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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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 Melissa McCaverty–mom, lawyer, classic car enthusiast, and all-around terrific human. Annmarie and Melissa discuss the quest for peace, afternoon karaoke, and following your dreams no matter how long it takes.

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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 Sarah Frauenzimmer–mom, writer, yoga teacher, and all-around amazing human. Annmarie and Sarah discuss the therapeutic necessity of self-compassion, the way happiness is often outward bound, and how going to the bathroom alone should not count as self-care.

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This week’s guest is Nancy Colier, author of THE EMOTIONALLY EXHAUSTED WOMAN: WHY YOU’RE FEELING DEPLETED AND HOW TO GET WHAT YOU NEED. If you are someone who constantly feels like you’re taking care of other people at the expense of yourself, this conversation is for you. In this episode, Nancy and Annmarie talk about healthy boundaries, self-care, and how to develop lasting vitality and truth in a world that too often feels like it needs too much from us.

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This week’s guest is Ryan Lee Wong, debut author of WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON. In this episode, Annmarie and Ryan discuss intergenerational activism, transgender pronouns, the wonder of strip malls, and home.

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This week’s guest is Angie Cruz, author of HOW NOT TO DROWN IN A GLASS OF WATER. In this episode, Annmarie and Angie discuss the importance of community, representation in literature, and how magic and connection are possible when we sit and fully listen to someone else’s story.

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