In this episode, we sit down with Christine Fallert Kessides, debut author of Magda, Standing, a poignant historical novel inspired by her German ancestry and set against the backdrop of World War I-era Pittsburgh. Christine shares the deeply personal stories and family history that shaped Magda’s journey, weaving themes of resilience, identity, and perseverance into the fabric of her narrative.

Join us as Christine discusses her creative process, including the challenges of transitioning from writing policy reports for the World Bank to crafting compelling historical fiction. She reflects on the immigrant experience during wartime, the depiction of the Spanish flu, and the lessons her protagonist Magda offers to young readers, especially women.

Stay Connected with Christine Fallert Kessides:

• Website: christinekessidesauthor.com

Explore more about Christine's debut novel, Magda, Standing, and follow her journey for updates on upcoming projects, events, and more!

Listen as Maria Leonard Olsen shares her inspirational book, 50 After 50: Reframing the Next Chapter of Your Life. She talks about how she made lists to come up with the 50 new experiences, how she is able to do so many different things and a little about her amazingly talented son. She has a podcast, Becoming Your Best Version, and so much more. Go to her website or Instagram page to learn more and look for her at the Kensington Day of the Book Festival coming up in April.

Where to find Maria Leonard Olsen:

Website: marialeonardolsen.com

Instagram: @fiftyafter50

Instagram: MarioOlsen49

LinkedIn: Maria Leonard Olsen

Her amazingly talented son:

Instagram: @chrisolsen

Listen as Brendan talks about the latest novel, Carved From Wood, in his Crafting Humanity Series and how it all started with the first book, Cut From Stone. Brendan talks about his inspiration for the setting and how that came from an experience he had in the Peace Corps in Costa Rica. He also talks about character development, the writing process and the future of the series. Brendan will be at the Kensington Day of the Book Festival on April 27th where he will have a limited number of the 3rd novel available for sale.

Other ways you can find him:

Email: Brendan.omeara@cractinghumanity.com; Twitter: @cutfstone Instagram: @cutfstone Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/p/Crafting-Humanity-100088087459377/ Website: www.cutfstone.com

Listen as Lauri Fitz-Pegado talks about how experiences have taken her around the world as she shares her memoir of her journey through the arts, activism, and diplomacy. Lauri's memoir has been called "A Love Letter about Friends and Family". In Dancing in the Dash, the author explores her life’s journey, and how her training in dance helped establish the skills—balance, endurance, perseverance—that informed her approach to the challenges that she faced, both professionally and personally, as an African American woman. Her book resonates with diverse audiences and you are sure to be inspired by what she has to say.

You can find her at: https://www.inthedash.live/

https://beyondtheballetbarre.live

Listen to Deborah Kalb talk about her debut adult fiction novel, Off to Join the Circus. She also talks about her podcast Rereading our Childhood and her blog, Book Q&As with Deborah Kalb where she interviews local authors. She has written fiction for kids and nonfiction for adults as well. Check her out to learn more!

You can find her at:

deborahkalb.com (Website)

deborahkalbbooks.blogspot.com (book blog)

https://www.facebook.com/deborahkalbauthor/ (Facebook)

@deborahskalb (Instagram)

Listen as Dr. Jaya Viswanathan shares the inspiration for writing about the fascinating world of infant sensory development. She talks about her artwork, the group she joined that gave her artistic feedback and how she organized Baby Senses. Jaya also talks about her new podcast, Know Brainer! Tune in as her guests talk about their career advice and wisdom from very diverse areas of science and neuroscience.

You can find more information at:

https://babysensesbook.com

Listen to Dr. Jaya Viswanathan's podcast:

Know Brainer Podcast on YouTube

Know Brainer Podcast on Spotify

Listen as Jacque talks about character development, use of BETA readers and her writing process tips. She also talks about where she finds inspiration and how she's able to fluidly work between projects. Her book Murder in Georgetown is the first of a 5 part Academic Mom Mystery Series. Read to find out if Cara can solve the crime or will it be a case of the housekeeper did it? The next book, Murder Off U Street will be out soon!

Her book titles include:

Murder in Georgetown

A Surrealist Affair

Your Child's Mental Health Diagnosis

Connect Jacque by signing up for her e-mail through this link: http://bit.ly/3PmkTo9

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JacquelineCorcoranAuthor

Listen as Dian talks about her experience of teaching abroad with her husband in Thailand, the phrase "mai pen rai" and what that means as well as the process of writing her memoir as a means to live (re-live) one's own unique life.

Dian is currently teaching at Washington English Center in Washington, D.C. which she mentions and also talks about her experience with teaching yoga and what it was like coming back to the states at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

You can find her at:

http://www.dianseidel.com