Living The Next Chapter: Candid Conversations with Authors and Writers for Readers Searching for a New Read

EPISODE 766 - Nicolette Halladay - Inspired Hearts Publishing, The Golden Thread & The Lineage of the LightIn this heartfelt conversation, Nicolette Halladay, founder of Inspired Hearts Publishing and author of The Golden Thread & The Lineage of the Light, shares a deeply personal look into her writing journey and the transformative power of storytelling. Speaking from her home near the Colorado and Utah border, Nicolette reflects on the importance of trusting yourself as both a writer and a human being navigating life’s challenges.At the core of her message is a call for authors to release perfectionism and write from the heart. She emphasizes that doubt is a natural part of the creative process, especially in the early stages, but growth comes from leaning into authenticity and allowing your voice to expand. Surrounding yourself with supportive communities, mentors, and fellow creators can make the journey less isolating and far more meaningful.Nicolette also highlights her work in publishing, where she supports both new and experienced authors through writing, production, and marketing. She shares how different authors require different types of guidance, from foundational support for beginners to platform-building strategies for seasoned writers. Her passion lies in helping individuals who have experienced transformation or adversity turn their stories into powerful connections for others.A significant portion of the conversation centers on the origin of her book. Following a difficult relationship that left her feeling disconnected and searching for clarity, Nicolette experienced a vivid vision of a “golden thread.” This symbol became a guiding force in her healing and creative process, representing protection, truth, joy, and connection. What followed was an intense period of writing, where much of the book flowed through her in a short time, capturing both her emotional journey and spiritual insights.The setting of Silverton, Colorado, where she reconnected with family and spent time writing in a historic home, played a powerful role in grounding and inspiring her work. She describes the environment as both awakening and deeply supportive, reinforcing her belief in unseen guidance and ancestral connection.Throughout the episode, Nicolette encourages listeners and aspiring authors to document their experiences, especially during times of upheaval. Whether through writing, art, or other creative outlets, capturing these moments can lead to clarity, healing, and meaningful storytelling.Her book is not positioned as a story of having it all figured out, but rather as an honest exploration of moving through pain, rebuilding self-trust, and finding meaning in the process. It invites readers to see themselves within the journey and recognize their own capacity for growth and healing.Key takeaway: Trust yourself through the creative process and through life’s most difficult moments. Your story, even in its messiness, holds the power to heal, connect, and inspire both you and others.https://nicolettehalladay.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 765 - Barb Rebon - A journey through trauma, faith, and ultimately self-acceptanceIn this episode, guest Barb Rebon shares her deeply personal journey from a childhood dream of becoming a nun to embracing her true self after decades of inner conflict. Originally from Tampa, Florida, Barb entered the convent at 16 with the Disciples of Jesus and Mary in Boston, drawn by a longing for the family and safety she lacked at home amid abuse, dysfunction, and her mother's witchcraft practices. Despite rigid rules—no close friendships, daily prayers from 5 a.m., studies, and media work like printing presses—she formed a taboo bond with an older nun, sparking confusion over her emerging feelings toward women while grappling with trauma.Barb left after 18 months but persisted, later joining her dream order, the Sisters of Saint Francis of Sales, in 1989 after a rare exception from the Mother General in Rome waived their parental marriage requirement. In New Jersey, familiar surroundings brought temporary peace, yet doubts resurfaced—questioning attractions to men, clashing with superiors, leading to her exit at 20. She remained close to the sisters for eight years, burying a haunting secret experience that intensified her shame.Moving to Irwin, Pennsylvania, in 1999 for a secret relationship with a woman marked further turmoil; even family queries were denied amid guilt rooted in faith. At 45, Barb finally voiced "I am gay" to a supportive friend, breaking years of silence on sexuality, self-harm, and pain. Now 56 and a school teacher, she refuses the closet, hoping her memoir—releasing by late May for Pride Month—fosters understanding.Key Takeaway: Silence amplifies torment, but voicing your truth to a trusted ally can liberate you—embrace who you are without shame.Barbara Rebon has spent more than three decades shaping young lives as a passionate and compassionate educator. Known for her creativity and quiet strength, she has built classrooms where students feel safe, valued, and understood during some of the most important years of their development. Her work has always centered on lifting others, even while carrying a story of her own that remained largely unseen.Behind that steady presence was a silence rooted in a childhood marked by abuse, neglect, and betrayal. That silence followed her into adulthood, influencing her sense of identity, her faith, and the way she navigated the world. In environments where truth felt unsafe, she learned to protect herself by holding it in, convincing herself that silence was safer than being fully known.Now living in Pennsylvania after growing up in Florida, Barbara continues her work as an educator while stepping into a new purpose as a voice for those still navigating their own silence. Through her story, she offers more than reflection. She offers hope, showing that even after years of being unheard, your voice still matters and your story is never finished.https://www.motivationchamps.com/authors/barb-rebon/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 764 - Gary Wise - Certified PGA of Australia member - No Junk Reps, the Adaptive Performance StateThis episode features Gary Wise, an Australian-born performance coach whose journey spans elite surf lifesaving, professional golf, and decades of coaching athletes at the highest levels. Now based in Florida, Gary reflects on a life shaped by sport, discipline, and ultimately a deeper understanding of how the mind influences performance.Gary’s early years were defined by movement and competition, from ocean rowing and surf lifesaving in Australia to rugby, water polo, and eventually golf. What began as a casual introduction to golf through caddying evolved into a professional career, taking him from competitive play into coaching. Along the way, he developed a unique perspective that blends physical performance with mental awareness.At the heart of this conversation is Gary’s concept of adaptive performance, a framework built on five key actions: recognize, identify, align, transfer, and accept. Rather than focusing solely on outcomes, he emphasizes decision making in the present moment. Whether it’s a young golfer facing pressure on the final hole or a lifeguard responding to an emergency, the goal is the same: match actions to intent while staying grounded in what matters right now.Gary challenges the widespread misinformation that surrounds performance, particularly in youth sports. He highlights how unrealistic expectations, often fueled by social media and misunderstanding of professional statistics, create unnecessary pressure and anxiety. A seven-foot putt on the PGA Tour, for example, is only made about half the time, yet young athletes are often made to feel like failure is not an option. This disconnect, he explains, can shape confidence and identity in harmful ways.The conversation also explores the role of parents and coaches, urging a shift away from control and toward support. Gary stresses the importance of allowing young athletes to make decisions, learn from mistakes, and develop ownership over their performance. Interference, even when well intentioned, can create doubt and disrupt focus in critical moments.Gary’s book, No Junk Reps, grew out of a thesis on performance and evolved into a deeply personal project that challenged him in unexpected ways. Writing forced him to confront gaps in memory, vulnerability, and identity, ultimately reinforcing his belief that everyone has a story worth telling. His advice to aspiring writers is simple: start, let go of control, and allow the process to unfold.Throughout the episode, Gary returns to a central idea: we often see things not as they are, but as we are. By learning to manage attention, filter information, and stay present, both athletes and individuals can make better decisions and perform with greater clarity.Key takeaway: True performance is not about perfection or outcome, but about mastering the ability to stay present, make clear decisions, and align your actions with what matters most in the moment.https://ijga.com/coaches/gary-wise/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

Episode 763 - Mark Hummel - A fast-paced dark comedy, Man, UndergroundMark Hummel’s most recent work is the award-winning dark, comic novel Man, Underground. He is also the author of the novel In the Chameleon’s Shadow and the short story collection Lost and Found. He has been publishing fiction, essays, and poetry in literary magazines and anthologies since 1991. His work has appeared, among many other places, in the pages of The Arlington Literary Journal, The Bloomsbury Review, Dogwood, Fugue, Per Contra, Talking River Review, The Wrath-Bearing Tree, Weber: the Contemporary West, and Zone 3. Writing as Mark Leichliter, he is the author of the crime novel The Other Side.Writing Is a Lifelong PracticeMark Hummel Leichliter has spent his life around writing as a writer, editor, teacher, coach, and mentor. He believes writers improve through practice and remain students of their craft throughout their careers. The page can teach you, especially when you approach the work with curiosity and an openness to learning.Good readers play a major role in that process. Mark relies on trusted readers who care enough to identify problems and help him see possibilities within a manuscript. Their feedback can reveal paths that remain hidden while a writer stays too close to the work.Follow the BookMark writes across genres and deliberately embraces experimentation. He follows the needs of each book rather than forcing every project into the same approach. A new manuscript can demand a different voice, structure, perspective, or narrative strategy.That philosophy also shapes his view of publishing. Writers can waste valuable energy chasing trends, studying the market, or trying to predict what publishers want. Mark encourages writers to focus on creating the best book they can and to write the book they want to read.Man, UndergroundMark's 2023 novel, Man, Underground, grew from an idea he began exploring more than a decade earlier. The dark comedy follows a middle-aged man who withdraws from society and builds an underground home. His unconventional life attracts scrutiny and labels him as someone who does not fit accepted expectations.A seventeen-year-old named Monica changes everything. Her determination to help him creates an unexpected friendship and gives the story a path toward connection, hope, and change.The novel explores the human tendency to label people as different and push them outside the community. Mark uses comedy to examine serious social questions while allowing the story to move toward empathy and connection.Mark's approach to writing centers on curiosity, experimentation, trusted readers, and a willingness to follow where the story leads. Man, Underground reflects that philosophy through a story about isolation, unexpected friendship, and the possibility of finding connection across perceived differences.https://markhummelwriter.com/man-underground/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

Episode 536 - Julie Riga - Stay on Course The Life and Legacy of Ennio Riga, Chef to the StarsWhen Ennio Riga passed away in February 2016, he left behind an incredible legacy. To his many admirers who enjoyed his delicious culinary creations, he was a world-renowned chef. To Julie Riga, he was a loving father who taught her the importance of leadership, perseverance, and determination.About the AuthorJulie Riga, Ennio’s daughter, continues his legacy as a leadership coach, trainer, speaker, and author. In compiling the stories for the book, Julie carries on Ennio’s tradition by helping others reflect, and then decisively act on, their own calls to greatness.https://www.stayoncourse.io/___https://livingthenextchapter.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 280 - Kyle Jetsel - The Loss of A Spouse, Raising Kids With Autism and Measuring the COSTIn the heart of adversity, our guest today, Kyle Jetsel, discovered that life's most formidable challenges could be transformed into profound opportunities for growth. Growing up in a tough neighborhood Kyle found himself in a world where the line between safety and chaos was razor-thin.In this episode, Kyle takes us on a deeply personal journey, sharing how he navigated the turbulent seas of his youth. Kyle faced yet another colossal test of faith when his beloved wife of 30 years, a source of love and strength, suddenly passed away. The impact of this loss was felt not only in his own life but also within the lives of their six children, one of whom has a severely aggressive form of autism.It was in these darkest hours that Kyle leaned into God's strength like never before. He turned to a simple yet powerful strategy that helped him find his way back to hope and healing, all while knowing that God's grace was the cornerstone of his journey.Get ready to be deeply moved by Kyle's remarkable journey of faith and resilience, proving that we are never alone when we lean on God's strength and embrace His mysterious, undeserved grace. This episode is a testament to the human spirit's ability to rise above adversity. To download your free copy of his book "Facing My Biggest Fear. 180 Days of Surviving and Thriving After the Death of My Beloved Shelly" and the worksheet he shares, check the comments for the link.You may reach Kyle at https://www.youtube.com/@drivenautismdad187Published: Nov. 17, 2023___https://livingthenextchapter.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 489 - Author Darlene Campos Shares the Amazing Story of Holocaust Survivor Pete PhilippsHello! Hola! I'm Darlene P. Campos, an Ecuadorian-American author who is also a proud Houstonian.I earned my BA in English-Creative Writing with a Medicine and Society Studies minor from the University of Houston (Go Coogs!) and my MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Texas at El Paso (Go Miners!).I am the author of the young adult novels Behind Mount Rushmore, Summer Camp is Cancelled, and Heaven Isn't Me, traditionally published by Vital Narrative Press.Pete Philipps' InterviewPete grew up in Essen, a major industrial city on Germany’s Ruhr River. His father worked as a cattle hide dealer for an international trading company in nearby Mühlheim. His mother was a designer for a fashionable women’s dress shop. Pete, his younger twin brothers, and parents lived together in an apartment.1933–39: Pete had barely passed his first birthday when the Nazis came to power. His father realized the danger that now faced Jews in Germany, and the family left for Prague, Czechoslovakia in 1936. Pete attended Jewish school there, but the times were unsettling. In fall 1938, the Sudetenland, a region of Czechoslovakia, was incorporated into the Nazi Reich, and the following March, German troops marched into Prague. Shortly thereafter, Pete’s family left for Italy, where they settled in the Genoa suburbs. There, they were attacked by local antisemitic fascists. Soon after Germany invaded Poland in September 1939, the Philippses immigrated to Ecuador.1940–45: In Quito, the Philippses joined the growing colony of refugees from Germany. Pete attended a private boys’ school. His father set up business making margarine, while his mother did clothing alterations and knitting. In May 1941, just six months before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the Philippses arrived in the United States. Pete’s father returned to his former company.After the war, Pete learned that his paternal grandmother, who had fled earlier to the Netherlands, had been deported to Auschwitz, where she perished. He completed his education and, after a tour of military duty in Germany, became a journalist for the New York Times.https://www.ushmm.org/remember/holocaust-survivors/volunteers/pete-philippshttps://www.ushmm.org/https://www.darlenepcampos.com/___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Published: Jan. 20, 2025Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

Episode 393 - Adam Nimoy - The Most Human, Reconciling with My Father, Leonard NimoyAdam was born during the Eisenhower administration to Leonard and Sandra Zoberblatt Nimoy. He attended the University Elementary School, a “lab school” run by UCLA, where he was subjected to numerous psychological experiments. The experimentation continued at UC Berkeley in the form of mind-altering substances from which he may, or may not, have fully recovered. In a state of absolute certainty, Adam attended Loyola Law School. He was wrong. After seven years of practicing entertainment law and one moment of clarity, Adam left his life as an attorney to follow his passion of making films. After directing forty-five hours of network television, some of it sublime, some of it eminently unwatchable, Adam’s career plummeted due in large part to drug and alcohol addiction. On January 1, 2004, Adam entered 12-Step recovery hoping to achieve an attitude adjustment. This was a New Year’s resolution he knew he had to keep. For 8 years, he taught writing, directing and acting at the New York Film Academy and taught filmmaking at Beit T’Shuvah, an addiction treatment center where the residents kept him on the straight and narrow.Book: The Most Human: Reconciling with My Father, Leonard Nimoy"Engaging and immensely relatable, while at the same time offering deeply profound insights into Adam Nimoy's personal relationships, particularly with his famous father." — Eugene Roddenberry Jr., CEO Roddenberry Entertainment Living with Dad was like living with a stranger— as a kid I often had trouble connecting and relating to him. But I was always proud of him. Even before Star Trek I'd see him popping up in bit roles on some of my favorite TV shows like Get Smart, Sea Hunt, and The Man From U.N.C.L.E. And then one night he brought home Polaroids of himself in makeup and wardrobe for a pilot he was working on. It was December 1964 and nobody had heard of Star Trek. Still, the eight-year-old me had watched enough Outer Limits and My Favorite Martian to understand exactly what I was looking at. Spock's popularity happened quickly, and soon the fan magazines were writing about dad's personal life, characterizing us as a "close family." But the awkwardness that defined our early relationship blossomed into conflict, sometimes smoldering, sometimes open and intense. There were occasional flashes of warmth between the arguments and hurt feelings— even something akin to love— especially when we were celebrating my father's many successes. The rest of the time, things between us were often strained. My resentment towards my father kept building through the years. I wasn't blameless, I know that now, but my bitterness blinded me to any thought of my own contribution to the problem. I wanted things to be different for my children. I wanted to be the father I never had, so I coached Maddy's soccer, drove Jonah to music lessons, helped them with their homework— all the things dads are supposed to do. All the things I wanted to do. So what if my Dad and I had been estranged for years? I was living one day at a time. And then I got his letter. Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3KvTi1shttps://adamnimoy.com/original pub date - Wednesday, July 17, 2024Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 237 - Stewart Lee - Me and My Addiction - one man’s battle to break free from a life heavily impacted by alcoholismAbout our Guest - I grew up in Exeter, Devon and lived with my parents and 2 older sisters. I didn't really have a troubled life but from a young age I discovered alcohol and my journey into addiction began.Drugs and alcohol consumed my life from that point on. It got so bad that I thought I would either end up in prison, a psychiatric unit or dead. Either by someone else killing me or succeeding in killing myself.I managed to find a way to recover and now live a clean sober life. You could say the complete opposite of how I lived before. I'm hoping now that if I share my experience through writing books I can help to inspire anyone that change is possible.The Book: Me and My Addiction tells the intense, but overall positive, account of one man’s battle to break free from a life heavily impacted by alcoholism. This thought-provoking book gives the reader a no holds barred, insight into addictions, and their power to change people’s lives, often without the victim realizing until it’s too late.Stewart’s reflection of the problems around addiction, along with his real, raw and (brutally!) honest stories will open your mind to see life through the eyes of an addict. If you think you, or maybe someone you know, may have an issue with alcohol it provides answers to the questions that many are afraid to ask, a deeper understanding of how addiction works, along with hope that it’s possible to break the cycle of destruction and to turn your life around.https://www.stewartleeauthor.co.uk/___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Published: Aug. 31, 2023Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 762 - J.M. Werlein - Professional Horse Trainer Takes the Reins as Author of The Adventures Of The Last Wives ClubIn this episode, the conversation moves between a life built around horses and the deeper meaning found in caregiving, writing, and community. The guest shares how she grew up in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, began writing at age five, and later built a career training hunters and jumpers, working with everything from off-the-track thoroughbreds to warmbloods. She explains how horses are intuitive, social, and highly responsive to the emotions people bring into the barn, which makes training both a physical and mental discipline.That same sensitivity carries into the personal story behind her writing. When her father developed Alzheimer’s, she began keeping notes about her parents and their experience, which eventually became the foundation for her first book, The Adventures of the Last Wives Club. The book grew out of her mother’s friendship with other women caring for husbands with Alzheimer’s, and it reflects how people keep moving forward through grief, responsibility, and change. She talks honestly about the emotional difficulty of caregiving, the need for patience, and the strange but necessary adjustments families make to protect peace and dignity.The conversation also explores how writing became a second calling. She describes learning by trial and error, leaning on supportive friends who helped edit her work, researching details online, and writing in a way that follows the energy of the moment rather than forcing a perfect process. She hopes to keep writing more as she eventually steps back from horses, and she is already working on a horse-centered book that also touches on bullying, class tension, and the social world around barns and horse shows.Across the episode, a strong theme emerges: both horses and people respond to consistency, honesty, and calm leadership. Whether she is training a horse, helping a student, or writing about family life, the lesson is the same: meaningful progress comes from patience, clear boundaries, and staying present for the relationships that matter most.Key takeaway: The episode is a reminder that the best stories often come from lived experience, and that caregiving, training, and writing all ask for the same things: patience, empathy, and the willingness to keep showing up.https://www.facebook.com/Werlein60Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 761 - Andy Vargo - Uber Stories and Owning Your Awkward - Discovering Your True Self and Rewriting Your StoryIn this engaging episode, Andy Vargo joins from Tacoma, Washington—home to surprises like Almond Roca, the origins of Mars bars, and inspiration for Frank Herbert's Dune from the local Asarco smelter plant. Andy shares his nonlinear path to authorship, sparked by childhood encouragement but paused for decades amid family life, until divorce and job loss reignited his passion. He pivoted from unfinished projects like The Awkward Interview to self-publishing personal stories that became his breakthrough.Andy demystifies writing, urging aspiring authors to publish without fear of rejection—someone will connect with your unique voice, even if it feels unoriginal. He rewrote his LinkedIn narrative to link grocery management coaching and sales experience to his current role as a motivational speaker and life coach, framing past jobs as foundational skills. His core books, Own Your Awkward: Thoughts (60 days of mindset shifts with reflection prompts, like reframing loneliness in a cafe) and Own Your Awkward: Life Changes (worksheets for navigating transitions), plus a series of five guided journals born from his rock-bottom days, emphasize activity over passive reading. He also entertains with OneDrive Stands, tales from 5,000 rideshare rides turned into a one-man improv show using audience names.At 40, Andy embraced his true self post-divorce, realizing faking normalcy depleted his energy and held him back from peak performance. His mission: lean into insecurities—be it body image, quirks like pineapple pizza, or deeper differences—as superpowers that foster authenticity and connection. This fuels his coaching for speakers, entrepreneurs, and leaders, where he mirrors passions (e.g., skateboarding artistry into business) and breaks paths into manageable wins. Owning awkward builds trust; naming self-consciousness, like bedhead nerves, sparks rapport over polished perfection. Change is neutral, he stresses—not good or bad until hindsight reveals it—and fears often mislabel (e.g., "heights" is really "landing").Key Takeaway: Own your awkward not despite it, but because of it—turn what holds you back into your greatest strength for authentic success and deeper relationships. Visit awkwardcareer.com for Andy's books, podcast, free worksheet, and more. https://awkwardcareer.com/Motivational Speaker and Life Coach Who Ignites Change.You’re tired of the polished talk about “authenticity” that doesn’t get real results. I skip the fluff and dive into what makes us human: the awkward, relatable quirks that create real connection and drive real change. It’s bold. It’s different. It’s Awkward. And it works.Curious about how your unique traits can actually be your superpower? Start activating your voice today with a free worksheet designed to help you lean into your awkward and see the power you already have.Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 760 - Bill Haase - Our Mindset on Money - It’s Easy to Control, So Why, Impact over IncomeIn this episode, Bill Haase shares a deeply personal and practical conversation about money, mindset, and the life experiences that shape how we handle both. Drawing from decades in finance and his own financial سقوط and recovery, Bill brings a grounded perspective to a topic many people avoid discussing.Bill explains how his work intersects with broader mindset principles, especially through partnerships that address both the emotional and financial sides of major life transitions like leaving the military. He highlights that money concerns and mental well-being are often tightly connected, and addressing both is key to long-term stability.A major theme in this conversation is the reality that writing a book or building credibility is just the beginning. Bill emphasizes that success comes from treating your work as a tool, not just a title, and being prepared to promote, refine, and build a team around your efforts.He opens up about a pivotal moment in his life when a series of financial setbacks led to losing his home. Rather than avoiding responsibility, Bill chose to face the consequences, learn from the experience, and rebuild. That journey now fuels his mission to teach financial literacy and help others avoid similar pitfalls.Throughout the episode, Bill challenges common financial habits. He breaks down the difference between good debt and bad debt, explains how everyday spending decisions quietly drain resources, and highlights how perception and status often drive poor financial choices. From car loans to daily coffee purchases, small decisions compound into long-term consequences.Bill also explores practical strategies for regaining control, including understanding your spending through budgeting and choosing a debt repayment method that works for you. More importantly, he emphasizes awareness, questioning purchases, and shifting from impulsive spending to intentional decision-making.At its core, this episode is about freedom. Bill makes a compelling case that when you take control of your finances, you reduce stress, improve relationships, and open yourself up to a fuller experience of life. Financial literacy is not just about money, it is about clarity, confidence, and creating space for what truly matters.Key takeaway: When you take control of your money with awareness and intention, you gain control of your life, your choices, and your future.https://billhaase.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

E142 - Laura Cayouette - Actor, Writer, Producer, Blogger - Character Development and Author ToolsA professional actor for over 25 years; Django Unchained, Now You See Me, Kill Bill, Enemy of the State, True Detective, Friends & more.Endorsements from actor/filmmakers Richard Dreyfuss, Kevin Costner, Lou Diamond Phillips, Reginald Hudlin, Adam Rifkin & more.Private coach available through Zoom, Skype and FaceTime for actors/writers/filmmakers, UNO Adjunct teaching directors how to work with actors​​. Guest teacher. Speaker. LEARN HOW LAURA WENT FROM WRITING 1 BOOK IN 20 YEARS TO 5 BOOKS IN 4 YEARS!Go from an idea to a completed book – no matter your writing skill level.Avoid writer's block. Feel stimulated and creative – while moving at a pace you never thought possible.  Let Laura help you tell your stories in less time and with less stress.https://lauracayouette.com/Original Publish Date:Feb. 23, 2023 @ 6AMSupport the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

BONUS - Austin Kleon's Book Series - Why These Books Matter to Authors and Creative PeopleAustin Kleon’s four books work best when read as one creative roadmap. They move from making original work, to shaping your voice, to sharing your process, to protecting your creative life when things get messy.Steal, then make it yoursSteal Like an Artist is the spark. Kleon argues that no idea arrives from nowhere, so creators should study what they love, remix it, and turn influence into something personal. The book’s appeal comes from how practical it feels. Readers often praise it for making creativity feel accessible instead of mysterious.Share the processShow Your Work! takes the next step. Kleon shifts the focus from finished product to public process, encouraging readers to share small pieces of their work, teach what they know, and build trust over time. The message is clear. People do not only connect with polished results, they connect with the story of how the work gets made.Keep the fire aliveKeep Going brings the series into real life. It focuses on staying creative through distraction, pressure, and chaos. Rather than chasing inspiration, Kleon emphasizes routine, limits, and steady habits that protect the work. This is the book for people who have started, shared, and now need a way to keep showing up.(New!) Don’t Call It Art: 10 Ways to Create Like a Kid Again points readers back to play, curiosity, and freedom. It reminds creators to loosen perfectionism and return to the simple joy of making. That foundation matters because the rest of Kleon’s work builds on the idea that creativity starts with action, not permission.Why read all fourTogether, these books form a complete creative framework. Don’t Call It Art opens the door. Steal Like an Artist helps readers find their voice. Show Your Work! teaches them how to build an audience. Keep Going helps them sustain the practice long term.If you are recommending all four books to listeners, the strongest theme is this: creativity is a practice, not a moment. Play, borrow wisely, share generously, and keep going. That simple arc makes the set worth reading as a collection.https://austinkleon.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 494 - Donny Young - The 4MIDABLES, Inspector Gadget, The Cannonball Run Movie and Putting Yourself Out ThereAuthor and screenwriter Donny Young shares an inspiring journey through a creative career built on persistence, curiosity, and a willingness to embrace opportunity. From writing episodes of Inspector Gadget on a Smith Corona typewriter to developing his newest young adult adventure series, The 4MIDABLES, Donny reflects on the experiences that shaped both his storytelling and his outlook on success.Listeners are taken behind the scenes of the entertainment industry as Donny recounts how one opportunity naturally led to another. He shares stories from writing for one of television's most beloved animated series, appearing alongside legendary Hollywood stars in The Cannonball Run, and learning valuable career lessons through unexpected encounters with industry icons. Throughout the conversation, a common theme emerges. Creative careers are rarely built through a single breakthrough, but through consistently showing up, saying yes to new experiences, and remaining open to where those experiences may lead.Donny also introduces The 4MIDABLES, a project that has evolved over many years from an animated television concept into an ambitious young adult novel series. Designed around teamwork, empathy, problem solving, and family friendly storytelling, the series reflects his belief that exciting adventures can inspire young readers without relying on violence or sensationalism.For aspiring writers, Donny offers thoughtful advice drawn from decades of experience. He discusses the value of studying acting to better understand character, reading widely within your chosen genre, embracing rejection as part of the creative process, and continually improving your craft. Above all, he encourages writers to remain patient with themselves and to remember that every experience adds depth to the stories they will eventually tell.This conversation is both a celebration of storytelling and a reminder that success often comes from perseverance, preparation, and the courage to keep creating, even when the next opportunity is still out of sight.Key TakeawayCreative success is rarely the result of one defining moment. By continuing to learn, putting yourself in places where opportunity can find you, and refusing to let setbacks define your journey, you give your work the best chance to reach the audience it was meant for.Writer for the iconic “INSPECTOR GADGET” cartoon series. Inspector Gadget: Volcano Island (Gadget Goes Hawaiian) Season 1, Episode 15https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlb-BKVhS3g Extra in Cannonball RunThe Cannonball Run Final Scene and End Creditshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUOaxwA5WicExcited to introduce 4 amazing Teens who solve major crimes anonymously!https://www.instagram.com/the4midables/Original Publish date: Friday, January 31, 2025Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 758 - C B Strul - Quantum Mable in the River of Time - Adding a Younger Audience to Your WorldIn this episode, science fiction author C B Strul joins the conversation to share the creative evolution behind his storytelling and the launch of a new chapter book series, Quantum Mabel in the River of Time. Broadcasting from Los Angeles and surrounded by a lively household that includes four rescue pugs, Strul brings both humor and depth as he reflects on his work, inspirations, and writing process.Strul explores the expansive nature of science fiction, emphasizing that the genre goes far beyond action-driven space adventures. His work blends thoughtful concepts with imaginative storytelling, drawing inspiration from authors like Isaac Asimov and Ursula K Le Guin. With Quantum Mabel, he shifts toward a younger audience while maintaining intellectual depth, վստահ that young readers are more than capable of engaging with complex ideas when presented in an accessible and engaging way.The story follows Mabel, a curious and adventurous ten year old from the future who can travel through time and space, accompanied by her protective robot companion, Dartmouth. Set in part within the Amazon rainforest, the book weaves together real scientific concepts, animal behavior, and quantum mechanics into a narrative designed to spark curiosity and discovery. Strul intentionally incorporates accurate research, even sourcing material from public libraries, with plans to include a bibliography to encourage further learning.A recurring theme in Strul’s work is consequence. He discusses how every action, whether small or significant, creates ripple effects that shape outcomes. This idea is embedded in both his adult novels and the Quantum Mabel series, offering readers a lens through which to better understand their own decisions and impact on the world.The conversation also highlights his creative process, from balancing multiple projects to navigating world building across interconnected stories. While he embraces spontaneity in writing, he acknowledges the complexity of maintaining continuity within his expanding universe. His collaboration with illustrator Maya Sher brings a fresh visual identity to the series, reinforcing his commitment to human creativity over automation.Ultimately, this episode offers an inside look at a creator who is continuously evolving, challenging himself, and inviting readers of all ages to explore science, imagination, and meaning through story.Key takeaway: Young audiences are capable of engaging with complex ideas, and when storytelling combines curiosity, accurate knowledge, and imagination, it can inspire both learning and a deeper understanding of the consequences of our actions.https://odomslibrary.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 757 - Curtis Campbell - Lying, Stealing, and Other Ways to Save the Planet - A Young Adult NovelIn this episode, author and playwright Curtis Campbell reflects on carving out an authentic creative identity, all while poking fun at the quirks of Torontonian provincialism and the theatre world’s obsession with the multi‑hyphenate label. He shares how key mentors steered him away from spreading himself too thin across acting, writing, and other roles and toward focusing on what he was genuinely obsessed with: writing plays, monologues, and ultimately novels that felt like an extension of his personality and history.Curtis traces how his rural Canadian upbringing as a gay kid, his years in the theatre as a playwright, and his immersion in Toronto’s drag scene fed directly into his work, especially his novel Dragging Mason County (and its Australian edition, The Queens of Rural Realness). He explains how writing in first‑person present tense, a style closely aligned with the character monologue he knows so well from theatre, allowed him to channel a sharp, acerbic voice that keeps readers moving quickly from one emotional beat to the next. That same voice, he notes, has also drawn backlash from conservative quarters, especially as drag became a flashpoint in the broader culture war and his book was later included in a large‑scale ban by the U.S. Department of Defense–run schools.He also talks about his upcoming novel Lying, Stealing and Other Ways to Save the Planet, in which a teenage journalist and a high‑school bird‑watching club turn to “not totally above‑board” tactics to stop a developer from destroying a conservation area his grandfather founded. The book explores climate anxiety, teenage agency, and the tension between feeling powerless and choosing to act, all wrapped in the darkly comic tone Curtis brings to his young‑adult fiction. Throughout the conversation, he pushes back against the idea that writers should chase trends or dilute themselves into being “all the things,” urging fellow creators to zero in on what genuinely fascinates them, write from curiosity rather than marketability, and accept that the popular “next big thing” will almost certainly have shifted by the time a serious book is finished.Key takeaway: If you feel overwhelmed by the pressure to be a multi‑hyphenate creator or to write exactly what’s trending, this episode is a reminder that depth often beats breadth; picking one thing you’re truly obsessed with and writing it with specificity and honesty usually serves your voice—and your audience—far better than trying to be everything at once.​Book: Lying, Stealing, and Other Ways to Save the PlanetA hilarious YA novel about coming of age in the shadow of climate change, overcoming cynicism, and the power of collaboration from the award-winning author of Dragging Mason County.​Ever since the best story of his career became the worst humiliation of his life, teen reporter John O’Neil has gone rogue. He has turned his nose for news toward blackmailing those responsible, namely Lance McPhee, diabolical heir to the local country club. When John learns that the club plans to expand into a bird conservation area founded by his late grandfather, he begrudgingly joins forces with the school birdwatching club to expose the scandal. And if John ruins Lance’s life along the way? He’s only killing two birds with one stone.John races against the clock in a desperate bid at environmental espionage involving forgeries, a car chase, and a high-stakes heist. But it’s a race John won’t win without former best friend/co-reporter Rachel Miller, who just so happens to want him dead. Can this motley crew flock together long enough for their mission to take flight?https://campwrites.weebly.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 756 - Lynda Fishman - Repairing Rainbows - At 13 A Plane Crash Took Her Mother and Two Sisters - Finding The Tools to Move Forward After A Tragic LossIn this heartfelt episode, author and therapist Lynda Fishman joins host Dave to share the story behind her powerful memoir Repairing Rainbows. Speaking from Toronto, Lynda reflects on the life-changing tragedy that shaped her journey: at only thirteen, she lost her mother and two younger sisters in an Air Canada plane crash, an unimaginable event that forced her to grow up in the shadow of grief and rediscover meaning in life.Lynda recalls writing her book decades after the tragedy, leaning on the diaries and scrapbooks she kept as a young girl. The process was painful yet cathartic, allowing her to revisit the darkness she had long suppressed. She decided early on to tune out those who told her she couldn’t write her story and focus instead on encouraging voices that reminded her she could—and should—share it to help others find hope after loss.Her first thirteen years, she explains, provided the foundation for the resilience she would later need. Growing up in a loving, noisy home with a devoted mother taught her the values of family, gratitude, and compassion. Those early lessons guided her choices as she rebuilt her life, pursued a career in social work, and dedicated decades to helping others cope with grief and change.Lynda paints a vivid picture of what it meant to be thirteen and suddenly alone—the shock, the endless procession of mourners, and the silence that followed when they left. She found solace in small rituals, like polishing the sink with Ajax, a simple act that made her feel close to her mother. Through it all, gratitude became her anchor. Volunteering, staying busy, and later forming a loving marriage helped her transform unimaginable pain into a life of purpose.In Repairing Rainbows, Lynda and her husband, who also endured loss at a young age, share lessons learned through four decades of healing. The book is not about tragedy—it is about choice. Readers around the world have found comfort in its message: that grief and joy can coexist, and that moving forward is not betrayal but necessity.She describes how connections with a medium later reinforced her belief that life continues beyond loss, offering peace and closure she hadn’t allowed herself to feel before. Throughout her journey, Lynda has remained committed to helping others discover the same sense of possibility and gratitude that lifted her beyond despair.Key Takeaway: Even in the darkest chapters, it is possible to rewrite your story through gratitude, compassion, and choice. As Lynda reminds us, loss can define you—or it can refine you. The decision to move forward and embrace joy is the ultimate act of healing.https://repairingrainbows.com/A True Story of Family, Tragedy, and ChoicesAt thirteen years old, Lynda’s life comes to a disastrous halt when her mother and two younger sisters are killed in a plane crash. Her father, overcome by despair, simply continues to exist, in a state devoid of hope. After burying a wife and two young children at the age of 44, the overwhelming responsibility of raising a daughter alone completely immobilizes him.Teetering on that tender brink between childhood and adolescence, Lynda faces the responsibility of a father in a complete state of shock, a house to take care of and hundreds of decisions about how to proceed with their shattered lives.In Repairing Rainbows she candidly describes the agonizing memories, deafening silence and endless hardships that are the fallout of incredible loss. As we follow her through marriage, motherhood and her own spiritual journey, Lynda reveals her complex feelings of hope, anger, pity and determination. Most importantly, she learns the crucial difference between “truly living” and the existence that is so often mistaken for being alive.A true story, written by a woman whose normal and abundant life hides a terrible past, Repairing Rainbows is loaded with important lessons to help others overcome struggles and obstacles, and fulfill their lives. It is a powerful, captivating, riveting and easy-to-read story that will undoubtedly touch the hearts of its readers.Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 755 - Kennedy Weible - Dirty Myrtle - Locals and Outsiders, HVAC and Crime - Tourist Stories that come and go like the wavesThis episode captures a wide-ranging and engaging conversation with Kennedy, blending humor, storytelling, and a candid look at the creative process behind both podcasting and writing. What begins as a lighthearted exchange about geography and imagination quickly reveals a deeper throughline about creative collaboration, persistence, and finding your voice.Kennedy shares how a simple, shared love of books with his sister evolved into their podcast. What started as an idea rooted in personal interest rather than strategy became a sustainable and meaningful project. Their concept focuses on “pop classics,” books that resonate with readers culturally even if they fall outside the traditional literary canon. The approach reflects an important lesson for creators: leaning into genuine curiosity often produces more authentic and lasting work than chasing trends.The conversation also highlights the realities of podcasting. Rather than following conventional advice around batching and strict schedules, they built a rhythm that works for their lives, reading at their own pace and releasing episodes organically. This flexibility underscores the importance of aligning creative output with real-world constraints rather than forcing a system that leads to burnout.A significant portion of the episode explores Kennedy’s journey as a writer. He offers an honest look at the publishing world, describing it as less linear and more opaque than many assume. His experience with small presses stands out as a turning point, offering a more human, responsive, and collaborative path compared to the often discouraging process of querying agents. The insight here is practical and grounded: there are more entry points into creative industries than the most visible ones.Kennedy also reflects on the origins of his novel, rooted in his upbringing in Myrtle Beach. He paints a vivid picture of life in a tourist town, where transient populations and local communities intersect, creating a unique environment full of compelling characters. This setting becomes the foundation for his storytelling, demonstrating how familiar environments can hold untapped creative potential once viewed with fresh perspective.Book: Dirty Myrtle - A few days before Thanksgiving, Sailor Cassidy is running an amateur stakeout she has no business conducting. She’s nursing a bad breakup, following a plan that’s half-baked in more ways than one, and reckless enough not to care. What could go wrong? Across town, Officer Tuscaloosa “Tusk” Knight is working an off-the-books job for his captain, tailing a drifter who, it turns out, once sat two rows over from him in high school English. It’s not exactly the glamorous step toward promotion he pictured, but it beats paperwork. When Sailor’s disaster and Tusk’s assignment collide, the two stumble into a life-or-death mess involving kidnapping, half-wit criminals, and a tangle of small-town secrets longer than the Carolina coast. With the clock ticking, Sailor and Tusk are left trying to separate the truth from the lies, and the lies from the truly stupid decisions.https://www.kennedyweible.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 754 - Anat Eliraz - Jewels of Smoky Quartz - An Epic Fantasy Novel In this episode of the How to Podcast series, host Dave welcomes author Anat Eliraz from Israel for an engaging conversation about her unexpected journey into writing and publishing. Anat shares how a spontaneous story idea in December 2008 grew from handwritten pages into her debut novel, Jewels of Smoky Quartz, a portal fantasy that sat on her disk until the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 prompted her to explore publishing. She candidly admits her early solo efforts lacked community support, urging beginner authors to join writing groups on platforms like Facebook for invaluable advice, slump-busting encouragement, and scam avoidance.Anat emphasizes practical first steps: just write without overthinking audience tastes, since billions of readers mean someone will connect with your voice. Invest wisely in professional editing and eye-catching covers that pop on shelves or Amazon, as they draw browsers in. Her unique style shines through vivid character interactions and dialogues, praised even by her U.S. co-author on an upcoming science fiction book delayed by military clearance. Writing remains a joyful hobby alongside her career as a developmental physiotherapist, not a salary pursuit; she and her co-author formalized their partnership with a contract covering expenses, splits, and taxes.She reveals her "panster" approach, writing scenes out of order, and her free weekly Substack serial adapting high school Dungeons & Dragons adventures with old friends—role-playing focused on character depth over dice rolls. Multiple projects simmer: a WWII-era fantasy, sci-fi, and 60 pages of a darker sequel to Jewels. The book features a 29-year-old ER nurse and aikido practitioner teleported to a strange world, using wits, medical know-how, and martial skills against medieval foes. Realistic fight scenes earned raves from a UK black belt, drawn from Anat's own on-and-off training since 1999. It's an easy, flowing read (under 300 pages, YA/18+ with one consensual intimate scene) blending medicine, martial arts, and fantasy for broad appeal.Anat connects most on Facebook for real-time reader reactions, shares a fan-made YouTube song from her book, and muses on future co-authoring possibilities.Key takeaway: Dive into writing communities early, prioritize editing and covers, write what excites you, and let your authentic voice—honed by real experience—draw the right readers.https://www.facebook.com/anat.eliraz.7/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 753 - Auri Jones - Abandoned Prayer Series, God Make Me Weak, Broken and UncomfortableAuri Jones Interview: From Diverse Roles to Storytelling ImpactAuri Jones shares his dynamic journey in this episode, bringing energy from his varied background in teaching audio and media communications, motivational speaking, youth direction, worship leading, rap/hip hop artistry, and communications work at Capital One. Living just outside Charlotte, North Carolina in Gastonia, he reflects on how these experiences all connect through storytelling and audience connection.Auri emphasizes creating with passion for both the message and the people receiving it. He explains that whether teaching students, producing motivational videos, or writing books, his focus remains on what listeners or readers will learn, feel, or carry away. Passion shows through even without flashy production, creating a boomerang effect that draws people in when genuine care is evident.He encourages creators to get out of their own way and share their work despite fears of low engagement. One inspired person can spark wider impact, and opportunities like a holiday story he wrote for a work leader unexpectedly led to a published book, reader discussions, and ongoing connections through Zoom calls and meetups.Auri dives into his writing process, starting with detailed character biographies to make them feel real and relatable. He avoids absolutes like pure good versus evil, giving every character layers of humanity that mirror real struggles with faith, fear, self-worth, and calling. Readers connect differently, finding pieces of themselves in multiple perspectives rather than a single hero.His latest, Miren: The Prophecy of the Fuhrer (Book 1 in the Miren Journey series), follows ordinary girl Emma thrust into a fantasy world after her parents vanish, uncovering a prophecy with her cousins. Inspired by kayaking past a mansion and imagining hidden worlds, the story blends adventure like Narnia or Percy Jackson with deep, everyday themes. Targeted for ages 12+, it sneaks in mature ideas adults appreciate while entertaining younger readers.Auri writes as if reading alongside his characters, embracing surprises and cliffhangers without plotting endings upfront. His youth ministry experience informs including heavy topics, believing kids handle more than expected and fantasy worlds spark real conversations.Key Takeaway: Passionately tell your story with your audience in mind, get out of your own way, and watch one connection ripple into unexpected impact.https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B06XJ9XS5J/allbookshttps://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/miren-auri-jones/1148302130Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 752 - Rich Feitelberg - Fantasy Author and Poet, Advice For New Authors and The Power of ReviewsIn this episode, author guest Rich Feitelberg shares an honest and detailed look at the writing journey, offering practical advice shaped by years of experience across multiple genres. From his home near Boston, Rich opens with a lighthearted tone before diving into what it really takes to grow as a writer.A key theme throughout the conversation is that writing advice depends heavily on where someone is in their journey. For beginners, Rich emphasizes the importance of building a habit through consistent reading and writing. Whether it is jotting ideas in a notebook or dictating thoughts into a phone, the goal is to develop discipline and get comfortable expressing ideas regularly. For more advanced writers, the focus shifts to understanding genre expectations, exploring creative risks, and refining ideas into structured stories.Rich highlights the depth of research required to create believable worlds, especially in fantasy and science fiction. From history and economics to scientific principles, strong storytelling is grounded in knowledge. He explains how even imaginative ideas often stem from real concepts, showing how curiosity and learning fuel creativity.The conversation also explores finding a unique voice. Rich describes starting by emulating established authors before gradually developing his own tone. He reinforces that this is a natural part of the process and encourages writers to read widely to discover what resonates with them.A major insight comes from his perspective on drafting and revision. Writing is never perfect on the first attempt. Rich reflects on how even classic authors worked through multiple drafts filled with edits and changes. Modern tools may make revisions easier, but the need to refine and reshape ideas remains constant.Character development is another focal point, with Rich emphasizing the importance of psychology and real human behavior. He draws inspiration from real life to create authentic relationships and conflicts, ensuring that even in fantasy settings, characters feel grounded and relatable.Beyond craft, Rich shares the realities of being a prolific independent author, from managing a large catalog of work to navigating visibility challenges. He stresses the importance of word of mouth and community support, noting that not every reader leaves reviews but recommendations can make a significant impact.Throughout the episode, his passion for storytelling is clear. Now fully dedicated to writing, Rich continues to create, mentor others, and encourage new voices to be heard.Key Takeaway: Writing is a long-term commitment built on consistent practice, continuous learning, and persistence. By embracing the process, developing authentic characters, and sharing your unique perspective, you can find your voice and connect with the right audience over time.www.feitelberg.netSupport the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 751 - Jack Valerio - The Recipe to breaking down complex ideas into clear, practical steps - Uncommon Sense and Guaranteed GourmetIn this episode, Dave sits down with author and lifelong educator Jack Valerio for a lively, deeply personal conversation about growth, mindset, and the power of thinking differently. Speaking from his home in Florida, Jack brings his unmistakable New York voice and perspective to a discussion that blends storytelling, life lessons, and practical philosophy.Jack’s journey is anything but conventional. From a struggling student who fell behind early in life to a career educator who taught across multiple disciplines, his path is defined by overcoming limitations. That same theme carries into his personal life, where he didn’t begin dancing until his fifties, only to become a professional salsa dancer and instructor. Later, he discovered a passion for cooking in his sixties and is now writing multiple cookbooks. His message is clear: ability often follows belief, not the other way around.At the core of the conversation is the concept behind his book on uncommon sense. Jack challenges the idea that common sense is reliable, arguing that widely accepted beliefs are often flawed or misunderstood. Instead, he encourages listeners to pause, question assumptions, and think independently, especially in moments when everyone else seems to agree. Through vivid stories, he illustrates how simple shifts in thinking can unlock solutions that others overlook.Jack also shares his approach to writing and creating. Using AI as a collaborative tool, he describes a disciplined and highly iterative process built on constant refinement, feedback, and self-awareness. His background in education shapes his philosophy, emphasizing that learning never stops and that adapting to change is essential at any age.Beyond writing, Jack applies his principles to his cookbooks, aiming to remove confusion and guarantee results for readers. His focus is not just on what to do, but how and why, reinforcing his belief that clarity and understanding lead to confidence.Throughout the episode, Jack’s energy and honesty shine through. Whether discussing personal transformation, creative work, or the importance of action, he consistently returns to one idea: people are not stuck, they are simply thinking like everyone else.Key Takeaway:Real change begins when you challenge what feels obvious. By choosing to think differently, act decisively, and stay open to learning, you can unlock abilities and opportunities that once felt out of reach.https://www.jackvalerio.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 750 - Lauren Kristen Roberts - Gemini Divided, The Breadcrumb Game, Fan Fiction Writing and Author TipsAuthor and self-published novelist Lauren Roberts joins us from Northern Virginia to share the winding journey behind her books, her business decisions as an indie author, and the family support that keeps her stories moving forward. She talks about the many places she has lived, raising three teenagers and a dog named Thor, and how superhero fandom and comic books show up in her household culture as naturally as books do.Lauren pulls back the curtain on the economics of self-publishing, explaining how word count, print costs, trim size, and paper choices all influence the final price of a book and the profit an author can reasonably expect. She describes learning that two novels with very different lengths were earning her different margins despite having the same list price, and how that realization is shaping her approach to her third book. She also explores the intangible impact of a cover that truly fits the genre, acknowledging that while she outsources cover design, a strong visual first impression is crucial for attracting the right readers.Marketing, for Lauren, is as hands-on as her writing. She keeps inventory in her office so she can sell signed copies at craft fairs, book events, and any local venue willing to host an author table, often driving up to two hours to meet new readers. Her books are distributed through IngramSpark to online retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and she has personally approached independent bookstores to get copies onto shelves.Lauren’s path into fiction began during a lonely season in Virginia Beach, when she was home with three young children, working part-time and craving something creative of her own. She rediscovered writing through fanfiction, using beloved TV series like AMC’s “The Killing” and NBC’s “Blindspot” as playgrounds for practice and experimentation. That fanfiction habit, combined with her husband’s suggestion to create original work she could monetize, led to a framework and characters that eventually became her debut novel.In Gemini Divided, readers meet Jen, a former military operative working as an assassin to pay for her mother’s chemotherapy. The job fills her with guilt, but she sees no other way to cover the medical bills. Her double life becomes untenable when she is assigned to eliminate her favorite TV actor, the very person she secretly writes fanfiction about. Lauren explains how early drafts lacked a clear reason for Jen’s choices, and how feedback from her own mother forced her to create an emotional and moral foundation that would keep readers invested in a morally complicated heroine.Her second novel, The Breadcrumb Game, follows Ella, whose house explodes just as she checks the mail, forcing her into an uneasy partnership with a grumpy FBI agent. As they race to learn who is trying to kill her and why, Ella’s childhood “breadcrumb game” with her estranged sister becomes a key to deciphering clues only she can recognize. Lauren hints at a shared universe between The Breadcrumb Game and Gemini Divided, with subtle nods that reward readers who pick up both books without requiring a specific reading order.https://laurenkristenroberts.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 749 - Nicole Ward - Bio-hacking for the Sales Athlete - For Executives, sales leaders, founders, and anyone performing at a high levelAuthor and corporate executive Nicole Ward joins from Los Angeles to share how a late in life wake up call transformed her health, career, and now her work as an author and podcaster. She describes never really seeing herself as an author until, in her early fifties, inspiration suddenly “volcanoed” into a book idea that connected three areas of expertise in a way she had never seen before. Once she was clear on what she wanted to say, the writing process became energizing rather than intimidating, helped by an editor who protected her natural voice while shaping the manuscript.Nicole explains why she chose to self publish, after being told traditional publishers might take years to bring her book to market. Encouraged by other authors, she invested strategically in professional editing, book design, and a second editorial review to ensure the book looked and read at a high level. She also built a personal advisory board of thirteen people from diverse backgrounds, asking them for blunt, honest feedback that led to key improvements and helped her refine the final version.At the heart of the conversation is Nicole’s broader mission: The Executive Athlete. Drawing on her career working with C suite leaders and board members, she is focused on “bringing consciousness to power” by helping high level decision makers regulate their health, manage stress, and extend their healthspan. She demystifies biohacking as simply using data, tools, and targeted supplementation to understand your unique biology and age as well as possible, not as an extreme lifestyle reserved for tech billionaires. Her own journey began when, at thirty five, she was sixty pounds overweight, inflamed, exhausted, and so overworked that after rolling her SUV she worried more about missing a meeting than the accident itself.Nicole shares practical, accessible strategies for busy professionals, like “exercise snacking” small bursts of movement with bands, light weights, or stairs throughout the day that can add up to real fitness without a 5 a.m. workout. She stresses that supplements are meant to augment, not replace, fundamentals like sleep, nutrition, and recovery, and that meaningful change comes from choosing one or two realistic actions instead of trying to overhaul everything at once. This same ethos shapes her two podcasts: Aon at the Top, where she interviews mid market corporate leaders about their path to the C suite, and The Executive Athlete, focused on executives who prioritize health, wellness, and longevity.Speaking directly to listeners who feel stuck, unhealthy, or like they always put themselves last, Nicole is candid about once being a “quitter” with her health and pushing it to the bottom of her priority list. She underscores that change is possible at any age by taking small, consistent steps, honoring commitments to yourself, and giving yourself grace when you fall short. Her before and after story, now documented in her book and content, illustrates how rebuilding your health can not only transform your body but also your confidence, leadership, and capacity to show up fully for your family, colleagues, and community.https://www.nicoleelizabethward.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 748 - Chris A Underwood -  The Cold Winter Grid-Down Book Series - Hidden Secrets in the Walls Author Chris A Underwood invites listeners into the real-world setting behind his Cold Winter series, beginning in the small village of Galena just north of Columbus, Ohio. In this conversation, he describes living in and restoring his historic 1850s home, once the town’s telegraph and later telephone office, where walls stuffed with hidden whiskey and extract bottles hint at the secret lives of past occupants. That same house, town square, and sense of buried history become the spine of his fictional world when a devastating winter power-grid failure throws Ohio into crisis.Chris traces his lifelong pull toward storytelling, from a third-grade construction-paper book to creative writing classes and an English minor, even as he pursued business, accounting, and computer science to provide for his family. Years later, an interest in “prepping” rekindled his writing, as he asked what ordinary people would do on day one, day two, and beyond after a major event. Those questions evolved into a survival narrative grounded in his own home, his town, and the very real vulnerability of the power grid, inspired in part by the 2003 northeast blackout. He explains how building practical preparedness into his house and imagining life during a prolonged winter outage gave him a believable framework for his story.A big part of this episode explores how community and craft shaped his work. Chris shares how joining a local writing group transformed his early drafts; honest, sometimes painful critiques pushed him to abandon a confusing first-person approach and rewrite in third person, freeing the story to follow multiple characters and perspectives. He talks about “torturing” his main character, a computer programmer much like himself, and weaving in deeply personal elements, including a son on the autism spectrum who eventually becomes a key hero in book three. For Chris, flawed, everyday people who make mistakes but keep trying are more compelling than perfect saviors.The conversation also highlights how his research happens on the ground, not just online. To authentically portray helicopters, militias, and river battles, Chris embedded himself with the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation, volunteering at air shows, riding in Huey and Cobra helicopters, and channeling those sensations straight onto the page. He recounts a three-week tour on military bases, where he met new recruits, seasoned officers, and even fellow volunteers from his helicopter group, often giving readers their first signed book and seeing his series become part of their downtime between assignments.His commitment to living the story extends to historic ships and river locks. Chris spent a month aboard the World War II landing ship LST-325 as it traveled the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, selling books, working in the wheelhouse, sleeping in bunks, and donating thousands of dollars back to the ship’s preservation. He has also shadowed lock workers on the river to capture the feel of barge traffic and infrastructure under strain, later staging key battles in those spaces on the page. Partnerships with museums and naval sites, including a destroyer in Buffalo, have given him insider tours and technical feedback, ensuring his fictional use of real vessels remains accurate while still imaginative.Throughout the episode, Chris returns to a core theme: using story to explore how ordinary people respond when systems fail, and how community, moral compass, and determination matter as much as gear and tactics. Whether through a young Catholic priest serving as ethical anchor, neighbors opening their doors to stranded travelers, or volunteers keeping aging helicopters and ships alive, his books focus on people choosing to help, even when it is dangerous or inconvenient. He hints at future directions for the Cold Winter universe, including a potential fifth book that would tackle the messy realities of recovery after the grid comes back and society attempts to rebuild.Key takeaway: This episode shows how deeply lived experience, disciplined feedback, and real-world immersion can turn a “what if” scenario into a rich, human survival saga. Listeners come away with a sense that great fiction can grow directly out of ordinary life, historic places, and a willingness to both receive tough critique and step into the environments you want to write about.https://authorchrisaunderwood.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 747 - Spencer Hixon - Urban fantasy novels and short stories - A Sinister Love and Fate and FortuneAuthor Spencer Hixon joins the podcast to discuss his journey as a writer, the creative process behind his novels, and the imaginative world he is building through interconnected stories that blend fantasy, romance, and philosophical ideas about fate and time.Spencer shares how his life has taken him across the United States, from California to Washington DC, South Carolina, and eventually Indiana. Each move was tied to career and family opportunities rather than a desire to relocate, shaping his perspective and experiences along the way. Today he lives near South Bend while continuing to develop a growing body of fiction.At the center of Spencer’s writing process is organization and structure. With many ideas constantly forming, he keeps a running system of notes and outlines he jokingly calls “Spencer’s brain.” While he often develops multiple story ideas at once, he focuses on writing one project at a time to maintain continuity and clarity. Detailed outlines, character histories, and color coded notes help him track character motivations, reveal background information gradually, and ensure every scene serves the larger narrative.Character psychology plays a central role in his storytelling. Spencer approaches scenes by mentally stepping into the perspective of every character involved, allowing each one to act according to their own motivations. This method often leads to unexpected turns in the story as characters evolve beyond their original roles. While he usually knows the ending before he begins writing, the journey toward that ending frequently shifts as the characters develop.His books often experiment with storytelling structure and genre. While they are generally categorized as urban fantasy, Spencer describes them as hybrid stories that combine elements of romance, adventure, and philosophical exploration. He enjoys challenging traditional narrative frameworks such as the hero’s journey and sometimes reverses familiar tropes to create new dynamics between characters.Spencer’s fictional universe spans two connected trilogies. The first begins with A Sinister Love, a story about a demon named Scribble who works a desk job in purgatory before being sent to Earth to tempt a human. What begins as a humorous romance evolves into a much larger mystery involving conspiracies and the structure of the afterlife. The second storyline, beginning with Fate and Fortune, explores the consequences of altering destiny. In that story, a man who once made a deal to change his fate must travel back through key moments of his life to prevent disastrous outcomes, while each trip through time costs him precious moments from his remaining lifespan.Through these stories Spencer explores universal questions about choice, destiny, and the moments in life that shape who we become. His work invites readers to consider how small decisions can create lasting consequences and whether changing the past would truly lead to a better future.https://www.spencerhixon.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 746 - Douglas Smith - Character Based Writing, Bundling Short Stories, Spirit Dance and BorderlanzAuthor and guest Douglas Smith joins the show from Unionville, just outside Toronto, reflecting on Canadian winters, good coffee, and the long path that led him to finally chase his writing dream in his early forties. He admits he waited too long, always assuming he would “start someday,” until the early death of one of his favorite authors, Roger Zelazny, jolted him into action. Looking back, he wishes someone had told him to simply start, and to begin with short stories instead of aiming immediately at a big novel. For Douglas, short fiction is the ideal training ground: it lets writers experiment with different genres, voices, and techniques across many smaller projects, while also teaching them how to submit, handle rejection, and learn from editors.That philosophy inspired his book for emerging writers, Playing the Short Game, which walks beginners through why and how to build a career through short fiction, from first draft to contracts and rights management. Douglas describes how writing many short stories gave him a full creative toolbox before he ever tackled novels. He also highlights the emotional journey of early rejections, the encouragement of personalized feedback, and the importance of protecting your rights so you can later reprint stories, resell them, or collect them into your own books.As an author, Douglas is known for richly developed characters and a distinctly visual, cinematic style. He finds it ironic that readers praise his settings because description used to be his biggest struggle, until a craft lesson on “writing setting as character” helped him anchor description in point of view and emotion. He explains how short fiction forced him to make every word count, hook readers from the first line, and compress full worldbuilding and character arcs into just a few thousand words. Those same skills now strengthen his novels, including his shapeshifter universe (beginning with the story “Spirit Dance” and the novel The Wolf at the End of the World), his Dream Rider Saga trilogy, and a connected near-future post-apocalyptic science fiction project.Douglas also demystifies short story collections, talking about how he sequences stories to shape a satisfying reader experience, balances length, tone, and genre, and always includes at least one new story to reward dedicated fans. He shares how reviews and endorsements from admired authors can be both powerful and dangerous for writers, recommending that beginners protect themselves from early negative reviews while still learning to use positive feedback as encouragement and promotion. Throughout, he returns to the themes of experimentation, resilience, and generosity: using short fiction to grow your craft, building a backlist that can be repackaged over time, and paying it forward to the next generation of writers.Key takeaway: Douglas’s journey shows that it is never too late to start writing, and that beginning with short fiction can give you the skills, confidence, and resilience you need to build a lasting, flexible career as an author.https://smithwriter.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 745 - Scott Clifford Mack - Soccer On Sunday In The Park and Adventures of a Forgotten ManAuthor and guest Scott Clifford Mack joins us from Falmouth, Maine, a coastal community with a deep literary tradition and a revolutionary-era history that mirrors his themes of resilience and reinvention. He describes Maine as an introspective place that quietly supports the inner life of a writer, even as he humbly refrains from placing himself among its famous names. Scott shares an early, sobering experience at a publishing seminar where an industry professional bluntly stated that most first novels will never see the light of day. What felt devastating at the time eventually became a foundational lesson about failure, resilience, and the necessity of honest self-assessment. He admits his early work was not as strong as he believed, and that accepting this truth pushed him to improve his craft.Over the years, Scott has written novels, magazine articles, essays, and short stories, facing both rejection and acceptance. These experiences deepened his confidence and clarified his priorities. He realized he writes primarily for the love of writing itself, not for guarantees of publication or acclaim. For him, joy comes from sitting alone with a story, refining each sentence, and “baking the cake” before worrying about covers and marketing. Scott prefers to keep his voice as pure as possible, resisting heavy editorial direction so his work remains fully his own. He reads widely across genres, studying how other authors structure stories and shape language, and emphasizes that a compelling story is what ultimately carries a reader from first page to last.Scott’s first published novel, Soccer on Sunday in the Park, grew from lifelong passion and multiple failed attempts to write about the sport he loves. The book centers on a diverse group of everyday people who gather weekly for informal pickup soccer. Through their eyes, he explores three main themes: a grassroots homage to the game, the power of human connection across age, background, and culture, and the importance of adults continuing to play and embrace the humility and resilience that come with games. His second novel, Adventures of a Forgotten Man, shifts to corporate culture, remote work, and the modern world of employment. Inspired by a real report of remote employees who stopped logging in yet continued to be paid, Scott imagines a man “misplaced” by a large insurance company and explores what happens when work becomes transactional and disconnected. The protagonist’s journey contrasts older, more personal workplace eras with today’s diffuse, digital reality, raising questions about identity, loyalty, and meaning in work. Throughout the conversation, Scott explains his character-building process, from notebooks and detailed profiles to the surprising way minor figures sometimes grow into pivotal roles. He is especially drawn to “under the radar” people and finding the remarkable in the seemingly unremarkable. https://www.instagram.com/scmack13Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 744 - Luna Westish - Meet Me at the Ruins - The Story of Margo, a Student and Story Set In ScotlandIn this episode, author Luna Westish shares the unexpected path that led her to writing and publishing her debut novel, Meet Me at the Ruins. From relocating her family to Mexico City during the pandemic to navigating the realities of self-publishing, Luna reflects on creativity, personal growth, and the lessons she learned along the way.Luna begins by discussing the major life decision that reshaped her family’s world. After years of talking about living abroad, she and her partner chose the uncertainty of the pandemic as the moment to take the leap. Selling nearly all their belongings and leaving Tacoma, Washington behind, they moved to Mexico City with their children. What began as an experiment quickly turned into a new home as they found community in the vibrant, international city. While Luna still misses the nature and coastline of the Pacific Northwest, the move created space for new experiences and creative exploration.That sense of experimentation carries into Luna’s approach to writing. Contrary to common advice that writers must produce words daily or follow strict routines, Luna discovered that creativity works best when she allows flexibility. Writing for her happens in bursts of inspiration, often in quiet coffee shops in the morning. Instead of focusing on word counts or rigid goals, she treats writing as a process of curiosity and self-discovery, allowing stories to emerge naturally rather than forcing them.Her journey into fiction was equally unplanned. Luna spent years writing nonfiction, including academic work, policy reports on climate change, and articles related to small business. Eventually she began writing deeply personal essays about her childhood growing up in a restrictive religious environment. That vulnerable work opened the door to fiction. Inspired by weekly coffee shop writing sessions with her teenager, she started drafting a story that eventually became her novel.Meet Me at the Ruins follows Margot, a college student studying abroad in Edinburgh in the early 2000s. The novel explores anxiety, identity, relationships, and the search for purpose during a formative stage of life. Set against the atmospheric backdrop of Edinburgh, the story blends elements of coming-of-age, romance, and contemporary literary fiction while focusing on emotional growth rather than a traditional plot-driven arc.Luna also offers candid insight into the publishing world. After partially releasing the story online, she queried agents and publishers but ultimately chose to self-publish when contracts lacked clarity around responsibilities and timelines. The experience revealed how complex book marketing can be, from building advance reader groups to securing reviews and interviews. Her biggest lesson for aspiring authors: allow far more time for marketing and outreach than you think you’ll need.Despite the challenges, Luna views the entire process as a learning experience rather than a purely commercial pursuit. For her, writing is about exploration, connection, and sharing stories that resonate emotionally with readers. That same mindset shapes her parenting, encouraging her children to pursue creativity for joy rather than productivity.https://lunawestish.wordpress.com/___Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 743 - Luke K Wilson -  Science Fiction Author - Icewind and FalcataFalcataAuthor: Luke K. WilsonRelease Date: February  2026Description:Falcata is a science fiction epic from Luke K. WilsonThe Maran Ark contains the last of a shattered civilization. These last remaining bands of humans are all that survived the destruction of Mara, their beloved home world, and they’ve been on the run from their enigmatic, unsympathetic enemies ever since. Now, they wander through a devastated, desolate galaxy filled with the ruins and remnants of long-dead empires, as well as pirates and marauders out to prey on anything still living. Only one thing keeps the Marans going: the promise of a new world to call their own and the hope that one day their children will be born beneath and open sky, with soil beneath their feet.Leanette-14810 is a young girl born into the Ark long after Mara’s destruction. She is raised listening to the horrors of their home world’s fall, as well as the haunting rumors of what lurks outside the Ark’s hull. Now, she must walk a rigid path which prioritizes the collective good, and society’s survival against all odds. She approaches adulthood and a predetermined life as a Maran woman, to never leave the confines and relative safety of the Ark.But when Leanette is banished from the Ark’s rigid caste system dictated by gender and aptitude, she is thrust into a terrifying world she never knew existed. She eventually realizes the greatest threats facing the Ark’s survival are not outside its hull, but deep within them.Facebook Author Page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576851991360My Listing on the Publisher's website:Falcata - Golden Storyline Bookshttps://goldenstorylinebooks.com/falcata/Amazon.com: Falcata eBook : K. Wilson, Luke: Kindle Storehttps://a.co/d/0erRobxFSupport the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 742 - Eric Clark - The Beekman Affair - The perfect couple, the perfect life, the perfect lieIn this conversation, Eric Clark reflects on his journey as a writer and the deeper themes behind his work. Speaking from San Diego after growing up in New York City, he shares how perspective and lived experience shape both storytelling and personal identity.Eric emphasizes that writing must begin with love for the craft rather than a focus on publishing or marketability. For him, creativity should remain untainted by the pressures of agents, sales, or audience targeting. The work has to come from an internal need to express something true. Inspiration often arrives unexpectedly, and reading other authors can spark new ideas without becoming plagiarism. Every story ultimately filters through the writer’s unique experiences.At the heart of his latest novel is an exploration of perspective, change, and the discomfort that comes when deeply held values are challenged. The story follows Claire and Peter, a married couple whose backgrounds shaped them in very different ways. Claire is driven, accomplished, and structured. Peter is reflective, conflict averse, and open. When new neighbors move in and tension rises, existing marital strain surfaces and forces both characters to confront their assumptions.The novel examines how people evolve over years, not months. Change is gradual and often painful, especially when it challenges identity or stability. Eric draws from his own background as the child of immigrants to portray characters who understand both the inside and the outside of belonging. His writing consistently returns to themes of outsiders navigating systems that may accept them conditionally.Throughout the discussion, Eric highlights the complexity of social and political perspectives. He avoids caricatures, instead giving sincere voice to multiple viewpoints. The story challenges readers to recognize how easily we forget our own past struggles once we feel secure. It asks what happens when change arrives next door rather than at a distance, and whether we can extend empathy across differences.Ultimately, Eric writes for readers who remain open to growth. His goal is not to divide but to invite reflection on how we handle change, identity, and community in a complicated world.New Release: The Beekman AffairPublication Date: Coming March 17th by Glass Spider PublishingThe perfect couple. The perfect life. The perfect lie.Clare and Peter Davidson have always looked like they had it all—college sweethearts turned devoted partners, with two bright children and a picture-perfect home in the tight-knit community of Beekman. But behind the manicured lawn and warm smiles lies a marriage quietly unraveling under the weight of secrets, betrayals, and unspoken regrets.When Beekman itself begins to fracture—factory closures, job losses, neighbors forced to choose sides in a bitter local conflict—Clare and Peter find themselves on opposite ends of a fight that hits closer to home than they ever imagined. As the town’s tensions mount, so do the cracks in Clare’s carefully constructed world.The Beekman Affair is a gripping story of loss, betrayal, and the quiet courage it takes to reclaim your own life—no matter the cost.https://ericclarkauthor.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 741 - Anne Beall - The Compassionate Writer - Find Your Voice, Enhance Your Story and Touch LivesIn this episode, author and social psychologist Anne Beall invites listeners into a life shaped by curiosity, compassion, and a deep belief that every person has a story worth telling. She shares how her path from research psychology into the business world and, eventually, into full time writing and literary editing grew out of a desire to understand people more fully and communicate with them more effectively. That journey includes founding and running a market research company for over two decades, selling it, and then dedicating herself to writing books and leading the Chicago Story Press Literary Journal, which focuses on meaningful, insight rich creative nonfiction.Anne describes how her lifelong love of animals led to exploring the emotional intelligence and depth of connection possible between humans and other species. From service llamas who intuitively comfort residents in assisted living to a pig that can identify English words on a soundboard, she recounts stories that challenge our assumptions about animal awareness and underline her conviction that many beings understand us in ways we barely recognize. Those experiences informed her book about heartfelt connections with animals and reinforced her broader commitment to writing about relationships, empathy, and unseen emotional bonds.At the heart of the conversation is Anne’s book about compassionate writing and her belief that good storytelling requires a nuanced view of human nature. Instead of dividing people into heroes and villains, she argues that powerful writing reveals everyone as flawed, complex, and deeply human. She explores the difference and overlap between empathy and compassion, suggesting that compassion is not just a feeling but an action: the deliberate effort to understand why people behave as they do, including ourselves. By looking at life’s painful or confusing events through a compassionate lens, writers can find meaning in their experiences and translate that understanding onto the page in ways that help readers see themselves more clearly and judge themselves less harshly.Drawing on her role as an editor, Anne talks about what makes a story a good fit for a literary journal, why certain themes become overrepresented, and how even strong work can be rejected for reasons beyond an author’s control. She emphasizes persistence, the value of revisiting and strengthening work after repeated rejections, and the reality that numbers and timing often shape publication outcomes as much as quality. Throughout, she returns to the idea that emotional resonance matters most: writers and readers are both seeking stories that illuminate life, particularly around loss, family, identity, and the moments that change us.Anne also speaks directly to listeners who may not see themselves as writers. She encourages anyone who journals or reflects on their life to view those pages as meaningful work that can bring healing and clarity, especially when approached with self compassion. Key takeaway: You are worthy of your story. Approaching your life and your writing with compassion – for yourself, your characters, and your readers – can turn painful or confusing experiences into meaningful narratives that touch lives, including your own.https://annebeall.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 740 - Carter Vance - A story of living, loving and growing up on Canada's Parliament HillIn this engaging episode, author Carter Vance shares his writing journey with host Dave, connecting as fellow Canadians. Originally from the small town of Cobourg, Ontario—famous for its literal Big Apple roadside sculpture and summer beach—Carter credits a high school teacher's encouragement for launching his creative path. She connected him with local cafe owners for poetry readings, sparking his early involvement in plays, school magazines, and submissions to prestigious outlets like Arc Poetry Magazine, which offered a mentorship that honed his skills in audience focus, form, and resilience against rejections.Reflecting on advice he'd give his younger self, Carter emphasizes demystifying publishing, treating writing like a disciplined job—as Stephen King advocates with daily hours—and clarifying one's unique "why" amid abundant content. Creative writing, for him, captures intangible life moments and fosters empathy by letting readers inhabit others' minds, unlike film or music. His diverse career, including policy work in Canada, the UK, Indonesia, and Parliament (as a House leader staffer from 2015-2019 and Senate role), humanized politicians as flawed individuals, revealing unexpected alliances, young staffers' influence, and information's power in decision-making.Carter's debut novel, Smaller Animals (released November), draws from these experiences, following young Canadian political staffers' relationships and growth amid power dynamics—"smaller animals" behind the spotlight. Comparable to Arthur Phillips' Prague, Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises, or Sally Rooney's works, it appeals to politics enthusiasts and character-driven readers alike, requiring no deep parliamentary knowledge. He discusses staff autonomy, grunt work evolving to info control, and hopes readers connect personally while gaining insights into unseen influencers.Amid recent Canadian tragedies, Carter finds hope in political maturity, rising public engagement, and openness to change. Upcoming: a short story in Plentitude magazine, more writing, and ideas like a Berlin Wall saga. Key Takeaway: Writing thrives on encouragement, discipline, and authentic voice—craft stories that build empathy and unique perspectives, turning personal experiences into shared connections.https://cartervance.ca/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 739 - J. Bellante Ward - The Wyrd of Skulda Discover Norns, the three legendary females who control timeIn this engaging episode of Living The Next Chapter, host Dave welcomes debut fantasy author J. Bellante Ward, a dental hygienist from Virginia originally from Maryland, who stumbled into writing after a coworker praised her knack for words in a simple professional email. Nervous but thrilled for her first podcast appearance, J. shares how she penned her Norse mythology-inspired series in just two months, embracing her "pantser" style where the plot unfolded organically through character journeys rather than rigid outlines. She discusses battling impatience for instant gratification, learning not to chase perfection—since human imperfections make stories relatable and distinct from AI-generated content—and finding her authentic voice about a quarter into the manuscript, shifting to a more confident tone.J. dives into her series' core: three Norns controlling past, present, and future, reimagined in a world without cell phones or modern tech to emphasize raw human connections and epic quests. Book one follows Bren, the Norn of the future from a dark kingdom, on a self-discovery path amid romance, "smut," and battles against an evil king seeking to dominate the realms via the tree of life. Unplanned characters like Bren's sarcastic best friend stole her heart, earning future books, while part one builds the world lightly and part two accelerates into non-stop action. She credits advice from patients and fellow authors, like writing the ending at 80% to race smoothly to the finish, and cut filler for a lean, approachable read even for fantasy newcomers.​Marketing challenges surface too: J. finds social media inauthentic and mentally draining, preferring genuine conversations like this interview over forced videos, and pitches her elf-and-mythology tale proudly despite adult awkwardness. A vivid reading from chapter three paints a terrifying swamp creature encounter, drawing from head-to-toe details inspired by quirky YouTube like Salad Fingers. Her real "moment" came from a stranger's glowing review, not pre-sales from supporters. Looking ahead, book two launches soon, with Instagram and Facebook as key follows.​Key Takeaway: Embrace your creative flow without perfectionism—human flaws and organic storytelling connect deepest with readers, proving anyone can birth a world from a spark.https://www.instagram.com/j.bella.ward.writes/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

Episode 592 - Joe McClean - Screenwriter, Author and Director - Putting Yourself Out There and Into Your Story, That is Where the Opportunity LiesJoe made a bunch of short films and one feature length movie with friends and no money. To this day, I enjoy watching those early attempts to craft a story, but essentially this era of on-the-job-training was my film school. Now it was time to take my first big swing. I wrote a script I felt I could raise enough money to shoot myself, a found-footage film, and I spent a year begging for cash and favors. The star of a hit TV show, who had gone to the same high school as me, graciously agreed to act in it. An NBA player made a small investment. Actor, comedian, and Late Show with David Letterman regular, Jay Thomas agreed to make a cameo. The snowball was growing and eventually I scraped together enough cash to direct Life Tracker. The movie played over 20 science fiction conventions and got a digital distribution deal with Charter Communications (now Spectrum) and streamed into millions of American homes.Life Tracker Great! Now I needed a follow up to prove that my work ethic couldn't be mistaken for beginner's luck.​ Taking advantage of a group of talented actor friends and another who owned property outside of Fresno, I wrote and directed a super-low-budget homage to The Big Chill called The Drama Club which can currently be seen on Tubi.The Drama Club Looking back from that point, I could see the years of work I'd put in. Meeting people. Working with casts and crews. Going on adventures together. taking risks and building trust. Jobs started to fall into place. I signed my first manager. I joined the Writers Guild of America. I pitched big shot producers at legacy studios and powerhouse production companies. Always searching for that next opportunity. That's when I met Blair Underwood. A business lunch turned into an attachment (and a friendship), and soon I was hitting up everyone I'd ever done business with to see who wanted to join the team.Viral was written and produced by me, it's directed by and stars Blair, and he shares the screen with Sarah Silverman, Jeanine Mason, and the incomparable Alfre Woodard! The movie is finished and we're actively working with our sales team to bring it to audiences.In the mean time, I’m working with Amistad (an imprint of HarperCollins Publishing) on a two-book deal titled Sins of Survivors about the plight of a family who lived in the once vital African American neighborhood of Black Bottom in 1930s and 40s Detroit. The first book is currently available everywhere books are sold, and the second hits shelves in the summer of 2026... So, go to your local bookstore's website get your copy!Why "Ginger Beard," you ask? My wife's maiden name is "Beard," and when our son was born he had a reddish tint to his hair. So, my company is named after my son, my "Ginger Beard"... It's only a bonus that I have red facial hair.https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-mcclean-6668b018https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0565697/https://www.gingerbeardfilms.com/Wednesday, September 17, 2025Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 738 - Lalitha Ramanathan -  Parenting Unplugged and Kanmani and Co - Five Friends and a Cat Tackle the WorldIn a different lifetime, I worked in Finance, burying myself in MS Excel sheets. One day, I rekindled my passion for writing, and Excel paved way for Word, and my life has never been the same again.Writing is my oxygen, and I write every single day. Over time, I have amassed millions of words, through stories that encapsulate bits of my soul. My favourite topics include parenting, fiction, children’s stories, and any place where there is scope to insert a pinch of humour. Now that you are here, wondering what to read?My stories have found a place in some anthologies. Here, you can find the collections in which my works feature, as well as a sneak peek into my upcoming publications.https://lalitharamanathan.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

Episode 525 - Richard DeVeau - Light's Out - We Paint a Picture of a special forces veteran, CIA officer, and leader of Boston's Homeland Security teamAbout the authorAfter majoring in marketing at Bentley University, Richard spent a career as a copywriter and creative director serving such clients as Red Lobster, Ducati Motorcycles, Marriott Hotels, and Clorox. He also brought his writing skills to bear for communications agencies that serve nonprofit organizations, including American Red Cross, Wounded Warrior Project, Toys for Tots, CARE, Special Olympics and many others. And he was a frequent editorial contributor to Fundraising Success Magazine.In 2000, he helped launch acclaimed author Stephen King’s internet publishing debut and the world’s first mass- marketed e-book, Riding the Bullet. Richard wrote the online ad campaign that prompted more than 400,000 people to purchase and download the novella.His screenplay, Graven Image, placed in the top twenty percent of the Academy of Motion Pictures’ Nicholl Fellowships international screenwriting competition in 2014.Richard is also an accomplished fine art painter. Over the past thirty years, he has exhibited work in numerous solo and group shows. His work was represented by two commercial art galleries in his native Boston and is now represented by a gallery in Chicago, where he currently resides.Richard and his wife have four adult children and two grandchildren.Book: Light's OutA retired couple are murdered in their Wisconsin home - art and other valuables are stolen. A Lake Michigan oil tanker explodes and sinks that same night.Eve Taunt - special forces veteran, CIA officer, and leader of Boston's Homeland Security team - believes there is a connection between these two events.She and her team quickly find themselves in pursuit of a domestic terrorist - an M.I.T. educated, military trained missile genius with Ted Bundy-like psychopathy - to stop him before he carries out his next devastating attack. This one is even more lethal than the overhwelming inferno he just unleashed on Boston.As Eve closes in, she discovers these attacks are orchestrated by a US senator and a powerful cabal of highly placed leaders and lawmakers with a hidden agenda.https://a.co/d/2yD92bjEpisode Date - Monday, April 14, 2025Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 737 - Ben Schenkman - Challenging readers’ conventional thinking and the complexities of moral dilemmasIn this engaging conversation, author and voice actor Ben Schenkman returns to chat about his creative journey, his latest release My Brother’s Keeper, and the many realities of being an independent author in today’s publishing landscape.Ben opens with a personal story about his family’s love of vintage guitars—a nod to his musical roots and his identical twin brother’s collection connected to their Woodstock‐era mother. From there, the conversation evolves into one of the most honest explorations of indie author marketing you’ll hear. Ben breaks down what really works when promoting your books and what doesn’t, drawing from firsthand experience running Facebook, Amazon, and BookBub ads. His message is simple and refreshing: books sell books, and advertising a single title rarely pays off until an author has multiple works available.Ben shares practical, field‑tested advice inspired by David Gaughran’s “Demystifying Facebook Ads” series, explaining why Facebook remains one of the few ad platforms that can still produce results—if authors learn to take control and target the right readers. He then contrasts ads with BookBub Featured Deals, describing how well-timed offers can create lasting exposure, especially for multi‑book series. But long before any ads go live, he emphasizes, authors must focus on collecting authentic reviews, not just from friends and family but from real readers whose balanced feedback adds legitimacy.The heart of the episode revolves around My Brother’s Keeper, the darkly magical first installment in The Cycle of Ash. Set in an alternate New Haven, Connecticut, the story blends Jewish mysticism, urban fantasy, and noir detective grit. Private investigator Max Asher returns home to bury his twin brother—and quickly discovers the death may not be what it seems. The novel’s emotional depth, grounded world‑building, and spiritual underpinnings reflect Ben’s personal connection to his Jewish heritage and his lived experiences as a twin.Ben also pulls back the curtain on his creative process—how he uses beat sheets from Save the Cat Writes a Novel to manage pacing, why reader feedback matters more than formulas, and why no story can satisfy every audience. For aspiring writers, his candor is invaluable: embrace imperfection, learn your genre, and write with emotional truth.As the episode wraps, Ben looks ahead to the March 30 release of My Brother’s Keeper and a virtual launch celebration with the Fantasy & Sci‑Fi Fanatics podcast in early April. He also reminds fellow creators to celebrate every milestone—whether it’s finishing a first draft or earning that first genuine review—and to recognize that publishing any book is an extraordinary achievement.Key Takeaway:Success as an indie author isn’t about chasing algorithms or outsmarting ad platforms; it’s about writing honest stories, connecting with real readers, and valuing progress at every stage of the creative journey.https://benschenkman.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 736 - Shymara Medina - Proud Puerto Rican children’s book author, is passionate about storytelling that uplifts and inspires young mindsIn this episode, Shymara Medina shares the story behind her journey as a proud Puerto Rican children’s book author and the inspiration that shapes her storytelling. She talks about how her life in Georgia, her family, and her everyday experiences became the foundation for books that encourage, educate, and uplift young readers. Show notes often work best when they offer a short, engaging summary that gives listeners a clear sense of the episode’s focus and value.A major thread in the conversation is her family’s beekeeping life and how that world sparked the idea for Zeke becomes a beekeeper. Shymara explains what she has learned through beekeeper associations, monthly meetings, and hands-on care for their hives, while also showing how bees became more than a topic and turned into a meaningful teaching tool for children. She connects bee safety, responsibility, nature, honey, and the role bees play in a family business to lessons young readers can understand and remember.She also reflects on writing Zeke’s quest for courage, a story built around her son’s struggles with spelling and the encouragement her family wanted to give him. The book blends story, spelling practice, and comprehension in a way that makes learning feel fun and personal. Shymara shares how seeing children respond to the book, especially during school visits, confirmed for her that stories can help kids feel capable and supported.The episode also explores the realities of self-publishing, finding the right illustrator, protecting creative ownership, and using real life as inspiration for children’s books. Shymara offers insight into writing with intention, choosing collaborators carefully, and staying open to growth as an author. She closes with plans for a bilingual book and a young adult project, showing that her creativity is still expanding.Key takeaway: Shymara’s work is rooted in the belief that children need stories that reflect real life, build confidence, and remind them that their voices matter.https://www.instagram.com/shymara_medina/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 735 - Alison McBain - Do something creative every day, The New Empire - A  journey of self-discovery has a steep priceIn this episode of Living The Next Chapter, host Dave welcomes Alison McBain, a prolific Canadian author based near Edmonton, Alberta. With a dual American-Canadian heritage, Alison shares her journey from growing up in the States to returning home three years ago, embracing the region's chilly winters now softened by a rare heat wave. She dives into the golden age of publishing, where endless options overwhelm new authors, urging them to ignore the noise, write their stories relentlessly, and persevere through rejections—since that's the true divide between published and unpublished writers.Alison reveals how she discovered her versatile voice by writing prolifically across genres, embracing failures publicly for accountability, and drawing from life's odd jobs and family chaos, like raising three kids. Writing is her passion, akin to breathing; she gets lost in it for hours, reads voraciously from history to fantasy, and rejects "write what you know" for "write what you love," crafting relatable characters in wild scenarios—from spaceships to dragons. She champions individual human experiences over AI's generic output, confident creativity remains our domain.Highlights include her award-winning alternate history The New Empire, inspired by speculative Chinese voyages to 14th-century Americas, exploring a slave boy's coming-of-age amid empire-building. Other gems: a romance born from her nightmare house renovation (now a streaming e-book), the collaborative fantasy anthology Enchantress of Books, and a gender-flipped Beauty and the Beast YA tale challenging power dynamics and beauty standards. In 2024's bold "Author vs. AI" challenge, she penned 34 first drafts across genres like Western and horror—now polishing for release—proving genre-hopping builds loyal readers if stories resonate.Media buzz from CBC and City News followed, fueled by her human-centric ethos. Alison battles imposter syndrome healthily, cherishes reader connections over unnoticed details, and crafts complex villains for narrative drive. Her motto: Do something creative daily, from writing to music.Key Takeaway: Everyone has a story worth telling—shut out distractions, write with passion and perseverance, and let relatable characters connect you to readers who'll cherish your unique voice.https://www.alisonmcbain.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 734 - Jordan Gray - The Infinite Night Book 1 - The Happy Marauder Perfect BoundIn this episode of Living The Next Chapter, author Jordan Gray shares his unconventional path to publishing hard science fiction novels, born from boredom during long shifts in the Air Force, industrial jobs, and escorting oversize loads as a pilot car operator. Starting as a middle school detention escape—scribbling paragraphs to pass time—his writing evolved into a sanity-preservation tool amid monotonous tasks like fueling planes or waiting on remote job sites. Dyslexic and self-admittedly "built wrong," Jordan rejects rigid structures like Save the Cat, favoring chaotic "insane ramblings" and adventure logs that let unpredictable characters drive the story.His debut manuscript ballooned from one book into four, as he refused to truncate lives unjustly, hitting the 80,000-120,000 word sweet spot intuitively before declaring, "That's a break." Drawing from blue-collar grit—balancing cargo, risks, and frustrations in hazardous space settings—Jordan crafts relatable "idiots" facing daily struggles like bad public transit or food scarcity, even in a far-future universe where Earth is myth. He obsesses over authentic tech and personalities, hating some characters yet probing their "why," while infusing blue-collar humor that's twisted enough to warn off kids. Promotion means donning DIY spacesuits from motorcycle gear and paintball pads, thrilling fans at conventions who crave his competent, survivalist crews.Editing relies on pros to fix dyslexia hiccups (he accepts 98% of changes), and covers came alive via Canadian artist Jeff Brown, who sketched live on Zoom using Jordan's padlock-inspired alien weapon—forged from scrap metal, duct tape prototypes, and a welder friend's beer-fueled lessons. Inspired by Craig Alanson's Expeditionary Force, he aims for annual October releases, prioritizing audiobooks amid fan demands, while building a website with glossaries, signed stores, and event schedules. Community support—from deployment buddies to bookstore cold-calls—fuels him, turning survival scribbles into full-circle joy.Key Takeaway: Follow your dreams as a survival strategy—whether in boredom or chaos—by embracing your unique process, building community, and making time for fun amid responsibilitieshttps://theinfinitenightbooks.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 733 - Joel Steele - Life Switch - How to Experience the Power of Living ON by Discovering Your Potential, Passion, and PurposeJoel Steele joins the conversation to explore the journey behind his book Life Switch—a project rooted in the idea that anyone can learn to “flip the switch” from living an ordinary life to an extraordinary one. Speaking from his home in southern New Jersey, Joel blends real-life stories, raw honesty, and practical lessons that challenge listeners to rethink how they approach success, failure, and personal growth.Joel’s message begins with a simple but crucial insight for aspiring authors: a great book alone isn’t enough. Without an audience or a network, even a life-changing message risks being unheard. He reflects on his own experience of releasing a well-received book without first building a following, encouraging new writers to spend just as much time creating relationships as they do crafting their manuscripts.From there, Joel dives deep into the personal transformation that birthed Life Switch. Once describing himself as “average to below average in everything,” he shares the moment he decided to redefine his limitations. Asking the question “Why can’t I?” became the catalyst for achieving one goal after another. He calls this awakening the moment he turned his life switch “on.” By visualizing his goals, writing them down, and pursuing them with commitment, he proved that seeing is believing—and believing is achieving.At the heart of his philosophy are the “Three P’s”: Potential, Passion, and Purpose. Potential reminds us that our capability is limitless, expanding each time we push past old boundaries. Passion fuels that drive, offering the excitement and energy that makes hard work feel meaningful. And Purpose serves as our personal GPS—without it, Joel says, we’re simply driving in circles. Together, these principles form the backbone of the Life Switch mindset.Joel shares compelling personal stories, including the cautionary lessons from a risky real estate partnership that turned into a test of responsibility and resilience. He reflects on how taking ownership—rather than placing blame—was the difference between financial ruin and recovery. These lessons reinforce his core belief that setbacks are not dead ends but raw material for future success.Throughout the discussion, Joel speaks directly to anyone at a crossroads: graduates, career changers, or those rebuilding after loss. He invites listeners to visualize their lives like a puzzle—every piece is already within reach; it just needs to be arranged with clarity and persistence. And he reminds us that fulfillment doesn’t come from perfection but from progress and self-honesty.Joel’s Life Switch mission extends beyond personal empowerment. With a pledge to donate one million dollars to charity when the book reaches one million sales, he demonstrates his belief that success means more when it serves others. Each purchase, he notes, becomes part of that larger purpose.Key Takeaway: Life doesn’t change by accident—it changes when you decide to live “on.” By embracing your potential, fueling it with passion, defining your purpose, and acting with accountability, you can turn every struggle into a stepping stone toward the extraordinary life you were meant to live.https://bookjoelsteele.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

BONUS - Share Your Story, Poem and Writings Here on Living The Next ChapterThanks for supporting this podcast!  I am putting in place a new way to support authors, writers and poets in their writing journey!I want to feature your writings here on Living The Next Chapter.  Share your poem, a portion of your chapter, something that you are working on - and do so right here on the podcast.  The opportunity to share your work in progress with the world!  Go to my website, click on the "Speak Pipe" link right there on the website and record up to 5 minutes of audio (use it multiple times if need be) and read us your poem, snipit or portion of your work in progress for listeners of this show to hear.If you want to avoid recording audio, then siimply email me what you want to have read and shared on a podcast episode featuring your work and don't forget to include how a fellow listener can connect with you - social media link, website, email - you never know who might hear your work in progress, your poem etc.I will make an episode just about you, sharing your writings right here!Looking forward to putting the spotlight on you!https://poets.org/anthology/poems-your-poetry-project-public-domainOriginal Date: Tuesday, December 10, 2024Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 732 - Rich Lyons - Life Is Sales, sales mastery includes self awareness and embracing the unknownIn this episode, Dave welcomes Rich Lyons, author of Life of Sales, entrepreneur, and former CEO of Lyons Consulting Group. From escaping the Chicago winter for the warmth of Zihuatanejo to reflecting on a career rich with lessons in integrity, leadership, and purpose, Rich shares an intimate look at his personal and professional evolution.Now an author, speaker, and mentor, Rich discusses the twenty-year journey behind his book Life of Sales—a title that grew from a simple domain name idea into a full reflection on human connection, business growth, and the belief that everyone, in some way, is selling. Whether it’s convincing a client, inspiring a colleague, or encouraging a child, Lyons sees “sales” not as persuasion but as service. He emphasizes patience, persistence, and the willingness to ask good questions and truly listen.Drawing on his background as an engineer turned entrepreneur, Rich recounts how he built a leading e-commerce consulting firm from the ground up. His leadership philosophy centered on culture—creating an environment where both employees and clients thrived. He tells a striking story about offering an unconditional money-back guarantee early in his company’s history, a bold decision that nearly cost him financially but ultimately defined the company’s reputation for trust and integrity.Throughout the conversation, Rich touches on the changing world of sales in an AI-driven era, highlighting that while tools evolve, the fundamentals remain: authentic relationships, attentive communication, and ethical decision-making. He explores emotional intelligence in business, reminding listeners that awareness of fear, trust, and empathy transforms not only how we serve customers but how teams connect with one another.Lyons also offers insight into leadership development and his focus on helping entrepreneurs grow as transformational leaders. His upcoming book, Business Is Culture, will expand on building purposeful organizations from the inside out—starting with personal awareness and alignment between values and actions.Listeners will find wisdom in Rich’s calm, clear perspective on leadership, growth, and conscious success, as well as his ability to redefine what “sales” truly means in work and in life.Key takeaway: True sales is service. When you lead with awareness, empathy, and integrity, you don’t just sell—you build trust, culture, and connection that endure.https://www.lifeissales.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 731 - Lance Hillsinger - Child Welfare Social Worker to Author - Navigating Legal Documents to AuthorshipIn this thoughtful episode, author and retired social worker Lance Hilzinger joins us from San Luis Obispo, California, to reflect on a lifetime of service in the child welfare system and his journey into writing. With three decades of experience advocating for children and families in Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo Counties, Lance offers a candid look behind the courtroom doors of juvenile and foster care cases. He shares how both frustration and hope became the foundation for his writing, leading to several books that examine social policy, history, and faith.Lance began his career with a master’s degree in psychology from Vanderbilt University before realizing that academia wasn’t his calling. A twist of fate led him to a social work position where he found his true purpose—helping families heal, understanding parents struggling with addiction, and advocating for vulnerable children. Over the years, he witnessed the evolution of the foster care system, including new programs supporting youth up to age twenty‑one, and the ongoing challenges of poverty, substance abuse, and a shortage of foster homes.Discussing his writing, Lance explains how technical report writing in court shaped his clear, factual, and concise storytelling style. His first book captured the evolution—both progress and pitfalls—of child welfare practices, inspiring readers to consider becoming foster parents or court advocates. Later works broadened his focus: “Build a Better Bridge: Social Policy for the Twenty‑First Century” revisits America’s War on Poverty, calling for smarter, long‑lasting solutions to chronic social issues, while “Beyond Amelia: Lesser Known Women of Yesteryear” celebrates unsung female pioneers in science, leadership, and exploration. His newest book, “Matthew, Mark, Luke and John: A Court Investigator Examines the Gospels,” blends logical analysis and faith, exploring timeless biblical truths through a modern lens.Lance also shares his experiences with publishing—its rewards, challenges, and lessons learned about contracts, editing, and choosing the right partner. Throughout the conversation, he returns to one unshakable theme: the importance of compassion, honesty, and consistency, whether in social work, writing, or personal faith. He reminds listeners that real change happens slowly but meaningfully, through persistence and integrity.Key Takeaway:Lance Hilzinger’s story is a testament to serving others with empathy and endurance. Whether guiding a family through hardship or crafting a book that bridges understanding, his work invites us to believe that steady, thoughtful effort can make systems—and lives—better.https://www.lancehillsinger.net/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 730 - Dale L. Sproule - Gods of the New Wilderness Series that blends philosophy, AI, and mythAuthor and long-time speculative fiction writer Dale L Sproule joins Dave to explore how the writing and publishing landscape has transformed over the past several decades and what that means for today’s authors. Speaking from Toronto, after years on Canada’s west coast, Dale reflects on how the shift from traditional print to online and self-publishing has forced writers to take ownership of every stage of the process. Writing, he says, is the fun part; what comes after is learning to assess if a manuscript is truly ready and finding the right people to help you make it better.Dale shares practical, experience-based insights on the value of writers groups, both in person and online. He talks about how hearing your work read aloud exposes awkward phrasing, weak passages and moments that do not ring true, and how feedback must always be weighed against your own vision rather than automatically accepted. In his view, developing as a writer means learning to distinguish between advice that improves your story and suggestions that simply change it.The conversation moves into Dale’s varied creative background as a painter, publisher and editor, and how those skills now allow him to manage cover art and book design himself. From there he tackles the tensions around AI in the arts, acknowledging the genuine anxiety in the creative community, especially among visual artists, while also recognizing that some AI-assisted work is producing astonishing, genuinely new forms of expression. Dale’s science fiction series, Gods of the New Wilderness, which imagines a world devastated by an immense solar event that wipes out electronic technology. In its aftermath, a biological computer grown in the root network of a forest evolves into a society of sentient trees that rebuild their world using the remnants of human knowledge, mimicking human culture, philosophy and even individual historical figures inside a vast virtual space.At the heart of his story is a deeply human, allegorical conflict: a girl overwhelmed by the flood of information from this forest intelligence learns to communicate through reworked lyrics of long-lost songs, while her powerful, psychopathic sister exploits that knowledge, torturing both sibling and forest to rebuild technology and consolidate control. Dale describes how the AI-like forest becomes the moral center of the tale, gradually developing empathy and emotional awareness, while some of the humans lose theirs, flipping the usual “AI as villain” trope on its head.Dale closes by sharing where listeners can find his work, including his Gods of the New Wilderness series and earlier horror collections, and by reflecting on the urgency he feels, in his seventies, to get long-gestating projects onto the page. Key takeaway: Writing today asks you to be both artist and architect of your own career. Community, careful feedback and ethical clarity around new tools like AI can help you protect your voice, tell more original stories and build worlds that still feel deeply, recognizably human.https://godsofthenewwilderness.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

Episode 360 - Bob Young - True Golf - the story of Moe Norman and a new song with Bob's brother Neil YoungOur Guest - Bob Young was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1942. He was a member of the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association for nearly three decades and first met Moe Norman in the early 1960s. Like Norman, Young has always been intrigued by metaphysics and has had access to the leading trance mediums. Young’s brother is Neil Young, the internationally recognized singer-songwriter.Book: Mind Golf: The Troubled Genius of Moe Norman - At one of a series of clinics that former USPGA teacher of the year Craig Shankland staged, he asked Moe Norman in front of about 300 people, “What’s it like to hit perfect shots, Moe?” Moe paused and looked at the audience. Then, in jest, said, “You will never know.”Mind Golf assembles and ignites the mental energy of the image of the shot-to-be. Moe “Pipeline Moe” Norman was a Canadian professional golfer and the best ball-striker the world has ever known. Author Bob Young met the eccentric golfer and traveled between Canada and Florida from the early 1960s to 2004, where he was able to observe Pipeline Moe for decades.At the heart of the episode is Bob’s long relationship with legendary Canadian golfer Moe Norman. Drawing from decades spent practicing and playing alongside him, Bob offers rare insight into Moe’s extraordinary ability as a ball striker and his unique mental approach to the game. Moe’s concept of a “quiet mind” becomes a central theme, not as a mystical idea, but as a disciplined way of filtering out distractions and staying fully aligned with intention.Bob explains how this mindset translates into a practical method for improving performance. By visualizing the full flight of the ball, from launch to apex to landing, and “feeling” the shot before executing it, golfers can create consistency and precision. He connects this process to a broader idea of energy, suggesting that the same creative force behind music, visualization, and peak performance is accessible when focus and awareness align.The conversation also touches on Bob’s book, his experiences within golf culture, and the evolving ways he is sharing this knowledge through audio, video, and upcoming projects. Along the way, he reflects on Moe Norman’s life, his challenges, and the recognition he eventually received, painting a portrait of a misunderstood genius who stayed true to his path.This episode ultimately explores the intersection of discipline, creativity, and awareness, showing how mastery in any field often comes from learning how to see clearly, think simply, and trust what you feel.Key takeaway: Peak performance comes from aligning a clear mental image with a quiet, focused mind, allowing your body to execute naturally without interference.https://bobyounggolf.com/Published:May. 01, 2024Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 729 - Melania Murphy - Bound by Love, Not Tradition - Empowering Women Through Married Name ChoicesIn this episode, Melania Murphy joins the show to explore how married name choices can be a powerful act of identity, equality, and intention in modern relationships. Based in Bradenton, Florida, Melania shares how her own family background—growing up in a household with multiple last names—helped spark her curiosity about why women so often drop their names when they marry. With a background in journalism and applied behavioral science, she digs into the history and social forces behind the tradition of women taking their husband’s surname, tracing it back to coverture laws in England and the way those norms spread through British colonies into the United States.Melania explains how many people still default to the man’s name long after the legal restrictions that once enforced it have been dismantled, and she contrasts this with practices in other countries such as Canada, France, Greece, and Japan, where laws or cultural shifts either limit or reshape married‑name choices. She emphasizes that in the U.S., couples actually have far more options than tradition suggests, including keeping both names, hyphenating, creating a new family name, or even having the husband take the wife’s name. Using a framework she calls “SELF”—Significance, Empowerment, Legacy, and Freedom—she invites women to reflect on what their name means to them, how it connects to their ancestry, and how they want to model choice and equality for the next generation.A key takeaway for listeners is that changing or keeping a name should not be an automatic gesture, but an intentional conversation between partners. Melania encourages couples to look beneath surface‑level expectations, examine why a particular name feels important, and consider how their choice will shape their children’s sense of identity. She also highlights that names are not permanent markers and that many people, including women after divorce, choose entirely new names to reflect who they have become. By normalizing a wider range of married‑name choices and inviting men to read her work as well, Melania hopes to move cultures toward a future where name decisions are grounded in equality, not inherited power structures.The conversation around identity, marriage, and women’s autonomy is growing — and I’m honored to be part of it.Through articles, podcast interviews, and media features, I’ve had the opportunity to share insights from Bound by Love, Not Tradition and discuss the deeper cultural and personal implications of married name choices.What should you do with your last name at marriage? If you're unsure, you're not alone. In fact, 80% of American women still take their husband's name—even though the law no longer requires it.Whether you're a first- or second-time bride, a relative of a bride, or simply curious, this book gives you a fresh, empowering take on a decision that's both deeply personal and culturally complex.Author Melania Joy Murphy blends history, personal stories, and expert insight to help you explore all your options—keeping your name, changing it, hyphenating, blending, or asking him to take yours.Through her SELF framework—Significance, Empowerment, Legacy, and Freedom—you’ll learn how to navigate your decision with confidence and compassion by exploring questions like:What is the significance of your name in your life and personal story?Do you feel empowered to put yourself first and ask for what you want?What legacy do you wish to create with your name?Can you enjoy the freedom to choose what feels right for you?This isn't just about paperwork. It's about identity, relationships, and claiming the space you deserve in your marriage and in society. No shame. No judgment. Just support for choosing what’s right for you.https://www.melaniajoy.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

Episode 352 - Tammy J Cohen - Text Messages to My Sons - How to Connect Deeply with Your Kids in a Digital WorldIn this episode, Dave sits down with author Tammy J Cohen to explore a deeply relevant question in modern parenting: how do we truly connect with our kids in a world dominated by devices?Tammy shares the unexpected origin of her book Text Messages to My Sons: Connecting Deeply in a World of Devices. What began as a simple desire to reach her three sons evolved into a powerful daily practice of intentional communication. Living in Manhattan and observing how deeply people are absorbed in their phones, she realized that traditional forms of connection were no longer effective. Instead of resisting technology, she chose to meet her children where they already were by sending meaningful, consistent text messages.The conversation reveals how this small shift created a profound impact. Tammy’s messages moved away from reminders and discipline and toward encouragement, love, and shared wisdom. Without expecting responses, she focused on expressing what mattered most, reinforcing her sons’ worth, resilience, and value. Over time, this consistency helped reduce tension, strengthen their relationship, and create a lasting emotional connection.Tammy also emphasizes the importance of accountability as a parent. By acknowledging her own struggles, past reactions, and personal growth, she allowed her children to see her as human. This honesty deepened trust and opened the door for more authentic connection. Her approach models a key shift in modern fatherhood and parenting as a whole: moving from authority alone to vulnerability, presence, and emotional awareness.The episode also highlights how these messages extend beyond the immediate moment. Tammy reflects on the lasting legacy of words, suggesting that long after we are gone, it is these expressions of love and encouragement that remain. Her sons’ decision to write the foreword of her book speaks to the real impact of her efforts.For parents listening, Tammy offers a simple but powerful invitation. Start where you are. Keep it natural. Be consistent. Whether it takes ten minutes or less, the act of showing up daily with intention can reshape your relationship over time. The goal is not perfection, but connection.This conversation ultimately reframes what it means to be a good parent today. It is not about control or constant correction, but about creating a steady, meaningful presence in your child’s life, even through something as simple as a text message.Key Takeaway: Consistent, intentional communication rooted in love and honesty can transform your relationship with your children, proving that even small daily actions can leave a lasting emotional legacy.@textmessagestomysonsFB text messages to my sonsThe Book: Text Messages To My Sons - At the start of 2020, I began to immerse myself in a learning journey incorporating good health, spiritual and emotional intelligence, and personal growth. I needed to share this with my three sons, who are everything to me.https://tammyjcohen.com/Published: Apr. 12, 2024___Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca