Quixotic Heights Podcast

Welcome to Quixotic Heights—the podcast where we explore the winding paths that lead us to who we are becoming.

Today’s guest is award-winning romantasy author Jennifer Lees, creator of the Arlan’s Pledge series and the Community Chronicles.

Jenn’s road to writing is anything but conventional. She spent decades serving others: as a nurse in outback Australia; training in midwifery in the UK; living in Nairobi with her husband helping to run a children’s home; then serving in Christian ministry in regional Australia while also working as an oncology nurse.

Without formal training in creative writing, Jenny taught herself the craft—through courses, conferences, and sheer determination—eventually turning lived experience, compassion, and courage into richly imagined fantasy worlds. After retiring from nursing and returning to Scotland in 2023, she now writes full-time, bringing stories of love, resilience, and hope to readers around the world.

Website: https://jennleeswriter.com

Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/c/jennleesfantasyauthor/about

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennleeswriter

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennleeswriter

Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jenn-Lees/author/B07KGN6G7S

Map maker: JI Rogers with Myth Spinner Studios

⁠https://jirogers-author.com⁠

Jenn has travelled extensively and lived on three continents. Although Australia is the land of her birth, Scotland has always called her back. This land remains her source of inspiration, where she now lives with her husband and close family nearby.

Jenn loves walking through a forest and climbing a mountain to experience the view. Or exploring a castle ruin and soaking in the history. Her only disappointment in life is that time travel is not possible... apparently.

Award-winning fantasy author Jenn Lees’ latest release, OfHigh Kings and Mages: Arlan's Pledge Book Three, reached the Semi-Finalist stage in the OZMA Book Awards for Fantasy Fiction 2024 CIBAs (Chanticleer International Book Awards).

Of Warriors and Sages: Arlan's Pledge Book Two reachedSemi-Finalist in the OZMA Book Awards for Fantasy Fiction 2023 (as the manuscript The Quest). Longlisted in the Realm Awards 2025 Fantasy Section. As the manuscript The Quest reached the Top 10 in Ink & Insights 2021.

Jenn Lees' Best Selling novel, Of Myths And Portals: Arlan's Pledge Book One achieved First Place Award (Gold) in TheBookFest Fall 2024 Fiction-Romance-Fantasy, Second Place Award (Silver) in The BookFest fall 2024 Fiction-Fantasy-Magic, Myths and Legends, and Fiction-Christian-Fantasy

The Crossing: Arlan’s Pledge Book 1 (re-released as Of Myths and Portals) achieved the finals in the OZMA Book Awards for Fantasy Fiction (previous draft manuscript) CIBA 2021.

Restoring Time (Book 4 of the Community Chronicles Series) reached the finals in the CYGNUS Awards for Science Fiction 2021 CIBA.

An Ink & Insights Competition judge says of Arlan's Pledge: ‘Beautifully crafted, full of rich setting descriptions, tension that caught my attention and kept it, and characters that leapt off the page. This author is a skilled storyteller.’ (Melody Quinn. Ink & Insights 2021 Competition Master Category Judge)

Welcome to Quixotic Heights —the podcast where we explore the bold ideas, creative journeys, and unconventional paths that shape extraordinary lives.

Katelyn Honigsberg is a writer, editor, and journalist whose career bridges creativity and credibility. Katelyn is an Executive Assistant and Junior Editor at Quill Hawk Publishing, where she helps bring powerful stories into the world.

She’s also a published author, having self-published her first novel, A Tale of Darkness & Light, while still in high school — a feat that set the tone for a career fueled by ambition and storytelling.

In addition to publishing, Katelyn writes breaking news for Channel 4 in Oklahoma, balancing speed, accuracy, and integrity in today’s fast-paced media landscape.

In this episode, we’ll talk about writing young, editing professionally, navigating journalism, and what it really takes to grow as a storyteller across multiple disciplines. Whether you’re an aspiring writer, a publishing professional, or just someone who loves a good story, this conversation is for you.

Katelyn Honigsberg is a young, passionate individual chasing her dreams to the best of her ability. Self-published as a Sophomore in high school, Katelyn is dedicated to a career in the literary world with hopes of one day being a bestselling author. Attending the University of Central Oklahoma for a bachelor’s in English and a minor in Technical Writing is onlythe tipping point of all she’s going to do. When she isn’t reading or writing, she enjoys playing card games or binge-watching her favorite shows, such as ‘The Office’ or ‘Brooklyn 99.’ Katelyn is passionate about her faith and wants to recognize God and all His good works for everything He has done for her.

https://sites.google.com/view/katelyn-writes/home

https://www.amazon.com/Tale-Darkness-Light-Katelyn-Honigsberg/dp/1088177433

Welcome to Quixotic Heights—the podcast where we explore the brave ideas, untold stories, and beautiful misbehaviors that live just beyond our comfort zones.

Today’s guest is Rick Lewis—professional speaker, author of five books, and the founder of the writing community Write Hearted. Rick has lived fifty years on nobody’s payroll, delivered more than seven hundred corporate keynotes, performed thousands of comedy shows, logged twelve thousand hours of meditation, survived a year of panic attacks, and somehow found meaning in all of it.

Rick Lewis is a professional speaker, founder of the writing community Write Hearted, and the author of 5 books on spirituality and personal and professional development. Helives in Vancouver, BC Canada with his family and publishes weekly stories from his life experience that includes 743corporate keynotes, 3000 comedy shows, 1 year of panic attacks, 2 marriages, 3 kids, 36 new addresses, 12,000 hrs of meditation, 1 day as Santa Claus, 5 authored books, and 50 yrs on nobody's payroll. 

Rick is the creator of a new tool called All My Stories, designed to help authors take inventory of their most notable life experiences in preparation for memoir writing. He describes himself as a slowly, but happily progressing human who believes that everything we want in terms of success, connection, and human flourishing is on the other side of daring to be visible, sharing our stories, and gently challenging our comfort zone on a daily basis. 

Rick's book, 7 Rules You Were Born to Break, has been used by Fortune 500 corporations to help their leaders, managers, and teams practice Intelligent Misbehavior and make their highest contribution at work. 

Rick’s speaking work can be found at www.ricklewis.co. His weekly writing is at www.honestlyhuman.com. His inventory tool for memoir at www.allmystories.com, and his writingcommunity at www.writehearted.com.

Welcome to the Quixotic Heights Podcast, where we explore extraordinary stories of resilience, memory, and the human spirit. We were honored to sit down with Shira Sebban, a woman whose life’s work spans continents, generations, and some of the most urgent humanitarian issues of our time.

Shira Sebban is a journalist, a registered migration agent who works closely with refugees, and the author of two powerful books: "Vietnam’s Modern Day People: Bridging Borders for Freedom," a bilingual collection amplifying voices of modern Vietnam and "Unlocking the Past: Stories from My Mother’s Diary," a moving exploration of Israel in the 1950s through her late mother’s rediscovered writings. Through her storytelling and advocacy, Shira bridges personal and political histories, revealing the threads that connect us all.

https://quillhawkpublishing.com/pages/author/shira-sebban

https://shirasebban.wordpress.com/

https://www.instagram.com/shirasebban/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shira-sebban-oam-2b817675/

https://x.com/shirasebban

https://www.facebook.com/p/Shira-Sebban-100063211122404/

Welcome to Quixotic Heights, where dreams take flight and where we explore the stories, ideas, and leaders transforming the future. Darlene Cunha, a Nurse Executive Change Coach and Caritas Leader, is working to reshape how we show up for the people who challenge us most. With decades of bedside, leadership, and coaching experience, Darlene advocates for a new model of care—one where compassion and clinical demands don’t compete, but instead coexist to elevate patient outcomes and staff well-being.

In this conversation, we will explore how to navigate difficult patient interactions, support overwhelmed care teams, and build organizational cultures rooted in humanity. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, a leader, or someone who wants to understand what compassionate care really looks like, this episode will stay with you.

Darlene Cunha, MMHC, BSN, CENP-RN, and WCS Caritas Leader | Coach, is a visionary healthcare executive with over four decades of experience leading clinical and operational excellence across diverse healthcare settings. Grounded in her nursing roots and guided by the Caritas principles of loving-kindness, dignity, and human connection, Darlene has served in executive leadership roles, including Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Operating Officer across academic healthcare systems. Renowned for her ability to lead complex systems through transformational change, she blends strategic insight with a deep commitment to healing and wholeness. Her leadership fosters cultures of compassion, accountability, and collaboration—prioritizing both operational performance and the sacred nature of caregiving. Darlene’s legacy is one of purpose-driven impact: mentoring emerging leaders, stewarding innovation with heart, and elevating the human experience at every level of healthcare delivery. https://www.linkedin.com/in/darlenecunha/

Welcome to Quixotic Heights, where we explore the extraordinary stories that shape our shared humanity.

Today, we’re joined by Dr. Randy Kluver—Dean of Global and International Studies at Oklahoma State University—whose family story is one of quiet courage and compassion.

In the years following the fall of Saigon, Randy’s parents, Mary and Ordell Kluver, opened their hearts and their home to sponsor more than 250 Vietnamese refugees who resettled in Oklahoma. Their story, now preserved in the book Chào to Main Street, published by Randy in their memory, captures the power of community, kindness, and connection across cultures.

We’ll talk with Randy about his parents’ legacy, the lessons their story holds for today, and how personal history can shape a lifelong commitment to global understanding.

Randy Kluver is the Dean of the Oklahoma State University (OSU) Global and International Studies program. His family sponsored over 250 Vietnamese refugees who came to Oklahoma in the 1970s and 1980s and resettled there. His parents wrote about their experiences in Chào to Main Street: An Account of Vietnamese Refugees in Western Oklahoma.“Captivating from start to finish.” — Major General (Ret.) Viet Luong
With the fall of Saigon in April of 1975, Vietnamese refugees flooded into US military bases to await resettlement in the United States. Ordell and Mary Kluver, from a small town in Western Oklahoma, soon found themselves immersed in a project to sponsor and help resettle 250 Vietnamese refugees in Clinton, Oklahoma, and the surrounding areas. They arranged for housing, education, and job placement. This book is their account, detailing the economic, social, and cross-cultural issues that arose from such an experience and exploring the genuine difficulties of introducing the Vietnamese people, with strong cultural traditions, into a vastly different, largely rural culture in the US.
“Considered one of the most successful group resettlement efforts in the US, this amazing story is barely known, and this volume tells the story of that migration with humor, tragedy, frustration, and above all, an undying commitment to providing those who had fled their homes with a chance to start a new life.”
— Scott Fritzen, President of Fulbright University Vietnam.
“Not only does this book reimagine what it was like for the many Vietnamese families who had to give of their lives for the sake of freedom and the struggles of starting over, but it also allows so many people to realize the hardships for those who were fighting to help the immigrants and the refugee families.”
—Thuan Hieu Nguyen, President, Vietnamese American Heritage Community of Oklahoma
“A heartfelt, powerful tribute to resilience and compassion.”
— Amy M. Le, Author of Snow in Vietnam

Join us for a fireside chat with the multi-talented Dee Britt.

Dee is the author of the Fireside Series, a voice actor, singer, retired physical therapist, and a burnout recovery specialist. ( @brittsburnoutblitz )

Dee’s work weaves together storytelling and healing, showing us ways to restore both body and spirit.

In this episode, Dee sings for us, showcasing the power of voice, how to balance passion with well-being, and the ways creativity can light the path out of burnout.

Dee Britt grew up in the small town of Anadarko, Oklahoma. When she wasn't playing basketball and running track, she was active in the United Methodist Church, where her parents were youth group leaders. As a young adult, Dee fronted various bands. Her songwriting revealed a passion for story writing and eventually led to her first book, Fireside: The James Johnson Story. The setting for Fireside, and the flavor of its characters, rose out of Dee's experiences with her “day job” as a physical therapist to countless assisted living center patients. While this book is not reflective of any one person or setting, it is an effort to give back – and give a voice – to those whose history is often overlooked simply because they are older or infirm. To her patients who have taught her about the important things in life, Dee sends a big thank you.

Website: www.deebritt.com

Instagram: @brittsburnoutblitz

Facebook: @deebritt1

Bluesky: @deebritt.bsky.social

Our next guest on the Quixotic Heights Podcast is Sue William Silverman, a groundbreaking voice in creative nonfiction.

Sue William Silverman is an award-winning author known for her fearless explorations of trauma, identity, and personal transformation. Her latest book, “Selected Misdemeanors: Essays at the Mercy of the Reader,” showcases her signature blend of lyricism, insight, and unflinching honesty. Her memoir, Because I Remember Terror, Father, I Remember You, won the AWP Award in Creative Nonfiction. Her fearless book, Love Sick: One Woman’s Journey Through Sexual Addiction, was published in 2001 and became a Lifetime Television original movie that aired in April 2008. She has also published several other creative nonfictions, two books on the craft of writing, and two poetry collections.Across her career, Sue has transformed personal trauma into literature that illuminates the human spirit. She is also a teacher and mentor who has helped countless writers find the courage to tell their own stories.

Other titles include “Acetylene Torch Songs: Writing True Stories to Ignite the Soul,” winner of the IPPY Silver Award and a finalist for two Foreword INDIE Book of the Year Awards in the self-help and reference categories. She is also the author of “How to Survive Death and Other Inconveniences,” which received the gold Foreword INDIE Book of the Year Award and the Clara Johnson Award for Women’s Literature. Earlier works include “The Pat Boone Fan Club: My Life as a White Anglo-Saxon Jew.”

Silverman co-chairs the MFA in Writing Program at Vermont College of Fine Arts and is a frequent guest on national media. Her appearances include “The View,” “Anderson Cooper 360,” and “PBS Books.” To learn more, visit www.SueWilliamSilverman.com.

Welcome to the Quixotic Heights Podcast, where we climb to new perspectives through stories of resilience, identity, and creativity.

Our next guest is Bill Hulseman—an educator, ritual designer, and author of the memoir "six to carry the casket and one to say the mass: reflections on life, identity, and moving forward."

Bill is from Chicago and the East Coast and now lives in Seattle. He is the youngest of ten children who grew up in a large Irish Catholic family, navigating questions of faith and identity, and coming out as a gay man. In 2019, he turned to writing to process grief, burnout, and the search for meaning. In this conversation, we’ll explore the intersections of loss and healing, the power of rituals in modern life, and what it truly means to move forward after heartbreak.

To learn more about Bill:

https://www.facebook.com/billhulsemanrituals

https://www.youtube.com/@billhulseman1251/

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

https://www.billhulseman.com/reflection

https://www.instagram.com/billhulsemanrituals/

Bill Hulseman is a writer, ritual designer, and former educator whose work explores identity, belonging, and personal agency. His debut book, “six to carry the casket and one to say the mass,” is a collection of deeply personal essays examining the identities we inherit, the traditions we navigate, and the power we have to shape our own narratives. Through reflections on family, Catholicism, and queer identity, Hulseman offers a nuanced exploration of what it means to carve out space for oneself in a world that often seeks to define us.

A former middle school principal, teacher, and campusminister, Hulseman holds degrees in religious studies, the comparative study of religion, and education leadership. His time in Catholic schools gave him both a profound appreciation for faith and a firsthand understanding of the tensions between personal identity and institutional tradition. His writing is informed by this background, as well as his deep love for pop culture—where figures like Madonna and “The Golden Girls” helped him see himself long before the world was ready to.

Hulseman now lives in Seattle with his husband, Jonathon, where he continues to write, design rituals, and lead meaningful conversations about identity, faith, and belonging. Learn more at BillHulseman.com.

Our next guest on the Quixotic Heights Podcast is Marty Ludlum, a storyteller, lawyer, and university professor.

Marty has a sharp mind for business law and international trade, and a heart for storytelling that’s pure gold. He is the author of "At First I Was Afraid," the first book in his vibrant Disco Divas Series, where glitter meets grit, and every page has a beat.

Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2019, Marty now donates a portion of every book sale to MS research, turning his personal journey into a force for good.

So grab your platform shoes, adjust that mirror ball, and get ready to hear how law, life, and disco can dance together in unexpected harmony. We couldn't ask for a better guest to kick off 2026 with an inspirational message of keep fighting and keep living with your sense of humor intact!

Marty Ludlum is the author of the Disco Divas novels, a mystery series set in Las Vegas with Detective Donna Summer Wyznecki. Yes, she's named after the disco diva. It’s a long story.

When not writing, Marty is an award-winning college professor of Business Law at the University of Central Oklahoma. He enjoys international travel with his college sweetheart, Kara; reading; watching Netflix; donuts; disco music (of course); time with his growing cadre of grandkids; and is always searching for another great Mexican restaurant.

Marty is active with Writercon, Mystery Writers of America, Oklahoma Writers Federation, and Sisters in Crime. Marty loves good storytelling in all forms.

Marty was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2019 and donates a portion of all book sales to MS research.

https://www.ludlumbooks.net/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marty-ludlum-8731552b/