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DEBRIS: A MEMOIR OF LOVE, GRIEF AND COURAGE

Debris is a hauntingly poignant memoir of true love scorched by the flames of Australia's Black Summer Bushfires. What began as a casual online connection blossomed into a beautiful family, ultimately torn apart by tragedy, leaving behind physical wreckage and emotional ruin. Josie's mental health was deeply affected by the traumatic loss of her husband, yet her love for her daughter became an anchor, a reason to live and the quiet force that guides her through grief's darkest corners. As she learns to live with the loss, she begins to uncover what is best for her and her daughter. She embraces change, rebuilds with courage and discovers ways to heal.

Written with fierce tenderness, Debris speaks to anyone who has loved deeply, lost profoundly, and found themselves gathering the fragments of a life altered by tragedy.

TOPICS OF CONVERSATION

Debris: Josie’s love story, the Black Summer loss, and the moment she knew she had to write this book

The “before” and “after”: what life looked like with John, then how everything changed overnight

Inside the firestorm: what happened during the bushfires and the emotional whiplash that followed

Grief in real life: parenting through heartbreak, mental health, asking for help, and the stuff people don’t say out loud

Finding solid ground again: what healing actually looked like for her, and what she hopes readers carry with them after Debris

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Josie L. Smith is an author, visual artist, mother, and a public servant whose work spans memoir, community service, and creative expression.

Her debut memoir, DEBRIS: A Memoir of Love, Grief and Courage, traces her powerful journey through love, devastating loss, and the long, courageous work of rebuilding after Australia’s Black Summer bushfires.

In her book, Josie narrated her life with her husband John and their daughter Ems, the tragic loss of her husband, and the emotional aftermath of navigating grief while raising their daughter alone. With honesty, courage, and deep vulnerability, she explores what it truly means to survive, heal, and find strength in the ruins.

Alongside her writing, Josie is an exhibiting artist whose work centres on cathartic process, resilience, and the emotional landscapes left behind by trauma. Her exhibition CATHARSIS, Embers of Resilience brought her paintings and John’s sculptures together as an artistic extension of the themes that shape her life and her memoir.

Beyond her creative practice, Josie works in the Department of Communities and Justice in NSW Australia, supporting children and families through trauma-informed, community-centred practice.

Josie uses her voice—in writing, in her art, and in her community work—to inspire others to face their own storms with courage and resilience.

CONNECT WITH JOSIE L. SMITH

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THE HUMILITY YOU WANT AND THE WORLD NEEDS

Learn the life-changing secret great leaders know, and lead with love, live with purpose, and influence with humility.

TOPICS OF CONVERSATION

About The Humility You Want and The World Needs and the Inspiration Behind the Book

Why Humility Matters Right Now

Humility as a Practice, Not a Concept

Ambition and Humility Can Work Together

Humble Leadership in Practice

What’s Next for Schalee Sanchez

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Schalee Sanchez is a global leader, speaker, and author with over 20 years of experience leading diverse teams across cultures and causes. Having lived and worked in five countries, she brings a rich global perspective to her work. Fierce in her belief that every person is worthy and wildly capable of impact, she equips readers to lead with humility, live with purpose, and rise into their fullest potential with courage, clarity, and compassion.

CONNECT WITH SCHALEE SANCHEZ!

WEBSITE: https://schaleesanchez.com/

Jules Moves the Rug: A Story About Courage, Hope and New Adventures 

What if the things we trip over are the things we need to face?

In the middle of a small, busy house lies a big, bright, bumpy rug. Everyone steps around it: Mom, Dad, Grandma, Big Brother, and Little Sister. No one likes it, but no one dares to move it.

Until one day, Jules, curious, brave, and tired of stumbling, finally says, "That's it. It's time to move the rug."

As Jules leads her family to lift the rug for the very first time, they uncover more than anyone imagined-reminders of moments lost, lessons forgotten, and something quietly waiting to be found.

Jules Moves the Rug is a tender, thought-provoking story about courage, curiosity, and the power of facing what has been hidden. Inspired by the leadership book RUG: Move What You Are Tripping Over and Lead with H.E.A.R.T., this beautifully illustrated picture book invites children and families to talk about:

TOPICS OF CONVERSATION

About the book: Jules Moves the Rug uses a simple household problem to show how avoiding issues doesn’t make them disappear

The central metaphor: A rug in the middle of the home represents problems people keep stepping around instead of fixing

Why problems linger: Familiar discomfort often feels safer than change, even when it causes repeated frustration

The power of small voices: Jules, the youngest in the family, speaks up and shows that clarity doesn’t depend on age or authority

What’s under the rug: Hidden messes symbolize unresolved feelings like missed apologies, forgotten dreams, and tension

The core message: Facing problems together turns overwhelm into connection and healing

What’s next for the author: The “move the rug” idea continues through leadership work and future stories focused on honest conversations and growth

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sherry Whitaker Budziak is a speaker, writer, and entrepreneur who encourages leaders and families to find the courage to move the rugs that hold them back. Her children's book Jules Moves the Rug grew out of her own journey of resilience and personal transformation. Through this story she hopes to spark meaningful conversations that help children and the adults in their lives talk openly about change and emotional growth.

Sherry is also known for her long career guiding organizations through moments of transition. After serving in executive roles within the medical association community she founded .orgSource in 2005. Since then, she has advised hundreds of organizations as they work to strengthen strategy embrace innovation and build cultures where people can thrive. At the heart of her work is a belief that growth begins with honest reflection and the willingness to imagine new possibilities.

She is the co-author of two books on leadership and entrepreneurship and is currently writing her third. When she is not writing or speaking, she enjoys traveling trying new recipes and spending time with her family.

CONNECT WITH SHERRY WHITAKER BUDZIAK

https://rugthebook.com/

https://orgsource.com/

https://www.facebook.com/sherry.budziak

https://www.instagram.com/orgsherry/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherryb

In 2009, at the height of the economic crash, Elizabeth Zwelland loses her prestigious Manhattan publishing job in the fallout from Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme. Forced to move to Colorado, the home of her Beat-poet father, she takes a minimum-wage job at an indie bookstore, shelving the very books she once edited.

About the Book: Holy Denver – An introduction to the novel, its second-edition release, and the story of a woman forced to rebuild her life after the 2008 financial crash.

Loss, identity, and starting over – How the sudden loss of career, home, and status exposes resentment and forces a personal reckoning.

Unlikable protagonists and emotional honesty – Why beginning with a deeply flawed main character makes meaningful transformation possible.

Privilege, class, and intellectual armor – How education and status become shields that distance people from empathy and connection.

Family legacy, neglect, and the Beat Generation – Growing up in the shadow of a famous poet father and grappling with inherited creative identity.

Compassion, shame, and self-forgiveness – Confronting harmful behavior and learning to change with honesty and empathy.

What’s Next for Florence Wetzel – Backlist re-releases, AI-narrated audiobooks, and an upcoming novel set in Crete.

Florence Wetzel was born in Brooklyn, NY. She writes in different genres, including the memoir Sara My Sara: A Memoir of Friendship and Loss. Her novels include the thriller The Woman Who Went Overboard; the Swedish mystery The Grand Man; and Dashiki: A Cozy Mystery. She has also authored horror short stories, a book of poems and memoir essays, and co-authored jazz clarinetist Perry Robinson’s autobiography. Aspasia is her latest novel, published in July 2025. 

FINDING HER VOICE

Set in the volatile early days of Christianity, this sweeping historical novel centers on three fearless women determined to claim their place in a faith that keeps trying to shut them down. Junia fights for acceptance in a divided church while protecting her biracial son and facing the possibility of new love, Susannah wrestles with the pull between motherhood and ministry as danger and expectations collide, and Mariamne challenges rigid gender roles as she confronts what true authority demands. Against a backdrop of real biblical events and rising tension, their stories intertwine in a bold exploration of faith, identity, equality, and resistance, delivering a powerful, feminist, LGBTQ+-affirming tale of courage and conviction. Finding Her Voice is Book Three of the From Broken to Bold trilogy, bringing the series to a defiant, unforgettable conclusion that proves silence was never an option. Consider this your official invitation to holy troublemaking.

Learn more about Elaine Ricker Kelly and her work at www.elainekelly.ca 

TOPICS OF CONVERSATION

Spotlight on early female apostles and the overlooked leadership roles of women in the first-century church

Junia and Susanna as powerful yet imperfect figures pushing back against religious and societal silencing

Parallels between ancient gender oppression and modern struggles around women’s rights and equality

Faith, identity, and inclusion, including challenges to traditional Christian views on women and LGBTQ+ individuals

Emotional themes surrounding motherhood, worth, infertility, and how women’s value has been historically measured

The author’s personal journey of reclaiming voice and confronting ingrained beliefs within Christianity

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elaine Ricker Kelly is an award-winning author writing about women in the Bible and the early church. As a mother of three daughters, Elaine knew the harm of being considered secondary. She thought fiction would help others see how Jesus equipped women as disciples and empowered women to speak and lead. Her research-based approach and empathetic tone were developed during thirty years as a financial advisor. Since Jesus engaged women as financial advisors, Kelly felt betrayed as a Christian when she saw the church speaking against women leaders, and she felt it was important to show how the Bible empowers women and endorses equality for all. She hopes to bring healing and hope to those sidelined or silenced by the church by writing blogs on biblical equality, church history, and affirming LGBTQ+ people. She and her husband live near Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and worship in the mainline Protestant Christian tradition. They have three adult daughters and enjoy hiking, nature, tennis, pickleball, music, history, and travel. 

Learn more about Elaine Ricker Kelly and her work at www.elainekelly.ca 

CONNECT WITH ELAINE RICKER KELLY!

Instagram: @elaine_kelly_author

Facebook: elainekellyauthor

Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/ERK4Canada/playlists

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elaine.kelly.author

LIFE AND HOW TO LIVE IT

This memoir traces a boy growing up in 1980s Philadelphia as he navigates gangs, addiction, fractured faith, and a home life wired with chaos, finding his only lifeline in the music that gives him a sense of self. It’s a raw, darkly funny look at survival, identity, and the stubborn hope that rises even when you’re raised in the wreckage.

WHEN THE LIGHT IS MINE

A poetry collection that cuts through the noise with sharp, confessional poems about capitalism, faith, identity, depression, and the messy business of surviving yourself. It moves from raw disillusionment to moments of real tenderness, offering an unfiltered look at modern life that challenges, unsettles, and still manages to land on hope. Learn More

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Chaz Holesworth writes from the gritty edge of lived experience. Raised in Philadelphia by a father struggling with heroin addiction and a mother bound to extreme fundamentalist Christianity, he grew up in a world defined by poverty, trauma, and contradiction. Out of that turbulence emerged a voice that is both unflinching and lyrical, capturing the weight of survival, the failures of society, and the fragile hope that persists despite it all.

Over the past twenty-five years, Chaz has been sculpting those experiences into stories and poems. His memoir offers a brutally honest account of his past, while his poetry collection distills decades of struggle and reflection into themes of love, depression and loneliness, religion, and the fault lines buried beneath our society. Chaz strives to both trace the contours of intimacy and confront the politics of power, inviting readers into a deeply personal yet universally resonant search for meaning.

Now living in the suburbs of Philadelphia with his wife and their beloved dog, Chaz continues to write with the urgency of someone who knows the cost of silence. His work speaks to anyone drawn to poetry and memoirs that dwell on deeper things, offering not just snapshots of a difficult life but the possibility of connection, understanding, and light.

CONNECT WITH CHAZ HOLESWORTH

Website: https://chazholesworthbooks.com/ 

A CHARGE TO KEEP

In A Charge to Keep, Rev. Kevin T. Taylor merges decades of leadership experience from the C-suite and the pulpit to offer timeless principles for managing change, fostering stability, and building impactful teams. Whether you’re leading a corporation, ministry, or nonprofit, Taylor’s actionable insights will empower you to navigate challenges with courage and clarity.

Discover the power of financial stewardship, the importance of context-driven decisions, and the value of bringing your whole self―faith and all―to your leadership role. Packed with vivid stories and practical strategies, this book is a must-read for anyone ready to align their leadership with their values.

If you’re seeking a guide to sustainable success and meaningful impact, A Charge to Keep is your next essential read.

🎙️ Main Conversation Points

How faith and business leadership intersect — staying authentic in every setting.

The loneliness of leadership and why his book serves as a playbook for real challenges.

The cost of integrity — lessons from standing firm when it wasn’t the easy choice.

How younger generations are redefining purpose, work-life balance, and leadership expectations.

Why “trust but verify” remains essential for accountability in both ministry and management.

DEI as a marathon, not a sprint — what true long-term commitment to inclusion requires.

What’s next for Rev. Taylor — coaching, new books, and aligning purpose with performance.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rev. Kevin T. Taylor is a pastor, educator, and executive leader who bridges the sacred and the strategic. Since 2021, he has served as Pastor of Israel A.M.E. Church in Albany, NY, where his ministry blends worship, justice, and innovation through initiatives like Speaking Truth to Power Tuesdays and the Summer Literacy Challenge.

Beyond the pulpit, Kevin brings over 20 years of C-suite and nonprofit leadership experience.

A proud Tuskegee University alum, he has been honored by Marquis Who’s Who (2025), 100 Men of Color, and the National Council of Negro Women. Through preaching, teaching, writing, and community service, Rev. Taylor equips organizations and congregations for spiritual growth and lasting transformation.

Learn more about Reverend Kevin Taylor and his work at https://revkttaylor.com/

CONNECT WITH REVEREND KEVIN TAYLOR!

WEBSITE: https://revkttaylor.com/

KALMAN & LEOPOLD: SURVIVING MENGELE'S AUSCHWITZ

In the shadow of the infamous Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp, Kalman and Leopold— two young boys—meet as unwitting subjects of Josef Mengele's twisted twin experiments. Pulled from their barrack, they are forced to become servants to the SS guards within Mengele's "hospital" camp, bearing daily witness to scenes of obscene viciousness. Within this nightmarish hell Leopold becomes Kalman's guide, helping him to navigate the terrifying complexities of the SS guard shack. Mengele's atrocities are relentless, yet within this darkness a friendship emerges, testament to the resilience of the human spirit. In January 1945, the Russian army liberates Birkenau and the boys part ways.

TOPICS OF CONVERSATION

About Kalman & Leopold: Teenage twins who survived Mengele’s Auschwitz experiments.

Reunited After 56 Years: A chance TV sighting leads to an emotional reconnection.

Their Words, Their Voices: 20 hours of raw interviews told exactly as they spoke them.

Inside the Guard Shack: A chilling, firsthand look at life beside Mengele’s hospital camp.

More Than Survival: A story of resilience, decency, dignity, and moral courage.

A Son’s Discovery: Richard uncovers his father’s hidden past and generational trauma.

History Echoes Today: A warning against rising hate and blind misinformation.

A Living Legacy: Their story endures as a call for empathy and remembrance.

Looking Ahead: Hopes to share Kalman and Leopold’s story on screen for future generations.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Richard K. Lowy is the son of Leopold, one of the young survivors whose extraordinary story is told in Kalman & Leopold: Surviving Mengele's Auschwitz. Inspired by his father's resilience and the lessons of history, Richard has dedicated himself to sharing their remarkable journey with readers around the world. Through the book, he brings to life the experiences of two teenagers who faced unimaginable horrors in Auschwitz and emerged with a powerful message of courage, hope, and the importance of remembering.

As a storyteller, Richard bridges the personal and the historical, showing how the experiences of the past can resonate deeply with today's readers—especially young adults seeking stories that are both relatable and profoundly moving. On the Reader Views Podcast, he shares insights not only into his father's story but also the process of bringing such an impactful narrative to life, highlighting why these voices must continue to be heard.

CONNECT WITH RICHARD K. LOWY AND LEARN MORE:

WEBSITE kalmanandleopold.com

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CaptRrrr/

Instagram -  https://www.instagram.com/kalmanandleopold/

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kalmanandleopold

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@KalmanandLeopold

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4qKTAp9 

BORN ON MONDAY

In Augusta, Maine, a historic nor’easter and something more sinister threaten to unearth the secrets buried deep in the town’s past. With time running out, three lives collide in a desperate fight for survival, where truth becomes a casualty and redemption comes at a cost.

TOPICS OF CONVERSATON

The roots of the story and why Augusta, Maine became the perfect backdrop for a tense return-to-hometown thriller

Trauma, survival, and morally complicated characters navigating love, shame, and second chances

A chilling nursery rhyme and a raging nor’easter working together as psychological pressure-cookers

Small-town secrets, power dynamics, online shaming, and the messy line between justice and truth

A growing “50-States Universe,” future novels, audiobooks, and how this author's world keeps expanding

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Richard R. Becker is an award-winning American author whose gripping stories blend resilience and moral complexity. His new novel, "Born on Monday" (2025), promises a thrilling tale of small-town sins that will captivate readers.

His debut novel, "Third Wheel" (2023), soared into Amazon's top 100 thriller and suspense literary fiction novels, earned a Kirkus Reviews feature, and won seven awards, including Literary Thriller of the Year by the Artisan International Book Excellence Awards. His collection "50 States" (2021), crafted from a challenge to write one story a week for 50 weeks, topped Amazon's literary short story charts and won multiple honors. 

Raised in Milwaukee, Richard overcame poverty and personal challenges, infusing these experiences into his work to add emotional depth. When not writing, he enjoys acting, hiking, photography, and time with his family. He is married and has two adult children.

CONNECT WITH RICHARD BECKER!

CopyWriteInk: https://www.copywriteink.com/author-richard-r.-becker.html

STELLA SCURA: DARK STAR RISING VOLUME ONE: A blind teenage girl from North Pole, Alaska learns her true destiny as she realizes the full potential of her vast dark energy powers shortly after her eighteenth birthday. Is she really the legendary Aurora the Angel, or something far more sinister? Will the President of the United States ultimately serve as a mentor, or use her as a pawn to become ruler of the world?

STELLA SCURA: DARK STAR RISING VOLUME TWO: Stella Scura impulsively goes on a mission that becomes nothing short of disastrous as she is aided by a long-forgotten group of fourth-rate 1990s TV superheroes in a quest to learn more about her abilities and those of the strange young man from the Netherlands known only as The Orthoman. Along the way she learns of her famous heritage and that her parents are not who they seem to be. Can she develop a relationship with her newly-found friends and family while retaining her humility? Or will she become the greatest "rock star" of all time when fame goes to her teenage head?

STELLA SCURA: DARK STAR RISING VOLUME THREE: In the conclusion of Dark Star Rising, the amazing Stella Scura must confront her own vast potential for destruction and once again save a major city from nuclear devastation - but at what cost? And who close to her will make a tremendous sacrifice?

TOPICS OF CONVERSATION

Origins and Themes of Stella Scura – How the story began decades ago, the evolution of Paige Marshall as a character, and the central theme that real strength comes from moral choices rather than superpowers.

World-Building and Political Parallels – The novel’s setting in Alaska and its expansion into cosmic and political territory, including commentary on power, leadership, and modern-day parallels.

Power, Morality, and Humanity – Exploration of what power truly means, Paige’s moral restraint, and how humor, empathy, and logic play roles in resolving conflict instead of force.

Family, Mentors, and Relationships – The influence of Petra, Jack, and President Wendy Mendoza on Paige’s growth; how family secrets, loyalty, and differing beliefs shape her identity.

Series Continuity and Future Works – Connections to Neal’s earlier novels (Specific Gravity, Ontario Lacus, etc.), plans for a sequel, and upcoming unrelated projects including a romance and an Amalgam Man spinoff.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

J. Matthew Neal is a physician (endocrinologist) and medical school assistant dean residing in Muncie, Indiana. He is the author of five problem-based endocrinology textbooks, and began writing fiction in the mid-2000s. His first novel, Specific Gravity, was published in 2007. His other fiction works include its sequel Ontario Lacus (2008), the young adult novel Americium the Beautiful (2010), and medical mysteries Amalgam-Man (2022), and Amalgam-Man: Burnt Crispy (2025).

LEARN MORE ABOUT J. MATTHEW NEAL AND HIS WORK AT: https://www.jmneal.com/