Our Next Chapter

We kick things off with author signatures, big family updates, and the very strange feeling of watching their boys grow up and move toward their own next chapters.Then we're joined by Dr. Irena Smith, author of Troika, a powerful memoir about a three-day road trip across California with her mother and daughter that unfolds into something much deeper: family history, identity, generational dynamics, and the stories we carry with us.We talk improv and storytelling, how ADHD can be a creative superpower, the art of “show, don’t tell,” and what it means to write something true without losing the humor and lightness of real life. Plus, The Impossible Detour somehow becomes a time-traveling carnival romance.And to wrap it all up, we celebrate our anniversary with trivia from the years we started dating and got married, because nothing says romance like remembering Napster, Survivor, and Wedding Crashers.Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

Andrea is back on pothole patrol, we wrestle with the soulmate question at the heart of Your Soul Mail Is Attached, and after our conversation with Joan F. Smith, we get a special soul mail delivery of our own.Joan joins us to talk about the big idea behind her new adult novel, her move from YA to adult fiction, her writing process, and how personal experiences shape her stories. Plus, she plays The Impossible Meet Cute with us and closes things out with our Final Five.Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

We took this one to the movies.In this special episode, we headed out to see Project Hail Mary , then talk through all of it, and yes, this is your official spoiler warning.We’re breaking down what worked, what surprised us, and the moments that stuck with us most. From Gosling's glasses crawling all over his face to Rocky being Amaze Amaze Amaze, we’re getting into everything.If you haven’t read or seen it yet, maybe save this one.If you have, come hang out.Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

Matt and Andrea kick things off with an audiobook narration audition before welcoming bestselling author Natalie Keller-Reinert to the show. Natalie shares how a lifelong love of horses turned into a writing career, the path from indie publishing to Flatiron Books, and the story behind her new novel The Jump.We then wrap up with a story about the Dreamers and Readers festival and how the Dallas-Fort Worth book community showed up for authors when it mattered most.Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

We’re back with a conversation we loved with bestselling author Jenn Dugan, whose newest novel, Anderson in Bloom, is out tomorrow!Jenn shares her journey from writing after bedtime to publishing multiple books a year, and what it really means to write messy, complicated characters who still deserve big love. We talk about finding your voice, navigating YA and adult romance, reclaiming your story, and why she likes to take “two disasters and make them kiss.”Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

We’re continuing our one-year POD-aversary celebration on Our Next Chapter — and this week we’re joined by USA Today bestselling fantasy romance author Kate Golden.Kate stops by to talk about her new romantasy novel Half City, the first book in the Harker Academy series — a dark academia story featuring demon hunters, forbidden attraction, and a mystery that unravels at an elite supernatural academy.We also play our recurring author game, The Impossible Meet Cute, which somehow results in a rom-com that has dogs and Hawaii. You’ll understand when you hear it.If you love romantasy, fantasy romance, dark academia, conversations about the writing process, and authors getting honest about craft, you'll dig this.Thanks for celebrating year one with us!Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

One year in, and we’re celebrating our podaversary with romance author Sophie Sullivan. In this chapter, we talk about her long road to publication, redefining success, and trusting the timing of the story you’re in.We dig into anxiety, joy, and what it means to keep writing anyway, even when the goalposts move. Plus, we play Check In / Check Out, wrap with our final five questions, and reflect a bit on what one year of conversations has taught us so far.Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

In this chapter, we’re joined by YA romance author Jessica L. Cozzi to talk forced proximity, big teenage emotions, and her debut novel We’ve Hit Turbulence. We dig into what it’s like writing a book while also working as a publishing publicist, seeing the industry from both sides of the mic, and knowing how the sausage gets made. Plus, we play a quick game of Real or Fake Genres, where things get weird fast.Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

We’re starting 2026 with coffee, chaos, and a little main-character energy.First up, Matt and Andrea swap New Year’s resolutions and immediately rate how likely they are to actually happen. Spoiler: confidence is high, follow-through is questionable.Then we’re joined by a true legend, Jayne Ann Krentz, for a fun and thoughtful conversation about writing, intuition, romantic suspense, psychic energy, and her upcoming novel The Shop on Hidden Lane. It’s craft talk, career wisdom, and a few “wow” moments all rolled into one.And because this is Our Next Chapter, we also dive into our podcast-within-a-podcast, The Bedazzled Archives, where we revisit the gloriously unhinged 2000 film Bedazzled and ask the important questions. Like… did we love it?Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

We’re hanging out with romance author LaQuette and chatting about her latest novel Janae Sanders' Second Time Around, releasing January 6th! We talk second chances, high school enemies who come back hot and emotionally competent, and why romance after real-life experience just feels good. There’s soap operas, Brooklyn stories, confident heroines, and a very fun game where charming men keep turning out to be walking red flags. If you like smart romance, messy conversations, and brilliant authors, give it a listen.Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

Matt and Andrea roll into Thanksgiving week with birthday chaos, cafeteria turkey lunches, and a quick chat about why gratitude hits a little harder when you’re raising teens. They dig into how gratitude shapes your brain, why it shows up so often in modern romance, and what they’re reading this week. They wrap with “Thankful or Thankful It’s Over,” a fast Thanksgiving game full of hot takes on everything from matching tattoos to big airport gestures.Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

Author Erin La Rosa joins us to talk about her writing journey, the creation of the Burbank Book Festival, and the story behind her new time-loop rom-com. We dig into the balance between joy and grief in storytelling, what community means to a writer, and why giving yourself permission to break the rules might be the key to better writing.Matt also tests out a few birthday gift ideas for Andrea, and together we imagine what our perfect time-loop day would look like.Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

It’s our Halloween special! Matt and Andrea face off in the ultimate candy draft, play Trick or Thirst (where things get a little spooky and a little steamy), and chat with author Lauren Okie about her debut romance The Best Worst Thing. Come for the sugar rush, stay for the sweet talk.Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

It’s Matt’s birthday, and we’re celebrating with author Jamie Varon. We talk about her newest novel Charlie Quinn Lets Go, a story about starting over, chasing joy, and learning when to finally let go. Jamie shares her honest take on writing, healing, and building a life that truly feels like yours. Plus, we play a chaotic Mad Libs game where we build Jamie’s potential yes day and see if she’d actually be up to the adventure.Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

Matt kicks things off with a brand-new show intro, and Andrea talks about meeting Abby Jimenez, before we welcome author Maggie Gates. We dig into her Griffith Brothers series, her path from pastry chef to bestselling romance author, and why first drafts just need to exist! Follow Maggie GatesTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authormaggiegatesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormaggiegatesWebsite: https://maggiegates.com/Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

We’re chatting with Kathleen Barber, best-selling author of Truth Be Told and Follow Me, about her brand-new novel Both Things Are True. We dive into love, contradictions, and we play a fun game inspired by the title itself. Plus, Andrea is taking a trip to meet Abby J - maybe we should roleplay how that'll go. Connect with Kathleen Barber:Website: kathleenbarber.com Instagram: @katelizabeeMatt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

This week we kick things off with Matt’s sultry sandwich artist R&B moment, Andrea’s family reunion reflections, and then dive into our author spotlight on the brilliant Kirsty Greenwood. We’ll talk about her books, her humor-filled style, and even her new musical project. Plus, we share updates on Indy, Zoe, and the newest character to join our story. Big laughs, big book talk, and big things ahead.Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

This week, we catch up on summer life, play our Make Up the Date game (this one gets a little ridiculous), and sit down with author Megan Sotelo Padilla to talk about her latest romance novel, I Object, and the writing journey behind it all.Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

This week, we welcome the incredibly talented Brent Black, also known as Brentalfloss, to the show. We chat with Brent about his journey from YouTube favorite to full-on creative powerhouse. He shares stories from his work as a lyricist, composer, and game developer, and gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to bring creative projects to life. Whether you’re into video games, musicals, or just love hearing how great ideas come together, we promise this episode is full of inspiration, laughs, and a whole lot of heart.Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

In Episode 22 of Our Next Chapter, we share summer excitement with the boys at  theater camp, plus exciting updates on our book. We also spotlight Katherine Center, dive into the Romance Con controversy, and talk through our creative process and plan. Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

We’re back from summer camps, vacations, and a little chaos, and ready to catch up. This week, we shine a spotlight on indie author Matt Dinniman and his litRPG series Dungeon Crawler Carl. Plus, we’ve got a big announcement about our podcast schedule and a fresh update on where our own romance story is headed.Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

In this episode, we shine our Author Spotlight on Karen Dukess and explore the themes in her work. We also chat through a New York Times article about the emotional retreat of modern men, and use it to make some decisions about our main character, Alex. Plus, Matt shares a surreal moment meeting movie icon Tommy Wiseau, and getting some writing advice.Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

This week, we’re recording from the aisles of Half Price Books! Join us for a special bookstore episode featuring Kennedy Ryan in our Author Spotlight, a deep dive into her incredible career and personal story, and three games you can only play surrounded by used romance paperbacks. From guessing spicy plots to making up entire storylines from a single sentence, this one’s a chaotic love letter to readers everywhere.Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

It’s Father’s Day on the pod! We’re talking ramen, Austin Powers, and bringing the kids in as surprise guests to share what they really think of Dad—and our podcast. Then we’re diving into the world of bestselling romance author Lucy Score, talking about what makes her books so bingeable. Plus, Matt pitches a new addition to our novel: should Alex have a sous chef… or a dog named Gravy?Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

In this episode, we’re back from Nashville with stories to tell...yes, including a fender bender. Andrea recaps a recent book event, and we shine the spotlight on bestselling author Carley Fortune. From lakeside nostalgia to film deals with royalty, her journey is one for the books. Then we dive into our own work-in-progress and pitch each other some new plot ideas. Could this be our breakthrough chapter?Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

This week, we’re sharing some fun listener feedback (yes, the hair story lives on), diving into Norah Goes Off Script, and unpacking Matt’s epiphany about Indy and Zoe. Plus, we shine our author spotlight on this week’s pick: the brilliant and wildly popular Taylor Jenkins Reid.Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

In this episode, we share a special full-circle moment from Jackson’s latest performance, chat about the final week of school, and read some of your listener feedback. Then we shine the spotlight on fantasy romance author Nisha J. Tuli and talk about what we’re learning from her storytelling style. Matt reads his spicy (and slightly unhinged) writing exercise, and we introduce a brand-new segment: What Would Indy Do? where we explore how our main character handles life, love, and awkward situations.Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

We celebrate pothole victories, clear up a Colleen Oakley myth, and dive into the world of Julie Soto and her unforgettable debut, Forget Me Not. Then, we share new epiphanies for our book - featuring a wildly famous children’s star sister, a protective (and hangry) protagonist, and a chef with a magical gift for flavor.Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

We’re talking potholes, proud parent moments, and our latest author of the week: Colleen Oakley. We dive into Jane and Dan at the End of the World, what makes her storytelling stand out, and how it’s inspiring our own book. We'll also talk Alex, our BBQ-loving leading man, and ask you to help us explore why his sister might leave him in charge of her kids for a year. Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

We’re celebrating our anniversary with stories from a book crawl, a concert, and a look back at how we first met in high school theater class. We’ll reflect on how experiencing real love inspires the novel we're writing, and then our youngest, Oliver, joins us to host a revealing “Who’s More Likely To?” game. It’s a special episode full of fun memories, and a little bit of family chaos. We’re so glad you’re here to celebrate with us!Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

In this episode, Matt and Andrea get personal with a pothole request and a “Sexy Jobs Quiz.” We spotlight bestselling author Paige Toon, sharing her inspiring journey, fun facts, and most-loved books, before diving into the development of our book’s leading man. Maybe he gets a name and a complicated family life? From fake sponsors to future storylines, this one’s packed with live, laugh, love, and literary magic.Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

Matt and Andrea kick things off with potholes and a surprisingly sweet gift.Then it’s an author spotlight on Jasmine Guillory, lawyer-turned-romance-queen, followed by a game of “Guess That Book Title” featuring delightfully offbeat plot summaries. Matt also shares some honest reflections on what it means to write women well, from a male perspective.Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

This week, we’re trading corsages for book signings! We kick things off reminiscing about prom, both our son's big night and our own throwback memories, before diving into our recent author event with the hilarious romance duo, Max Monroe. We share behind-the-scenes moments, fun facts, and a spotlight on their fan-favorite books. Then we wrap with some fresh book ideas, a few tangents, and... as always... Stella talk.Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

This week, we’re diving into all things Abby Jimenez, from her cupcake empire beginnings to her bestselling romance novels and upcoming release Say You’ll Remember Me. We’re breaking down her writing journey, fun facts, book recaps, and even a few behind-the-scenes moments you might not know. Plus, we’re talking about the power of character names: why they matter, how to choose the right one, and what names we’re considering for our own story. Come for the laughs, stay for the inspo (and maybe leave craving cupcakes).Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

This week, we’re breaking down the 10 essential story beats that make romance novels so addictive, from the meet cute to the big misunderstanding to that grand gesture we all swoon over. Plus, in our Author Spotlight, we’re diving into the works of Annabel Monaghan, author of Nora Goes Off Script and Same Time Next Summer. What makes her books so compelling? And how can we apply these beats to our own novel? Tune in for a deep dive into love, conflict, and happily-ever-afters!Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

This week, we're putting Matt's bookish instincts to the test with a Real vs. Fake Romance Plot Game. Can he tell which wild synopses are real bestselling books and which ones Andrea made up? Plus, we dive into Emily Henry’s addictive storytelling, explore the Forced Proximity trope in our own book, and debate just how much of our novel we should reveal on the podcast. Play along and let us know how you did!Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

In this episode, we kick things off with a fun word association game to jumpstart our creativity muscles, then dive into expanding our own story’s plot... who is our main character really? And what kind of influencer world does she live in? Finally, we spotlight Brynne Weaver’s Butcher & Blackbird, a dark romantic comedy with serial killers, love, and sharp banter. Get ready for laughs, bookish discussion, and unexpected twists!Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

Lights, romance, and a little bit of chaos, just how we like it! This week, we’re celebrating our eldest son's incredible directorial debut and diving into the exciting details of Romance Con 2025: who’s going, what’s happening, and why you need to be there.Then, we’re getting creative with a Character Trait Game that may or may not lead to the most ridiculous (or genius?) rom-com character ever. Plus, we’re picking the perfect career for our female lead!?Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

This episode is a big step in figuring out what this novel is about.  Today we ask "What is the  TRUTH that can sustain our book like the backbone of a scurveyd pirate?" - Don't worry we're gonna figure it out. We also discuss the traits and virtues of building a modern romance couple. Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

We're talking time-tested plot premises. We chew through a list of ten, talking examples and gear up for our homework – plot pitches! *Edit: Instagram handle is @OurNextChapterPodcast - Matt was wrong and boy-o-boy did Andrea let him know. Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com

Our lovely heroes find themselves once more at the precipice of greatness, staring at the crossroads of lethargy and overstimulation - what will they do? Hint: Matt and Andrea introduce themselves and chat about the name of the podcast.Matt & Andrea here. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you. Visit us at www.OurNextChapterPodcast.com