Travel Time Stories with Shannon: Real Journeys, Real Stories, Real Healing

Today we're sitting down with author Sapna Srinivasan to go behind the pages—and this conversation takes us from Mira's fictional journey into Sapna's own.

What happens when the life you've been taught you're supposed to want suddenly falls apart?

In A New Mantra, Mira Sood finds herself starting over after discovering her husband's affair and the end of their arranged marriage.

But rebuilding her life means confronting something even bigger:

Who is she when she stops living according to everyone else's expectations?

We talk about:

🏃‍♀️ Why running became such an important part of Mira's story
❤️ Love after betrayal
🌱 Starting over and finding independence
👪 Family and cultural expectations
🪞 How pieces of an author's own life find their way into fiction

Sapna's Info:

https://tulepublishing.com/authors/sapna-srinivasan/

https://www.facebook.com/authorsapnasrinivasan

https://www.instagram.com/authorsapnasrinivasan/

Her Book: A New Mantra

https://link.amazon/B00iPKy3E

00:25 Introduction to Sapna Srinivasan and her work
00:26 Mira's character and her life before the 'until'
00:47 The significance of cultural expectations in Mira's story
00:56 The moment of discovery and its impact on Mira
00:59 The challenge of rejecting family and cultural norms
01:06 The emotional and social consequences of change
01:28 Sapna's personal journey with running and resilience
01:48 Incorporating personal experiences into Mira’s story
01:53 The importance of relatable and authentic storytelling
02:03 The message of empowerment and self-acceptance
02:05 Where to find Sapna's work and final thoughts

https://www.traveltimestories.com/

 In a world where travel is as easy as a click, Vern Flaig takes us on a breathtaking journey that transcends borders and expectations. Ever dreamed of setting off on a grand adventure? Join Vern as he shares the incredible story behind his memoir, *Maple to Mandalay*, which chronicles his four-year odyssey across Australia and beyond, sparked by a heartbreak and an insatiable curiosity. 

This episode is a must-listen for adventurers, memoir enthusiasts, and anyone craving inspiration to chase their own dreams. This episode isn't just about travel; it's about the journey of life itself. Vern's reflections highlight the importance of embracing change and following your passions, reminding us that the world is full of possibilities waiting to be explored. Don't miss out on this chance to be inspired—perfect for anyone feeling stuck or yearning for adventure. 

 Vern Flaig: 

Book: Maple to Mandalay

Amazon: https://link.amazon/B0c7aMSrO 

KOBO

00:25 Introduction to Vern Flaig’s Journey 

02:21 Starting the Trip: Motivation and Early Days 

04:11 Love for Motorcycles and First Experiences 

06:02 Challenges on the Road: Bugs, Terrain, and Encounters 

08:03 Cultural Interactions and Memorable Stories 

11:53 Overcoming Adversity: Injuries and Near Misses 

15:37 Reflections on Travel in the 70s vs Today 

19:34 Lessons from a Life of Adventure 

23:18 Collecting Memories: Rocks, Artifacts, and Souvenirs 

27:05 Advice for Future Travelers 

36:03 Closing Thoughts and Next Adventures 

https://www.traveltimestories.com/

What if civilization didn't collapse because of war, zombies, or nuclear disaster?

What if it collapsed because people simply stopped growing old?

In this fascinating episode of Travel Time Stories, Shannon and Ann sit down with author T.A. Thompson to discuss his dystopian thriller The Mark—a story that explores survival, morality, motherhood, and the frightening consequences of a world where no one expects to live long enough to think about tomorrow.

Together they explore:

•  📖 The inspiration behind The Mark
•  🧬 Why biological catastrophe is more terrifying than monsters 
•  🧠 What dystopian fiction reveals about human nature 
•  ✍️ An unconventional writing process 
•  🌍 Why readers are drawn to stories about the end of the world 
•  📚 What's next for T.A. Thompson 

If you enjoy thought-provoking fiction, moral dilemmas, and stories that stay with you long after the final page, this conversation is for you.

#authors #authorspotlight #bookcommunity #themark #dystopianworld #traveltimestorieswithshannon 

https://www.traveltimestories.com/

Dr. Stephen Paul Edwards returns to Travel Time Stories for a deeper, nontraditional author conversation. Building on his first episode’s challenge to how we think about love, toxic relationships, vulnerability, and emotional healing, he discusses his new novel The Venus Fly Trap 2: Enough Is Never Enough and shares perspectives to help listeners reframe love, identify toxic patterns, and support emotional healing.

If you've ever questioned a relationship, struggled with boundaries, or wondered why letting go can be so difficult, this episode will leave you with plenty to think about. 

Dr. Stephen Edwards: 

Free Consultation: https://vft23.com/coaching-and-counselling/ 

Website: https://vft23.com/ 

Venus Fly Trap Book 1(three free chapters): https://bit.ly/4n1lyvv

Venus Fly Trap Book 2(three free chapters): https://vft23.kit.com/fc06ad02d7 

https://www.traveltimestories.com/

Author Spotlight: Wendy M. Kok (A Grey Resort). 

Shannon Lamkin explores Kok’s writing journey and the real-life experiences behind the novel — intuition, spiritual encounters, and unexplained phenomena. We discuss storytelling choices, how personal history shaped the book, and craft techniques writers can use when weaving intuition into fiction. For listeners of literary fiction, spiritual memoirs, and writers seeking creative insight. Duration: 38 minutes.

Tell me in the comments:
Do you trust your intuition when something just feels right—or wrong—even when you can't explain why?

Information about Wendy and where to find A Grey Resort is below:
https://link.amazon/B0iYKbspf
https://wendymkokauthor.net/

@wendymkokauthor

https://www.traveltimestories.com/

When desire fades but the relationship remains: Shannon and Ann sit with Dr. Lori Davis, board-certified FNP and Certified Sex Counselor, to explore mismatched desire, menopause-related changes, and emotional disconnect. 

Learn what to watch for, when to consider counseling, and how couples can begin restoring intimacy. Practical insight, compassion, and professional perspective for partners navigating shifting desire.What happens when desire fades… but the relationship is still there?

If you’ve ever thought:

•  “Why don’t I feel the same anymore?” 
•  “Are we just out of sync… or is something wrong?” 
•  “Is intimacy over for me?” 

You are not alone.

 Find Dr. Lori Davis at https://dr-loridavis.com/  

🎙️ In This Episode, We Talk About:

✨ What mismatched desire really means (and why it happens)
 ✨ How emotional and physical disconnection develop over time
 ✨ The truth about menopause and its impact on intimacy
 ✨ Why shame keeps people stuck—and how to move past it
 ✨ How to rebuild connection in a way that feels authentic and safe
 ✨ Small, practical steps you can take starting today

Dr. Lori brings both medical expertise and emotional understanding—helping us move beyond labels and into a more compassionate, realistic view of intimacy.

💬 Let us know in the comments:
What’s one thing you wish people talked about more openly in relationships?

⚠️ This episode discusses topics related to intimacy, relationships, and sexual health.

🔔 Subscribe for more real conversations about life, relationships, and the journeys that shape who we are.

https://www.traveltimestories.com/

Travel Time Stories Author Spotlight: fantasy author C.A. House (Archblade: Legend of the Defiler) on making magic believable, crafting monsters, and writing morally complex villains. This character-first conversation explores world building, building magic systems, and why characters—not just genre—pull readers in. Perfect for writers seeking craft tips and readers who love immersive, character-driven fantasy.

📚 Featured Book: Archblade: Legend of the Defiler

https://link.amazon/B0hzwKSCq
 ✍️ Author: C.A. House

 https://linktr.ee/archbladecahouse
 🎙️ Series: Travel Time Stories — Author Spotlight Series

Subscribe for more conversations with authors across every genre.

https://www.traveltimestories.com/

Shannon and Ann sit down with Derrik Dyka, author of Good Grief Travel, to explore how travel can support healing after losing a partner. Hear candid stories about grief, loneliness, reinvention, and practical ways travel helped him rebuild life after 24 years of marriage. Useful for travelers, people grieving, and anyone facing major life change. 

Derrik's Info:

https://goodgrieftravel.com/

Pick up a copy of his book Good Grief Travel

#podmatch #grief #grieftravel #healingtravel #lossofspouse #cancersucks #healingljourney #goodgrieftravel #traveltimestorieswithshannon #lifeafterloss 

https://www.traveltimestories.com/

In this episode of Travel Time Stories: The Author Spotlight Series, Shannon and Ann sit down with US Navy veteran, AuDHD author, comic book nerd and unapologetically weird storyteller Geoffrey Breedwell to go behind the pages of his sci-fi novel, Just Put the VHS in the Bag, Bro. 

This episode is packed with high-school roots, dinosaur-evolved aliens, an ancient VHS tape, a Mexican cartel, One Piece references, and the caffeine-fueled storytelling that fuels his work. 

Expect a lively, chaotic conversation that reveals how bizarre ideas take shape and why readers keep returning for the unexpected. 😂 

Somehow, through all the aliens, VHS tapes, anime and laughter, we still manage to find our way back to creativity, friendship, dreams and the wonderfully strange mind behind the story.

📖 Featured Book: Just Put the VHS in the Bag, Bro
✍️ Featured Author: Geoffrey Breedwell

 Geoffreybreedwell.com  

Social Handle: @geoffreybreedwell 

If you love science fiction, absurd humor, neurodivergent creativity, One Piece—or conversations that refuse to stay on script—this Spotlight is for you.

https://www.traveltimestories.com/

Author Spotlight: Shannon interviews Sai Marie Johnson (author, screenwriter, poet) about her fantasy novel Of Masters & Slaves — a tale of ancient oaths, dormant magic, betrayal and dangerous choices. Hear how Johnson’s world building reflects inner life, the novel’s central themes, and her creative approach across poetry, screenwriting and prose. Episode for fantasy readers, writers, and anyone curious about storytelling craft and character stakes.

Then we go beyond the book.

Sai describes herself simply as:

“I'm just a woman with a dream and a pen.”

That becomes the doorway into a much more personal conversation about her journey as a writer, the relationship between creativity and healing, and how the stories we create can sometimes help us understand parts of ourselves.

📖 Featured Book: Of Masters & Slaves

https://amzn.to/4xHLmB2
 ✍️ Featured Author: Sai Marie Johnson

@saimariejohnson or @authorsaimariejohnson

https://www.traveltimestories.com/