Stories of Hurt That Heal (with Kim Coleman Foote)

On the Liberation is Lit podcast, host Tayler Simon talks with New Jersey author Kim Coleman Foote about her lifelong journey as a writer, the family storytelling that inspired her historical fiction, and how her novel Coleman Hill uses both tragedy and humor to humanize relatives and explore intergenerational trauma rooted in slavery. Foote discusses researching family history, using imagination when records are missing, and how writing helped her gain empathy without excusing harm, while challenging normalized cycles of violence. She shares grounding practices like taking breaks, prioritizing mental health, and accountability, and previews her upcoming book Saltwater Sister, which moves between the 18th century and 1999 to examine the Dutch role in the slave trade, repeating history, Ghana, and reparations. The episode closes with community-impact advice: start small by building respectful relationships with neighbors.Kim’s bookColeman HillWhere to Find KimWebsiteInstagramFacebookTimeline00:00 Welcome and Introductions00:37 Kim’s Writing Journey01:30 Why Historical Fiction04:48 Trauma and Humor in Coleman Hill07:52 Humanizing Family Through Backstory09:05 Research and Character Childhoods11:40 Writing as Healing and Breaking Cycles13:56 Staying Grounded as a Writer16:50 Saltwater Sister Preview19:58 Making Impact Locally21:12 Where to Follow and ClosingThank you for being part of the Liberation is Lit podcast! If you have stories to share, want to suggest topics, or just want to connect, find us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok @liberationislit or visit our website at liberationislit.com. If you enjoyed the episode, please consider leaving a review! Remember, your voice matters, and together, through the lens of stories, we're making a difference in the world.