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Do you think just because October is over that Domestic Violence is not important? Isn’t being made aware of? Has stopped being supported? Not so! Even the more, I’m going in harder than before to sound the alarm to bring awareness to the need of support, assistance and prayer. 

What if life came with a video showing you what you’ve stopped noticing? In this episode of our gratitude series, Eartha Burns Powell explores why we often appreciate our health, our possessions, and the people we love only after we lose them.

Drawing on the psychology of hedonic adaptation and the Hedonic Adaptation Prevention model from researchers Kennon Sheldon and Sonja Lyubomirsky, Eartha explains the two ways good things fade: our positive feelings wear off, and our expectations rise. She then shares the two protectors that keep good things feeling fresh, appreciation and variety, and compares how marketers renew our interest in products with how mindfulness renews our appreciation for what we already have.

The episode closes with a guided mental subtraction practice and a simple daily challenge to help you notice the gifts already in your life.

Check out our video chat here!

Today’s episode is extra special because we have a returning guest, child psychologist and author Dr. Emily King, joining host Bryce Hamilton, LSCSW. Dr. King debuts her new book, The Neurodivergent Learner, which tells stories of neurodivergent people, both young and old. Dr. King’s focus is on neurodivergent diagnoses that impact development and learning. With neurodivergence comes experiencing places such as school differently, from smells and sounds, to lighting and temperature which can all impact learning in a school setting. Dr. King’s book visits these experiences through real-life stories and offers the perspective of what it is like for neurodiverse people to seek therapy, as well as what being a therapist is like for neurodiverse individuals. The book provides not only anecdotal insight, but Dr. King’s own observations from working with neurodivergent individuals. Dr. King includes strategies gleaned from teachers, parents, and neurodivergent individuals themselves to help neurodivergent learners in the school setting. Other topics in the book include the research behind different topics affecting a student’s school day such as testing, homework, and friendships. The Neurodivergent Learner can be applied to kids of all ages, but is specifically helpful for students Pre-K through 8th grade. 

If supporting your neurodivergent learner to become engaged, motivated, and helping them advocate for themselves is something you are seeking, make sure to listen to this extremely helpful episode that covers all of this and so much more, and check out Dr. King’s book, The Neurodivergent Learner!

Check out our video chat here!

#neurodivergence #neurodivergentlearners #neurodivergentkids #DrEmilyKing #BryceHamiltonLSCSW #accidentalexperts #accidentalexpertpodcast #motivatedstudents #engagingstudents #theneurodivergentlearner #ADHD #2e #twiceexceptional #giftedstudents #systemicchanges #publicschools #therapy #highereducation #tradeschool #mentalhealth #autism #schoolcounseling #schoolpsychologist #elementaryprincipals #teaching #elementaryteachers #externalmotivation #intrinsicmotivation #learningstrategies #executivefunctioning

Dr. Emily King is a Child Psychologist who has worked with neurodivergent learners for over 20 years. She received a Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and began her career in Houston, Texas specializing in school-based mental health in K-12 public schools. She has since worked in private practice in North Carolina supporting the mental health, executive functioning, and social needs of neurodivergent youth. Dr. Emily hosts the Learn with Dr. Emily Substack, where she provides parent workshops, is the creator of The Neurodiverse Classroom®, a professional development curriculum for educators, and her first book, THE NEURODIVERGENT LEARNER, is out now. 

Websites:
https://www.learnwithdremily.com/book
https://learnwithdremily.substack.com

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This book, born from the author’s life journey, explores the purpose of life and the legacy one leaves behind. Born in apartheid South Africa, Dr. Naidoo overcame adversity, achieved higher education, built an international career, and learned self-leadership.

What sets this book apart is its blend of memoir, self-help, spiritual reflection, and practical self-leadership. Unlike other self-help books, it offers both inspiration and techniques, grounded in the author’s lived experience. It invites readers to actively participate through reflective questions and a simple, memorable framework.

This book can also be used as a personal leadership development course. Readers can journal their responses and use the book as a structured process for self-discovery. While parts of the story resonate with women, migrants, educators, and those who’ve faced discrimination, the message is universal: to live more consciously, learn from life, love deeply, and leave a meaningful legacy.

This book is not a one-time read. Readers can return to it at different stages of their lives for new insights. And most importantly, it’s not about becoming someone else. It’s about becoming more aware of who you are and choosing how you live from that place.

Join Doc Holliday as he looks at the last polls and tries to decipher what they may mean. Does anyone really know? Doc plays a clip of Victor Davis-Hansen and his latest thoughts on the midterm elections. He also has a short clip at the end of a Trump rally for U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith as she seeks re-election in Mississippi. A lot of rock splitting politics to talk about!

Click on now for a great show before the fireworks of the election results next week.

Join host Margaret McSweeney for an unforgettable cup and conversation on Kitchen Chat: A Taste of Luxury, History and Hospitality. In this special episode, Margaret’s lifelong passion for afternoon tea moves far beyond the three tiered serving trays of sweet and savory delicacies as she travels to the stunning estate of Heckfield Place to meet with Henrietta Lovell, internationally renowned as the “Rare Tea Lady” and founder of Rare Tea Company. The company’s motto is “Tea that’s good for you, good for the land and good or the people who craft it.”

Together, they explore how extraordinary single-origin leaves can reveal a profound new world of flavor, heritage, and refined hospitality. Henrietta strongly believes in the ethos of sustainability and traceability. Step into this captivating realm as Henrietta shares vibrant stories from her global journeys sourcing rare harvests, unpacks the philosophy behind her acclaimed book Infused: Adventures in Tea, and highlights the vital mission of her Rare Charity initiative. Here is a look at our video chat:

Tune in for an inspiring conversation that will forever transform your appreciation for one of the world’s most remarkable steep. Here is a link for you to order this exquisite loose leaf tea which ships to the U.S.

Savor the Day and Savor the Sip!

The Author

Mallory O’Connor is an American author presently residing in the U.S. state of Florida. She hasn’t always lived in Florida, in fact as a child she grew up around the American River in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California hence her vast knowledge of that area and which is why she based the story of the American River series there. In 1961 she went to the University of California at Davis to study art, while there she met and married her painting Instructor John before moving to Mexico. In 1965 she up sticks as they say and moved to Ohio where she gained three degrees from Ohio University in Art, American Culture and Intellectual History, and Art History. Following on from Ohio, she and her husband John were offered posts at the University of Florida Mallory taught Art History and in conjunction with teaching she undertook classes in Journalism. Her Journalistic skills she put to good use writing for various magazines and publications. In addition to her busy career, she held the position of director/curator of the Thomas Centre Gallery, the City of Gainesville’s Municipal Art Gallery a position she very much relished.

Since retiring from the academic world in 2005 and now titling herself as Professor Emerita, Mallory has emersed herself into writing and to date she has published eleven books which are listed below. In addition to her published work Mallory has collaborated and contributed to other works including some essays for The Invading Sea. As she puts it ‘she’s been pretty busy.’ I attend to agree with her here. 

Check out our video chat here!

So, let’s turn our attention to her books. For the Purpose of this Podcast interview, we’re mainly focusing on the ‘American River’ Trilogy series, but I have highlighted her other books. The best place to visit to see her works in full are her webpages which are listed below. 

 The American River Trilogy Series

American River: Tributaries (1st Book)

In the mid- 1800s, three immigrant families, Irish, Mexican and Japanese settled along the banks of the American River in Northern California. A hundred years later only one family remains. Artists, musicians, poets and politicians the inheritors of their forefathers’ hopes and dreams now live a different life. The 1960s was a challenging time for these new generational families. A price must be paid to realize their dreams. Unexpected tragedy brings the three families together, but that nearness is soon torn apart by conflicting opinions, dangerous secrets, entrenched prejudices coupled with tall ambitions.

American River; Currents (2nd Book)

In this book alliances fray, relationships dissolve, divisive secrets are revealed, promises are shattered as the various members of the three families struggle to salvage their broken dreams. Some of the members of the three families find themselves tangled up in complex relationships that takes them to new destinations as far as Japan in the case of Tommy Ashida. The world of Californian politics is very much at play in this second book of the trilogy, and we all know politics can be a nasty game and not for the faint hearted. The passionate and pernicious characters that are on display here will keep you well entertained as you turn the pages

American River: Confluence (3rd Book)

Turmoil among the three families, the McPhalans, the Morales and the Ashida’s is very much in evidence in this third book of the series. The death of Owen McPhalan has a huge impact on his daughter Kate who has inherited the once profitable but now unsustainable Mockingbird Valley Ranch. Her efforts to return the ranch back into profit are thwarted from several quarters in particular her late father’s former politician campaign manager. 

The story encircles the historical drama about the lives, loves, triumphs and sacrifices of the descendants of the three immigrant families who settled along California’s American River. Can they put aside their differences, betrayals and grievances to save the legacy and history of their ancestral home. A good question you might ask, to see if they do, you’ll need to read the trilogy in sequence.

Other Books

Occult Thriller/cli-fi Series

Epiphany’s Gift (1st Book)

For thirty years, Epiphany Mayall has worked as a psychic medium in the small Spiritualist community of Watoolahatchee, Florida. But when she returns home to her childhood home in Mt Eden, Ohio to visit her aging mother, she finds that the rural community is reeling from a series of alarming events. The pristine world of her childhood is being destroyed. Wells and creeks are polluted, and earthquakes have become a frequent danger. 

Art Historian Dr John Bernhardt believes fracking is the problem and goes public about his findings only to end up dead soon afterwards.

Aided by art crime investigator Marco Gaido and eccentric local artist Blake King, Epiphany sets about putting all the pieces together to determine what’s behind all these bewildering occurrences. 

Key to Eternity (2nd Book)

Psychic detective Epiphany Mayall receives a graphic image of a naked man surrounded by two snakes. Some how this vision is associated with an ancient Mesopotamian story focused on a legendary King Gilgamesh who left his home in search of immortality. 

This story circulates around Epiphany’s psychic powers to track down stolen antiquities and a clay tablet known as the Gilgamesh tablet before they disappear for good into the shadowy underworld of the arts and antiquities black market. Her journey on this occasion takes her across the world supported by her trusted partner Maro Gaido the art crime investigator. Can she solve the mystery of the Gilgamesh tablet before this antiquity ends up in the private safe of a billionaire art thief.  

Xanadu’s Cavern (3RD Book)

What is the link between a missing cave diver and the fossilised head of a pre-historic dire-wolf? That’s the question psychic Epiphany Mayall is asking herself in this book. This gripping thriller which takes place in part in Florida’s underground, water-filled labyrinth exudes excitement as an international antiquities smuggling enterprise is thwarted. Epiphany the psychic heroine and her lover PI Maro Gaida have a difficult task in hand; the odds are against them but succeed they must. What of Florida’s natural resource- her unspoiled groundwater- the lifeblood of the state’s natural environment.  Rad the book to find out.

Firehorse (4th Book)

Firehorse is a gripping fusion of suspense, mystical intrigue, and environmental awareness. The story revolves around psychic medium Epiphany Mayall as she is drawn into a labyrinthine mystery involving a stolen talisman, a mystical qilin and the enigmatic and dangerous Derrick Rarian. Set against the lush but drought-stricken backdrop of Florida, the story weaves themes of personal loss, environmental degradation along with the clash between the supernatural and the material world.

A Trail in the Woods (5th Book)

A Trail in the Woods begins with psychic detective Epiphany Mayall mourning the death of her friend and lover, PI Mario Gaido. To console her, her son Michael convinces her to spend a couple of weeks with himself and his daughter Maddie at the Tanglewood music Centre for relaxation and listen to some concerts. However, as soon as they arrive a series of Mysterious events occur, a murdered heiress, dead baby, a school for the mentally ill, an evil demon in the form of Andras Kodar plus a whole host of issues that would test any detective to their limits. But for Epiphany, in addition to trying to crack the situation she discovers more about herself and her powers and about the spirit guide who will be with her forever.

Non-Fiction Books

Lost Cities of the Ancient Southeast

Exploring ancient southeastern Indian sites from the metropolis of Cahokia (near present-day St. Louis), ancient capital of the American heartland, to the island stronghold of Calos, King of the Florida Calusa, Mallory O’ Connor examines the significance of these prehistoric cultures.

University Press of Florida 1995

Florida’s American Heritage River: Images from St Johns Region

In 1998 the St Johns was declared an American Heritage River, the only one in Florida and one of fourteen in the country to be so designated. Shortly thereafter, Mallory O’Connor and Gary Monroe began searching for and collecting paintings, sketches, sculptures, photographs and material culture from the region.

University Press of Florida 2009

The Kitchen and the Studio: A Memoir of Food and Art

The Kitchen and the Studio: A Memoir of Food and Art is a cookbook, an art book, a memoir and a love story. Artist John A. O’Connor and Art Historian Mallory M. O’Connor met at the University of California in Davis, in 1962. They were married in January 1963. From the beginning, they shared a passion for good food and wine that has continued for almost sixty years. This book is both a memoir of their life together as artists and teachers and a collection of the celebrations that they have shared with family and friends over the years. The book is illustrated with John’s original paintings along with photographs of celebrations and participants. In this unique love story of a creative couple who have always ‘lived the artist’s life’ John and Mallory O’Connor share their favourite special occasions and recipes along with the places and the people who made them memorable.

Atmosphere Press 2023

Social Media sites &Webpage

Please visit Mallory’s webpages where you’ll learn so much more as to who this fascinating woman is and how she came to writing her novels. Plus, you can get a brief insight into all the books as well as buying them.www.mallorymoconnor.com or www.oconnorartLLc.com

Awards

Awards:
American River Trilogy (Historical Fiction)

Epiphany’s Gift (Paranormal/cli-fi)

The Kitchen and the Studio (Cookbook/Memoir)

Lost Cities of the Ancient Southeast

Publisher

Archway Publishing. www.archwaypublishing.com search/bookstore Mallory M. O’Connor and there you’ll find the books relating to the trilogy series as well as other books Mallory has written. 

Podcast Info 

This podcast you can listen to on “Talking Books” hosted by J T Crowley on all major social podcast platforms. For video content, search for “Talking Books” hosted by J T Crowley on YouTube. Additionally, you can watch it on Roku, Amazon Firestick streaming devices, plus Apple TV. To access it on your television, download the Experts and Authors app or visit www.expertsandauthors.tv and click on “Talking Books.”

Enjoy!

Thank you, Mallory, for giving me the wonderful opportunity to interview you about your “American River Trilogy Series” I wish you every success with the series and look forward to working with you again soon.

Our guest this week, back with us for the second time, is Lisa Campion. Lisa is a master psychic, energy healer, and author, who has dedicated her life to helping people access their intuition and their inner power. With more than thirty years of experience, Lisa has guided thousands of clients in their spiritual journeys, combining practical tools with deep metaphysical wisdom. As the author of the bestselling books “The Art of Psychic Reiki” and “Energy Healing for Empaths”, Lisa is passionate about empowering others to discover their own intuitive gifts. Her mission is to support empaths, sensitives, and those awakening to their own deeper spiritual path in navigating life with clarity, confidence, and compassion. Lisa’s work has been featured on prominent podcasts, conferences, and media outlets, where she inspires audiences to embrace their unique gifts and find healing through energy work. Her programs, workshops, and coaching sessions provide actionable steps to unlock one’s full potential and live a life of purpose. Lisa is deeply committed to helping people to live soul-aligned lives, and she believes that developing psychic abilities can lead to greater personal empowerment and healing. Wow! Lisa’s website is lisacampion.com/flying.

Check our video chat here:

Why do we lose that sense of wonder in the first place?

Psychologists call it hedonic adaptation. When something good becomes a regular part of our lives, the mind stops treating it as news. It becomes the background. That’s efficient: our brains can’t give full attention to everything at once. But the cost is that good things slowly become invisible.

In Eartha’s new series On Gratitude, we will uncover how to our sense of gratitude becomes “wallpaper” in our lives. It’s not intentional or being grateful. Using a nonjudgmental approach, Eartha will guide you through the research. This episode is an introduction and preview of what the new series is about. We’ll go deeper into hedonic adaptation in our next episode. For today, here’s the key point: adaptation is the mind saying “I already know this.” Beginner’s mind is the gentle answer: “Let me look again.”

There’s research support for this, too. Harvard psychologist Ellen Langer has spent decades studying what she calls mindfulness: actively noticing new things. Her work suggests that when people deliberately notice something new about a familiar situation, they tend to feel more engaged and more alive in it.

And here’s where gratitude comes in. You can’t be grateful for what you don’t notice. Noticing comes first.

Check out our video chat here!

What begins as a fatal car accident in the Texas desert quickly becomes a deadly conspiracy in The Incident at Terlingua.

Kate Delaney welcomes author HW Ryan to Author’s Corner to discuss his action-packed thriller, in which an unlikely investigative duo finds a corpse that mysteriously turns to dust, uncovers dangerous government secrets, faces Mexican cartels, and confronts a conspiracy threatening the world’s economy.

Ryan also shares his journey from a 35-year consulting career to pursuing his lifelong passion for storytelling.

Learn more about HW Ryan: https://www.hwryan.com/

Check out our video chat here!