Episodes
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The Messy, Beautiful Art of Writing Your First Novel | Jessica Rao
Is the 1990s officially considered historical fiction today? In this episode of Every Soul Has a Story, host Dara Levan sits down with debut novelist, former journalist, and communications specialist Jessica Rao to explore the gritty coming-of-age experience of 1990s youth. Jessica shares the...
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Finding Resilience After Losing a Child: Rabbi's Journey Through Grief | Amy Pessah
When a rabbi loses her own child while studying to become a spiritual leader, where does she turn for comfort? Rabbi Amy Pessah joins Dara Levan for a raw, unfiltered conversation about grieving her son Yossi while navigating her rabbinical journey. Drawing from her book "The Wholeness of a…
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How Grief, Parenting, and Change Shape Our Stories | Brenda Janowitz
Novelist Brenda Janowitz joins Dara Levan for an honest, funny conversation about her leap from women’s fiction to young adult fiction, her new book The Introvert’s Guide to Kissing in Europe, and the grief, parenting, and midlife changes shaping her life and work. They talk about finding joy…
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How to Build a Personal Brand | Aliza Licht
What if repetition isn't boring—but the secret to being remembered? In this episode, Dara Levan sits down with award-winning marketer, two-time author, and personal branding expert Aliza Licht, who is publishing her novel Off the Record: Secrets of a 90s Fashion Insider in New York as a live,...
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The Book That Survived 9/11 and COVID | Lois Cahall
What if the most iconic death in Hollywood history was a lie? In this captivating episode, Dara Levan talks with journalist, novelist, and founder of the Palm Beach and Cape Cod Book Festivals, Lois Cahall. Cahall reveals the incredible 26-year journey of her new novel, Maybe Marilyn, a story…
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Finding Joy: A Memoir of Love, Healing, and Second Chances | Kara Kavensky
What happens when a 90-year-old World War II veteran confesses his deepest regret and sends you on a journey to find the love of his life? In this powerful episode, host Dara Levan sits down with communication consultant and author Kara Kavensky to discuss her transformative memoir, Tell Me About...
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Be Movable So You Can Be Moved | Tara Stiles
In this raw and radiant episode, host Dara Levan sits down with yoga teacher, author, and Strala Yoga founder Tara Stiles. Tara opens up about being sexually assaulted at her dance school, how she never reported it, and how yoga became her blueprint for healing. She shares why she stopped dancing...
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Finding Radiance in the Messy Middle of Life | Susan Kleinman
Why do we save our favorite things for “someday” that never comes? In this episode, host Dara Levan sits down with author and former magazine editor Susan Kleinman to explore how we can stop playing it safe and start building a life filled with everyday joy. From the decision to paint her home...
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Why Obstacles Are Stepping Stones for Growth| Annie Cathryn
What if physical symptoms and gut feelings can guide you on your life's path? In this episode, host Dara Levan sits down with multi-published author Annie Cathryn to discuss her upcoming novel Now Eat the Cake, why she started her own indie press Moon Ray Books at 50, and how eczema disappeared…
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Matchmaker Secrets: Finding Love When You Least Expect It | Jaydi Samuels Kuba
What happens when a Hollywood matchmaker’s own love story begins with her client? In this episode, host Dara Levan sits down with Jaydi Samuels Kuba, a matchmaker, dating coach, and author of Your Last First Date. Jaydi shares the surprising story of how she met her husband—after setting him up...
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From True Crime Family Murder to Fiction Writing with Debbie Levison
What happens when you discover a wooden crate containing human remains under your family's lake house—and your brother becomes the primary murder suspect? In this powerful episode, author Debbie Levison shares her shocking true crime story "The Crate," which intertwines her Holocaust survivor...
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Using Humor to Tackle Race, Religion, and Privilege | Asha Youmans & Alli Frank
What happens when a white Jewish woman asks a black Christian woman to “get together and talk about race”? For authors Asha Youmans and Alli Frank, it was the beginning of a bestselling writing partnership. In this episode of Every Soul Has a Story, host Dara Levan sits down with this dynamic duo...
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Reinventing Yourself After Divorce | Lisa Niver
What if the red flags in your life were literally invisible? Award-winning author, speaker, and travel host Lisa Niver joins Dara Levan to share her incredible story of reinvention after a traumatic divorce and a late-in-life diagnosis of a lazy eye that reshaped her understanding of her past....
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From Reading X-Rays to Writing Novels | Heather Frimmer
What happens when a breast radiologist decides to write gripping medical novels? Join host Dara Levan for a conversation with physician and author Heather Frimmer, whose third book, Always Hope, explores the devastating impact of a malpractice lawsuit from all sides. Discover how Heather’s…
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From Dance Critic to Bestselling Author | Kathryn Craft
How does an optimist write about her husband's suicide and find purpose in the pain? Author, developmental editor, and former dance critic Kathryn Craft joins Dara Levan for a profound conversation on transforming personal tragedy into powerful fiction. Discover how Kathryn's journey through loss...
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Reclaiming Your Identity in Menopause, with Lauren Tetenbaum
What if menopause could be an opportunity for empowerment and reclaiming your identity? In this episode of Every Soul Has a Story, host Dara Levan speaks with Lauren Tetenbaum, a licensed social worker and author of Millennial Menopause. They dive into the often-overlooked symptoms of…
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Perfectionism, Parenting, and the Pressure to Recover with Mallary Tenore Tarpley
What if "full recovery" from an eating disorder is an unrealistic ideal? In this powerful episode of Every Soul Has a Story, host Dara Levan has an unfiltered conversation with Mallary Tenore Tarpley, author of the reported memoir "Slip." Mallory bravely shares her journey from the traumatic loss...
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Overcoming Creative Blocks and the Power of Word Counts with Jill Santopolo
What if writing could transport you to a state of deep meditation? Bestselling author and editor Jill Santopolo (The Light We Lost, The Love We Found) joins Dara Levan to reveal how her creative process is a form of zen, the surprising way she uses "bets" to hit word counts, and how she...
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On Healing and Legacy Through Fiction: Rachel Caplin’s Soul-Stirring Story
What happens when a tech executive discovers writing as therapy for processing her grandmother's dementia? In this powerful episode of Every Soul Has a Story, host Dara Levan converses with Rachel Caplin—VP of Business Development, mother of three, and author of "The Spoon and the Sea." Rachel...
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Writing Your Way Home: Julie Fingersh on Her "Accidental" Memoir 'Stay'
Discover the memoir writing journey of Julie Fingersh, an award-winning journalist turned "accidental author" of Stay: A Story of Family, Love, and Other Traumas. Named a People Magazine Best Memoir, Julie reveals how midlife crisis, empty nesting, and buried family secrets ignited her…
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Author Lynne Golodner on Writing, Judaism & Self-Discovery
What does it take to live a life of purpose and radiance? Author and entrepreneur Lynne Golodner joins Dara Levan for a profound conversation on finding meaning through human connection. Lynne shares her transformative journey from seeking external validation to embracing self-empowerment, the...
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Cari Fund on Covert Narcissism, Gaslighting & Boundaries
How do you break generational patterns when you had no healthy models to follow? In this episode of "Every Soul Has a Story," Dara Levan welcomes Cari Fund, an advocate for women's empowerment and healing from generational trauma. Cari doesn't hold back. From recognizing toxic patterns at just 14...
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Nearly Departed: A Heartbreakingly Hilarious Memoir | Gila Pfeffer
What happens when the preventative surgery you chose to avoid cancer reveals you already have it? In this episode of "Every Soul Has a Story," Dara Levan welcomes author Gila Pfeffer, whose memoir "Nearly Departed" chronicles her journey through losing both parents to cancer at a young age and…
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The Unexpected Teachers: Daphne Gregory-Thomas on Learning Life's Hardest Lessons
What if your greatest challenges were actually your most profound teachers? In this soul-stirring conversation, educator and writer Daphne Gregory-Thomas weaves together the threads of loss, resilience, and transformation through her journey as an innovative educator, cancer survivor, and...
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Sheila Athens on Negotiating Work Hours to Write
In what ways did author Sheila Athens transform her personal grief into a powerful source of resilience and creativity, leading to the release of her third novel? In this episode of "Every Soul Has a Story," host Dara Levan welcomes novelist Sheila Athens to share her inspiring journey from a...
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Emily Bleeker on WWII Inspiration & Emotional Truth in Fiction
Why is the fight against book banning so crucial for maintaining diverse viewpoints, and how can literature empower us to embrace empathy and understanding? In this episode of "Every Soul Has a Story," host Dara Levan welcomes bestselling author Emily Bleeker. This episode is a must-listen for...
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The Power of a Mentor: How Pitch Wars Changed Everything | Sarahlyn Bruck
How did author and writing teacher Sarahlyn Bruck’s journey through unexpected twists and turns in the publishing world lead to her ultimate success as an author? Today host Dara Levan welcomes Sarahlyn Bruck to discuss the intricate paths of the publishing world. Sarahlyn’s setbacks, and…
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Andra Watkins on Writing Vulnerably Without Seeking Validation
We all live with the possibility that we won’t wake up one day, but not everyone is consciously aware of that fact. Today’s guest lives with a daily reminder of her mortality. In today’s episode, you’ll hear from Andra Watkins, a New York Times bestselling author known for her captivating writing...
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What I’ve Learned About Life and More Since My Book Launch!
Bringing my first book to life felt like an emotional adventure akin to childbirth—filled with excitement, challenges, and profound self-discovery. In this heartfelt solo episode of "Every Soul Has a Story", I share about the intense journey of editing, revising, and ultimately letting go of my...
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Katie Rose Pryal on Neurodiversity Advocacy & Horseback Riding
When the leather keds she carefully chose to fit in turned out to be the wrong ones, she came home and her mother said, "They're just shoes. Deal with it." Katie Rose Pryal—author, law professor, mental health advocate, and founder of Neuro-EC—joins Dara Levan to share her extraordinary journey…
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Every Soul Has a Story_ Revival Trailer
The journey of “Every Soul Has a Story” began with an unexpected Instagram Live session during the early COVID-19 lockdown. These impromptu conversations, born out of a need for connection, have grown into a sanctuary for authentic dialogues. This season opener is a heartfelt recounting of my...
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Why We Can’t Predict Our Children’s Paths: Michelle Cameron on Writing, Teaching, and Letting Go
Today’s guest is author, poet, editor, and writing teacher Michelle Cameron. Michelle is also a director of The Writers Circle, which offers creative writing instruction to adults and kids. She recently published her fourth novel, Babylon: a novel of Jewish Captivity, which is published by Wicked...
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Discovering Her Jewish Heritage at 50: Elizabeth Sumner Wafler on Identity, Family Secrets, and A Cleft in the World
Today’s guest is author Elizabeth Sumner Wafler. She recently published her fourth novel, A Cleft in the World. In this episode, Elizabeth shares how she learned that her grandfather was Jewish when she was 50 years old. Elizabeth talks about her childhood, sharing she grew up in “an insular…
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From NYC to Sweden: Jennifer Dahlberg's Leap of Faith
A nightclub in 90s New York, a shared love of house music, and a leap of faith that led her across the Atlantic—Jennifer Anglade Dahlberg's life has been anything but ordinary. Now living in Stockholm, Sweden, the author of A Norn and Bloom joins Dara Levan to share her remarkable journey from...
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Jennifer Vido: Yoga, Prayer & Writing by Night | Every Soul Has a Story
Eight years old, chewing 16 aspirin a day, and determined to keep up with her brothers—Jennifer Vido's life has been defined by resilience. Now an author of the sweet romance series Serendipity by the Sea, executive director of a legal nonprofit, and mother of two boys, Jennifer joins Dara Levan…
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May Cobb: The Mysterious Jazz Musician Who Changed Her Life
When she heard the music of a blind saxophonist who died on her fourth birthday, something inside her shifted—and so did her entire life. May Cobb—bestselling thriller author of A Likeable Woman and The Hunting Wives—joins Dara Levan to share her remarkable journey from East Texas to becoming one...
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The Wisdom of Morrie: Rob Schwartz on His Father's Legacy
A 10-year-old boy popped the hood of a broken-down car in the Israeli desert, fiddled with the engine, and said, "Try it, Dad." The car started. Rob Schwartz—son of the beloved Morrie Schwartz of Tuesdays with Morrie fame, former Billboard bureau chief in Tokyo, and record label founder—joins…
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From New Orleans to Syrian Orthodox Brooklyn: Corie Adjmi's Journey
A second-grade report card called her a flirt. Her fifth-grade teachers praised her for not getting angry at boys. Corie Adjmi—author of Life and Other Shortcomings and the forthcoming novel The Marriage Box—joins Dara Levan to share her remarkable journey from reform Judaism in New Orleans to…
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From Philosophy Professor to Award-Winning Novelist | Jennifer Rosner
At seven hours old, her daughter was diagnosed deaf—and Jennifer Rosner began journaling for the first time. Now a critically acclaimed author of The Yellow Bird Sings and Once We Were Home, Jennifer joins Dara Levan to share her extraordinary journey from philosophy professor to novelist. When…
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The Librarian Who Learned to Put Herself First | Julie Chavez
At 38, a panic attack forced her to stop—and start listening to her body. Julie Chavez—librarian, mother of two, and author of the forthcoming memoir Everyone But Myself—joins Dara Levan to share her powerful journey through anxiety, depression, and the radical act of putting herself on her own...
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My Salinger Year Author on Writing, Grief & Secrets - Joanna Rakoff
At age 11, she pointed to a photo in her father's den and asked a question that changed everything. Joanna Rakoff—international bestselling author of My Salinger Year (made into a 2021 film starring Sigourney Weaver)—joins Dara Levan to share her extraordinary personal story. Growing up believing...
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From Disowned Immigrant to Award-Winning Author | Allison Hong Merrill
A week before Thanksgiving, she was left with nothing—no husband, no money, no voice. Allison Hong Merrill—award-winning author of 99 Fire Hoops, immigrant, and self-proclaimed "loveaholic"—joins Dara Levan to share her extraordinary journey from traditional Taiwan to finding her voice in…
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From 25 Procedures to Adoption: Jessica Fein's Family Journey
The laughter of her three children stopped her from stepping off the edge—but that was only the beginning of her story. Jessica Fein—writer, podcaster, and relentless optimist—joins Dara Levan to share her extraordinary journey through unimaginable loss and profound joy. At 27, Jessica lost her...
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Bestselling Romance Author Sariah Wilson on Love & Publishing | Sariah Wilson
A reporter standing at her door asked one question that changed everything. Sariah Wilson—multiple-time bestselling romance author—joins Dara Levan to share her extraordinary publishing journey that began when her son was diagnosed with autism. Desperate to raise $10,000 for his therapy, she…
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Healing Takes Time: Jen Salk's Therapy Journey | Jen Salk
At age 12, she lost her father and stuffed every feeling away for decades. Jen Salk—mom, entrepreneur, and fellow Floridian—joins Dara Levan to share her powerful healing journey from childhood trauma to self-love. Growing up in Highland Park, Illinois, Jen experienced the traumatic illness and...
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How Writing Heals: From Trauma to Psychological Thriller | Lauri Schoenfeld
The laughter of her three children stopped her from taking the next step. Lauri Schoenfeld—author, host of The Enlightenment Show, and radiant beam of light—joins Dara Levan to share her profound journey from childhood abuse and codependency to self-love and healing. Growing up in the LDS Mormon...
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Alexander Star on Foster Care, Music & Giving Back
Alexander Star—Emmy-nominated singer-songwriter, changemaker, and self-proclaimed "impact artist"—joins Dara Levan to share his extraordinary journey from Martin, Tennessee to the spotlight. Growing up biracial, Jewish, and vegetarian in a town with no synagogue and 300 miles from the nearest…
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Mindfulness Coach on Pandemic Lessons & New Year Resets | Sweta Vikram
Sweta Vikram—whose name means "goddess of dance" in Sanskrit—has written 13 books and built a career bridging Eastern and Western approaches to health and well-being. In this soulful conversation with host Dara Levan, Sweta shares her journey from a corporate career to becoming a sought-after...
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What It Takes to Be a Female Firefighter | Tina Guiler
Female firefighters make up just four to six percent of all firefighters in the United States—and Tina Guiler is on a mission to change that. A 23-year veteran with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, Tina started the Triple F (Fierce Female Firefighters) group that now connects over 7,000 women firefighters...
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Navigating Grief During the Holidays: Real Talk on Loss & Healing | Barri Leiner Grant
Barri Leiner Grant—founder of The Memory Circle, Certified Grief Coach, and self-proclaimed Chief Grief Officer™—knows this terrain intimately. After losing her mother Ellen suddenly at age 50 in 1993, Barri spent years without the tools or language to process her grief. Today, she helps others...