PODCAST · arts
Authors & Espresso
by eLegal Cafe, LLC
Authors & Espresso is where storytelling meets self-publishing. Hosted by author and legal coach Nadia Gilkes, this podcast brings you inspiring conversations with indie authors, practical tips for navigating the self-publishing journey, and insights to help you turn your writing dreams into reality. Whether you’re drafting your first manuscript, launching your latest book, or simply love discovering new voices, pull up a chair and join us for your weekly dose of creativity, community, and caffeine.
Episodes
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The Pantry Painter: How Creativity Heals Grief
Host Nadia Gilkes speaks with Margaret Mary Stoiber — registered nurse, mother, dancer and author of CPR for the Grieving Heart, The Pouch, and The Petal — about her journey through loss, healing and creativity. They discuss Margaret’s pantry-painting illustrations, chakra dance practice, and how...
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Book Launch + Marriage Talk: Save Your Relationship Before the ‘I Do’
This episode announces the launch of Before Forever, a slim, practical guide of conversations for couples that bridges premarital counseling gaps. The host combines two podcast audiences to introduce topics like faith, money, family dynamics, and exercises to build alignment before commitment....
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Face-to-Face Wins: Festival Table Strategies for Authors
Host Nadia Gilkes walks indie authors through preparing for book festivals: how to choose the right events, what logistics to ask about, and how to set up a professional, sales-ready table. She also covers marketing materials, payment options, staffing tips, and practical tricks to maximize...
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Grief, Burnout, and the Pause Between Episodes
Host Nadia Gilkes shares a candid episode about grief, burnout, and the need to rest. She explains why the podcast is delayed, celebrates recent good news, and encourages creatives to honor their emotions, seek support, and give themselves grace while navigating difficult seasons.
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Live, Love, Give: Minerva Honkala’s 365-Day Devotional Journey
Minerva Honkala, poet, devotional writer, and humanitarian, shares her motto "Live, Love, Give," her 365-day devotional Boost Me Up, and her long-standing scholarship work supporting students. The episode explores faith, purpose, daily practices (Pause, Ponder, Pray), and her community impact....
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ISBNs Explained: Own Your Book’s Identity
This episode breaks down what an ISBN is, why it matters for distribution and discoverability, and how it differs from copyright. Nadia explains the pros and cons of free ISBNs from retailers versus buying your own through Bowker, covers costs and formats, and explains why ISBN ownership matters...
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Grace Over Grind: Autism Parenting, Advocacy, and Rest as Strategy
Welcome to Authors & Espresso with Nadia Gilkes featuring Tiana Tee, a licensed marriage and family therapist, Amazon bestselling author, and mother of a nonverbal autistic son. In this episode Tiana discusses her new book, What? A 90-Day Devotional for When Life Changes Everything, and shares...
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Inside Amazon’s AI Audiobook Beta: My Hands-On Test
Host Nadia Gilkes walks through her hands-on experiment with Amazon’s audiobook AI beta, testing voice options, accents, and chapter-by-chapter editing from an existing e-book. She highlights pronunciation fixes, pacing and emotion limitations, royalty and pricing choices, and practical tips for...
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From Page to Playback: How AI is Changing Audiobooks
Hello and welcome to Authors and Espresso with Nadia Gilkes, who announces the launch of Author Status .. Loading, her new on-demand self-publishing course, and explores audiobook options. This episode explains ways to create audiobooks — record yourself, hire a narrator or studio, or use AI...
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Turning Experience into Impact: Love, Legacy & Writing Before Forever with Nadia Gilkes
This episode re-airs Nadia Gilkes’ guest interview on the Sunday Morning Chat Series with Jesse Oakley III. Nadia discusses her bestselling comedic novel Woke Up Dead, the inspiration behind it, and her upcoming book Before Forever — a divorce-attorney’s take on premarital conversations. She…
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You Had Me at No: How Boundaries Save Your Sanity
In this episode of Authors & Espresso, host Nadia Gilkes interviews Sheryl Green, a bestselling author and expert on setting boundaries. Sheryl shares her personal journey of hitting rock bottom due to overcommitment and burnout, leading her to discover the importance of boundaries. The...
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The Belonging Paradox: A Renaissance Woman’s Guide to Finding Your Place
Host Nadia Gilkes talks with Dr. Otito Iwuchukwu — organizational psychologist, editor, and author of The Belonging Paradox — about her multi‑hyphenate career, the psychology of belonging, and the power of words. They cover practical tips for writers and self‑publishers, the pillars of belonging...
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When Book Covers Make You Cry: A Self-Publisher’s Cover Journey
Host Nadia Gilkes gives a candid behind-the-scenes account of the emotional, messy, and ultimately rewarding process of designing book covers for self-published authors. She shares personal failures, lessons learned, and the choices that helped her land on a cover she loves. Filled with practical...
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Authors & Espresso: February Recap — Black Voices & Bold Stories
Host Nadia Gilkes recaps Authors & Espresso’s February episodes featuring three independent Black authors: Rhonda Green (Behind the Smile), James Jeffley (Un-FEC'd and more), and Jesse Oakley, III (Greetings, Happy People). Each interview explores personal journeys, leadership, mental health, and...
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Greetings, Happy People: Leadership Lessons from Jesse Oakley, III
In this episode host Nadia interviews Jesse Oakley, III — a civil engineer, longtime Toastmaster and former Toastmasters International Director, Red Cross volunteer, author of Greetings, Happy People, and host of the Sunday Morning Chat Series. They discuss leadership growth, the power of...
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Get Un-FEC'd & Lead: How Human Connection Powers Lasting Change
Host Nadia Gilkes interviews award-winning speaker, coach, author, minister, and musician James Jeffley about leadership, change, and the human side of organizations. They discuss his latest books, including Misdiagnosed and Un-FEC'd, the FEC framework (Fear, Ego, Culture), the importance of...
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Behind the Smile — Rhonda Green on Depression, Resilience & Healing
Host Nadia Gilkes interviews author and engineer Rhonda Green about her Sunrises and Sunsets trilogy and her new memoir Behind the Smile: Depression is Real. They discuss storytelling, mental health, leadership in STEM, and how personal honesty can heal and inspire. Rhonda shares candid moments...
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Lost at Sea, Found His Voice: Len Tran’s Journey to Freedom
In this episode Nadia Gilkes interviews Len Tran about his escape from Vietnam, 21 days at sea as a refugee, and the path that led him to the United States. Len shares the memories behind his memoir "Split Up by the Sea" and why he decided to record his family’s legacy. They also discuss Len’s...
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Red Pen to Release: A Practical Editing Blueprint for Authors
Host Nadia Gilkes walks through her step-by-step editing process—from resting the draft and reading it like a novel, to big-picture revisions (story, characters, pacing), then line edits and formatting. She explains using beta readers, text-to-speech, writing groups, or hired editors to catch…
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From CNA to Boardroom: Leading with Heart in Healthcare
Host Nadia Gilkes interviews Joi A. McMillon about her 30-plus year healthcare journey from bedside CNA to healthcare executive and author. They discuss Joi’s new book, Survey Ready Every Day, which blends memoir, practical leadership tools, and reflective exercises designed to help caregivers…
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Year-End Rewind: Authors & Espresso — Highlights, Guests & Goals for 2026
Host Nadia Gilkes celebrates the first chapter of Authors & Espresso with a year-end recap: the podcast launch on her authorversary, twice-monthly author interviews, and festival flashbacks. She spotlights featured guests, their books, and practical publishing and writing tips shared throughout…
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Keeping Promises, Making Space: Verde Arzu’s Quest to Celebrate Black Queer Stories
Author and teacher Verde Arzu discusses her novels Rainbow and Promise Keeper, her work as a middle school special education and English teacher, and her commitment to centering Black queer lives and HBCU culture in her storytelling. She also shares insights on indie publishing and placing books…
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The Benefit of the Ex: Finding Beauty in Breakups
Host Nadia Gilkes revisits her 2020 Virtual Festival interview with June Dillinger, author of The Benefit of the Ex: Making Love Visible When Everything Changes. June shares her divorce-to-purpose journey, practical invitations for healing, and how she transformed pain into service as a speaker…
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Keys to the Journey: Coaching, College, and Career Readiness w/ Kala Gause
Host Nadia Gilkes interviews Kala Gause, author of Keys to the Journey, about his workbook-style guide for parents and college‑bound student athletes. They discuss his coaching philosophy, real success stories (including his nephew’s path to the NFL), and practical steps for balancing academics,...
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Coach: Mediator of Dreams, Destroyer of Generations — The Jerry “Bobo” Mason Story
Host Nadia Gilkes revisits her 2020 interview with former Texas Tech standout Jerry “Bobo” Mason, covering his high school and college basketball career, the injuries he played through, and his choice to prioritize family over pro opportunities. Mason discusses his book Coach, Mediator of Dreams...
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From Reflection to Manifestation: A Mini Vision Board Guide
Host Nadia Gilkes leads a short, guided pre-vision-board workshop to help you clarify goals before you start gluing pictures on a board. She offers reflective journaling prompts, pacing tips (including pausing to write), and a simple structure to review the past year, assess the present, and...
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From Engineer to Eloquence: Diane Windingland’s Journey to Confident Speaking
Author and speech coach Diane Windingland shares her journey from engineer to professional speech coach and author of 10+ books. She discusses overcoming fear, Toastmasters, self-publishing, using AI tools for coaching and writing, and practical habits to become a confident speaker. This episode...
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Why the World Needs Your Story — Sheila Kennedy Festival Keynote
In this Festival Flashback, Sheila Kennedy explains why every author’s story matters — how books create connection, give others permission to speak, and start conversations that change lives. She shares candid self-publishing insights, encouragement for hesitant writers, and the power of...
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From Death to Birth: A Daughter’s Tribute and Journey
Host Nadia Gilkes sits down with debut author Liz DelSignore to discuss her newly published novel From Death to Birth, which follows a man awakening in the afterlife and living his life in reverse. They explore themes of transformation, purpose, grief, and self-discovery, plus the author’s…
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Change Your Scenery, Ignite Your Story
Host Nadia Gilkes shares a quick, personal episode about the creative power of changing your scenery to refresh your mindset and jumpstart writing. She explains how new views and environments can awaken your senses and improve your storytelling. Practical ideas include working from coffee shops…
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Unveiling Black History: Filling the Gaps in the American Education System
In this engaging conversation, Joel Plummer discusses his new book 'Black Kid, White School: What They Don’t Teach Your Black Child - Volume 1' and the inspiration behind it, emphasizing the importance of teaching Black history to children. He shares insights from over 20 years teaching…
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Love, Loss, and Legacy: Anthony K. Robinson’s Festival Flashback
Nadia Gilkes revisits her 2020 Authors & Espresso interview with Anthony K. Robinson, covering his autobiographical fiction (He Was My Husband Too, Being Married to Her, and upcoming When I Said I Do), his experiences with grief and family fallout, nonprofit and scholarship work, self-publishing...
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Braces, Books, and Breakthroughs: Week 9 Podcast Recap
Host Nadia shares a candid week-nine update from Authors & Espresso — juggling braces trouble while celebrating podcast growth, new YouTube uploads, and a well-received newsletter. She highlights recent author interviews, festival flashbacks, and listener stats. Also covered: community writing...
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Breaking the Silence: Susan Johnson’s Bipolar Journey
Host Nadia Gilkes revisits a 2020 interview with Susan Johnson, author of Some Dreams Are Worth Keeping, who shares her lived experience with bipolar disorder and the memoir that grew from it. Susan discusses diagnosis, treatment, coping strategies (medication, sleep, exercise, support)…
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Lessons from the Music Room: Cheryl Baker on Teaching, Writing, and Survival
Cheryl Baker, an experienced elementary music teacher and author, discusses her books Lessons from the Music Room and A Survival Guide for New Elementary Teachers, sharing practical classroom strategies and niche-focused advice for new music educators. She also talks about her writing and...
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Sumo Wrestlers and Supermodels: Rethinking Education for Black Children
In this festival flashback from 2021, host Nadia Gilkes interviews educator and author Joel Plummer about his book Sumo Wrestlers and Supermodels and what two decades in the classroom taught him about the failures of a one-size-fits-all American school system for Black children. They discuss...
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Find the Time: How to Organize Your Day for Writing Success
Host Nadia Gilkes shares practical tips and favorite apps (Structured, Trello, Evernote, Habit) to help writers organize their schedules, find hidden free time, and build writing routines. Learn how to consolidate calendars, plan writing blocks, track projects visually, and create lasting habits…
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HBCU Pride & A Father's Call: Dr. Shafeeq Ameen on Education and Healing
Host Nadia Gilkes revisits a 2021 festival interview with Dr. Shafeeq Ameen, a lifelong educator and author of HBCU Pride and A Message to a Fatherless Generation. They discuss the influence of HBCUs, the impact of fatherlessness on Black boys, community support efforts, and Dr. Ameen’s...
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Eavesdrop, Connect, Capture: Quick Tips to Jumpstart Your Writing
Host Nadia Gilkes shares three practical tips to beat the blank page: listen to conversations around you, reconnect with friends and family for story sparks, and photograph daily moments to inspire descriptive writing. These small habits help build a daily writing practice and prepare you for...
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Mia Thaw: The Future Whispers - Sci‑Fi for the Non‑Sci‑Fi Reader
In this festival flashback episode of Authors in Espresso, host Nadia Gilkes revisits her 2020 interview with Dr. Gerry Hagen about his novel Mia Thaw: The Future Whispers. Dr. Hagen, a retired physician turned author, explains his vision of a future where minds can be "deep downloaded" into the...
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From Pain to Publisher: Sheila Kennedy’s Self-Publishing Playbook
Host Nadia interviews Sheila Kennedy, founder of The Zebra Ink, about her journey from coaching to starting a small-label self-publishing company. They discuss do's and don'ts when hiring publishers, the layers of editing, ghostwriting realities, and how traditional vs. indie publishing compare....
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Rainbow Revisited: A Black Queer Love Story
Host Nadia Gilkes presents a festival flashback featuring Verde Arzu, author of Rainbow, exploring themes of Black queer love, self-acceptance, and the importance of representation in literature. Verde discusses her independent publishing journey, discusses the importance of acceptance and owning...
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Write What You Know: Kickstart Your Book Today
Host Nadia Gilkes shares practical, encouraging tips to help aspiring authors find topics and start writing. She recommends beginning with what you know, listening to recurring feedback from others, using emotions or headlines as prompts, and keeping a journal or voice memos to capture story…
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The Pain of a Man: Healing, Courage, and CPR
Host Nadia Gilkes interviews Brandon Ward, Sr. about his memoir The Pain of a Man, his daughter’s life-changing accident, and the healing tools he used—books, meditation, and community—to rebuild his life. Brandon also discusses his nonprofits promoting child safety and CPR training, his work...
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On This Rock — Church Secrets That Shake a Family
Host Nadia Gilkes interviews Angela Findley about her debut novel On This Rock, a church-set family drama set in Las Vegas that explores hidden conflicts, a spoiled teen, and community fallout. They discuss Angela’s writing process, self-publishing experience, lessons about editing and marketing,...
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Qiana’s Braids: A Salon Story of Pride and Power
In this Festival Flashback Friday episode, author Chanda Austin discusses her children’s book Qiana’s Braids, a celebration of natural Black hair and the beauty-salon culture that builds pride and community. She shares the inspiration behind the book, the importance of authentic representation…
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Tell Yourself Yes: The Indie-Publishing Journey
In this episode Nadia launches Authors & Espresso and explains what self-publishing means, walks through popular platforms (Amazon KDP, Barnes & Noble Press, IngramSpark), and shares pros and cons of indie vs. traditional publishing from her own experience. She offers practical tips on editing,...
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NaNoWriMo Is No Mo — But We Journey On
Host Nadia Gilkes reflects on the sudden end of NaNoWriMo, explains her cautious stance on AI in writing, and outlines her planned writing timeline and alternatives like write-ins to help authors stay motivated. She offers practical tips for preparing in October, writing in November, and editing...
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Authors & Espresso — Launch Episode: Celebrating an Authorversary
Host Nadia Gilkes celebrates her authorversary and returns with Authors & Espresso, sharing her publishing journey, the Virtual Festival of Books, pandemic challenges, Toastmasters leadership, and a renewed focus on supporting indie authors. Expect author interviews, self-publishing tips…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Authors & Espresso is where storytelling meets self-publishing. Hosted by author and legal coach Nadia Gilkes, this podcast brings you inspiring conversations with indie authors, practical tips for navigating the self-publishing journey, and insights to help you turn your writing dreams into reality. Whether you’re drafting your first manuscript, launching your latest book, or simply love discovering new voices, pull up a chair and join us for your weekly dose of creativity, community, and caffeine.
HOSTED BY
eLegal Cafe, LLC
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Authors & Espresso have?
Authors & Espresso currently has 49 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Authors & Espresso about?
Authors & Espresso is where storytelling meets self-publishing. Hosted by author and legal coach Nadia Gilkes, this podcast brings you inspiring conversations with indie authors, practical tips for navigating the self-publishing journey, and insights to help you turn your writing dreams into...
How often does Authors & Espresso release new episodes?
Authors & Espresso has 49 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Authors & Espresso?
You can listen to Authors & Espresso on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Authors & Espresso?
Authors & Espresso is created and hosted by eLegal Cafe, LLC.
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