Gary D. McGugan has always enjoyed reading and storytelling, but for more than forty years, he was deeply embedded in the corporate world. Anyone who has operated at a senior level within a large company knows there’s little time for serious writing, and it took retirement from that world to pursue a new passion. His first book was a work of non-fiction, co-authored with his friend Jeff Allen. That positive experience demonstrated that while writing a book is undeniably challenging, it’s not ins...
Nov 04, 2024•36 min•Ep. 198
The life of Jo Cooling is like living in a theme park: one minute, it’s like riding a roller coaster, baking cupcakes, cookies, and slices. With a kitchen covered with chocolate, flour, and cooking utensils. Also trying to develop new tastes and ideas for her growing baking business. Sometimes, she feels like she travels through life in a Dodge ’em car. All the while, she works to complete two novels while caring for two Cavoodles, who believe their mother was placed on this earth purely to play...
Oct 27, 2024•29 min•Ep. 197
Ian Crouch is a doctor living in Adelaide, South Australia. He has always lived there, apart from one year spent working in England in the early days. His books are the result of a lifelong fascination with Greek and Roman history. He is the great good fortune to live with a wonderful woman in a country at peace. You can learn more about Ian Crouch and his work at theshapingofdestiny.com . TOPICS OF CONVERSATION: About "A Pyrrhic Victory" and the inspiration behind the trilogy. Balancing histori...
Oct 25, 2024•26 min•Ep. 196
Dale L. Roberts is a self-publishing advocate, award-winning author, and renowned video creator. With over 50 publications, he has become an authority in self-publishing, leading him to create his own YouTube channel, Self-Publishing with Dale, regarded as one of the premier information resources in the indie publishing community. Dale lives in Columbus, Ohio, with his wife Kelli and two rescue cats, Auggie and Allie. You can learn more about Dale L. Roberts and his work at selfpublishingwithdal...
Oct 21, 2024•37 min•Ep. 195
Warwick Wood was born and raised in Sydney, Australia. From a very early age he developed an interest in all things creative. From age five, he would spend hours drawing and making up stories. Warwick left school in year 10 to pursue a career in art. After graduating from college, he was employed as a commercial artist before joining an advertising agency where he became an art director. A decade later he began his own graphic design and marketing agency where, apart from being the owner, he was...
Oct 20, 2024•27 min•Ep. 194
Lauren Gouin is a Canadian poet, screenwriter/director for TV and film, script editor, and storytelling consultant. Her poetry uses rhythm and rhyme to narrate her inner-most contemplations. You can learn more about Lauren Gouin and her work at https://laurengouin.com . TOPICS OF CONVERSATION: About "Chasing Shadows" and the inspiration behind the collection Imagery and Shadows Vulnerability, expression/crafting and going from raw emotions to polished verse Life and relationships. Introspection ...
Oct 15, 2024•33 min•Ep. 193
Sofia Pires Baquedano is a Brazilian-Spanish writer and filmmaker. She currently is a film student in university in Brazil, and holds a certificate from the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles. She is passionate about the importance of imagery and beauty in a scene, both on-screen and on-paper. She grew up between Brazil and Spain. "This is My Worst Nightmare: Please Be Nice to Me" is her first novel. To learn more about Sofia and her work visit: https://sofiabaquedano.com TOPICS OF CONVERSATIO...
Oct 11, 2024•24 min•Ep. 192
Elysia Stevens is a big fan of rom-coms, which will not be a surprise after you read Smelling Daisies. Most would describe her as eccentric in her personality, which really stands out in her choice of attire. She loves to wear fun socks, and every Friday she celebrates "Fabio Friday" by wearing a Fabio T-shirt for all to enjoy (she loves Fabio!).💛 Thankfully, her husband, Mark Stevens, has a lot of patience because she can't sit still for more than five minutes at a time and always has her head...
Oct 07, 2024•30 min•Ep. 191
Janet R. Macreery is the author of the multi-award-winning historical fiction adventures A Little Wicked and A Little Noble as well as her new release The Falls . She explores the United States and Europe for inspiration and research as well as her quest to find the ultimate hot chocolate. You can learn more about Janet and her work at https://janetmacreery.wordpress.com/ TOPICS OF CONVERSATION About "The Falls" and the inspiration behind the story Life as the only child in a remote fishing camp...
Sep 24, 2024•25 min•Ep. 189
Celia Straus is an Emmy-nominated writer with extensive experience in television and film, including the creation of award-winning shows and documentaries for major networks and organizations. Her work spans a variety of genres, from children's content to military topics and environmental issues. Straus has authored several books, including a poetry trilogy for middle school girls and works on PTSD in soldiers. She also writes children's picture books about endangered species, donating the royal...
Sep 10, 2024•30 min•Ep. 188
Florence Wetzel was born 1962 in Brooklyn, NY. Her latest book, “Sara My Sara: A Memoir of Friendship and Loss,” was released in July 2024. Florence’s novels include “The Woman Who Went Overboard: A Thriller” and “The Grand Man: A Swedish Mystery.” She has also authored a horror short story collection, a book of poems and memoirs, and co-authored jazz clarinetist Perry Robinson’s autobiography. You can learn more about Florence Wetzel and her work on Link Tree at: https://linktr.ee/FlorenceWetze...
Sep 03, 2024•34 min•Ep. 187
When T.G. Brown is not writing books, he is a martial arts practitioner and a competitive CrossFit athlete. He practices Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Krav Maga, Boxing and Muay Thai. He competed in the sport of Crossfit in 2019 and placed in the top 1 percent of the world. Prior to injuring his knee, in 2021, he competed in the occupational games and placed as the 29th fittest cop in the world. T.G. Brown is also a certified Defensive tactics instructor for police officers in the state of Oregon. When...
Aug 27, 2024•34 min•Ep. 186
Mark Shaiken lives with his wife Loren and their dog Emily in Denver Colorado. He schooled at Haverford College and Washburn University, and practiced commercial bankruptcy law for almost 4 decades before moving on to writing, board service, and his photography and music. You can learn more about Mark Shaiken and his work at markshaikenauthor.com TOPICS OF CONVERSATION About "It's What Makes Me... Me" and the inspiration behind the book Intimacy/vulnerability when writing about personal topics O...
Aug 26, 2024•33 min•Ep. 185
E. William Podojil is an international business executive and novelist. He has traveled extensively and visited over sixty countries while based in Europe and the USA. Podojil works as an executive business advisor, strategist and coach while also pursuing his love of storytelling and writing. Podojil's first novel, The Tenth Man, was published in 2004. His second novel, The Poseidon Project, will be published in August, 2024 by The Wild Rose Press, and is the first in The Herb Society Mysteries...
Aug 08, 2024•38 min•Ep. 184
An Education Consultant for over a decade, Monika Ferenczy helps students and parents make decisions regarding learning and education. Her practice focuses on finding the best solution to meet the needs of students, young or mature, to help them reach their full potential, providing relevant and timely information for sound decision-making. Considered an expert in the education sector, with certificates in Education Law and Human Rights for Education Professionals from Osgoode Hall, York Univers...
Jul 08, 2024•35 min•Ep. 183
William J. Birrell is a longtime educator, teaching at a well-known Canadian university for over 20 years. In addition to holding several university degrees, including a graduate degree in Education (M.Ed), William has also developed a passion for writing and telling stories. He is the proud father of three adult children and six young grandchildren. He currently lives in the Niagara Region, nestled in the heart of Southern Ontario Learn more about William burl and his work at https://williamjbi...
Jul 01, 2024•31 min•Ep. 182
Steve Bassett was born, raised and educated in New Jersey before joining the dwindling number of itinerant newsmen roaming the countryside in search of just about everything. Stints as a featured reporter with newspapers in New Jersey, Illinois and Salt Lake City were followed by Associated Press assignments in Phoenix and finally as Investigative Reporter in San Franciso. Then came CBS television news, three Emmy Awards for his investigative documentaries, and the prestigious first Medallion Aw...
May 08, 2024•38 min•Ep. 180
Tara J. Stone started writing fiction when she was in first grade and discovered the thrill of screenwriting when she studied Communications Media at John Paul the Great Catholic University. Screenplays are her favorite way to tell stories, but novels are quickly gaining. She hopes her writing will contribute to a revival of Catholic fiction. After successfully self-publishing two screenplays as paperbacks and ebooks, she partnered with two of her former film professors to create Story Masters F...
Apr 16, 2024•25 min•Ep. 179
Michael Rizzo is a fantasy fiction writer who works in finance during the day and often spends evenings writing and creating his fantasy world. He published his first book, Tales of Asterra , in early 2023, and he continues to build upon the established lore of this magical world in his spare time. He is currently working on his second book, To Sow a Fallow, which will be the second adventure set in Asterra, with many more soon to follow. When Michael is not writing, he enjoys playing guitar in ...
Apr 05, 2024•33 min•Ep. 178
RACHEL STONE writes stories of hope and redemption, often set against vibrant Canadian backdrops. Her debut novel, THE BLUE IRIS, was named a BookLife Editor's Pick and placed second in the 2024 Feathered Quill Book Awards. Her award-winning lyric essays have appeared in international literary magazines, journals, and blogs. Rachel holds degrees in psychology and industrial relations, and once worked seven summers at a flower market. She's an active member of the Women's Fiction Writers Associat...
Apr 02, 2024•30 min•Ep. 177
Margaret A. Blenkush writes from her childhood home in South Saint Paul, Minnesota where she enjoys the changing seasons. Always a writer at heart, it was the COVID pandemic that challenged her to seek publication of her first novel, The Doctor of Bellechester. Enthusiastic response as in "When's the next book coming out?" and receiving an honorable mention for Best Catholic Novel in the 2023 Catholic Media Awards encouraged Margaret to continue writing about the adventures of Dr. M.E. Senty. A ...
Mar 19, 2024•37 min•Ep. 176
When T.G. Brown is not writing books, he is a martial arts practitioner and a competitive CrossFit athlete. He practices Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Krav Maga, Boxing and Muay Thai. He competed in the sport of CrossFit, before blowing out his knee in the 2021. Like most Crossfitters, he would do the "CrossFit Open." A nationwide test of fitness that introduces some of the hardest workouts in the world. In 2019, T.G. placed in the top 1 percent of the world, which was not enough to make the famous Cross...
Mar 11, 2024•29 min•Ep. 175
An accomplished attorney and award-winning journalist, Randy Richardson is the founding member and president of the Chicago Writers Association. His latest novel, "Havana Hangover," earned recognition as a 2023 Finalist for the Kindle Book Awards and the BestThrillers.com Book Awards and received 5-Star Reviews from Reader Views and Readers' Favorites. With two more novels, "Cheeseland" and "Lost in the Ivy," plus a coauthored nonfiction work titled "Cubsessions," Randy's influence spans genres....
Mar 05, 2024•35 min•Ep. 174
Celia Straus is an accomplished writer whose talents span television, film, and literature, earning her an Emmy nomination for the YouTube series "Kids Speak Out" in collaboration with the United Nations She also created and wrote the Emmy Award Winning Memorial Day Concert that was broadcast nationally on PBS. Her versatility in storytelling has been recognized with numerous additional awards, highlighting her ability to engage audiences across various platforms. Straus’s literary contributions...
Feb 22, 2024•35 min•Ep. 173
Lauren de Leeuw graduated with a degree in journalism; however, she was always far more interested in the adventure novel that was in her book bag as well as her next travel destination than she ever was with her current local news assignments. She has published many articles across a variety of platforms. Secrets in the Islands is her first book. Lauren lives on Vancouver Island with her husband and two wonderfully energetic children. Learn more about Lauren de Leeuw and her work at https://sam...
Feb 12, 2024•21 min•Ep. 172
Diana Tuorto is a Buffalo, NY-based children’s author. A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in English Writing and History, Diana is also an active animal rescue volunteer and serves as Vice President of a small non-profit horse rescue. She shares a small farm with her husband, horses, and cats. Diana started writing her first children’s novel at the age of 12. Most of her books are written from a horse’s point of view. Diana has a total of six books: three middle grade novel...
Feb 07, 2024•26 min•Ep. 171
Viterose Elaine Van Huis is a recent widow, who lives between Barbados, her birth country, and the United States. She lives with a little dog named Charlie. She spends her time reading, writing, and gardening. This is her third book. Most recently she published Living Intentionally, in 2021 She published Incredible Mr. Charlie. Bones in the Alley: A journey to self-awareness that began on the island of Barbados was first published in Learn more about Viterose Van Huis and her work at: Viteroseva...
Jan 31, 2024•30 min•Ep. 170
Robert L. O'Toole is an international figure skating coach with over 47 years of experience coaching athletes from the grassroots to the Olympic level. His positive and motivational approach to coaching is his trademark, along with his passion and love of sport. He has inspired thousands of athletes to achieve excellence in sport and beyond. My Journal is his debut entry into the literary world. Learn more about Robert O'Toole and his work at: www.robertotooleauthor.com www.facebook.com/robertot...
Jan 22, 2024•31 min•Ep. 169
A JOURNEY OF LIFE, LOVE, AND LIMITLESS ADVENTURE with STEPHANIE ROWE Embark on a journey into the vibrant tapestry of my life, where each moment is an adventure waiting to unfold. I thrive on the richness of experiences, living life to its fullest. My passion for connection is a cornerstone of my existence. Together with my husband, Jason, we merge the joys of bringing people together and the artistry of cooking. Our culinary escapades span the globe, from the Caribbean to the Philippines and th...
Jan 10, 2024•31 min•Ep. 168
Bob Gebelein, with an IQ of 140 and a Harvard education, has been a pioneering software developer and a visionary thinker. Since 1955, he has focused on addressing cultural and systemic failures, channeling his exceptional intellect towards redesigning civilization. Gebelein pursued psychotherapy, dream analysis, and introspection to solve both personal and societal issues. His journey towards psychological maturity is reflected in his self-published books and original music, underscoring his co...
Jan 02, 2024•44 min•Ep. 167
