Nic Stone is a writer and storyteller who has published thirteen books, including DEAR MARTIN, DEAR JUSTYCE, and ODD ONE OUT. Her latest title, CHAOS THEORY, follows two teens learning about mental health challenges, addiction, and the notion that everyone is worthy of love. In this episode, Nic and Annmarie talk about neurodivergence, antiracist teaching, and how to build a connection with absolutely anybody you sit next to on an airplane.

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Maggie Smith is a poet, writer, editor, and teacher who has published several books, including KEEP MOVING, GOLDENROD, and YOU COULD MAKE THIS PLACE BEAUTIFUL. In 2016, Maggie’s poem “Good Bones” went viral. To date, it’s been translated into nearly a dozen languages, interpreted by a dance troupe in India, set to music by multiple composers, and read at Lincoln Center by Meryl Streep. Public Radio International called it “the official poem of 2016.” In this episode, Annmarie and Maggie talk about love and divorce, Gen X and mixtapes, and what it’s like to settle into yourself again after coming through a storm.

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Tyler Merritt is a Nashville-based actor, comedian, vocalist, and creator of The Tyler Merritt Project. His viral video Before You Call The Cops has been viewed by over 100 million people worldwide. He is also the author of two books: I Take My Coffee Black and A Door Made Just for Me. In this episode, Annmarie and Tyler talk about their shared love of musical theater and how to choose love over hate in a world that too often encourages the opposite.

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 Julie Carrick Dalton’s most recent novel, THE LAST BEEKEEPER, has been described as “a meditation on the fragile beauty of nature and the power of hope and resilience.” In this episode, Julie and Annmarie talk about the cuteness of bees, the blessings of loving and supportive parents, and how to open our eyes more fully to the beauty of the natural world.

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Sara Read’s debut novel is JOHANNA PORTER IS NOT SORRY, a “snarky, sexy, book-club-ready novel” about a painter turned soccer mom turned art thief. In this episode, Annmarie and Sara talk about mom guilt, flute-making, and how to reclaim a part of ourselves that has laid dormant for too long.

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James Klise’s acclaimed novels for teens include the Edgar Award-winning THE ART OF SECRETS and the ALA Stonewall Honor-winning LOVE DRUGGED. His newest book, I’LL TAKE EVERYTHING YOU HAVE, is a queer coming-of-age crime novel set in 1930s Chicago. In this episode, Jim and Annmarie talk about elementary school film strips, high school book clubs, and the importance of young people finding themselves in a story.

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Dr. Aric A. Prather is a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of California, San Francisco, where he codirects the Aging, Metabolism, and Emotions Center and helps lead the UCSF Insomnia Clinic. Dr. Prather is also the author of THE SLEEP PRESCRIPTION: 7 DAYS TO UNLOCKING YOUR BEST REST. In this episode, Aric and Annmarie talk about the importance of sleep health, strategies for ensuring good rest, and advocating for sleep as a basic human right.

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Kwame Alexander is a poet, educator, producer and #1 New York Times Bestselling author of 37 books, including AN AMERICAN STORY, THE DOOR OF NO RETURN, and his Newbery-winning book THE CROSSOVER. In this episode, Annmarie and Kwame talk about shooting and missing, and how you have to keep playing the game and always keep taking your shot. They also discuss teaching difficult histories to young children and how to change the world one word at a time.

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Ashley C. Ford is the author of The New York Times Bestselling memoir, SOMEBODY’S DAUGHTER. In this episode, Annmarie and Ashley talk about surviving family trauma, setting healthy boundaries, and how to trust the people in our lives to do their own mental health work. On the lighter side, Ashley and Annmarie also discuss yacht rock, Midwestern pride, and their favorite character on The Golden Girls.

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As a follow-up to our reading of Nancy Colier’s THE EMOTIONALLY EXHAUSTED WOMAN, we’re doing a series of brief bonus convos. In this episode, we welcome Jen Dotsey, high school teacher, community minister, and all-around delightful human. Annmarie and Jen discuss soul friendships, giving grace, how to speak difficult truths, and the ways that our communities can be an antidote to hopelessness and a gateway to authenticity and trust.

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