Podcast appearances and mentions of laura munson

What happens when you finally stop carrying the weight of your past? In this conversation, I sit down with Stephanie Maley, a pediatric nurse turned author, who shares her journey through childhood trauma, healing, and writing her memoir. You will hear how she moved through abuse, anger, and burnout, and how the writing process became a path to freedom. Stephanie opens up about motherhood, resilience, and finding purpose through storytelling and advocacy. I believe you will find this episode powerful if you are working through your own challenges or searching for a way forward. Highlights: 00:10 Learn how Stephanie's early life shaped her resilience and mindset03:44 Discover why she chose pediatric nursing and what drew her to children06:15 Hear how a traumatic first nursing experience nearly made her quit20:50 Learn what led her to finally write and share her story25:10 Understand how writing became a powerful tool for healing52:38 Discover how COVID gave her the space to step into creativity and purpose Bottom of Form About the Guest: A native of Chattanooga, Stephanie L. Maley grew up surrounded by mountains, rivers, and lakes. She developed a love of nature and water there. After obtaining her BSN from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, she was a pediatric nurse. She met her husband, Mike, who was a pediatric resident, at T.C. Thompson Children's Hospital. They met, dated, and married within five months. After he finished his residency, they moved to a rural town in Northeast Georgia and bought a small lake house. They raised their two sons there and Stephanie home educated them. During that time, she helped to start a YMCA in the area and volunteered for almost fifteen years. After attending photography school at North Georgia Technical College, she became a professional photographer and started her photography business in 2010 (www.lov2shoot.com). Stephanie was also an adjunct professor of photography. Since Stephanie was a young woman, she wanted to write a book. In 2018, the #metoo movement spoke to her. Stephanie had been sexually abused and groomed by two men in her elementary and teenage years. When Covid-19 hit, time allowed her to write her memoir, No Longer That Girl: Retracing the Scars of the Past and Present. It was published November 4, 2025, by She Writes Press. Simon and Schuster are the distributor. Her book can be found at Simon & Schuster, Bookshop.org, Barnes and Noble, and anywhere books are sold online. You can also order directly on her website (stephmaley.com). Stephanie and Mike live in their dream home on Lake Hartwell. In the summer, she can be found swimming, driving her boat, paddleboarding, and kayaking. She loves to take walks year-round and has seen foxes, a bobcat, and lots of deer.  Ways to connect with Stephanie: Website                       www.stephmaley.com Instagram                    @lov2write FB                               https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565579387255 LinkedIn                     https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephswritings/ Threads                       https://www.threads.com/@stephlmaley About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards. https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/ accessiBe Links https://accessibe.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/accessiBe https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessibe/mycompany/ https://www.facebook.com/accessibe/ Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can subscribe in your favorite podcast app. You can also support our podcast through our tip jar https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/unstoppable-mindset . Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Transcription Notes: Michael Hingson  00:04 What if the biggest thing holding you back isn't what's in front of you, but rather what you believe Welcome to unstoppable mindset where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet. I'm your host. Michael hingson, speaker, author and advocate for inclusion and possibilities. This podcast explores how the beliefs we carry shape the way we live, lead and connect with others. Each week, I talk with people who challenge assumptions, face adversity head on and show what's possible when we choose curiosity over fear, together, we focus on mindset resilience and the small shifts that lead to meaningful change. Let's get started. Well, Greetings, everyone. We're glad you're with us again. You are listening to, if you didn't notice on your screen or whatever unstoppable mindset. We're glad you're with us. Another podcast episode today, and today, we're getting the opportunity to converse with Stephanie Maley, who lives in Georgia. She's had kind of an interesting career in a variety of different ways, but among other things, and one of the things that attracted me to invite her to come on the podcast is She's a relatively new author. Book was published just a few months ago, and we will, we will talk about that, I am sure, along with all the other things that that she's doing, and she has introduced us to a couple of other people who we hope will be on the podcast fairly soon. One is her goddaughter, who is in the Paralympics, and is going to be in the Paralympics here in the California area in a couple of years, because I don't think that all the water in the California area will evaporate by then, so she's a swimmer, among other things. Yeah, I know. Isn't that fun anyway. Stephanie, welcome to unstoppable mindset. We're really glad you're here. Stephanie Maley  02:11 Oh gosh, thank you for having me. I I've read your books, and you know since we first talked, and I'm just really excited to be here. You're well, Michael Hingson  02:25 we're excited to have you. Well, thank you. Well, let's start, as I love to do, tell us kind of about the early Stephanie, growing up, and all that around Chattanooga in your case, so you never had dreams of going back to Chattanooga, huh? You're fine in Georgia. Stephanie Maley  02:43 Yeah, we really are. We okay? So, so I'll start at the beginning. So, yeah, was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and my birth father abandoned us right away. I was three months old, and my brother was two, and my daughter, my dad had just finished his residency, and so unfortunately, he had an affair, and he took her from radiology, and then they went on up to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. And so my mom had two children. My brother was two years older, and was a two year old, and I was three months old, and then eventually my mom remarried, and I guess the significant time of childhood my my stepfather raised us until I was about 15, and then they got divorced, and I played sports. I had a lot of anger and and I had sexual abuse in second grade, and then I had two men who groomed me and my teenage years. So I had a lot of anger, and I applied that to sports. I played fast pitch softball, and I was a catcher for probably 13 years, and then I played volleyball and basketball at school, so yeah, and then I went into I wanted to be a doctor, not probably full heartedly, and I didn't get into The college that I wanted to in Suwannee, Tennessee, and so I went into nursing school at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and became a pediatric nurse in the hospital. Michael Hingson  04:32 Now, why Pediatric Nursing? Stephanie Maley  04:34 Specifically, I really love children. Always I just, I just love kids, and as a matter of fact, I almost didn't even continue because as a graduate nurse, I ended up being a camp nurse up in Suwannee, about an hour away from Chattanooga, and I had it. Everything go wrong. I mean, I thought it was going to get to study from my boards play with kids, it looked good on the resume. And unfortunately, like I said, everything went wrong, even to a death of a 12 year old. And I was responsible for, you know, everybody's health and but I had to hospital a child the first week I had everything from a torn cornea to dog bites to burns it, you know, two. I had to get two off of the campus for surgery. One had a grand mal seizure for the first time, and another one had an attendance that was about to rupture, and I got them off. So it was a very weird experience. And after the child who died was on a hike, and there was a waterfall, and he was at the back of the group, and ended up climbing up, barefooted, up this like embankment, and then he slipped and fell 60 feet. And I had three there were three counselors there, and one was a paramedic, and another one was a an EMT. And then I had sent them with kits, first aid kits, because this is back before cell phones or anything like that, and it was just horrible. And he had his brain was like an egg that had been broken. Part, just terrible. And I thought, good grief. I thought this was going to be easy. Would study, you know, and then go into nursing. And so I kind of started off a very rough way into my practice. Michael Hingson  06:50 Talk about baptism by fire, huh? Yeah, definitely. So what made you decide to stick with it? Because you obviously did, because you became a nurse, a pediatric nurse. I did. Stephanie Maley  07:04 I well. One of one of my instructors had really schooled me on, let's, let's get you published when you do this camp nursing. So research anything you can, and I want you to get published. So she was very aware of where I was, and after the accident, she recognized that was my camp, and so she called me at camp, and I was just a blubbering mess. I mean, we had Grief counselors were flown in, the bishops, I'm an Episcopalian. Bishops came to be there and this whole thing. And she calls and she says, Listen, I heard that was your camp, and that that child who died, and I want you to get on the horse, and I've got you a job. And this infant is really special. She's having her second liver transplant, and she's 12 months old, and she's in Pittsburgh, but she's going to be taken care of in Chattanooga. And so we want you, instead of keeping her intensive care unit, we're going to single nurse her in a room, you know, until she's able to go home, because she has an eight year old's liver in her 12 month old body, which means it's not covered. You know, her skin hasn't covered. It's gonna be a lot of wound care. She has a trach and, you know, blah, blah, blah. And, I mean, I was just crying the whole conversation, like, No way, I can't do that. I can't do that, you know, so I did, and I think I had those people who really supported me to do that, and the parents were fantastic, and I ended up working for about five and a half years there, and then my husband and I met and married and then moved because he had an agreement with his medical school at Mercer to work in a rural area for four or five years, and to where we live reminds me of Chattanooga. It has mountains, rivers, lakes, you know, but it's very small. So I did stick with it, but then I did burn out. I ended up being with a lot of children who had cystic fibrosis, and they wanted me with them when they died and so. So it was a candle that burned out pretty quickly, within about six years, I I just knew I was done. Michael Hingson  09:44 So what did you do after that? Stephanie Maley  09:47 Well, it turns out I got pregnant. All right, that's a start. Yes, I was actually working as a pediatric nurse. It was my husband's a pediatrician and. And we have a hospital where we live. But I didn't want to be known as Mrs. Dr maylie. And so I wanted to, I started working about 45 miles away, and it was a great experience, I have to say that. But I when I got pregnant, getting up at 430 just getting down there by six or 630 I was exhausted, so So then I became a full time mom. So, yeah, go ahead. Michael Hingson  10:34 What did you learn from all your nursing and so on with all the trauma and other things that were going on in the world for you, what did you learn that helped you to be a parent? Stephanie Maley  10:47 I think an understanding of, well, definitely an understanding of children, of healthy and non healthy children. And I think patience, there was a lot of, you know, a lot of that our older son, my first child, I knew there was some things a little different with him, and I think it, my nursing kind of prepared me in a way that I might not have been. I might have kind of like, what? What does this mean he won't participate, or he won't cooperate, you know? And when he was about three, and I think my nursing experience just gave me the patience and the fortitude to end up actually home educating him, and then even our second son. Michael Hingson  11:40 So they they did all their their educating at home. Stephanie Maley  11:45 Yes, they did. I because again, I saw something different about my older son, and I thought if he goes into the school system, they're not going to enjoy him. Enjoy it. And I didn't have words for it, but it just made sense. And we had about 100 families here who were home educating at the time. So we did science, Olympiad, spelling bees, geography bees, chess clubs, pe you know, all of that. And then I kept some other boys for a friend of mine when she worked once a week. So I had five boys every Thursday. So socialization wasn't an issue. Michael Hingson  12:22 So your son was different, but how so? Or what was the real difference? Or was there one? Stephanie Maley  12:31 Well, he just he again, was very if he was interested in the subject, he was great. But if he wasn't, it's like pulling your teeth out, and he just wouldn't, like, we had a playgroup at our church for three year olds, and that's where I first saw a difference, because again, he was just three, just the age of when you start kind of playing with other kids, and he would not do what we were trying to have the kids do like there was he was not going to do it like we had them gather nature like little things outside and put on a table, man that put paper over it and do a rubbing, and he was in the window sill with a car, and there was no way he was going To get over there, so he didn't participate or cooperate very well. Those were the two main things, but he had some other, you know, just some quirkiness, and, and, and it just made me think this was the right decision. Michael Hingson  13:37 Was there any kind of a medical diagnosis for any of that with him, or just he was the way he was. Stephanie Maley  13:44 He definitely was the way he was, and he we, we treated him like he had, add inattentive, not hyper, but just inattentive, you know. And my husband has that as well. So that's really what we kind of thought was going on with him well. Michael Hingson  14:09 And you know, everyone's different anyway. And the fact is that you learned through nursing and so on, how to be patient with that, which is probably a good thing, because you may very well not have had that perception if you hadn't gone through, yeah, the nursing and the other things that you went through, yeah, yeah, which is, which is pretty important to to be able to do. How about your your other son, your younger son? Stephanie Maley  14:37 Well, he was the other, other way around. He was a sponge. And one day, when I was well, we were having breakfast, and I had been teaching my older son at five how to read. Well, the three year old started reading and decoding the cereal box, and I'm like, what? And so I had him. In my lap, and I had some very basic books, and he he read them all. He was double learning everything, like what his brother was like. He my younger son has always loved Japan, and interestingly enough, he is engaged to a Japanese woman who lives in Osaka, and he lives in Hawaii for the past now, almost six years. So the younger son was the one speaking Japanese around the headless what? Michael Hingson  15:32 What took him to Hawaii. Stephanie Maley  15:36 He, you know, he really doesn't like cold weather, okay? He during covid, he decided that he wanted to go to Hawaii, see if he could make it work there, and if not, he would have a neat vacation, and then maybe he would go to California. He just really the temperature and the weather, and he's always been like that, just kind of sensitive to those kinds of things, and he made it work. I mean, it's expensive, and he had worked hard to be able to stay there, and it's just been amazing. He serves, he hikes, he has so many good friends, and he will not come back to see us. So we have to go to him, you know, but it's worth it. Michael Hingson  16:26 So what kind of work does he do? Stephanie Maley  16:29 He is a salesman. Now, he was, he started out in security, but he he is a salesman for a Polynesian fiber optic company that is, you know, for people's Wi Fi and that type of thing. So he believes in it, and he is really good as salesman's and he's become a manager. And I know you were a salesman, as I was reading your books, I was like, Yeah, John, Shawn, you know, my older son has that as well. You know, just those that trait. And you know, what is that person interested in? What are they missing? And how can I help? Help? Yeah, yeah. With this product, Michael Hingson  17:14 it's interesting though, that your younger son has a fiance who doesn't live anywhere near him. She lives in Osaka. That's quite a distance. It is. This is Stephanie Maley  17:24 the older son. And yeah, he's Oh, the older son. Yeah, they're working on their k1 visa. The plan is she's going to move to Hawaii, and when her parents get older, they'll move to Japan. Okay, so I've been learning Japanese in our Of course, oldest son has been in Japanese Japan many times, but he's trying to learn the language. She speaks English just, you know, slow, yeah, Michael Hingson  17:55 well, it's okay, yeah. And you get to be bilingual if you work at it, Stephanie Maley  18:01 I'm trying. I've been trying to do port. I've been learning Portuguese for five or six years. So then try legal. Well, we'll see. Yeah, if you were to have a conversation with me, I'd be like, wait a minute, slow, you know? Michael Hingson  18:18 Yeah, I took Japanese for a year in graduate school, and enjoyed it. And one of the things that I did to practice being a ham radio operator. I had a really good communications receiver, and oftentimes tuned into radio Japan and worked to understand at least a little bit, and eventually, a fair amount of what they were saying because they were speaking in Japanese, which is what I wanted. I didn't want the English version of it, and right, it was fun. I don't remember a lot of Japanese today, and I've been to Japan twice, let's see, TWICE, TWICE. But I I've enjoyed it and and had a lot of fun doing it. So it worked out well, and thundered. Second time was thunder dog was published in Japanese, and I went over and spent two, almost three weeks with the Japanese publisher of thunder dog. So that was kind of fun. Stephanie Maley  19:21 I read that. I was like, Oh my gosh, that's amazing. We have not been to Japan. We will end up probably we need teleporting to be a thing, yeah? Well, let's just get that out catching Michael Hingson  19:35 rod and, well, he's not alive anymore. Get on, yeah, yeah. But get somebody to develop the transporter. That would be good. Stephanie Maley  19:41 That would be awesome, yeah. Michael Hingson  19:45 So, anyway, so, so where is your older son these days? Stephanie Maley  19:52 Well, well, he's, he's the one in Hawaii. He's in Hawaii, yeah, the younger son is in Atlanta, so he's not too far from us. Okay? See, we get to spend time with he and his friends, and, you know, that's really nice. So he works at Emory, yeah, at the computer science department, kind of like, he's like, in the role of an accountant for all the professors and post grad students. Michael Hingson  20:20 So your but your older son again, dating a woman from Osaka that's kind of long distance. It's good. We have computers that allow for better communications these days, I bet. Stephanie Maley  20:31 Oh, it does. And they talk, you know, we have WhatsApp, and they talk, I think, every day. And he goes there as often as he can afford it. And, you know, and she and her family were just there in December visiting him. So, yeah, it's pretty cool. Very proud of them. Michael Hingson  20:50 Good for them. That's, that's pretty cool. So how old is your older son? Stephanie Maley  20:57 He is 32 okay, yeah, and the younger one is 30, all right. Michael Hingson  21:03 Well, it's been a while, that's pretty cool. Well, I'm glad that that it's working out well for them. And so what do you do with your Well, I know some of what you do with yourself, so let me, let me go about it this way, you've written a book. What made you finally decide that it was time to write a book, write a memoir or whatever, right? Stephanie Maley  21:29 Well, that's a good question. It really things started opening up for me internally when the ME TOO movement came out carry other women who'd gone through similar things or works, it just made it that shame kind of that door kind of open, saying, Okay, you might not need to carry this anymore. And so what I ended up doing is writing more of a bio, autobiography, and just telling and just getting it down. My professional editor at the time, Laura Munson, said, Listen, if you do that, you're going to write two different books. If you write the autobiography, and then you you're going to write a memoir. You know you're going to be writing two books, why don't you just do the memoir? And I said, I just have to get this down. I really need to just I've never really gotten my husband knew, but I really never shared any of it with anybody. And so I wrote it down, and then covid came, and I had just written again, the autobiography, and then covid hit, and that really changed my life. I hated it, for all the people who got sick with it, and, you know, it was terrible, and I knew people who died, but for me, it, it put me in a place where that creativity could come out, and that's when I then I had the time, and so I started the memoir and the and the reason I even did that was because I really hadn't, like tried to talk or confront my predators. And I know there was probably other women who had to go through what I went through. And I thought, well, then I'll write this memoir. I'd rather just be in my little office here in Northeast Georgia and not have to do anything else but send it out. But if I really want to reach as many people as possible, I knew I had to do it right. Instead of memoir, it was about a seven to eight year process. Michael Hingson  23:46 Well, so what is the difference between a memoir and an autobiography? Stephanie Maley  23:53 Well, an autobiography, you are telling, you're you're just telling everything, and you're not like showing, creating, like the movie in your head. I love the way you know it, because that's what I want. I want it to be a movie you can smell, taste, feel, you know, the whole whole thing in when you're when you're showing, but if you're telling, it's like, it's, it's very boring, and there's, you're not going to be invested in that, you know what? I mean, you're not going to be like feeling you're like, you're there, like you're with that protagonist. You just kind of be sitting back and saying, Oh, I see what that person sees. But in the showing, you're going to be right in the thick of it, as if you were at a movie. Michael Hingson  24:45 So your book no longer that girl is more of a memoir. Stephanie Maley  24:50 It is. It is a memo, okay? Yeah, it is. I talk about the past in a couple of chapters, and then I have a great life. I have a beautiful life today, and so I bring in the present as well, and then just talk about what it took for me to get to where I am today, you know, and and what the process was for me doesn't mean it's going to work for anybody else, but this is what this is what worked for me, and this is how I got to be where I am, and this is what happened to me as well. Michael Hingson  25:26 So it sounds like you've definitely dealt with and and gotten rid of a lot of the anger and other things that you were facing, the demons that you were facing before. Stephanie Maley  25:37 Yes, definitely. Michael Hingson  25:41 So writing certainly had to be kind of cathartic and helping to make that happen, I would assume, yes, I mean, and Stephanie Maley  25:48 you've done that yourself, I didn't expect that, but you're exactly right. I and also had a line editor who lives in tokoa and came from a magazine background, and I knew him, you know, but we were more acquaintances. So whenever he would go through my manuscript and the chapters, each chapter, when it got to be those, those really hard parts, that's when I would not write as well, you know, because I wanted to get through it, and I would tell it and not show it. And those would be the sentences he would pick up on. I'm like, Oh my gosh, do we have to and he was, he was so good about that. But it also forced me to go through, you know, that little girl talked to that little girl, you know, who's inside of me and those things happen to and be able to say, I have you, and I really want to know how you really felt, because, you know, I felt like I was to make everybody happy, you know, not hurt anybody, that kind of stuff, and especially the men who were groomed that. One of them was an Episcopal seminarian, and everybody treated him like he's the best thing. And I'm like, well, then something must be wrong with me, because everybody thinks he's this person. But this is what I get, you know, when people aren't around. So, so anyway, I forget now what the question was. I'm like, Oh, I just went off track. Michael Hingson  27:30 No, you're, you're, you're doing fine. We were talking about getting rid of the anger and Stephanie Maley  27:35 Right, right, right. So, yes, having to talk about that and write about it and polish it over and over and over. It's like desensitizing, you know, I mean, and then when I went to record it, that was a whole nother level, which I didn't, I just didn't even think about either. That very first day, there's a 20 something year old in the other room, I'm reading my book out loud, and I'm like, Oh my gosh, you know he's gonna know my entire life. And I didn't even think about that. And so it turns out he was great. He created a safe space. Man, it went really well, but it was another layer of healing. Michael Hingson  28:22 What does Mike think of all this? Stephanie Maley  28:26 He is very supportive. Oh, I'm sure he is very, very supportive. I mean, he's always been my safe space, and he has just been a rock. And when I've had, you know, again, difficult times in the process of writing. He's always there and supporting me. It's hard. He he wanted to read my book, but he's not been able to to, even though he knows it. It's just he hasn't been able to read Michael Hingson  28:57 my book. Yeah, I know when, when Karen was alive, if we if she happened to go with me or whatever, to do a speech, she didn't want to listen to the speech. It just brought out memories and so on and things for her. So she went off and did other things, which was fine, because I, I wouldn't want her to to be in any way traumatized or hurt, and she and the other part about it is especially when I was writing, especially thunder dog with Susie Flory and so on. And just in general, she she heard a lot of it, so she knew the story, but it was just not something that she wanted to deal with directly, and that's fine, yeah. Stephanie Maley  29:44 I mean, that's that is painful. I mean, when you got that first call off to her, you know, until you were able to talk to her again, that was a lot of trauma for her. I mean, what for you, for sure, but it was a lot of trauma for her. Her well. Michael Hingson  30:00 And you know, she made the decision after we talked, and then she turned on the TV and found out what was really going on, because we didn't know, of course, and she made the decision she had to do some things to maybe get the house a little bit more in order, and she actually had to get up and eat and all that, because, as she decided, one or two things is going to happen, he's not going to come home, or he is, and either way, she had to be ready, because also if I weren't coming home, or even if I did, but other people showed up, she needed to be able to deal with that. But I am sure even with all that, there was a lot of trauma and a lot that she had to deal with, or chose to deal with, because it's just kind of the way it was, right. Stephanie Maley  30:53 I mean, she loves you and Roselle, and, of course, the people you worked with, but she was, you know, not sure if you were coming home and that, yeah, and then, or if you were getting injured or, you know, it's just, it's trauma and and, yeah. So I understand her not wanting to, you know, to go through, live through that moment, or moments, you know, by going to your speeches. And the same with Mike, I totally understand sure you don't need to read it. That's okay. I told my boys, you definitely don't need to read it. Michael Hingson  31:27 If you want to, you can, Stephanie Maley  31:29 but you can. You're Yeah, you're adults, but I don't have expectations that you read my book. Michael Hingson  31:34 Yeah. Well, and so the first real, major thing that happened media wise, after the World Trade Center was being interviewed on the 14th, that Friday night on Larry King Live. And then people started showing up the next day, and they kept saying, oh, there's Mike Kingston, star of stage and screen. That really upset Karen. And I understand why. I mean, you know, come on, that's, that's not what this is all about, right, right? And, you know, we got very visible. I've never really talked about it much, but there were a couple people who, on a couple of email lists called me a media whore and all that sort of stuff. And other people immediately jumped in and went, Wait a minute, people. But you know, my my belief is, if I can help get people to have a better understanding, if I can help people move on from September 11, if I can help people grow in any way, that's what I'm supposed to do. And it's worked for the last 24 years, and it's going to continue to continue to work, because it's kind of the way it is, exactly, Stephanie Maley  32:45 well, it's again that was, you know, wasn't just even your own personal experience. I mean, it is, but it was so it was nationwide. Michael Hingson  32:58 Well, it was, and we got lots of phone calls because people wanted to hear and in a way, be involved with the story. And so many people from the media called to come and do interviews because it was a story that they felt needed to be told. And we made the choice pretty early on. If it would help people move on from September 11, if it would help people learn more about blindness and guide dogs and the real truth about it and and so on, then it was worth doing, and that's what we did. It was a very conscious decision, but it wasn't about me or anything else, although, you know, a lot of people, I'm sure, didn't think of it that way, but it wasn't so, Stephanie Maley  33:45 but people could latch on to that, and it's such a great story. You know what I mean? I mean so many people you know didn't make it out seeing or not seeing, but, but you did, and you don't have your sight, you have your dog, Roselle, who doesn't panic and you're as a sometimes she does well with funders, but she was cool that day, yeah, Michael Hingson  34:09 well, and again. But the issue is that it's a team effort, and that's one of the strong messages that we try to convey everywhere we have the opportunity to do. So it's a team and it was a team effort, and it's always a team effort. And so we we work on it, and, you know, I will continue to do that, because I think it makes sense to do, and will, will live a better life because of it. I learned every time I do a speech, I feel I'm learning a fair amount, especially when it's rare now, but when people ask a question I've never thought of, yeah, that's always so much fun. Stephanie Maley  34:52 Yeah? I mean exactly, it changes it up and it makes you really go deeper. Michael Hingson  34:58 So have you done any speech? Working since the book was published. Stephanie Maley  35:02 Yeah, I we, I did a, I created a panel of Georgia authors who we all also had the same publisher. She writes press, and we did a bookstore in Chattanooga together, and we were all different genres. And so, which really, to me, makes it so much more interesting. And we were like, how did we Why did we take what we had and put it into a story or into a book? So it was like telling your story and then putting it in a book, and why? So we had historical fiction. We have drama from courtroom drama is another author, and it's a series, and I've told her I read her two books. I'm like, Please tell me you have the third book written. You're working on the fourth. And she is. She's a lawyer and a judge, and then the other one is nonfiction, but where she went and taught in Africa and at the girls school, trying to get the girls from the tribe to get educated and change that cycle. And then she went back and interviewed these women after they had become adults to see what they were doing, and they were like pediatricians they were doing in, you know, NGO stuff, just incredible things with their education. So they're all different and very interesting. So we've done that. We're trying to get into other bookstores around the Atlanta area, and we're going to be doing one in agworth, Georgia. But it is not easy. I mean, you have a huge platform, so I don't know if, but it's getting these rejections. And now that my book was published in November, it's kind of like, well, that's a little old now, Michael Hingson  37:01 which is ridiculous. It's not, but, yeah, it's Stephanie Maley  37:04 not, but it is in that field. And I guess there's so many people writing these days that so that's what I'm working on right now, is trying to get some more places we can be on a panel. Because again, I think it's much more interesting, you know, than just me talking about mine. And so we're working on, we're definitely working on that, but we have two and then we're, we've been turned down twice for in Decatur Georgia. And I'm like, oh, gosh, why is it so hard? But it is. Michael Hingson  37:39 Yeah, it's hard to understand sometimes, isn't it? Stephanie Maley  37:44 Yes, and I'm hoping to volunteer at a child advocacy place here in tocoa that is constantly busy and has It's all designed for children who've been abused or raped or whatever, and they have everything set up for recording and the kit and all that very done pediatric wise. And so I'm waiting to hear from the executive director on how I can help maybe give speeches and talk. You know, give talks, and my book would be, I think, a very good resource for the parents as well. So I'm hoping to do that in addition, that's I'm just waiting to hear back. Michael Hingson  38:29 Well, you wrote this book, but had you written, had you done any writing before? Or was this just a whole new thing? Or, what Stephanie Maley  38:40 a good question. I I wrote journals. I started that in high school. I went to a Catholic High School, and one of the priests taught a class like just an extra class you can take as a senior. And it was on called spiritual journal, and he talked to us about keeping a journal. So I started then, and I kept a journal, and I wrote, I don't know how many books, 40 something, so that's really what I had done with my writing, and I did well in English, but that this is really the first big thing. But when that child died at camp, we still had two more weeks to go, and it was so hard, and we were flown to his funeral in Memphis and all that, but I wrote a poem right then and there to express my feelings. So I think I had, I had that potential. I just really didn't work on it. And it was, you know, but it was, it's the comfort of getting stuff out, you know. I wish I had leaned on it, maybe even more, but I did, but I did in journals, but I did, like I said. It a poem. Is what came to me after that accident and where he died. Michael Hingson  40:04 Have you thought of maybe taking some of those journals, or taking things from those journals and maybe writing another book? Stephanie Maley  40:12 Well, I tell you what, Mike that I want to write another memoir. It's flesh tearing. Yeah, I and I have, I did get rid of a lot of those, which I wish I hadn't. I do have still some. I'm actually waiting for the muse. I would like to write another book and write it as a fiction, probably with a strong female protagonist. I don't know if you know, I've always wanted to be like, I think I would be a stunt I could be a snack car driver. And I thought, what if I wrote about a teenager who, again, it's more of a tomboy thing, but if she wanted to be a stunt car driver? And, you know, just, I don't know why a book. I really don't know, but I'm kind of waiting for that news. But there's, I have ideas. I just need to get a coerced, you know, coalesced. Michael Hingson  41:08 Well, if you write a book about a Stunt Car Driver, then maybe you should try it for a little while to get the experience. You know, that makes even a more interesting Stephanie Maley  41:18 story, doesn't it? It would instead of interviewing somebody, but yeah, well, I'm really, I'm really comfortable behind the wheel. The more that you know, as long as I can move going through Atlanta with the five lanes or so is nothing. And I enjoy it. It's relaxing. And I transfer lanes depending on speed, and I've had people I've had to dodge. I remember even as a teenager, I had to do a 180 to miss somebody, and I completely forgot about it in like, within minutes. It was no big deal. So anyway, I'm very comfortable behind the wheel, and I think I could do well, but I like your idea. Michael Hingson  42:02 I recall one time it was fairly soon after we moved to New Jersey, and we and I was working in New York, we drove into the city from our home, and we were just coming out of the tunnel, and I knew where we had to go, and I had told Karen, but I think she forgot, or maybe didn't understand. And you know, she said we're coming out of the tunnel, and I said, now you need to make a left turn here to get to where we need to go. And she had forgotten that, and suddenly the car went across three lanes of traffic to make the turn, and she was so proud of herself and the rest of her life. She talked about the fact that she went across those three lanes and not one single person honked at her. There you go, Karen. She said that just showed what kind of a good driver she was. It was so funny. Oh my Stephanie Maley  43:09 gosh, yeah, I like to go. I go about five miles above the speed limit in town and about nine on the highway and and I don't like back roads. I feel like I can't breathe, you know, I need to be in the open highway. Michael Hingson  43:24 Well, in this case, it was, it was like five in the afternoon, but coming out of the tunnel, the traffic was moving Okay, where we were. So she was very proud of herself. I was too i But yeah, she was a very observant person. We had some people with us in our car once, and they were they were saying, I'd never want to be in a taxi, because you could just see the taxis just driving real crazy. And Karen said something very interesting. She said to these people, look at those cabs. Do you see any dents or dings or marks on the cabs Exactly? And and they said no. And she said, There you go. They're they're very clever and careful drivers. They know what they're doing. Yes. And again, I, I think that's pretty clever, and that was pretty smart of her to have observed Stephanie Maley  44:20 that exactly, because they do know what they're doing. They're good drivers. They just do it in a faster pace than a lot of other drivers. And I literally can't ride with someone who's going to drive below the speed limit or, like, really, but I can't do it. I just, I rather, I'll just drive it myself. Just, you know, Michael Hingson  44:43 it could be a New York so you could be a New York, New York cab driver. That's almost like, that's almost like stunt driving. Stephanie Maley  44:49 It is, you know, that is a good point. They are like Stunt Car drivers. I actually drove through New York City with the family, and we had this hubcap. It kept coming off. I was taking a left, and there were police, like, across the street, and there goes that hubcap. And my husband like, I'm like, get it, honey. And he lowered the window and tried to reach down to get it, but it was he didn't, but the policeman did. And I'm like, gosh, wouldn't that have been cool if my husband could have swooped that? Michael Hingson  45:26 Gosh, yeah, it's, it's pretty funny. Well, you know, I think I tell people all the time out here, I don't see why I can't get a driver's license and drive around Victorville, because the way these people drive, I'm sure I would do just as well as they do, but exactly no one believes me. I I have driven a Tesla, Stephanie Maley  45:53 oh, what do you think of that? Michael Hingson  45:55 I thought was pretty interesting. You know, it was in co pilot mode, so I was able to do it, and the driver was, you know, the the owner of the car was there. But I, I'm waiting for the day that driving will be taken out of the hands of drivers, because there are too many people who just think they own the road and they don't, right. Stephanie Maley  46:13 I agree with that. I I don't know how I will do in that kind of a car that does it for me. Because for me again, I feel like I'm a pretty good driver. So that's insulting, because I know what I'm doing, but I do hear also what you're saying, and I think it would be so helpful for not just people who are blind, but people elderly, you know, who don't need to be behind the wheel, I think so Michael Hingson  46:42 many drivers, you know, in general, of all ages. Because the reality is, we don't pay attention to the details that we need to pay attention to anymore. And so once autonomous vehicles get to the point where they can truly do this safely, consistently all the time. I think it makes perfect sense to do we're not there yet, but the day will come when autonomous vehicles will be a lot more perfected, and it will happen. How soon remains to be seen, but it will happen, right? Stephanie Maley  47:17 Oh, I think it will too now I want a flying I agree, yeah, I because I love, like I'm a drone pilot, especially when they first came out. I mean, I've been doing it for a long time. I'm certified, but I just think I would just, I always just want to fly, yeah, it'd be a blast. Michael Hingson  47:40 Oh, I think it'll be cool. You know, there have been some flying cars, but it's not very common. And again, I think most people would not do it necessarily, extremely well, because they don't pay attention to the details that they need to pay attention to. But the autonomy will come and that will that will do it. It's like so many things, but it's like AI, right? Keep people complaining about AI, but it will get better. I don't believe that AI will ever replace humans. I don't think that it will be able to ever keep up with humans, but it's a tool, and it will do a lot of things, but it's not going to be the end of everything as we know it. Stephanie Maley  48:20 Yeah, and I remember reading, you know, in your books about that in your background. And for some reason, when I was probably 1920 I was terrified of computers and what they could me. And so, you know, I'd watched, I mean, I'd read George Orwell's 1984 1984 before 1984 and, you know, Mr. Roboto, the song that came out. And I was like, that is gonna be it. So it's so funny, it's in my book that it actually got me into counseling. I was on the governing body at our church at a very young age. I was 20. It's called a vestry in the Episcopal Church, and there was discussion about our church getting a computer. During the discussions, I would remove myself, because I just it was irrational. I had this irrational feeling. Well, they had voted that we would, and one Sunday after church, I told our priest I needed to talk to him, and so he met me in his office. Well, if you get a we get a computer and it's smashed. You'll know who did it. He's like, let's sit down for a minute. He said, I think that this has this. This really doesn't have to do with the computer. I think something else going on here. I think we need to talk about therapy and so. That started my therapy was that very thing I Michael Hingson  50:04 remember reading 1984 and actually a couple of years ago, I went to a hotel, and the room number I was assigned was 101 Do you know the significance of room 101, that was, that was where the brainwashing took place. That's where they, they took you to control you always, always loved it. And said, I'm in room 101, I can Stephanie Maley  50:34 scream when you embrace that more than you know, yeah, you know, in photography and in which I do as well, and then in writing, you know, AI is there. And as you know, I wasn't sure you were real when you were trying to contact me, because I and I'm sure you do too. You get all these, inundated by these, oh, your book is this. And I think you I could do this for you, and they're AMI generated, you know, it's, I mean, it's crazy how, you know, which is not, you know, obviously, there's always gonna be people using it for good stuff, and, you know, for Not so good stuff, that's Michael Hingson  51:21 always going to happen. It is and like AI, there are going to be some people who will misuse it, but I think in the long run, there are enough smart people that will will keep that pretty much under control. Some people are going to misuse it, but that's going to be their lot in life to deal with over time. Stephanie Maley  51:44 Yeah, that's true. And yeah, so I'm trying to, I mean, there are people in Chattanooga who are shocked that I have computers from that memory of that time. But yeah, I, I know people are saying, If I don't get into it, Claude or any of that stuff, that I'm going to get way behind, like some people who chose not to really do computers, you know, and now they're lost. Michael Hingson  52:17 Well, I think there's, there's merit in doing it. I think you will find that there are many good tools that that you can use it as a part of so it is something to do, but it's like everything. It's going to be what you make of it. I mean, people, people, long time ago, were pessimistic about penicillin, about microscopes, about even having your picture taken that would steal your soul. I mean, there are so many things, yeah, but the reality is, I think God doesn't really let us invent things that aren't, aren't good for us, but you know, if we, if we misuse them, we're going to have to be the ones that deal with that down the line at some point. That's true. That's true. Well, when you wrote the book, you wrote it during covid. Do you think you would have written it If covid hadn't come along? Were you just ready to write it? I'm gonna Stephanie Maley  53:15 hold it up too for a second. You know, that is a very good question. I I I would think that I would have, but it might have taken a bit longer, because I was on, you know, the running wheel like a rat. I was playing pickleball three times a week, active, doing things at church and just a bunch. I mean, I just kept on the wheel, and that covid just opened that door. But the fact that it, I had already written the autobiography, and it was on my mind and in my heart, I would have, but it might have been, it would have probably been later. Michael Hingson  53:58 But you also, with covid, you have the time Stephanie Maley  54:02 it gave me, the time it shut everything down. And I, I mean, I stayed at home for a year and a half. My husband was a, you know, again, a pediatrician. And actually, that's the first part of my book. Is I panicked. I once we heard from Italy and all the people who are dying, and they're like, it's coming to you, and we don't know about it. And my husband's a healthcare provider, and I was a nurse, I'm just like, what is going to happen? I'm I'm actually going to die, is what's going to happen. And I'm like, I need to write my funeral plans, and it just one day, all that, all that past vulnerability, vulnerability I hadn't dealt with, just came rushing at me, and so oddly, my therapist was the one who came up with what we needed to do to feel safe. I had called i. Um, the CDC, and was on hold for an hour trying to talk with a person and say, hey, my my husband's a health caregiver. What should we do to keep me because I have asthma, what you know, and I didn't get any help from them. But she said, yeah, have him change his clothes, put it in the dryer, take a shower, stay away from each other, where, you know, wear a mask, and once I felt safe is when I got down to writing. Michael Hingson  55:30 There you go. Yeah, you talked earlier about doing a lot of sports growing up. Do you think that was because of the anger and so on, or why did you do a lot of sports? Stephanie Maley  55:41 Well, I do. Well, that's, again, a very good question. My parents must have seen something in me, and they signed me up for softball when I was seven. So this was 1969 I know. So 1969 I'm playing the sport and and I loved it. I just fell in love with it and, and it did give me a socially acceptable way to express my anger. I'm a girl. I'm in the south girls, don't, you know, don't act like this, right? This is the way they're supposed to act. And softball initially was like, I said, I played at a very young age, made, made a way for me to get that stuff out. And, you know, I didn't understand it, and I would scare myself sometimes, but it was there, and I could just hit that ball harder or throw that runner out faster, and it just became and then I played squash for 10 years. And yeah, I'm just in pickleball. And so yeah, Michael Hingson  56:54 Pickleball is fairly new compared to a lot of these things, isn't it? Stephanie Maley  56:58 It is in a way, and again, in another way, it started in the 50s in Washington, though, yeah, what we didn't and Washington state is where it started with these, this family, and they came up with this thing to have fun. And I guess I started playing about eight years or so ago, and I used to compete in tournaments. But if I'd never heard of it, and it was in the county, one county over, and a friend said, Hey, I've heard of this game, I think you would really enjoy it. And I did, because I have, again, muscle memory, and I have really good coordination and but I've had to have three, not because of that, but I've had three foot surgeries, and so I've been out of it for two years right now, and I'm hoping to get back. I just had surgery a few months Michael Hingson  57:52 ago, again, who have you been kicking? That's what we wanted. No, that's it. Stephanie Maley  57:58 I have a session for you, if you don't mind. Nope. Okay, so you know you have had a lot of dogs, and have had to say goodbye to a lot of dogs that you just loved. Well, we just lost our I call her my outdoor dog because I was very allergic to her, and she stayed outside on Tuesday. How do you process that grief? Michael Hingson  58:26 Well, so what? What I tell people? Because I've been asked this before, and I've thought about it a lot. With every guide dog, you're creating a team, and you're both part of the same team. I am supposed to be the team leader. The dog wants me to be the team leader, and I have to accept that responsibility. But the the part about that, that you're dealing with is that there comes a time that maybe the dog isn't doing as well, the dog isn't seeing as well, or the dog is just not doing as well as it did. Doesn't mean it's ready to die, but there comes a time that you have to make a decision for the team. In the case of Guide Dogs, it means applying to get a new guide dog and starting to think about retiring the old guide dog. And I do things to prepare for retirement by maybe not using the dog as much and other things like that, but even with with pets, the fact of the matter is, it's, it's a mental thing as much as anything, and you do have to recognize that that time comes with pets, that that they are going to get older, and what what you need to do is to take steps to recognize that this time is coming. Usually you have a fair amount of time to prepare. A lot of people don't, and so suddenly the the animal has to be put down or whatever. And people don't take the time in advance to prepare mentally for it. And you know, that's one of the things that that they have to and should deal with. And so for me, it's a mental preparation. When my seventh guide dog, Africa started not seeing as well at night as she used to, and starting to walk a little slower, I knew that it was time to start the process. It was a year before Africa actually retired, but during that time, and knowing I had that time, we didn't take her to as many places and things like that and and other things, just to kind of recognize that what we had to do was to prepare for the fact that that something would happen. Now, the other part about it was that we already had Africa's mother, Fantasia, which you read about and live like a guide dog. And Fantasia was my wife service dog. Fantasia figured out how to do that, and we had Fantasia, and we were going to get a new guide dog. So we also decided that it would be a little bit difficult to have three dogs around the house, especially since two of them would be home with Karen in a wheelchair the whole time, and she had started to contract rheumatoid arthritis by then. So we we contacted Africa's parents. Her, her original the puppy raisers, yeah, because they had said, If we ever retired Africa and couldn't keep her, they wanted her, and they came one day, and they got her. Now, we visited with them after that several times, but still, the fact is that, you know we it was not hard, by comparison, to make that change and let Africa go to live with them. So you know it happens, but it's mental preparation, and the thing to do is, when you know something is going to happen, at some point, you start preparing for it. Stephanie Maley  1:02:06 Yeah, well, thank you for that. Yeah. Definitely had anticipatory grief, because she, she just got cancer, she's 15, you know, a couple of months ago. So we had on the prednisone and and and it was time, yeah, yeah, yeah. So you know it was the thing to do for sure, yeah, it's just yeah. It's just hard. And every time I was reading about your dogs, I'm like, Oh my gosh, that's so hard. And of course, you do know that dogs that you're typically using against guide dogs are they're going to live about 10 years their labs and stuff. Is that about fair? Michael Hingson  1:02:47 Well, they're going to work about eight years. They'll live more than 10 my longest living guide dog was Holland, who lived until he was 15 and a half and but mostly they'll live longer, but they'll have to retire at some point. And yes, yes, you know that's that's part of the issue. But again, it doesn't matter if it's a guide dog or not. Got regular pets ought to be more treated more like members of the family, like teammates, establish a relationship with them. Yes, it's very important to do that. Stephanie Maley  1:03:24 Yeah, well, even though I couldn't pet her, her name was Annie, I couldn't pet her. If I did, I had to go right inside and watch. He knew that we walked 95% of the time every day, like 95% every day for 15 years. And you know, we but if I tried to kiss her, she's like, No, don't you know you're allergic to me. Turn her face. Martin girl, really great relationship. Michael Hingson  1:03:54 Yeah. So what's your favorite movie? Stephanie Maley  1:03:58 Oh, gosh. So it used to be ordinary people. Do you remember that one at all? Southern London? Yeah, and I think I've wrecked because it was it would help me to cry, because there were years I couldn't cry. And it's that part where one brother lives and the other one doesn't, and when he comes to realize that his guilt is because he survived, that would undo me every time. Now I'm leaning more into comedy, and even though there's a lot of bad language, have you ever seen or listened to the movie spy with Melissa McCarthy. I haven't, oh my gosh, Michael Hingson  1:04:47 I'll find it holy. So she's so funny. Stephanie Maley  1:04:51 She is so funny. And I mean, it's a, it's a, the name is so generic, but if you look for it with Melissa McCarthy, yeah. It is so funny that it undoes me laughing. And I'm leaning more into that. It's good for you, not an intellectual maybe, but it's so much fun. You know, movies Michael Hingson  1:05:13 don't have to be intellectual, Stephanie Maley  1:05:14 yeah, no, they don't. It's entered. I like it for entertainment. Michael Hingson  1:05:19 Well, if people want to reach out and talk to you or commiserate or share or whatever. How do they do that? Stephanie Maley  1:05:26 Well, they could go to my website, Steph, maily.com, Michael Hingson  1:05:31 So, S, T, E, Stephanie Maley  1:05:33 P, H, M, a, l, e, y, E, y.com, yeah, and they could. They could send me a message if they want to get on to my newsletter. They could do that. I'm on sub stack, excuse me as steps writings, and I'm actually on social media as steps writings, in on Instagram as well as Facebook, to hear from anybody. And again, what a delight to spend this time with you. I'm so glad that I finally really paid attention and said, Yes, I'm glad Michael Hingson  1:06:10 you did too. We're really happy that you were here. We're really grateful that all of you listened to this episode, and I hope that you picked up some really good nuggets of wisdom and life philosophy from it, and you'll reach out to Stephanie. You're welcome to reach out to me. I'm easy to find. It's speaker, S, P, E, A, k, e, r at Michael hingson, M, I C, H, A, E, L, H, I N, G, s, O, n.com, speaker at Michael hingson.com, and I would also say that if you know anyone who ought to be a guest on our podcast, we'd love it if you'd introduce us. We're always looking for for people to come on. As I mentioned at the beginning, Steph has actually got us in touch with a couple people, and we're gonna we'll have them on, and we'll probably talk about Stephanie. What can I say? Oh no, oh yeah, but I want to thank you again. Stephanie, this has been absolutely wonderful. We are so glad that you spent some time with us today. Stephanie Maley  1:07:10 Absolutely thank you so much. I appreciate it. Michael Hingson  1:07:17 Thank you for being here with me on unstoppable mindset. I hope today's conversation left you with a fresh perspective, a new insight, or at least something worth thinking about if you're ready to go deeper into the ideas that shape how we see ourselves and others. I have a free gift for you. Head over to Michael hingson.com and download my free ebook blinded by fear. It explores the invisible beliefs that hold us back and shows you how to reframe them so you can move forward with clarity and confidence. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast, leave a review and share this show with someone who can use a reminder that growth starts with mindset. When people think differently, we all move forward together. Thanks again for listening. Keep learning, keep questioning and keep choosing to live with an unstoppable mindset. You yo

Why is the sky blue? Why do only birds get to fly? Why do people die? It's natural for children to ask questions, big and small. But too often, adults brush off such questions as an annoyance, or scold kids for being rude, or even respond to their asking with punishment. When that happens, many children stop asking and grow up to become adults who believe it's safer to stay quiet and squelch their inherent, and essential, sense of wonder. Author LAURA MUNSON joins Andrew this week to discuss: Naming and inhabiting our own creativity Rediscovering our sense of wonder The power of surrendering to life's mysteries.  Finding your calling Finding meaning through slowing down.  Laura Munson is the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of the novel Willa's Grove and the memoir This Is Not The Story You Think It Is. Her latest book is The Wild Why. Laura also founded and continues to offer the top-ranked Haven Writing Retreats. Laura has been featured or published in Vanity Fair, Elle, Redbook, Time, Newsweek, The New York Times' “Modern Love” column, The New York Times Magazine, O, The Oprah Magazine, and many others. She has appeared on Good Morning America, The Early Show, WGN, NPR, London's This Morning, Australia's Sunrise, and other global media outlets. If You're Looking for More…. You can subscribe to The Meaningful Life (via Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts) and hear a bonus mini-episode every week. Or you can join our Supporters Club on Patreon to also access exclusive behind-the-scenes content, fan requests  and the chance to ask Andrew your own questions. Membership starts at just £4.50 This week supporters will hear: How to Cope Better with Criticism Again Three Things Laura Munson knows to be true.  AND subscribers also access all of our previous bonus content - a rich trove of insight on love, life and meaning created by Andrew and his interviewees. Follow Up Attend Andrew's men's retreat near Berlin in April 2026: details here https://andrewgmarshall.com/mens-retreat/ Get Andrew's free guide to difficult conversations with your partner: How to Tell Your Partner Difficult Things https://andrewgmarshall.com/download/  Connect With Laura Munson: Website: https://lauramunson.com/  Book: The Wild Why Writing Programs and Retreats Modern Love Essay in the New York Times. Take a look at Andrew's new online relationship course: My Best Relationship Tools https://courses.andrewgmarshall.com/relationship-tools  Join our Supporters Club to access exclusive behind-the-scenes content, fan requests and the chance to ask Andrew your own questions. Membership starts at just £4.50 https://www.patreon.com/andrewgmarshall  Andrew offers regular advice on love, marriage and finding meaning in your life via his social channels. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube @andrewgmarshall 

Dr. Laura welcomes Laura Munson, the #1 New York Times, USA Today, and international best-selling author of novel “Willa's Grove”, memoir “This Is Not the Story You Think It Is”, and recent self-help book “The Wild Why”, to the show.  Laura Munson tells Dr. Laura about the impetus behind the writing of her new book, “The Wild Why”, and her passion for bringing wonder back into the world. As Laura explains, wonder can release our creativity and free us from the hustle culture that leads to burnout. When Laura Munson talks about writing from a place of service, she's referring to her epiphany that she wanted to write “to shine a light on a dim or otherwise pitch black corner, to provide relief for myself and others”. That has shaped much of her career since. She and Dr. Laura discuss how imposter syndrome and a fear of failure can be reframed, the inner critters or saboteurs we all have within us, the dangerous reality of burnout, and how to value the questions in life that lead to wonder. This interview opens us up to a new way of looking at our fears and engaging with the world around us for positive benefit.  “I'm not saying put down your sword of ambition or your dream to impact the world and yourself in it. I'm just saying that when we grasp the small moments that are full of wonder all around us, that's when I feel that we can truly be connecting with ourselves so that we can authentically connect with the world around us, whether it's career or interpersonal relationships.” - Laura MunsonAbout Laura Munson:Laura Munson is the New York Times, USA Today, and international best-selling author of the novel Willa's Grove, the memoir This Is Not The Story You Think It Is, and the self-help book The Wild Why. She has been published in nine countries and has been featured in Vanity Fair, Elle, Redbook, Time, Newsweek, Washington Post, Publishers' Weekly, and published in the New York Times ‘Modern Love' Column, the New York Times Magazine ‘Lives' Column, O. Magazine, Maria Shriver's Sunday Paper, and many others.   Laura is the founder of the acclaimed Haven Writing Retreats, speaks at women's conferences and literary events, and has appeared on Good Morning America, The Early Show, NPR, and media outlets across the globe. She lives in Montana. Lauramunson.com Resources:Website: LauraMunson.comInstagram: @LauraMunsonAuthorHaven Writing Retreats“The Wild Why: Stories and Teachings to Uncover Your Wonder” by Laura MunsonShe Writes PressLearn more about Dr. Laura on her website: https://drlaura.liveFor more resources, look into Dr. Laura's organizations: Canada Career CounsellingSynthesis Psychology Pre-order Dr. Laura's new book today: I Wish I'd Quit Sooner: Practical Strategies for Navigating a Toxic Boss Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

So, what if the “messy middle” moments in your life—the stuff you'd rather sweep under the rug—are actually secret doorways to real creativity? Laura Munson, bestselling author and founder of Haven writing retreats, has wandered from Montana's wild woods to ancient stones in Ireland, and she's convinced that wonder isn't something you stumble across—it's something you can choose, even in the thick of heartbreak or change. Turns out, the story you've been telling yourself might just be the prologue. But here's the twist: what if your biggest breakthroughs actually start when you stop trying so hard to “be creative” and start letting yourself just be? There's a pretty wild story behind how Laura's own life detours unlocked something unexpected for her (and for the writers who show up at her retreats). Want to know what happens when you give yourself permission to wonder again? Stick around… In this episode, you will be able to: Discover how life's toughest challenges can unlock unexpected personal transformation and deeper self-awareness. Experience the unique ways writing retreats can ignite growth and unlock creative potential in your journey. Explore how embracing life's surprises can open new paths to creativity and self-expression. Cultivate a sense of wonder in everyday moments to enhance emotional resilience and bring fresh meaning to your life. Build resilience by learning how storytelling connects your experiences and strengthens your authentic voice. My special guest is LAURA MUNSON is the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of the novel Willa's Grove and the memoir This Is Not The Story You Think It Is. Founder of the acclaimed Haven Writing Retreats, she has been featured or published in Vanity Fair, Elle, Redbook, Time, Newsweek, The New York Times “Modern Love” column, The New York Times Magazine, O, The Oprah Magazine, and many others. She has appeared on Good Morning America, The Early Show, WGN, NPR, London's This Morning, Australia's Sunrise, and other global media outlets. She lives in Whitefish, Montana. The key moments in this episode are:00:07:03 - The Power of Storytelling and Finding Safe Listeners 00:09:18 - Travel as a Catalyst for Wonder and Personal Transformation 00:13:05 - Embracing Awe and Travel to Ignite Curiosity and Wonder 00:15:50 - The Value of Being Present and Slowing Down Through Travel and Life 00:19:31 - Finding Your Unique Voice and Creativity by Reconnecting with Inner Truth 00:21:47 - Cultivating Wonder and Empathy as Foundations for Connection and Civilization 00:23:29 - Writing True and Listening Deeply: Pathways to Self-Discovery and Connection 00:25:02 - The Power of Vulnerability and Storytelling in Personal Growth 00:27:05 - Cultivating Mindfulness and Wonder Through Journaling 00:29:57 - Mindfulness and Creativity in a Fast-Paced, Tech-Driven World 00:31:02 - Origins and Purpose of Haven Writing Retreats 00:34:26 - Writing as a Therapeutic Tool for Emotional Clarity 00:37:07 - Discovering Your Natural Strengths with the Working Genius Assessment 00:37:41 - Embracing Wonder as a Vital Life Force 00:38:17 - Supporting Independent Bookstores and Creative Communities 00:39:11 - Choosing Wonder and Creativity in Life's Challenges Visit lauramunson.com to learn more about Laura Munson's writing, in-person retreats, and online community Haven Nest. Go to Haven Writing Retreats to find information and sign up for Laura Munson's transformative writing retreats in Montana and around the world. Purchase The Wild Why: Stories and Teachings to Uncover Your Wonder by Laura Munson, preferably through independent bookstores or online at bookshop.org to support local booksellers. Access exclusive extended conversations and bonus content by becoming a Patreon supporter at patreon.com/aworldofdifference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So, what if the “messy middle” moments in your life—the stuff you'd rather sweep under the rug—are actually secret doorways to real creativity? Laura Munson, bestselling author and founder of Haven writing retreats, has wandered from Montana's wild woods to ancient stones in Ireland, and she's convinced that wonder isn't something you stumble across—it's something you can choose, even in the thick of heartbreak or change. Turns out, the story you've been telling yourself might just be the prologue. But here's the twist: what if your biggest breakthroughs actually start when you stop trying so hard to “be creative” and start letting yourself just be? There's a pretty wild story behind how Laura's own life detours unlocked something unexpected for her (and for the writers who show up at her retreats). Want to know what happens when you give yourself permission to wonder again? Stick around… In this episode, you will be able to: Discover how life's toughest challenges can unlock unexpected personal transformation and deeper self-awareness. Experience the unique ways writing retreats can ignite growth and unlock creative potential in your journey. Explore how embracing life's surprises can open new paths to creativity and self-expression. Cultivate a sense of wonder in everyday moments to enhance emotional resilience and bring fresh meaning to your life. Build resilience by learning how storytelling connects your experiences and strengthens your authentic voice. My special guest is LAURA MUNSON is the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of the novel Willa's Grove and the memoir This Is Not The Story You Think It Is. Founder of the acclaimed Haven Writing Retreats, she has been featured or published in Vanity Fair, Elle, Redbook, Time, Newsweek, The New York Times “Modern Love” column, The New York Times Magazine, O, The Oprah Magazine, and many others. She has appeared on Good Morning America, The Early Show, WGN, NPR, London's This Morning, Australia's Sunrise, and other global media outlets. She lives in Whitefish, Montana. The key moments in this episode are:00:07:03 - The Power of Storytelling and Finding Safe Listeners 00:09:18 - Travel as a Catalyst for Wonder and Personal Transformation 00:13:05 - Embracing Awe and Travel to Ignite Curiosity and Wonder 00:15:50 - The Value of Being Present and Slowing Down Through Travel and Life 00:19:31 - Finding Your Unique Voice and Creativity by Reconnecting with Inner Truth 00:21:47 - Cultivating Wonder and Empathy as Foundations for Connection and Civilization 00:23:29 - Writing True and Listening Deeply: Pathways to Self-Discovery and Connection 00:25:02 - The Power of Vulnerability and Storytelling in Personal Growth 00:27:05 - Cultivating Mindfulness and Wonder Through Journaling 00:29:57 - Mindfulness and Creativity in a Fast-Paced, Tech-Driven World 00:31:02 - Origins and Purpose of Haven Writing Retreats 00:34:26 - Writing as a Therapeutic Tool for Emotional Clarity 00:37:07 - Discovering Your Natural Strengths with the Working Genius Assessment 00:37:41 - Embracing Wonder as a Vital Life Force 00:38:17 - Supporting Independent Bookstores and Creative Communities 00:39:11 - Choosing Wonder and Creativity in Life's Challenges Visit lauramunson.com to learn more about Laura Munson's writing, in-person retreats, and online community Haven Nest. Go to Haven Writing Retreats to find information and sign up for Laura Munson's transformative writing retreats in Montana and around the world. Purchase The Wild Why: Stories and Teachings to Uncover Your Wonder by Laura Munson, preferably through independent bookstores or online at bookshop.org to support local booksellers. Access exclusive extended conversations and bonus content by becoming a Patreon supporter at patreon.com/aworldofdifference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Words can become a path to healing. Through the written word, self-discovery blossoms and healing takes root. In this episode of Women Awakening, Cynthia James features Diane Hartman, a retired school librarian, photographer, and dog rescuer. Diane reveals how writing and travel helped her process childhood trauma, navigate life transitions, and embrace creativity as a tool for growth.Together, they explore how journaling became a mirror for self-reflection, why fear can serve as a guide rather than an obstacle, and how stepping outside comfort zones opens the door to self-awareness and resilience. This episode also highlights the importance of community, mentorship, and creative exploration in awakening the authentic self. This inspiring conversation is for every woman seeking healing, personal growth, and empowerment through the creative journey.Tune in to the episode of Empowered by Words: Healing & Self-Discovery Through Writing and rediscover the power of your own voice.Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe and leave a 5-star review.Diane Hartman is a retired school librarian, photographer, dog rescuer, mother, grandmother, and lover of Ireland. She has received honors for her writing from Midwest Writers Workshop, Daisy Pettles Women's Writing Award, and the Griffith Writing Fellowship at the Mary Anderson Center. Her photography has garnered several awards, including the Indiana Governor's AwardShe is an alumnus of Laura Munson's Haven Writing Workshops and Retreats, and this is her first book. Diane lives in Indianapolis with her rescued corgi, Winston.Website: https://www.dianehartmanauthor.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dianehartmanauthor/# Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Diane-Hartman-Author/61575615287624/ Cynthia James is a transformational speaker, emotional integration coach, and host of the Women Awakening podcast. With a background as a former actress and Star Search champion, she brings creativity and depth to her work. Cynthia holds master's degrees in consciousness studies and spiritual psychology, and she's the author of multiple bestselling books, including I Choose Me. Through her global retreats, coaching, and speaking, she helps women step into their power, live authentically, and lead with purpose.Connect with Cynthia James:Website: https://www.cynthiajames.net/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cynthia-james-enterprises/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/WhatWillSetYouFreeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cynthiajames777/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cynthiajamestransforms

Ready to rediscover your creative spark? This episode of The Grit Show features author Laura Munson, whose new book "The Wild Why" inspires us to rethink creativity and wonder in our everyday lives. Host Shawna Rodrigues explores themes of self-expression, overcoming creative blocks, and finding awe—even in a world filled with distractions and self-doubt. Laura shares powerful stories about reclaiming your voice, the importance of curiosity, and how simple shifts—like changing the words you use—can help you unlock hidden inspiration.Whether you think creativity is reserved for “artsy” types or you're just feeling stuck, this conversation offers uplifting guidance, practical tips, and a reminder that magic is for everyone. Tune in to learn how Montana's landscape sparked Laura's insights and pick up teasers about her transformative writing retreats. Don't miss out if you're searching for motivation, self-development, or a creative reset!Laura Munson is the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of the novel Willa's Grove and the memoir This Is Not The Story You Think It Is. Founder of the acclaimed Haven Writing Retreats, she has been featured or published in Vanity Fair, Elle, Redbook, Time, Newsweek, The New York Times “Modern Love” column, The New York Times Magazine, O, The Oprah Magazine, and many others. She has appeared on Good Morning America, The Early Show, WGN, NPR, London's This Morning, Australia's Sunrise, and other global media outlets. She lives in Whitefish, Montana. For more information, visit: lauramunson.com. Connect with her on social media: Facebook- Laura MunsonInstagram- @lauramunsonauthor LinkedIn- Laura MunsonGet her book here.Shawna Rodrigues has been hosting the The Grit Show, since 2022 and has loved every minute of it. She has an award winning career in the government and non-profit industry, an LCSW, and a passion for making a impact. She is currently facing her biggest plot twist yet—a breast cancer diagnosis in early 2025—this year is about her fight, victory, and healing. Join her warrior community Being Honest and check out the podcast episode where she shares more.Connect with her journey: Instagram @Shawna.Rodrigues | Everything else: https://linktr.ee/37by27Stay Connected to The Grit ShowFollow us on Instagram: @The.Grit.Show or Shawna @ShawnaPodcastsGrab your copy of our Self-Care Coloring Pages & as a bonus, you'll get weekly email reminders when episodes come...

Dr. Laura welcomes everyone to Season 6 of Where Work Meets Life™ in this introductory episode, which lets us in on what to expect from the podcast's sixth season, why Dr. Laura does what she does, and what she plans to bring to the world going forward. Season 6 dovetails with the upcoming January 2026 release of her new book, “I Wish I'd Quit Sooner: Practical Strategies for Navigating and Escaping a Toxic Boss”, and conversations with other experts in the realm of narcissism, bullying, and toxic workplaces will help underscore the importance of the subject.Where Work Meets Life™ is a labor of love for Dr. Laura, a place where she can share her knowledge and experience as a workplace culture expert, and address how workplaces and the humans who power them can thrive. Episodes featuring guests such as Michael Hingson, Laura Munson, Jeffrey Deskovic, Jia Rizvi,  Pam Buchanan, and others will shine a light on such topics as the need for soul in the workplace, tips for career fulfillment, advocacy for the wrongfully convicted, and what makes great leadership. Dr. Laura continues to share important messages, explore how we can find wellness in work and in life, and shine a light on people who are changing the world. “I'm talking about being compassionate. We're all on this human adventure together, and we are in a world full of curveballs, and we need to be compassionate to what one another is dealing with. So I will continue to bridge the research with the real world and the challenges facing humans and organizations. And I'll bring a diversity of guests globally.” Dr. LauraAbout Dr. Laura:Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett is a work and career psychologist and thought leader on the evolution of work. She has always been fascinated by how work intersects with life and loves to use her expertise to improve organizations and help people thrive. Her passion for taking creative ideas and launching them into successful business strategies led her to start three counselling psychology practices (Calgary Career Counselling, Canada Career Counselling, and Synthesis Psychology), as well as six different business brands offering organizational assessment and consulting services.Dr. Laura is honoured to have been selected as a Woman of Distinction in Canada in 2014 and received a Canadian Woman of Inspiration Award as a Global Influencer in 2018. Her new book, I Wish I'd Quit Sooner: Practical Strategies for Navigating and Escaping a Toxic Boss, releases in January 2026 and is available for pre-order on Amazon.Resources:“I Wish I'd Quit Sooner: Practical Strategies for Navigating and Escaping a Toxic Boss” by Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett - pre-order available nowDr. Laura on LinkedInWhere Work Meets Life™ on YouTubeLearn more about Dr. Laura on her website: https://drlaura.liveFor more resources, look into Dr. Laura's organizations: Canada Career CounsellingSynthesis Psychology

Send us a textAuthor and teacher Laura Munson talks about her book, The Wild Why, how everyone can be creative, and why wonder is the key to your writing.▬Check out Laura's website:https://lauramunson.com/Grab a copy of her books:https://lauramunson.com/books/Visit Laura's socials:https://www.facebook.com/lauramunsonauthor/https://www.instagram.com/lauramunsonauthor/

Episode 559 - Laura Munson - Uncovering The Wild Why, We Get Stumped and We Overcome Our Inner CritterFounder of the Top Ranked Haven Writing Retreats“I'm so glad you are here. Thank you. You are a very large part of why I write —why I sit at the intersection of heart and mind and craft that is the writing life.” Laura MunsonNew York Times Best Selling AuthorYou complete the trajectory that begins at my writing desk and longs to land in your hands as you spend an hour in bed reading in the wee hours, or on your commute, or in a quiet corner on a Sunday afternoon. It's you who I want to reach, and it's you who makes my work whole. Writing is a solitary act, and I believe that we write first to bridge to ourselves SO THAT we can bridge to our collective human community. I deeply love that something I write in a small room in Montana can cross oceans, mountains, transcend social groups, age, religion, difference. Heart language is heart language. And I have learned in my thirty years of living the contemplative life that writing is one thing if it is anything: truth. We writers disrupt. We question. We examine. We wonder. And most of all, we hold up the mirror to truth.https://lauramunson.com/haven-writing-programs/Helping Authors:Find Their Voice, Find Their Narrative​, Find Their MotionThe Book: The Wild Why - Stories and Teachings to Uncover Your WonderFor fans of Brené Brown's Daring Greatly, Glennon Doyle's Untamed, and Elizabeth Gilbert's Big Magic, this illuminating self-help tool is the perfect book for anyone who yearns to rekindle their own voice.What is wonder?Wonder is curiosity and awe put together. We are born with our wonder intact. Why? What? How? Wow! Look at that rainbow! What makes a rainbow? Wonder is what we need to survive and thrive, not just as individuals but also as a civilization. It's what's lauded and honored by our society in young children. Until it isn't.The Wild Why calls for an illuminating end to this endemic crisis of self, and a return to what we know at birth and need to reclaim. This is a book of teaching, and teaching-spirited stories, all centered on how to find our true self-expression and the wonder that spawns it.https://lauramunson.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

Feeling stuck—like you've lost your voice, your trusty GPS, or that your voice doesn't matter? TWE Podcast host Stacey Gualandi talks with bestselling author Laura Munson about her new book, The Wild Why: How reclaiming your sense of wonder and awe, can free you and change your life. Laura Munson is also the founder Haven Writing Retreats based in Montana.  ==========================================  Learn More about The Women's Eye Online Magazine and Podcast:  Website: https://www.thewomenseye.com/  ==========================================  Subscribe to The Women's Eye YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/user/TheWomensEye  ==========================================  Learn More About Laura Munson and The Wild Why:  Website: https://lauramunson.com/   Learn More About Host Stacey Gualandi:  https://staceygualandi.com/ ==========================================  The Women's Eye Books:  20 Women Changemakers: https://amzn.to/306MAce  20 Women Storytellers: https://amzn.to/3pohetF  ==========================================  Connect with Us:  Get the Latest Updates from The Women's Eye:  https://www.thewomenseye.com/subscribe/  LIKE The Women's Eye on FACEBOOK:  https://www.facebook.com/TheWomensEye/  FOLLOW MORE on INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/thewomenseye/  FOLLOW The Women's Eye on TWITTER:  https://twitter.com/thewomenseye/  ==========================================  Disclaimer: Links in the description are typically affiliate links  that let you help support the channel at no extra cost.  ==========================================

Why is the sky blue? Why do only birds get to fly? Is there a God? And if so, why does God let bad things happen? Why do people die? It's natural for children to ask questions, big and small. But too often, adults brush off such questions as an annoyance, or scold kids for being rude, or even respond to their asking with punishment. When that happens, many children stop asking and grow up to become adults who believe it's safer to stay quiet and squelch their inherent, and essential, sense of wonder.A deeply personal memoir and richly insightful, empowering guide, THE WILD WHY interweaves stories, awakenings, and lessons with teachings, exercises of exploration, and calls to action for the reader to find their own wild why. At the heart of it all is wonder. What is wonder anyway? As Laura Munson explains, wonder is what even cynics feel and think when they see a rainbow: curiosity mixed with awe. And because the experience is universal, wonder drives empathy.Following Laura Munson's evolution as a writer and a wonderer through life's unexpected turns, including success and divorce, THE WILD WHY also welcomes readers to come along on her travels to wonderful places all over the world. From the woods of Montana, to a hammam in Morocco, to hill towns in Mexico and Tuscany, to an ancient stone circle in Ireland…we revel in what she receives: the ability to surrender, the power of kindness, and a greater appreciation for life's mysteries, the universe, others, and, yes, herself.  THE WILD WHY affirms a universal truth - as Laura Munson attests: “We're all creative! Every act of living is creative. Every step we take, every choice we make, every word that comes out of our mouth—it's all an act of creation!” What could be more wonderful than that?            Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-unplugged-totally-uncut--994165/support.

What if the secret to rediscovering your creativity, your empathy, and even your joy was something you were born with—but lost along the way? In this episode, bestselling author Laura Munson talks about her newest book, The Wild Why, and the journey back to wonder. From the forests of Montana to ancient stone circles in Ireland, Laura's personal stories and teachings invite us to pause, reflect, and reconnect with our inner voice. She shares the truth behind our creative blocks and the myth that we're "not creative"—stories we've absorbed over time but don't have to believe. We also explore why wonder matters, not just for personal fulfillment but for building empathy and a more compassionate society. Laura opens up about her own challenges, including divorce and life transitions, and how they shaped her understanding of inner kindness, creativity, and self-expression. Whether you're juggling work, parenting, or just trying to get through the day, The Wild Why offers a compassionate call to stop in the moment, take a breath, and ask “what if?” again. #TheWildWhy #LauraMunson #BooksThatMakeYou #SelfHelp #Creativity #WritingLife #Wonder

New York Times bestselling author Laura Munson spoke to me about her acclaimed writing retreats, building a bridge to readers, and bringing wonder back into our lives with her latest THE WILD WHY. Laura Munson is the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of the novel Willa's Grove and the memoir This Is Not The Story You Think It Is. She is also an editor and Founder of the top-ranked Haven Writing Retreats. Her new book is THE WILD WHY: Stories and Teachings to Uncover Your Wonder. A Maria Shriver Sunday Paper Pick, “For fans of Brené Brown's Daring Greatly, Glennon Doyle's Untamed, and Elizabeth Gilbert's Big Magic, this illuminating self-help tool is the perfect book for anyone who yearns to rekindle their own voice.” Laura has been featured or published in Vanity Fair, Elle, Redbook, Time, Newsweek, The New York Times' “Modern Love” column, The New York Times Magazine, O, The Oprah Magazine, and many others. She has appeared on Good Morning America, The Early Show, WGN, NPR, London's This Morning, Australia's Sunrise, and other global media outlets. [Discover The Writer Files Extra: Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at writerfiles.fm] [If you're a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen] In this file Laura Munson and I discussed: How to rekindle your true voice Why we lose wonder in our worried world Her life's journey to live in her truth The importance of finding radical empathy How to eradicate the “tortured artist” pattern And a lot more! Show Notes: lauramunson.com The Wild Why: Stories and Teachings to Uncover Your Wonder by Laura Munson (Amazon) Laura Munson on Facebook Laura Munson on Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why is the sky blue? Why do only birds get to fly? Is there a God? And if so, why does God let bad things happen? Why do people die? It's natural for children to ask questions, big and small. But too often, adults brush off such questions as an annoyance, or scold kids for being rude, or even respond to their asking with punishment. When that happens, many children stop asking and grow up to become adults who believe it's safer to stay quiet and squelch their inherent, and essential, sense of wonder.A deeply personal memoir and richly insightful, empowering guide, THE WILD WHY interweaves stories, awakenings, and lessons with teachings, exercises of exploration, and calls to action for the reader to find their own wild why. At the heart of it all is wonder. What is wonder anyway? As Laura Munson explains, wonder is what even cynics feel and think when they see a rainbow: curiosity mixed with awe. And because the experience is universal, wonder drives empathy.Following Laura Munson's evolution as a writer and a wonderer through life's unexpected turns, including success and divorce, THE WILD WHY also welcomes readers to come along on her travels to wonderful places all over the world. From the woods of Montana, to a hammam in Morocco, to hill towns in Mexico and Tuscany, to an ancient stone circle in Ireland…we revel in what she receives: the ability to surrender, the power of kindness, and a greater appreciation for life's mysteries, the universe, others, and, yes, herself.  THE WILD WHY affirms a universal truth - as Laura Munson attests: “We're all creative! Every act of living is creative. Every step we take, every choice we make, every word that comes out of our mouth—it's all an act of creation!” What could be more wonderful than that?            Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-like-it-s-live--4113802/support.

In this podcast, Lynne Spriggs O'Connor, debut author of "Elk Love: A Montana Memoir," talks about transformation, renewal and how nature can heal. Podcast host: Bestselling author Laura Munson. Learn more about The Women's Eye Online Magazine and Podcast: Website: https://www.thewomenseye.com/  ========================================== Subscribe to The Women's Eye YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheWomensEye ========================================== Learn More About Lynne Spriggs O'Connor:  Website:  lynneoconnorauthorcom https://lynneoconnorauthor.com/ Facebook: @lynneoconnorauthor https://www.facebook.com/lynneoconnorauthor Instagram: @lynnesoconnor https://www.instagram.com/lynnesoconnor/ Learn More About Host Laura Munson https://lauramunson.com/ ========================================== The Women's Eye Books: 1. 20 Women Changemakers: https://amzn.to/306MAce 2. 20 Women Storytellers: https://amzn.to/3pohetF ========================================== Connect with Us: Get the Latest Updates from The Women's Eye: https://www.thewomenseye.com/subscribe/ LIKE The Women's Eye on FACEBOOK:  https://www.facebook.com/TheWomensEye/ FOLLOW The Women's Eye on TWITTER:   https://twitter.com/thewomenseye/ FOLLOW MORE on INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thewomenseye/ ========================================== Disclaimer: Links in the description are typically affiliate links  that let you help support the channel at no extra cost.  ========================================== 

A lively discussion with two bestselling authors, TWE host Laura Munson and Natalie Jenner who talks about giving up on writing for 10 years, reinventing herself and what brought her back to write two bestselling historical fiction novels, The Jane Austen Society and Bloomsbury Girls, and now her latest book, “Every Time We Say Goodbye,” which takes us to the movie sets of postwar Italy and captures the human spirit of her characters in the midst of love, loss, art and intrigue. ========================================== Learn More about The Women's Eye Online Magazine and Podcast: Website: https://www.thewomenseye.com/  ========================================== Subscribe to The Women's Eye YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheWomensEye ========================================== Learn More About Natalie Jenner:  Website:  https://www.nataliejenner.com/ Instagram: authornataliejenner https://www.instagram.com/authornataliejenner/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/NatalieMJenner   Learn More About Host Laura Munson https://lauramunson.com/ ========================================== The Women's Eye Books: 1. 20 Women Changemakers: https://amzn.to/306MAce 2. 20 Women Storytellers: https://amzn.to/3pohetF ========================================== Connect with Us: Get the Latest Updates from The Women's Eye: https://www.thewomenseye.com/subscribe/ LIKE The Women's Eye on FACEBOOK:  https://www.facebook.com/TheWomensEye/ FOLLOW The Women's Eye on TWITTER:   https://twitter.com/thewomenseye/ FOLLOW MORE on INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thewomenseye/ ========================================== Disclaimer: Links in the description are typically affiliate links  that let you help support the channel at no extra cost.  ========================================== 

Does finding love in a small town only happen in rom-coms? Have you “been there, done that” when it comes to where you live? Nancy chats with best-selling author Laura Munson, who recently found big love in a small Montana town. Small dating pools are tough at any stage of life, but when you live in a place you've known for years, it can be even harder. In today's episode, Nancy is joined by Laura Munson, NYT best-selling author and founder of the Haven Writing Retreat in Whitefish, Montana (where Nancy spent two wonderful weeks last year).  Laura talks about what it's like to be in the middle of life and dating in a small town. Spoiler alert: It starts with believing in your own love story, no matter what obstacles you may be facing. Over time, Laura learned how to cast a wide net in a small pool. She says first, she had to get crystal clear on what she wanted (and what she didn't want) to finally find the love she was looking for. Like with most things, your approach to dating changes as the years go by. It's easy to push dating to the side when you've got a busy, full life, and that's what Laura thought until she met her perfect match at just the right moment. The secret? Staying true to herself along the way. Nancy and Laura unpack why it's so important to understand the “why” behind your romantic motivation. Staying authentic and true to yourself is the best way to attract love, no matter who you are or where you live.  “You have to connect with yourself first, to know what you want to connect to. Then, inside a loving relationship, you can grow.” 

Aime Alley Card shares the epic story of The Tigerbelles, the Olympic legends who, as an all-Black women's track team from Tennessee State, broke through sports and socio-political barriers and found glory against all odds at the 1960 games in Rome. Host: Laura Munson. ========================================== Learn More about The Women's Eye Online Magazine and Podcast: Website: https://www.thewomenseye.com/  ========================================== Subscribe to The Women's Eye YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheWomensEye ========================================== Learn More About Aime Card:  Website: https://www.aimecard.com/ Learn More About Host Laura Munson https://lauramunson.com/ ========================================== The Women's Eye Books: 1. 20 Women Changemakers: https://amzn.to/306MAce 2. 20 Women Storytellers: https://amzn.to/3pohetF ========================================== Connect with Us: Get the Latest Updates from The Women's Eye: https://www.thewomenseye.com/subscribe/ LIKE The Women's Eye on FACEBOOK:  https://www.facebook.com/TheWomensEye/ FOLLOW The Women's Eye on TWITTER:   https://twitter.com/thewomenseye/ FOLLOW MORE on INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thewomenseye/ ========================================== Disclaimer: Links in the description are typically affiliate links  that let you help support the channel at no extra cost.  ========================================== 

Laura Carney, author of "My Father's List," talks about completing her Dad's bucket list and how living his dreams set her free. TWE Podcast host: Laura Munson.  LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WOMEN'S EYE PODCAST AND ONLINE MAGAZINE: The Women's Eye Website: https://www.thewomenseye.com/ ========================================== Subscribe to The Women's Eye YouTube Channel 
https://www.youtube.com/user/TheWomensEye ========================================== Learn more about Laura Carney: Website: https://www.bylauracarney.com/ Learn More About Host Laura Munson: Website: https://lauramunson.com/ Learn More about our Sponsor: Catherine Scrivano, President of CASCO Financial Group Website: https://www.cascofinancial.com/  LinkedIn: Catherine Scrivano https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-scrivano-2b61612/ Facebook: CASCO Financial Group https://www.facebook.com/people/CASCO-Financial-Group/100063616178497/ ========================================== The Women's Eye Books: 1. 20 Women Changemakers:https://amzn.to/306MAce 2. 20 Women Storytellers: https://amzn.to/3pohetF ========================================== Connect with Us: Get the Latest Updates from The Women's Eye:
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Dana Killion, author of the memoir Where the Shadows Dance, talks about how to recover from family trauma, turmoil and someone else's addiction with host Laura Munson. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WOMEN'S EYE PODCAST AND ONLINE MAGAZINE: The Women's Eye Website: https://www.thewomenseye.com/ ========================================== Subscribe to The Women's Eye YouTube Channel
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Dr. Tanmeet Sethi, author of Joy is My Justice, talks about how to rediscover joy as a practice for healing with TWE host Laura Munson. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WOMEN'S EYE PODCAST AND ONLINE MAGAZINE: WEBSITE: https://www.thewomenseye.com/ ========================================== SUBSCRIBE to The Women's Eye YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/TheWomensEye ========================================== THE WOMEN'S EYE BOOKS 1. 20 Women Changemakers: https://amzn.to/306MAce 2. 20 Women Storytellers: https://amzn.to/3pohetF ========================================== CONNECT WITH US! Get the Latest Updates from The Women's Eye: https://www.thewomenseye.com/subscribe/ LIKE The Women's Eye on FACEBOOK:  https://www.facebook.com/TheWomensEye/ FOLLOW The Women's Eye on TWITTER:   https://twitter.com/thewomenseye/ FOLLOW MORE on INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thewomenseye/ ========================================== LEARN MORE about Tanmeet Sethi, MD: https://www.tanmeetsethimd.com/ LEARN MORE About Host Laura Munson: https://lauramunson.com/ ========================================== Disclaimer: Links in the description are typically affiliate links that let you help support the channel at no extra cost. ==========================================   

Brooke Siem, author of a new memoir May Cause Side Effects and award-winning chef, talks about her excruciating antidepressant withdrawal and how she is sharing her story to help others. TWE host Laura Munson.  LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WOMEN'S EYE PODCAST AND ONLINE MAGAZINE: WEBSITE:   https://www.thewomenseye.com SUBSCRIBE to The Women's Eye PODCAST:  https://bit.ly/TWE-It LIKE The Women's Eye on FACEBOOK:  https://www.facebook.com/TheWomensEye/ FOLLOW The Women's Eye on TWITTER:   https://twitter.com/thewomenseye/ FOLLOW MORE on INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thewomenseye/ TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BROOKE SIEM AND HER BOOK “MAY HAVE SIDE EFFECTS” WEBSITE:  https://www.brookesiem.com/ https://www.lisaguerrero.com/ INSTAGRAM:  @brookesiem https://www.instagram.com/brookesiem/ FACEBOOK:   @BrookeSiemOfficial  https://www.facebook.com/BrookeSiemOfficial/ TWITTER: @brookesiem  https://twitter.com/brookesiem FOR MORE ABOUT LAURA MUNSON WEBSITE: https://lauramunson.com/

In this episode of Money Tales, our guest is Laura Munson. Early in life, Laura decided to leave the safety and riches of the debutant society she grew up in for the wilderness of Montana to hone her skills as a novelist. Initially, Laura had a lot of freedom to write, then her marriage took a turn and forced her to monetize her passion for writing so she could pay her bills. Through these efforts, Laura has created a community of inspired writers who join her in Montana or virtually to explore their human experience through the written word. Laura is the international bestselling author of the novel “Willa's Grove” and the memoir “This Is Not The Story You Think It Is.” She has been published in nine countries and featured in Vanity Fair, Elle, Redbook, Time, Newsweek, The Washington Post, Publisher's Weekly, The New York Times' “Modern Love” column, The New York Times Magazine's “Lives” column, O magazine and many others. Laura is the founder of the acclaimed Haven Writing Retreats, speaks at women's conferences and literary events, and has appeared on “Good Morning America,” “The Early Show,” “NPR” and other media outlets across the globe. Learn more about Laura at lauramunson.com/bio. See all episodes >

In this episode of Money Tales, our guest is Laura Munson. Early in life, Laura decided to leave the safety and riches of the debutant society she grew up in for the wilderness of Montana to hone her skills as a novelist. Initially, Laura had a lot of freedom to write, then her marriage took a turn and forced her to monetize her passion for writing so she could pay her bills. Through these efforts, Laura has created a community of inspired writers who join her in Montana or virtually to explore their human experience through the written word. Laura is the international bestselling author of the novel “Willa's Grove” and the memoir “This Is Not The Story You Think It Is.” She has been published in nine countries and featured in Vanity Fair, Elle, Redbook, Time, Newsweek, The Washington Post, Publisher's Weekly, The New York Times' “Modern Love” column, The New York Times Magazine's “Lives” column, O magazine and many others. Laura is the founder of the acclaimed Haven Writing Retreats, speaks at women's conferences and literary events, and has appeared on “Good Morning America,” “The Early Show,” “NPR” and other media outlets across the globe. Learn more about Laura at lauramunson.com/bio.Learn more about Money Tale$ > Subscribe to the podcast Recent episodes See all episodes > Form CRS Form ADV Terms of Use Privacy Rights and Policies

We welcome you in joining your host Joanne Neweduk and guest Cynthia Hamilton Urquhart, as Cynthia shares openly about her healing journey with PTSD with a goal to bring hope to others who are struggling with this life-altering diagnosis. Cynthia is a retired RCMP officer having served for over 25 years. She retired 10 years ago, and 2 years into her retirement was diagnosed with Complex PTSD. Her healing journey completely changed her life, and she is now a Speaker, Writer, Mentor and Mental Health Advocate for First Responders. Cynthia is currently writing her memoir working with New York Times Best Selling author, Laura Munson. On Cynthia’s website you will be greeted with “Sharing my life story is an opportunity for me to give you hope, and let you know you are not alone. There is so much healing with connection and community. Let this be a first step!”Website: https://www.cynthiahamiltonurquhart.comFree Download - Cynthia's Mental Health Hub: "Five Important Things from my Healing Journey".

Laura Munson is the bestselling Author of This is Not the Story You Think it Is, a beautifully honest and searing memoir about a marriage that is coming apart.  In her new book, Willa's Grove, Munson explores the power and wonder of sisterhood, belonging, and taking care of one another, even during our most difficult transitions. The book lands at a particularly important time as women everywhere seek deeper and more intimate connection. 

In this episode, Laura and Lynne Golodner talk about writing past the fear of exposure, writing as practice, prayer, meditation, a way of life and a way TO life, and so now what?, the next logical step from pandemic or other life-changing events. They also discuss the courage to face the empty nest, and how cultivating a self-definition that is productive and creative during motherhood can help women transition through the time that their children leave the nest.

Laura Munson is the author of Willa's Grove, her debut novel. She's also the author of This Is Not the Story You Think It Is...: A Season of Unlikely Happiness, which is a memoir based on her New York Times Modern Love essay which was so popular it actually crashed The New York Times website. We talked about coming to crossroads moments in life and how her characters in Willa's Grove react to them, the nuances of female friendship, her writer's retreat and foundation, and the importance of perseverance for writers.

  Episode 84: Special Guest Author - Laura Munson; New York Best Selling Author, Teacher, Speaker, & Founder of Haven Writing Programs   In This Episode, You’ll Hear: (Podcast run time 60 min.) :33 - Introduction to Laura Munson 2:15 - Laura shares her writing journey & Haven Writing Programs 4:55 -  Laura dives deeper into the programs through Haven Writing & what inspired it 8:40- Vikki shares some of her struggles with community & finding community  11:12 - Laura discusses how community fits with her novel Willa’s Grove 15:00 - Laura & Vikki talk about the next stage for her writing  16:13 - Laura talks about her expertise & finding an audience  19:04 - Laura talks about rejection & writing the book over the business of writing 21:29 - Laura shares her titles & writing process  25:33 - Laura talks through scheduling writing time as a flexible writer & what questions to ask as a writer before developing a writing routine 32:48 - Laura & Vikki talk about online courses & investing in ourselves 35:20 - Laura shares the inspiration for her books & retreats  40:18 - Laura gives more advice for authors just starting out 45:50 - Laura reads from Willa’s Grove Connect with Laura Munson:  Laura’s website: https://lauramunson.com   Resources Mentioned: Natalie Goldberg’s website: https://nataliegoldberg.com Girl Friday Productions: https://www.girlfridayproductions.com   Podcast Music Credits: Title: Amazing Plan by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/     Thanks For Listening You can sign up to win free signed copies of books featured on this podcast here! If you have something you’d like to share with me, please connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or our website. Write a review on iTunes.

Be sure to tune in to a BRAND NEW episode of with Stacey Gualandi as I chat with New York Times bestselling author Laura Munson about her eagerly anticipated debut novel (, March 3, 2020) I first met Munson in 2011 while she was on the speaking circuit promoting her memoir, the international smash . (It was published in 9 different countries!)  Since then, she has become a member of the TWE family, on the air to talk about being an author, starring as the main character in her own book, and teaching her at her Whitefish, Montana, home.  Now Munson is on the road, promoting her first novel Willa's Grove, a story she says took her almost 8 years to complete. From newsmakers, changemakers, entrepreneurs, best-selling authors, cancer survivors, adventurers, and experts on leadership, stress and health, to kids helping kids, global grandmothers improving children's lives, and women who fight for equal rights, "It's the world as we see it." The Women's Eye Radio Show is available on iTunes and at . Learn more about The Women's Eye at 

These New York Times bestselling authors on tour meet here for the first time. Laura Munson is promoting her first novel, Willa's Grove, while Terry McMillan is about to share with the world her tenth or eleventh novel, It's Not All Downhill from Here. (She doesn’t keep count—“They’re not like children, you know.") Both women have decades of butt-in-chair know-how with which to enlighten us and make us laugh. When I say enlighten, boy, do I mean it. Does anyone else need to learn how to put healthy boundaries around their writing practice—like, for instance, to keep family and pets at a respectful distance during storyline crunch times? Terry doesn't mess around, which is probably why long-term publishing success seems to come so easily to her, both on the page and in the hit movie adaptions of her books. (#StellaGotHerGrooveBack #WaitingToExhale …) You might want to take notes. I did. Terry and Laura also share other similarities. Both novels find their lead characters in a midlife shake-up. As they ask themselves the BIG questions, thankfully, their posse of wise (and wisecracking) girlfriends is ever-present. Listen up for behind-the-scenes details on daily practices. Dealing with distractions (omg). Mental toughness. Commitment. And, writing retreats. (Yes, Laura hosts popular retreats in Montana, and Terry's been to mine in Carmel. We chat about the importance of getting away. But. I also share my best DIY tips for creating your own writing retreats for free—tried-and-true strategies for any writer, anywhere, that have helped a lot of people get 'er done.)Get ready to fall in love with these two if you haven't already. And, if you've got kids nearby, please God, get out the ear muffs! Terry just might drop an F-bomb or two (and, who am I kidding--it's not like I can be trusted in that arena).Whoops! Keepin' it fun, y'all. That's why I do this. 'Cause it's fun!Write on. xowww.beautifulwriterspodcast.com

Listen in as I chat with Laura Munson about her journey of self-love through the written word, and how she discovered she actually is a writer. She reminds us that the path we are often often surprises us, and that we need to be the ones to see in ourselves what is already of value. We need to give ourselves permission to be who we are, have it be easy and enjoyable. In our conversation, Laura recounts her journey of writing a best-selling book and all that led to that point. She tells us about why she writes and recites quotes of other writers who inspire her to continue. Get a taste of why community is such an essential part of the process for a developing writer, and maybe you will end up on one of her famous Haven Writing Retreats here in Montana! When who we thought we wanted to become changes How community can enhance your writing experience Why be the one to give yourself permission to be just as you are Links Mentioned: Dancing Spirit Ranch  Brené Brown: The Daring Way  Fearless Self-Love Retreat  Laura Munson & Haven Writing Retreats  Laura Munson’s article in New York Times Modern Love column  Terry Tempest Williams Naomi Shihab Nye   Show Highlights: 00:58 Fearless Self-Love Retreat: at home in your heart details 02:15 Easeful Living Practice: Write Before Read 05:57 Interview begins with Laura’s story of Fearless Self-Love, including her submission to NY Times Modern Love 15:33 Laura’s journey to knowing she was a writer 25:05 How having a community enhances Laura’s writing & self-love 32:24 Haven Wander -- join Laura as she wander the globe 41:21 Strategy of being flexible   Favorite Quotes “I sat at that intersection of heart and mind and craft...for a very long time before I let people see my work.” -- Laura Munson “Writing has become my practice, my prayer, my meditation, my way of life, and sometimes my way to life.” -- Laura Munson “All writers are mining their lives.” -- Laura Munson “I write to shine a light on a dim or otherwise pitchblack corner to provide relief for myself and others.” -- Laura Munson “Nobody asks you to be a writer.” -- Laura Munson “Miss Munson, this is not cinema! Take this to the fools in the English department.” -- Laura’s impression of her screenwriting professor “I didn’t want to be a writer.” -- Laura Munson “Turn the mirror on yourself and look into how you’re already showing up in your life and where the flow is.”-- Laura Munson “I write in a solitude born of community.” -- Terry Tempest Williams “Community is the soil and all the things in the soil, the water and sunlight that are going to allow the seed to sprout, but the seed sprouts alone.” -- Andrea Catherine “Maybe if we re-invent whatever our lives give us / we find poems. Check your garage, the off sock / in your drawer, the person you almost like, but not quite. / And let me know.” -- Naomi Shihab Nye “I can be this happy, alone, at home, in my own bed, but I just had to go to Italy to find out.” -- Laura Munson “I can’t really hide if I want to get what I want.” -- Andrea Catherine “I give myself permission to be exactly who I am, and have it be easy...and fun.” -- Laura Munson   Meet Laura: Laura Munson is the author of the New York Times and international bestselling memoir This Is Not The Story You Think It Is:  A Season of Unlikely Happiness(Amy Einhorn/Putnam 2010) which Book of the Month Club named one of the best books of the year.  It has been published in nine countries and has been featured in Vanity Fair, Elle, Redbook, Time, Newsweek, Washington Post, Publisher’s Weekly and many other newspapers, magazines, and online venues across the globe. Laura is the founder of Haven Writing Retreats, which Open Road Media ranked in the top five writing retreats in the United States, and speaks and teaches on the subject of voice and empowerment through creativity at conventions, corporations, universities and schools, retreat and wellness centers. Her work has been published in the New York Times, the New York Times Magazine, O. Magazine, The Week, Huffington Post, Redbook, Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, Ladies Home Journal, More Magazine, Time Magazine, Newsweek, The Sun, The Shambhala Sun, Big Sky Journal and others.  She has appeared on Good Morning America, The Early Show, WGN, many NPR stations, Hay House radio, as well as other media including London’s This Morning and Australia’s Sunrise.  She lives in Montana with her family.

This pod was hard work and I really didn't say a whole lot of anything other than a 5-minute rant about dogs, until almost 20 minutes in when I finally caved and realised I should have been talking about the one thing that I had on my mind, but had been trying to avoid talking about for the previous 20 minutes. Once I got that out, I mused on a great conversation I had with a friend about honesty and openness, before admitting once and for all that I am a fuckboy. I'm reading this great book called This Is Not The Story You Think It Is, by Laura Munson, and I wrapped up with a little reading from it. Recorded at Lazy Susan's Comedy Den in Perth.

Best-selling author (and reinventor) Laura Munson wants to help you (no matter what your level) craft your story, novel or memoir!  Join CoveyClub founder Lesley Jane Seymour and Munson in a conversation that reveals the nuts and bolts of how to get started, collectives and workshops to join (including Gotham in NY, Grub Street in Boston, Story Studio in Chicago, The Loft in Minneapolis, PNWA in Seattle, The Grotto in San Francisco), best self-publishing outlets (Girl Friday Productions), and best retreats—Munson has a special offer for Covey Cast listeners who sign up for her fabulous Haven Writing Retreat.

, New York Times' bestselling author of about a personal crisis in her marriage, is now leading Haven Writing Retreats in Montana. She designed the retreat she would want to go to for people who turn out to be seekers. It isn't about therapy, but the power of being in a group. Laura talks about how we are all creative and how her writing retreats help people bring out those talents. Tune in to learn more about Laura's writing retreats and the empowering work being done by those participating in them. About The Women's Eye Radio: podcast is a show from , an Online Magazine which features news and interviews with women who want to make the world a better place. From newsmakers, changemakers, entrepreneurs, best-selling authors, cancer survivors, adventurers, and experts on leadership, stress and health, to kids helping kids, global grandmothers improving children's lives, and women who fight for equal rights,"It's the world as we see it." The Women's Eye Radio Show broadcasts on in Phoenix, live-streams on 1480KPHX.com, and is available as on-demand talk radio on iTunes and at . Learn more about The Women's Eye at

Bill welcomes writer and teacher Laura Munson to the show. Join Bill and Laura as they discuss writing, memoirs, and the pleasures of teaching others. Don't miss it!

Laura Munson says it took her 20 years to become an overnight sensation as well as the sensation that this book caused when it came out. She describes the trauma when her marriage started to unravel and what she did about it. She talks about the importance of reinvention and why her passion is writing. About The Women's Eye Radio: with host Stacey Gualandi, is a show from , an Online Magazine which features news and interviews with women who want to make the world a better place. From newsmakers, changemakers, entrepreneurs, best-selling authors, cancer survivors, adventurers, and experts on leadership, stress and health, to kids helping kids, global grandmothers improving children's lives, and women who fight for equal rights,"It's the world as we see it." The Women's Eye Radio Show broadcasts on in Phoenix, live-streams on 1480KPHX.com, and is available as on-demand talk radio on iTunes and at . Learn more about The Women's Eye at

We've been handed so much information about relationship. Generations ago we were taught that we should accept whatever is presented—which amounted to accepting the unacceptable and tolerating the intolerable in many cases. Now we are being told to just “not put up with it.” Laura Munson has a different story—one that is not meant to fit for everyone—but definitely a transformative journey based totally on a crisis in her primary relationship and a decision to transcend suffering. It is a story of empowerment and learning to walk the walk of inner peace. Laura has been writing for 20 years, having published articles in magazines and written several novels. Interestingly enough, it was only when she wrote about her personal journey that she was able to publish her first and bestselling book: “This is Not the Story You Think It Is.” Hers is a story about relationship that you really don't want to miss.

Where did April Fool's Day begin and what pranks are you pulling. The Mother/Daughter dynamic duo check out the facts, fiction, and fun surrounding this spring day. If you will ever be in a courtroom you need to know how the system works. If you've acted properly, it doesn't mean you'll win and if you are in the wrong, it doesn't mean you'll lose. Judicial Deception is about life in court...the truth and nothing but the truth. Author Reginald Jensen is a registered investment adviser and has been in the life insurance business for over fifty years. Laura Munson's debut book, “This is Not the Story You Think It is...” is a poignant, wise, and funny memoir about a personal philosophy that enabled her to weather the storm of her husbands' departure. This book shows you how to retrain the way you think. You have the power to choose happiness over suffering, even if your world is crumbling around you.