Wild Precious Life

Carla Fernandez is an impact strategist, facilitator and writer exploring how circles of people come together for change when a new status quo is needed. And she’s the author of Renegade Grief, a resource for people at any stage of the grieving process. In this episode, Annmarie and Carla talk about rituals and support networks to help us understand that there is no “getting over” the loss of a loved one but rather grief can be a pathway into our own version of a soulful life. Episode Sponsors: Blue Willow Bookshop – A locally-owned, independently-minded West Houston bookstore. Blue Willow is run by a team of opinionated, well-read women. Our staff meetings are full of laughter, our back room is full of snacks, and we absolutely love putting the right book into a reader’s hands. We’ve got recommendations. We’ve got pizzazz. And we look forward to welcoming you to our happy place. Stop in or shop online at bluewillow bookshop.com. Oblong Books – Independently owned and operated bookstores in the Hudson Valley. Since 1975, Oblong has featured a carefully curated collection of books in all genres. Find your next great read and shop online at oblongbooks.com. Titles Mentioned in This Episode: Renegade Grief: A Guide to the Wild Ride of Life After Loss, by Carla Fernandez The Mother Code: My Story of Love, Loss, and the Myths That Shape Us, by Ruthie Ackerman Second Life: Having a Child in the Digital Age, by Amanda Hess All the Mothers: A Novel, by Domenica Ruta For more information about The Dinner Party, click here. Here is the preview for the film Chocolat. Follow Carla Fernandez: Instagram: @carlitafernandez LinkedIn: @carlafernandez Substack: @carlafernandez www.carlafernandez.co **Writing Workshops: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing together, please consider the opportunities below. Or if you’re in Northeastern Ohio and looking for an in-person class to jumpstart your writing, you can find that here. Or for women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here or message Annmarie to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Karen Walrond is an award-winning author, speaker, and leadership coach. And she’s on a mission to create a kindness revolution. She’s the author of The Lightmaker’s Manifesto and Radiant Rebellion, and she’s out now with a new book, In Defense of Dabbling, in which she urges all of us to stress less and play more. In this episode, Karen and Annmarie talk about cultivating curiosity, self-compassion, and even failure in order to do the things we love– even if we’re not any good at them. Episode Sponsors: Blue Willow Bookshop – A locally-owned, independently-minded West Houston bookstore. Blue Willow is run by a team of opinionated, well-read women. Our staff meetings are full of laughter, our back room is full of snacks, and we absolutely love putting the right book into a reader’s hands. We’ve got recommendations. We’ve got pizzazz. And we look forward to welcoming you to our happy place. Stop in or shop online at bluewillow bookshop.com. Lit Youngstown – A literary community proud to support beginning and experienced writers who seek to hone their craft, foster understanding, and share and publish their creative work. Read, write, and tell your story at lityoungstown.org. Books by Karen Walrond: In Defense of Dabbling: The Brilliance of Being a Total Amateur Radiant Rebellion: Reclaim Aging, Practice Joy, and Raise a Little Hell The Lightmaker’s Manifesto: How to Work for Change Without Losing Your Joy The Beauty of Different: Observations of a Confident Misfit And here’s our previous conversation with Karen about Radiant Rebellion. Follow Karen Walrond: Instagram: @heychookooloonks Facebook: @chookooloonks Substack: Karen Walrond www.chookooloonks.com **Writing Workshops: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing together, please consider the opportunities below. Or if you’re looking for an online class to jumpstart your memoir, you can find that here. Or for women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here or message Annmarie to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maureen O’Leary and Naomi J. Williams are California authors who join us to discuss their inclusion in Sacramento Noir, an anthology showcasing the gilded splendor and, as editor John Freeman puts it, the “not-at-all-buried contradictions” of that historic state capital. In today’s episode, Naomi, Maureen, and Annmarie talk about the erasure of a Japanese-American neighborhood, the powerful sway of mean girls, and what we can learn from the dark stories our cities hide in plain sight. Episode Sponsors: Pegasus Books – With shops in Berkeley and Oakland, Pegasus bookstores are welcoming and inclusive neighborhood spaces, where we believe in the printed word and in the alchemy of sharing books with one another. Find a huge selection of new, used and sale titles in our stores or shop online at PegasusBookstore.com. Green Apple Books– We’ve been connecting curious San Francisco readers to great books since 1967. Browsing at Green Apple is a unique experience. From our handmade signs and book recommendations to the many nooks and crannies, you can both get lost in here and find serendipity. Our friendly, well-read employees also stand ready to help you in any way. For your next great read, stop by or go to greenapplebooks.com Titles Mentioned in This Episode: Sacramento Noir, edited by John Freeman Landfalls, by Naomi J. Williams Physics of Weight: Collected Poems, by Maureen O’Leary Time’s Mouth, by Edan Lepucki Detransition, Baby, by Torrey Peters The Heart of It All, by Christian Kiefer (You can listen to our WPL conversation with Christian here.) Here’s the opening for The Brady Bunch. What do you think – terrifying or not? Here’s the trailer for the noir film Notorious with Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman. Follow Maureen O'Leary: Instagram: @maureenow Twitter/X: @maureenow Bluesky: @maureenow.bsky.social‬ maureen-oleary.com Follow Naomi J. Williams: Instagram: @naomijwilliams Twitter/X: @NaomiWilliams Bluesky: @naomijwilliams.bsky.social‬ naomijwilliams.com **Writing Workshops: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing together, please consider the opportunities below. Or if you’re looking for an online class to jumpstart your memoir, you can find that here. Or for women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here or message Annmarie to learn more. Photo Credits: Jesse Egner for Naomi Williams Aaron Cameron for Maureen O’Leary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cleyvis Natera is a novelist, short story writer, essayist, and critic, whose debut novel, Neruda on the Park, was a New York Times Editor’s Choice and awarded a Silver Medal by the International Latino Book Awards. Her second book, The Grand Paloma Resort, is out now. In today’s episode, Cleyvis and Annmarie discuss the often long and winding road to literary publication, marathons versus triathlons, and the high cost of luxury travel both on and off the resort. Episode Sponsors: McNally Jackson – Independent booksellers with locations in Nolita, Williamsburg, Seaport, Rockefeller, and Downtown Brooklyn. To find your next great read, drop by or shop online at www.mcnallyjackson.com Books Are Magic – A family-owned independent bookstore in Brooklyn, committed to being a welcoming, friendly, and inclusive space for all people. We believe that books are indeed magic and that literature is one of the best ways to create empathy, transportation, and transformation. Stop by or shop online at booksaremagic.net. Titles Mentioned in This Episode: Neruda on the Park, by Cleyvis Natera The Grand Paloma Resort, by Cleyvis Natera The Farming of Bones, by Edwidge Danticat In the Time of Butterflies, by Julia Alvarez How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water, by Angie Cruz (You can listen to our WPL conversation with Angie here.) Here’s the trailer for the Netflix series Envidiosa. Follow Cleyvis Natera: Instagram: @cleyvisnatera Twitter/X: @cleyvisnatera Bluesky: @cleyvisnatera.bsky.social‬ cleyvisnatera.com **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing abroad, consider joining Annmarie for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We’d love to help you make your wishes come true. This will sell out. Act now and join us! Or if you’re looking for an online class to jumpstart your memoir, you can find that here. Or for women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here or message Annmarie to learn more. Photo Credit: Beowulf Sheehan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Janet Clare is a former clothing retailer-turned-writer whose first novel, Time Is the Longest Distance, was published in 2018, and now, nearly seven years later, her second, True Home is making its debut. Janet worked on True Home during the difficult days of her husband’s illness. And in her words, his “humor and supreme focus on living every moment” taught her how to press on and do the same. In today’s episode, Annmarie and Janet talk about coming-of-age stories, author blurbs, and how writing can be a powerful antidote in the face of grief and loss. Episode Sponsors: Book Soup – Known for our floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, high-profile author readings, limited-edition books, vinyl records, and celebrity clientele, Book Soup is an essential stop on any tour of Los Angeles. Find your next great read and shop online at booksoup.com. Village Well Books & Coffee – A community-focused & impact-driven bookstore-café in the heart of Downtown Culver City, California. Village Well is a third place where we go for rest and nourishment between home and work. A place where neighbors have surprise encounters and people who might otherwise feel lonely at home can be surrounded by the comfort of lively, friendly human interaction. Stop by to eat, read, connect, learn about our community and our world, and be inspired, healed, accepted and loved. Or find us online at villagewell.com. Titles Mentioned in This Episode: Time Is the Longest Distance, by Janet Clare True Home, by Janet Clare James, by Percival Everett Kitchens of the Great Midwest, by J. Ryan Stradal The Snowbirds, by Christina Clancy The Heart of Winter, by Jonathan Evison On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous AND The Emperor of Gladness, by Ocean Vuong Here’s the trailer for the 1973 film, The Way We Were, starring Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford.  Follow Janet Clare: Facebook: @janet.clare.9 Instagram: @janetclare1 Bluesky: @janetclare.bsky.social‬ janetclarewriter.com **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing abroad, consider joining Annmarie for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We’d love to help you make your wishes come true. This will sell out. Act now and join us! Or if you’re looking for an online class to jumpstart your memoir, you can find that here. Or for women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here or message Annmarie to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michelle Young is an award-winning writer and journalist, and the author of the narrative non-fiction book The Art Spy: The Extraordinary Untold Tale of WWII Resistance Hero Rose Valland, which is longlisted for the 2025 American Library in Paris Book Award. In today’s episode, Annmarie and Michelle talk about Rose Valland, an unsung hero of the French war effort, and how an unlikely heroine infiltrated the Nazi leadership to save the world’s most treasured masterpieces. Episode Sponsors: McNally Jackson – Independent booksellers with locations in Nolita, Williamsburg, Seaport, Rockefeller, and Downtown Brooklyn. To find your next great read, drop by or shop online at www.mcnallyjackson.com Bluestockings – A collectively-run NYC activist center, community space and feminist bookstore that offers mutual aid, harm reduction support, non-judgemental resources, and a warming/cooling place that is radically inclusive of all genders, cultures, expansive sexualities and identities. Bluestockings seeks to empower all people to challenge oppression and participate in creating a society which is equitable, cooperative, and free, and we strive to empower our worker-owners through non-hierarchy, cooperation, and consensus-based decision making, providing an example of the society we are working toward. Stop by or shop online at bluestockings.com. Titles Mentioned in This Episode: The Art Spy: The Extraordinary Untold Tale of WWII Resistance Hero Rose Valland, by Michelle Young The Aviator and the Showman: Amelia Earhart, George Putnam, and the Marriage that Made an American Icon, by Laurie Gwen Shapiro, the aviator and the showman Here’s the trailer for the 1964 film, The Train, starring Burt Lancaster. Follow Michelle Young: Instagram: @michelleyoungwriter Threads: @michelleyoungwriter Twitter/X: @michelleyoungny Bluesky: @‪michelleyoung.bsky.social michelleyoungwriter.com **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing abroad, consider joining Annmarie for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We’d love to help you make your wishes come true. This will sell out. Act now and join us! Or for women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here or message Annmarie to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Holly Gramazio is a writer, game designer and curator. She founded the experimental games festival Now Play This, wrote the script for the award-winning indie videogame Dicey Dungeons, and her debut novel, The Husbands, is out now in paperback. In today’s episode, Annmarie and Holly talk about attics, games, husbands, online dating apps, and how art can help people to interact with their surroundings in new ways. Episode Sponsors: Another Story Bookshop – Located in the West end of Toronto, Another Story Bookshop sells a broad range of literature for children, young adults, and adults with a focus on themes of social justice, equity, and diversity. We are a proudly independent bookstore with 30 years of history and a commitment to providing quality customer service. Stop by or shop online at anotherstory.ca. Blue Heron Books – The unpretentious atmosphere of Blue Heron with its comfy chairs, wood shelving, and creaky floors lends itself to long, slow, browsing sessions. However, under that sleepy atmosphere vibrates a strong pulse. In its storied, thirty-plus-year history, Blue Heron Books has played host to and continues to showcase a veritable who’s who of the world’s literary community. Two-time winner of The Libris Award (Best Bookstore in Canada), Blue Heron is a hub for the community and a bastion of friendly chaos where everyone is welcome. Stop by or shop online at blueheronbooks.com. Titles Mentioned in This Episode: The Husbands, by Holly Gramazio Dicey Dungeons Art Deck, created by Sophie Sampson and Holly Gramazio Greta & Valdin, by Rebecca K. Reilly Memento Mori, by Eunice Hong Glorious Exploits, by Ferdia Lennon Follow Holly Gramazio: Instagram: @holly_gramazio Bluesky: ‪@hollygramazio.bsky.social‬ hollygramazio.net Photo credit: Diana Patient **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing abroad, consider joining Annmarie for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We’d love to help you make your wishes come true. This will sell out. Act now and join us! Or for women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here or message Annmarie to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Uzma Jalaluddin is a critically acclaimed and bestselling novelist, playwright, public speaker and teacher. She writes authentic, nuanced and entertaining stories about Muslims, South Asians, and Canadians and is the author of DETECTIVE AUNTY, MUCH ADO ABOUT NADA, THREE HOLIDAYS AND A WEDDING, HANA KHAN CARRIES ON, and AYESHA AT LAST, as well as her first play, THE RISHTA. Her novels have been optioned for film and television by Amazon Studios and Mindy Kaling. In today’s episode, Annmarie welcomes Uzma back to talk about how to write a mystery, how to revise a book, and how to walk in the direction of your wildest dreams. Episode Sponsors: Another Story Bookshop – Located in the West end of Toronto, Another Story Bookshop sells a broad range of literature for children, young adults, and adults with a focus on themes of social justice, equity, and diversity. We are a proudly independent bookstore with 30 years of history and a commitment to providing quality customer service. Stop by or shop online at anotherstory.ca. Blue Heron Books – The unpretentious atmosphere of Blue Heron with its comfy chairs, wood shelving, and creaky floors lends itself to long, slow, browsing sessions. However, under that sleepy atmosphere vibrates a strong pulse. In its storied, thirty-plus-year history, Blue Heron Books has played host to and continues to showcase a veritable who’s who of the world’s literary community. Two-time winner of The Libris Award (Best Bookstore in Canada), Blue Heron is a hub for the community and a bastion of friendly chaos where everyone is welcome. Stop by or shop online at blueheronbooks.com. Books by Uzma Jalaluddin: DETECTIVE AUNTY MUCH ADO ABOUT NADA THREE HOLIDAYS AND A WEDDING, co-authored with Marissa Stapley HANA KHAN CARRIES ON AYESHA AT LAST Other Titles Mentioned in This Episode: Blood Betrayal, by Ausma Zehanat Khan The Unquiet Dead, by Ausma Zehanat Khan Here’s a trailer for The Good Place. Follow Uzma Jalauddin: Instagram: @uzmajalaluddin Twitter: @UzmaWrites Facebook: @UzmaJalaluddinAuthor Substack: @uzmajalaluddin uzmajalaluddin.com **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing abroad, consider joining Annmarie and co-leader Athena Dixon for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We’d love to help you make your wishes come true. This will sell out. Act now and join us! Or for women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here or message Annmarie to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melissa Febos is the author of five books, including the national bestselling essay collection, GIRLHOOD, which has been translated into eight languages and was a LAMBDA Literary Award finalist, and winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award in Criticism. Her craft book, BODY WORK, was also a national bestseller, an LA Times Bestseller, and an Indie Next Pick. Her latest, The Dry Season: A Memoir of Pleasure in a Year Without Sex, is out now. She’s the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, and the Jeanne Córdova Nonfiction Award from LAMBDA Literary. On today’s show, Melissa and Annmarie discuss celibacy, erasure, and how abstaining from romantic entanglements might allow us to see ourselves in radical new ways. Episode Sponsors: Prairie Lights Books – Iowa City’s premier indie bookstore since 1978. Perhaps the strength of Prairie Lights reputation lies in the reading series of local, national and international writers who have read their works which were broadcast live on Iowa Public Radio and Television stations and which was the only regular literary series of its kind. All of this could not have been possible without a loyal customer base and a dedicated staff. Learn more or shop online at prairielights.com. Books Are Magic – A family-owned independent bookstore in Brooklyn, NY committed to being a welcoming, friendly, and inclusive space for all people. We believe that books are indeed magic and that literature is one of the best ways to create empathy, transportation, and transformation. Stop by or shop online at booksaremagic.net. Books by Melissa Febos The Dry Season: A Memoir of Pleasure in a Year Without Sex Body Work Abandon Me Whip Smart: The True Story of a Secret Life Girlhood Here’s our favorite Alan Rickman in Sense and Sensibility. Follow Melissa Febos: Instagram: @melissafebos Facebook: @melissafebos Substack: @melissafebos melissafebos.com Photo Credit: Beowulf Sheehan **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing abroad, consider joining Annmarie and co-leader Athena Dixon for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We’d love to help you make your wishes come true. This will sell out. Act now and join us! Or for women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here or message Annmarie to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Manguso is the author of nine books, most recently the novels Liars and Very Cold People, and a recent work of crowd-sourced philosophy, Questions Without Answers. Her writing has been recognized by an American Academy of Arts and Letters Literature Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Rome Prize. On today’s show, Annmarie and Sarah discuss the wisdom of children, parenting as an act of translation, and the innate satisfaction and delight found within even the most unanswerable questions. Bookshop will be offering a 15% discount on the book which they've allowed us to share with our listeners. The code is QA15 : https://tinyurl.com/QA15OFF Episode Sponsors: McNally Jackson – Independent booksellers with locations in Nolita, Williamsburg, Seaport, Rockefeller, and Downtown Brooklyn. To find your next great read, drop by or shop online at www.mcnallyjackson.com Annabelle’s Book Club LA – A highly curated collection of books and gifts with a modern point of view. Founded by 17-year-old Annabelle Chang, this YA-focused bookstore aims to spark imagination, inspire connection, and bring joy to people of all ages. Stop or find us online at annabellesbookclubla.com. Authors and Titles Mentioned in This Episode: Questions Without Answers, by Sarah Manguso and illustrated by Liana Finck Liars, by Sarah Manguso Mixed Feelings, by Liana Finck Gwendoline Riley Here’s a trailer for Portrait of a Lady on Fire. Follow Sarah Manguso and Liana Finck: Instagram: @lianafinck Twitter: @lianafinck Substack: @lianafinck AND @sarahmanguso sarahmanguso.com lianafinck.com Photo Credit: Beowulf Sheehan **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing abroad, consider joining Annmarie and co-leader Athena Dixon for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We’d love to help you make your wishes come true. As of this moment, we only have 2 spots left. This will sell out. Act now and join us! Or for women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here or message Annmarie to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brad Peacock is a veteran, an organic farmer, and a former candidate for the United States Senate. He's also an author who has been featured in 7 days, VT Digger, The Washington Blade, and The New York Times. He lives with his husband on land that he is rehabilitating with native plants and flowers. James Crews is the author of numerous prize-winning collections of poetry. He runs an online writing community called The Monthly Pause and also speaks and leads workshops on kindness, mindfulness, and writing for self-compassion. Brad and James live together on forty rocky acres in the woods of Southern Vermont and they recently co-edited LOVE IS FOR ALL OF US. On today’s show, Brad, Annmarie, and James discuss love stories, farming, and how poetry might just be the thing that saves us all. Episode Sponsors Battenkill Books – A local, independent bookstore selling general interest, new books in the Battenkill Valley. The store offers a broad range of books from current bestsellers to the classics, and from history and romance to gardening and cooking, and more. We also have an outstanding collection of books for children. And Battenkill carries maps, gifts, toys, cards, and an eclectic selection of magazines. Stop by or shop online at battenkillbooks.com. Big Hill Books – The happiest bookstore in Minneapolis. Big Hill Books welcomes you to Bryn Mawr, one of the most charming and eclectic neighborhoods in the Twin Cities. As a general interest bookstore, we offer an engaging, inclusive inventory of titles and a bright, airy space for customers to sit, read and relax. Our feline friends, Goose and Addie, are also available for some complimentary lap time. Visit Big Hill Books and help us build a community in which "we all do better when we all do better." Find us online at bighillbooks.com. Authors and Titles Mentioned in This Episode: Love Is for All of Us: Poems of Tenderness and Belonging, edited by James Crews and Brad Peacock How to Love the World: Poems of Gratitude and Hope, edited by James Crews Healing the Divide: Poems for Kindness and Connection, by James Crews Here’s a clip from G.I. Jane that includes “Self-Pity,” a poem by D.H. Lawrence.  Follow Brad Peacock and James Crews: Instagram: @theheartofafarmer AND @james.crews.poet Facebook: @brad.peacock.5836 AND @crewspoet Substack: @JamesCrews jamescrews.net **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing abroad, consider joining Annmarie and co-leader Athena Dixon for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We’d love to help you make your wishes come true. As of this moment, we only have 2 spots left. This will sell out. Act now and join us! Or for women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, message Annmarie to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jennifer Cramer-Miller is a writer, speaker, and joy seeker. She’s the Minnesota Board Chair for the National Kidney Foundation, and a Donate Life Ambassador for LifeSource. She’s also the author of the award-winning memoir, Incurable Optimist: Living with Illness and Chronic Hope, which is available now. On today’s show, Annmarie and Jennifer discuss kidney failure, unconditional love, and how the stories of our lives seldom unfold quite how we plan. Episode Sponsors Excelsior Bay Books – A locally owned & independent bookstore. Our atmosphere is casual and inviting with a comfy seating area in the center of the store. We have an interesting mix of titles and can special order anything not on the shelves. Our children's section is outstanding! All books and toys are hand-picked for quality and fun. We also offer a great selection of reading accessories (lights, bookmarks, book plates), puppets, puzzles, notecards, and educational gifts and toys. And we are dog-friendly. Come in and browse, or shop online at excelsiorbaybooks.net. Big Hill Books – The happiest bookstore in Minneapolis. Big Hill Books welcomes you to Bryn Mawr, one of the most charming and eclectic neighborhoods in the Twin Cities. As a general interest bookstore, we offer an engaging, inclusive inventory of titles and a bright, airy space for customers to sit, read and relax. Our feline friends, Goose and Addie, are also available for some complimentary lap time. Visit Big Hill Books and help us build a community in which "we all do better when we all do better." Find us online at bighillbooks.com. Authors and Titles Mentioned in This Episode: Incurable Optimist: Living with Illness and Chronic Hope, by Jennifer Cramer-Miller Kelly Corrigan recently featured Jennifer Cramer-Miller’s story on Thanks for Being Here. Here’s a trailer for Steel Magnolias, a film which you should not watch if you do not want to cry. Here’s the opening credits for ThirtySomething which ought to be streaming somewhere – I’d love to see if it still holds up. Bruce Springsteen singing Thunder Road in Barcelona – fantastic! Follow Jennifer Cramer-Miller: Instagram: @jennifercramermiller Facebook: @JenniferCramerMiller Twitter: @JenniferCramerMiller LinkedIn: @jenniferCramerMiller Learn more at jennifercramermiller.com and join her monthly-ish newsletter here. Buy Jennifer’s book here. Jennifer Cramer-Miller's Awards and Recognition: International Impact Book Award, Family + Medical Book Excellence Award Winner, Family BookFest Award Winner, Transformational Memoir + Relationships & Family 2024 IPPY E-Book Award: Gold Winner 2024 Next Generation Book Finalist, Memoir + Cover Design National Indie Excellence Book Award - Inspiration + Medical + Non-Fiction Living Now Award Bronze Medal: Health and Wellness Readers' Favorite Award: Gold Medal - Non Fiction Publishers Weekly, starred review "...a knockout memoir..." *Also, here’s a link to donatelife.net if you want to learn more about organ donation and kidney.org if you'd like more about kidney health. Photo Credit: Belu Photography **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing abroad, consider joining Annmarie and co-leader Athena Dixon for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We’d love to help you make your wishes come true. As of this moment, we only have 2 spots left. This will sell out. Act now and join us! Or for women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, message Annmarie to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A native of Chicago’s South Side, Nancy Johnson worked for more than a decade as an Emmy-nominated, award-winning television journalist at CBS and ABC. More recently, she’s the author of The Kindest Lie and her latest novel, People of Means. On today’s show, Annmarie and Nancy discuss the call to activism, and what makes some people enter the fight for racial justice while others step away. This show also covers family history and how important it is to record ancestral stories before they are lost forever. Episode Sponsors Da Book Joint – A Black woman-owned business born on the Southside of Chicago, and committed to literary growth and positive engagement of young people. Da Book Joint is a bookstore created with the purpose of uniting lovers of literature with diverse bestselling and rising authors. We’ve been in operation since 2007 and we’ve developed a thriving community where readers can easily purchase books they love and come together with like-minded individuals through virtual and in-person literary events. Stop by or shop online at dabookjoint.com. The Lynx – A new general-interest bookstore in Gainesville, Florida, with an emphasis on books that are currently challenged or banned in Florida. We especially seek to celebrate the voices of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ authors whose stories are among the most challenged titles, and to bring attention to the deep and radiant literary legacy of the Sunshine State. We believe in the power of books to build and foster communities, conversations, and change. A group of lynxes is a Watch. Please join our Watch today. And stop by or shop online at thelynxbooks.com. Authors and Titles Mentioned in This Episode: The Kindest Lie, by Nancy Johnson People of Means, by Nancy Johnson Follow Nancy Johnson: Instagram: @NancyJAuthor Twitter: @NancyJAuthor Facebook: NancyJohnsonAuthor nancyjohnson.net Photo Credit: Nina Subin **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing abroad, consider joining Annmarie and co-leader Athena Dixon for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We’d love to help you make your wishes come true. As of this moment, we only have 1 spot left. This will sell out. Act now and join us! Or for women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, check out Annmarie’s webpage to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kristen Arnett, aka “America’s Favorite Dad,” is the queer Floridian author of With Teeth, and the New York Times bestselling novel Mostly Dead Things, both of which were finalists for the Lambda Literary Award in fiction. She runs the substack “Dad Lessons,” and her latest novel, STOP ME IF YOU’VE HEARD THIS ONE, is out now. On today’s show, Annmarie and Kristen discuss clowning, lesbians, Orlando, Dad culture, and the joy of showing up for our art exactly as we are. Episode Sponsors The Lynx – A new general-interest bookstore in Gainesville, Florida, with an emphasis on books that are currently challenged or banned in Florida. We especially seek to celebrate the voices of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ authors whose stories are among the most challenged titles, and to bring attention to the deep and radiant literary legacy of the Sunshine State. We believe in the power of books to build and foster communities, conversations, and change. A group of lynxes is a Watch. Please join our Watch today. And stop by or shop online at thelynxbooks.com. Tombolo Books – An independent bookstore dedicated to promoting the value and pleasure of reading throughout St. Petersburg, Florida, by offering thoughtful inventory curation, extensive literary knowledge, and excellent customer service. Tombolo is committed to carrying books by emerging and marginalized voices, books in translation, and books from small independent presses, as well as classics and outstanding popular titles. We support free expression and the right of every reader to determine their reading material. Stop by or shop online at tombolobooks.com. **Today’s guest, Kristen Arnett, will be doing an event at Tombolo on April 1. If you’re in Florida or St. Pete, or looking for a reason to be in Florida or St. Pete, you can RSVP for that event HERE. Authors and Titles Mentioned in This Episode: With Teeth, by Kristen Arnett Mostly Dead Things, by Kristen Arnett Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One, by Kristen Arnett In case you haven’t seen one of the Blade movies, here’s a trailer for the first one. Follow Kristen Arnett: Substack: @KristenArnett Instagram: @Kristen_Arnett Twitter: @Kristen_Arnett kristenarnettwriter.com Photo Credit: Maria Rada **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing abroad, consider joining Annmarie and co-leader Athena Dixon for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We’d love to help you make your wishes come true. As of this moment, we only have 1 spot left. This will sell out. Act now and join us! Or for women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, message Annmarie to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Helena Echlin has written for numerous publications on both sides of the Atlantic, including The Guardian and The Times. She taught for years at Stanford University and has recently returned to the United Kingdom, where she now teaches fiction writing for Oxford University’s Department of Continuing Education. Clever Little Thing is her first psychological thriller. On today’s show, Helena and Annmarie discuss the judgmentalness of parenting, the chaos of plotting a novel, and how a daily jump into the Thames – rain or shine – can work wonders for your health. Episode Sponsors Gramercy Books – A locally-owned, independently-minded neighborhood bookstore located in the heart of Bexley, Ohio. Our philosophy at Gramercy Books is simple: we’re about inspiration and discovery, community and adventure. We connect readers and writers with books they love, and host special events and ongoing visits by authors, poets and songwriters who provoke conversation. Stop by or shop online at gramercybooksbexley.com. Ashland University Low-Res MFA – Expand your writing practice and refine your craft within the supportive community of Ashland University’s Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. Our accomplished faculty will help you find your voice and complete your degree at your own pace. Learn more and enroll today at ashland.edu. Authors and Titles Mentioned in This Episode: Clever Little Thing, by Helena Echlin Annie Bot, by Sierra Greer The School for Good Mothers, by Jessamine Chan Follow Helena Echlin: Instagram: @helenaechlin Twitter: @Helenaechlin helenaechlin.com Photo Credit: Charlotte Knee Photography **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing abroad, consider joining Annmarie and co-leader Athena Dixon for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We’d love to help you make your wishes come true. As of this moment, we only have 2 spots left. This will sell out. Act now and join us! Or for women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, message Annmarie to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rebe Huntman is a memoirist, essayist, dancer, teacher and poet whose debut memoir, My Mother in Havana, is out now. On today’s show, Annmarie and Rebe discuss the magic of dance, communicating with deceased loved ones, and how a search for our mothers can bring us closer to understanding ourselves. Episode Sponsors Gramercy Books – A locally-owned, independently-minded neighborhood bookstore located in the heart of Bexley, Ohio. Our philosophy at Gramercy Books is simple: we’re about inspiration and discovery, community and adventure. We connect readers and writers with books they love, and host special events and ongoing visits by authors, poets and songwriters who provoke conversation. Stop by or shop online at gramercybooksbexley.com. Ashland University Low-Res MFA – Expand your writing practice and refine your craft within the supportive community of Ashland University’s Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. Our accomplished faculty will help you find your voice and complete your degree at your own pace. Learn more and enroll today at ashland.edu. Authors and Titles Mentioned in This Episode: My Mother in Havana: A Memoir of Magic & Miracle, by Rebe Huntman Song of Solomon, by Toni Morrison Here’s a video of Ella Fitzgerald singing Mack the Knife. Follow Rebe Huntman: Instagram: @rebehuntman Facebook: RebeHuntmanAuthor rebehuntman.com Photo Credit: Kate Sweeney **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing abroad, consider joining Annmarie and co-leader Athena Dixon for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. Or you can join Annmarie and co-leader Phyllis Biffle Elmore for a writing retreat in France. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We’d love to help you make your wishes come true. As of this moment, we only have 2 spots left for France, but you can click this link for $900 off. Enter the password RetreatWriteRepeat and the coupon code is 25AK For women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, message Annmarie to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joseph Earl Thomas is the author of Sink, a memoir, and his debut novel God Bless You, Otis Spunkmeyer, longlisted for the Carnegie Medal for Literary Excellence, and winner of the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize. On today’s show, Annmarie and Joseph talk about working-class upbringings, how to write complicated families with sensitivity and grace, and whether or not to raise an alligator in the backyard. Episode Sponsors The Head & The Hand Books – A community-focused Philadelphia bookstore that provides curated fiction, local lit, and children’s/middle grade books to the Fishtown neighborhood and beyond. We do readings, workshops, curated events, children’s programming, and more. Stop by for a visit! Or shop online at theheadandthehand.com. Novelette Booksellers – Nashville's only queer-owned bookstore. We are a fun, vibey, safe space for book lovers of all ages. We boast a highly curated selection of both fiction and non-fiction books by diverse authors, and a great selection of graphic novels. With an eye toward inclusivity and the celebration of our differences, Novelette strives to welcome people of all backgrounds. Stop by or shop online at novelettebooksellers.com Authors and Titles Mentioned in This Episode: Sink, by Joseph Earl Thomas Leviathan Beach, by Joseph Earl Thomas (available for pre-order) God Bless You, Otis Spunkmeyer Zone One, by Colson Whitehead The Gilda Stories, by Jewelle Gomez Here’s a trailer for the Japanese anime Attack on Titan. Follow Joseph Earl Thomas: Instagram: @jetvgc Substack: @birthworldproblems Twitter: @JETVGC josephearlthomas.com Photo Credit: Marcus Jackson **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing abroad, consider joining Annmarie and co-leader Athena Dixon for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. Or you can join Annmarie and co-leader Phyllis Biffle Elmore for a writing retreat in France. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We’d love to help you make your wishes come true. As of this moment, we only have 2 spots left for France, but you can click this link for $900 off. Enter the password RetreatWriteRepeat and the coupon code is 25AK In 2025, Annmarie is teaching online Tuesday nights for Writing Workshops. Learn more and register HERE. For folks interested in an online Saturday morning writing class, message Annmarie to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Malaka Gharib is the author of I Was Their American Dream, a graphic memoir about being first-generation Filipino Egyptian American, and It Won't Always Be Like This, a graphic memoir about her summers in the Middle East. On today’s show, Annmarie and Malaka talk about the American immigrant experience, how to be a working writer, and what it means to be the realization of our parents’ greatest dreams. Episode Sponsors Novelette Booksellers – Nashville's only queer-owned bookstore. We are a fun, vibey, safe space for book lovers of all ages. We boast a highly curated selection of both fiction and non-fiction books by diverse authors, and a great selection of graphic novels. With an eye toward inclusivity and the celebration of our differences, Novelette strives to welcome people of all backgrounds. Stop by or shop online at novelettebooksellers.com Skylark Bookshop – A fiercely independent bookstore where we strive to find new ways to celebrate literature and our community. Some books give us knowledge and perspective; others simply give necessary space to breathe. Putting the right book into the right hands is a deeply meaningful act. We believe that we can find that book for everyone who walks through our doors. We embrace enjoyment, entertainment, and the beauty of Skylark Bookshop. Stop by or shop online at skylarkbookshop.com. Authors and Titles Mentioned in This Episode: I Was Their American Dream, by Malaka Gharib It Won’t Always Be Like This, by Malaka Gharib Uzma Jalaluddin Liana Finck Blue Sky Through the Window of a Moving Car: Comics for Beautiful, Awful and Ordinary Days, by Jordan Bolton Follow Malaka Gharib: Instagram: @MalakaGharib Substack: @Malaka malakagharib.com Photo Credit: Leah Margulies **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing with other women on retreat, consider joining Annmarie and co-leader Athena Dixon for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. Or you can join Annmarie and co-leader Phyllis Biffle Elmore for a writing retreat in France. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We’d love to help you make your wishes come true. As of this moment, we only have 2 spots left for France, but you can click this link for $900 off. Enter the password RetreatWriteRepeat and the coupon code is 25AK Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In her 60s, after decades as a psychotherapist, marital counselor, and work and family consultant, Leah Fisher embarked upon solo trips to multiple countries to see whether she could connect across cultures, participate in community projects, and try to be “of use.” On today’s show, Leah joins us to speak about her new memoir, My Marriage Sabbatical, and to discuss what is lost and gained when couples pursue separate dreams. Episode Sponsors: Orinda Books – An independently-owned bookstore just 30 minutes east of San Francisco. We’re open six days a week with free parking, and the Orinda BART station is a pleasant half-mile walk away. We provide a diverse range of books and our children's department is extensive and inviting. Besides books, we also carry puzzles, toys, cards, and calendars, as well as locally-made chocolate, olive oil, ceramics, and artwork. We love to read and recommend our favorites — so don't hesitate to ask! Stop by or shop online at orindabooks.com. International Writers' Collective – The Collective offers fiction and poetry workshops online and in the Netherlands and a vibrant international community to support you in your writing goals. Many students view their program as a cheaper and more flexible alternative to an MFA. Learn more and find a class at internationalwriterscollective.com. Titles Mentioned in This Episode: My Marriage Sabbatical: A Memoir of Solo Travel and Lasting Love, by Leah Fisher Necessary Losses: The Loves Illusions Dependencies and Impossible Expectations That All of us Have, by Judith Viorst Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, by Judith Viorst The Work of Christmas, based on a poem by Howard Thurman. Follow Leah Fisher: mymarriagesabbatical.com **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment: If this conversation sparked in you a desire to travel, consider joining Annmarie and co-leader Athena Dixon for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. Or you can join Annmarie and co-leader Phyllis Biffle Elmore for a writing retreat in France. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We’d love to help you make your wishes come true. As of this moment, we only have 2 spots left for France, but you can click this link for $900 off. Enter the password RetreatWriteRepeat and the coupon code is 25AK In 2025, Annmarie is teaching online Tuesday nights for Writing Workshops. Learn more and register HERE. For folks interested in an online Saturday morning writing class, message Annmarie to learn more. Photo Credit: Aileen Schier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Regina Brett is a two-time Pulitzer finalist and the New York Times bestselling author of God Never Blinks. Her latest book is Little Detours and Spiritual Adventures. On today’s show, Annmarie and Regina talk about their Catholic upbringings, cancer survival, best and worst Christmases, and what it means to be a slice of God for other people. Episode Sponsors: Loganberry Books – An independently owned and operated bookstore in the historic Larchmere neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. Loganberry features a carefully curated collection of new, used and rare books in all genres for both readers and collectors, with an inventory over 100,000 volumes. Find your next great read and shop online at loganberrrybooks.com. Mac’s Backs – A proud Cleveland indie bookstore with three floors for browsing, great online service, and chocolate milkshakes right next door. Find your next great read and shop online at macsbacks.com. Books by Regina Brett Little Detours and Spiritual Adventures God Never Blinks God Is Always Hiring Be the Miracle Other Authors and Titles Mentioned in This Episode: Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, by Lori Gottlieb Here are the trailers for It’s a Wonderful Life and White Christmas. Follow Regina Brett: Instagram: @ReginaBrett Facebook: ReginaBrettFans Twitter: @ReginaBrett Substack: @ReginaBrett reginabrett.com Photo Credit: Katie Montague Malone **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing with other women on retreat, consider joining Annmarie and co-leader Athena Dixon for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. Or you can join Annmarie and co-leader Phyllis Biffle Elmore for a writing retreat in France. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We’d love to help you make your wishes come true. As of this moment, we only have 2 spots left for France, but you can click this link for $900 off. Enter the password RetreatWriteRepeat and the coupon code is 25AK In 2025, Annmarie is teaching online Tuesday nights for Writing Workshops. Learn more and register HERE. For folks interested in an online Saturday morning writing class, message Annmarie to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices