Every Soul Has A Story

One decision changed everything for Jenn Bouchard. Sitting on Crane Beach on the North Shore of Massachusetts, the longtime social studies teacher turned to her husband and said, "I think I want to see if I can write a novel." That moment sparked a two-and-a-half-year journey that would become First Course—a debut novel centered on food, second acts, and the delicious messiness of starting over. A 22-year teaching veteran and mother of two, Jenn shares how she carved out writing time during summers, found her community through the Women's Fiction Writers Association, and ultimately landed a traditional publishing deal with Touchpoint Press after coming heartbreakingly close with ten agents.

From the inspiration she drew from Elizabeth Gilbert and Lisa Genova to the friendship that became her secret weapon (her best friend Stephanie, an English teacher who reads everything she writes), Jenn's story is a testament to the power of showing up for your creative dreams—even when you're already juggling a full life. Grab a glass of wine (we recommend the Winderly Pinot Noir from Oregon!) and settle in for a conversation about food, fiction, and finding your second act.
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0:00 - Intro and holiday happy hour
1:19 - Wine talk: Pinot Noir and Brunello
3:35 - Teaching for 22 years and finding writing
5:14 - Inspiration from Elizabeth Gilbert
6:48 - Writing while teaching full time
7:42 - Finding a writing community
9:57 - The importance of reader feedback
11:16 - The path to traditional publishing
12:42 - Getting "the email" from Touchpoint Press
14:07 - What traditional publishing looks like
16:53 - Writing the second book is easier
18:01 - Food, cooking, and favorite recipes
23:52 - Food as connection and memory
27:13 - Writing about second acts
30:19 - Final cheers and holiday wishes

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

QUOTES:

"I have gotten a lot out of getting to spend time sort of immersed in the settings that I'm writing about."
– Jenn Bouchard

"Why not write what feels organic and true to us? You can really feel at a visceral level something you've lived, something you've smelled, something you've seen."
 – Dara Levan

The other side of grief is love—and you have to love something a great deal in order to grieve it. That's the powerful message author Leslie Hooton shares in this raw, heartfelt conversation during Grief Awareness Week. A stroke survivor who has had to learn to walk multiple times throughout her life, Hooton brings her signature Southern charm and hard-won wisdom to a discussion about love, loss, and everything in between.

From her "bargain basement body" that she's learned to be grateful for to the unexpected tears that creep up at the most joyful moments, Leslie reminds us that grief is exhausting, unpredictable, and absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. She explores how her novels Before Anyone Else, The Secret of Rainy Days, and the upcoming After Everyone Else tackle the complicated terrain of friendship, family, and finding yourself. With honesty, humor, and a whole lot of heart, Leslie and host Dara Levan dig into why rainy days expect less of us, how to be gentle with yourself during the holidays, and why putting on airs is simply too much work. This is not a downer—it's a celebration of the love that makes grief possible.

0:00 - Intro and tech apologies
1:34 - Leslie joins upside down
3:54 - Grief and love are two sides of the same coin
6:24 - Grieving expectations and the bargain basement body
8:56 - Gratitude as a daily practice
10:24 - Funeral casseroles and lucky dust explained
12:35 - When grief creeps up unexpectedly
15:31 - Khalil Gibran on joy and sorrow
18:03 - Grief is exhausting (and not just a year)
20:02 - Marriage expiration dates and reframing failure
24:32 - Writing to figure yourself out
28:43 - Accepting life as it is and the holidays
30:22 - The secret of rainy days revealed
34:39 - Be gentle with yourself


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


QUOTES:
"Being authentic—to thine own self be true—has been one of my life's velocities."
– Leslie Hooton

"No one's grief is lesser than something else's." 
– Dara Levan

What happens when the kids leave home and you're left staring at your husband across an empty table? For Leslie Rasmussen, that question sparked her debut novel After Happily Ever After, a story born from her own experience of rediscovery and the real-life journeys of countless friends. A former sitcom writer turned nutritionist turned novelist, Rasmussen shares how her characters literally started speaking to her in the middle of the night, how she overcame imposter syndrome to finally call herself an author, and why there simply aren't enough books with protagonists our age navigating life's next chapter. From the voices in her head (she assures us it's normal for writers!) to the moments of doubt that nearly kept her from pursuing her passion, Leslie opens up about the messy, beautiful process of creating art after years away from the craft. Whether you're an empty nester, a writer finding your way back, or simply someone wondering what comes after the fairy tale, this conversation will remind you that every soul—and every story—has the power to inspire. Tune in for laughter, wisdom, and the reminder that chocolate is a complete meal.

0:00 - Intro
1:07 - Leslie joins the conversation
2:54 - Is Leslie actually Maggie?
3:41 - Where Maggie came from
5:42 - When characters speak to you
7:53 - Growing alongside your characters
9:59 - Becoming an author vs. being a writer
12:55 - From TV writing to nutrition
19:05 - Social media friendships
21:15 - Nutrition practice and teenagers
25:21 - Why write this book now
28:56 - Three things Leslie is grateful for
32:56 - Outro

•    https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/
•    Website: daralevan.com3
•    https://bookshop.org/p/books/after-happily-ever-after-leslie-a-rasmussen/22c397bf54786de3?ean=9798200925513&bkshp-astro=t

QUOTES:

"I really didn't know what I was doing. So writing this novel, as I was going along, you finish the first draft and sometimes you look at it and you think, who's ever going to buy this?" 
– Leslie Rasmussen

"I've learned so much from my characters where I say, my gosh, like I'll write something and step away from it and say, did I write that?" 
– Dara Levan

For years, Ronit Plank thought she had done something to make her mother leave—until she wrote her memoir, When She Comes Back, and discovered the truth had nothing to do with her. In this deeply moving conversation with host Dara Levan, Ronit shares her story of growing up in the 1980s with a mother who followed a guru to India and a father who left first, the painful journey of insecure parental attachment, and the unexpected healing that came from writing her truth.

A teacher, author, and speaker, Ronit reveals how her relationship with both parents evolved, the nine pages of single-spaced notes her father gave her on the manuscript, and why she believes memoir is anything but navel-gazing. This episode explores breaking generational cycles, the power of vulnerability, and why our stories are always changing—because every time we remember, our brains are trying to heal. Whether you're a writer, a parent, or someone navigating complex family dynamics, Ronit's story will remind you that healing is an inside job and that you are not responsible for how others treat you.

0:00 - Intro
1:32 - Welcoming Ronit Plank
5:38 - From fiction to memoir
8:04 - The Sabra: tough outside, tender inside
10:23 - What When She Comes Back is about
15:44 - Dara's creative versus linear brain
20:20 - Dad left first, then Mom
22:44 - Family now: Shabbat dinners and an "honorary Jew"
24:56 - Sharing the manuscript with parents
29:49 - Healing: It had nothing to do with me
39:56 - Insecure parental attachment and breaking cycles
41:50 - Conscious parenting and resilience
46:34 - Outro

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

QUOTES:

"When you look back on the memory, you remember it in a different way, because what your brain is trying to do is kind of heal and grow and learn." 
– Ronit Plank

"It's really hard when there's someone you love or people you love in your life that literally, no matter what way you communicate it, their perception of reality is so distorted." 
– Dara Levan

At 11 years old, Robin Farmer stood in a Catholic school classroom and told her nun that Thomas Jefferson was a hypocrite for owning slaves while signing the Declaration of Independence. The nun slammed her ruler, pointed to the door, and screamed: "Get back in the boat, go back to Africa.

We never needed you people in the first place." That moment of racism and religion colliding became the turning point that inspired her debut novel, Malcolm and Me. In this powerful conversation, Robin—a former journalist, screenwriter, and now award-winning author—shares how she turned trauma into art, why she chose fiction over memoir, and how forgiveness became the key to healing.

She reveals why her book was moved up seven months early in 2020, how Malcolm X's autobiography guided her protagonist, and what she wants young readers to understand about truth-telling, empathy, and critical thinking. This is a story about finding your voice, standing up to power, and using your pain to help others.

0:00 - Intro & Technical Difficulties
1:30 - Robin's Debut Novel Introduction
3:15 - Learning to Read at Age 4
5:45 - The Nun Incident That Changed Everything
9:20 - Why the Book Was Moved Up Early
12:10 - Fiction vs. Memoir Decision
15:30 - Journalism Background & Screenwriting
19:00 - The University of Michigan Fellowship
22:15 - Defining Forgiveness
25:40 - Gratitude as a Healing Tool
28:10 - Lessons for Young Readers
30:40 - Outro & Book Birthday Plans

•    https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/
•    Website: daralevan.com3
•    Robin Farmer - Debut novel Malcolm and Me

QUOTES:

"I was seven years old, I went to Catholic school, and my nun taught us how to do cursive writing. I came home and said, Mommy, I'm a writer. I wasn't quite understanding what writer meant, but because I could cursive write, I thought I was a writer."
– Robin Farmer

"There's a storyteller, and there's an awesome writer, and I don't feel everyone is good at both. What a blessing if you're amazing at both."
– Dara Levan

Jaqueline Friedland never planned to become a novelist—she was on track to be an English professor, then a lawyer, then a mom of four. But somewhere between labor stories, epidural mishaps, and her kids heading off to kindergarten, she started writing. Now she's celebrating the release of her third book—a novel about surrogacy that hit #1 new release in LGBTQ and family life fiction.

In this raw, unfiltered conversation with Dara Levan, Jaqueline opens up about: the cover design drama that almost derailed her book, why she writes to bagpipes (yes, really), how she channels personal heartbreak into fiction, and the uncomfortable truth about asking friends for reviews. She also shares why she believes fiction builds empathy—and how her mom's career as a professor shaped her own definition of making a difference.

Keywords: Jaqueline Friedland author, surrogacy fiction, historical fiction writer, mother of four author, writing process, book cover design, Every Soul Has a Story podcast, former attorney turned author

0:00   - Intro & Technical Difficulties
2:23   - Welcoming Jaqueline Friedland
3:28   - Childbirth Stories & Epidural Mishaps
6:23   - Practicing Law While Raising Kids
8:27   - Book Cover Design Drama
13:00  - Writing Schedule with 4 Kids
14:57  - Research Rabbit Holes
17:46  - Outlining vs. Pantsing
20:28  - Writing Through Pain
22:20  - From Law to Literature
25:54  - The Reality of Author Marketing
28:30  - Personal Details in Fiction
30:11  - Why Fiction Builds Empathy
33:07  - Outro

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

QUOTES:

"When it hurts me to write something, there's like a part of me that likes that. It means I'm doing it right."
–  Jaqueline Friedland

"I feel like our world… we’re so connected and high tech, and, yet, I feel like so many people are more disconnected than ever."
– Dara Levan

For 19 years, Melissa Face carried grief she was afraid to feel. After losing her younger sister, she chose anger over sadness—because anger felt productive, and sadness felt like drowning. Then came a health crisis, bilateral pulmonary emboli, and another wake-up call to embrace every moment. Now a teacher of gifted students, a mother of two, and author of "I Love You More Than Coffee," Melissa shares how loss shaped her parenting, why she celebrates everything, and what she learned about vulnerability during the pandemic. This conversation explores teaching gifted children, the importance of communication, and the quiet power of letting yourself feel. Melissa also reveals her coffee obsession, her love for Vermont, and why she refuses to apologize for being a present, celebrating mom.

Keywords: Melissa Face, I Love You More Than Coffee, parenting, grief, gifted education, teacher, author, pandemic parenting, resilience, coffee, loss, every soul has a story


0:00 - Intro & Welcome
1:55 - Melissa joins the call
3:00 - Teaching gifted students
5:30 - Pandemic teaching challenges
7:45 - Kids and remote learning
9:15 - Skeletor the skeleton student
11:00 - Melissa's writing journey
13:30 - Grief, loss, and parenting
17:45 - Health crisis: pulmonary emboli
20:30 - Pandemic reflections
23:00 - Social media and control
25:15 - Coffee obsession
28:00 - Vermont, writing, and sanctuary
32:30 - Wine, chocolate, and life's pleasures
35:00 - Closing reflections
39:53 - Outro

Book: I Love You More Than Coffee by Melissa FaceDara Levan / Every Soul Has a Story:
• https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/
• Website: daralevan.com
https://www.amazon.com/Love-You-More-Than-Coffee/dp/1645430863


QUOTES:

"It was easier for me to be angry than to be sad. That was my defense mechanism. Anger is also more productive than sadness."

– Melissa Face


"Anger is like a fiery emotion, right? There's like this fuel, almost like a rocket ship. Sadness, it's like a wet horse blanket."

– Dara Levan

Those stars twinkling above? Some of them burned out long ago—and the same is true for the facades we carry. In this soul-stirring episode, host Dara Levan welcomes Grace Sammon, entrepreneur, educator, speaker, and author of the award-winning novel The Eves. Grace shares her extraordinary journey from educational consulting to fiction writing, the childhood trauma that propelled her life's work, and why she believes women are stronger together than they will ever be alone.

She reveals the surprising truth about ISBN numbers, the difference between self-publishing and indie publishing, and why she writes to start conversations rather than chase bestseller status. From turning scars into stars to the power of apology and self-compassion, this conversation is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and leaving your mark on the world.

Keywords: Grace Sammon, The Eves novel, women empowering women, trauma healing, indie publishing vs self-publishing, author journey, multi-generational fiction, turning scars into stars, legacy and reinvention, book publishing tips


0:02 - Intro and welcome
2:29 - Grace joins with funky red glasses
5:19 - Women empowering women
7:41 - Stronger together than alone
9:28 - Teaching kids compassion in tough times
12:48 - Lessons from Orthodox Jewish community
14:05 - Carl Jung and writing flawed characters
17:40 - Childhood sexual abuse and not being heard
20:11 - Turning scars into stars
24:09 - Self-compassion and putting yourself on the calendar
28:49 - Learning from children and grandparenting
30:38 - The non-writing work of being an author
35:58 - Fiction vs nonfiction writing
39:52 - ISBN numbers and indie publishing explained
42:00 - Self-publishing vs indie publishing
45:29 - Why authors need to know their "why"
48:09 - Self-doubt as the biggest challenge
49:10 - Writing to start conversations
52:52 - Outro and thank you

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


QUOTES:

"I love that we as women, so many of us, realize that we are stronger together than we will ever be if we are trying to cut each other down."

– Grace Sammon


"We have our shadow side and our light side. And isn't that life in general, if we're receptive and we're open to learning and open to growing, then we do."

– Dara Levan

Imagine discovering at age 50 that you survived a stroke at birth—and that your mother knew all along. In this deeply moving episode, host Dara Levan welcomes author Leslie Hooton, who shares her extraordinary journey of resilience, self-discovery, and the power of storytelling. Leslie reveals how she learned at 50 that a tiny spot on her brain—caused by lack of oxygen at birth—had shaped her entire life.

Her mother, whom she affectionately calls "Sarge," refused to institutionalize her and instead taught her to never let her challenges define her. Leslie discusses her novel "Before Anyone Else," how writing saved her life during divorce and her mother's dementia, and why she believes trauma can coexist with joy. A powerful conversation about mother-daughter relationships, finding purpose, and the healing power of writing. 

Keywords: stroke survivor story, Leslie Hooton author, Before Anyone Else, stroke awareness month, mother-daughter relationship, trauma and resilience, dementia and grief, writing through trauma, brain injury recovery, inspirational memoir

0:00 - Intro and welcome
4:01 - Born a month early and stroke discovery
8:44 - Doctor recommended institutionalization
12:49 - Finding the brain spot at 50
15:05 - Stroke Awareness Month synchronicity
17:54 - Living openly after discovering the truth
20:39 - The virus that brought her closer to her brother
24:17 - Mother's dementia revealed her love
29:12 - Wrestling with death and purpose
32:56 - Dementia as a gift
35:33 - Creating "Before Anyone Else"
40:57 - Women empowerment and the kitchen
42:18 - "We rescue ourselves"
43:20 - Mother's Day wishes and closing

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

QUOTES:
"We can let trauma be the sole thing in our backpack, or we can add joy and gratitude and all the other things. And it insulates that trauma just a little bit."
– Leslie Hooton

"Sometimes as little as things can hurt the most. So it's not about size, it's about impact."
– Dara Levan