SAM Magazine

Kemeasha Brown is a children's author, who, after flight delays, touched down in New York City and joined me on the podcast. Kemeasha's children's book, "It's Ok to Not Be Ok," is a doorway for parents and children to discuss mental health. Her book is enjoyed by all ages and is receiving accolades from all over. Kemeasha's "attitude of gratitude" comes through in our discussion. Kemeasha explains the inspiration for her book, including the book cover and illustrations. Our discussion levered into issues affecting us all. Kemeasha knew the timing of her book was just right when she saw Japanese professional tennis player, Naomi Osaka, on the cover of time with the caption "It's Ok to Not Be Ok." After listening to this podcast, you'll come away feeling inspired. "What act of kindness have you done today?"

Sue Stoney has authored textbooks. She has sewn for as long as she can remember. She creates her own dyes and dyes her own wool, silk and other fabrics, as well as producing her own patterns. Zero waste. When she’s not scouring linen with soda ash to prepare it for dying with onion skins, Sue is blogging or zigzagging around Australia discovering all sorts of public art. Sue joins me on the podcast and we talk about zero waste as well as kick around the idea of Sue writing a fictional novel. fadanista – For indulging my fads

Ashley Good is an author, podcaster and indie filmmaker. She joins me on the podcast and we discuss everything from her YA novel, Mary & the Alien, filmmaking, and being the creative behind the Foggy Isle Film Festival. We discover we are both fans of The Umbrella Academy, and we agree that creative expression is not about following the rules but creating and putting your creation out there, be it novel or film. 

⁠Ashley Good

Six amazing authors join me in the dressing room and we talk about their short stories in the Moonlight and Misadventure anthology, which is the third ⁠short story anthology⁠ from Judy Penz Sheluk’s Superior Shores Press. Award-winning short story authors from the US and Canada are featured in this anthology, as well as talented new authors, who are breaking into Canada's mystery writing scene with their unique voices. These individual stories flow so nicely together. They are notes in a phrase of music. And to tap into your moonlight theme, when I read the stories of these authors, I thought of Claude Debussy’s Clair de Lune. This anthology was a pleasure to read.

⁠Susan Daly - Joie de Livre⁠

⁠Judy Penz Sheluk | One Writer's Journey

Edgy, different and a nameless protagonist.  Candas Jane Dorsey's writing style defies convention. As I said to Candas during our interview, she's in the driver's seat of a Bugatti and she's just told me to "buckle up."  Candas is a prolific internationally known award-winning author. In 2005 she was awarded the Province of Alberta Centennial Gold Medal for her artistic achievement and community work, and in 2017 the WGA Golden Pen Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Literary Arts. In 2019 she was inducted into the City of Edmonton's Arts and Cultural Hall of Fame. Candas and I share favorite story lines and discuss her nameless protagonist in her book The Adventures of Isabel, the first in her Epitome Apartments Mystery series.

"What are you that Random House is not?" "Be nimble. Be quick." Today, I have award-winning author and consultant, Bill Morrison on the podcast. Bill is the author of Lions in the Grass, a #1 Amazon Bestseller as well as the 2020 Canadian Book Club Award winner in the 2020 Business/Self-Help category. He has appeared on the CTV Morning Show talking about “the tricks of professional persuaders” and is a consultant in the field of emotional positioning and consumer behaviour. He has spent the last 25 years uncovering the elements of influence and persuasion that impact human motivation. After two decades of unprecedented success in condominium tower marketing, he now consults with corporations, brands and individuals on how to emotionally connect their audience with their offerings.

In the beginning of the podcast you will hear about Bill's 2 book giveaway. The first two listeners to email me the correct answer to the question: What is the title of the "great great book" written by Sun Tzu that Bill refers to in the podcast? will win a free copy of Bill's book Lions in the Grass.

⁠Bill Morrison Author of Lions in the Grass (morrisonwrites.com)

Today I'm excited to share my discussion with creative Teoni Spathelfer. Because the recording is a little difficult to hear in some sections, we had horrible weather during the recording, I wanted to note the names mentioned. Teoni shared the sound effects of the waves for her documentary, Teoni's Dream, with Elder Gilbert Joe. Teoni mentions Chief Dr. Robert Joseph, who is part of Reconciliation Canada. Heritage House is the publisher of Little Wolf, which we discuss on today's podcast. 

Teoni's Dream can be listened to at the 4:40 mark here ⁠February 26, 2010 - Part 1 | CBC.ca⁠.  Teoni felt her ancestors were bringing her a message through her dreams. Little Wolf is the first in a trilogy, and it tackles topics such as racism, isolation and overcoming challenges. The second book in this trilogy is White Raven. Teoni blends three generations of women to create her character, Little Wolf. A beautiful children's book which is appropriate for children and adults. Tune in and learn about Fire Woman who came to Teoni in her dreams.

⁠Teoni Spathelfer | Facebook

Lauren was a registered nurse and mom at an early age. She didn't anticipate after her first child, she would suffer from post-partum depression. With the love of her family and help from her physician, she slowly started to feel better and emerged from those dark days and found her calling as a Scroll Saw Artist. She now chases her dreams one project at a time in her garage. Lauren's business Wild Wood Creative is thriving. I was able to get this Scroll Saw Artist to stop by for a quick discussion about her journey and art.  Www.wildwood-creative.com

Hannah Mary McKinnon was born in the UK. She grew up in Switzerland and now lives in Canada with her husband and three sons. Before moving to Canada, she had completed commercial studies in Geneva and worked as a PA for DuPont. Later she moved to Neuchatel and became the Purchasing Manager for a high-tech company. Hannah is the author of numerous essays and pieces. Her fifth novel, You Will Remember Me is in stores now, and it's receiving great reviews. On Friday, May 28, it was on the Globe and Mail’s list of “riveting thriller novels to start summer off with a bang.” They also tweeted that, “McKinnon is a writer to remember.” Hanna and I discuss using “sweet” similes to describe a voice, how Hanna went from writing a rom-com to suspense, writing in multiple first-person points-of-view, and breaking rules to produce the best novel possible. 

https://hannahmarymckinnon.com/

"Three years of hoping and dreaming and praying and begging. Three years of anticipation and disappointment hang here in this room."

Lila Harrison King has been on her own motherhood journey. She is a writer, and a podcaster, who wanted to reach out to mothers all over the world. She created a beautiful, one of a kind keepsake book, Love Like a Mama. This book is for moms in any stage of motherhood. Its daily dose of encouragement reminds us that being a mom comes in all shapes and stories. There isn't a right way to mother. Just a loving way. Her hardcover book is filled with daily encouraging thoughts, wide margins for doodles, and a journaling section.  Lila joins me on the podcast and we share stories of motherhood, not wanting to disappoint our children, wishing we could offer more, lots of laughs and love. You'll feel like you've had a virtual hug. Lila's podcast, Love Like a Mama can be heard on any listening platform.