Paralegal by day, romance novelist by night—Meredith Schorr has mastered the art of balancing a full-time job with writing joyful romantic comedies that readers devour. The author of Seen on TV joins Every Soul Has a Story to discuss her latest book, a story about a woman who romanticizes small-town life based on Hallmark movies and Gilmore Girls, only to discover reality doesn't always match the fantasy. Meredith opens up about dating in New York City (and the anonymity that makes ghosting all too easy), her love of 80s nostalgia, and why she writes characters who are flawed and relatable—because no one has it all together.

She also shares her writing process (timers, sprints, and no internet), how she reads three books at once while blow-drying her hair, and why writing has made her more patient and thick-skinned. If you've ever wondered what goes into crafting a charming rom-com with just the right amount of heat, this conversation is for you.

0:00 - Intro and fall vibes
1:55 - Seen on TV setting and inspiration
3:22 - Small town vs. Hallmark fantasy
6:48 - Truth in fiction and Easter eggs
7:40 - From actress dreams to author
9:57 - Flawed characters are relatable
10:27 - TV obsessions and 80s nostalgia
11:33 - The premise of Seen on TV
13:30 - Dating in New York City
17:34 - Inspiration from television
19:45 - Write what brings you joy
22:07 - Reading ARCs and giving up
25:48 - Finding freedom at 48
27:45 - Balancing it all: writing, reading, working
32:55 - Writing sprints and time-based goals
34:11 - Linear writing and planning
36:28 - How writing changed her
37:42 - Final thoughts

•    https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/
•    Website: daralevan.com3
https://meredithschorr.com/

QUOTES:

"Writing has made me more patient. You can't force 80,000 words to come out. They just don't. They take time." 
– Meredith Schorr

"You can feel the author's passion and authenticity within their work. It's hard to fake that."
 – Dara Levan

She had won an Emmy by 24 and was creative director of a TV production company—but she was utterly unhappy. For Jean Meltzer, success on paper meant nothing until a Rosh Hashanah sermon asked her "Ayecha—where are you?" and she realized she'd been living for goals instead of values. She quit her job, moved to Israel to study Judaism, and then spent years bedbound with chronic fatigue syndrome, barely able to leave her home. But in those four walls, she made a decision: no matter what, she would hold onto her joy.

Today, Jean is the bestselling author of The Matzah Ball and the upcoming Mr. Perfect on Paper (out August 9th), writing Jewish romance novels that give voice to invisible illness, generalized anxiety, and the beautiful complexity of identity. In this raw conversation, she shares why vulnerability doesn't scare her anymore, how her books healed her, and why we should never comment on someone's body—because you never know what battle they're fighting.

0:00 - Intro and first-time connection
3:40 - Emmy-winning TV producer at 24
4:40 - Rabbi's sermon: "Ayecha, where are you?"
6:40 - Moving to Israel to study Judaism
7:20 - Chronic illness and becoming bedbound
8:13 - Holding onto joy in four walls
9:15 - Vulnerability doesn't scare her anymore
11:45 - All identities coming together in The Matzah Ball
12:22 - Chronic illness, joy, and authenticity
14:19 - Chronic fatigue syndrome and invisible illness
16:35 - Photos showing invisible illness
19:01 - Mr. Perfect on Paper and generalized anxiety
22:30 - Being right about the pandemic
24:05 - Everyone is going through a battle
25:23 - Where to find Jean
26:37 - Final farewell

•    https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/
•    Website: daralevan.com3
https://jeanmeltzer.com/

QUOTES:

"Chronic illness brings you to your lowest places. And I made a decision that no matter what, even if my life never moved anywhere from four walls, that I was going to hold onto my joy." 
– Jean Melzter

"We all have something. You're not living authentically if you say your life is perfect on paper."
 – Dara Levan

In her head, it's a black screen—no pictures, no movies, no mental images of what characters look like or where scenes take place. For debut author Maggie Giles, this is aphantasia, and she had no idea it wasn't normal until a conversation with a graphic designer revealed that most people actually see things in their minds. The author of The Things We Lost (a women's fiction thriller about a woman sent back to her 20s to live an alternate past) shares how she writes vivid novels despite not visualizing anything, why dialogue is her superpower, and how she adds setting and description only in later drafts.

She also opens up about taking a leap of faith with a brand-new indie publisher, Rising Action Publishing, after a gut feeling told her to ignore everything she'd been taught about publishing. From social media authenticity to the ever-evolving definition of women's fiction, this conversation is a fascinating look at how our brains all work differently—and how that makes our stories richer.

0:00 - Intro and welcome
2:13 - Aphantasia: the black screen explained
3:33 - Writing without visualizing
4:29 - Dialogue as strength, description added later
6:41 - Different levels of aphantasia
9:51 - Indie publishing and rising action
13:32 - Women's fiction defined
15:20 - Women's fiction genre classification
18:43 - Finding an editor who loves your book
21:45 - Social media and authenticity
23:45 - Privacy and posting boundaries
25:34 - Taking social media breaks
27:23 - You get out what you put in
30:29 - Where to find Maggie and her book
31:13 - Final farewell

•    https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/
•    Website: daralevan.com3
https://maggiegiles.com/


QUOTES:
"I love authors that have this amazing gift for subtle description—it's something I envy so much. 
– Maggie Giles

"If you don't have thick skin and you're not okay with being dynamic and flexible, this is probably not the field for you."
 – Dara Levan

Is it possible to be too good at setting boundaries? Friendship expert and podcast host Nina Badzin says yes—and in this candid conversation, she challenges the Instagram-culture mantra of "protect your energy at all costs," arguing that a little generosity can go a long way. The author of the advice column and podcast Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship shares the most common themes she sees from readers—from friends who never initiate contact to the pain of social media likes (or lack thereof).

She offers a refreshing perspective on why we shouldn't take it personally when friends don't engage with our posts, how to confront friends with kindness instead of silence, and why we need to allow people to change without judgment. Along the way, she and Dara explore the difference between coming from a place of abundance versus scarcity, the power of a simple voice memo, and the importance of modeling healthy friendship behaviors for our kids.

0:00 - Intro and reconnection
1:32 - Boundaries vs. generosity
2:54 - Giving too much vs. protecting time
4:18 - Social media likes and friendship
6:28 - Algorithm and showing up
9:18 - Social media fears and oversharing
10:59 - Abundance vs. hoarding resources
15:23 - Confronting friends with kindness
17:36 - Demoting friendships
19:21 - Deposit and withdrawal concept
22:04 - Setting boundaries with kids
25:00 - Friends never initiate contact
33:16 - Where to find Nina
34:21 - Final thoughts

•    https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/
•    Website: daralevan.com3
https://ninabadzin.com/

QUOTES:

"Friendships aren't just about a girlfriend—it could be a friendship between your spouse, between your children, the way you engage with the world." 
– Nina Badzin

"Sometimes pushing past a boundary isn't 'I'm not taking care of myself'—it's maybe someone else really could use a little time."
 – Dara Levan

What does it feel like when your father says "I love you" and saying it back makes you feel like you're giving away a piece of yourself? For writer Darcey Gohring, that hollow exchange was the painful reality of a relationship with an alcoholic, abusive parent—and the reason she cut ties with him at 19, calling it the first truly brave thing she ever did for herself. In this raw, honest conversation, Darcey shares how her father went from hero to monster in one night when she was nine, the years of verbal and physical abuse that followed, and the moment she realized she had to step away to survive.

After publishing her story in HuffPost, she faced judgment from strangers who questioned whether it "was really that bad" and from her father's friends who called her cruel—proving how hard it is for people to understand family estrangement. Now, with children of her own, Darcey reflects on breaking generational cycles and the powerful reminder that "they didn't protect you, you don't have to protect them."

0:01 - Intro and welcome
3:16 - The HuffPost essay about estrangement
4:45 - Father's alcoholism and abuse
7:42 - The bravery of a 19-year-old
8:09 - Testifying against her father
10:28 - Why people judge family estrangement
11:22 - Responding to critical comments
13:01 - Father had 18 years to change
14:37 - Finding old letters in the basement
16:05 - Pressure from his friends and family
17:11 - Standing firm during his final illness
21:10 - "They didn't protect you, you don't have to protect them"
22:52 - Final thoughts

•    https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/
•    Website: daralevan.com3
https://www.darceygohring.com/

QUOTES:

"Nobody is all good or all bad. You can have a really good experience with someone, but that doesn't mean they're a good parent." 
– Darcey Gohring

"You can't change a dynamic if that person's not willing to do the work."
 – Dara Levan

What happens when you're a licensed mental health counselor with a full-time caseload and a burning desire to publish novels? For C. D'Angelo, it meant learning to self-publish, setting firm boundaries, and discovering that her best ideas come during her morning commute.

The author of The Difference and her brand-new release The Visitor joins Every Soul Has a Story to discuss her journey from a small press to self-publishing after eight years of incubating her debut, how she balances two full-time careers, and why release—not letting go—is the secret to managing creative energy. With settings as rich as her characters—New York for The Difference and New Orleans for The Visitor—C. weaves her Italian heritage, love of music, and observations from her therapy practice into stories that explore connection, ancestry, and community. She also shares why Sundays are her writing days, how music fuels her creativity, and why putting down the phone at 8 p.m. is non-negotiable self-care.

0:00 - Intro and evening podcast
2:55 - Self-publishing journey and parting with publisher
4:44 - The eight-year incubation
5:50 - Licensed mental health counselor by day
6:37 - Boundaries, self-care, and saying no
8:32 - Creative ideas come in the car
10:46 - Sundays are writing days
12:16 - Observations from therapy in fiction
13:28 - The Difference plot and Italian heritage
15:09 - Discovering Italian relatives in Florida
18:45 - The Visitor set in New Orleans
20:43 - Book titles from music and movement
22:46 - Self-care tips and the power of release
25:53 - Final thoughts and farewell

•    https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/
•    Website: daralevan.com3
https://cdangeloauthor.com/

QUOTES:

"Letting go to me as a type A person would be 'how do I do that?' But release sounds so much easier."
– C. D'Angelo

"That's how you know you're following your passion and purpose—when it's itching and knocking at you."
 – Dara Levan

Every Soul Has A Story® LIVE
With guest @meghan.riordan.jarvis @griefismysidehustle

Last night I texted Meghan at 9:30. I sensed like many of us she was wide awake. Processing. Grieving. Feeling. And providing support not only to her own family but her clients as well.

I wrote, “Are you feeling spontaneous?”

“What do you mean by that?” she replied.

I asked her if she’d jump on my Every Soul Has a Story LIVE podcast today. She said she wished she could but she’s booked solid. Then, a rainbow in this horrific storm, Meghan reached out to me literally an hour ago. 🌈

Truth be told, I was still in my pajamas. Feeling the heaviness. Feeling the collective grief. Feeling it all.

So I quickly ended a chat with a friend. Hung up the phone, threw on a shirt, and connected with this beautiful soul. 💜

I have endless questions. But I have no answers. I feel helpless—I know I’m not alone. And I want you to know you are not either.

I hope our conversation brings comfort and healing to your hearts. Meghan also demonstrated ways to connect with our bodies and identify the pain. And she shared other insights as well. Thank you, Meghan. You are a light in our world. 🙏

-

Those circuit board games from the 80s—with all the wires and buzzers—are exactly what grief and trauma specialist Meghan Riordan Jarvis says her nervous system feels like right now. In this raw, spontaneous conversation recorded the day after the Uvalde school shooting, Meghan and host Dara Levan skip the platitudes and get real about helplessness, rage, and the physical weight of collective grief. A therapist who woke up at 5 a.m. with her nervous system overwhelmed, Meghan shares why your reaction to this tragedy is 100% appropriate, why "call your congressman" feels like too much right now, and how to actually be with your pain instead of dissociating through Netflix or food.

She leads listeners through a powerful body-based exercise using a "paint" visualization to locate tension, and reminds us that while we may feel frozen, the most important thing we can do is simply stay here—with ourselves, with our grief, and with each other.

0:00 - Impromptu episode on Uvalde
2:00 - Box breathing exercise
5:38 - Processing trauma and helplessness
8:13 - Dysregulation and the body
9:45 - Grief as a full-contact sport
13:28 - Accessing the emotional body
14:23 - Body scan and paint visualization
16:44 - Being with the pain
19:10 - Fight, flight, freeze, and connect
20:33 - Envy, anger, and processing emotions
22:11 - Dissociation and resisting feelings
23:05 - No right way to react
24:51 - Putting on your emotional oxygen mask
25:00 - Final thoughts and community

•    https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/
•    Website: daralevan.com3
https://meghanriordanjarvis.com/

QUOTES:
"I show up with my adult self for my emotional child self and I hug it and I hold it. And I don't make any promises."
– Meghan Riordan Jarvis

"Every Soul Has a Story is about connecting community who are also hurting so we feel less isolated."
 – Dara Levan

For years, author and speaker Natalie Silverstein never told her mother she loved her—because those words simply weren't said in her Ukrainian immigrant household. In this raw, honest conversation, Natalie opens up about her complicated relationship with her mother, the painful years of her mother's decline, and the moment her mother finally started saying "I love you" before she passed away.

A first-generation American who grew up speaking Ukrainian at home, Natalie shares how the invasion of Ukraine has brought her parents' refugee story to the surface and shaped her understanding of intergenerational trauma. She also offers powerful advice on how to truly support someone in grief—from what not to say to why "what can I do to help?" is actually a burden. With warmth, wisdom, and a shirt that simply says "Be Kind," Natalie reminds us that hurt people hurt people, that grace is forgiveness plus mercy, and that every single one of us is doing the best we can with what we have.

0:03 - Intro and Saturday podcast
1:05 - Coffee talk and sugar preferences
3:26 - Mother's Day and all forms of mothering
4:18 - First Mother's Day without her mom
7:02 - Ukrainian roots and immigrant story
9:25 - Giving grace to difficult parents
11:57 - "Hurt people hurt people"
13:34 - Finally hearing "I love you"
14:37 - Speaking truth with kindness
18:59 - What NOT to say to grieving people
20:33 - How to truly show up for others
24:31 - People who run from grief
26:30 - Surprising people in positive and negative ways
29:22 - Trauma junkies and drama addiction
30:55 - Genuine kindness vs. performative help


•    https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/
•    Website: daralevan.com3
https://simpleactsguide.com/about-natalie/

QUOTES:

"Everything happens for a reason is one of the worst things you can say to someone grieving."
– Natalie Silverstein

"If your whole life never experiences pain, trauma, or loss, then in my opinion, you're living asleep."
 – Dara Levan

Every Soul Has A Story® with Robert Gwaltney. Dara Levan chats with Robert Gwaltney Jr. Author an advocate for early childhood literacy. Robert shared about his publishing journey, losing his sister at a young age, growing up as one of “four feral boys” in a small Georgia town, and balancing his writing life with a full-time job at Easter Seals of Atlanta. And we chatted about Robert’s stunning debut novel, “The Cicada Tree.”

This is our second conversation in three days. And the first ever Saturday morning EVERY SOUL HAS A STORY LIVE. We didn’t plan to chat twice. But the Universe had other plans.

A gracious, generous soul, Robert pivoted with me. Today’s connective conversation included laughter when my phone fell mid-recording! We decided our collective energy must just be that ebullient. 😂

--

Some conversations are meant to be ephemeral—and for debut author Robert Gwaltney Jr., losing their first recorded interview became a beautiful lesson in impermanence. The bestselling author of The Cicada Tree joins Every Soul Has a Story for a Saturday brunch conversation about growing up a "peculiar boy" in Southwest Georgia, eavesdropping on Southern women from his childhood hallway, and finally publishing his debut novel at age 52 after always dreaming of being a writer.

A vice president at Easterseals who spent decades serving children and families, Robert shares how losing his sister to spina bifida at a young age shaped his life's work and his storytelling—and why his novel's 11-year-old female protagonist is a love letter to the Southern women who raised him. From the cruelty he endured as a queer kid in the 1980s to the liberating moment he found his authentic self at 23, Robert's journey reminds us that every soul has a story worth telling—even if some moments are only meant to exist in the ether.

0:03 - Intro and Saturday brunch
1:44 - Deathwish Coffee and rituals
4:24 - The lost interview and ephemera
6:54 - Ephemera and sacred moments
8:23 - Being an introverted Southerner
9:51 - Ambiverts and social spectrums
12:04 - Sister's passing and Easterseals
15:39 - Becoming a writer at 52
17:51 - Writing an 11-year-old girl's voice
19:35 - Looking for sisters through writing
20:41 - No greater truth than fiction
22:30 - Eavesdropping on Southern women
25:09 - Growing up with feral brothers
30:19 - Drum major and creative courage
34:06 - Gratitude for being peculiar
36:37 - Finding authenticity at 23
41:38 - Every day is a gift
43:08 - Final farewell

•    https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/
•    Website: daralevan.com3
https://robertlgwaltney.com/

QUOTES:

"Writers, we are lurkers and we're eavesdroppers. We do feel comfortable on the branch, just watching the world."
– Robert Gwaltney Jr

"Every day is a gift. When people say 'I'm getting so old,' I say, 'Aren't you lucky?'"
 – Dara Levan

Dara Levan chats with Steven Rowley on Every Soul Has A Story® Podcast. They talk about grieving (humans and pets), overcoming challenges, rejection in publishing, and Steven’s passion for telling poignant, witty, and heartwarming stories.

Steven is the author of bestselling book LILY AND THE OCTOPUS, THE EDITOR, and his latest novel, THE GUNCLE. His writing has been published in twenty languages. His works are in development stages of being made into feature films.

Steven has worked as a freelance writer, newspaper columnist and screenwriter. Originally from Portland, Maine, he is a graduate of Emerson College.

--

For years, Steven Rowley was called an overnight success—but the truth is, he was 45 when his first book was published, after two manuscripts that couldn't get off the ground and a near-self-publishing journey that only changed course at the last minute. The bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus and The Guncle joins Every Soul Has a Story to talk about grief, humor, and the stories that balance both with surgical precision. He opens up about being rejected by his publisher after a massive bestseller, why he chose authenticity over formula writing, and how losing a close friend to breast cancer transformed what was meant to be a light comedic novel into a deeply moving exploration of childhood grief. From coming out in 1992 to getting married last year, from pet grief to the upcoming film adaptation of The Guncle (a big studio family film with an LGBTQ lead), Steven reminds us that every soul has a story—and that telling our truth is how we build empathy and humanity.

0:00 - Intro and tech difficulties
1:35 - Steven joins the conversation
3:29 - The Gunkel's origin story
4:50 - Auto fiction and writing about grief
7:05 - Lily and the Octopus and publishing journey
9:44 - The "overnight success" myth
12:13 - Rejection and emotional truth
14:05 - Second book rejected by publisher
16:12 - Choosing authenticity over formula
17:45 - Pet grief and losing Lily
21:42 - Losing a friend to breast cancer
25:21 - Keeping loved ones alive through characters
28:07 - Grant's lisp and humor with kindness
30:08 - Gay representation and stereotypes
33:29 - The Gunkel movie at Lionsgate
35:05 - Coming out in 1992 and 30 years of change
37:35 - Gratitude for living to see age 50
39:51 - Final thoughts and paperback release

•    https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/
•    Website: daralevan.com3
https://stevenrowley.com/

QUOTES:

“I was called an overnight success, but people don't see the 15, 20 years of work that goes into putting yourself in a position where you can be seen as an overnight success."
– Steven Rowley

"We dehumanize people so easily. And yet it's harder to deny someone their humanity if you know their story."
 – Dara Levan