Be Your Own Hero

This episode of the Be Your Own Hero Podcast features a local writers group /wine enthusiasts, including host Brittany Ranew, as they explore the art of writing relatable characters, the importance of vulnerability, and how fiction serves as a bridge between cultures and human experiences. Affectionately calling themselves the Winey Writers, this episode featuring diverse authors sharing insights on storytelling, empathy, and personal growth.Key topics:Relatable character developmentVulnerability and authenticity in writingFiction as a tool for empathy and cultural understandingQuotes: "Storytelling is a good agent for empathy.""Books can make you feel less alone.""Trust your own creative fingerprint."Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Winey Writer Series01:41 The Importance of Relatable Characters04:02 Vulnerability in Writing06:43 Processing Emotions Through Writing08:57 Complexity in Character Development12:03 The Balance of Vulnerability and Audience Expectations14:57 Writing as a Reflection of Personal Experience17:51 The Role of Emotion in Fiction19:12 Exploring the Unknown in Writing21:53 Fiction as a Bridge Between Cultures23:05 Creating Empathy Through Storytelling24:48 The Role of Indie Bookstores and Libraries28:50 Practicing Empathy Through Fiction32:10 The Importance of Diverse Voices in Literature32:29 Becoming the Hero of Your Own Story resourcesBook & Bottle - https://bookandbottle.comA Monster Calls by Patrick Ness - https://www.amazon.com/Monster-Calls-Patrick-Ness/dp/1406339344Support Your Local Bookstore - https://www.indiebound.orgPublic Libraries - https://www.ala.orgBrittany Ranew's Website - https://authorbrittanyranew.comKeywords:writing, relatable characters, vulnerability, empathy, storytelling, culture, personal growth, authors, fiction, diversity

In this episode of the Be Your Own Hero podcast, I interview Fantasy author and Air Force veteran, D.L. Jennings. Jennings is the author of the epic fantasy series, the Highglade Series. It features three award winning books: The Gift of the Shaper, Awaken the Three, Days of the Dark. In this conversation, we discuss Jennings' unique journey of writing during his deployment in Africa, the challenges and joys of being a published author, and the importance of character development in storytelling. Jennings shares insights on the writing process, the balance between writing series versus standalones, and the impact of storytelling on readers.Key Takeaways:D.L. Jennings is a veteran and fantasy author.He wrote his first book while deployed in Africa.His writing process involves a mix of planning and spontaneity.He emphasizes the importance of character depth in storytelling.Writing can be a cathartic experience for authors.The journey of writing is filled with ups and downs.Finding your 'why' is crucial for pursuing creative endeavors.Readers often connect more with characters than plot twists.D.L. Jennings aims to inspire others through his writing.He believes in the power of storytelling to impact lives.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to DL Jennings01:57 The Journey of Writing During Deployment04:57 Exploring New Projects and Inspirations06:43 The Dynamics of Series vs. Standalone Books10:53 Writing Process: Plotting vs. Pantsing18:44 Character Development and Real-Life Inspirations20:34 The Creative Process: From Inspiration to Writing20:55 Balancing Writing with a Day Job22:43 The Challenge of Full-Time Writing24:45 Discipline and Consistency in Writing27:01 Finding Your Why: The Drive to Create29:56 The Impact of Storytelling on Mental Health31:54 Becoming the Hero of Your Own Story38:56 Embracing the Journey: No Regrets41:03 Connecting with Readers and Building CommunityFor more, visit DL Jennings website here. Keywords:D.L. Jennings, writing journey, deployment, storytelling, fantasy author, character development, full-time writing, creative process, indie author, Be Your Own Hero

In this episode of Be Your Own Hero, I sit down with the talented Anastasia Lindsey to explore her journey of embracing her voice and creativity. From poetry to music, Anastasia shares how she transformed insecurities into confidence and became a published author.We talk about how she uses her art to inspire and heal, the role meditation and journaling have played in overcoming self-doubt, and why authenticity is at the heart of her work. Poetry has become both a creative outlet and a source of healing, helping her connect deeply with her emotions and experiences. Her musical path, including an audition for The Voice, showcases her commitment to facing fears and pursuing her passions with courage.Connect with Anastasia:Website: www.summersolacehealing.comInstagram: @anamariepoetry

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with GiGi Meier, a former C-Suite executive who boldly transitioned from a 30-year corporate career to become a bestselling author of spicy, reverse age-gap romance novels. GiGi shares her journey from the boardroom to the world of indie publishing, offering valuable insights into her writing process, the allure of her chosen genre, and the organizational strategies that keep her prolific.Whether you're a fellow writer, a fan of spicy romance, or someone dreaming of making a big life pivot—GiGi’s story is proof that it’s never too late to chase your passion. Be sure to check out her books, follow her journey, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!Connect with GiGiWebsite: Red Black and WhiteInstagram: InstagramYouTube: YouTubeLiterary Lines Podcast: SpotifyBooks by GiGi Meier:The Cañon Series – Dark romance novels featuring emotionally complex characters.Podcast Guests+2By D. L. Lewellyn+2Red Black and White+2The Cougars and Cubs Series – Spicy, reverse age-gap romances celebrating confident women and their younger partners.Red Black and White+1Instagram+1 • • The Bikers of Boston Series – High-octane romances set against the backdrop of Boston's motorcycle scene.Instagram

What does it really take to stick with a big creative goal—especially when motivation fades and real life gets in the way?In this episode, I’m joined by author J. Gabriel Gates, who shares what it’s like to bring a fantasy world to life while balancing the everyday challenges of writing, publishing, and staying consistent in the creative process.J is the author of Luck Gods Series and several other novels, and he’s currently diving into a new fantasy series that’s rich with world-building, unforgettable characters, and deep themes of resilience and growth. We talk about his creative process, how he overcame roadblocks along the way, and why discipline (not motivation) is the real key to following through on your goals.This is such a refreshing, honest conversation about what it means to pursue something meaningful, even when the path isn’t easy. Whether you’re a writer, creative, entrepreneur—or just someone with a big dream—you’ll walk away from this episode feeling inspired to keep going, one step at a time.To learn more about J Gabriel Gates and his books, visit his website here.

After my conversation with Kasey Brennan, I found myself reflecting on so many aspects of creativity, personal growth, and how understanding ourselves can shape the way we move through life and business.In this episode, I’m sharing my biggest takeaways from our chat, how they relate to my own journey, and why the Enneagram has sparked some new thoughts about the way I work and interact with others. Kasey’s story—spanning documentary filmmaking, media production, public speaking, and Enneagram coaching—reminded me of the beauty of evolution in our careers and embracing the different facets of who we are.If you loved my conversation with Kasey, you’ll enjoy this follow-up episode where I unpack everything that stuck with me and how I’m applying these insights moving forward.

On this episode of Be Your Own Hero, I’m joined by Kasey Brennan, a multifaceted creator whose career spans documentary filmmaking, media production, public speaking, and podcasting. As a certified Enneagram coach, Kasey helps individuals uncover their true potential by understanding themselves on a deeper level. We explore her journey through the entertainment industry, the lessons she’s learned as a creator, and how the Enneagram has become a vital tool in her personal and professional life. Kasey’s story is a testament to following your passions and embracing the complexity of who you are. To learn more about Kasey's story, visit: https://www.kaseybrennan.com/

In this enlightening episode of Be Your Own Hero, I sit down with Michael Tennant, Founder and CEO of Curiosity Lab, a purpose-driven venture studio and consultancy. Michael is the visionary creator of the empathy card game, Actually Curious, and the author of The Power of Empathy, praised by Inc. for its perfect blend of self-help wisdom and practical guidance. Michael shares the journey that led him to create transformative tools that teach empathy and deepen human connection. We dive into his unique framework for understanding emotions, exploring the five phases of empathy and how effectively listening to your emotions can empower you to become your own hero. Featured Resources: The Power of Empathy by Michael Tennant Actually Curious Card Game Learn more about Michael Tennant’s work at Curiosity Lab

It's easy to get caught up in the world's definition of success, but it's so important to define what success means for YOU. ⁠I had an incredible chat with Kelly Moser on the Be Your Own Hero Podcast and couldn’t resist taking a few minutes to reflect on my favorite takeaways and how they personally resonated with me. I hope by sharing more of my journey, you'll be able to find ways to unlock YOUR highest potential and get into action to make your dreams come true! ⁠

In this powerful episode of the Be Your Own Hero Podcast, we’re joined by Kelly Moser, the founder of Move Your But, who is on a mission to help people shift from excuses to action. Kelly dives deep into the mindset needed to push past excuses, those “buts” that often keep us from achieving what we truly want. Throughout this episode, Kelly unpacks his journey, sharing how he went from feeling stuck in his own life to becoming a coach and leader, guiding others to embrace accountability, break through limitations, and reframe their mindsets. His no-nonsense, relatable approach is sure to leave listeners motivated to take immediate action in their lives.  If you've been wanting to make a change but keep finding reasons not to, Kelly’s insights will resonate. This episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to take accountability and make real progress toward their goals! To learn more about Kelly, visit his website.

It took me a long time to realize that I had the power to change my thoughts - that I actually had some control over my emotional well-being. For years, I struggled with crippling anxiety and it took some really hard work to get on the other side of that (not to mention several therapy sessions later!), but I’m so proud of the woman that I’ve become in the process. For anyone out there that struggles with anxiety or negative thought patterns, I can speak from experience that having a daily practice of gratitude can be a lifeline for you! It’s what I needed to take my mental health to the next level. In this episode, I share what was most impactful from my conversation with The Habit of Grateful author, Kristine Newell, as well as a reflection on my own journey with overcoming anxiety and practicing gratitude to have a more positive and abundance mindset. I hope you can take some of my learning and growth and apply it to your own life and take your mental health to the next level!  As a reminder, to learn more about Kristine and her book, visit her website here: https://www.kristinenewell.com/

This episode is sponsored by GRATITUDE! I discovered the power of gratitude about five years ago, and I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that it works! When I heard that my friend Kristine Newell wrote a book about it, well, I had to get my hands on that too. Kristine is a master storyteller, weaving her personal stories and learning through the practical tips on how to make gratitude an every day part of your life. In this short clip from the episode, Kristine shares the pivotal moment in her life when she was at her lowest, and knew she had to do something different.  If you’ve been wanting to find ways to embrace more gratitude, and a positive, abundance mindset in your life, then I’ve got you covered with this conversation!  Click the link in bio to listen to the whole episode and learn how gratitude can be your own life raft. Head over to my YouTube channel for the video version too. Oh, and don’t forget the butter! IYKYK To learn more about Kristine, grab a copy of The Habit of Grateful, or book her for your next workshop or keynote, check out her website!  https://www.kristinenewell.com/

Entrepreneur Life as a Writer with Author Jasmin De Anda Running a business is challenging. Writing a book is challenging. Doing both at the same time - and maybe throw in all your other familial and social obligations - yeah, it can be hard to manage it all sometimes. Balancing everything, while staying true to yourself is an art, in and of itself. In my conversation with “Archaic” Fantasy Series Author, Jasmin De Anda, we talk about life while running her online business, keeping her creative spark alive, and publishing her first book! “Archaic” released in May of 2023 and she has certainly learned a lot about the world of publishing since then. In this episode, we explore how she balances her time while running an online business, Stargazer Lily Boutique, with her mom, her remote job, writing, and keeping those creative juices flowing. She even spills the beans on what she wished someone had told her before she ever started down the publishing path. And as a bonus, she shares a great marketing tip that I think any product-based business will love!  To learn more about Jasmin, follow her on Instagram, Threads and her YouTube channel. Click here to visit her website.  https://jasmindeanda.com/

There are so many emotions that we go through as writers. Am I good enough? Am I doing enough? Will anyone care what I have to say? I sat down with Jes Smyth, Amazon bestselling author of "Time for Once" to talk about her journey to self-publishing and the roller coaster ride of emotions that she had to overcome to share her story with the world. Now she is working on a new release, "Dream for a Second" coming out in May of this year. Jes focuses on what she calls "emotional fiction" to really shine a light on the journey of love and loss that her female main characters are going through. She hopes people can find themselves in her stories and relate to the characters to help readers on their own real-life journeys. Follow Jes on instagram @es.smyth Visit her website and learn all things about Jes and her books! https://jessmyth.com/

Do you struggle with imposter syndrome? Do you struggle with being vulnerable, putting your most authentic self out there? In this podcast episode with author and podcaster, Kristina Carmela, we explore topics like this - these things that are so easy for us to all fall into - doubting ourselves, letting fear keep us from pursuing our dreams; the list goes on and on! Kristina uses her popular indie romance series, Nelsonville to help readers go on their own journey of self-discovery. Her series follows 5 women from different backgrounds who all move to the same town of Nelsonville. In her stories, these women discover who they really are and what’s most important to them. She hopes that readers will see themselves in the characters and grow right alongside them. Kristina is a big supporter of other indie authors and has a podcast you should definitely check out if you want to learn all things writing and find more amazing indie book recs! The Greetings from Nelsonville podcast is available on Spotify. Check out more info below.  https://www.kristinacarmela.com/ https://www.kristinacarmela.com/greetings-from-nelsonville

In my conversation with Author Tem Blessed and Artist Mike LaRiccia, we dive into the world that is Planeta Blu and learn the very real parallels between Tem’s fantasy world and our precious planet. Planeta Blu: Rise of Agoo just released in November with Dark Horse Comics and follows the journey of a group of inner city youths that suddenly gain the ability to speak with animals and learn that it’s up to them to save the earth from the climate crisis that it faces. Tem shares his passion for environmental justice and how he weaved that theme, perhaps unknowingly at first, into his work. It all started by Tem creating these stories for his kids at bedtime. He even shares about the original inspiration for the story when he recalled a time when he was a kid, where he stumbled upon a secret “cat council” while playing outside! Now, years later, and with the help of graphic artist Mike LaRiccia, they hope Planeta Blu will inspire change and help youth of all walks of life realize there is a hero inside of them. Remember, it doesn't take some big action to make an impact in the world around you. Everyone can start with something small and simple in your own community. To learn more, visit their website at www.PlanetaBlu.com Follow them on social media @planetablubook 

Since releasing my fantasy novel into the world in October of this year, I feel like I’ve been on the fast track to learning some of life’s biggest lessons. Isn’t that funny how that works? When we put ourselves out there, we are signaling to the universe that we are ready for bigger things, and that means we must grow in the process. One of the key takeaways from this book launch experience so far has been learning to let go of the outcome. It took me a really long time to even grasp this concept because it initially seemed at odds with striving for big goals. I want to share with you how you can still pursue those scary dreams of yours, all while staying unattached to the outcome. Here is a little secret, it’s way simpler than you think. Notice I said, simple, and not easy. But I know you can do! We can do it together. 

When you have a cool idea for a business or for a story to write, most people won't understand, and might even call you crazy. When the co-founders, Ilana & Kelly got the idea for FairyTail Pet Care, they were met with resistance. But they believed in their dream and knew people needed what they had to offer because they had seen the gap in the market. They knew couples would pay for wedding day pet care so that their fur babies could be a part of their special day too. How was no one already providing this service already! So FairyTail Pet Care was born. Now, 9 years later, they have achieved success on multiple fronts, including franchising and getting a deal with Barbara Corcoran on Shark Tank! In this conversation, we talk about staying true to your dreams when you meet the naysayers, working with your best friend, giving back, and hitting a home run with the biggest pitch of your life on national television! To learn more, visit their website here: www.FairyTailPetCare.com Follow them on socials @fairytail_petcare

It wasn't until much later that I figured out that Riley & I go on the same journey of self-discovery as you see in my book, Lion of Fire. As writers, we often weave themes into fiction books, sometimes without even realizing it, and I think I might have done that in some ways. In this episode, I share more behind one of the main coming of age themes in this book which is finding your true purpose in life. In the book, Riley feels lost and with college graduation looming, he doesn’t think he’s had enough time to figure out what to do with himself when he gets to the real world. He knows he’s meant for more but he doesn’t learn what that is until destiny comes knocking on his door. In life, we can feel the same way and I can attest to this feeling. I believe that we were all put on this planet for a purpose, to pursue a meaningful mission. My hope is that with the sharing of my mission and journey to finding it, you’ll discover yours and start living life on purpose. 

Last month, I did a "Babe Talk" with the Babe Crafted community on how to live a multi-passionate life as an entrepreneur. We got into the nitty-gritty and I wanted to share this conversation with you! As you know, my debut fiction novel, Lion of Fire, Book 1 in my new adult fantasy series, Riley Jordan & The Fire Prophecies, is out now! But if you didn't already know, I have been running a successful real estate business for the past ten years, and I’ve always considered myself a multi-passionate person. I often get asked, “How do you do all these things?” (i.e., real estate, podcast, content creation and now a book). Honestly, I’m not special…I’m just clear on what I want. It takes clarity, focus and discipline to create a life of your dreams. Want to take a deep dive with me? Listen in to the conversation I had with fellow Babe Crafted members in this special "Babe Talk."

Being in the middle of a book launch is stressful and there are bound to be things that go wrong! Anytime in life you are launching something or working on something special I think we easily get our hopes up that everything will go perfectly. Well, guess what? It never does! I wanted to share some learning that I have been taking away from this book launch. I have had some hiccups along the way and I'm learning to embrace these so-called failures and find the positive. What has been a failure that you experienced that now you can look back on and see how you became a better person or learned a valuable lesson?

Be Your Own Hero Podcast is about discovering your inner hero and being brave in the face of fear, on the path to become your best self. As an author, I have been on my own journey of self-discovery while creating my fantasy series, Riley Jordan & The Fire Prophecies. As Riley went on his hero's journey, I found myself going through my very own hero's journey. During the process of bringing this series to the world, I made a promise to myself that I would be brave, no matter how scary or vulnerable it felt along the way because I knew my story was worth telling. I believe everyone’s got something valuable to share with the world. Now I'm on a mission to inspire others to be brave and be the heroes in their own stories.