An assassin with a deadline. A mother fighting for her life. And a target she never expected to love.

In this gripping episode of Writers With Purpose, Melvese sits down with Lauren Kristen Roberts, author of Gemini Divided, to unpack a story where romance and danger walk hand in hand and neither plays fair.

Jen Calley thought she could justify her choices until her next assignment became personal. Now, she’s caught between survival, sacrifice, and a truth that refuses to stay buried: some decisions don’t come with clean endings.

Lauren shares the real story behind the story—how she returned to writing after years away, the unexpected journey from fan fiction to published author, and the discipline it takes to create while balancing life, family, and responsibility. This conversation also dives into the realities of publishing, choosing the right path, and why authors must protect both their work and their voice.

This isn’t just about a book. It’s about the weight of choices and the cost of living with them.

🎧 If you’re a reader who craves tension with heart or a writer building your story one quiet morning at a time, this episode will stay with you.

Sometimes, the real question isn’t what you’ll do. It’s what you can live with after you’ve done it.

What if burnout isn’t the end of your strength but the signal that something deeper needs your attention?

In this powerful episode of Writers With Purpose, Melvese sits down with Dr. Ja’net Bishop-Nesbit, author of Thrive, Recharge, and Rise, to unpack the truth about burnout, resilience, and what it really takes to live a life of purpose without running on empty.

This isn’t surface-level self-care. This is strategy. This is structure. This is survival turned into strength. Inside this conversation, you’ll discover:

• Why burnout is feedback, not failure
• The early warning signs most people ignore
• How to set boundaries without guilt (yes, “no” is a complete sentence)
• The 8 dimensions of wellness that help you rebuild from the inside out
• How to stop surviving and start thriving one intentional step at a time

Whether you’re a leader, educator, caregiver, entrepreneur, or simply someone carrying more than most, this episode will meet you where you are and call you higher.

The truth is simple: You can’t pour from an empty cup. But you can learn how to live from overflow.

🎧 Press play and begin your rise.

What do you call a child the world tries to mislabel? In this powerful episode of Writers With Purpose, Melvese sits down with author and educator Terry Ann Williams-Richard, who turned a moment of frustration and truth into a movement of affirmation through her children’s book Just Call Me Scholar.

Born from real experiences in the classroom and a deeper reflection on identity, this rhythmic, illustrated poem speaks life into children—reminding them they are brilliant, courageous, and worthy of being seen for who they truly are.

This conversation goes beyond storytelling. It challenges how we speak to children, how we label them, and how early those labels begin to shape their future. Inside this episode:

• The real story that sparked Just Call Me Scholar
• Why identity and language matter in early childhood
• How reading aloud builds confidence and self-worth
• The power of affirmations in shaping young minds
• Why every child deserves to be called a Scholar

This isn’t just a children’s book. It’s a declaration.

Press play and remember what we should’ve been saying all along.

What do you do when survival isn’t the finish line but the assignment? In this episode of Writers With Purpose, Melvese sits down with author, minister, and breast cancer survivor Veronica Holland, whose book Survivor to CEO is more than a testimony. It’s a blueprint.

Veronica opens up about walking through diagnosis, treatment, and the quiet, stretching moments after the storm where God begins to ask more of you. More faith. More obedience. More courage.

This conversation unpacks:

• How adversity becomes a calling
• Why your story is meant to be shared, not hidden
• The connection between purpose and income
• Building something meaningful after life tries to break you
• Faith as the strategy when logic runs out

There’s no fluff here. Just truth, testimony, and a reminder that what you survived might be the very thing you’re meant to lead from. Sometimes, the storm wasn’t sent to destroy you. It was sent to introduce you to who you were always meant to become.

What if the signs were there and no one taught you how to see them?

In this eye-opening episode of Writers With Purpose, Melvese sits down with children’s author Sam B., creator of Stella the Jelly, a deceptively simple story carrying a deeply necessary message.

This conversation goes beyond children’s literature. It steps into the quiet spaces where emotional harm often hides. Together, they unpack:

• How emotional abuse can begin in childhood friendships
• Why many people don’t recognize toxic patterns until much later
• The role of energy, environment, and emotional awareness in daily life
• How one children’s story can help both kids and adults identify red flags
• Why communication between children and trusted adults is critical

Sam B. also shares her perspective as an aura reader, explaining how energy depletion shows up in relationships and why paying attention to how you feel might be the first warning sign.

This episode is for parents, educators, and anyone who’s ever looked back and thought, “I wish I knew then what I know now.” Sometimes, the most powerful lessons come wrapped in the simplest stories.

What does it really mean to be a preacher’s wife? In this episode of Writers With Purpose, Melvese sits down with Minister Sharon Rand, author of God Whispers to the Preacher’s Wife, to unpack the realities of life behind the pulpit. From unexpected transitions into ministry to the emotional weight of expectations, Sharon shares how she navigated pressure, loneliness, and growth through her personal relationship with God.

With nearly three decades of experience, she offers honest insight, practical wisdom, and spiritual encouragement for women in ministry and anyone seeking to understand the role more deeply.

This conversation is a reminder that even in the quiet struggles, God is still speaking.

What does it really mean to grieve wholeheartedly? In this episode of Writers With Purpose, Melvese sits down with licensed psychologist and author Dr. Audrey Davidheiser to explore the emotional, spiritual, and psychological layers of grief. After experiencing the unexpected loss of her father, Dr. Audrey discovered the transformative power of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy—a method that helps individuals understand and care for the different parts of themselves that carry pain.

Together, we unpack the truth about grief beyond surface-level advice. This conversation dives into the emotions many people try to avoid—anger, shame, loneliness—and explains why acknowledging them is essential for real healing.

Dr. Audrey also shares how faith and therapy can work hand in hand, and how her book Grieving Wholeheartedly offers practical exercises to help readers process loss with compassion and clarity.

Whether you’re grieving a loved one, a relationship, or a life that changed unexpectedly, this episode offers insight, validation, and a pathway toward healing.

When love meets loss in slow motion, caregiving becomes more than a role. It becomes a calling. In this deeply moving episode of Writers With Purpose, Melvese sits down with author and caregiver advocate Penny Bingham, who shares her journey of caring for her husband through dementia. What began as a personal journal—filled with research, observations, and raw emotion—evolved into a powerful guide for others walking the same path.

Penny opens up about the realities caregivers face, from navigating overwhelming emotions to understanding the progression of dementia. She also shares key statistics, practical insights, and the hard-earned wisdom that only experience can teach.

This conversation is for the caregivers who feel unseen, the families searching for answers, and the hearts learning how to hold on while letting go—one day at a time. Sometimes the strongest stories are written in the quiet moments no one else sees and shared so others don’t have to walk alone.

What does it really take to become independent—not just in theory, but in everyday life? In this episode of Writers With Purpose, author Tiffani Harvey shares the heart behind her books A Journey to Independence and Growing Independent. Through honest reflection and practical insight, she breaks down how life experiences shaped her mission to help others—especially teens, survivors of violence, and individuals with disabilities—develop confidence, life skills, and the ability to make their own choices.

This conversation goes beyond inspiration. It’s about responsibility, growth, and learning how to stand on your own—step by step.

If you’re on a journey of personal growth, or you’re a writer looking to turn your story into something that truly helps others, this episode will meet you where you are and challenge you to rise.

🎙️ Writers With Purpose is where storytelling meets impact.

What does it take to write a book that comes straight from the soul?

In this episode of Writers With Purpose, host Melvese sits down with author Sharise Johnson-Moore to explore the heart behind her book, Coming to Loving Yourself. This conversation goes beyond the pages—into the lived experiences, emotional breakthroughs, and faith-driven moments that shaped her writing.

Sharise shares how her personal journey influenced her storytelling, the courage it took to be transparent on the page, and why writing with purpose can transform not only the reader but the writer too.

If you’re an author, aspiring writer, or someone who believes in the power of meaningful storytelling, this episode offers insight, inspiration, and a reminder that your story matters.

🎙️ Writers With Purpose is hosted by Melvese, founder of Written Words Publishing, where stories are refined, rediscovered, and released with purpose.