Author Kayla Delcoure joins Read the Damn Book to discuss her new poetry collection Nine Lives, a heartfelt exploration of grief, love, and the unexpected ways loss can spark creativity and connection. In this moving episode, host Michelle Glogovac sits down with Kayla to talk about the profound impact of losing her beloved cats and how that experience shaped both her writing and her online presence.

Kayla shares how she transformed personal grief into a creative outlet through storytelling and social media, building a space where vulnerability, remembrance, and advocacy intersect. The conversation explores how writing can serve as both catharsis and catalyst, helping individuals process loss while also inspiring broader conversations around empathy and social justice. Together, Michelle and Kayla examine the power of community in times of heartbreak and the ways authentic connection can fuel meaningful change.

What We're Talking About...

1. Author and online content creator Kayla Delcoure discusses her new poetry collection Nine Lives, a heartfelt exploration of pet loss, grief, healing, and the powerful bond between humans and their cats.
2. Kayla’s journey began with her beloved cat Gizmo, who passed away from FIP (feline infectious peritonitis), an experience that profoundly shaped her writing and advocacy.
3. Writing poetry became a crucial tool for Kayla in processing grief, demonstrating how creative expression can support emotional healing after the loss of a pet.
4. In Nine Lives, Kayla Delcoure reflects on her personal experiences with grief and resilience, offering readers an honest look at mourning, memory, and moving forward.
5. Kayla emphasizes that community support is essential when navigating grief, highlighting how shared stories and connection can reduce isolation.
6. Through her online presence, Kayla reminds others that they are not alone in their grief, especially when coping with the loss of a beloved animal companion.
7. She is expanding her platform by launching a podcast designed to foster deeper conversations around healing, storytelling, and social justice.
8. Kayla is also part of “The Organized Gang of Wine Moms,” a grassroots-style community focused on social action and collective engagement.
9. Throughout the episode, she discusses how building meaningful communities requires authenticity, vulnerability, and sustained support.
10. Ultimately, Kayla believes that pets—especially cats—can profoundly shape our emotional lives, teaching us about love, loss, and the enduring impact of connection.

Chapters

00:00 Kayla Delcoure Introduction and Background

06:00 The Journey of Grief and Healing

11:59 Community Building and Activism

20:04 The Power of Connection and Support

Links Mentioned

Order your copy of Nine Lives:

In this episode of Read the Damn Book, host Michelle Glogovac sits down with author John Wrory Ficklin to discuss his memoir An Unusual Path, a powerful family history tracing his lineage from slavery to life inside the White House.

John shares personal stories about growing up in the White House, his father’s decades-long career in presidential service, and the remarkable legacy of a family whose history intersects with American politics at the highest level. The conversation explores themes of generational resilience, government transparency, historical record-keeping, and the evolving role of technology in preserving presidential history.

They also dive into the importance of family legacy, the untold stories of Black families in American institutions, and how music has shaped John’s identity and creative expression.

This episode is a compelling look at American history, presidential history, memoir writing, and the enduring impact of family heritage.

What We're Talking About...

1. John Wrory Ficklin discusses his memoir An Unusual Path, which traces his family’s journey from slavery to life inside the White House.
2. John Ficklin shares what it was like growing up in the White House and how that unique environment shaped his identity.
3. His father served in the White House for 44 years, offering rare insight into presidential history and behind-the-scenes government service.
4. The book weaves together personal stories across multiple generations, highlighting a powerful American family legacy.
5. John’s family developed close relationships with several U.S. presidents, providing a firsthand perspective on leadership and history.
6. He witnessed major historical events from inside one of America’s most iconic institutions.
7. The episode explores how technology transformed record-keeping and archival preservation in the White House.
8. Government transparency and public trust are discussed as essential pillars of American democracy.
9. Music has been a lifelong sanctuary and creative outlet for John alongside his connection to public service.
10. John’s journey reflects generational resilience, dedication, and the evolving story of Black history in America.

Chapters

00:00 John Wrory Ficklin Introduction and Background

04:44 Growing Up in the White House

07:31 Career Journey at the National Security Council

10:33 Memorable Experiences and Relationships

13:36 The Impact of Technology on Record Keeping

17:02 Transparency and Declassification in Government

19:58 Personal Stories and Family Legacy

23:02 Music and Its Influence

25:43 Conclusion and Reflections

31:03 The Impact of 'An Unusual Path'

Links Mentioned

Order your copy of An Unusual Path:

In this episode of Read the Damn Book, host Michelle Glogovac sits down with author Rebecca Fallon to discuss her novel Family Drama. Rebecca shares the inspiration behind the book’s complex family relationships, the lasting influence of soap operas on her storytelling, and her personal journey as a writer navigating creativity, identity, and impending motherhood. The conversation explores character dynamics, emotional honesty in fiction, and how deeply personal experiences shape compelling narratives.

What We're Talking About...

• Family Drama explores complex family relationships and emotional bonds within modern families
• Soap operas heavily influence the novel’s structure, pacing, and dramatic tension
• Author Rebecca Fallon draws from personal experiences to create emotionally authentic storytelling
• The character Tilly highlights the often-overlooked strength and complexity of stepmothers
• Motherhood plays a central role in Rebecca’s life and informs her perspective as a writer
• Themes of identity, selfhood, and belonging recur throughout the book
• Rebecca’s background in tech shaped her creative journey and approach to writing
• The novel examines multifaceted relationship dynamics between family members
• The book’s ending leaves a lasting emotional impact on readers
• Rebecca is currently working on a second novel focused on college friendships and evolving relationships

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

04:12 Themes of Family and Loss

06:53 The Role of Soap Operas

11:03 Rebecca's Journey to Writing

14:10 Exploring Identity and Womanhood

17:09 Character Relationships and Dynamics

21:17 Motherhood and Personal Reflections

23:42 Future Projects and Conclusion

29:19 The Emotional Journey of Family Drama

29:20 Exploring Themes of Love and Loss

Links Mentioned

Order your copy of Family Drama: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Family-Drama/Rebecca-Fallon/978166808947