EPISODE 670 - Barbara Viniar - Little bird is the story of a girl who finds the courage to forge her own path to womanhood in 1910

I was born and raised in the Bronx, NY, but once I left for college at 17, I never went back. With the benefit of having lived in many other places in the U.S. and abroad, I now look back fondly on my neighborhood, a place where people knew and cared about each other. But as a teenager I couldn’t wait to escape. I wanted to meet new people and explore New York City, which I was able to do at the H.S. of Music and Art, one the city’s selective high schools at that time. Being immersed in the arts was one of the defining experiences of my life.

Writing brings me joy. It will be the cornerstone of this chapter of my life.

“With meticulous historical research and heartfelt storytelling, Viniar introduces an unforgettable heroine - not because Fannie is extraordinary, but because she feels so real. She’s the kind of character who becomes a friend, someone you’ll root for as she navigates the trials of youth, immigration and identity as a Jewish woman. ”

— Robyn Rosen, Ph.D. Professor of history, Marist College

Book - Little Bird - “Like the heroine of her timeless novel, Barbara Viniar has meticulously embroidered this story of a talented young woman torn between the tradition she respects and the dreams she can’t deny.”
— Elyce Wakerman, author of A Tale of Two citizens and Father Loss

After an old photograph and newspaper article revealed that my grandmother, Fannie, was married to a cousin at 17 and later divorced, I felt compelled to tell her story. But with only a few dates and names to go on, I had to create the story from my imagination.

It took three years of writing and rewriting, not to mention researching the life of a Jewish immigrant in New York City from 1910 – 1917 to finish Little Bird.

I only hope that my Fannie captures what might have been true about my grandmother. I often feel that telling her story has been a way of discovering my own.

They say writers are either compulsive plotters or “pantsers,” happy to let their stories evolve without a plan. I am somewhere in between. I had a detailed outline when I started, but then characters surprised me. Their voices changed the story.

I am often asked if I have written fiction before. Have I always dreamed of writing a novel? Absolutely not! This passion, this commitment of time and emotional energy to writing a novel has all been new to me. I would sit down at my desk and lose track of time. It still fills me with terror and joy.

https://barbaraviniar.com/

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EPISODE 669 - Leonard D. Hilley II - epic fantasy series, sci-fi suspense, urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and young adult novels

Leonard D. Hilley II grew up in Fort Payne, AL, where his never-ending curiosity introduced him to the world of biology and books. During his youth he was an avid insect collector and reared butterflies and moths. His love for science eventually merged with his writing. He currently resides in Marietta, Ohio, where he writes science fiction thrillers, epic high fantasy, and YA mysteries.

Education: B.S. Biology; MFA in Creative Writing

Leonard D. Hilley II is the author of Predators of Darkness Series, The Chronicles of Aetheaon, The Forrest Wollinsky Vampire Hunter Series, and The Nocturnal Trinity Series.

Leonard D. Hilley II also writes short stories for YA. Two books were inspired by his early love of biology: Rearing Dragons in My Backyard and Fiddling Worms. He also writes a mystery series for YA: Dee’s Mystery Solvers.

https://leonarddhilleyii.com/

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EPISODE 489 - Author Darlene Campos Shares the Amazing Story of Holocaust Survivor Pete Philipps

Hello! 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' Interview
Pete 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-philipps
https://www.ushmm.org/
https://www.darlenepcampos.com/
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Published: Jan. 20, 2025

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EPISODE 303 - KT Carlisle - From the Bucolic Vermont, From Her First Pen to Her Murder Mystery Trilogy

When the Williamsburg Police Department arrives at Catheryn "Cat" Clark's house on the night of Friday, May 13th to discover her drunk and covered in blood, even she struggles to believe in her own innocence. After all, few people had better reason to want Elaine Reid dead than the woman whose husband she stole after thirty years of friendship.

But as the alcohol-induced fog begins to fade, strange questions surrounding the night's events start to emerge. Who else was at the house the night that Elaine was murdered? Why can't Cat remember anything more than the argument that transpired in the darkened confines of her kitchen? And what might a neighbor's suicide from her college years have to do with proving Cat's innocence? As Cat fights to piece together the puzzle of what happened, Detective Rachel McGowen's fifteen-year hunt for an elusive killer could hold all the answers.

Reasonable is the first in a three-part series that explores just how far one might go to clear their name and protect their loved ones. A fast-paced thrill ride packed with suspense, this enthralling tale of two women’s determination will keep you guessing until the very end.

About the Author

K.T. Carlisle is the pseudonym for a writer in rural Vermont. Since early childhood, Carlisle has dedicated her life to the written word. Earning her B.A. in Writing Arts with a concentration in Creative Writing in 2015 from Rowan University, Carlisle received the Excellence in Writing Arts Award from the university, an honor reserved for students who exhibit exceptional skill as a writer and teacher of writing.

When she is not busy working on her next novel, Carlisle spends her days enjoying all the natural beauty that the Green Mountain State has to offer alongside her incredible husband, four crazy dogs, and flock of chickens.
To learn more, please visit
https://ktcarlisle.com/
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Published: Dec. 22, 2023

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EPISODE 237 - Stewart Lee - Me and My Addiction - one man’s battle to break free from a life heavily impacted by alcoholism

About 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/
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Published: Aug. 31, 2023

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E217 - Nick Stitle and his first book in a four-part series called Stormless

Nick Stitle is a young, rising author with several projects in development.

Nick is seventeen years old, and while Stormless is his first “real” book, it is far from the first story that he has ever told.

After spending nearly all of my middle school years and the first half of my high school career writing novels and building worlds of myth, I am finally ready to share my works with the world.

I live in Indiana, with my mom and dad, my older brother, and my two dogs.

Stormless, the first installment of a massive high fantasy series, is in the final editing stages. Stormless welcomes readers into the world of Auris, a continent ripe with epic histories, unique magic systems, and complex characters. The second of four installments is in the final editing stages as well.

https://reedsy.com/
https://www.nickstitle.com/
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Published: Jul. 21, 2023

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EPISODE 85 -

Our Empty Nest and Doing Life With Your Adult Children

For me as a Dad I sensed this empty nest state would equate freedom, my wife Jen has a different take on this - everything and everyone revolved around Jen with the kids here - she knew her role in all of our lives (mine included) now that keep the plates spinning season is over, and it feels strange.

I heard our guest on another podcast and he was talking to our situation - he had such wisdom and a heart for what we are living and I had to have him on - and to my great surprise and delight he said, yes!

Please join me in welcoming Jim Burns to our podcast!

Jim Burns is the president of HomeWord. He speaks to thousands of people around the world each year. He has more than 2 million resources in print in 20 languages.

https://homeword.com/

Books

- Finding Joy in the Empty Nest: Discover Purpose and Passion in the Next Phase of Life Paperback

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Published: Oct. 20, 2022

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EPISODE 60 - Lauren MacLean Author of Me and My Sit Spot - Find your spot in nature

About the author

Lauren MacLean, an accomplished author and educator, is the creative force behind the Amazon Bestselling children's picture book, "Me and My Sit Spot," and "Finding Common Ground," as well as Sitting With Nature: An Educator's Guide to Sit Spots. With a vibrant background as an elementary school teacher, outdoor educational consultant, and presenter, Lauren is deeply committed to bringing the wonders of learning outdoors to young minds.

In addition to her written work, Lauren is the dynamic host of the Teach Outdoors podcast, where she shares insights, strategies, and inspiration for educators and parents eager to integrate outdoor learning into children's lives. As a co-founder of the Local Bookshelf, Lauren actively contributes to building literary communities and fostering a love for reading among young readers.

Lauren's journey into the world of outdoor education is rooted in her own childhood experiences. Struggling to sit still, she found solace and freedom in learning outdoors, an environment that allowed her to authentically be herself. Now a devoted mother of two young toddlers, Lauren brings her passion for nature exploration to life, serving as a role model for parents seeking to connect their children with the land.

Through her writing, podcast, and advocacy, Lauren MacLean continues to make a significant impact on the world of education, inspiring others to embrace the transformative power of learning through nature.

What is a sit spot and how does it help nurture our relationship with the land? Developing this nature routine for yourself and your learners leads to so many possibilities for learning about our land and how we fit into it. Where is your sit spot?
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https://outdoorlearning.com/product/me-and-my-sit-spot/
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Published: Sep. 20, 2022

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