.No: Trærne var tunge av snø, og den kalde luften fikk dem til å skjelve.En: The trees were heavy with snow, and the cold air made them shiver.No: Men Sigrid var fast bestemt på å finne det de trengte.En: But Sigrid was determined to find what they needed.No: Hun visste om en hemmelighet fra vikingtiden, noe hun hadde skjult lenge.En: She knew of a secret from Viking times, something she had kept hidden for a long time.No: Etter flere timers leting fant de endelig planten de trengte.En: After several hours of searching, they finally found the plant they needed.No: Sigrid nølte.En: Sigrid hesitated.No: Hvis hun brukte denne kunnskapen, ville hennes skjulte fortid bli avslørt.En: If she used this knowledge, her hidden past would be revealed.No: "Du må stole på deg selv, Sigrid," sa Kjell som hadde fulgt etter dem i stillhet.En: "You must trust yourself, Sigrid," said Kjell, who had followed them silently.No: "Din fortid er en del av deg.En: "Your past is a part of you."No: "Med et dypt pust samlet Sigrid ingrediensene.En: With a deep breath, Sigrid gathered the ingredients.No: Da de kom tilbake til landsbyen, brukte hun sin urgamle kunnskap for å lage en helbredende drikk.En: When they returned to the village, she used her ancient knowledge to make a healing potion.No: Einar drakk drikken, og snart kom fargen tilbake i kinnene hans.En: Einar drank the potion, and soon the color returned to his cheeks.No: "Er det over?En: "Is it over?"No: " spurte han, overrasket over sin egen styrke.En: he asked, surprised by his own strength.No: "Ja," sa Sigrid, og visste at hun nå måtte være åpen om hvem hun var.En: "Yes," said Sigrid, knowing she now had to be open about who she was.No: Både Einar og Kjell hadde skjønt at hun bar på gammel visdom.En: Both Einar and Kjell had realized she carried ancient wisdom.No: Fra den dagen aksepterte Sigrid sitt vikingarv.En: From that day, Sigrid accepted her Viking heritage.No: Hun begynte å dele sin kunnskap med andre.En: She began to share her knowledge with others.No: Hennes hemmelighet var ikke lenger noe å frykte, men noe å være stolt av.En: Her secret was no longer something to fear, but something to be proud of.No: I markedsplassen fortsatte livet med en ny respekt for Sigrid og hennes ferdigheter.En: In the marketplace, life continued with a new respect for Sigrid and her skills.No: Hun hadde valgt å bruke sine evner for å helbrede, og det forandret alt.En: She had chosen to use her abilities to heal, and it changed everything. Vocabulary Words:marketplace: markedsplassherbal: urtekyndigmysterious: mystiskillness: sykdomhealers: healerestall: bodroasted: stektstoryteller: historiefortellerremedies: remedieringredient: ingrediensdeterminedly: bestemtforest: skogheavy: tungshiver: skjelvesecret: hemmelighethidden: skjultreveal: avsløretrust: stolebreath: pustgather: samlepotion: drikkcheeks: kinnancient: urgammelwisdom: visdomheritage: arvproud: stoltabilities: evnerheal: helbredeknowledge: kunnskapventure: ferd

Fluent Fiction - French: Mysteries of Mont Saint-Michel: A Winter's Secret Unveiled Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/fr/episode/2026-01-19-23-34-02-fr Story Transcript:Fr: Les cloches de Mont Saint-Michel résonnaient dans l'air glacé d'hiver alors que les vagues baissaient autour du rocher majestueux.En: The bells of Mont Saint-Michel rang out in the icy winter air as the waves receded around the majestic rock.Fr: L'abbaye, imposante et mystérieuse, se dressait au centre de cette scène enchanteresse.En: The abbey, imposing and mysterious, stood at the center of this enchanting scene.Fr: Éloise, une guide locale passionnée d'histoire, arpentait les rues pavées.En: Éloise, a local guide passionate about history, was walking the cobblestone streets.Fr: Elle partageait les secrets du Mont avec les visiteurs, mais aujourd'hui, un mystère bien plus grand l'appelait.En: She shared the secrets of the Mont with the visitors, but today, a much greater mystery was calling her.Fr: Ce matin-là, Éloise avait appris qu'un artefact précieux avait disparu de l'abbaye.En: That morning, Éloise had learned that a precious artifact had disappeared from the abbey.Fr: C'était l'Épiphanie, une fête célèbre en France avec la galette des rois, mais pour elle, l'urgence était toute autre.En: It was l'Épiphanie, a famous celebration in France with the galette des rois, but for her, the urgency was of a different kind.Fr: Elle rêvait de prouver ses capacités en résolvant cette énigme et protégeant la réputation du Mont.En: She dreamed of proving her abilities by solving this enigma and protecting the reputation of the Mont.Fr: Julien, un moine discret, gardait les archives de l'abbaye.En: Julien, a discreet monk, guarded the abbey's archives.Fr: Il connaissait chaque parchemin, chaque secret du lieu.En: He knew every parchment, every secret of the place.Fr: Toutefois, il était réticent à partager ces informations avec quiconque.En: However, he was reluctant to share these informations with anyone.Fr: Éloise savait qu'elle devait le convaincre, mais ce n'était pas simple.En: Éloise knew she had to convince him, but it wasn't simple.Fr: À ses côtés se tenait Margot, une journaliste énergique à la recherche d'une histoire sensationnelle.En: Beside her stood Margot, an energetic journalist in search of a sensational story.Fr: Margot, sceptique de nature, ne laissait jamais passer une chance de poser des questions incisives, ce qui souvent irritait Julien.En: Margot, skeptical by nature, never missed a chance to ask incisive questions, which often irritated Julien.Fr: Éloise et Margot décidèrent de faire équipe.En: Éloise and Margot decided to team up.Fr: Elles avaient des méthodes différentes, mais le même but.En: They had different methods, but the same goal.Fr: Éloise, avec sa connaissance des lieux, espérait découvrir quelque chose que Julian cachait.En: Éloise, with her knowledge of the place, hoped to discover something Julian was hiding.Fr: Au crépuscule, pendant que la brume enveloppait l'abbaye, Éloise explora les couloirs, guidée par sa curiosité.En: At dusk, while the mist enveloped the abbey, Éloise explored the hallways, guided by her curiosity.Fr: Elle remarqua une pierre légèrement décollée.En: She noticed a slightly detached stone.Fr: Derrière, elle découvert un passage secret.En: Behind it, she discovered a secret passage.Fr: La découverte la mena à une salle cachée.En: The discovery led her to a hidden room.Fr: Là, elle trouva l'artefact, posé en toute sécurité.En: There, she found the artifact, safely placed.Fr: Julien, soucieux de le protéger pendant les rénovations, l'avait déplacé.En: Julien, concerned about protecting it during renovations, had moved it.Fr: Avec cette révélation, Éloise confronta Julien.En: With this revelation, Éloise confronted Julien.Fr: Il admit ses actions, réalisant que le secret avait causé inquiétude et confusion.En: He admitted his actions, realizing that the secrecy had caused worry and confusion.Fr: Il accepta la nécessité de plus de transparence.En: He acknowledged the need for more transparency.Fr: Margot, témoin de la scène, savait qu'elle tenait l'histoire idéale pour son journal.En: Margot, witnessing the scene, knew she had the ideal story for her newspaper.Fr: De retour, le précieux artefact retrouva sa place à l'abbaye.En: Upon their return, the precious artifact regained its place at the abbey.Fr: Éloise, confiante après sa découverte, comprenait mieux que jamais la valeur du travail d'équipe.En: Éloise, confident after her discovery, understood better than ever the value of teamwork.Fr: Julien, remerciant Éloise, promit de mieux communiquer.En: Julien, thanking Éloise, promised to communicate better.Fr: Quant à Margot, elle repartit avec un sourire satisfait et une exclusivité en main.En: As for Margot, she left with a satisfied smile and an exclusive story in hand.Fr: Mont Saint-Michel, majestueux dans la brume hivernale, avait retrouvé sa paix grâce à l'esprit aventureux d'Éloise et la persévérance de ses nouveaux alliés.En: Mont Saint-Michel, majestic in the winter mist, had regained its peace thanks to Éloise's adventurous spirit and the perseverance of her new allies. Vocabulary Words:the bell: la clochethe wave: la vaguemajestical: majestueuxthe abbey: l'abbayethe cobblestone: le pavéthe artifact: l'artefactthe urgency: l'urgencethe enigma: l'énigmethe reputation: la réputationthe monk: le moinethe parchment: le parcheminthe skepticism: le scepticismethe dusk: le crépusculethe mist: la brumethe hallway: le couloirthe stone: la pierrethe renovation: la rénovationthe revelation: la révélationthe secrecy: le secretthe transparency: la transparencethe witness: le témointhe scene: la scènethe newspaper: le journalthe curiosity: la curiositéthe adventure: l'aventurethe perseverance: la persévérancethe spirit: l'espritthe ally: l'alliéthe discovery: la découvertethe improvement: l'amélioration

Fluent Fiction - French: Unveiling the Winter Mystery: Élodie's Courageous Quest Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/fr/episode/2026-01-19-08-38-20-fr Story Transcript:Fr: Dans un petit village médiéval de France, l'hiver est froid et silencieux.En: In a small medieval village in France, winter is cold and silent.Fr: Les rues pavées sont couvertes de neige.En: The cobblestone streets are covered with snow.Fr: Au centre, une église de pierre se dresse fièrement.En: In the center, a stone church stands proudly.Fr: Il y a un mystère dans l'air.En: There is a mystery in the air.Fr: L'artefact précieux de l'église a disparu.En: The church's precious artifact has disappeared.Fr: Les villageois sont inquiets.En: The villagers are worried.Fr: Tout le monde parle de l'artefact.En: Everyone is talking about the artifact.Fr: Élodie, une jeune femme maligne et résolue, ne peut pas laisser cela ainsi.En: Élodie, a clever and determined young woman, cannot let it go like this.Fr: Élodie a un objectif : résoudre ce mystère.En: Élodie has one goal: to solve this mystery.Fr: Elle veut montrer à tous qu'elle est capable.En: She wants to show everyone that she is capable.Fr: Mais l'hiver est rude, et les malles à traverser.En: But the winter is harsh, and the challenges are many.Fr: Les villageois se soupçonnent les uns les autres.En: The villagers suspect one another.Fr: Pourtant, Élodie a remarqué quelque chose.En: However, Élodie has noticed something.Fr: Thibault, le forgeron, agit étrangement.En: Thibault, the blacksmith, is acting strangely.Fr: Il évite son regard.En: He avoids her gaze.Fr: Pourquoi est-il si nerveux ?En: Why is he so nervous?Fr: Élodie décide d'agir.En: Élodie decides to take action.Fr: Elle marche courageusement vers la forge.En: She walks courageously towards the forge.Fr: Il fait froid.En: It is cold.Fr: Son souffle forme de petits nuages blancs dans l'air.En: Her breath forms little white clouds in the air.Fr: Elle frappe à la porte de Thibault.En: She knocks on Thibault's door.Fr: Il ouvre, les yeux inquiets.En: He opens it, his eyes worried.Fr: "Élodie," dit-il, hésitant.En: "Élodie," he says, hesitantly.Fr: Elle entre, la chaleur du feu l'enveloppe.En: She enters, the warmth of the fire enveloping her.Fr: "Thibault, je sais que tu caches quelque chose," dit-elle doucement.En: "Thibault, I know you're hiding something," she says softly.Fr: "Parle-moi, je veux aider."En: "Talk to me, I want to help."Fr: Thibault tourne et retourne dans sa tête.En: Thibault turns it over and over in his mind.Fr: Il baisse les yeux.En: He lowers his eyes.Fr: "J'ai fait une erreur.En: "I made a mistake.Fr: J'ai accidentellement abîmé l'artefact.En: I accidentally damaged the artifact.Fr: Je l'ai caché.En: I hid it.Fr: J'avais peur," avoue-t-il finalement, la voix tremblante.En: I was scared," he finally admits, his voice trembling.Fr: Élodie regarde Thibault avec compréhension.En: Élodie looks at Thibault with understanding.Fr: "Nous pouvons le réparer ensemble," propose-t-elle.En: "We can repair it together," she suggests.Fr: Thibault hésite, puis acquiesce.En: Thibault hesitates, then nods.Fr: Ensemble, ils travaillent dur, leurs mains habiles restaurent l'artefact.En: Together, they work hard, their skillful hands restoring the artifact.Fr: La neige tombe doucement dehors, enveloppant le village d'un manteau blanc.En: The snow falls gently outside, wrapping the village in a white blanket.Fr: Le lendemain, ils retournent l'artefact à l'église, sans bruit.En: The next day, they return the artifact to the church, quietly.Fr: Personne ne sait ce qui s'est passé, mais il y a un changement dans le village.En: No one knows what happened, but there is a change in the village.Fr: Élodie a gagné confiance en elle.En: Élodie has gained confidence in herself.Fr: Thibault a appris l'importance de la vérité et de la confiance.En: Thibault has learned the importance of truth and trust.Fr: Leur secret est leur lien.En: Their secret is their bond.Fr: Les villageois remarquent que quelque chose a changé.En: The villagers notice that something has changed.Fr: Élodie et Thibault se regardent avec respect.En: Élodie and Thibault look at each other with respect.Fr: Le village continue de vivre sous le ciel d'hiver, mais l'atmosphère est différente.En: The village continues to live under the winter sky, but the atmosphere is different.Fr: La chaleur de l'amitié a éloigné le froid.En: The warmth of friendship has driven away the cold.Fr: La neige brille sous les faibles rayons du soleil.En: The snow glistens under the faint rays of the sun.Fr: Le mystère est résolu, et la paix est revenue.En: The mystery is solved, and peace has returned. Vocabulary Words:the village: le villagecold: froidsilent: silencieuxthe street: la ruethe snow: la neigethe stone: la pierrethe church: l'églisethe mystery: le mystèrethe artifact: l'artefactworried: inquietthe goal: l'objectifto solve: résoudreclever: malindetermined: résoluharsh: rudethe challenge: le malleto suspect: se soupçonnerstrangely: étrangementthe blacksmith: le forgeronto act: agirnervous: nerveuxcourageously: courageusementstrength: la forceto knock: frapperthe warmth: la chaleurto hide: cacherto admit: avouerto repair: réparerthe skillful hand: les mains habilesto restore: restaurer

Fluent Fiction - Dutch: The Case of Anne Frank's Vanished Diary: Mystery in Amsterdam Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/nl/episode/2026-01-18-08-38-20-nl Story Transcript:Nl: Het was een koude winterdag in Amsterdam.En: It was a cold winter day in Amsterdam.Nl: De sneeuwvlokken dwarrelden zachtjes naar beneden, bedekkend de straten met een witte glans.En: The snowflakes gently drifted down, covering the streets with a white sheen.Nl: Binnen in het Anne Frank Huis, was het warm en rustig.En: Inside the Anne Frank Huis, it was warm and quiet.Nl: Bezoekers stapten voorzichtig door de smalle gangen, hun stemmen gedempt uit respect voor het verleden.En: Visitors stepped carefully through the narrow corridors, their voices hushed out of respect for the past.Nl: Bastiaan, de toegewijde museumconservator, liep bezorgd door de tentoonstellingsruimte.En: Bastiaan, the dedicated museum curator, walked worriedly through the exhibition room.Nl: Zijn ogen zochten voortdurend naar het belangrijkste object in de collectie: het dagboek van Anne Frank.En: His eyes constantly searched for the most important object in the collection: Anne Frank's diary.Nl: Tot zijn schrik ontdekte hij dat het verdwenen was uit de vitrine.En: To his shock, he discovered that it had disappeared from the display case.Nl: Maartje, een oplettende bezoeker met een scherpe blik, merkte Bastiaans bezorgdheid op.En: Maartje, an observant visitor with a keen eye, noticed Bastiaan's concern.Nl: Ze was al gefascineerd door het verhaal van Anne Frank en voelde een prikkel van nieuwsgierigheid.En: She was already fascinated by Anne Frank's story and felt a twinge of curiosity.Nl: Ze besloot Bastiaan te benaderen.En: She decided to approach Bastiaan.Nl: "Is er iets mis?"En: "Is something wrong?"Nl: vroeg ze rustig.En: she asked quietly.Nl: Bastiaan zuchtte en legde de situatie uit.En: Bastiaan sighed and explained the situation.Nl: "Het dagboek is verdwenen, en met het beveiligingssysteem onderweg met een upgrade, weet ik niet zeker wat er is gebeurd."En: "The diary is missing, and with the security system undergoing an upgrade, I'm not sure what happened."Nl: Maartje's ogen glinsterden van interesse.En: Maartje's eyes sparkled with interest.Nl: "Misschien kan ik helpen," bood ze aan.En: "Maybe I can help," she offered.Nl: Ondanks zijn aanvankelijke aarzeling, stemde Bastiaan in.En: Despite his initial hesitation, Bastiaan agreed.Nl: Hij had hulp nodig en misschien kon Maartje iets zien dat hij over het hoofd had gezien.En: He needed help, and maybe Maartje could see something he had overlooked.Nl: De twee begonnen hun onderzoek.En: The two began their investigation.Nl: Bastiaan nam Maartje mee langs de werkplekken van het personeel, terwijl ze met elkaar stille hints en indrukken uitwisselden.En: Bastiaan took Maartje along the staff work areas, as they exchanged subtle hints and impressions with each other.Nl: Maartje's aandacht werd getrokken door tegenstrijdige verhalen van medewerkers.En: Maartje's attention was drawn to conflicting stories from staff members.Nl: Ze ontdekte dat sommige niet overeenkwamen.En: She discovered that some of them didn't match up.Nl: "Er is iets vreemds aan de hand," fluisterde ze aan Bastiaan.En: "There's something strange going on," she whispered to Bastiaan.Nl: Ze besloten om de minder bezochte delen van het museum te onderzoeken.En: They decided to investigate the less frequented parts of the museum.Nl: In een stoffige opslagruimte, troffen ze een medewerker die zich vreemd gedroeg aan.En: In a dusty storage room, they encountered a staff member behaving oddly.Nl: Met een beetje speurwerk vonden ze het dagboek, zorgvuldig verborgen.En: With a bit of detective work, they found the diary, carefully hidden.Nl: De medewerker had het plan om het te verkopen.En: The staff member had planned to sell it.Nl: Bastiaan voelde zowel woede als opluchting.En: Bastiaan felt both anger and relief.Nl: Ze hadden hun man.En: They had their culprit.Nl: Het dagboek werd veilig teruggebracht naar zijn rechtmatige plaats.En: The diary was safely returned to its rightful place.Nl: Bastiaan realiseerde zich dat hij anderen kon vertrouwen en voelde een last van zijn schouders vallen.En: Bastiaan realized he could trust others and felt a weight lift off his shoulders.Nl: Hij beloofde de beveiliging te verbeteren en leerde te vertrouwen op de inzichten van anderen.En: He promised to improve the security and learned to rely on the insights of others.Nl: Maartje voelde een sprankeling van trots.En: Maartje felt a spark of pride.Nl: Ze had het mysterie opgelost.En: She had solved the mystery.Nl: Deze ervaring gaf haar de moed om haar nieuwsgierigheid verder te volgen, misschien zelfs in een carrière in de recherche.En: This experience gave her the courage to pursue her curiosity further, perhaps even into a career in detective work.Nl: Zo hielp een ijverige curator en een oplettende bezoeker elkaar niet alleen een museum te beschermen, maar ook om te groeien in hun persoonlijke reizen.En: Thus, a diligent curator and an observant visitor not only helped protect a museum but also grew in their personal journeys.Nl: Terwijl de sneeuw bleef vallen op Amsterdam, schitterde het dagboek weer veilig achter glas, klaar om de wereld opnieuw te inspireren.En: As the snow continued to fall on Amsterdam, the diary shone securely behind glass again, ready to inspire the world anew. Vocabulary Words:gently: zachtjessheen: glanscorridor: ganghushed: gedemptcurator: conservatorexhibition: tentoonstellingshocked: geschrokkendisplay case: vitrineobservant: oplettendtwinge: prikkelsituation: situatieundergoing: onderwegupgrade: upgradesparkled: glinsterdeninitial: aanvankelijkehesitation: aarzelingsubtle: stilleimpressions: indrukkenconflicting: tegenstrijdigestrange: vreemdsfrequented: bezochtestorage: opslagoddly: vreemddetective work: speurwerkculprit: daderrightful: rechtmatigeinsights: inzichtenresolved: opgelostcourage: moedinspire: inspireren

A life-altering cancer diagnosis after a 30-year career in healthcare administration led Jane Rubin to find her voice—and her ancestors—through the power of historical fiction.In this episode of Real Things Living, host Brigitte Cutshall connects with two-time cancer survivor and author Jane Rubin. Jane opens up about her journey with the BRCA gene mutation, explaining how a breast cancer diagnosis actually saved her life by revealing a high genetic risk for other cancers. This health battle ignited a passion for tracing her family history, leading her to discover "Tilly Mathilda," a relative who died of a "woman's disease" in 1925 and whose name had been forgotten by time.Jane transformed these discoveries into the Gilded City trilogy, blending meticulous medical history—from the "golden window" of WWI ambulance services to the early days of reproductive rights—with the emotional resilience of the women who lived through it. Learn more about Jane Rubin and the "Gilded City Trilogy" at https://janeloberubin.comhttps://www.instagram.com/janeloebrubin/Support ovarian cancer research through the Mathilda Fund - https://www.janeloebrubin.com/mathilda-fund

Jessica McCann is an award-winning historical novelist and has worked as a professional writer and journalist for more than 35 years. One of her earliest assignments as a freelance writer was covering a new surgical radiation technique for destroying brain tumors, during which she donned scrubs and observed inside the operating room. Since then, her reporting and creative nonfiction has appeared in dozens of magazines, including Business Week, The Writer, Phoenix, Raising Arizona Kids and ASU Research.McCann's debut novel, All Different Kinds of Free, was awarded the Freedom in Fiction Prize. Her second, Peculiar Savage Beauty, was named Arizona Book of the Year and shortlisted for the international Rubery Book Award. Bitter Thaw, McCann's most recent release, was named 2023 Best Indie Book by Shelf Unbound magazine and received the Gold Award for Historical Fiction from Foreword INDIES. In all her writing, McCann shares stories of ordinary people overcoming adversity to accomplish extraordinary things. Layered themes of nature, forgiveness, community, acceptance, and perseverance are another hallmark of her work.Connect: www.JessicaMcCann.comamazon.com/stores/author/B004V9UD58x.com/JMcCannWriterinstagram.com/jmccannwritergoodreads.com/jessicamccannWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://peculiarbookclub.com/⁠⁠Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://subscribepage.io/schillacenews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VIP Membership: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://payhip.com/PeculiarBookClub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@PeculiarBookClub/streams⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@peculiarbookclub.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/groups/peculiarbooksclub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thepeculiarbookclub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview John Phillips, author of the Vietnam-era historical fiction, Dress Whites.Opening ThoughtsThe crew re-examines their predictions for 2025—and didn't do half bad.News1) Readers Rebel Against Titles with Excessive SEO Keywords2) Harlequin Uses AI Translation ServiceCraft CornerBetsey Kulakowski (The Veritas Codex) discusses why you should write the book only you can write.Interview with John PhillipsParting WordsDon't forget to register for the WriterCon Cruise! This time, we're leaving from Ft Lauderdale for an eight-day voyage. So beautiful tropical vistas plus over twenty hours of writing instruction from Lara and I, plus Betsey Kulakowski and an onboard agent (Katherine Sands) who will happily talk to every participant. Don't miss out. Plan now to be with us March 7-15. Visit the WriterCon website for more info.Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.William Bernhardtwww.williambernhardt.comwww.writercon.com

Fluent Fiction - Danish: Unlocking Viking Secrets: A Writer's Journey to Inspiration Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/da/episode/2026-01-12-08-38-20-da Story Transcript:Da: Sne var roligt dryssende over de gamle, næsten forsagte vikingeruiner.En: Snow was softly drifting over the ancient, almost forgotten Viking ruins.Da: Billedet var som taget ud af en historie - et panorama hvor tiden havde sat sit præg.En: The scene looked like something out of a story—a panorama where time had left its mark.Da: Lars gik forsigtigt gennem landskabet, det knirkede let under hans støvler.En: Lars walked carefully through the landscape; it creaked slightly under his boots.Da: Lars havde altid følt en dragning mod historiens dybder.En: Lars had always felt a pull toward the depths of history.Da: Det var derfor, han var her.En: That was why he was here.Da: Han søgte efter inspiration til sin nye roman, håbede at finde noget unikt blandt fortidens brudstykker.En: He sought inspiration for his new novel, hoping to find something unique among the fragments of the past.Da: Hans sind var åbent for de fortællinger, som ruinerne kunne havne på papir.En: His mind was open to the stories the ruins could transcribe onto paper.Da: Foran ruinerne stod Freja.En: In front of the ruins stood Freja.Da: Hun var dagens turguide, og hendes øjne strålede, da hun talte.En: She was the tour guide for the day, and her eyes shone as she spoke.Da: “Disse ruiner var engang hjemsted for både storhed og hverdag,” sagde hun med passion.En: "These ruins once were home to both grandeur and daily life," she said with passion.Da: Alligevel kunne hun ikke fjerne en vis uro, en hvisken af tvivl, når hun følte folks skepsis over hendes ord.En: Yet, she couldn't shake a certain unease, a whisper of doubt, when she sensed people's skepticism about her words.Da: Lars' blik mødte Frejas, og skepsis lyste i hans ansigt.En: Lars' gaze met Freja's, and skepticism shone on his face.Da: “Er alt det her virkelig sandt?” spurgte han.En: "Is all of this really true?" he asked.Da: Freja tøvede et sekund.En: Freja hesitated for a second.Da: “Det siger alle kilderne,” svarede hun.En: "That's what all the sources say," she replied.Da: “Men... jeg har også altid følt en indre forbindelse her.”En: "But... I have always felt an inner connection here too."Da: Emil, en ivrig turist, havde et skævt smil.En: Emil, an eager tourist, had a crooked smile.Da: “Freja,” sagde han, “du gør historien levende.En: "Freja," he said, "you bring history to life.Da: Det kan vi alle mærke.”En: We can all feel it."Da: Efter turen tog Lars mod til sig.En: After the tour, Lars gathered the courage.Da: Han gik hen til Freja, mens de andre besøgende spredtes.En: He walked over to Freja, as the other visitors dispersed.Da: “Jeg vil gerne høre mere,” sagde han.En: "I want to hear more," he said.Da: “Om stedet.En: "About the place.Da: Og dig.”En: And about you."Da: Freja så overrasket ud, men hun nikkede.En: Freja looked surprised, but she nodded.Da: De gik sammen gennem ruinerne, hvor hun fortalte om dette sted og sin egen rejse med historie.En: They walked together through the ruins, where she spoke of this place and her own journey with history.Da: Pludselig tog deres samtale en drejning, da de opdagede en gammel, næsten glemt artefakt halv begravet i sneen. En lille bronzefigur, der glimrede svagt.En: Suddenly, their conversation took a turn when they discovered an old, almost forgotten artifact half-buried in the snow—a small bronze figure, faintly glimmering.Da: Deres øjne mødtes over den delte opdagelse, og begge smilede spontant.En: Their eyes met over the shared discovery, and both smiled spontaneously.Da: Det var som om denne enkelhed af fortidens fragment var en bro mellem deres verdener.En: It was as if this simple fragment of the past was a bridge between their worlds.Da: Sammen undersøgte de figuren.En: Together, they examined the figure.Da: Det var mere end en genstand - det var et vidnesbyrd om menneskers fortællinger.En: It was more than an object—it was a testament to human stories.Da: Lars følte sit hjerte lette.En: Lars felt his heart lighten.Da: Da dagen sluttede, gik Lars videre med en ny gnist af inspiration.En: As the day ended, Lars moved forward with a new spark of inspiration.Da: Frejas sande passion havde vækket noget i ham.En: Freja's true passion had awakened something in him.Da: Han vidste nu, at hans næste hovedperson skulle have Frejas ild.En: He now knew that his next main character should have Freja's fire.Da: Og Freja selv?En: And Freja herself?Da: Hun endte med en bekræftelse i sin viden - hun behøvede ikke tvivle længere.En: She ended with a reassurance in her knowledge—she no longer needed to doubt.Da: De gik derfra, begge forandrede, begge med noget mere end da dagen begyndte.En: They left, both changed, both with more than they had at the beginning of the day. Vocabulary Words:drifting: dryssendeancient: gamlepanorama: panoramacreaked: knirkededepths: dybderinspiration: inspirationfragments: brudstykkertranscribe: havnetour guide: turguidegrandeur: storhedunease: uroskepticism: skepsisinner connection: indre forbindelseeager: ivrigjourney: rejseartifact: artefaktbronze: bronzefigurglimmering: glimredeshared: deltediscovery: opdagelseexamine: undersøgtetestament: vidnesbyrdspontaneously: spontantspark: gnistfire: ildreassurance: bekræftelseknowledge: videnlighten: lettedispersed: spredtespassion: passion

Fluent Fiction - Swedish: Unity at the Roman Market: A Saturnalia Success Story Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/sv/episode/2026-01-12-23-34-01-sv Story Transcript:Sv: I en gammal romersk marknad vimlar det av människor.En: In an old Roman market, it is bustling with people.Sv: Det är vinter och alla förbereder sig för Saturnalia, en viktig högtid.En: It is winter, and everyone is preparing for Saturnalia, an important festival.Sv: Bland stånden syns Oskar och Freja.En: Among the stalls are Oskar and Freja.Sv: Oskar är en skicklig handlare.En: Oskar is a skilled trader.Sv: Han kämpar med oron för att inte kunna köpa det han behöver till sin familjs fest.En: He struggles with the worry of not being able to buy what he needs for his family's celebration.Sv: Freja är en hantverkare.En: Freja is a craftsperson.Sv: Hon har vackert keramik och vill byta det mot mat till sitt samhälle.En: She has beautiful ceramics and wants to trade them for food for her community.Sv: Det är svårt nu.En: Times are tough now.Sv: Vinterkylan har gjort att det finns färre varor till salu.En: The winter cold has resulted in fewer goods for sale.Sv: Människor knuffas i skydd av sina stora mantlar och letar efter de bästa affärerna.En: People jostle under the protection of their large cloaks, searching for the best deals.Sv: Oskar och Freja ser på varandra.En: Oskar and Freja look at each other.Sv: De känner till varandras mål och kämpar om samma varor.En: They know each other's goals and are competing for the same goods.Sv: Men de bestämmer sig för att hjälpa varandra.En: But they decide to help each other.Sv: De hoppas att deras samlade krafter kan övertyga den hårdnackade försäljaren vid ett av stånden.En: They hope that their combined efforts can convince the stubborn seller at one of the stalls.Sv: Tillsammans går de genom marknaden.En: Together they walk through the market.Sv: Alla dofter av kryddor, rökelse och rostade kastanjer fyller luften.En: All the scents of spices, incense, and roasted chestnuts fill the air.Sv: De kommer fram till en handlarens stånd.En: They arrive at a merchant's stall.Sv: Mannen bakom bordet är känd som besvärlig.En: The man behind the table is known as difficult.Sv: Hans ögon är vaksamma, och han kramar sina varor som om de vore guld.En: His eyes are watchful, and he clutches his goods as if they were gold.Sv: "Vi vill köpa tillräckligt för Saturnalia," säger Oskar.En: "We want to buy enough for Saturnalia," says Oskar.Sv: Freja visar honom sin keramik.En: Freja shows him her ceramics.Sv: "Och vi har dessa vackra skålar att erbjuda," tillägger hon.En: "And we have these beautiful bowls to offer," she adds.Sv: Handlaren skakar först på huvudet.En: The merchant shakes his head at first.Sv: "Det är en sträng vinter.En: "It's a harsh winter.Sv: Varor är dyra."En: Goods are expensive."Sv: Men Oskar och Freja ger inte upp.En: But Oskar and Freja do not give up.Sv: De börjar förhandla, deras ord en dans av strategier och övertygelse.En: They begin to negotiate, their words a dance of strategies and persuasion.Sv: Människor samlas runtomkring för att se den spännande förhandlingen.En: People gather around to watch the exciting negotiation.Sv: Spänningen ökar tills handlaren till slut suckar.En: The tension builds until the merchant finally sighs.Sv: "Ni är ihärdiga," säger han, och hans ansikte mjuknar.En: "You are persistent," he says, and his face softens.Sv: "Vi kan nog hitta ett bra pris."En: "We can probably find a good price."Sv: Oskar och Freja skakar hand med honom, glada och lättade.En: Oskar and Freja shake hands with him, happy and relieved.Sv: De ser på varandra och inser att samarbetet var nyckeln.En: They look at each other and realize that cooperation was the key.Sv: De har lärt sig något viktigt: ibland behövs två för att lyckas där en ensam kan misslyckas.En: They have learned something important: sometimes it takes two to succeed where one alone might fail.Sv: När de går hemåt bär de sina inköp tillsammans, med framtiden klarare och festen säkrad.En: As they head home, they carry their purchases together, with the future looking brighter and the celebration secured. Vocabulary Words:bustling: vimlarpreparing: förbereder sigskilled: skickligtrader: handlarestruggles: kämparcraftsperson: hantverkareceramics: keramiktough: svårtjostle: knuffasprotection: skyddgoals: målcompeting: kämparstubborn: hårdnackadescents: dofterincense: rökelsemerchant: handlarenwatchful: vaksammaclutches: kramarbowl: skålharsh: strängnegotiate: förhandlastrategies: strategierpersuasion: övertygelsetension: spänningpersistent: ihärdigacooperation: samarbetetsucceed: lyckascarries: bärfuture: framtidensecured: säkrad

Debut novelist and 2023 Reese's Book Club LitUp fellow Allison King on blending history with magical realism, and what it takes to build a writing life while navigating the modern publishing landscape.We discuss:Allison's early relationship with stories and the role her grandmother played in shaping it.The path from fan fiction and short stories to publishing a debut novel.The dual timeline and braided structure of The Phoenix Pencil Company, moving between WWII-era Shanghai and contemporary Cambridge.Building a magic system at the heart of the novel, and why its consequences matter more than its mechanics.Pragmatic outlining and structural tools (including reverse outlining) for managing timeline-heavy drafts.Researching family history without turning the book into an autobiography.Writing about Alzheimer's with care, and what Allison learned in revision about emotional precision.Resources and Links:Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi ThorpeRedwall by Brian JacquesThe Phoenix Pencil Company by Allison King Last Boat Out of Shanghai by Helen Zia LitUp FellowshipOnce Upon a Time in Dollywood by Ashley Jordan My Brilliant Friend by Elena FerranteA Tale For the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki About Allison KingAllison King is an Asian American writer and software engineer based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In technology, her work has ranged from semiconductors to platforms for community conversations to data privacy. Her short stories have appeared in Fantasy Magazine, Diabolical Plots, and LeVar Burton Reads, among others. She is also a 2023 Reese's Book Club LitUp fellow. The Phoenix Pencil Company is her first novel. For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers' Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS' SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you're enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Fluent Fiction - Swedish: When Stories Collide: Secrets of Creative Unions in Stockholm Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/sv/episode/2026-01-11-23-34-02-sv Story Transcript:Sv: Snön föll tyst över Gamla Stan i Stockholm.En: The snow fell silently over Gamla Stan in Stockholm.Sv: Värmen från Old Town Café lockade in kalla vandrare, och inuti svepte doften av kanelkaffe runt bordens små samtal.En: The warmth from Old Town Café lured in cold wanderers, and inside, the scent of cinnamon coffee swirled around the tables' small conversations.Sv: Elof satt vid sitt favoritbord i hörnet.En: Elof sat at his favorite table in the corner.Sv: Han satt med blicken fäst vid en tom sida i sitt anteckningsblock.En: He sat with his gaze fixed on an empty page in his notebook.Sv: Orden ville inte flöda, och klockan tickade obarmhärtigt mot hans deadline.En: The words would not flow, and the clock was mercilessly ticking towards his deadline.Sv: Vid ett bord nära fönstret satt Signe, en ivrig historia-student med högar av böcker runt sig.En: At a table near the window sat Signe, an eager history student surrounded by piles of books.Sv: Hon granskade textstycken, letade efter de personliga historier som skulle göra hennes avhandling levande.En: She was examining texts, searching for personal stories that would bring her thesis to life.Sv: Elof suckade djupt och började stilla lyssna på samtalen omkring honom.En: Elof sighed deeply and began quietly listening to the conversations around him.Sv: Kanske kunde någon annans berättelse ge bränsle till hans egna ord.En: Maybe someone else's story could fuel his own words.Sv: Samtidigt hörde Signe hans frustration.En: At the same time, Signe heard his frustration.Sv: Hon såg hans förtvivlan och tvekade innan hon började prata.En: She saw his despair and hesitated before she began to speak.Sv: "Behöver du hjälp?"En: "Do you need help?"Sv: frågade Signe försiktigt.En: asked Signe cautiously.Sv: "Jag har gott om historier, om än gamla."En: "I have plenty of stories, albeit old ones."Sv: Elof höjde ett ögonbryn, överraskad men nyfiken.En: Elof raised an eyebrow, surprised but curious.Sv: "Vad skriver du om?"En: "What are you writing about?"Sv: undrade han.En: he wondered.Sv: "Stockholm.En: "Stockholm.Sv: Gamla Stan.En: Gamla Stan.Sv: Jag söker de små historierna, de som ger liv åt det förflutna," svarade Signe med ett leende.En: I'm looking for the little stories, the ones that bring the past to life," answered Signe with a smile.Sv: De två sjönk ner i en samtalstornado, där Signe delade historier om gamla tiders Stockholmsbor, och Elof började formulera berättelser som broade historia med fantasi.En: The two sank into a whirlwind of conversation, where Signe shared stories about the old-time residents of Stockholm, and Elof began crafting tales that bridged history with fantasy.Sv: Under tiden utvecklades en vänskap mellan orden, och berättelserna flödade lättare.En: Meanwhile, a friendship developed between the words, and the stories flowed more easily.Sv: När kvällen närmade sig och snön täckte gatorna tjockare, kände Elof en välbekant kreativ gnista tändas.En: As evening approached and the snow covered the streets thicker, Elof felt a familiar creative spark ignite.Sv: Han log på ett sätt Signe snart ansåg vänligt och uppskattande.En: He smiled in a way Signe soon considered friendly and appreciative.Sv: "Tack," sa Elof.En: "Thank you," said Elof.Sv: "Dina historier har gett mig mycket att tänka på."En: "Your stories have given me much to think about."Sv: "Ibland krävs det någons perspektiv för att se klarare," svarade Signe.En: "Sometimes it takes someone's perspective to see more clearly," responded Signe.Sv: "Jag har också lärt mig något, om hur man kan fånga människor i text."En: "I've also learned something about how to capture people in text."Sv: Med det satte Elof ihop sitt anteckningsblock och lämnade caféet med en ny idé.En: With that, Elof packed up his notebook and left the café with a new idea.Sv: Snön dämpade ljuden utanför, men hans steg var lätta.En: The snow muffled the sounds outside, but his steps were light.Sv: Signe satt kvar, inspirerad, tänkande på hur viktigt det är att berätta varje berättelse med hjärta och själ.En: Signe remained, inspired, pondering how important it is to tell each story with heart and soul.Sv: I det lugna hörnet av caféet hade mer än en kreativ gnista tänts, och både Elof och Signe insåg nu värdet av att dela sina världar med varandra.En: In the quiet corner of the café, more than one creative spark had been ignited, and both Elof and Signe now realized the value of sharing their worlds with each other. Vocabulary Words:silently: tystlured: lockadewanderers: vandrareswirled: sveptegaze: blickenmercilessly: obarmhärtigteager: ivrigexamining: granskadethesis: avhandlingdespair: förtvivlancautiously: försiktigthesitated: tvekadealbeit: om äneyebrow: ögonbryncurious: nyfikenperspective: perspektivwhirlwind: samtalstornadocrafting: formulerafriendship: vänskapignite: tändaappreciative: uppskattandemuffled: dämpadepondering: tänkandequiet: lugnafuel: bränslespark: gnistacapturing: fångasoul: själflow: flöda

Today we have the pleasure of sharing an episode from one of our favorite podcasts, the Lit Ladies Podcast. Here is more about their show: We are three writers and moms exploring how to live out our faith in our literary lives. We span the country—from the coasts to the Midwest—and with different stages of life, careers, and favorite genres, we are sure to cover the literary landscape. In every episode, we'll discuss books we love, reading life, and writing craft, using the Bible as our guide for beauty, goodness, and truth. New episodes drop every other Friday! Historical Fiction, War Stories, and What We Sip While We Read This Lit Ladies Podcast crossover with the Historical Bookworm team covers why historical fiction matters, how war settings shape stories, and what everyone is reading right now. Key takeaways Historical fiction makes history personal, which helps you see how everyday people lived. Accuracy matters most when it grounds the characters and the social pressures of the era. War settings work best when the focus stays on human cost, resilience, and the ripple effects on families. Reading older books can mean meeting older blind spots, which calls for discernment instead of reflexive dismissal. Lesser-known conflicts can add fresh perspective, especially when anchored in solid research. Welcome to the crossover Karissa: Hello and welcome to the Lit Ladies Podcast. Today we’re doing a special crossover episode with our friends KyLee Woodley and Darcy Fornier and their historical fiction podcast. We’re so excited to have you here today. Darcy: So excited to be here. We have so much fun hanging out with you guys. KyLee: Thanks for the invite. Glad to be here. Karissa: KyLee Woodley is a podcaster and author of the Outlaw Hearts series, adventure romances set in the American Wild West. Darcy Fornier is a podcaster and author of The Crown and the Axe, and they are both the hosts of the Historical Bookworm podcast, which is in its fifth season. It’s for lovers of inspirational historical fiction, and the show features author interviews, bookish and historical segments, and a wide variety of guests, from Christy Award-winners to high-quality indie authors. Favorite reading beverages Karissa: Before we jump in today, I want to know what is everyone’s favorite reading beverage of choice? Christie: I usually drink water, or else I don’t really drink anything because I’m too busy speed reading. But today for the podcast, since we’re doing it in the morning, I get to drink coffee. Darcy: Usually coffee. If I said anything else, my sisters would say I was lying. But I also enjoy hot chocolate or tea. Anything hot. I’m not going to be drinking lemonade even in the summer. KyLee: The nice thing about being in the South is that the AC is always blasting. So it’s hot cocoa, coffee, soup, any time of the day. My current favorite beverage to go with my reading, which I seldom read, but audiobooks, big on audiobooks these days, is the Iced Pecan Crunch Oat Milk Latte. I don’t usually go to Starbucks. I find their coffee very bitter, but this is a blonde espresso. I get it without the foam. It’s too sweet and it takes up too much in my cup. Karissa: I like to drink herbal tea. That’s my main comfort drink. Why historical fiction Karissa: What draws you to historical fiction? KyLee: For me, I like the nostalgia. I grew up very sheltered. We didn’t have a TV until I was 12. My mom would just drop us off at the library, then go shopping, then pick us up whenever. We always had audiobooks or books on tape. When we did get a TV, it was black and white. We watched a lot of black and white shows. For me, I remember those good times with old classic films and literature. There’s also this idea of, “What was.” Historical and fantasy are best friends because there’s that sense of wonder. But historical is like, this really did happen. This was really true. I like to dig into history and see who someone was, and go back to where they were if that’s possible. I love to research the way people lived and thought, the things they invented, and how resourceful they were. Darcy: Mine is similar. It’s about the people that came before, and how their stories influenced our lives today. You can go to historical sites and almost touch the lives that they had there. We tend to study history as the big overview. This person was king, these wars happened, all this stuff. Historical fiction lets you dive into what it was like for the day-to-day person. Even if you’re writing about a king, you’re asking what motivated him and what it felt like. People are people as long as they’ve lived. Karissa: That’s my favorite part too. How did people actually live, what challenges did they face, and what did they wear? KyLee: I also like when an author challenges what we accept as historical norms. Bring out something different that we wouldn’t expect. Like a female rancher who ran a ranch with hundreds of cowboys. I heard on a podcast that there was an African-American college in Waco in the 1860s. I had never heard of that. I want to learn the things that go against what people believe as a whole. I want to see the people who were counterculture in their time. Christie: Whoever wins writes the history book. There’s so much that was lived and done that you don’t know about because it was shut down, or the history books made it seem nice and clean. Favorite eras and the appeal of time travel Karissa: Christie, do you have a favorite era to read or write about? Christie: I haven’t read much historical in a while. I used to read a lot of Jen Turano because her voice is funny, witty, and sharp. For an era, late 1800s to 1940s. If there’s too much work to live, it pulls me out. I’m modern. I don’t want to learn about churning butter. Darcy: A few modern conveniences is okay. Christie: I would do a castle, like medieval, every now and then. KyLee: That’s what’s fun about time travel or slip time. You get the comparison. Especially time travel, when someone modern comes into the past and you see how they react to everything. Karissa: I just discovered Gabrielle Meyer. It’s sort of time travel. KyLee: In those books, the women exist in two timelines until a certain age. Then they have to choose which timeline they’ll live in. What’s fun is that she explores different eras. You get contrast between two past timelines, like the Civil War and the 1920s. Christie: I’d choose the ’20s, not the war. Karissa: I love the Victorian era and the Regency era. I also love reading classics written in the period. You get the perspective of someone who lived in that era and took so much for granted. Darcy: If you read Jane Austen, she doesn’t explain everything because her readers would understand it. Then you read a Regency novel by a modern author, and they explain everything. It’s cool to do both. Karissa: Darcy and KyLee, do you have favorite time periods? Darcy: Medieval is my favorite to read in and write in. Then the Regency era, then the American West. I probably read mostly Westerns. Some people say cowboys are the truest heirs to medieval knights. There are similarities in how unlawful it could feel. There was law in both places, but it only extended so far. Christie: I watch black and white westerns with my mom. The body count is wild. They’re just shooting people in the street and it’s cool. I would never want to live back then. KyLee: I overanalyze it too. It’s set in the 1800s, but it was made in the ’40s or ’50s. So I’m thinking about their worldview and ideologies, and how that shaped what they presented. Christie: They’re pretty racist. Sometimes I’m like, how is this still on TV? Darcy: Everything we write is a product of our time. It’s just more glaring the further back you go. KyLee: I started Gone with the Wind. It’s too long for my taste. Some language made me pause. Karissa: We never see the sins of our own era. Our descendants will look back and see the sins of today. Darcy: Grace Livingstone Hill wrote in the late 1800s and early 1900s. You see elements of racism and classism, and ideas like bloodline influencing character. Looking through modern eyes, it’s horrible. She’s still one of my favorites because her stories are sweet and encouraging in faith, but you see how even a good person is a product of their time. KyLee: That’s why it’s important to be kind. I’m not going to stop reading her because I can see flaws. Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. Karissa: That comes up in English teaching too. How do you teach classics responsibly without canceling them completely? War settings in historical fiction Karissa: I wanted to talk about books set during wars. We see a lot set with the backdrop of World War II. Do you have a favorite war setting to read about, and any favorite books? KyLee: I’ve always been drawn to the Civil War. When I was growing up, there were quite a few Civil War movies and books in the Christian genre. The brother against brother aspect pulls me in. As an adult, I look at the events that led up to it and grimace, hoping history doesn’t repeat itself. More recently, the Franco-Prussian War, partly because some of my ancestors' sisters came over during that time. It only lasted about a year. France declared it, and France lost. Their people suffered. Germany demanded huge remunerations in gold. By today’s standards, I did the math before we started, it was about 84 to 95 billion dollars. (FACT CHECK – In today’s purchasing power, estimates for that 5 billion francs generally range between $80 billion and $100 billion USD.) France had promised not to tax people during the war, but afterward they charged back taxes. There was a civil uprising in Paris, and a week-long massacre called the Bloody Week. That history comes into book one of the Outlaw Heart series. It’s lesser known French history. My people were German, and my characters are French, but I was fascinated by it. You don’t hear about that war as much. Darcy: That’s obscure for Americans because it didn’t affect us directly, so it doesn’t make it into our history books. But it made a huge difference in Europe. KyLee: My dad’s side always wrote Prussia on census records, not Germany. That led me to dig into where Prussia was and how that history unfolded. Writing trauma and war without being gratuitous Karissa: What challenges did you find writing about something so difficult in a way that worked for your story? KyLee: The main character in book one, Lorraine, lived through the Bloody Week. She’s in America now. I looked at where she is as an immigrant and how she tries to settle when there is nothing left for her in France. People were rounded up, imprisoned, and shipped off to New Caledonia, a penal colony near Australia, I believe. No trial. Later, there were pardons, but many people were still imprisoned because they were never tried, and their names were never even taken down. Lorraine is haunted by the past and has post-traumatic stress disorder. She refuses to speak English even though she understands it. She holds tightly to French roots, clothing, and food, and stays close to other French people. Jesse challenges her to put down roots in a country where she feels like an alien. That Bible phrase kept coming up to me, be kind to the immigrant, the alien, the foreigner. Remember when you were in Egypt and you were a stranger in a strange land. For research, I relied on as many documents as I could find, plus academic papers written about the Bloody Week and why it happened. I want to respect history and the people who lived it. Karissa: I love how you included the war because we feel the weight she carries without putting everything on the page in an overly graphic way. Christie: The Bandit’s Redemption is the first in the series. It has such a pretty cover too. Darcy: It’s such a good one. Darcy's pick: World War II Karissa: Darcy, do you have a favorite war setting? Darcy: Probably World War II, because it’s so vast. You have the European theater and the Pacific theater, plus the home front in America and Britain. Every time I pick up a World War II book, it’s like, “I did not know that.” The Civil War is hard for me. I grew up in Georgia, and in some places it feels like it happened this century. It was my country. World War II lets me detach a bit more. I did read one Civil War book by Rosanna M. White that was fabulous, Dreams of Savannah. It handled the loyalty conflict very gracefully. Karissa: What makes a good war book? Christie: Accuracy doesn’t matter much to me because I’m not going to catch mistakes. I want characters and their journeys, battles and close calls, romance, and a happy ending. Darcy: I appreciate historical facts because I want to be grounded in the setting. But if I’m reading fiction, I’m there for story and characters. I want to see what the war is doing to them, to their society, to their family, and how it changes their lives. KyLee: I want it at the character level too. I also like seeing people on both sides. I want everyday heroes, and small choices that mattered. I also love surprising historical technology I didn’t know about. Karissa: Accuracy matters to me, but not at the expense of story. I just want what happens to feel believable for the era. In Regency romances, for example, two people being alone in a room can be a big deal. A kiss behind a barn could ruin lives. Darcy: Historical characters in books sometimes have a modern disregard for societal pressure, which is inaccurate. We all feel societal pressure today too. It’s just different pressures. When classics meet modern retellings Christie: Karissa, you like reading the Brontës because they wrote in that time. Do they have stolen kisses, or is it different because they were writing then? Karissa: If it’s Emily and Wuthering Heights, it’s more dramatic and Gothic. With Jane Eyre, I think it’s more bound by the era. Darcy: If someone did a modern retelling, I think they’d put stolen kisses in. KyLee: It depends on the character and how they were raised. There were orphanages and homes for widows who were pregnant, and women who had gotten pregnant outside marriage. There are records showing pregnancies starting before marriage dates in some places in the 1700s. On the whole, the societal expectation mattered. So you need to look at your character. If she’s proper and ladylike, she probably won’t have modern levels of physical intimacy. Karissa has proofread my stuff and told me, this would never happen. She was right. It pushes you to be creative. Make the little things special too. Karissa: What might seem small to us might be very steamy to someone in the Regency era. Like touching a hand without a glove. Darcy: He’ll be proposing within the week. War book recommendations and lesser-known conflicts Christie: I read The Ice Swan by J'nell Ciesielski. That was during the Russian Revolution in 1917. I remember really liking that one. Darcy: Rosemary Sutcliff does this well in her books about Britain after Rome officially withdrew. It spans generations. The first is The Eagle of the Ninth. It’s technically YA and she wrote in the 1950s or ’60s. Sword at Sunset is an adult book with some adult content. She personalizes the conflict and shows conflicting loyalties, and friendships across cultures. It’s history, not fantasy. Karissa: Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys. Not to be confused with anything else. It’s YA historical set during World War II, but it focuses on Stalin’s reign and deportations to Siberia. It takes place in Lithuania and the Baltic states, where there were multiple occupations. It’s about a girl whose family is sent to a prison camp. I studied abroad in Lithuania, so that history sticks with me. Ruta Sepetys researches a lot and her books are well done. Kelly mentioned The Women by Kristin Hannah, set during the Vietnam War. Darcy: I had someone tell me she read The Women three times because it was so good. It's on my list. My sister highly recommends Kristin Hannah. She read The Nightingale and said it was worth the pain. Christie: I need happy ones. I can only do one super tearjerker a year. What everyone is currently reading KyLee: I borrowed The Dark of the Moon by Fiona Valpy. I’ve read The Dressmaker’s Gift and The Beekeeper’s Promise by her. They're World War II, like French resistance. Melanie Dobson does this well too, like The Curator’s Daughter, a time slip about a woman married to a Nazi soldier. I like books that feel sobering, like they changed my life. I also borrowed Angel from the East by Barbara A. Curtis. I borrowed The Winter Rose by Melanie Dobson, a World War II story about a lady who helps rescue Jewish children. Darcy: I just finished The Bounty Hunter’s Surrender by KyLee Woodley. I had never read it cover to cover. I helped brainstorm, and apparently the villain is my fault. I enjoyed it so much. I’m also reading a contemporary by Becky Wade, Turn to Me, in her Misty River romance series set in Northeast Georgia. I know exactly what she’s describing. Christie: I’m reading The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena. Karissa: I'm listening to the audiobook of Long Bright River by Liz Moore. It’s about a police officer in Philadelphia. Her sister struggles with addiction, then goes missing. There are flashbacks and a modern timeline, plus mysterious murders. I can't stop listening. Where to find Historical Bookworm and Lit Ladies KyLee: You can connect with us at HistoricalBookworm.com. You can find me at KyLeeWoodley.com and Darcy at DarcyFornier.com Darcy: I’m most active on Instagram, DarcyFornierWriter Karissa: Thank you for joining us today on our literary journey. If you love the podcast, share it with a friend and rate and review. And don’t forget to follow us on social media at Lit Ladies Pod. Our quote today is from Barbara Tuchman: “Books are the carriers of civilization. Without books, history is silent, literature dumb, science crippled. Thought and speculation are at a standstill.”

In this end-of-year bonus episode, Matthew Harffy and Justin Hill reflect on the past year of reading, writing, and podcasting — and look ahead to what's coming next.They discuss the books that shaped their thinking, Bernard Cornwell's The Winter King, Tolkien, Roman history, Churchill biographies, audiobooks, and the reality of trying to finish novels before Christmas.A thoughtful, funny, and honest conversation for readers, writers, and anyone who loves historical fiction and historical adventure.

This week, Gare and I talk about what we've been watching lately, our favorite 2025 reads, and some 2026 books Gare already loves, as well as some 2026 hopefuls!Our 2025 FavesKate's BooksProject Hail Mary by Andy WeirJunie by Erin Crosby EckstineAnd Then She Fell by Alicia ElliotBlood Over Bright Haven by M. L. WangSky Full of Elephants by Cebo WilliamsThe Reformatory by Tananarive DueGare's BooksNight Watcher by Daphne WoolsoncroftThis Book Will Bury Me by Ashley WinsteadBoom Town by Nic StoneKeep This For Me by Jennifer FawcettHeated Rivalry by Rachel ReidToo Old for This by Samantha Downing2026 Books We Talked AboutBoring Asian Female by Canwen XuHelpless by Jessica KnollOn Sundays She Picked Flowers by Yah Yah ScholfieldThe Better Mother by Jennifer Van der KleutThe Future Saints by Ashley WinsteadSundown Girls by L.S. StrattonShows We Talked AboutThe Beast in MeDexter: ResurrectionSlow HorsesDown Cemetery RoadStranger ThingsHeated Rivalry Check Out Author Social Media PackagesCheck out the Bookwild Community on PatreonCheck Out My Stories Are My Religion SubstackGet Bookwild MerchFollow @imbookwild on InstagramOther Co-hosts On Instagram:Gare Billings @gareindeedreadsSteph Lauer @books.in.badgerlandHalley Sutton @halleysutton25Brian Watson @readingwithbrianMacKenzie Green @missusa2mba

Merry Christmas! Thank you for listening to Pencils&Lipstick this year! It's been an amazing one. And to finish it with a bang, I'm chatting with Viktoria Nikola about writing, social media (the pros and cons of it and being a writer) and so much more! You won't want to miss it!You can find out more about Viktoria on her website at: https://www.viktorianikola.com/Follow her on TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@viktoriannkWant to participate in 12 Days of Christmas? Get on my writers newsletter for writerly goodies https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletter and get on my readers newsletter for books, audiobooks and short stories https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup