In this episode, I’m joined by Liz Johnston, author of The Fall Down Effect, a novel about fractured family relationships, environmental activism, and how personal ambition can test the bonds of family ties. 

The novel follows the journeys of Sylvia, Fern, and River, after their mother leaves them to pursue her own path of environmental activism. Inspired by their mother’s activism, Fern commits an act of ecoterrorism, blowing up a mill at 19 and going on the run, leaving her family to try and make sense of her actions and cover up her crime. Years later, a forest fire forces their mother to return to the home she left and to confront her past.

Chapters

0:00 - Introduction

2:47 - The haze that sparked the book

5:18 - First borns, middle borns, and last borns

8:54 - When radically begets radicality

14:06 - The weight of blame when loved ones make terrible decisions

17:47 - A glimpse into activist groups

21:55 - How to silence the editor brain as a writer/editor

25:40 - How does an editor manage being edited?

27:28 - How can writers know when they've achieved their goal?

30:07 - The secret to staying on the journey of the art

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Watch on YouTube

https://youtu.be/i36erZ2xG1o

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Guest’s links

Buy The Fall Down Effect: https://bookhugpress.ca/shop/books/fiction/the-fall-down-effect-by-liz-johnston/

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Host’s links

Find out more about the show: https://www.journeyoftheart.com/

Follow Journey of the Art on Instagram: ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/journeyoftheartpod/

Book a one-on-one with Lola: https://wordcaps.com/coaching/

How does culture shape a person’s response to male infertility? What happens when money can solve your problem, but your character won’t let you take the reasonable way out? What happens when a miracle is not in fact a miracle but a string of carefully planned cruelties?

These are the questions In Our Own Ways, Yejide Kilanko’s latest novel, asks. The novel follows a well-to-do couple, Fadaka and Senami, who are thrilled by a seemingly miraculous pregnancy after five years of waiting. Yet, Fadaka’s pregnancy is haunted by nightmares a sense of unease. 

A year later, their family doctor accidentally reveals that her pregnancy was a medical impossibility. This revelation leads to a confrontation with her husband and marks the end of the marriage and the beginning of other problems.

0:00 - Introduction4:21 - The impact of character and culture in navigating life’s challenges 5:53 - Broken childhoods and adult influences9:48 - The covering of shame within the context of the African culture 13:22 - When the law is not on your side16:34 - Honouring forgotten army wives 21:08 - The things that didn’t make the book 23:07 - Writing challenges and the road to publication27:04 - Favourite art form29:13 - Juggling life’s balls31:20 - The secret to staying on the journey of the art

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Guest’s links

Buy In Our Own Ways: https://www.amazon.ca/Our-Own-Ways-Yejide-Kilanko/dp/9786092627

Connect with Yejide on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yejidekilanko/

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Host’s links

Find out more about the show: https://www.journeyoftheart.com/

Follow Journey of the Art on Instagram: ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/journeyoftheartpod/

Book a one-on-one with Lola: https://wordcaps.com/coaching/

I'm joined by Ann Cavlovic to discuss her novel, Count On Me.

The novel follows the story of Tia and her brother Tristan, who, alongside his girlfriend, proceeds to take financial advantage of their parents when they're ill. It’s a story of broken trust and the duty of love.

Ann's novel explores the realities of elder abuse and the systems that continue to perpetuate it. It is a tribute to health care professionals who care for the elderly but also an expose on those who profit from this vulnerable group.

Ann and I talk about dysfunctional upbringing and its impact on the relationship between adult children and their aging parents. And we zoom into the internal struggles and physical and financial demands of being in the sandwich generation—a generation of adults caring simultaneously for their dependent children and aging parents.

In the end we wanted to know: what makes a person do the things they do? What do you think?

Chapters

0:00 - Introduction

2:25 - Origin story

5:16 - What makes one child cruel and another kind?

8:42 - Breaking the cycles of childhood pain

12:50 - The eternal consequence of a dysfunctional family

15:12 - When the legal system perpetuates elder abuse

19:36 - A tribute to nursing home staff

22:16 - Shame that acts irrationally

25:35 - Obsessions and transactions

28:35 - The table of contents and accounting terms

32:07 - Perspectives and volume control

34:28 - A strict writing schedule

36:50 - The secret to staying on the journey of the art

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Listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0xyANJyZ0yE

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Guest’s links

Buy Count On Me: https://guernicaeditions.com/products/count-on-me?srsltid=AfmBOor0wrvJrg8XweO4YHCJwuhPRV-FoFSfhISC42uCknPcLrJ3tBvI

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Host’s links

Find out more about the show: https://www.journeyoftheart.com/

Follow Journey of the Art on Instagram: ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/journeyoftheartpod/

Book a one-on-one with Lola: https://wordcaps.com/coaching/

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Craig Yorke to discuss candid reflections on his journey through race, a strict upbringing, and his career as a neurosurgeon.

Dr. Yorke is the author of Steep, an exploration of the psychological impact of childhood experiences on adult resiliency and identity.

We discuss the inspiration behind the book, his early life in Massachusetts, and the influence of race and environment on his career. We also talk about a $40 million lawsuit he won and reflect on the contradictions of a life split between privilege and struggle.

Now retired after decades of medical practice, he is on a path to learning the transformative impact of art.

Chapters

0:00 - Introduction

1:55 - Would an artistic life have been a happy one?

4:30 - Origin of the book and the influences of James Baldwin and T.S. Elliot 

9:10 - An upbringing that led to restraint

11:37: - Growing up poor and rich 

13:42 - Giving his children the gift of choice

14:22 - The weight of blackness in professional spaces 

19:02 - The decision to retire

21:15 - Exploring art after retirement

21:17 - The steep price of a regimented childhood

25:10 - The plasticity of an artistic mind 

27:48 - Supporting the artist

28:12 -  Writing with the ears

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Guest’s links

Buy Steep: https://www.amazon.ca/Steep-Neurosurgeons-Journey-Craig-Yorke/dp/1953583989/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1WVX5EQRZAUWZ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.67TRNh7pqK8zTcZ6-ehGlQ.6p1wdsUa-O0edDRgXSPXCRrNbQo0tV1vU5dqu_mtofE&dib_tag=se&keywords=steep+craig+yorke&qid=1783576475&sprefix=steep+craig+yorke%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-1

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Host’s links

Find out more about the show: https://www.journeyoftheart.com/

Follow Journey of the Art on Instagram: ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/journeyoftheartpod/

Book a one-on-one with Lola: https://wordcaps.com/coaching/

Did you know that hope is a story and a science?

In Episode 43, I'm speaking with journalist Andrea Curtis about her book for middle graders, The Story and Science of Hope. 

Sparked by an observation of despair among children, Andrea set out to investigate the source and history of hope and what it could mean for the children she was observing.

We talked about the difference between faith and hope, and most importantly, the difference between optimism and hope. We even discussed the role of goal setting in building hope. 

Inspiring as it is, Andrea’s book acknowledges that not all kids have hope or live in hopeful situations. But “hope is not static,” she says, “It can be taught and nurtured.”

This was such an insightful episode, and I hope you’re inspired by it.

Chapters

0:10 - Introduction

1:51 - Time in the mountains

3:37 - Observing despair and investigating hope

6:32 - Hope is not static

10:45 - The difference between hope and faith 

12:51 - How goal setting can help you build hope

16:17 - Hope in the classroom

20:44 - Kids with strong reserves of hope

23:03 - Hope is an action 

26:45 - Writing about abstract topics in an interesting way

32:18 - The secret to staying on the journey of the art

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Guest’s links

Buy The Story and Science of Hope: https://houseofanansi.com/products/the-story-and-science-of-hope?srsltid=AfmBOor3dcZlAOT_rKoeAxG-BjhLqCqs0coxfaRqSG5dRMW3lHI5_CE-

Find out more about Andrea: https://andreacurtiskids.ca

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Host’s links

Find out more about the show: https://www.journeyoftheart.com/

Follow Journey of the Art on Instagram: ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/journeyoftheartpod/

Book a one-on-one with Lola: https://wordcaps.com/coaching/

I’m delighted to resume the show with a discussion on naming and history. In Episode 42, I’m chatting with Chinua Ezenwa-Ohaeto about his poetry collection, “The Naming,” a book about revelations and ongoing conversations with ancestors about identity, memory, and history.

Our journey begins with the definition of names and Chinua’s claim that his name is perhaps the most important in all of Igboland! We discuss the connection between names and Igbo history, touching on the Igbo Landing of 1803 and experiences of slavery in Igboland. 

We also discuss the impact of internal and external influences on his creative work. Son of the late Ezenwa Ohaeto, co-winner of the 2025 NLNG Prize, Chinua shares the realities of unfair comparisons to his father and his management of harsh criticisms. He also reveals the critical advice he received from Kwame Dawes, which led to the creation of his collection.

Shaped by moving stories, Chinua’s “The Naming,” is for those searching for the paths that lead home. For those who want to initiate their own conversations with their ancestors.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction

1:41 - The most important name in Igboland

4:13 - Unmonkeying the monkey’s hand

8:21 - The Igbo Landing of 1803

18:27 - Filling his father’s jacket and being called a fake Achebe

23:55 - Using storytelling to give poetry meaning

31:07 - A story of hope during the Biafran war

34:55 - How to prepare for a PhD

36:42 - The secret to staying on the journey of the art

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Guest’s links

Buy The Naming: https://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/nebraska/9781496244703/the-naming/

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Host’s links

Find out more about the show: https://www.journeyoftheart.com/

Follow Journey of the Art on Instagram: ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/journeyoftheartpod/

In Episode 41, I’m joined by Canadian children’s book writers Eric Walters and Lana Button to discuss their award-winning book, One Can. 

Illustrated by Isabelle Malenfant, One Can tells the emotional story of a young boy’s generosity and the importance of community in tackling food insecurity. It is a story of hope and a reminder of the power of positive storytelling in children's narratives. Parents will love this book that shows children the cyclical nature of generosity, and in it, they will find a valuable resource for talking to kids about real world problems like hunger and poverty.

More than an approach to writing moral stories, Lana and Eric share the incredible power children's book writers have to uplift and empower children in a chaotic world. They also share important tips for writing children’s literature and reveal their secret to staying on the journey of their art.

00:00 - Introduction

2:20 - What started the book

6:37 - The reason for hope

8:15 - The symbol of the can

13:16 - Writing the most critical part of the book

16:19 - The psychology you need to write for children

21:03 - The reception of the book

24:23 - Why this book is so special to Eric

25:50 - How to get into the psychology of a child

31:01 - Writing in changing times

32:45 - The secret to saying on the journey of the art

🛒One Can is available for purchase from Groundwood Books: https://houseofanansi.com/products/one-can?srsltid=AfmBOorKtGP--hPmbbjvBgNlGiOVgYaSHSH1D9OfpAXr1P6OQpw94HOJ_____________________Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/18DdCmw0rV0 _____________________ Host’s linksFind out more about the show: https://www.journeyoftheart.com/ Follow Journey of the Art on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/journeyoftheartpod/ Book a one-on-one with Lola: https://wordcaps.com/coaching/

In Episode 40 of the podcast, I have the privilege of speaking with adult and children’s book writer Caroline Adderson, writer of A Pond, A Poet, and Three Pests.

A Pond, A Poet, and Three Pests is a brilliant children’s book about thinking and finding quiet moments in a chaotic world. Illustrated by Lauren Tamaki, the book imagines how an old haiku by Japanese poet Matsuo Basho came to be. Readers will enjoy the vivid storytelling, be amused by the silliness of the animals, and be truly inspired by the old poet’s tenacity. 

Before we get into the intricacies of her work, I ask Caroline about her relationship with TV (it’s impressive!) and her love for cherry blossoms. We talk about how she gets unstuck in her writing and the door she unlocks to write children’s books. 

If you’ve ever wondered about writing children’s books or if you love haikus, this is the episode for you. It was an all-round joyful conversation, and I’m grateful that I get to share it with you.

Show highlights

00:00 - Introduction

2:40 - The deal with TV

4:18 - Cherry blossoms vs Plum trees

6:21 – Why haikus don’t explain

7:59 – What is the importance of silence?

10:28 - The gestation of a poem 

15:50 - A game of consonants 

17:33 - Writing for kids vs. writing for adults 

20:20 - How does a writer find joy? 

23:51 - How to get unstuck in writing

26:37 - The secret to staying on the journey of the art

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Listen on Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/journey-of-the-art

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Guest’s links

Buy A Pond, A Poet, and Three Pests: https://houseofanansi.com/products/a-pond-a-poet-and-three-pests?srsltid=AfmBOopY1872Domhwo66iCzcFm_XOzijIououUBi6Tqe5tIAjxV3bnoS

Visit Caroline’s website: https://www.carolineaddersonkids.com

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Host’s links

Find out more about the show: https://www.journeyoftheart.com/

Follow Journey of the Art on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/journeyoftheartpod/  

Book a one-on-one with Lola: https://wordcaps.com/coaching/

In Episode 39, I’m chatting with Whitney French about her novel in verse, Syncopation, a science fiction novel about two women searching for meaning and purpose in a catastrophic world where memory is currency. 

We talk about the musicality of Syncopation, how a random Tumblr post birthed the idea of the book, and what characters can teach us about ourselves. I ask Whitney to don her writing coach cap to share some strategies for achieving writing goals and overcoming popular writing challenges, and we go back in time to find out about Whitney’s Tree Sessions, a writing program she held under trees for writers who wanted to embrace nature while creating art.

This was such a fun conversation, and I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction

1:54 – Tree sessions

6:22 – Describing her year in one word

7:42– How to structure a novel in verse

10:58– Nature eliminating itself in Syncopation 

12:58 – How a Tumblr post became a novel

16:42 – What characters teach us about ourselves

19:57 – Musicality in Syncopation

22:28 – Intersections of migration

25:05– Common challenges among writers

29:58– Strategies to help writers

38:39 – About Hush Harbour Press

43:19 – Secret to staying on the journey of her art

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Listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LW5iwa9qvSw

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Guest’s links

Buy Syncopation: https://bookstore.wolsakandwynn.ca/products/syncopation

Visit the Hush Harbour website: https://www.hushharbour.com/ 

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Host’s links

Find out more about the show: https://www.journeyoftheart.com/

Follow Journey of the Art on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/journeyoftheartpod/  

Book a one-on-one with Lola: https://wordcaps.com/coaching/

In this episode, I’m joined by Nadia Ragbar to discuss her latest work, The Pugilist and the Sailor. 

The book follows the lives of conjoined twins, Bruce and Dougie. One an ambitious boxer and the other a bookkeeper. As the brothers pursue their individual desires, a love interest and a boxing championship, they are compelled to consider the true meaning of belonging, independence, and their own place in the world. 

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Show highlights

00:00 - Introduction

1:48 - What’s been making Nadia happy lately 

2:49 - Summarizing The Pugilist and the Sailor

5:13 - Starting the book from the last line

8:07 - Boxing as a tool to ground the body and differentiate

10:39 - List making as a way to foster inspiration 

16:22 - Connecting to the humanity of characters 

18:37 - The road to publication

20:34 - When plotting doesn’t work

22:47 - Navigating the editing process and choosing feedback

24:42 - Lessons from waiting for publication

27:36 - What Nadia needs to write

29:43 - Her writing superpower

31:12 - The secret to staying on the journey of her art

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Guest’s links

Buy The Pugilist and the Sailor: https://invisiblepublishing.com/product/pugilist-and-the-sailor/?srsltid=AfmBOooW_oY4TQOoIlGrAnTIwM_WtHSUl5r5-mUzKItlhgZcnbY3Rfgm

Follow Nadia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nadiaragbar/

Find out more about Nadia: nadiaragbar.com

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Host’s links

Find out more about the show: https://www.journeyoftheart.com/

Follow Journey of the Art on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/journeyoftheartpod/  

Book a one-on-one with Lola: https://wordcaps.com/coaching/