The graveyard was quiet, the kind of silence that presses against your ears and makes every shadow seem alive. Officers Matthews and Reyes leaned against their patrol car, cigarettes glowing in the dark. It was supposed to be just another routine night.

In this heartfelt conversation, author Twyla Smith takes us back to 1925 Texas to uncover the secrets behind her debut novel, The Moonshine’s Wife. We talk about the grit and grace of her protagonist, Birdie Fontenot, the haunting inspiration behind the story, and how tragedy and redemption shaped both the characters and Twyla’s own writing journey. Join us as we explore the power of place, the echoes of family legacy, and the timeless strength of women who refuse to be silenced.

At 31, Avi Dell walked away from the rock and roll dream, certain his music career had ended. But during COVID recovery, he picked up a guitar and discovered a new voice — one that didn’t need permission, compromise, or a record deal to be heard. His solo album Surrender blends raw storytelling with graphic novel art, proving that sometimes letting go is the key to true creative freedom.

“What if love isn’t something you chase, but something you attract by healing yourself first?” In this empowering episode, Canada’s Dating Coach Chantal Heide shares the keys to emotional clarity, energy, and finding real connection in a modern dating world full of noise.

“This book didn’t come from a place of confidence — it came from a need to prove something to myself. To see if I could really do it. And then, once I started writing, the characters wouldn’t let me stop.”

— JC Fuller, on writing Safe to Assume

Author John Bowers shares his journey from cotton fields to compelling fiction that focuses on people, not monsters. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation on storytelling, grit, and writing that feels real.