Every Soul Has A Story

What happens when a breast radiologist decides to write gripping medical novels? Join host Dara Levan for a conversation with physician and author Heather Frimmer, whose third book, Always Hope, explores the devastating impact of a malpractice lawsuit from all sides. Discover how Heather’s medical career fuels her writing, why empathy is her superpower in both radiology and fiction, and how she crafts authentic yet dramatic page-turners. In this episode, you’ll learn the surprising inspiration behind her novels, her top tips for aspiring authors, and her unique perspective on balancing a demanding career with a creative life. Get ready for an inspiring discussion on storytelling, resilience, and finding hope.

0:00 - Intro
0:45 - Heather’s Life as a Radiologist and Author
2:57 - The Shift to Breast Imaging
5:50 - The Inspiration for Better to Trust
7:24 - How Writing Impacts Medical Empathy
9:26 - The Empathetic Side of Radiology
11:22 - On Identifying as a Writer
13:10 - Heather’s Publishing Journey
15:53 - How Each Book Changed Heather
18:10 - Writing Through Personal Challenges
20:04 - The Next Writing Project
22:49 - The Importance of Research and Readers
28:47 - Where to Find Heather Frimmer
29:07 - Outro

RESOURCES: https://www.heatherfrimmer.com/ @heatherfrimmer   

How does an optimist write about her husband's suicide and find purpose in the pain? Author, developmental editor, and former dance critic Kathryn Craft joins Dara Levan for a profound conversation on transforming personal tragedy into powerful fiction. Discover how Kathryn's journey through loss led to her novels The Art of Falling and The Far End of Happy, learn why she waited eight years to tell her most difficult story, and explore her unique concept of "story as energy" from her new craft book. This episode offers key takeaways on resilience, the subjectivity of artistic reception, and setting healthy family boundaries. If you're interested in writing craft, mental health narratives, or finding the silver lining in life's darkest moments, this story is for you.

0:00 - Intro
1:36 - Writing about a husband's suicide
3:41 - The call from a literary agent
7:35 - Why her first novel came first
10:44 - Titling The Far End of Happy
15:39 - Changing agents and integrity
18:31 - Remaining an optimist through tragedy
22:46 - The subjectivity of rejection
27:06 - Writing from three points of view
31:36 - New craft book: Story as Energy
35:33 - Finding voice through dance
44:12 - The power of unanswered questions
47:55 - Where to find Kathryn Craft
49:05 - Outro

RESOURCES:

Kathryn Craft:
•    Instagram: @kathryncraft
•    Website: kathryncraft.com

Dara Levan / Every Soul Has a Story:
•    https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/
•    Website: daralevan.com

What if menopause could be an opportunity for empowerment and reclaiming your identity? In this episode of Every Soul Has a Story, host Dara Levan speaks with Lauren Tetenbaum, a licensed social worker and author of Millennial Menopause. They dive into the often-overlooked symptoms of perimenopause that can start as early as one's late thirties, the critical importance of setting loving but firm boundaries, and how to shift your mindset to navigate this life transition with confidence. Listen in for expert insights on women's mental health, practical advice for advocating for your well-being, and how to build a supportive network. Discover why knowing more about menopause is essential for every millennial woman and those who care about them.

0:00 - Intro
1:09 - Lauren's Miami and Cuban Roots
2:18 - The Origin of Millennial Menopause
3:41 - The Pivotal Book Idea
4:56 - Collaborating with Health Experts
6:21 - Menopause as a Liberating Phase
7:50 - Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
9:09 - Body Image and Eating Issues
11:36 - Lauren's Self-Care Practices
13:39 - Setting Boundaries at Work
16:43 - How to Set Loving Boundaries
19:52 - Handling Boundary Pushback
22:22 - Lessons for Your Younger Self
25:23 - Where to Find Lauren's Book
26:03 - Outro


RESOURCES

• Millennial Menopause Book
• Lauren's Website
• Dara Levan's Website
• Dara Levan's Instagram (Handled mentioned as "Follow me on Instagram at Dara Levan")

What if "full recovery" from an eating disorder is an unrealistic ideal? In this powerful episode of Every Soul Has a Story, host Dara Levan has an unfiltered conversation with Mallary Tenore Tarpley, author of the reported memoir "Slip." Mallory bravely shares her journey from the traumatic loss of her mother at age 11 to a decades-long struggle with anorexia, binge-restrict cycles, and the often-overlooked "middle place" of recovery. Discover three key takeaways: why we need to redefine recovery as "better, not all better," how grief and perfectionism can manifest as disordered eating, and the surprising warning signs of eating disorders in both women and men. This episode is a must-listen for anyone touched by eating disorders, body image issues, grief, or the quest for self-acceptance.

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Intro
0:25 - Welcoming Mallary Tenore Tarpley
2:02 - Disordered Eating vs. Eating Disorder
3:09 - Mallory's Mother's Cancer Battle
4:12 - Writing Her Mother's Eulogy
4:33 - The Harmful Health Class
7:18 - The Pressure of Perfect Recovery
8:22 - Defining the "Middle Place"
11:31 - Involving Her Father in the Memoir
16:00 - Realistic Expectations for Recovery
25:12 - Postpartum OCD and Pumping
27:04 - Eating Disorders in Men
32:51 - How to Approach a Loved One
39:11 - Parenting and Body Image
44:26 - Outro

RESOURCES:
Mallary's Book: Slip by Mallary Tenore Tarpley (Available wherever books are sold)
Mallary's Newsletter: Mallary's Substack
Mallary's Instagram: @mallarytenoretarpley
Host Dara Levan's Website: daralevan.com
Host Dara Levan's Instagram: @daralevan

What if writing could transport you to a state of deep meditation? Bestselling author and editor Jill Santopolo (The Light We Lost, The Love We Found) joins Dara Levan to reveal how her creative process is a form of zen, the surprising way she uses "bets" to hit word counts, and how she compartmentalizes her life as a writer and publisher. In this deeply personal episode, Jill shares the real-life heartbreak that inspired her iconic novel, her biggest fear as a mother, and the profound lesson about seizing the day that she learned from sudden loss. Discover the truths in fiction, learn to silence your inner critic, and find out why you should never journal if it feels like a chore. Get ready for an inspiring conversation about creativity, resilience, and living a life without regrets.



0:00 - Intro
0:22 - Welcoming author Jill Santopolo
0:57 - The emotional resonance of Jill's novels
2:06 - How Jill compartmentalizes her many roles
3:09 - Writing as a zen-like meditation practice
5:02 - Using fiction to escape and cope
7:48 - The struggle with journaling
9:18 - Letting go of parenting "shoulds"
11:19 - Baking and running for joy
12:19 - Jill's background in music and theater
14:20 - The "road trip" method of writing
20:05 - Why the first draft is messy
24:51 - The truth behind the fiction
31:30 - Jill's biggest fear revealed
32:12 - Going skydiving and taking risks
39:12 - Outro

RESOURCES:

Jill Santopolo's Website: https://www.jillsantopolo.com
Jill on Instagram: @jillsantopolo
Jill on Facebook: Jill Santopolo Author
The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo
The Love We Found by Jill Santopolo
The Sparkle Spa Series by Jill Santopolo

Discover the memoir writing journey of Julie Fingersh, an award-winning journalist turned "accidental author" of Stay: A Story of Family, Love, and Other Traumas. Named a People Magazine Best Memoir, Julie reveals how midlife crisis, empty nesting, and buried family secrets ignited her bestselling book. Learn why she stopped writing for 30 years—and how radical truth-telling healed her. What happens when publishing success isn’t enough? Unlock universal lessons on creativity, resilience, and finding your voice.    

TIMESTAMPS:  

0:00 - Intro 
0:22 - Julie’s accidental author origin 
1:17 - Why she stopped writing 
2:45 - Midlife crisis awakening 
3:45 - Montana writer’s retreat 
4:24 - Crafting memoir for readers 
7:44 - Memoir cover symbolism 
8:48 - People Magazine accolade 
11:00 - Universal reader resonance 
19:48 - Platform-building struggles 
22:00 - Arrival fallacy revelation 
26:13 - Family permission to publish 
31:32 - Julie’s gratitude to Dara 
32:24 - Outro     

RESOURCES:  

https://juliefingersh.com/
https://juliefingersh.com/stay

What does it take to live a life of purpose and radiance? Author and entrepreneur Lynne Golodner joins Dara Levan for a profound conversation on finding meaning through human connection. Lynne shares her transformative journey from seeking external validation to embracing self-empowerment, the pivotal role of her solo travels after divorce, and how she weaves her Jewish identity into her novels for a wide audience. Discover the power of listening to your inner voice, why it's never too late to pursue your passion, and how our deepest wounds can become sources of wisdom. This episode is packed with insights on writing, personal growth, and building a life filled with intention and joy.

- 0:00 - Intro
- 0:22 - Welcoming author Lynne Golodner
- 1:07 - What brings the most joy?
- 2:20 - Why every moment matters
- 3:19 - The project that changed everything
- 3:58 - Who was Lynne before 40?
- 4:47 - The courage to choose yourself
- 5:23 - A life-changing solo birthday trip
- 7:00 - How she met her second husband
- 9:01 - Her new novel on processing trauma
- 10:09 - Drawing inspiration from Michigan
- 11:41 - Weaving Judaism into her fiction
- 16:06 - Defining her author brand
- 17:30 - Her journey through Orthodox Judaism
- 19:36 - How her kids practice Judaism
- 23:27 - Gen Z's shakeup of traditions
- 26:50 - Advice to her younger self
- 29:03 - Outro

 

• Lynne Golodner's Website: lynnegolodner.com
• Lynne's New Novel: I Love You, Charlie Tanner
• Lynne's Other Novels: Woman of Valor, Cave of Secrets
• Host Dara Levan's Instagram: @daralevan
• Host Dara Levan's Website: daralevan.com

How do you break generational patterns when you had no healthy models to follow? 
 
In this episode of "Every Soul Has a Story," Dara Levan welcomes Cari Fund, an advocate for women's empowerment and healing from generational trauma. Cari doesn't hold back. From recognizing toxic patterns at just 14 years old to her current work with her Surviving Roots podcast, she shares her journey with narcissistic parents and the difficult decision to establish boundaries. "I took back the f@#$ing pen," she declares, perfectly capturing her determination to rewrite her narrative despite family pressure and societal judgment. 
 
What happens when motherhood becomes the catalyst for breaking cycles? Cari reveals how parenting her own children forced her to confront and heal childhood wounds. She offers practical insights about setting boundaries, navigating estrangement, and creating healthier family dynamics. This conversation isn't about perfect parenting—it's about making hard choices to end toxic patterns. Through personal examples and unflinching honesty, Cari demonstrates how confronting your past can transform your future and protect the next generation from repeating painful histories. 
 
Cari Fund is a fearless advocate for breaking toxic generational patterns and women's empowerment. After spending over a decade in the New York City beauty industry and eight years in corporate social media management, she's now channeling her experiences into her memoir and the "Surviving Roots" podcast. Born in West Virginia and raised on a horse ranch, Cari brings authentic grit to her work helping others heal from toxic parenting. With her trademark honesty, she guides women to become the people they were born to be and the parents they never had. 
 
In This Episode:  

• (00:00) Welcome and introduction to Cari Fund 

• (03:48) The pivotal decision at age 14 

• (06:08) Recognizing covert narcissism as a teenager 

• (11:07) Dealing with judgment around family estrangement 

• (15:18) Past relationship patterns and control mechanisms 

• (17:53) The turning point: choosing herself 

• (22:07) Finding purpose through healing your own story 

• (26:41) Motherhood as a pathway to healing 

• (31:08) Siblings' different responses to toxic upbringing 

• (34:38) Standing firm after reconnection attempts 

• (40:21) Closing thoughts   

• Like and subscribe to hear all of our inspirational episodes! 

 
Resources: 
Cari Fund 
Surviving Roots Podcast 
Sign up for Dara's Newsletter 
Listen to other podcast episodes Here 
Connect with Dara on Instagram and Facebook 
Visit DaraLevan.com 

What happens when the preventative surgery you chose to avoid cancer reveals you already have it? 
 
In this episode of "Every Soul Has a Story," Dara Levan welcomes author Gila Pfeffer, whose memoir "Nearly Departed" chronicles her journey through losing both parents to cancer at a young age and her own battle with breast cancer. With refreshing candor and signature wit, Gila shares how her Orthodox Jewish identity shaped her experiences and how becoming a mother to four children galvanized her commitment to preventative healthcare - ultimately saving her life when a preventative mastectomy revealed aggressive cancer. 
 
Weaving together themes of resilience, authentic storytelling, and finding humor in life's darkest moments, Gila reflects on the profound significance of reaching age 50 - making her the first woman in four generations of her family to achieve this milestone. Her powerful metaphor of a broken mug still worth saving resonates deeply as she discusses her advocacy work and how sharing her story has inspired countless women to prioritize breast health. Like the cracked vessel on her book cover - weathered yet still holding precious contents - Gila's narrative embodies the beauty of imperfect survival. 
 
Gila Pfeffer is a Jewish American humor writer whose memoir "Nearly Departed" chronicles her journey through loss, cancer, and survival with unflinching candor and unexpected hilarity. A fifteen-year breast cancer previvor and survivor, Gila's "Feel It on the First" campaign has directly led to earlier diagnoses for countless women through its tongue-in-cheek reminders about breast health. As an Orthodox Jewish mother of four who underwent preventative mastectomy at 34 only to discover early-stage cancer, Gila's writing - featured in The New York Times, The New Yorker, and McSweeney's - transforms tragedy into empowerment through her signature wit. She splits her time between London, New York City, and Instagram. 
 
In This Episode:  

• (00:00) Meet Gila Pfeffer: Author of "Nearly Departed" 
• (05:26) "Making fun of something is taking your power back" 
• (08:12) What does authentic branding really mean? 
• (13:07) Breaking the cycle: First to reach 50 
• (19:11) The delicate balance of telling your truth in memoir 
• (23:51) How four children saved their mother's life 
• (29:16) Beyond the pink ribbon: Rethinking breast cancer awareness 
• (34:42) One person at a time: The impact of sharing your story 
• (38:45) The metaphor of the broken mug  
• (39:55) Closing thoughts   

 
Resources: 

https://www.gilapfeffer.com/ 
@GilaPfeffer on Instagram 
Nearly Departed 
Visit DaraLevan.com