Bold Book of the Day with Dr. Denise Nicholson

In this powerful episode of Bold Book, Dr. Denise Nicholson sits down with legendary screenwriter, bestselling author, and UCLA professor Richard Walter for a riveting conversation about storytelling, bigotry, creativity, and the evolving world of AI.

The episode opens as the producer introduces Nichol and welcomes listeners into a safe space for authors to share their journeys. Dr. Denise then introduces Richard Walter, celebrating his accomplishments in Hollywood and his decades of shaping writers at UCLA. Richard dives into the inspiration behind his newest book—an homage to Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis.

He shares the premise: a man named Dwight Bridges, a struggling Buick dealer from West Virginia, mysteriously wakes up as a rising stand-up comedian named Richie Richie. Set against the backdrop of the 1973 Yom Kippur War and the gas crisis, the story explores identity, transformation, and how humor exposes prejudice. Richard discusses themes of anti-Semitism, bigotry, stereotypes, and the consequences of misunderstanding. A pivotal scene involving a band rehearsal and a desecrated synagogue leads to police involvement, sparking deeper conversations about justice, community, and accountability.

Dr. Denise and Richard discuss the historical and social realities of 1973—many of which reflect today. Their dialogue touches on anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and the ongoing need for empathy and awareness. Richard emphasizes that literature and art are essential tools for confronting prejudice, fostering critical thinking, and provoking meaningful discomfort that leads to growth.

They also explore the future of storytelling as AI rapidly evolves. Richard offers a bold prediction about how artificial intelligence will challenge and inspire society, encouraging artists to embrace change rather than fear it.

The episode closes with powerful reflections on shared humanity, healing through dialogue, and the role of educators, writers, and creators in shaping a more just world. Dr. Denise encourages listeners to read Richard’s book, join her classes, and continue showing up boldly in their own stories.

✨ Tune in, learn, question, and be inspired.
🎧 Subscribe to Bold Book and follow Dr. Denise for more transformative conversations.

In this powerful episode of Bold Book, host Dr. Denise Nicholson sits down with award-winning essayist and novelist Lisa Friedman, author of the gripping and emotionally charged book Hello Wife. Together, they dive deep into the hidden realities of the opioid crisis, family trauma, and the courage it takes to tell difficult stories.

Lisa shares how her inspiration for Hello Wife began with her volunteer work at the Smithsonian and her personal journey watching her sister unknowingly marry an addict whose dependence stemmed from a long-ignored medical injury. She reveals how the opioid epidemic hides in plain sight—affecting families from every background—and why she chose to tell this story as fiction to make the topic accessible, relatable, and less frightening for readers.

Dr. Denise and Lisa explore the complex themes woven throughout the novel, including:

Lisa discusses the alarming standard of care in postoperative pain management, where patients—herself included—are often sent home with excessive amounts of opioid medication. She explains how easy it is for addiction to form and why so many families suffer in silence.

Lisa introduces Charlotte, the multi-layered protagonist of Hello Wife. Through flashbacks and emotional depth, Charlotte’s story highlights the humanity behind addiction, emphasizing that people are far more than their struggles.

The conversation delves into the intricate relationships between mothers, daughters, and siblings. Lisa explains the challenge of portraying these bonds with honesty—balancing love, criticism, and humor to soften the heaviness of the topic.

Lisa and Dr. Denise discuss the brutal emotional toll of addiction—not just on the individuals, but on the entire family. They talk about overcoming shame, supporting loved ones, and the critical need for compassion and understanding.

Lisa encourages listeners to share Hello Wife, continue the conversation about addiction, and help break the stigma that keeps families suffering behind closed doors. She also invites aspiring writers to connect with her through her website.

Dr. Denise closes the episode by reminding listeners that telling your story is an act of bravery—and no one can share your truth better than you.

✨ The Opioid Epidemic & Medical Missteps✨ Character Development & Humanizing Addiction✨ Family Dynamics & Emotional Truths✨ Compassion, Shame & Breaking the Silence✨ A Call to Action

📚 In this heartwarming and culturally rich episode, Dr. Denise Nicholson welcomes author and literacy advocate Carylee Carrington, creator of the beloved children’s book You Name It, Gram Made It — inspired by the viral Shirley Caesar Thanksgiving meme.

Together they dive into:
🍽️ The connection between food, culture, and family legacy
📖 The need for more diverse children’s books featuring Black families and traditions
👵 The real-life inspiration behind Gram and the powerful role of matriarchs
🍗 Jamaican cuisine, gratitude, and giving back to the community
👦 How Carylee’s sons helped shape her characters — and even edit her books!

Carylee shares how her mother’s generosity and ministry work inspired the book’s message of love, inclusion, and feeding both the stomach and the soul. This episode is a celebration of legacy, representation, and storytelling that nourishes the next generation.

💡 Whether you're a parent, author, educator, or book lover, this conversation will leave you inspired to protect traditions, uplift voices, and boldly write YOUR story.

📍 Connect with Carylee & find her books at: readwithcarylee.org
📍 Learn more about writing your own book with Dr. Denise at: drdenisenicholson.com

✨ Because every story matters — and nobody can tell yours like you.

Get ready for an empowering and deeply authentic conversation as Dr. Denise Nicholson sits down with Tash Durkins, author of Fiercely Joyful, to explore what it truly means to live in alignment, reclaim joy, and lead from a place of wholeness. 💛

After 30 years in the private and public sectors — including a career in aviation — Tash opens up about her journey from burnout to balance, from people-pleasing to purpose. Through loss, career transitions, and personal rediscovery, she developed her transformative “Root, Rise, and Rain” framework — guiding others to own their truth, rise in authenticity, and let their impact rain down. 🌿

✨ In this episode:

• How to recognize and recover from burnout 🔥

• The freedom that comes from choosing authenticity over approval

• The power of gratitude as a daily practice 🙏

• The 11 keys to living fiercely joyful

• Why burnout is not a weakness — it’s a symptom of self-abandonment

Tash’s bold promise?

“When you choose authenticity over performance, joy will bloom where burnout once lived.” 🌸

🎧 Tune in to Bold Book with Dr. Denise Nicholson and get inspired to live fiercely joyful in every area of your life!

📘 Grab your copy of Fiercely Joyful and connect with Tash at https://www.fiercely-joyful.com/
🔔 Subscribe for more bold conversations with authors who are changing the world, one story at a time.

#BoldBookPodcast #DrDeniseNicholson #TashDurkins #FiercelyJoyful #AuthenticLiving #BurnoutRecovery #SelfCare #JoyfulLiving #WomenEmpowerment #Leadership #PersonalGrowth #MindfulLiving #Authenticity #FaithAndPurpose #Resilience #Inspiration #PodcastForWomen #HealingJourney #BoldConversations

In this powerful episode of the Bold Book Podcast, host Dr. Denise Nicholson welcomes K.J. Risley, author of Rage and Reps: A 30-Day Journey to Healing After Betrayal. Together, they explore how heartbreak, betrayal, and deep disappointment can become the foundation for rebuilding strength, self-love, and confidence.

K.J. opens up about her own story of betrayal after a 30-year relationship and how journaling and movement became her lifelines back to peace and purpose. From kickboxing and fitness to daily journal prompts, she shares how Rage and Reps helps women move through pain—literally and emotionally.

Dr. Denise and K.J. discuss the power of small steps, the importance of consistency, and the healing connection between body and mind. This episode is a must-listen for any woman ready to rise from heartbreak and reclaim her power through movement, mindfulness, and self-care.

✨ Highlights Include:

• The story behind Rage and Reps and how it helps women heal after betrayal

• How journaling and movement create space for emotional release

• Self-care practices to rebuild confidence and mental clarity

• Turning pain into purpose through small, consistent actions

• K.J.’s future projects: wellness retreats, clothing, and perfume lines designed to inspire empowerment

🎙️ Tune in to this episode for a heartfelt conversation on resilience, healing, and rediscovering the boldness within.

Thank you for joining us today.  To Connect with Dr.Denise Nicholson go to www.denisenicholson.comor email her at [email protected]

In this inspiring episode of The Bold Book Podcast, Dr. Denise Nicholson sits down with world traveler, writer, and musician Margie Goldsmith — a woman who has truly lived life on her own terms. 🌍🎶

From surviving health scares and broken marriages to exploring over 150 countries, Margie’s story is a masterclass in courage, reinvention, and resilience. She opens up about her transformation from self-doubt to self-discovery — and how Paris became the turning point that changed everything. 🇫🇷

Margie also shares her experiences as an award-winning experiential travel writer, her battle with cancer, her adventures climbing mountains and competing in triathlons, and her unexpected journey into music, where she recorded two blues albums alongside Rick Estrin. 🎤

💫 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• How Margie turned pain and adversity into purpose

• The power of travel and storytelling to heal and transform

• Why movement and mindset are vital for staying young at heart

• Lessons on love, loss, and communication from three marriages

• How to embrace aging boldly and live life to the fullest

✨ Margie’s book and writing classes inspire others to rediscover their spark, no matter their age or stage in life.

👉 Watch now for an empowering conversation that will make you laugh, reflect, and want to book your next adventure.

Connect:

https://margiegoldsmith.com/

Connect with Dr. Denise Nicholson go to www.denisenicholson.comor email her at [email protected]

#TheBoldBookPodcast #DrDeniseNicholson #MargieGoldsmith #WomenWhoTravel #Resilience #Adventure #MusicAndHealing #AgingBoldly #TravelWriter #LifeAfter50 #InspiringWomen #Storytelling #PersonalGrowth #Reinvention #OvercomingChallenges #PodcastInterview

In this deeply inspiring episode of Bold Book, host Dr. Denise Nicholson welcomes Jennifer Elwell Comeau, author of the mystical historical fantasy A Moon in All Things. Set in 1820s Ireland, this novel weaves together myth, history, and healing through the story of Morgan Lane, a woman guided by dreams, intuition, and ancestral wisdom.

Jennifer shares how a powerful dream inspired her to write the book, leading her from a career in engineering to becoming a full-time author. She opens up about the symbolism, Irish mythology, and emotional depth behind her story, and how her own experiences with dreams and intuition shaped its creation.

Together, Dr. Denise and Jennifer explore the power of the divine feminine, the balance between masculine and feminine energies, and the courage it takes to live out one’s purpose. Listeners will be moved by Jennifer’s reflections on healing, authenticity, and the importance of following the inner voice that calls you higher.

💬 Tune in for a heartfelt conversation on dreams, storytelling, and transformation — and discover why A Moon in All Things is capturing the hearts of readers everywhere.

📖 Grab your copy of “A Moon in All Things” and connect with Jennifer on social media to join her reading community!

https://www.jennifercomeau.com/

Thank you for joining us today. To Connect with Dr. Denise Nicholson go to www.denisenicholson.com or email her at [email protected]

In this episode of Bold Book, Dr. Denise Nicholson welcomes award-winning author, screenwriting expert, and retired NYU professor Marilyn Horowitz to discuss her witty and heartfelt novel, Bad Girl Pie. 🍰✨

Set in New York City, Bad Girl Pie follows Dorothy, a ghostwriter of celebrity cookbooks whose life spirals after her father’s death, her best friend’s betrayal, and her ex-boyfriend’s deceit. What unfolds is a darkly comedic yet deeply emotional story of resilience, reinvention, and radical self-acceptance.

Marilyn shares the inspiration behind the book, born from personal heartbreak and refined into a powerful tale of humor and healing. She also opens up about:
💡 How humor can transform pain into empowerment
🧩 The importance of structure and “self-connection” in writing
✍️ Her unique “Beyond Happiness” method for sparking creativity
📖 Practical advice for aspiring authors on staying inspired and financially prepared
🏙️ How New York City shaped Dorothy’s character and voice

Dr. Denise and Marilyn dive into the balance between comedy and catharsis, revealing how writing can be both therapeutic and transformative. Whether you’re a writer, dreamer, or lover of strong female stories, this episode will inspire you to embrace your voice and write your truth — one page at a time.

🎧 Listen now to Bold Book with Dr. Denise Nicholson and discover how Bad Girl Pie serves up laughter, life lessons, and a slice of self-love.

Get the book and connect with Marilyn - https://www.marilynhorowitz.com/

Connect with Dr.Denise Nicholson go to www.denisenicholson.comor email her at [email protected]

#BoldBookPodcast #MarilynHorowitz #BadGirlPie #DrDeniseNicholson #AuthorInterview #WritingCommunity #WomenWriters #DarkComedy #BookLovers #WritingTips #Memoir #Inspiration #CreativeWriting #Storytelling #NYCAuthors #MindsetForWriters

In this inspiring episode of Bold Book, host Dr. Denise Nicholson welcomes memoirist and social media sensation Anne Abel, author of High Hopes. 🌟

Anne opens up about her journey through depression, her unexpected path to becoming a writer, and how one Bruce Springsteen concert changed everything. What started as a single concert blossomed into a life-changing adventure following Springsteen’s tour across Australia—sparking transformation, courage, and healing.

Together, Dr. Denise and Anne explore:
✨ How the power of music and community helped Anne face her fears.
✨ The kindness of strangers and the lessons it brings.
✨ Resilience through depression, therapy, and personal loss.
✨ The importance of taking small, bold steps toward growth.
✨ Anne’s writing journey and what’s next for her as an author.

High Hopes is more than a memoir—it’s a testament to the power of courage, connection, and choosing to live fully, even in the face of fear.

🎧 Tune in and be inspired by Anne’s powerful story of resilience and hope.

Connect with Anne at https://anneabelauthor.com/Thank you for joining us today. To Connect with Dr. Denise Nicholson go to www.denisenicholson.com or email her at [email protected]

Discover the fascinating world of fragrance in this inspiring conversation between Dr. Denise Nicholson and renowned fragrance expert Sue Phillips, author of The Power of Perfume. 🌸

In this episode, Sue shares her incredible journey—from her roots in South Africa to becoming one of the leading voices in the fragrance industry. Learn how an unplanned career pivot led her to launch Scenterprises, a global fragrance consultancy, and why fragrance plays a vital role in memory, identity, wellness, and mental health.

✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✔ How fragrance triggers emotions and memories
✔ The role of scent in wellness and mental health
✔ The rise of bespoke fragrances and personalization
✔ The impact of COVID-19 on our sense of smell
✔ Future trends in fragrance, AI, and customization
✔ Sue’s philosophy on passion, purpose, and perseverance

Sue also shares behind-the-scenes stories about the fragrance industry, her work helping people regain their sense of smell after illness, and her vision for empowering individuals through scent.

📖 The Power of Perfume is more than a book—it’s an invitation to discover your unique scent persona and experience fragrance as a tool for healing, self-expression, and joy.

🎧 Tune in now and explore the science, art, and magic of perfume with one of the world’s most influential fragrance experts!

👉 Order the book here: https://a.co/d/aEh0g6o
👉 Follow Sue Phillips: https://suephillips.com/

Thank you for joining us today. To Connect with Dr. Denise Nicholson go to www.denisenicholson.com or email her at [email protected]

#BoldBookPodcast #SuePhillips #ThePowerOfPerfume #Fragrance #PerfumeLovers #SelfExpression #Wellness #BeautyIndustry #MentalHealth #ScentMemory