Authors After Action: Real Life Stories Behind the Books

In this episode of Authors After Action, we bring you a powerful storytelling podcast experience grounded in real life stories, inspiring interviews, and the depth of the human experience. We sit down with Elise Allison—sailor, author, and adventurer—whose personal journey carried her from a New Jersey horse farm to life on the open ocean.

Alison has sailed through forty-six countries across four continents, transforming each port, culture, and challenge into stories for adults and children alike. Through deep conversations, she shares how living on a boat strips life down to its essentials—survival, connection, and wonder—and how that simplicity reshaped both her worldview and her writing.

This episode explores overcoming adversity through reinvention: leaving stability behind, embracing uncertainty, and discovering freedom in motion. Alison resilience stories reveal how adventure becomes art, how the sea teaches humility, and how storytelling can spark curiosity and environmental awareness in the next generation.

These life lessons remind us that purpose often waits beyond comfort. Whether you’re drawn to travel, creativity, or stories of transformation, this conversation offers a moving portrait of what happens when you trade routine for the horizon and let experience become your teacher.

Takeaways:

1. A bold leap can turn dreams into lived reality.
2. Life at sea simplifies priorities and deepens human connection.
3. Real adventure fuels authentic storytelling.
4. Travel inspires curiosity, empathy, and environmental awareness.
5. Creativity flows when rooted in lived experience.
6. Write what excites you to keep passion alive.

Links Referenced in This Episode:

AlisonGeishen.com

Sailmates.org

Companies Mentioned in This Episode:

Defiance Press

The primary focus of today's discourse centers on the essential interplay between leadership and organizational culture, as illuminated by our guest, Ms. Oksana Lukash. With over two decades of experience in shaping cultures across diverse organizations, Oksana emphasizes that a robust people strategy underpins effective business strategy. Our conversation delves into the nuances of leading with empathy and integrity, particularly during challenging times such as layoffs or organizational changes. Oksana asserts that successful leaders must foster environments where individuals feel valued and empowered, thereby enhancing overall productivity and morale. Ultimately, the episode elucidates that the treatment of personnel is not merely a matter of human resources, but rather a fundamental competitive advantage that can dictate an organization’s success. In this enlightening discussion, we delve into the multifaceted nature of leadership and its intricate relationship with organizational culture. Oksana Lukash, a seasoned expert with over two decades of experience in shaping corporate environments, shares her unique insights drawn from her personal journey of resilience and transformation. Having emigrated from Moscow to the United States at a young age, Oksana's narrative is one of navigating challenges and embracing change, which has profoundly influenced her approach to leadership. She emphasizes the notion that effective leadership is not merely about directing others but creating an environment where individuals feel empowered and valued. Throughout the conversation, we explore how leaders can cultivate a culture that aligns with their organizational values, moving beyond superficial slogans to embed meaningful practices that resonate with every employee's experience. Oksana's perspective on the critical intersection of people strategy and business strategy serves as a cornerstone for understanding how successful organizations thrive in an ever-evolving landscape.

Takeaways:

1. Leadership is fundamentally about creating an environment where individuals feel valued and empowered to excel in their roles.
2. A leader's effectiveness is significantly influenced by their ability to communicate authentically and build strong relationships with their team members.
3. Organizational culture must be intentionally cultivated, as it reflects the collective behaviors and values of every individual within the company.
4. True resilience in leadership emerges from navigating uncomfortable situations and maintaining an unwavering commitment to integrity and respect for all employees.
5. Understanding the personal and professional aspirations of team members is crucial for fostering a supportive and growth-oriented workplace culture.
6. Effective leadership involves not just managing tasks but also investing time in one-on-one interactions to understand the unique challenges faced by each team member.

Links referenced in this episode:

1. oksanalucas.com

In this episode of Authors After Action, we bring you a powerful storytelling podcast experience rooted in real life stories, inspiring interviews, and the depth of the human experience. We sit down with Tina Irwin—author, grief guide, and spiritual practitioner—whose personal journey began with the devastating loss of her six-year-old niece and evolved into a life devoted to helping others heal.

Tina shares what she believes happens after death and offers practical tools for those left behind—whether grieving a loved one, a child, or even someone they never knew. Through deep conversations, she explains how fear can be transformed into compassion, and how confusion can become clarity when we learn to face loss with openness and courage.

This episode explores overcoming adversity in its most universal form: grief. Tina’s work reveals profound resilience stories about love that continues beyond death, the power of spiritual connection, and the ways healing can occur for both the living and the departed. She opens up about remote viewing, spiritual communication, and how writing with intention becomes a form of service.

These life lessons remind us that grief is not only about death—it appears in every form of loss we face. Whether you’re seeking comfort, understanding, or a new perspective on healing, this conversation offers insight, empathy, and hope for anyone walking through loss.

Takeaways:

1. Grief can be met with compassion and clarity rather than fear.
2. Practical tools can help both the living and the departed find peace.
3. Personal loss can become a path to service and meaning.
4. Healing applies to all forms of loss, not only death.
5. Spiritual connection can transform how we process grief.
6. Writing with intention carries healing energy.

Links Referenced in This Episode:

ghosthelpers.com

tinairwin.com

Companies Mentioned in This Episode:

Amazon

Edgar Cayce’s Association for Research and Enlightenment

Audible

This podcast episode delves into the profound narrative captured within Jack Maher bestselling novel, "Poppy," which illuminates a neglected facet of Colorado's history, specifically focusing on Native American art. The narrative revolves around Jack’s grandfather, Eric Douglas, a pivotal figure who championed Native American artists and their creations, undertaking extensive journeys across the Southwest to advocate for their recognition and preservation. Through the lens of Eric's life, the discussion traverses his notable contributions during World War II, where he commanded a unit of nurses and innovated therapeutic practices by incorporating music as a means of healing for soldiers suffering from psychological trauma. This episode not only encapsulates the rich historical legacy of Eric Douglas but also underscores the ongoing importance of preserving cultural heritage in the face of adversity. Jack's reflections on his grandfather's life serve as an evocative reminder of the intricate connections between personal history and broader cultural narratives. The exploration of Colorado's rich historical tapestry is vividly brought to life through the illuminating narratives of Jack Maher, a distinguished historical novelist and Emmy-winning journalist. In our engaging discussion, we delve into the life and legacy of Eric Douglas, Jack's grandfather, who emerged as a pivotal figure in championing Native American art during a time when such artistic expressions were often marginalized. Through personal anecdotes and historical context, Jack recounts how Eric's adventurous spirit led him to traverse the Southwestern landscape, forging meaningful relationships with Native artists and advocating for their work at the Denver Art Museum. His efforts not only preserved cultural heritage but also elevated the perception of Native art, likening its sophistication to that of classical European works. This episode encapsulates the profound impact of one man's commitment to cultural advocacy and the enduring significance of Native American artistry in Colorado's history.

Takeaways:

1. In this episode, we explored the profound impact of Eric Douglass on Native American art, which he championed during a time of great misunderstanding and prejudice.
2. Jack Maher shares his personal journey of discovering his grandfather's legacy through storytelling and the challenges he faced while writing his book, Poppy.
3. The conversation highlights how journalism shaped Jack Maher's narrative style, allowing him to convey his grandfather's life story in a compelling manner.
4. We discussed the innovative museum practices introduced by Eric Douglass that transformed the presentation of Native American art and culture for future generations.
5. The episode delves into the healing power of music, as exemplified by Eric Douglass's efforts to aid war veterans suffering from PTSD during World War II.
6. Jack's reflections on his grandfather's life reveal the importance of preserving cultural heritage and the ongoing relevance of art in society today.

Learn More: https://www.sandgoatmanorpublishing.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

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In this episode of The Healing Side, we deliver a powerful storytelling podcast experience rooted in real life stories, deep conversations, and the evolving human experience of healing. We sit down with Lincoln Stoller—physicist turned psychotherapist—whose personal journey bridges science, spirit, and psychology into a unified approach to understanding the mind.

Lincoln shares how quantum mechanics, mountaineering, cultural immersion, and therapy converge in his work. Through deep conversations, we explore the hidden language of dreams, the nature of trauma, and why altered states of awareness reveal truths ordinary thinking cannot reach. We talk about PTSD and anger, symbolism and self-actualization, and why “empty space”—not constant productivity—is where true growth begins.

This episode is about overcoming adversity at the inner level. Lincoln explains the difference between chosen risk and imposed trauma, why anger works in war but fails in civilian life, and how fear and projection become tools for healing. These resilience stories reveal that dreams are not random—they are symbolic maps guiding us back to wholeness.

You’ll walk away with meaningful life lessons about awareness, creativity, and the courage to listen to what the mind is already saying. If you’ve ever wondered how science and spirituality truly meet—or how healing actually begins—this conversation invites you to expand how you understand yourself.

🌐 Learn more about Lincoln:

mindstrengthbalance.com

Show Notes Highlights:

1. Lincoln’s path from physicist to psychotherapist
2. Shared roots of trauma in academia, business, and combat
3. Chosen risk versus imposed trauma
4. Dreams as symbolic language (and why dictionaries mislead)
5. The role of “empty space” in healing and creativity
6. PTSD, flashbacks, and altered states of awareness
7. Why anger works in war but fails in civilian life
8. Using fear and projection as therapeutic tools
9. Science, spirit, and symbolism as one model of the mind
10. Self-actualization as modern enlightenment

In this episode of Authors After Action, we deliver a storytelling podcast experience built on real life stories, inspiring interviews, and the depth of the human experience. We sit down with Jim Marshall—engineer, polymath, and pioneer in human development—whose personal journey led him from dreaming of physics to discovering that the most complex system in existence is the human mind.

With more than fifty thousand hours devoted to understanding human potential, Jim shares how engineering principles shaped his approach to people, relationships, and growth. Through deep conversations, he reveals why so many of our societal problems stem from a fundamental misunderstanding of human nature—and how technology and social media have only widened that gap.

Jim explains how his work as a “human development engineer” blends classical education, empirical data, and biofeedback to create rapid, meaningful change. These resilience stories show how insight can arrive in minutes instead of years, and how clarity replaces confusion when people finally understand what’s happening inside themselves.

The conversation turns toward Jim’s new book and his groundbreaking framework, Septemics—a practical system designed to help anyone decode behavior, relationships, and motivation. This episode offers powerful life lessons about perception, connection, and the courage to rethink what we believe about ourselves and others.

If you’re drawn to stories about growth, self-discovery, and overcoming adversity at the inner level, this episode delivers a compelling look at how understanding people can change everything.

In this episode of The Healing Side, we deliver a powerful storytelling podcast experience rooted in real life stories, deep conversations, and the evolving human experience of growth and healing. We sit down with Len May—genetics pioneer, CEO of EndoDNA, and human optimization advocate—whose personal journey began with an ADHD diagnosis and evolved into redefining what potential truly means.

Len shares how understanding his own neurodivergence became a catalyst rather than a limitation. Through deep conversations, we explore how DNA, artificial intelligence, and cannabis science are converging to create personalized health protocols—tools that honor individual biology instead of forcing people into one-size-fits-all solutions.

This episode dives into overcoming adversity at the biological and emotional level. Len explains how genetic markers influence stress response, trauma, and conditions like PTSD, and how this knowledge can reshape mental health care—especially for those in high-stress environments such as the military. These resilience stories reveal that awareness is power: when people understand how they are wired, they can heal smarter, perform better, and live more fully.

We also examine the role of AI in healthcare—not as a replacement for human care, but as an amplifier of insight and compassion. The result is a vision of medicine that is informed, precise, and deeply human.

This conversation offers meaningful life lessons about identity, difference, and the courage to reimagine health. If you’re drawn to stories about growth, self-discovery, and the future of healing, this episode reveals how embracing who you are—down to your DNA—can change everything.

Takeaways:

1. Neurodivergence can be a source of strength and clarity.
2. Genetic insight leads to more effective, personalized healing.
3. AI can enhance—not replace—the human side of healthcare.
4. PTSD and stress response are influenced by biological markers.
5. Understanding how you’re wired empowers growth and resilience.
6. Healing works best when it honors individual biology.

Links Referenced in This Episode:

endodna.com

lenmay.com

spiritsandstories.com

everythingispersonal.com

Companies Mentioned in This Episode:

EndoDNA

In this episode of Authors After Action, we deliver a storytelling podcast experience built on real life stories, inspiring interviews, and the creative side of the human experience. We sit down with John David—public relations professional, corporate ghostwriter, and award-winning novelist—to explore the personal journey behind his debut thriller, The Bystander, winner of the Two Thousand Twenty-Five Page Turner Award for mystery.

John shares how a simple backyard conversation about gun rights ignited the idea for a gripping story about an active shooter stopped by an armed bystander. Through deep conversations, we unpack the emotional highs and lows of writing a first novel, the leap from non-fiction to fiction, and the creative tension between “plotters” and “pantsers.” John opens up about trusting instinct, letting characters lead, and embracing uncertainty as part of the process.

This episode is about overcoming adversity on the page and in life—balancing a demanding career with creative ambition, finding joy in the work, and learning to tell stories that matter. These resilience stories offer meaningful life lessons for writers and readers alike: how lived experience shapes narrative, why fun fuels authenticity, and how fiction can confront real-world issues like fear, violence, and mental health.

Whether you’re an aspiring author or simply love the stories behind the stories, this conversation reveals how creativity becomes courage—and how a single idea can change everything.

Takeaways:

1. Life experience fuels authentic storytelling.
2. Plotters and pantsers approach writing differently, and both paths can succeed.
3. Joy in the process translates to the page.
4. Creativity often happens in stolen moments.
5. Strong characters are rooted in real people and emotion.
6. Fiction can confront real societal challenges.

Links Referenced in This Episode:

byjohndavid.com

bookshop.org

Authors After Action is a conversational podcast that explores the story behind the book.

Each episode features authors—fiction and nonfiction—sharing the journey that led them to write, the ideas that shaped their work, and the lessons learned along the way. Rather than focusing on hard selling or technical writing advice, the show centers on experience, purpose, and the moments that turn an idea into a finished book.

Episodes are audio-only and run approximately thirty to forty-five minutes, designed for thoughtful discussion and honest reflection.

Authors After Action is part of the Barracks Media Network, bringing meaningful conversations with creators to listeners who value story, insight, and authenticity.