Keepin It Real w/Caramel "As We Say 100"

The conversation with Steffanie Costigan was very inspiring. Steffanie spoke about her disability but she never gave up. This is a great example that no matter what disability or conditions you have, you can always be the best you. Steffanie Costigan has always held a strong passion for writing despite her severe disability with dyslexia. She is currently living in Canada, Alberta, with her husband and three children.

Steffanie is a journalist and hopes to continue her passion for writing books and her dream of continuing as a journalist and author.

Steffanie studied creative writing and took her program in digital communications and media at Lethbridge College. She hopes her writing will resonate with people and inspire those that read her writings. Steffanie's novel is her life's work as she started writing this book at the young age of 12 years old and didn’t stop until publication.

Her passion for writing started at the young age of three years old; She has also written plays and had the opportunity to direct one of her written plays, "A Stoney Gaze," in 2021. Steffanie met the love of her life Jarom Costigan in Adelaide, Australia. They soon married in March 2015. The love between the two protagonist characters within this novel was strongly inspired by Steffanie’s own experience meeting her husband. If it is something Steffanie believes in, it's love at first sight, as that is the experience, she, and her husband both share with one another.

Steffanie's novel Land of The Dragon-I am a traitor, victim, fighter, survivor, sister, and daughter of a Nazi. I am Eleanor Kuhn. I will not be indoctrinated by Hitler. I fight for the truth my world has forgotten and ignored, but upon escaping the country. I stumbled into a whole new world, and I soon realized that war is everywhere you look.

With nothing but the clothes on my back and five siblings in tow, I wash up on the coast of a world I'd only glimpsed in books and the clouds of dreams: Land of the Dragon. But there's something about this new world that rings with familiarity. Or perhaps someone . . .

Land of the Dragon is a historic fantasy layered with details and rich symbolism an Award-winning novel of Literary Titan Award and International Impact Book Award winner. If you like details in stories, war, magic, adventure, romance, and dragons this book is a read you will enjoy time and time again. With each read, you may uncover more details layered throughout the book that you didn't originally recognize. This book is brought to you from Reading Dream Press where stories come alive.

You can follow Steffanie Costigan on Instagram @lotdsteff or any social media by her name Steffanie Costigan. You can also go to her website at

www.landofthedragon.ca/

To book Steffanie Costigan or request additional review copies or an interview please contact Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: [email protected] / 403.464.6925.

Thank you for listening to and supporting the podcast. If you want to be heard email [email protected] or follow me on Instagram @mscaramellucas - TikTok @caramellucas - Facebook - Caramel Lucas

On July 16, 2024, it was a very special moment for me and the podcast. I was excited to have Hallie Balogh and Auttie Grace on the podcast. These beautiful ladies that I adore had me overwhelmed with excitement on the podcast. The young female authors/entrepreneurs are making great decisions in their lives. They are reaching for the stars. They are self publishing authors and want to help others to make their dreams come true. Hallie Balogh and Auttie Grace first met in 5th grade and that is when everything started. They quickly became known for always being together. You never only saw one of them, you will see them both. That 5th grade school year didn’t only spark their friendship, but it set the foundation for the Auttie and Hallie writing power-duo. From 5th grade and all through middle school, they spent their free time writing stories together. Once Covid-19 hit, they took it as an advantage to write their first novel, “Empire: To Earth and Back.” Honestly, it started as a joke, but by the end of high school, they had published their second novel, “Empire: At Esprit’s Core,” and won the national Inspirational Women in Literature award. Hallie and Auttie admit it was hard through school to remain close but they both had the same passion, writing. They are besties/sisters forever. As young female authors, they want to inspire others that no dream is “too big” when you’re passionate about something. They want to continue inspire people of all ages and I must say, they have inspired me, plus I have a soft spot for them. I am super excited for their future. When I first met them at the ages of 15 and 16 years old, I knew they will have a bright future. Now 18 and 19 years old, the world and myself can't wait to see what is next..

If you want to follow Hallie Balogh and Auttie Grace go to their website at https://hastoriesofficial.com/ or follow them on social media at H.A Stories. Thank you for listening to and supporting the podcast. If you want to be heard email [email protected] or follow me on Instagram @mscaramellucas - TikTok @caramellucas - Facebook - Caramel Lucas

When I had a conversation with Michael Halpert, he was very passionate about helping individuals with their first job and how to pursue his or her career. Michael Halpert has 20 years of experience navigating the tech and media sectors. Michael, also known as Mike Halpert, has a track record that speaks for itself. His leadership roles span both industry giants like Google and Walmart E-Commerce and dynamic hyper-growth startups. Yet, where Mike truly excels is in fostering emerging talent. As a Product Management Executive, he's led sizable teams and consistently prioritized the mentorship of junior members. His dedication to coaching has equipped countless individuals with the skills and confidence to climb the corporate ranks. Mike's strategic insights and consulting services have been invaluable to a diverse set of Fortune 500 clients, from investment banks to media companies and telecom providers. His educational foundation includes an MBA from USC Marshall and a bachelor’s degree from NYU. In Mike's career, it's not just about reaching the top; it's about guiding others to do the same. Being fresh out of college or starting an internship and feeling overwhelmed, it's normal. Mike inspiration for this book is deeply personal. From Mike's own journey in tech and countless conversations with friends who are fellow managers, a recurring theme has emerged: coaching his junior hires. While there's an abundance of resources guiding individuals on job hunting and acing technical interviews, there's a glaring gap when it comes to preparing new hires for what's expected of them from day one in their new roles. Regardless of career path, there are fundamental communication, collaboration, and soft skills that are a key part of being successful in any job. Yet these topics aren’t taught in college. The pandemic and extended lockdowns have further exacerbated this challenge. The shift to remote & hybrid work has deprived the current generation of college grads of invaluable in-person interactions, hands-on experience, and the confidence to navigate interpersonal dynamics effectively. This is why Mike decided to write "Cubicle To Corner Office: The Ultimate Survival Guide To Your First Job," which you can find this book everywhere. Mike wants to give knowledge to individuals who don't have a clue about how to start their career. This book will guide individuals in the right direction. You can follow Mike Halpert on social media at Cubicle to Corner, and if you want an interview, please contact Zach Heitling at [email protected]

Thank you for listening to and supporting the podcast. If you want to be heard, email [email protected] or follow me on Instagram @mscaramellucas - TikTok @caramellucas - Facebook - Caramel Lucas

The conversation I had with Rachel was genuine. She has a great support system, and she loves being an independent author. Rachel grew up in Western PA and found her love of reading early in life, supported by her parents with frequent trips to the library and local bookstores. She stumbled into the bookish world in late 2020 and has embraced the lifestyle whole-heartedly, diving headfirst into the Romance genre, becoming a book reviewer and Bookstagrammer. In 2021, she changed careers, took a job at an indie bookstore, and started her first official novel-length writing project.

Now, Rachel is getting an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction at Seton Hill University and juggling too many story ideas for one brain to handle. She's excited to continue to share Happily Ever Afters with you that bring the swoons, the spice, and the humor. Rachel had a dream to do what she loves, and this dream became a reality in 2022. Rachel’s debut novel, "Carry Me Through Christmas," published November 10, 2022. Signed copies are always available for purchase. She continues to move forward with "Capitally Matched." Rachel’s currently working on a new series of interconnected standalones featuring five brothers while she pursues an MFA in Popular Fiction at Seton Hill University.

When not immersed in her bookish world, you can find Rachel hanging out with her husband and two cats, spending time with friends in the Washington DC area, and rooting for Pittsburgh sports teams. You can find Rachel by her website at www.rachelwholm.com or social media at Instagram: https://instagram.com/rachelwritesromance

Tik Tok: www.tiktok.com/@rachelwritesromance

X: https://twitter.com/Rachel_W_H

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RachelHolmAuthor

Author Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/RachelHolm/

Newsletter Landing Page: https://rachels-romantic-ramblings.beehiiv.com/

Amazon Profile Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/rachelholm

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14531699.Rachel_Holm or you can contact Mickey Mikkelson

Publicist

Creative Edge

Co-Owner: Top Shelf Magazine

Creative Edge Publicity - Home (creative-edge.services)

403.464.6925 for any interviews, etc. Thank you for listening to and supporting the podcast. If you want to be heard, email [email protected] or follow me on Instagram @mscaramellucas - TikTok @caramellucas - Facebook - Caramel Lucas

The conversation that Richard and I had was remarkable. I am super excited for Richard and his career path. He is doing such a great job with everything he has done so far. Richard Chevolleau is a native of Kingston, Jamaica. The multi-talented artist has honed his career over the years by living and working in New York, Los Angeles, Vancouver Calgary, Ottawa, and Toronto, where he currently resides. Richard, a Canadian Gemini and Actra award winning actor, is going to camera summer 2024 on his latest short film, “Marvelous Marvin.” Chevolleau brings his director/writer/producer skills to the table for the project. “Marvelous Marvin” is produced by Three Finger Film Productions Inc. Chevolleau’s production company, executive produced by Richard Fagon & Angie Reid. The film stars Knyght Darius Jack, (Accused, Blues Clues, Grayson’s Encounter) Angie Reid (Coroner, Slip, Promise Me) Shanice Banton (Degrassi: The Next Generation, Murdoch Mysteries, Lifetme’s Her Stolen Past) and actor Michael Brown (Four Brothers, Hudson & Rex, Diggstown). Chevolleau’s sensitive and heartwarming film is a coming-of-age drama. “Marvelous Marvin” follows the journey of quiet ten-year-old Marvin Marvellus, who lives in a small rural town. Marvin has caught the wrath of the schoolyard bully, Tiny, and endures daily bullying from the boy. Marvin feels defeated and helpless until one day he discovers his father’s vintage superhero comics. He finds inspiration in the comic book heroes, leading him to believe that he can become a real-life superhero. He wears a make-shift cape and calls himself Marvelous Marvin. But, even with the name change and cape, Marvin realizes that defeating his bully isn’t that simple. He finally confronts his tormentor, and by standing up to him, Marvin discovers that courage comes from within if you believe in yourself. Being a passionate and character focused actor, it’s no surprise that Chevolleau will educate and inspire us with “Marvelous Marvin.” Chevolleau pays attention to his craft and knows you can not stay quiet, and every day is a journey. By directing, writing, and producing projects, Chevolleau makes sure his work is heard on his terms in the stories and characters he creates. Along with “Marvelous Marvin” Chevolleau has a slate of projects to come. Marvelous Marvin delivers a powerful message about the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of inner strength in the face of adversity.” Richard Chevolleau, the actor is currently in pre-production as the creator, writer & producer on the upcoming feature film, "STINKY: THE NILO GOODMAN STORY". Richard is the actor and director known for Narc (2002), Earth: Final Conflict (1997), and Four Brothers (2005). If you want to follow Richard Chevolleau, please go to his website at www.richardchevolleau.com or social media. You can go to Google and type his name Richard Chevolleau.

If you would like an interview with Richard, please contact Sasha Stoltz Publicity: Sasha Stoltz at [email protected] | 416.579.4804

https://www.sashastoltzpublicity.com

Thank you for listening to and supporting the podcast. If you want to be heard, email [email protected] or follow me on Instagram @mscaramellucas - TikTok @caramellucas - Facebook - Caramel Lucas

When I first spoke with Caroline, I knew we were going to have a great time communicating with each other. Caroline's career brings her a lot of happiness. Caroline Dowd-Higgins is a career and executive coach, consultant, speaker, podcaster, and author who's passionate about helping individuals and organizations navigate change and thrive. She's a certified LeaderShape Transpersonal Executive Coach, a Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centered Executive Coach, and a Gallup Strengths Coach. Caroline hosts the award-winning podcast "Your Working Life" and is known for her inspiring TEDxWomen talk on reframing failure. Which Caroline loves speaking. Caroline first book, "This Is Not The Career I Ordered," is followed by her new book, "Your Career Advantage: Overcome Challenges to Achieve a Rewarding Work Life. Caroline is living her passion. Her greatest joy is helping women own their self-confidence so they can walk taller and embrace their potential. Gail helps women leaders optimize their strengths and hone their emotional intelligence to navigate the complex world-of-work. Savvy professionals tap resources to help them flourish, and having an executive coach provides a safe space to tackle challenges and create solutions. The inner shift that happens when she can give herself permission to define success on her own terms is transformative, and Gail helps women activate their empowerment. You can learn more about Caroline and her work at Caroline Dowd-Higgins' Website at www.carolinedowdhiggins.com and get social with Caroline at IG | FaceBook | Twitter | Linkedin | Podcast at if you want an interview, please contact Zach Heitling at [email protected]

Thank you for listening to and supporting the podcast. If you want to be heard, email [email protected] or follow me on Instagram @mscaramellucas - TikTok @caramellucas - Facebook - Caramel Lucas

The conversation with Gail Treasure was a good down to earth conversation. Gail is a remarkable writer, author, and retired teacher. We had a very interesting conversation about her career and journey in life. Gail Treasure is a retired school teacher who still teaches occasionally. Gail attended York University, where she majored in French and Italian. Gail has always loved to write, has taken countless writing courses, and attended numerous writing workshops. She is currently writing a novel for pre-teens, and she can not wait to release it. Gail is happily married and has two scientist daughters who Gail loves very much. Gail grew up in Toronto but now resides in the beautiful town of Uxbridge, Ontario. Gail wrote a novel called "Wife by the Hour" which was inspired by her many trips to France, her fascination with peeling back layers of the institution of marriage, and her desire to shed some light on the issue of the rights of sex workers in modern society in a fictional way. Gail is in a women group of kicka$$ writers. RE:BOOKS, a prominent independent publishing house in Toronto, was established by renowned 10x bestselling author, Rebecca Eckler. With a mission to champion the idea that "what's good is read and what’s read is good," RE:BOOKS is dedicated to delivering captivating stories that even Eckler herself would love to devour. No book snobs allowed! RE:BOOKS helps women to get their books published—from the big idea to the bestsellers’ list. No excuses. No sugarcoating. By curating the most exciting titles in Canadian publishing, they continue to inspire readers, offering a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction titles. Therefore, Gail's novel "Wife by the Hour" is about a woman named Julia - Meet Julia, a confident and empowered middle-aged single mother gracefully balancing her professional life as the sought-after escort, “Just Julia”, a nod to Pretty Woman. She enjoys the lucrative work; however, faced with the shifting sands of parenthood, she has decided to exit her “under the covers” business and turn to a full-time teaching career, stepping away from the escort business for good.

On her final day, Julia finds herself more than enjoying the company of her last client—a handsome man named Alex, who she soon recognizes as the husband of a friend with whom she had spent a turbulent summer au pairing in the South of France 25 years earlier. Julia is bewildered as she realizes that she has undeniably strong feelings for a man for the first time in her life. As Julia falls deeper in love (and lust) with Alex, she can’t help but dream that maybe—just maybe—he will reciprocate her feelings. When Alex asks (and pays) for Julia and her daughter to go to France, where he’ll be vacationing with his family, including his wife, Julia can’t say no, no matter how risky it is for everyone. Mostly, Julia wonders if and how it’s possible she can get Alex to leave his marriage for her. Alternating between past and present day, Julia reflects on her escorting experiences and explores the seven reasons why many men are reluctant to leave their marriages and choose to pay for intimacy instead. You can follow Gail Treasure at WEBSITE: https://rebooks.ca/

INSTAGRAM: @inspiredbyrebooks or @gailtreasure

Or you can contact Sasha Stoltz Publicity:

Sasha Stoltz at [email protected] | 416.579.4804

https://www.sashastoltzpublicity.com

Thank you for listening to and supporting the podcast. If you want to be heard, email [email protected] or follow me on Instagram @mscaramellucas - TikTok @caramellucas - Facebook - Caramel Lucas

Conversation with Roger Leslie was very uplifting. Roger was comfortable with the podcast. He expressed himself, and he kept it real with me. Roger spent his childhood in Michigan, loving books & movies. The age of 13 creative diversions ignited an idea for him that he would become an author. He took inspiration to action and wrote his first novella. Roger sensed to his very soul that he was on his journey of a lifetime. After Roger moved to Texas with his family when he was a teenager, he set his sights on being a novelist. At the time, he didn’t know if he would have the talent to achieve his dreams. But the passion that Roger felt to succeed ran deep enough to sustain him through years of disappointing rejections and fateful detours. Roger writing throughout his high school years was empowering. Roger was setting a goal to write his first novel before graduation. This gave Roger's life, a driving purpose, and created his first social identity. To all of his peers, he became “the guy who wrote the book.” Roger undergraduate degree focused exclusively on creative writing. Roger received advice from a career counselor, and he changed his major to English education, which expanded his professional prospects to include decades as a teacher, professor, and school librarian. Roger earned a Master’s degree in creative writing and a doctorate in education. Roger kept writing and submitting, and over time, he expanded what he wrote. Finally, multiple publishing successes converged to create a career-paving direction. In a single year, Roger became a reviewer for Booklist and received contracts from different publishers for a novel and three nonfiction books. He became open to writing in an array of genres, both nonfiction and fiction. As a result, he found more publishing success through large, medium, and small publishing houses. Roger even won multiple local, state, and national awards. Years as an award-winning educator paved the way for international speaking engagements. Dr. Roger Leslie, scholar in the fields of success and education. Leslie has won numerous national awards, including ForeWord Book of the Year, The Ben Franklin Award, and Writer’s Digest’s #1 Inspirational Book of the Year. Roger received the Houston Literary Award for his body of work. Roger demands as a teacher, coach, and keynote speaker. He leads FLY (First Last Year) courses based on his blockbuster memoir, "My First Last Year." He draws from decades as an author, editor, and publisher to coach writers in groups and individually. He is also a sought-after speaker for his lively, entertaining keynotes relating award-winning movies to any topic or group. In every book and presentation. Leslie entertains, inspires, and empowers people to live the life they dream and soar toward their own ideal of success. He has written approximately 20 books. His books like "Light Come Out of the Closet" is a memoir of a gay man's struggle to reconcile his sexuality with his faith. It explores his journey of rediscovering the God of love he learned about as a child and how being gay became a gift that helped him find his soul. This book is a powerful testament to hope, healing, and self-discovery in the face of prejudice and adversity. His recent book

"No Stranger Christmas" is a fight against gay discrimination and a story of love and insight. While trying to save Christmas for his financially struggling family, 14-year-old Frankie Lincoln finds the courage to explore his artistry, stand up to gay discrimination, and pursue first love. You can find all of Roger's books and social media links by going to his website at www.RogerLeslie.com and you can find his books "Light Come Out of the Closet" and "No Stranger Christmas" or Amazon-Amazon.ca- Kindle. Thank you for listening to and supporting the podcast. If you want to be heard, email [email protected] or follow me on Instagram @mscaramellucas - TikTok @caramellucas - Facebook - Caramel Lucas

Conversation with Nate on the podcast was very meaningful and super entertaining. We had a lot of fun talking about being your true self. He is very passionate about helping people and trying to help them go in the right direction in their lives. Nathan Andres, M.A., is a coach, LGBTQ activist, business leader, and best-selling author. The drive for Nate is to authentically serve others, and he developed into a love of helping people, ultimately leading to a career in Human Resources where he spent over two decades. Nate knows his life purpose is to be a light, building authenticity and resilience in others. Nate lived and traveled around the world to explore his mission to show people the way through their struggles and teach them how to care for their whole person. Though he only started developing the REAL model in adulthood, his friends and family supported him and told him that he had been coaching his whole life.

A believer in life-long learning and specialist in career reinvention, Nate first earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Marquette University in 1995. He is a 2004 graduate of New York University’s Human Resource Management Graduate Diploma program. In 2015, Nate became a Certified Professional and Executive Coach through ICF and earned a Masters of Arts in Coaching, Learning & Development from Middlesex University, London in 2017. He is a member in good standing of the ICF - International Coaching Federation. Nate is a Columbus, Ohio (USA) native. Nate is truly a global citizen. He has traveled extensively around the world for business and pleasure. He is a popular public and online speaker, having engaged audiences across four continents. Currently residing between Washington D.C. and Singapore, Nathan has been based in Asia-Pacific for nearly 20 years; he lived twice in Tokyo, Japan, and holds a permanent residency card in Hong Kong. Nathan is a four-time marathon finisher and enjoys tennis, yoga, strength training, meditation, and movies. He is an avid well-being & LGBTQ activist contributing to causes around the world. When off duty, Nathan and his husband spend endless hours playing with their dogs, Vivi & Coco. He decided to write a book called "Your Real Life" Get Authentic, Be Resilient & Make It Count. This book is a Multi-Award winning book. Nate and his best-selling book have made it on many platforms. This book about - Your REAL Life introduces the REAL model, a practical framework for coaching yourself through adversity of any scale. Using the anchors of reality, energy, authenticity, and love, Nathan breaks down the key ingredient to beating anything life throws at you: authentic resilience. Grounded with psychology and basic neuroscience as well as best practices in the coaching field, Your Real Life teaches you everything you need to know to build authentic resilience. When you get REAL, you don’t just bounce back from hardship—you bounce beyond it.

If you want to purchase the book go to https://geni.us/yourreallife or if you want to know more about Nathan Andres go to his website at https://www.nathanandres.com/ you can also follow on social media at Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nathanandres_coach/ or LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/nyandres/ if you want an interview, please contact Zach Heitling at [email protected]

Thank you for listening to and supporting the podcast. If you want to be heard, email [email protected] or follow me on Instagram @mscaramellucas - TikTok @caramellucas - Facebook - Caramel Lucas

Listen to this conversation that Caramel had with Ann Aubitz on Keepin It Real w/ Caramel Podcast. This conversation was like two friends who were catching up on old times. They had a blast conversating about different topics of Ann's life. Caramel do know that Ann loves helping authors publish their books. Ever since Ann was a child, she always wanted to pursue her dream in reading. Ann is a Co-owner and Publisher of Kirk House Publishers. After years of reading everything she could get her hands on, she decided to help others achieve their dream of becoming an author. Ann mission is to help authors achieve their dreams by seeing their book in print. That is when Kirk House Publishers was established. Kirk House Publishers is a company that wants authors, writers, etc, to have their dreams come true. At Kirk House Publishers, they believe that a good book has the power to ignite imaginations, stir emotions, and inspire humanity. When you choose Kirk House Publishers, you'll have access to a team of publishing experts who are committed to bringing your vision to life. They offer personalized attention, unparalleled support, and a commitment to quality that is second to none. With Kirk House Publishers, you'll have the ideal partner to help you fulfill your dream of becoming a published author. Kirk House Publishers is the right direction when you have to choose a publishing company. As Ann is helping people dreams come true, she decided to write and publish her own book to guide authors in a positive direction. Her book "The Journey from Manuscript to Print" is a guide to publishing your book. This book is a game-changing tool for authors in their literary journey. The expert publisher, Ann Aubitz, released and published her book at her own company, Kirk House Publishers. This book will give you tips to get ready for your manuscript for publication and make your book stand out. Ann wants you to imagine you are holding your published book in your hands for the first time. Seeing your name on the cover and knowing you made your dream a reality. The sense of accomplishment is unmatched! But it all starts with deciding to publish. This book will provide you with the knowledge you need to navigate the publishing process and successfully avoid rookie mistakes. You’ll be ready to publish like a pro! If you’re ready to go from manuscript to printed book, this book is for you. This book will have you following along as the author, Ann Aubitz, breaks down the steps and provides real-world advice. You’ll gain the clarity and confidence to publish your book and start sharing your story with the world. The author, publisher Ann Aubitz, has seen countless authors struggle to

navigate the publishing process. But it doesn’t have to be so mysterious or daunting! Publishing your book can be one of the most rewarding experiences for an author. But it requires understanding the steps from manuscript to bound book. This book will walk you through the publishing process, from editing to production to sales and marketing. You’ll learn insider. If you want to buy the book, go to Amazon.com: The Journey from Manuscript to Print: A Guide to Publishing Your Book eBook : Ann Aubitz, Kindle Store, or you can find Ann Aubitz website at Bookstore | Kirk House Publishers - https://www.kirkhousepublishers.com/bookstore. If you want an interview with Ann Aubitz, you contact her PR at Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: [email protected] /

403.464.6925.

Thank you for listening to and supporting the podcast. If you want to be heard, email [email protected] or follow Caramel on Instagram @mscaramellucas - TikTok @caramellucas - Facebook - Caramel Lucas