Living The Next Chapter: Candid Conversations with Authors and Writers for Readers Searching for a New Read

Episode 399 - Sara Lohse - Author of Open This Book, the art of storytelling for aspiring thought leaders

About the author

Sara Lohse is a storyteller, marketer, and brand architect with a knack for turning narratives into connections. Through Favorite Daughter Media, Sara uses her passion and talent to help mission-driven brands amplify their impact, proving that authentic storytelling and strategic marketing go hand in hand. 

Sara's work and expertise, featured on conference stages including FinCon, PodFest Multimedia Expo, and Speakonomics and in publications such as Authority Magazine, showcase her as a gifted creator fueled by passion and caffeine, dedicated to making a difference through powerful storytelling and marketing.

Everybody has a story. They just don't know it yet.

Ever think that silly story you tell to break the ice could actually be a breakthrough for your career? Welcome to Open This Book: The Art of Storytelling for Aspiring Thought Leaders, where we're ditching the textbook definitions and embracing storytelling as the heart of authentic leadership.

This isn’t your average "how-to" guide. Imagine it as a heart-to-heart with a friend who’s seen their fair share of life’s plot twists and learned how careful word choice and a smooth delivery can turn chaos into clarity and mishaps into powerful messages.

Because the secret to being a thought leader–a content creator, podcaster, speaker, author–is knowing how to transform those "just another day" experiences into an arsenal for connecting in a world that’s scrolling past the same old content.

Open This Book is your backstage pass to understanding why storytelling isn’t just for the Shakespeares and Spielbergs of the world. Designed as part book, part journal (but no part textbook), this book is for anyone who’s ever had a “you can’t make this up” moment (and let’s be honest, who hasn’t?). From crafting your narrative to delivering it in a way that feels like a mic drop, we’ll explore the ins and outs of telling stories that connect, challenge, and change the game of leadership.

So, if you’re ready to turn your misadventures into your mission statement, you’ve come to the right place. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the best stories are hiding in plain sight—they just need a little nudge (or a full-on shove) into the spotlight.

This isn’t just about finding your voice; it’s about discovering that your voice, quirks and all, is exactly what the world’s been waiting to hear.
What are you waiting for? Open this book.

https://workwithbranded.com/branded-podcast/
https://favoritedaughtermedia.com/open-this-book/

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Episode 398 - Lea Appleton - Walking & Wayfinding, Create Your Own Mindful Practice, One Step at a Time - Create Your Own Path as You Walk Upon It

Join Lea Appleton on an inspiring journey along the coast of Southern California and through the neighborhoods near her home in Walking & Wayfinding: Create Your Own Mindful Practice, One Step at a Time. Originally planning to walk the Camino de Santiago in Spain, Lea's path took an unexpected turn due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Undeterred, she embarked on a series of more local walks that became a source of profound self-discovery and awareness.

In this captivating book, Lea shares her personal reflections and stories, inviting you to join her in exploring the transformative power of walking. Whether you're a seasoned walker or someone who's never ventured beyond your doorstep, this book is your guide to cultivating a deeper connection with yourself and the world around you.

Through journal prompts, questions for reflection, and practical tips, Walking & Wayfinding empowers you to create your own mindful walking practice. Discover how each step can lead you closer to understanding yourself and the path you're meant to walk.

If you're seeking motivation, a deeper connection with nature or the city in which you live, or simply a new way to engage with your daily surroundings, Walking & Wayfinding is the perfect companion for your journey.

About the author

Lea Appleton is a professional certified coach helping working professionals live meaningful lives. She also works in the outdoor industry. For over 20 years she helped build multicultural and interreligious communities in higher education. While the combination of these diverse experiences may seem unconventional, when put together they help shape her writing style into one that is approachable, educational, inspiring, and authentic.

When not coaching or writing, Lea likes to spend time in her vegetable garden, hiking the local mountains, or taking photographs of things that catch her eye outdoors. Lea has a Master of Arts in Music, a Master of Divinity degree, and holds the Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential from the International Coaching Federation. She lives with her husband Billy and has three adult children.

https://www.appletoncoaching.com/

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Episode 397 - Rachel Fowler - Writer, Actor, Director and Grief Coach - Hold Space For Those That Grieve

Grief is transformative.  It changes us, moulds us into something new.  It takes intention and reflection and being present to fully appreciate the metamorphosis, and to accept it, welcome it, turn towards it.

My mission is to give you a safe, comforting space to feel all the big feelings and conflicting emotions around the changes, losses or uncertainty you are facing.

I'll guide you through, ​I'll listen and I'll witness. 

Together we'll remember, we'll explore, we'll reframe, we'll tap into your creativity, we'll cry and we'll laugh.

My dad died after a long hospital stay and failure to thrive after several complicated surgeries. My 13 year old nephew died from a drug overdose on my daughters birthday.

In both of these incidents, I experienced beautiful kindness and emotional support from some and the painful recoil and avoidance from others.  The fear and discomfort of the latter stung in so many ways, adding little cuts to my emotionally bruised self. I dissected those cuts, those moments.  Intellectually, I knew they weren’t about me, but they pierced my core, they offended me still, and oh man, they HURT SO MUCH.  Grief is so isolating to begin with, and these made me spend most of my energy holding myself together, strapping my emotions in – all so I wouldn’t make others uncomfortable. 

And I learned that the pain subsided as I shifted my focus to the helpers.  

As Mr. Rogers says, “Look for the helpers. You’ll always find people who are helping.” Those who sat with me while I wept, unable to speak.  Those who held my hand, who took me to the airport, who watched Grace for a bit, who dropped off food, who remembered to ask me how I was and listen, even if I didn’t want to answer. 

The idea of holding space become more and more prominent in my creative work: I wrote and directed a short film about it, and am currently working on a Young Adult novel with this as a central theme.  I also trained as a coach in late 2019, and as we lived through the first wave of COVID and the lockdown of 2020, I realized that this was what I wanted to do.  

I want to hold space for people in pain.  Help them navigate the unchartered waters of loss and the uncertainty it brings.  Explore who they are now that they have been through this challenge, this bliss.  

Reveal to them that they are not broken, they are just beautifully, lovingly, painfully human.

https://www.rachelfowlergriefcoach.com/
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0288786/

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Episode 396 - Julia Pearce - The Boy Who Became More Than We Could Imagine, Bringing the Music Back

About Me

I am Julia. I have lived, volunteered and worked in the disability world for more than 25 years. I am a presenter at local and national conferences. I have written about personal lived experiences, communication, public policy, and advocacy. I know that everyone has something to say and that I can help them communicate and say what needs to be said. Our son, Dallin, is my muse who keeps me going in this realm. 

I have been known to run up and down mountains, and work in our rock-hard patch of dirt for hours, while taking pictures through it all. I have done yoga for more than 30 years and am now learning to do mindful meditation in my everyday moments.

I am a supporter of boutiques and antique shops all along the back roads. I find fun in big gatherings and peace in small one on one moments on our north lawn. I prefer action movies to chick flicks, thanks to decades of watching movies with the boys in my house, and will seek out the sun year round. 

I am married to the best man I know. He makes me laugh every day and look for the good in the world, even as we go through difficult experiences.

Book: The Boy Who Became More Than We Could Imagine

This memoir is a poignant and uplifting book that explores the life of Dallin, a young boy who was enchanted by music from the very beginning. From his earliest days as an infant, music was a source of joy and comfort, and it was always present in his life.

The author shares how, in 2013, music took on a new meaning for her after Dallin's passing. She struggled to listen to music without being overwhelmed with emotions. It took years before she could hear music again and let it bring back memories of Dallin and his love for music.

Through each chapter titled after a song, the author shares a story of Dallin's life and the experiences he had that made him the boy he was. From facing adversity to discovering new joys, Dallin lived a life that was full of music and rhythm.

This book is a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of music to heal and inspire. It invites readers to join the author on a journey through Dallin's life and to be inspired by his love for music and his unwavering spirit. "The Boy Who Became More Than We Could Imagine; How Music brought rhythm and joy into a lifetime of illness, disability and constant change for an unstoppable human." is a book that will touch the hearts of readers and remind them of the importance of cherishing every moment.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qchPLaiKocI
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https://juliapearce.net/
https://www.facebook.com/julia.pearce.754/
https://www.instagram.com/runnamokk/

https://www.youtube.com/@juliapearce1616/playlists

https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-pearce-0b06b01b/

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Episode 395 - Jenny Alexander - Low Content, Relationship Author, Poetry and Self Publishing

• Divorce
• A broken engagement
• The death of a loved one
• A friendship breakup

If your heart is broken you might feel:

• Alone in your grief
• Hopeless and confused 
• Stuck in the past
• Unsure of your faith

If this describes you, you've come to the right place.
 
Hi! My name is Jenny Alexander. I'm a relationship specialist and a voice of hope for the heartbroken.
 
I desire to see the brokenhearted healed and set free. I offer encouragement born from experience. As a survivor of divorce, friendship breakups, and spiritual doubts, I know what it's like to grieve, to feel confused, stuck, and sometimes hopeless.
 
I've created this website and my other resources as guides for you. In those guides, I share strategies that helped me recover - strategies that can help you. Along with my experience, I also draw from my counselling education. I received a Master's in Human Services Counselling from Liberty University in 2016.
​
Feel free to browse my blog and my books. I've recently added word searches and gratitude journals to my list of creations.

You're also welcome to join my monthly newsletter. ​
​
I look forward to playing a role in your recovery. If I can help even one person, what I went through was worth it.

https://www.jennyealexander.com/

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Episode 394 - Bill Wittur - Climate Fiction, A New Category for Readers

EXTINCTION EVENT is a full-length fiction novel set in the present day that belongs in the speculative fiction / dystopian category. 

Story Synopsis

The main character – known only as LP – tries to reinvent himself by going back to school. With some help from his recording instructor and his friends, he discovers a mystery surrounding different ‘glitches’ heard with analog versus digital recordings of popular songs. He investigates further to discover an important figure from his past who built an Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform called GAIA which is being used to spread false stories to the public but to also change the fate of the planet and its inhabitants.

Mythology ‘Easter Eggs’

This story is loaded with Easter Eggs related to different mythological sources and resources. Examples include:

• Sylvie Hunter, a key character that embodies traits related to Artemis
• John Atman, the all-knowing sage
• The Muses
• Aesop’s Fables and other animal tales
• Prometheus and the Creation Myth
• And much, much more

Climate Fiction: A New Category for Readers

This is a climate fiction, or ‘cli-fi’ story. As events transpire, the reader is brought into our world in environmental crises. There are several overlapping themes that are explored in Extinction Event, including:

• AI electricity and water use and how it will soon strangle all of us given the current increases in demand for different AI tools.
• The ‘sixth extinction’ that many scientists anticipate will start to close in on us, as all species of creatures on Earth face extinction because of human abuse of the planet.
• Different economic and political arguments surrounding resource-based capitalism and why our pace of consumption is unsustainable.
• Exploring the beauty of the different animal kingdoms that surround us and why they’re worth preserving.

Reviews

5/5: Whether “AI phobic” or not … this book will make you think

5/5: Highly recommended!!

5/5: A fabulous read from cover to cover

https://billwittur.com/
https://amzn.to/45xFrBe

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Episode 392 - Isaac Phoenix - The Different Dimensions of Story, How Game Design Shaped His Writing

What are ‘The Three Dimensions of Writing’? 

I named it the Three Dimensions because A) there are three, maybe I need to find a less creative field, and B) people want three dimensional stories and characters so this is how I create them.

Step 1: Every writer needs to read The Hero With A Thousand Faces.  It is done by Joseph Campbell who essentially breaks down why the oldest and most popular stories were the most popular stories and why they resonate today.  It is a deep book and to get the most out of it, you must take it as figuratively as you would literally.  So yeah step one is stolen, however, there is a reason.  

Many famous storytellers have gone through Campbells book, George Lucas being one of the biggest names, but another man, Dan Harmon, famous for his work on television shows like Community and Rick and Morty, took the concept and simplified it.  In some cases it is too simplified, and in others, Campbells is too complicated.  I believe that to understand the Monomyth and use it perfectly, it is important to understand both of these interpretations, and as many interpretations of the monomyth as possible.

Step 2: Ok so this one is completely mine.  So if you find flaws in my theory, this is probably the place where they pop up.  While I studied writing there was a ton to learn.  As a game designer I already had a ton to memorise in the field of game design.  So memorising everything that had to do with writing was a challenge.  I have three children and had their names memorised till the third one came around and now I can’t remember any of them.  However there were four words that popped up again and again and again.  They were active, reactive, internal, and external.  I put together a chart with these words and applied them to every level of storytelling.  

I divide my stories into the World, the Character, and the Story, and then divide it into levels: the Act, the Segment, the Scene, and the Beat.  Each of these 7 segments has these four words applied to them in different ways.  When you hear of second act fatigue, this is what gets me through it.  

At no point do I ever have to question what happens in a story next because this always points me in the direction of where I need my characters to go.

Step 3: Pacing is a term you will hear in writing.  I heard it everywhere, but I never truly understood it until I looked more into Shakespear.  Before Campbell, Shakespear created what is the first Writing Theory.  It was the 3 act structure.  With the monomyth I don't believe we really need the 3 act structure as a writing guide, however, I realized the 3 act structure was just a huge pacing curve.  So I combined them.  I was able to use the three act structure to map out the pacing curve and apply it to every bit of my stories.  This is important as pacing out your story is what is going to keep your audience engaged.  For the game designers out there, it is just like pacing out your Differences in Kind.

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-creative-continuum

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How To Be A Great Podcast Guest - Important Guesting Tips You Can Use On Your Next Interview

How to Be a Good Podcast Guest: Essential Tips

Being a good guest on a podcast is a fantastic way to share your message with a broad audience and build meaningful connections with both the hosts and listeners. A successful podcast interview benefits everyone involved, so it's crucial to come prepared and deliver your best performance. Here are some essential tips to help you shine as a podcast guest.

Preparation Tips

Listen to At Least Two Published Episodes

Before your interview, listen to at least two episodes of the podcast. This will help you understand the show's cadence and rhythm. Take note of any recurring questions, as there's a good chance the host will ask you similar ones.

Read Reviews of the Podcast
Check out audience reviews on platforms like iTunes or Spotify. These reviews can provide valuable insights into the audience's preferences and expectations, helping you tailor your message to resonate with them.

Prepare at Least Three Stories

Being a great podcast guest isn't just about answering questions; it's about storytelling. Prepare at least three engaging stories that reveal your personality and experiences. This will help you come across as natural and relatable.

Research the Topic, Host, and Other Guests

Do thorough research on the show's topic, the host's background, and any other guests who might join you. This preparation will enable you to engage in meaningful conversations and ask insightful questions, impressing both the host and the audience.

During the Show

Have a Proper Audio Setup

Ensure your audio setup is top-notch. Use quality headphones or earbuds to hear clearly and a USB microphone for better sound quality. Test your equipment before the recording starts to avoid any technical issues.

Use the Host's Name

Incorporate the host's name into your answers. This small touch keeps the conversation warm and personal.

Keep Your Answers Concise

Listeners can lose interest in long, monotonous answers. Be concise and stay on topic to keep the audience engaged.

Be Energetic and Positive

Maintain a positive and energetic demeanor throughout the interview. Avoid controversial topics and focus on being inspirational and clear in your communication.

Reference Prior Episodes

If you've listened to past episodes, mention them when relevant. This shows your preparation and can engage loyal listeners who enjoy recalling previous content.

Conclusion

Making a great impression as a podcast guest requires more effort than it might seem. Listeners can sense your energy, even if they can't see you. Honesty and authenticity are key to your success. With these tips in mind, you'll be well-prepared to ace your next podcast appearance like a pro.

Source: https://podcastle.ai/blog/how-to-be-a-good-podcast-guest/
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Episode 391 - Gina Coviello - A Great Life Starts with Self-Love - Surviving the Detrimental Effects of Emotional Abuse

Coach Gina

I have survived the detrimental effects of emotional abuse for 50 years, and I know how it feels to hate oneself, and to feel utterly alone in the world. Through self-love practices I have come to fully embrace and love myself. I have turned my life around and am now a self-love coach. I hope to inspire you with the wisdom I have gained, so that you will learn to love yourself all day every day and achieve the life of your dreams.

The L.O.V.E Process

This 4-step process is designed to guide you through a journey of self-discovery and growth, leading to a life filled with love, joy, and fulfillment.

Listen To Your Heart:
Tune into your inner voice and acknowledge your true feelings and desires.

Overcome Obstacles:
Identify and address the barriers that hinder your journey to self-love.

Validate Your Worth:
Recognize and celebrate your inherent worthiness and unique strengths.

Embark On Change:
Take proactive steps towards nurturing self-love and transforming your life.

https://coachginacoviello.com/
https://www.maryeknippel.com/

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Episode 390 - Brigitte Cutshall - Real Things Living Podcast - Empowering Others From Just Surviving to Thriving

Meet Brigitte.

Brigitte is the founder of Gemini Media, host of Real Things Living Podcast, a Health Advocate and focuses on delivering the best solutions to her clients. She’s an accomplished business development professional in the communications, publishing and print management industry.

One of Brigitte’s goals is to “empower others from just surviving to thriving” and participates in wellness events. She’s a speaker and the author of three books – RealThings: 6 Ways to Embrace Life , Expecting the Good: Inspiration from a Badass with a Big Heart , and Quality Book Formula – and successfully develops content for wellness and healthy lifestyles, resulting in being featured as a contributing writer on HuffingtonPost, DrLaura.com, Intent.com, Wellness.com, Sharecare.com, and TheMomiverse.

https://brigittecutshall.com/resources/#book
https://brigittecutshall.com/

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