Podcasts about novelists

Are we in a News Media Golden Age, or a fragmented era? In this “Generational Divides” episode, Reason editor-at-large Nick Gillespie brings together Baby Boomer, Millennial, and Gen Z voices to debate how our media landscape is changing. Are more platforms expanding truth, or blurring the line between news and entertainment? Are journalists accountable to funders, audiences, or the truth? As industry shakeups like recent Washington Post layoffs signal change, what does the future of news media look like?  For Baby Boomers: Kurt Andersen, Novelist, and Former Host of NPR's "Studio 360"; Co-founder of Spy magazine  For Millennials: Nellie Bowles, Journalist & Co-Founder of The Free Press   For Gen Z: Rachel Janfaza, Journalist & Founder of The Up and Up Substack; Contributor to The Bulwark  Nick Gillespie, Editor-at-Large at Reason, is the guest moderator.  Join the conversation on Substack—share your perspective on this episode and subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated insights from our debaters, moderators, and staff.  Follow us on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and TikTok to stay connected with our mission and ongoing debates.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Novelist, essayist, and educator Brian Platzer joins co-hosts Whitney Terrell and V.V. Ganeshananthan to discuss his new novel, The Optimists, which follows private school teacher Mr. Keating over three decades. Platzer reflects on the real-life inspiration for the book, his own mentor, Rod Keating, and the fleeting intensity of teacher-student relationships that nevertheless turn out to be formative. He explains how he came to decide that the fictional Keating, struggling to tell the story of his own life, would narrate the story of a remarkable student, Clara, alongside his own. Platzer also talks about the novel's other central relationships, including Keating's marriage to his wife, Caroline, and his connection to his ex's son, Jacob. Platzer, himself a private school teacher, considers the novel's private school setting, as well as the high cost of elite education and small classroom sizes in New York City, the competitive pressures placed on young people, and the broader impact of the gap between private institutions and public schools. Platzer reads from The Optimists. To hear the full episode, subscribe through iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app (include the forward slashes when searching). You can also listen by streaming from the player below. Check out video versions of our interviews on the Fiction/Non/Fiction Instagram account, the Fiction/Non/Fiction YouTube Channel, and our show website: https://www.fnfpodcast.net/This podcast is produced by V.V. Ganeshananthan and Whitney Terrell.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Storytelling is more than entertainment — it's a moral act. In this episode of The Storyteller's Mission, Zena Dell Lowe explores the danger of stories replacing standards — and what that means for writers. When trust collapses and authority becomes unaccountable, storytellers are often asked to shape meaning and moral judgment. But assigning verdicts before exploring truth turns story into propaganda, even with the best intentions.Learn how to:Recognize the difference between moral clarity vs. moral coercionAvoid letting your story pre-judge or manipulate the audiencePreserve complexity, nuance, and consequences in fictionTrust your audience to wrestle with truth rather than forcing conclusionsWhether you write drama, historical fiction, or speculative worlds, this episode is a must-watch for writers committed to truthful, morally responsible storytelling.Watch this episode on YouTube Free Resources for Writers:Free Video Tutorial for ScreenwritingSign up for The Storyteller's Digest, my exclusive bi-monthly newsletter for writers and storytellers. Each edition delivers an insightful article or practical writing tip straight from me, designed to help you master your craft and tell compelling stories.The Storyteller's Mission Podcast is now on YouTube.  Subscribe to our channel and never miss a new episode or announcement.

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Steve Younis, host of the Superman Homepage and author of a new book, Man of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow: A Calendar of Significant Birthdays, Premieres, and Milestones in Superman's History.0:00 Opening ThoughtsWe chat about hockey romances and why they are having their moment.6:44 News1) BookSpot Offers Unique Reading Challenge2) Spotify Offers PodMatch for Audiobooks13:35 Craft CornerTamara Grantham, author of many fantasy novels, including Never Call Me Vampire, explains the differences between traditional publishing and self-publishing and the advantages and disdvantages of both.17:36 Interview with Steve Younis37:56 Parting WordsMake plans now to attend the WriterCon Retreat (July 15-19) and the WriterCon Conference (Sept 4-7). Take your writing to the next level!Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.William Bernhardt www.williambernhardt.comwww.writercon.com

In this episode, we explore a new dimension of intelligence for navigating our rapidly-changing world. We start with the story of Hiroo Onoda, a soldier whose unwavering commitment to a mission long after its context had vanished becomes a powerful metaphor for how rigidity can keep us stuck. We dive deep into "AQ"—Agility Quotient—with Liz Tran, founder of AQ Learning Lab and author of AQ: A New Kind of Intelligence for a World That's Always Changing.Liz breaks down why AQ matters now more than ever, as change, disappointment, and uncertainty become the hallmarks of modern life, exceeding the rates of just decades ago. We unpack the origins and limitations of IQ and EQ, and highlight how AQ is the urgent intelligence we all need to cultivate. Liz shares the four archetypes for handling change—Astronaut, Neurosurgeon, Novelist, and Firefighter—each representing different strengths and pitfalls. We discuss practical strategies for creative leaders to grow their AQ, especially those ahead of the curve who struggle to bring others with them.This episode is a must-listen for anyone committed to staying agile, relevant, and creative as the world evolves beneath our feet.Key Learnings:AQ – Agility Quotient: AQ is our capacity to handle change, disappointment, and uncertainty. It's the essential intelligence for today's world, complementing IQ and EQ.Rigidity vs. Agility: Sticking to obsolete missions or skillsets—like Hiroo Onoda—illustrates how lack of agility can prevent us from recalibrating when reality shifts. Agility is a mindset, not just a skill.Four Change Archetypes: We all respond to change as either Astronauts, Neurosurgeons, Novelists, or Firefighters, each with unique strengths and blindspots. Awareness of your archetype can help you adapt more skillfully.Durable vs. Technical Skills: Technical skills lose value quickly; it's our durable, transferrable skills—like communication, problem-solving, and reflection—that build true agility and staying power.Bringing Others Along: Especially for creative “astronauts,” practical tools like “giving turn signals” in communication and learning to value the insights of other archetypes are essential for inspiring and leading change.Get full interviews and bonus content for free! Just join the list at DailyCreativePlus.com.Mentioned in this episode:Apply for Creative Leader Roundtable Leading creative people is rewarding, but it can also feel isolating. That's why I've started Creative Leader Roundtable, a private community where leaders like you connect monthly to get practical insights, honest feedback, and real encouragement. You'll leave every round table with fresh perspective and tactical ideas. You can apply right away. So if you lead a team of talented people, go check us out at CreativeLeader.net, because creative work deserves brave leadership. The Brave Habit is available nowMy new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

Welcome to the Kobo ReWriting Life Podcast! Alongside your regularly scheduled Kobo Writing Life podcast episode releases, we will also be featuring some highlights from our backlist. In this episode, we welcome John Gaspard to share his tips and tricks learned from film directors and the movies that apply to novels and novel writing. This is a great episode for anyone looking to improve their writing skills with the aid of different mediums! In this episode, we spoke with John Gaspard, author of The Popcorn Principles: A Novelist's Guide to Learning from the Movies, an indispensable guide to implementing tips and tricks learned from film directors and film in general into your fiction writing. John is also the author of several mystery novels across two series, and multiple standalone novels and non-fiction titles. He also hosts two podcasts and has directed six low-budget feature films! He had so much advice to offer this episode, and we had an elucidating and interesting conversation. We chatted with John about his new non-fiction title, his filmmaking experience, the times he spent interviewing well-known film directors, crafting a compelling mystery, what writers can learn from filmmakers, and so much more. Be sure to check out the "sequel" to The Popcorn Principles; John's latest, More Popcorn Principles: Further Cinematic Storytelling Strategies for Novelists is out now! To learn more, visit John's website. 

Novelist, biographer, journalist and writer Justine Picardie joins the Country Life Podcast to talk about her life in fashion and journalism, her writing, and her close encounters with the Royal Family — including the day she found herself in a remote Scottish bothy, helping the late Queen Elizabeth II clean up after lunch.Subscribe to the Country Life podcast on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to the Country Life podcast on SpotifySubscribe to the Country Life podcast on AudibleJustine's also talks about her latest book, Fashioning The Crown (Faber, £25), which is published on February 26, 2026 — you can order a copy here.In the research and writing, she was afforded extraordinary access to the Royal Archives, including the Queen's wardrobe itself — and Justine shares with James some of the most extraordinary insights, including her timeless style, her practicality, and her savvy adoption of bright colours as colour television became widespread. Many of the outfits she wore 'would have looked as perfect today as they would have 100 years ago,' Justine says.It's a fascinating episode — we hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed recording it.Episode creditsHost: James FisherGuest: Justine PicardieEditor and producer: Toby KeelMusic: JuliusH via Pixabay Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Superlative, aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams sits down with watch collector and author Mitch Katz to explore how a lifelong passion for horology turned into a surprising second career as a novelist. Mitch shares the journey from documenting his personal collection to writing Time Eternal, a murder mystery rooted in real watch history, including the fascinating story of an experimental self winding movement that inspired the plot. They discuss Mitch's creative process, building believable characters, and weaving watch knowledge into fiction in a way that remains accessible even to readers who know nothing about timepieces.The conversation also dives deep into watch collecting itself, from why stories matter more than price tags to how community shapes curiosity, learning, and personal taste. Mitch explains his philosophy of buying what brings you joy, resisting status driven choices, and embracing the long learning curve of the hobby. Along the way, Ariel and Mitch unpack the realities of the Swiss watch industry, collector culture, and why asking better questions matters more than chasing trends.Follow Mitch and Check Out His New Book “Time Eternal”:- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/uniquelyprototype/ - Time Eternal - https://a.co/d/02nf9tpz SUPERLATIVE IS NOW ON YOUTUBE! To check out Superlative on Youtube as well as other ABTW content:- YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ablogtowatch To check out the ABTW Shop where you can see our products inspired by our love of Horology:- Shop ABTW - https://store.ablogtowatch.com/To keep updated with everything Superlative, aBlogtoWatch Weekly, and aBlogtoWatch, check us out on:- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!

February 23, 2026 Hello and Happy Day! This is Dr. MaryAnn Diorio, Novelist and Life Coach, welcoming you to another episode of Winning with the Word. Today is Monday, February 23, 2026, and this is episode #4 in Series 2026. This episode is titled, “Prayer: The Place of Power.” If I were to take a poll of how many people pray daily, the results would be disheartening. Even among believers, which is a very sad commentary on the state of the Church. Before we get fully into our message, however, I want to tell you about my featured book for this week. It is titled Prayer Power: A Simple Manual on Prayer and is available for only $4.99 at the link below or in the show notes: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FJMT7F3Y Prayer Power will teach you powerful principles of prayer that will get results every single time. If you’ve been neglecting your prayer life because you haven’t gotten the results you’ve expected from prayer, then this book is for you. If you don’t pray but would like to learn how, this book is for you. Get your copy now and learn how to pray with power. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FJMT7F3Y Now, on to this week’s message. What is prayer? Prayer in its simplest definition is a conversation with God. Just as any human relationship requires communication to sustain it, so does a relationship with God. Prayer is the means of communicating with God.Why should I pray? There are many reasons to pray, but here are five of the most important ones: 1. We need help. If you haven’t figured it out yet, we cannot navigate this life alone. If we try to, we will eventually discover that there are some problems too big for us to solve. 2) We need the help of Someone more powerful than we who can do the impossible.Some problems in life have no human solutions. It takes God to solve them. 3) We need direction. Prayer helps us to hear from God regarding the big decisions we have to make in life. 4) We need hope. Sometimes life can become overwhelming, filling us with discouragement and despair. It is at such times that prayer is balm to our souls. When we pray, we are looking to God to meet our needs. We are not depending on ourselves. God has an endless supply of whatever we need. Prayer helps us to tap into that supply. 5) We need wisdom. Life is full of choices, and choices have consequences. When we pray, we receive God’s wisdom to make wise choices that result in happy consequences.  The Privilege of Prayer Prayer is a privilege. It is the opportunity to talk with the God who made you and who knows everything about you. Just think about that. In prayer, we get to talk with the God who created the universe. This is a mind-blowing truth. So, my friend, are you ready to learn more about prayer? Are you ready to embark on the most exciting journey of communicating with God in the most amazing relationship you will ever have? You might be thinking, “Dr. MaryAnn, where do I start?” You start by establishing a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. If you have not yet established this relationship, you can do so right now by inviting Jesus Christ into your life. Pray this simple prayer with me now: Lord Jesus, I want to know You. I want to establish a relationship with You so that I can talk with You every day and have You talk to me. I invite You into my life and receive You now as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for sending Jesus so that I could be reconnected with You. In His Name I pray. Amen. In closing, I want to remind you that my featured book for this week is titled Prayer Power: A Simple Manual on Prayer. Get your copy now and begin a powerful prayer life that gets results. Just click on the link below: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FJMT7F3Y Winning with the Word is available on Apple Podcasts and other major podcast venues as well as on YouTube. Check out my YouTube channel at youtube.com/drmaryanndiorio. Until next time, remember that God loves you just as you are and just where you are. Yet, He doesn't want you to stay there. As you walk with Him, He will help you to keep on winning with the Word.________________________________ Copyright 2026 by MaryAnn Diorio, PhD. All Rights Reserved. CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO WINNING WITH THE WORD. ________________________________ Featured Book for This Week: Prayer Power: A Simple Manual on Prayer Get your copy here: PRAYER POWER

On this episode of Superlative, aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams sits down with watch collector and author Mitch Katz to explore how a lifelong passion for horology turned into a surprising second career as a novelist. Mitch shares the journey from documenting his personal collection to writing Time Eternal, a murder mystery rooted in real watch history, including the fascinating story of an experimental self winding movement that inspired the plot. They discuss Mitch's creative process, building believable characters, and weaving watch knowledge into fiction in a way that remains accessible even to readers who know nothing about timepieces.The conversation also dives deep into watch collecting itself, from why stories matter more than price tags to how community shapes curiosity, learning, and personal taste. Mitch explains his philosophy of buying what brings you joy, resisting status driven choices, and embracing the long learning curve of the hobby. Along the way, Ariel and Mitch unpack the realities of the Swiss watch industry, collector culture, and why asking better questions matters more than chasing trends.Follow Mitch and Check Out His New Book “Time Eternal”:- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/uniquelyprototype/ - Time Eternal - https://a.co/d/02nf9tpz SUPERLATIVE IS NOW ON YOUTUBE! To check out Superlative on Youtube as well as other ABTW content:- YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ablogtowatch To check out the ABTW Shop where you can see our products inspired by our love of Horology:- Shop ABTW - https://store.ablogtowatch.com/To keep updated with everything Superlative, aBlogtoWatch Weekly, and aBlogtoWatch, check us out on:- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!

Writer, film curator, and leading Hong Sang-soo scholar Dennis Lim brings a personal favorite from Hong's oeuvre–– 2022's The Novelist's Film–– to Deep Cut. As the DC trio and their esteemed guest enjoy the luxuriate in Hong's complex, joyous depiction of collaborating artists-in-exile, Dennis shares his background with Hong, this film's shape, and the model Hong sets for young, independent filmmakers.Film your novel at our FREE patreon, discord server, and our socials @ www.deepcutpod.com Timestamps:00:00 Intro02:08 Introducing guest03:47 Lim's background with Hong11:15 DC trio's current thoughts on Hong15:41 Why the Novelist's Film / general reactions26:13 Hong's regular actors28:04 Formal discussion38:33 Shapes41:16 Lee Hye-young46:25 Ha song-guk47:06 Waste, exile, potential50:19 Hong's business, life, and art model (good for young filmmakers)55:53 Outro

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Calvin Schwartz—an award-winning author, novelist, journalist, college lecturer, and podcaster—on The Brand Called You. Hosted by Ashutosh Garg, this episode dives deep into Calvin Schwartz's unique journey from pharmacy to storytelling, the spiritual roots behind his acclaimed novel, There's a Tortoise in My Hair: A Journey to Spirit, and his lifelong commitment to environmental advocacy.Discover how Calvin navigated significant career shifts, overcame limiting beliefs, and found purpose in writing and environmentalism. Gain fresh perspectives on leadership, climate optimism, the power of dark humor in literature, and spiritual awakening—especially when it intersects with mental health.Whether you're passionate about personal growth, spirituality, environmental change, or storytelling, this episode will leave you inspired and reflective. Don't miss Calvin Schwartz's compelling insights, life lessons, and his advice on embracing the slow and steady path—much like the tortoise in his hair.

Romance novelist and filmmaker Alys Murray joins us to unpack Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights adaptation, and (perhaps unsurprisingly) opinions are varied! What does the movie have in common with Grease 2? Listen and learn! Plus, we have a Hotline call all about movie characters that need family or couples counseling. What's Good Alonso - Nathan Rabin's The Fractured Mirror Drea - Talking Spindle Cove on Reading Smut Alys - The Artful Dodger TV series Kevin - Valentine's Day romance, courtesy of Avengers: Endgame ITIDIC Bad Bunny Sets First Lead Movie Role in ‘Porto Rico' With Norton, Bardem Remembering a Trio of of Hollywood Greats We Lost this Week (Tom Noonan • Frederick Wiseman • Robert Duvall) - Alonso recommends The Store as a Wiseman entry point. - Tom Noonan's The Wife is an adaptation of his play, Wifey. Staff Picks Drea - Emily Alonso - A Useful Ghost Alys - Dangerous Beauty Kevin - Sliding Doors Alys Murray's new book is A Little Buzzed Follow us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or LetterboxdWithKevin AveryDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

Slavery was never passively endured. Sudhir Hazareesingh on the vast, global resistance of the enslaved — from Africa to Haiti. Plus: Jacqueline Sheehan on Sojourner Truth's extraordinary moral courage.

realconversations #singer #songwriter #Nashville #novelist#detective #Missouri #paramedic #chiropractor CONVERSATIONS WITH CALVIN — WE THE SPECIESHosted by Calvin SchwartzMeet HOWARD LEVINSON; “I'm a novelist, journalist, whichmeans I write. And I'm familiar with imagination and fuel. And occasionally, Ithink about making things up. Which brings me to my guest today. HowardLevinson. I could drift on my pet cumulus cloud, and I'd be hard-pressed toconjure up Howard's journey. He lives on a farm in central Missouri. Drivesthree miles on a gravel road from the main road to get to his farmhouse. I toldhim that I look out my back window and see most of my eight million Jerseyneighbors. Howard and I are relative contemporaries. Great bonding. Now hearthis. He's been a paramedic and in law enforcement for 22 years (a cop, withroles in organized crime and terrorism), disaster response (been to Puerto Ricoafter Maria, and New Orleans after Katrina), a chiropractic physician, novelist(3 uniquely different genres), and an accomplished singer-songwriter who toldme Nashville is magical. Howard Levinson is a gift. Eloquent. Passionate.Spiritual. Introspective. A family man. Grandfather. Filled with endless energyto tell stories, whether as a novelist or songwriter. And in the middle of theinterview, he said that he'd like to spend a day with Hemingway. In my writer'sgroup, we talked about Hemingway yesterday. Synchronicity abounds. Howardabounds.” Calvin

Join us as Ocean House owner and award-winning author Deborah Goodrich Royce moderates a conversation with thriller authors Christa Carmen, Karen Dukess, Vanessa Lillie, Kristin Offiler, and Tessa Wegert. About the Authors: Christa Carmen lives in Rhode Island. She is the author of The Daughters of Block Island, winner of the Bram Stoker Award and a Shirley Jackson Award finalist, the Indie Horror Book Award-winning Something Borrowed, Something Blood-Soaked, and the Bram Stoker Award-nominated "Through the Looking Glass and Straight into Hell" (Orphans of Bliss: Tales of Addiction Horror). She has a BA from the University of Pennsylvania, an MA from Boston College, and an MFA from the University of Southern Maine. Karen Dukess is the USAToday bestselling author of  Welcome to Murder Week and The Last Book Party and is a contributor to the upcoming anthology (November 2025) Ladies in Waiting: Jane Austen's Unsung Characters. She is also the host of The Castle Hill Author Talks, a series of virtual and in-person interviews with some of today's most exciting authors. Karen has been a tour guide in the former Soviet Union, a newspaper reporter in Florida, a magazine publisher in Russia and a speechwriter on gender equality for the United Nations. She has a degree in Russian Studies from Brown University and a Master's in Journalism from Columbia University. She lives with her family near New York City and spends as much time as possible in Truro on Cape Cod. Vanessa Lillie is the author of the USA Today bestselling suspense novel, Blood Sisters, which was a Target Book Club pick and GMA Book Club Buzz Pick as well as named one of the best mystery novel in 2023 by the Washington Post and Amazon. The sequel, The Bone Thief, was recently released, landing a spot on the USA Today Bestseller List. Her other bestselling thrillers are Little Voices, For the Best and she's the coauthor of the Young Rich Widows series. Originally from Oklahoma, Vanessa is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. She has fifteen years of marketing and communications experience and enjoys organizing book events in and around Providence, RI where she lives now. She loves connecting with readers and hosts an Instagram Live show with crime fiction authors! Kristin Offiler is represented by Tia Ikemoto at Creative Artists Agency, and her fiction has been published in the Waccamaw Journal of Contemporary Literature, the Bookends Review, and The Raleigh Review. She has an MFA from Lesley University, but most of what she's learned about writing has come from reading and taking classes with some of her favorite authors. And, of course, through a lot of trial and error with her work. She writes novels and short fiction and also loves teaching creative writing. She's a big fan of summertime, clean sheets, and reading good books on the porch of my 130-year-old house. New England features prominently in most of her work. There's something special and magical about the region, and she is forever attempting to capture it in her stories. Tessa Wegert is the critically acclaimed author of the Shana Merchant mysteries, as well as the North Country series, beginning with In the Bones. Her books have received numerous starred reviews and have been featured on PBS and NPR Radio. A former journalist and copywriter, Tessa grew up in Quebec and now lives with her husband and children in Connecticut, where she co-founded Sisters in Crime CT and serves on the board of International Thriller Writers (ITW).  For details on Deborah Goodrich Royce and the Ocean House Author Series, visit deborahgoodrichroyce.com  

Novelist and weekly author of The Wrap Geoff Parkes joins Brett McKay for a look back at first round of Super Rugby Pacific and all the surprises that came with it, on the latest episode of a brand new offering from 8/9 Rugby: the AUS Rugby scene. And it wasn't without blemish, with the powers that be declaring on Monday morning a try should not have been awarded that was. In Round 2 this weekend, there is bounce-back factor in several games, while the teams that did win now have to back that performance up. Also, Brett and Geoff run you through what to expect on 8/9 Rugby on Substack, the new publishing venture they set up over the Australian summer. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby #SuperRugbyPacific #89RugbyonSubstack Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby' on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and we're doing more on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“There is a reason why I'm writing her story. So, I gave myself permission to write her story to get all these feelings out of me. And once I gave myself permission to do that, I did not stop writing.” – Laura Frost Today's featured award-winning author is a wife, mom, wildlife biologist, amateur baker, and adventure seeker, Laura Frost. Laura and I had a fun on a bun chat about her book, “Seeking Sasha”, how personal experiences shaped her storytelling, baking metaphors, and more!!!Key Things You'll Learn:What inspired Laura to write and publish her first novelWhy a strong support system is important for someone pursuing a challenging creative careerThe importance of being open to inspiration from anywhere as a writerHow she balances life and writing. As well as her rituals for getting into the zone for creativityLaura's Site: https://laurafrostwrites.com/Laura's Book: https://a.co/d/0emfoImVThe opening track is titled, “Unknown From M.E. | Sonic Adventure 2 ~ City Pop Remix” by Iridium Beats. To listen to and download the full track, click the following link. https://www.patreon.com/posts/sonic-adventure-136084016 Please support today's podcast to keep this content coming! CashApp: $DomBrightmonDonate on PayPal: @DBrightmonBuy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dombrightmonGet Going North T-Shirts, Stickers, and More: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/dom-brightmonThe Going North Advancement Compass: https://a.co/d/bA9awotYou May Also Like…963 – Navigating Creative Doubt to Reach the Publishing Promised Land with J.F. Monroe: https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-963-navigating-creative-doubt-to-reach-the-publishing-promised-land-with-jf-monroe/939 – Empathy, Hope, and the Power of Animal Connection with Melody Horrill: https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-939-empathy-hope-and-the-power-of-animal-connection-with-melody-horrill/714 – Drink Wine and Be Beautiful with Kimberly Noel Sullivan (@KimberlyinRome): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-714-drink-wine-and-be-beautiful-with-kimberly-noel-sullivan-kimberlyinrome/847 – That Summer She Found Her Voice with Jean Burgess, PhD: https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-847-that-summer-she-found-her-voice-with-jean-burgess-phd/332 – Her Perfect Life with Hank Phillippi Ryan (@HankPRyan): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-332-her-perfect-life-with-hank-phillippi-ryan-hankpryan/593 – The Perfect Neighborhood with Liz Alterman (@LizAlterman): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-593-the-perfect-neighborhood-with-liz-alterman-lizalterman/744 – How to Write a Novel in 20 Pies with Amy Wallen (@amylizwrites): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-744-how-to-write-a-novel-in-20-pies-with-amy-wallen-amylizwrites/#Holiday Bonus Ep. – Bird of Paradise with Emily Johnson (@elhughes01): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/holiday-bonus-ep-bird-of-paradise-with-emily-johnson-elhughes01/351 – The Gift Legacy with JP McLean (@jpmcleanauthor): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-351-the-gift-legacy-with-jp-mclean-jpmcleanauthor/949 – The Singer Sisters with Sarah Marian Seltzer (@sarahmseltzer): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-949-the-singer-sisters-with-sarah-marian-seltzer-sarahmseltzer/864 – From Ignoring Heart's Call to Embracing a New Life Chapter with Susan Glenney: https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-864-from-ignoring-hearts-call-to-embracing-a-new-life-chapter-with-susan-glenney/992 – Why It's Never Too Late To Thrive & Write A Novel with Margie Zable Fisher (@mzfisher): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-992-why-its-never-too-late-to-thrive-write-a-novel-with-margie-zable-fisher-mzfisher/903 – Somewhere in Minnesota with Jayna Locke (@jaynalocke | @jaynatweets): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-903-somewhere-in-minnesota-with-jayna-locke-jaynalocke-jaynatweets/

https://media.blubrry.com/winning_with_the_word/content.blubrry.com/winning_with_the_word/2026_02_16_WWW_Demon_Invasion.m4a February 16, 2026 Hello and Happy Day! This is Dr. MaryAnn Diorio, Novelist and Life Coach, welcoming you to another episode of Winning with the Word. Today is Monday, February 16, 2026, and this is episode #3 in Series 2026. This episode is titled, “The Demon Invasion.” Talk about demons elicits various types of responses, from “You’re crazy” to “You’re right.” In this week’s message, we’re going to explore briefly the topic of the current demon invasion and how the Christ-Follower should deal with it. We are going to focus only on what the Bible says because the Bible is Truth. But first, I want to tell you that my featured book for this week, THE ITALIAN CHRONICLES Trilogy, is on sale for only $21.00. This offer includes all three novels of the trilogy—The Madonna of Pisano, A Sicilian Farewell, and Return to Bella Terra. That’s a 42% discount off the regular price. This sale will last only until the end of February. So, get your copy now and follow the page-turning saga of Maria Landro as she faces losing her fortune, her family, and her faith. Click on the link below or in the show notes to get your copy. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HFJC4RM And now, on to this week’s message. For centuries in the Western world, the topic of demons was considered not only taboo but ridiculous and off limits. After all, we were far enough advanced on the civilization scale that we no longer needed the foolishness of believing in demons. Science had taken over the western mind, and science was king. Moreover, science, being observable and concrete, saw no indication of demons in the natural, material realm. And, if we couldn’t prove something scientifically, then it did not exist. If we could not see it, it wasn’t there. Anyone who still believed in demons, therefore, was considered backward, uneducated, and downright silly. But things have changed here in the West. Over the past half century, with the rising interest in Eastern mysticism and a renewed interest in paganism, the spiritual realm has become a topic of major focus and exploration. Why? Because science has failed to address the inner part of us that is intangible. In other words, the human heart. When God created you, He breathed into you a soul and you became a living being. Scripture says this in Genesis 2: 7: “The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” In other words, God breathed into you His own breath, and this is what distinguishes you from every other creature. Your soul is what gives you life, what enables you to breathe and walk around and act. Your soul is what enables you to think and choose, to love and experience emotions. Your soul embodies your personality and is what makes you uniquely YOU. God also gave you a spirit. Your spirit is the core of who you truly are. It is the real you, your essence, and the only part of you that can connect to God because God is Spirit (John 4: 24). Now, what does all of this have to do with demons? Plenty. WHAT ARE DEMONS? Demons also are spirits, but they are the disembodied spirits of the Nephilim. The Nephilim were the offspring in human form of the union between fallen angels and human women. The purpose of this unholy union was to corrupt human DNA in order to prevent the Messiah from being born. These hybrid creatures called Nephilim were eventually destroyed in the great Flood of Noah. But their spirits still exist and are called demons. Moreover, there is much evidence today that the Nephilim have reappeared because fallen angels have re-entered the earthly sphere. You may be thinking, “Dr. MaryAnn, you’ve really lost it this time! Fallen angels impregnating women? Come on! You expect me to believe that?” If this is what you’re thinking, then I refer you to Genesis 6: 4: “Back then, and later, there were giants on the earth, who were born as a result of the unholy union of heavenly beings with the human daughters.” These “heavenly beings” were the fallen angels who had rebelled, together with Satan, against God and were evicted from Heaven. Now stay with me because it gets even more interesting. THE CONNECTION BETWEEN DEMONS AND MENTAL ILLNESS The LORD God became so angry at sin and at this unholy union between fallen angels and earthly women that He destroyed the earth in Noah’s flood. In that flood, every single person on earth died except Noah and his family. Only Noah and his family still had pure DNA from which the future Messiah could be born. After the Nephilim died, along with the rest of sinful humanity, their spirits continued to exist, and these spirits are what we now call demons. Since demons are disembodied spirits—in other words spirits without a body—they are continually looking for a body to inhabit, whether a human body or an animal body. When a person, through sin, allows a demon access to his life, that demon will encroach upon that person to the degree that the person allows it, even to the point of total possession of the person. Today, because of blatant, brazen sin, we are witnessing an increasing invasion of demonic spirits into people’s lives. The results of this invasion are catastrophic, first to the person who has allowed the demons entrance, and second to society in general. One such very serious result of demon invasion is the increase in mental illness. While there are cases of mental illness rooted in physical causes such as brain chemistry issues or brain trauma, a good deal of mental illness is rooted in demonic oppression. Sadly, this fact is rarely, if ever, considered by mental health professionals. Patients are given all kinds of medication that may alleviate the symptoms but never cure the root cause of the problem because the root cause is spiritual, not physical. The incidence of mental illness in our culture has increased exponentially and continues to increase. Suicide is on the rise, especially among young teens. Nervous breakdowns, panic attacks, anxiety, and depression have become commonplace. Incidents of random shootings are growing at alarming rates. Has anyone asked why? I posit that much of mental illness today is the result of demonic invasion of the human soul. Statistics gathered in 2022 from the National Institute of Mental Health show that approximately 23.1% of the United States population suffers from mental health issues. This calculates to almost 60 million people in the United States with a mental illness of any type. Why such a high number? THE NEFARIOUS EFFECTS OF SIN A chief reason is that the incidence of sin has increased. Sin, my friend, opens the door to Satan. I’m going to say that again. Sin opens the door to Satan. Our culture today openly condones sin and even celebrates it. Evil is promoted as good and good as evil. In choosing evil, people have actually invited disembodied, demonic spirits to use their bodies as dwelling places. And when a demon attaches to your body or, worse yet, lives inside your body through demonic possession, it wreaks havoc to your entire life, especially your mental life. If you yourself have been suffering from mental illness and are having great difficulty getting better despite counseling and medication, consider the possibility that demons may be involved and that you need to deal with your problem spiritually and not just physically or mentally. If you don’t know where to turn, seek the counsel of a pastor who is experienced in dealing with demons. If you still need help, email me at drmaryann@maryanndiorio.com and I will direct you to a deliverance ministry that can help you. You see, my friend, the goal of Satan and his demons is to steal, kill, and destroy you. Always. His goal never changes, nor do his tactics. Most of the world is oblivious to what is really happening out there. Hordes of demons have invaded our earth through what are called portals, or openings, between the natural realm of earth and the spirit realm above the earth where fallen angels reside. The Bible calls this area “the Second Heaven.” It is the headquarters from which Satan plans and strategizes his attacks on humanity. Above the Second Heaven is the Third Heaven where God dwells with the good angels and the saints of God, those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord and lived for him while on the earth. Directly above the earth is the First Heaven, the heaven we know as current residents of this earth. This First Heaven is now witnessing the invasion of demonic spirits from the Second Heaven. They are coming in the form of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena or UAPs, formerly called UFOs. The media is telling us that these sightings are aliens from other planets. In a way, the media is right. But what they are not telling you because they do not know is that these sightings are not aliens from other planets but fallen angels from the Second Heaven invading the earth to prepare the world for the rise of the AntiChrist, the personification of Satan himself. I have much more to say on the topic, but I will end here for this week. Please subscribe to this podcast for upcoming messages on the truth about what is happening in our world today. It is all prophesied and explained in the Holy Bible. We are living in a time of great deception. (Listen to my podcast for February 9th titled The Great Deception for more information.) The world needs truth. Truth is a person, and His name is Jesus Christ. If you have not yet met Jesus Christ, I invite you to meet Him now. Pray this simple prayer with me: Lord Jesus, I want to know You because I want to know Truth. I've been living a lie, and it has gotten me to places where I don't want to be. So I choose now to turn away from the lie and to embrace You Who are Truth. I invite You into my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for saving me. Thank You for revealing to me that You are Truth. In Your Name I pray. Amen. If you sincerely prayed this prayer from your heart, you are now a born-again child of God. Welcome to the Family of God! Write to me at drmaryann@maryanndiorio.com, and I will send you a free PDF e-booklet titled After You're Born Again. In closing, I want to remind you that my featured book for this week is my popular trilogy titled THE ITALIAN CHRONICLES. See what happens to a soul who allows Satan to invade him. All three novels are on sale in a single ebook volume for only $21.00. That’s a 42% discount off the regular price. This sale will last only until the end of February. So, get your copy now and follow the page-turning saga of Maria Landro as she faces losing her fortune, her family, and her faith. Click on the link below or in the show notes to purchase. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HFJC4RM Winning with the Word is available on Apple Podcasts and other major podcast venues as well as on YouTube. Check out my YouTube channel at youtube.com/drmaryanndiorio. Until next time, remember that God loves you just as you are and just where you are. Yet, He doesn't want you to stay there. As you walk with Him, He will help you to keep on winning with the Word. CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO WINNING WITH THE WORD.________________________________ Copyright 2026 by MaryAnn Diorio, PhD. All Rights Reserved. Featured Book for This Week: Get your copy now at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HFJC4RM Visit my bookstore for a complete list of books at maryanndiorio.com/bookstore.

Send a textCalling all budding espionage writers…In this solo episode, James sits down with one of the most respected names in modern spy writing, Charles Cumming, author of the critically acclaimed Box 88 series - novels celebrated for their psychological depth, moral tension and razor-sharp realism.But this isn't just a conversation about spy stories. It's about beginnings.How does a spy novelist actually get started? What sparks the first book? How do you land an agent, secure a publishing deal and sustain momentum in a fiercely competitive creative world? And why does it often take years - often decades - for stories to make it to the screen?James also explores Charles' extraordinary real-life brush with the intelligence services, including being approached by MI6 - and how that encounter reshaped his understanding of secrecy, power and responsibility.This is a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the craft of espionage writing — and a masterclass in longevity, discipline and producing work that stands the test of time.If you've ever wanted to write… or simply love the shadowy world of spies and secrets… this one's for you.https://charlescumming.co.uk/IBIZA RETREAT: https://themidlifementors.com/retreats/ Support the showPlease remember, if you find the show helpful or it makes you laugh, motivates and inspires you - please do like, share and rate us. We don't run ads on the podcast or for the show, because we want to keep it as enjoyable for you to listen as possible. So if you can help us spread the word, we'd be incredibly grateful.For more information about The Midlife Mentors, click the below link:https://linktr.ee/themidlifementors.comTik Tok: @themidlifementorsIG: @midlifementors

More than 99% of humanity lives in nation states. But nations are less than 200 years old, and today many countries are sliding into xenophobia, debt and a cost of living crisis. With the liberal ideas that underpinned the nation-state system -- human rights, dignity, security for all – in retreat, millions are feeling abandoned by the nation-state, and turning to cross-border migration in desperation. At the same time, nation states are proving ill-equipped to handle urgent planetary threats such as climate change and ecological collapse. Is the nation-state system in decline? Will it be, or can they be, replaced by a new system? Novelist and essayist Rana Dasgupta explores these themes in ‘After Nations: The Making and Unmaking of a World Order', a fascinating historical and political analysis of the nation state. He spoke to The Mag about his new book, and what a ‘post-nation' future might look like. Host: G Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu Producers: Shiksha Jural and Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Writer's Voice, Francesca speaks with D. Graham Burnett, Alyssa Loh, and Peter Schmidt about Attensity!, a manifesto for what they call the Attention Liberation Movement.

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Mark McCraw, acclaimed author of twelve children's books.0:00 Opening ThoughtsThere's still time to file a claim in the Anthorpic lawsuit.3:48 News1) Substack is Coming to Television2) "Autofiction" takes off in Scandinavia14:00 Craft CornerJD Caine, co-author of the Manifest Destiny series, explains how to scare your readers.17:58 Interview with Mark McCraw33:57 Parting WordsFINAL CALL for the WriterCon Cruise, March 7-15, Eastern Caribbena itinerary leaving from Ft. Lauderdale. Over twenty hours of writing instruction specifically tailored to the needs of the particpants. You'll have opporunities to interact, make friends, and meet individually with all the writers plus a top literary agent. Seas the Day!Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.William Bernhardt www.williambernhardt.comwww.writercon.com

In the spotlight is Melissa Fraterrigo, the author of the memoir-in-essays titled “The Perils of Girlhood.” She has also written the novel “Glory Days,” as well as the short story collection “The Longest Pregnancy.” Her fiction and nonfiction have appeared in numerous literary journals and anthologies from Shenandoah and The Massachusetts Review to  storySouth and Notre Dame Review. She has been a finalist for awards from Glimmer Train on multiple occasions, twice nominated for Pushcart Awards, and was the winner of the Sam Adams/Zoetrope: All Story Short Fiction Contest.  She teaches creative writing at Purdue University and in the MFA program in creative writing at Butler University in Indianapolis and also offers instruction on the art and craft of writing at the Lafayette Writers' Studio in Lafayette, Indiana. Learn more about Melissa Fraterrigo here: https://www.melissafraterrigo.com/  Novelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol. Check out his novels here: https://snip.ly/yz18no       Write to Mike Consol at novelistspotlight@gmail.com 

Haris Orkin is a prolific novelist, playwright, screenwriter, and game writer.  His play Dada premiered at The La Jolla Playhouse. His feature film, A Saintly Switch, was produced by Disney and directed by the great Peter Bogdanovich. Haris has written screenplays for Universal, Sony, Fox, and Paramount.  He's also has written numerous video games, many of which have been nominated for the WGA and BAFTA Film Awards. Games he's worked on include Call of Juarez, Red Alerts, Shadow Warrior, Black Hawk Down, and many others.Haris recently released the sixth book in his James Flynn Escapade series, called From Lompoc With Love. I've read the first book of the series, You Only Live Once, which is one of the cleverest, wittiest, and most fun takes on the superspy genre I've had the pleasure to read. I'm a huge James Bond fan, and I was thoroughly caught up in James Flynn's hilariously delusional and unexpected exploits. The book series has been optioned by producer Sherry Marsh and Will Arnett's company and is currently being shopped to streaming studios.  

A riotious comic novel of ideas, Seven tells the story of an unnamed philosopher plunged into the strange world of Theodoros Apostalakis: dentist, poet, pursuer of lost things, and obsessive player of 'Seven', a revered board game whose champions struggle to hold onto what is most valuable in human life in the face of Artificial Intelligence. Blending academic satire, travel writing, farce, and philosophy into a singular, intoxicating brew, Seven is a literary novel that stretches the boundaries of the form and cannot be adequately explained in a bilateral podcast interview with the author: nevertheless, we attempt to do so in this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For decades, we were sold a lie: get good grades, be smart, keep climbing—and success will magically follow. But in a world of nonstop disruption, AI, political chaos, and careers that don't come with ladders anymore, IQ and EQ alone aren't cutting it. In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil sits down with Liz Tran, executive coach, former venture capitalist, and author of AQ: A New Kind of Intelligence for a World That's Always Changing, to unpack the intelligence that actually determines who thrives when everything keeps shifting: AQ (Agility Quotient). AQ isn't about being perfect, flexible to the point of burnout, or endlessly accommodating. It's about how well you adapt to change, uncertainty, and the unknown—without losing yourself in the process. Liz breaks down the four AQ archetypes (Firefighter, Novelist, Astronaut, Neurosurgeon), how proactive vs. reactive change impacts your life and career, and why adaptability is no longer optional—it's survival. This conversation will change how you think about intelligence, leadership, confidence, and what it really takes to succeed when the rules keep changing mid-game. Bottom line: Intelligence isn't just what you know—it's how you respond when what you know stops working. Thank you to our sponsors! Sex is a skill. Beducated is where you learn it. Visit https://beducate.me/bg2602-womanswork and use code womanswork for 50% off the annual pass. Connect with Liz Website: https://liz-tran.com/   Book: https://liz-tran.com/#aq  IG: https://www.instagram.com/liztranwrites/ Quiz: https://liz-tran.com/#quiz LI: linkedin.com/in/liztran1  Related Podcast Episodes: Unlocking Your Hidden Genius: How to Harness Your Innate Talents with Betsy Wills & Alex Ellison | Ep. 289 129 / 4 Truths of Radiant Change with Kristen Lisanti Diversity Isn't a Strategy - It's a Leadership Result with Aiko Bethea | 378 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

We're delighted to chat with Andrew Rubin, a filmmaker and author whose debut novel is Hell or High Winter. Co-hosts: Jonathan Friedmann & Joey Angel-Field Producer-engineer: Mike Tomren Andrew's websitehttps://www.hellorhighwinter.com/ Hell or High Winterhttps://rarebirdlit.com/hell-or-high-winter-book-one-in-a-holy-trinity-by-andrew-rubin/ Symptom Mediahttps://symptommedia.com/ Amusing Jews Merch Storehttps://www.amusingjews.com/merch#!/ Subscribe to the Amusing Jews podcasthttps://www.spreaker.com/show/amusing-jews Adat Chaverim – Congregation for Humanistic Judaism, Los Angeleshttps://www.humanisticjudaismla.org/ Jewish Museum of the American Westhttps://www.jmaw.org/ Atheists United Studioshttps://www.atheistsunited.org/au-studios

February 9, 2026 Hello and Happy Day! This is Dr. MaryAnn Diorio, Novelist and Life Coach, welcoming you to another episode of Winning with the Word. Today is Monday, February 9, 2026, and this is episode #2 in Series 2026. This episode is titled, “The Great Deception.” Some of you may know that I am an author as well as a blogger. Recently in the publishing world, writers have reported a phenomenal increase in fraudulent offers promising wealth and fame for varying amounts of money. I myself have received several of these offers. All of them were generated by people using Artificial Intelligence. All of these offers were deceptive. Deception has taken over the world. But to the Christ-follower, this is not a surprise. Jesus Himself predicted that deception would abound in the last days. While Jesus was on the Mount of Olives with His disciples one day, they asked Him what would be the signs of the last days. Listen to His reply, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 24, verse 4. Jesus said, “Take heed that no one deceives you.” I find it quite interesting that the very first sign of the last days that Jesus mentioned was deception. He warned His disciples not to be deceived. In other words, Jesus foretold that deception would be the major signpost of the closing age of human history. In case you don’t know, my friend, we are living in that closing age today, and, just as Jesus predicted, deception is rampant. Fake videos depict fake images of celebrities speaking things they never said. These fakes, called deepfakes, clone human voices, alter human faces, and change written content to serve purposes that are deceptive, if not downright sinister. It is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between the truth and the lie. So, what are we to do? Let me answer by telling you a story. Years ago, I spoke with a friend of the family who was an executive at a local bank. I asked him how bank tellers recognize counterfeit money. His response surprised me. He said that in their training program, bank tellers never handle counterfeit money. They handle only real money. And they handle real money so well and so thoroughly that when a counterfeit bill passes through their hands, they immediately recognize it as counterfeit. Bottomline, the bank tellers first had to recognize real money in order to recognize counterfeit money. They had to know the truth in order to recognize the lie. The same principle applies regarding deception. In order for us to recognize deception—or the counterfeit to the truth—we first need to be able to know and recognize the truth. The problem is that today, few people know the truth, although most think they do. You may be asking, “So, Dr. MaryAnn, what is the truth?” Contrary to popular opinion, the truth is a Person, and His Name is Jesus Christ. In the Gospel of John, chapter 14, verse 6, Jesus made this profound statement: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Jesus identified Himself as the Truth. From this it logically follows that to know the Truth, one must know Jesus, and unless one knows Jesus, one cannot know the Truth. Sadly, most of the world today does not know Jesus. Hence, they do not know the Truth. When one does not know the Truth, one ends up, by default, believing and embracing the Lie. The Lie is what Satan peddles in order to steal, kill, and destroy you. When one believes the Lie, one loses his ability to think straight. The Bible tells us as much in Romans 1: 28: “. . . since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind . . . .” A debased mind is a mind that has lost its ability to think logically and truthfully. A mind that easily succumbs to deception. “Well,” you might say, “I have my truth. You have yours. What’s the problem?” Consider this. Suppose you hired two men to build you a tool shed. One man believed that a foot was twelve inches long while the other man believed that a foot was nine inches long. Each man was adamant that he was right. Do you think they’d get very far in building your shed? Moreover, logically speaking, both of the men could not be right. If you yourself did not know for sure that a foot consists of twelve inches, you wouldn’t know which man was right. You would not be able to determine who was telling the truth and who was not. Building a shed may not be a life-or-death matter, but knowing the truth is a life-or-death matter when it comes to your eternal destiny. For if you do not know the truth about what happens after death, you could spend forever in Hell instead of Heaven. So, “What is the Truth?” Simply put, the Truth is what God has said it is. And what God has said is the Truth is found in the Bible. Plain and simple. Because God alone is God, He alone has the right, the authority, and the wisdom to determine what is true and what is not true. We humans do not have that right. Nor do we have the authority and the wisdom to determine what is true and what is not true because we are not as smart as God. He is the Creator; we are the created ones. The created ones are not smarter than the One who created them. Now, most people don’t want to hear this. Why? Because they don’t want to be subject to a higher authority than themselves. Most people don’t want anyone telling them what truth is because most people don’t want anyone telling them what to do. Most people want to make up their own rules and live by them. Why? Because they want to continue in their sin. They want to set their own standards for right and wrong so that when they do wrong, they won’t feel guilty and condemned. But God has set the standards for right and wrong, and those standards will never change, no matter how much man tampers with them. Why won’t they ever change? Because they are the Truth, and Truth never changes. You see, my friend, we can reject the Truth, we can rebel against the Truth, we can mock the Truth, but we can never change the Truth. A foot will always equal twelve inches. Two plus two will always equal four. Good will always win out over evil. And Truth will always overcome the Lie. You can try to change this until you are blue in the face, but it will never work. Oh, it may look as though it’s working for a while, but in the end, Truth will overpower the Lie because God, Who is Truth, is more powerful than Satan, who is the Lie. Perhaps you’ve been living in your own self-made concept of truth. How is that working for you? You may say, “It’s working great.” But, friend, I will tell you that one day, you will discover it no longer works. At some point, the foundation of your life will crumble because it is built on a lie. Only a life built on the Truth will last. Only a life built on Jesus Christ will bring you true life. If you have never had an encounter with Jesus Christ, Truth Himself, I invite you to meet Him now. Pray this simple prayer with me: Lord Jesus, I want to know You because I want to know Truth. I’ve been living a lie, and it has gotten me into places where I don’t want to be. So I choose now to turn away from the lie and to embrace You. I invite You into my life and receive You as Truth, as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for saving me. Thank You for revealing to me that You are Truth. In Your Name I pray. Amen. If you sincerely prayed this prayer from your heart, you are now a born-again child of God. Welcome to the Family of God! Write to me at drmaryann@maryanndiorio.com, and I will send you a free PDF e-booklet titled After You're Born Again. In case you are not aware, I write heart-mending fiction that deals with the deepest issues of life. In my stories, you will find characters just like you who struggle with what seem like impossible problems and situations. Check out my books at my online bookstore at https://maryanndiorio.com/bookstore. That's https://maryanndiorio.com/bookstore.My featured book for this week is a story about the overcoming power of truth titled In Black and White. It is the love story of a young white woman and a young black man trying to sustain their love in the whirlwind of racism, prejudice, and family tradition. First Place Winner in Historical Fiction in the 2020 Christian Indie Book Awards Contest, In Black and White reveals the power of truth in overcoming the lie. Get your copy at one of the links in the show notes. Winning with the Word is available on Apple Podcasts and other major podcast venues as well as on YouTube. Check out my YouTube channel at youtube.com/drmaryanndiorio. Until next time, remember that God loves you just as you are and just where you are. Yet He doesn't want to keep you there. As you live in Him, He will help you to keep on winning with the Word.________________________________ Copyright 2026 by MaryAnn Diorio, PhD. All Rights Reserved. Featured Book for This Week:IN BLACK AND WHITE – A Gripping Christian Historical Romance First Place Winner in Historical Fiction – 2020 Christian Indie Awards A Forbidden Love. A Divided World. A Redeeming God. In Black and White is a poignant and powerful Christian historical romance that dares to explore the depth of love between two souls separated by culture, color, and the crushing weight of racial prejudice. Set against the backdrop of academic life and ancestral heritage, this award-winning novel weaves faith, endurance, and restoration into a story that transcends time and speaks to the heart of humanity's greatest struggles—and God's greatest triumphs. PRINT EBOOK _____________________________________________SUBSCRIBE HERE to Winning with the Word VISIT MARYANN'S ONLINE BOOKSTORE « Older Entries

  John Sayles and Maggie Renzi. Photo: Richard Wolinsky John Sayles, author of the novel “Crucible” and director of eighteen independent films, including “Lone Star,” Eight Men Out” and “The Secret of Roan Inish” in conversation with Richard Wolinsky. They are joined by Maggie Renzi, John Sayles' producer on fourteen of his eighteen films. John Sayles is best known for his work as a director, screenwriter and actor, though this is his sixth novel. Among the films he directed are Lone Star, Sunshine State, Eight Men Out, Matewan, The Brother from Another Planet, Baby It's You and Passion Fish. His acting credits include small roles in several films, and he wrote the screenplay for the films he directed. Maggie Renzi, his wife, produced fourteen of his eighteen films, and acted in several of them. She is currently producing John's upcoming western film, to be shot in Spain in Summer, 2026. In the first part of the interview, John Sayles discusses the real-life events behind his novel, “Crucible,” set between the 1920s and 1940s in Detroit  and Brazil and focusing on Henry Ford, and the workers at his plants, and his attempt to create a rubber plantation and city in the jungles of Brazil. In the second part, he and Maggie Renzi talk about the making of his films, from his early days as a screenwriter to some of his later work, including the three films mentioned above and “Matewan,” along with difficulties in streaming rights. The post John Sayles, Film-maker and Novelist, “Crucible,” 2026 appeared first on KPFA.

Historian Andrew Burstein joins us to talk about his biography, Being Thomas Jefferson: An Intimate History.

Today I sit down with my incredible friend Del James. Del is a man of man hats in the art world Song Writer, Tour Manager and now a graphic Novelist. He has just released a brand new Graphic Novel called Consensual Violence that is available on Amazon. This man loves Rock n Roll, Wrestling and Horror Films and we dive into all of it. Tune in and enjoy my friends. thank you  DDR Follow Del on Instagram @deljamesgang  My tour dates can be found here - https://www.deandelray.com/tourdates  My Stand Up Special is here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbeaApu4OP0  Join My Patreon here - https://www.deandelray.com/patreon 

Acclaimed debut novelist Rosie Storey spoke with us about her rejection advice for writers, chasing personal authenticity, and the "accidental catfishing" at the heart of DANDELION IS DEAD. Rosie Storey left her corporate career to finish her hotly anticipated debut novel, Dandelion Is Dead. The book received significant buzz in early 2026, including a January 2026 Indie Next selection, an exclusive excerpt on Today.com, an NPR interview, coverage from Reader's Digest, being long listed for the Bath Novel Award, and optioned for TV, among many others. Described as a “... witty, heart-wrenching debut that follows a woman who starts dating under her late sister's online profile,” and a “... ‘messy millennial' story that's Fleabag meets P.S. I Love You.”  Booklist said of the book, “Storey's debut novel is striking, with staggeringly complex characters and messy situations reminiscent of real life…. filled with intimacy and kindness….Fast-paced but never hurried.” #1 New York Times bestselling author Carley Fortune called it “... the perfect book club book.” Rosie Storey holds a master's in creative writing, and lives in East London, where she works as a writing coach. She is working on her second book. [This episode is sponsored by Ulysses. Go to ⁠ulys.app/writeabook⁠ to download Ulysses, and use the code FILES at checkout to get 25% off the first year of your yearly subscription."] [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 Rosie Storey, Milena and I discussed: How it feels to be compared to your heroes The many opportunities she had to give up the writing life Getting support and much-needed advice from her editors early on The importance of pacing for the novel Writing about grief and the societal pressures on men and women Dancing at Studio 54 with Miranda July And a lot more! Show Notes: Rosie Storey on Instagram Dandelion Is Dead: A Novel About Life by Rosie Storey (Amazon) Rosie Storey's Rejection Advice for Writers TheNovelry.com Milena Gonzalez | Writer | Reader | Book Reviewer diary_of_a_book_babe on Instagram Kelton Reid Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

UK writer Zadie Smith became a world-wide sensation with the publication of her first novel White Teeth when she was 24. Now aged 50, she's bringing her trademark intelligence and wit to the subject of midlife.Her latest work is Dead and Alive, a new book of essays, where she writes about black British history, paintings, politics, our online lives and getting older.She also talks about up growing in North West London and where she's returned to live with her own family.Zadie will be in Australia next month as part of the All About Women festival at the Sydney Opera House on March 8th and at The Wheeler Centre in Melbourne on March 10th.Further InformationAll About Women at Sydney Opera HouseZadie Smith at The Wheeler CentreThis episode explores growing up in North West London, immigrants, black British history, the internet, smart phones, social media, the technology of the book, mid life, being 50, free university, Cambridge, diversity, academia, tap dancing, painting, politics, being a writer, non-fiction, young novelists, find success at young age.To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you'll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

When the thriller writer Harriet Tyce appeared on The Traitors, her book sales skyrocketed by over 500%...So, could novelists be marketed in this way going forward and have they been missing a trick up to now? Sean was Eithne Shortall, Novelist and author of 5 books, including ‘The Lodgers'.

HT2522 - When the Image Takes Charge Over the years I've noticed a curiosity that pops up from time to time. I'll have in my mind's eye an idea of what I want an image to look like, but when I start processing it imposes an alternative I'd never thought about. Novelists will talk about their fictional character taking on a momentum of its own. I think the same thing can happen with photographs. Show your appreciation for our free weekly Podcast and our free daily Here's a Thought… with a donation Thanks!

Playwright and BAFTA-nominated screenwriter Moira Buffini on moving between theatre, film, and fiction, writing for yourself instead of the market, and shaping structure by rewriting toward the ending you want readers to feel.    You'll learn:Why “you are the audience” can be a practical rule for cutting through market noise and writing with conviction. A useful way to handle reviews and outside opinions without letting them steer the work. How to build story momentum when you can't fully plot ahead, and why not knowing the next move can be a strength. A structure approach based on “writing toward a feeling” at the end, then layering drafts until the story clicks. What discipline looks like when you're writing big worlds in prose, and how constraints can keep you from getting lost. How a dramatist's instincts (plot, structure, obstacles) can transfer into long-form fiction and help sustain narrative drive.   A grounded reminder about the “mundane” day-to-day of being a professional writer, and why that doesn't cancel the magic. The practical foundations she names for keeping your mind working (sleep, movement, and treating the body as part of the instrument). What it can take to keep writing alongside caring responsibilities, and why persistence is often the hardest part.   The simplest career advice she returns to: don't accept the story that you “can't,” and keep putting in the hours. Resources & Links:

In this episode of Writer's Voice, Francesca Rheannon speaks with biographer Robert M. Dowling about his biography, Coyote: The Dramatic Lives of Sam Shepard.

Liz Moore's bestselling book, ‘Long Bright River,' was set in a troubled Philadelphia neighborhood where she'd worked on a photo essay. “My own family has a long history of addiction. I was kind of emotionally drawn back to the neighborhood over and over again because of that,” she tells Dave Davies. The resulting thriller about a policewoman searching for her missing sister was made into a series on Peacock. Moore's latest book, ‘The God of the Woods,' where a child goes missing from a remote children's camp, will be adapted to a Netflix series.Also, we hear from one of England's most acclaimed writers, Julian Barnes. He has a new book, which he says will be his last. It's called ‘Departures.' He spoke with Terry Gross. Maureen Corrigan reviews George Saunders' new novel, ‘Vigil.'Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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

In advance of his appearance in Helena at MT Book Co. on Monday, February 2, 2026, novelist David Guterson, author of ‘Snow Falling on Cedars' (Vintage Books), discusses his latest book, ‘Evelyn in Transit' (W. W. Norton & Company).

On this week's episode of The Learning Curve, co-hosts U-Ark Prof. Albert Cheng and Great Hearts Academies' Dr. Helen Baxendale speak with Jay Tolson, editor of The Hedgehog Review and author of Pilgrim in the Ruins: A Life of Walker Percy. Tolson delves into the literary legacy of Walker Percy, the celebrated 20th-century Southern Catholic novelist. He […]

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Heather Snidgrass about her new book, A Love Letter to Reading, a thriller that incorporates music throughout. She also discusses how listening to music improves her writing.Opening ThoughtsBill, Lara, and Jesse make their predictions for 2026 and the world of writing.News1) Spotify is Producing Dramatized Audiobooks Based on Original Material2) Publishers Are Using AI to Review Submissions and Pick Books to PublishCraft CornerMarty Ludlum (At First I Was Afraid) talks about words to avoid.Interview with Heather SnodgrassClosing WordsDon't forget the WriterCon Cruise, March 7-17. We leave from Ft. Lauderdale and cruise through beautiful locations, plus you get over 20 hours of writing instruction, personalized to meet the needs of the group, while the boat is at sea (we won't bother you when the boat is in port). Have some fun and take your writing skills to the next level. For more info, visit www.writercon.com.Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.William Bernhardt www.williambernhardt.comwww.writercon.com

On 12 January 1976, author Agatha Christie died peacefully, aged 85.She created the detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple.By the time of her death, Christie had written more than 80 books. Most of her works were detective novels but she also wrote romances, short stories, poetry and plays.In 2015, Louise Hidalgo spoke to her grandson, Mathew Prichard.Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more. Recent episodes explore everything from the death of Adolf Hitler, the first spacewalk and the making of the movie Jaws, to celebrity tortoise Lonesome George, the Kobe earthquake and the invention of superglue. We look at the lives of some of the most famous leaders, artists, scientists and personalities in history, including: Eva Peron – Argentina's Evita; President Ronald Reagan and his famous ‘tear down this wall' speech; Thomas Keneally on why he wrote Schindler's List; and Jacques Derrida, France's ‘rock star' philosopher. You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, such as the civil rights swimming protest; the disastrous D-Day rehearsal; and the death of one of the world's oldest languages.(Photo: English detective novelist, Agatha Christie. Credit: Bettman/Getty Images)

The Man Booker Prize-winning writer says his new book, ‘Departure(s),' will be his last. He spoke with Terry Gross about blending genres, moving through grief after his wife died, and the fallibility of memory. TV critic David Bianculli reviews the new series ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.' Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The present American political moment is defined by one word: Disillusion. All over the country, ordinary people have realized that the bureaucrats, professors, and other elites who dominated their lives were never acting in good faith and declined long ago. Novelist and thinker Walter Kirn examines the great turning point in American life in the 21st century, and ponders — what's next? Trump’s 2024 win, Kirn argues, wasn’t just political, but a reckoning for every institution in American life. Watch every episode ad-free on members.charliekirk.com! Get new merch at charliekirkstore.com!Support the show: http://www.charliekirk.com/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.