258. The Heart of Story — Sarah M. Eden on History, Hope, and the Art of Romance

Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — the podcast where we share real, raw, and remarkable stories that inspire us to lead with courage and heart.Today’s guest is Sarah M. Eden (Millennial) — a USA Today best-selling author, screenwriter, and creative powerhouse whose witty, award-winning historical romances have sold over a million copies worldwide.Known for blending her obsession with history and affinity for tender, hopeful love stories, Sarah has written more than eighty-five novels and is now expanding her storytelling into film. Her upcoming movie, Seeking Persephone, reimagines the myth of Hades and Persephone as a Regency-era romance — and her latest novel, The Tides of Time, explores how love, guilt, and hope transcend centuries.In this episode, Sarah and Yo explore the heart of storytelling itself — why stories matter, how creativity lifts us through life’s oppositions, and why romance will always promise hope.⏱️ Episode HighlightsHow writers “train” their minds to see stories everywhereThe spark behind The Tides of Time and its time-travel premiseWhat adapting her own novel taught Sarah about letting goHow romance fiction empowers women and offers hopeWhy joy is essential to creative longevityHow resistance and opposition help us rise — in life and in artSarah’s gentle message to her 20-something selfTimestamps:00:00 – Welcome & introduction to Sarah M. Eden01:29 – How a dare launched her writing career02:25 – The story behind The Tides of Time — time travel meets the French Revolution04:20 – What makes a good storyteller — and how it can be learned07:42 – Letting go: when your story belongs to the world09:59 – Adapting Seeking Persephone for film and what changed in the process13:39 – Finding joy in creativity, even when it’s “work”14:38 – Sarah’s advice for aspiring writers: love the stage you’re in19:27 – Why romance fiction endures — and what hope it offers24:34 – The Finding Joy card story and how opposition gives us lift💡 Key TakeawaysStorytelling is an act of hope — a way to connect across time and emotion.Opposition builds strength; resistance helps us rise higher.Romance fiction celebrates women’s agency and resilience.Creativity is joy — and joy sustains the creative life.Every stage of your journey has meaning; don’t rush past it.✨ Connect with Sarah M. Eden 🌐 Website & Newsletter: sarahmeden.com📸 Instagram: @sarah_m_eden📘 Facebook: facebook.com/SarahMEden🎬 Coming Soon:Mercury Raine (Books 1 & 2) — releasing October 2025Seeking Persephone — film premiere expected late 2025💌 Store HighlightSarah’s favorite from our Girl, Take the Lead! Card & Gift Shop is “Finding Joy” — featuring a hummingbird and flowers.She shared how her love of physics and birds reminds her that:“What allows birds to fly is opposition. As they flap down, they’re lifted up. Strength is found in opposition.”Explore this and other guest-inspired cards at: girltaketheleadpod.com/shop📬 Connect with Yo, Your Host🌐 Website: girltaketheleadpod.com📸 Instagram: @yocanny💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yocanny📘 Facebook: facebook.com/yolanda.canny