In Episode 23 of Between The Lines, Rich Kopacz is joined by special guest co-host Leanne Hollenbeck for a fascinating conversation with bestselling author Kate Hilton, whose latest novel, City of the Muse, blends historical fiction, archaeology, and mystery into an unforgettable story spanning more than a century.

Together, they discuss the real history that inspired the novel, including Ancient Egypt, early archaeology, papyrus, mummies, and the remarkable women who helped shape the field of Egyptology. Kate also shares how her career as a psychotherapist influences the way she develops complex, authentic characters and why reinvention is a recurring theme throughout her work.

Along the way, the conversation takes some fun detours, including favorite mummy movies, Brendan Fraser, dogs, Agatha Christie, and a friendly debate over whether the Canadian or American side of Niagara Falls is better.

This episode also features a dramatic audio scene inspired by City of the Muse, bringing part of the novel to life through voice performances.

• The inspiration behind City of the Muse
• Ancient Egypt and modern archaeology
• Amelia Edwards and the women who transformed Egyptology
• Reading ancient papyrus with modern technology
• Historical fiction and research
• Character development and psychology
• Brendan Fraser, mummy movies, and Indiana Jones
• Canada vs. America: Which side of Niagara Falls is better?
• An exclusive dramatic reading from City of the Muse

Whether you're passionate about books, history, archaeology, or the creative process behind great storytelling, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

Guest: Kate Hilton
Host: Rich Kopacz
Special Guest Co-Host: Leanne Hollenbeck

📚 Learn more about Kate Hilton and City of the Muse wherever books are sold.

In this episode:

What happens when Norse mythology, ancient folklore, and a small town in Southwest Michigan collide?

In this special live episode of Between the Lines, recorded at the Bangor Branch Library in Bangor, Michigan, author Jeanette Huffman shares a live reading from her historical fantasy novel, The Ashborn, before joining co-host Rich Kopez for an in-depth conversation about the inspiration behind the story.

Together they explore the research, history, and personal experiences that shaped the novel, including Viking exploration, Norse mythology, folklore, character development, and why Bangor, Michigan became the unexpected home of an ancient legend.

During the conversation, Jeanette also reflects on one of the most emotional scenes she has ever written, discusses the evolution of Loki as a character, and shares her dream casting for a future film adaptation.

📖 A live reading from The Ashborn

⚔️ Viking history and Norse mythology

🌲 Why Bangor, Michigan inspired the novel

🧙 Folklore, witches, and supernatural fiction

💙 The personal experiences behind the story

✍️ Character development and identity

🎬 Dream casting The Ashborn

Whether you're fascinated by mythology, enjoy historical fantasy, or simply love hearing authors discuss the creative process, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how stories grow from history, imagination, research, and personal experience.

📚 Learn more about Jeanette Huffman:
https://www.amazon.com/author/jeanette-huffman

If you enjoy Between the Lines, please follow the podcast and share this episode with another reader, writer, or mythology enthusiast.

"Beyond the Lows" by The Whole Other
Source: YouTube Audio Library

"From Here On In" by Everet Almond
Source: YouTube Audio Library

"Cylinder Seven" by Chris Zabriskie
Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0

Creative Commons License:
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source:
http://chriszabriskie.com/cylinders/

Artist:
http://chriszabriskie.com/

Between the Lines Podcast
Hosted by Jeanette Huffman & Rich Kopez

Recorded live at the Bangor Branch Library
Bangor, Michigan

In this episodeMusic Credits

Before there were houses... there was the land.

Welcome to the very first public reading from my upcoming supernatural psychological horror novel, RACHƎL.

After sharing the first teaser trailer for the novel, several readers asked if I had ever considered recording an audiobook.

Honestly... I hadn't.

But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that RACHƎL feels different from anything I've written before. The voice feels natural. The characters feel familiar. Hollow Creek feels like a place I can step into every time I read.

So I decided to experiment.

This episode is the prologue of RACHƎL—a first glimpse into the world of Hollow Creek and a chance for you to help me decide whether this story should become a full audiobook.

I'd genuinely love your feedback.

After listening...

📖 Would you rather read the novel?

🎧 Would you listen to the audiobook?

❤️ Or would you do both?

RACHƎL is currently in its final editing stages while my beta readers continue helping me polish every chapter.

📅 The novel is scheduled for release on October 31, 2026, with plans for availability through Amazon and, hopefully, IngramSpark for bookstores and libraries.

If enough listeners enjoy these readings, I'd love to continue sharing more chapters—and maybe even record the complete audiobook.

Thank you for being part of this journey into Hollow Creek.

📚 Amazon Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/author/jeanette-huffman

RACHƎL is a supernatural psychological horror novel set in the fictional town of Hollow Creek, Pennsylvania, where old ground remembers more than people do, forgotten stories refuse to stay buried, and some places never truly let you leave.

Hosted by Jeanette Huffman & Rich Kopez

Exploring books, storytelling, mythology, writing, publishing, and the creative journey behind every story.

Learn more about Jeanette HuffmanAbout RACHƎLBetween the Lines Podcast

Welcome to Episode 21 of Between The Lines!

In this episode, host Jeanette Huffman and co-host Rich Kopacz sit down with Matt Ochoa, the talented young voice actor behind Asher in Rich Kopacz's original audio drama The Lost Tribe.

At just 17 years old, Matt shares how he became involved in voice acting through The Veldt radio drama program, what it's like bringing characters to life using only his voice, and how he's balancing his creative pursuits while preparing for his senior year of high school in Maryland.

The conversation also explores:

🎙️ Becoming the voice of Asher in The Lost Tribe

🎭 Performing in The Veldt

🎧 The challenges and joys of voice acting

🏴‍☠️ Matt's best pirate voice

🎮 Video games, Nerf battles with friends, and favorite movies

🎹 Music, hobbies, and future plans

❤️ The importance of family support, with Matt's sister joining the conversation

Whether you're an aspiring voice actor, a fan of audio dramas, or simply enjoy hearing the stories behind creative people, this episode offers an engaging and entertaining look into Matt's journey.

Hosted by:

Jeanette Huffman

Co-Hosted by:

Rich Kopacz

Guest:

Matt Ochoa

Recorded: June 27, 2026

Intro & Outro Music

"From Here On In" by Everet Almond

Courtesy of the YouTube Audio Library

Music Credits

While Jeanette Huffman is off traveling the world, Rich Kopacz steps into the host's chair and welcomes one of his oldest friends, musician, composer, voice actor, gamer, and fellow nerd Ken Forsee.

Their friendship began decades ago in a college dormitory and has continued through music, storytelling, gaming, audio dramas, creative collaborations, and countless conversations about the things they love.

In this nostalgic and entertaining episode, Rich and Ken explore:

🎮 Classic video games and retro gaming culture

🗡️ The Legend of Zelda

🥊 Street Fighter II

🎲 Dungeons & Dragons

🃏 Magic: The Gathering

🎹 Video game music and composition

🎭 Voice acting and character performance

🎼 Original music creation

📚 Fantasy, science fiction, and nerd culture

👾 Gaming memories from the Nintendo and Super Nintendo era

🎵 The story behind a video game music concert they performed years before video game concerts became mainstream

The episode also features a fun musical trivia challenge as Ken identifies themes and soundtracks from beloved games, movies, and television shows, including Street Fighter II, Deltarune, Star Trek, Buckaroo Banzai, The Avengers, Cuphead, and more.

Ken Forsee has contributed original music and voice acting to numerous projects with Rich over the years, including The Lost Tribe and many of the audio scenes featured on Between The Lines.

Whether you grew up with Nintendo, arcade games, tabletop RPGs, fantasy novels, comic books, or simply enjoy conversations about creativity and lifelong friendships, this episode offers a heartfelt and entertaining trip through decades of gaming and storytelling culture.

Hosted by:
Rich Kopacz

Special Guest:
Ken Forsee

Jeanette Huffman is currently traveling and will return for future episodes.

🎵 Music Credits

"Powerup!" – Jeremy Blake

Courtesy of the YouTube Audio Library.

Used under the YouTube Audio Library license.

Listen, follow, and subscribe for more conversations with authors, musicians, artists, voice actors, creators, and storytellers.

#RetroGaming #Zelda #StreetFighter #DnD #MagicTheGathering #VideoGameMusic #VoiceActing #GamingPodcast #NerdCulture #GeekCulture #BetweenTheLinesPodcast

Step into the mysterious Bazaar of Mari Ruppock...

In this dramatic scene from The Lost Tribe, Asher enters one of the most dangerous places he has ever encountered. Every face hides a secret, every deal comes with a price, and survival depends on knowing who can—and cannot—be trusted.

Featuring Matt Ochoa as Asher, this scene offers a glimpse into Rich Kopacz's immersive audio drama, where unforgettable characters, ancient landscapes, and impossible choices collide.

🎭 Featuring

• Matt Ochoa as Asher

✍️ Written by
Rich Kopacz

🎙️ Presented on Between The Lines

If you enjoy cinematic storytelling, fantasy adventures, biblical fiction, and immersive audio dramas, you'll love The Lost Tribe.

Like this scene?

Follow Between The Lines for more exclusive audio scenes, interviews, and behind-the-scenes conversations with the writers, actors, and creators bringing these stories to life.

🎙️ Between The Lines Podcast – Episode 19
E. Travers, Sing Crazy, Sheridan Nash & Music City Murder

Join hosts Jeanette Huffman and Rich Kopacz for an unforgettable conversation with E. Travers—author, singer-songwriter, musician, traveler, humanitarian, and creator of the Sheridan Nash Mystery Series.

In this wide-ranging episode, E. Travers shares the remarkable experiences that have shaped her life and her writing. From performing music and songwriting to serving with the American Red Cross supporting Army and Air Force personnel overseas, her journey has taken her from Nashville stages to Germany and beyond.

We discuss the inspiration behind her novel Sing Crazy, the creation of Sheridan Nash, Nashville's music scene, mystery writing, self-publishing, and the real-life events that continue to influence her work.

Listeners will also hear stories about:

🔍 Growing up with a father who worked under J. Edgar Hoover

🌍 Living and working overseas

🎵 The realities of life as a professional musician

📚 Building a mystery series from the ground up

🕵️ True crime experiences that may someday become a future book

🎤 Creativity, storytelling, and the writing life

As a special bonus, this episode concludes with Music City Murder, an original audio drama created by Rich Kopacz, inspired by the world of Sing Crazy and the Sheridan Nash Mystery Series. This suspense-filled production brings Sheridan Nash's world to life through immersive storytelling, mystery, and danger lurking beneath Nashville's music scene.

📚 Featured Author:
E. Travers

📖 Featured Book:
Sing Crazy

🎭 Bonus Audio Drama:
Music City Murder
Created by Rich Kopacz

🎙️ Hosts:
Jeanette Huffman & Rich Kopacz

If you enjoy mystery novels, crime fiction, thrillers, author interviews, songwriting, storytelling, and original audio dramas, this episode is for you.

Thank you for listening to Between The Lines. Please follow, rate, and share the podcast to help us continue highlighting authors, artists, musicians, and storytellers from around the world.

An Original Audio Drama by Rich Kopacz

Inspired by the world of E. Travers' Sheridan Nash Mystery Series and her novel Sing Crazy, Music City Murder takes listeners into the darker corners of Nashville's music scene where danger, deception, and murder lurk behind the spotlight.

When a suspicious death and a string of unsettling events begin to unfold, Sheridan Nash finds herself drawn into a mystery that reaches far beyond Music Row. As clues emerge and tensions rise, she must decide who to trust—and whether discovering the truth is worth the risk.

Created by Rich Kopacz, this original audio scene expands upon the characters and atmosphere of Sing Crazy, bringing mystery fiction to life through immersive storytelling and performance.

📚 Inspired by:
Sing Crazy
by E. Travers

🎭 Audio Drama Created By:
Rich Kopacz

🎙️ Featured On:
Between The Lines Podcast

Hosted by:
Jeanette Huffman & Rich Kopacz

If you enjoy mystery novels, crime fiction, suspense thrillers, detective stories, and audio dramas, you'll enjoy this original Sheridan Nash adventure.

📖 Learn more about E. Travers and the Sheridan Nash Mystery Series.

🎧 Listen to more episodes of Between The Lines on Spotify and wherever podcasts are available.

BETWEEN THE LINES – EPISODE 18

🐉 Jennifer Taylor | Training Trials, Dragons, Cryptids & The Journey Behind the Story

In this episode of Between The Lines, host Jeanette Huffman and co-host Rich Kopacz sit down with fantasy author Jennifer Taylor to discuss her novel Training Trials, the first installment in the Panagon Rising series.

While dragons may be what initially capture readers' attention, Jennifer explains that Training Trials is ultimately a story about character, identity, perseverance, and the journey of its protagonist, Lockheart. Throughout the conversation, Jennifer shares the inspirations behind her worldbuilding, her lifelong fascination with dragons and legendary creatures, and the personal experiences that shaped her writing.

Jennifer also discusses:

🐉 Why dragons became such an important part of her storytelling

👣 Her fascination with cryptids, including Bigfoot, Mothman, and other legendary creatures

💻 The heartbreaking loss of her first novel after a family computer was wiped before she could finish it

✍️ How a single scene inspired an entire series

🎖️ Growing up in a military family and how military culture influenced her writing

📚 The future of the Paragon Rising series, including the upcoming sequel The Queen's Secret

In addition to the interview, co-host Rich Kopacz presents The Enigma Recruit, an original audio drama inspired by Training Trials. This immersive audio adaptation brings elements of Jennifer's world to life through voice acting, sound design, and dramatic storytelling.

Whether you're a fantasy reader, aspiring writer, dragon enthusiast, cryptid fan, or simply someone who enjoys hearing the stories behind the stories, this episode offers a fascinating look into the creative process and the imagination behind a compelling new fantasy series.

🎙️ Hosted by:
Jeanette Huffman

🎙️ Co-Hosted by:
Rich Kopacz

📖 Featured Author:
Jennifer Taylor

📚 Featured Novel:
Training Trials (Panagon Rising Series)

▶️ Watch the full video version of this episode on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/ecmLx0n5Yw0

💬 Join the conversation:

What fascinates you most about fantasy stories?

🐉 Dragons
👣 Cryptids
⚔️ Adventure
👤 Complex Characters
🔮 Mystery and Secrets

Let us know your thoughts and don't forget to follow Between The Lines for future author interviews, creative discussions, and storytelling adventures.

🎵 Music Credits:

"Beyond the Lows" — The Whole Other

"Spirit of Fire" — Jesse Gallagher

#BetweenTheLinesPodcast #JenniferTaylor #TrainingTrials #PanagonRising #FantasyBooks #DragonBooks #AuthorInterview #WritingCommunity #FantasyReaders #Storytelling #BookPodcast #Dragons #Cryptids #Bigfoot #Mothman

In Episode 17 of Between the Lines, host Jeanette Huffman travels to the personal studio of multidisciplinary artist Edwin Vasquez in Rosamond, California for the podcast’s very first on-site artist interview.

Born in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, Edwin shares his journey from growing up surrounded by poetry, music, color, and artistic culture to immigrating to the United States as a teenager during the Guatemalan Civil War.

This deeply personal conversation explores:
🎨 art and identity
📚 poetry and lived experience
🌎 immigration and adaptation
🎭 masks and symbolism
🌵 Joshua Tree Chronicles
🤖 AI as a creative tool
✨ creating without fear
🔥 why life itself is an adventure

Edwin discusses the importance of creating authentically, preserving culture through art, and leaving behind something meaningful for future generations.

This episode is a reminder that artists come in all forms — painters, poets, sculptors, photographers, musicians, storytellers, and creators of every kind.

✨ “Life is an adventure.” — Edwin Vasquez

📍 Featured Guest:
Edwin Vasquez
Rosamond, California

🌐 Website:
https://edwinvasquez.net/

📷 Instagram:
@edwinvasquez

📺 YouTube:
Edwin Vasquez 100

🎙️ Hosted by:
Jeanette Huffman

📹 Camera Work:
Uriel Hernandez

🎧 Music Credits:
“Spanish Rose” — Chris Haugen
“El Gavilan” — Quincas Moreira
Courtesy of the YouTube Audio Library

👇 Enjoying the podcast?
Follow Between the Lines on Spotify and share the episode with someone who loves art, creativity, storytelling, and authentic human conversations.

#BetweenTheLines #EdwinVasquez #Podcast #ArtistInterview #CreativeLife #Poetry #Guatemala #MultidisciplinaryArtist #Storytelling #HumanCreativity