SilentPunt Podcast

SilentPunt Podcast #215 / June 4, 2026Author, photographer, humorist, and fellow Substacker Sheila Moeschen joins me to talk about her new book, Book Lovers’ New England: A Guide to Literary Landmarks, which takes readers through the homes, museums, towns, and landscapes connected to some of New England’s most iconic writers.We also get into the strange persistence required to make creative work, why New England has produced so many iconic writers, whether Catcher in the Rye still holds up, the Statue of Liberty play, and a book giveaway challenge involving New England-ifying famous titles.Subscribe to SilentPunt before we send you to the chocolate factory📚 CHAPTERS00:00 — Intro01:10 — Welcome back, Sheila03:00 — Humor Saves, Willy Wonka, and Sheila’s new book04:00 — Creating Book Lovers’ New England10:40 — The dedication page and “Shakespeare used many words too”14:20 — A year of literary road trips through New England20:25 — Why New England produced so many iconic writers24:20 — Dr. Seuss, pen names, publishing, and creative persistence34:25 — Sheila’s New Hampshire roots, school years, and PhD path39:00 — Leaving academia and finding a creative life42:40 — Football detour: the Statue of Liberty play and the Hail Mary47:30 — J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye, and unfinished work53:00 — Stephen King, Anthony Bourdain, archives, and wanting more from artists58:35 — Giveaway challenge, gift ideas, & why this book makes a great day-trip guide1:03:20 — Go books. Go sports. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.silentpunt.com

SilentPunt Podcast #214 / May 21, 2026🎙️ Former Coast Guard Academy head football coach Bill George joins the podcast to discuss his book Home Fields, a story that begins with football and service academies but evolves into something much deeper.We talk about mortality, World War II family history, caring for dying parents, fatherhood, coaching, guilt, and the realization that the things we devote ourselves to can slowly narrow our lives without us noticing.Subscribe to SilentPunt below for: Smart conversations. Human stories. Occasional chaos.📚 Chapters0:06 – Welcome / Why Bill Finally Became “Bill”1:05 – Writing Home Fields During the Final Years of Coaching4:00 – World War II Stories, Family History & Rewriting the Book5:15 – What Makes the Coast Guard Academy Different9:20 – “You Continue to Build Character and Take Years Off Your Life”11:35 – The Emotional Cost of Coaching13:40 – “Football Locks Your Mind”17:45 – Caring for a Dying Father While Raising a Young Daughter19:55 – Hospice, Mortality & Spiritual Reflection22:00 – Lila, Gido & Parenting Through Grief25:10 – Humor, Marriage & Nancy’s Letter About Motherhood31:00 – Why Coaching the Offensive Line Was the Best Part of the Job34:10 – “Who Won Today, Good or Evil?”37:30 – “Come Upstairs With Me”40:00 – What Bill Learned About Life, Family & Regret46:30 – Bill’s Next Book & Why All Proceeds Go to Pediatric Cancer Research This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.silentpunt.com

SilentPunt Podcast #213 / May 7, 2026🎙️ Retirement is supposed to be the goal. Work hard, build something, and one day you’re free…but it rarely feels the way people expect.This week on the SilentPunt Podcast, I’m joined by author Andrea Hoffman (What Are the Chances) to talk about what actually happens when the thing that defined you ends: identity, expectations, and why freedom can feel a little disorienting.Because most people plan for money in retirement, but not for meaning.📚 Chapters00:00 – Intro + the retirement conversation01:10 – The “college with money” fantasy03:30 – Why the reality doesn’t match06:10 – Financial pressure + easing into retirement09:00 – Identity and losing the thing that defined you11:45 – “Third spaces” and building a life outside work16:20 – Friendship, guilt, and time away from family21:10 – Status, perception, and how people see you26:00 – Staying curious and mentally engaged38:00 – Loneliness, connection, and what actually mattersSubscribe to SilentPunt below to earn a matching gift in your 401k. OK not really, but still! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.silentpunt.com