In this STORYTIME episode of Write Your Heart Out, Kayla and Rachel dive into the mailbag to read and critique work from two listeners they’ve never met! The duo travels from the eerie, rain-soaked landscapes of Ireland to the literal depths of the afterlife, finally landing under the vast, star-filled skies of the Atlantic.

In this episode, we explore:

• "Pink Rotary Telephone" by Barry Malone: A chilling horror story about a piece of obsolete technology that rings with a message no one wants to answer. Kayla and Rachel discuss the trauma of the past and the "likability" of a protagonist caught in a supernatural cycle.
• "Debtor’s Prison" by Chris Ritchie: A high-concept look at the afterlife where "scaring" is a quota-based job. The hosts unpack the mystery of a man tasked with haunting the woman he loves most.
• "Juliet" by Chris Ritchie: A shift into the literary genre with a moving piece of historical fiction. Set against the backdrop of the 1986 Challenger disaster, this story follows a young boy’s journey from the depths of depression to a soul-saving sailing trip with his father.

Plus, Kayla shares some exciting personal news—she just received her developmental edit letter for her novel, Pillow Forts Down, from Cornerstones Literary Consultancy! She gives us a sneak peek into the feedback from her editor in Cyprus and discusses the "show, don't tell" struggle every writer knows all too well.

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New episodes every other Wednesday.

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We are officially relevant.

In this episode of Write Your Heart Out, Kayla and Rachel dive into Jeanette McCurdy’s debut novel Half His Age, the much-anticipated follow-up to her memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died. We unpack the controversial age-gap dynamic, the power shifts between predator and prey, and how McCurdy flips the traditional narrative by centering the teenage girl’s desire.

Is the novel really about the relationship — or is it about worth, longing, addiction, and the hunger to be seen?

We discuss:

• How McCurdy’s memoir informs (or doesn’t inform) the fiction
• The moral tension of writing and consuming uncomfortable stories
• The brilliance of voice in Waldo, Mr. Corgi, and Waldo’s mother
• A perfect “Save the Cat” theme-stated moment
• Whether the audiobook narration enhances or distracts
• And yes… the scene everyone will be talking about

Plus, we rate it (7 vs. 9 👀), debate craft choices, and ask: how fearless do you have to be to write like this?

Next up: Storytime with Chris Ritchie and a voice-switching writing challenge.

If you’ve read Half His Age, we want to hear your thoughts.

Write your heart out.

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New episodes every other Wednesday.

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Leave us a message at 650-260-4885

In this craft-focused episode of Write Your Heart Out, hosts Kayla Ogden and Rachel Cyr tackle one of the biggest questions in creative writing: what is voice? From author voice to narrator voice to character voice, they break down how voice shows up on the page—and how to strengthen it through sentence variety, rhythm, and intentional POV choices (especially in first-person).

They also recap their first in-person Write Your Heart Out writers group in San Mateo, reflect on the learning curve of writing a debut novel vs. a new work-in-progress, and share why writers are readers (and how reading fuels better writing). Along the way, they reference insights inspired by Mary Karr and Barbara Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead, plus a practical exercise: rewrite a paragraph in a completely different voice to discover new possibilities in your style.

If you’re looking for writing advice on voice, first-person narration, sentence flow, and building confidence as a writer, this episode is for you.

Submit your work for a future Storytime episode at writeyourheartoutpod.com.

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New episodes every other Wednesday.

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Leave us a message at 650-260-4885

My Hero Academia fanfic meets Write Your Heart Out storytime!

In this first episode of 2026, Kayla and Rachel reflect on how their definition of “success” has shifted—from big, flashy milestones to the small, meaningful moments that truly matter. They talk about flu season, waiting on editorial feedback, writers’ group nerves, and late-night classes (three hours?!).

Then, things get emotional as they read and discuss a fanfiction tribute submitted by listener Nova, honoring a friend named Lily through the world of My Hero Academia. The episode dives into grief, creativity, sensory detail in writing, and how storytelling can become a way to remember, heal, and connect.

A thoughtful, funny, and heartfelt start to the new year—plus another reminder that every story, no matter how small, deserves to be heard.

Read Where Lilies Bloom on Quotev.

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New episodes every other Wednesday.

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In our final episode of the year, we reflect on how Write Your Heart Out began (yes, including the lucky underwear lore) before diving into a sharp craft conversation inspired by Rebecca Makkai’s essay on why novels shouldn’t be written like movies. We unpack what film gets wrong about fiction, from “show, don’t tell” to interiority, structure, and setting. We talk about how to use the tools only the page can offer. Plus, a Storytime submission update and news about our new in-person writers group. Happy New Year!

Make sure to check out Rebecca's substack! https://rebeccamakkai.substack.com/

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New episodes every other Wednesday.

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Leave us a message at 650-260-4885

In this wide-ranging, candid episode of Write Your Heart Out, Kayla and Rachel talk about creative resistance, privilege in publishing, and what it really takes to get a book across the finish line. Kayla shares a hopeful, behind-the-scenes story about reaching out for developmental editing support—and the complicated feelings that come with having access to resources not everyone can afford—while Rachel celebrates a new literary journal publication.

The conversation then turns sharp and unfiltered as the hosts dive into a deep critique of Louis C.K.’s debut novel Ingram. They unpack questions of power, accountability, and whether it’s possible—or ethical—to engage with art made by deeply flawed people. From clunky prose and muddled world-building to moments of genuine potential, Kayla and Rachel break down what works, what doesn’t, and why calling something “literary fiction” doesn’t make it so.

As always, this episode blends craft talk, cultural critique, humor, and honesty—plus a reminder that writing is hard, finishing is harder, and sometimes the best thing you can do is keep asking better questions.

If you’re listening, don’t forget to rate, review, and let us know you’re out there.

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New episodes every other Wednesday.

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Leave us a message at 650-260-4885

Ever cried reading your own poem on mic? Rachel did. And Kayla cried too, because friendship.
And then Jessie Wingate blew our minds with The Beholden.
And THEN Kayla read the full #VanLife you’ve all been asking for... wink wink... okay, maybe only Reka.

This description isn't A.I. Okay it was only partly written by ChatGPT. I came up with the wink wink thing... I know... pretty good. The first sentence is obviously A.I. lol (Kayla)

Send us your own poems and stories at writeyourheartoutpod.com or on Reddit. We’d love to feature your work next.

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New episodes every other Wednesday.

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On a rainy night Kayla and Rachel brought clipboard to the movie theater to watch Bugonia (2025).Now they’re breaking down this absurdist black-comedy thriller beat by beat. Is there any chance that Yorgos Lanthimos’s newest film follows the Save the Cat structure, or are we just trying to shove a genre-bending film into a litterbox?

We talk about opening and final images (cutest bee ever), themes, midpoints, Dark Night of the Soul moments, and that finale we absolutely did not see coming. We had no idea what the Emma Stone character was.

Along the way, we share Kayla’s big writing news, debate conspiracy theories, talk about why celebrities can feel “otherworldly,” and fully spiral about the crocheted alien costumes that deserve their own Oscar category.

This one is for writers, film geeks, and anyone who just likes listening to two friends who are excited about Jesse Plemons.

Watch Bugonia first because we literally tell you everything. Spoiler alert.

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New episodes every other Wednesday.

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Leave us a message at 650-260-4885