Authors After Action: Real Life Stories Behind the Books

What does it take to pivot from crisis communications expert to award-winning thriller novelist? In this episode of Creators at Work , Donald Dunn sits down with John David, author of the breakout thriller The Bystander , named one of the best thrillers of twenty twenty five. Inspired by real-world headlines and the psychology of fear, John shares how a mall shooting incident sparked the premise f...

How do you truly heal after sexual assault? In this powerful episode of Authors After Action , Amy McKiernan shares her deeply personal journey of surviving sexual assault and the ten-year process it took to write her healing-centered book. This conversation explores trauma, PTSD, reclaiming your voice, and the courage it takes to share a vulnerable story publicly. Amy discusses what healing actua...

Today's podcast dives into the magical realm of storytelling with the incredible J.F. Munroe, the mastermind behind the Legacy of the Four trilogy. We chat about how ancient powers collide with the human heart, and trust me, it's not just epic battles and mythical creatures; it’s about courage, sacrifice, and characters that’ll stick with you long after you turn the last page. J.F.'s journey from...

What does skydiving have to do with leadership? In this powerful episode of Spirits and Stories , Donald Dunn sits down with leadership coach and engineering executive Joe to explore how stepping outside your comfort zone transforms the way you lead, think, and grow. With over 650 skydives and years of experience building high-performance teams in mission-critical environments, Joe shares practica...

Thinking about self-publishing a book but not sure where to start? In this episode, Donald Dunn speaks with Michelle DeFilippo, founder of 1106 Design, about what self-publishing really means today — and how authors can avoid expensive publishing traps. They break down: The difference between self-publishing, traditional publishing, and hybrid publishers How some publishing companies charge author...

If you want to write a book that stands the test of time, what separates a short-term release from a decades-long bestseller? In this episode of Authors After Action, host Donald Dunn sits down with bestselling author Marita Tedder , also known to many readers as Marita Littauer , whose landmark personality book Wired That Way has remained in continuous publication for more than twenty years. Draw...

If you want to lower your golf score, the answer might not be a new club — it might be simple math. In this episode of Authors After Action, host Donald Dunn sits down with engineer-turned-author Bob Labbe, creator of Putting by the Numbers , to break down a physics-based approach to putting that helps golfers eliminate costly three-putts and improve consistency on the green. Bob explains how unde...

In this episode of Creators at Work , Donald Dunn sits down with Maxwell Ivey, known worldwide as The Blind Blogger , to discuss why accessibility matters for podcasters and creators — and how improving accessibility can directly grow your audience. Maxwell shares his journey from teaching himself HTML in two thousand seven just to get online, to becoming a respected accessibility expert, speaker,...

Get ready to dive into a heartfelt conversation about reclaiming your voice with the incredible Amy Lou Jenkins! We kick things off discussing how Amy transformed her life from nursing to writing, realizing that her voice was never too much—just too contained. She shares her journey of self-discovery in the quiet of nature, where she learned that nothing apologizes for existing. This episode is al...

Vicki Ann, a talented young adult paranormal author, dives into the enchanting world of spiritualism and the paranormal in our latest chat. With a knack for crafting gripping tales—like her award-winning Alex McKenna series featuring a transgender teen with extraordinary gifts—Vicki shares her journey of navigating the complexities of writing in the genre. We’ll explore how her sensitivity to the...

In this episode of the Creators at Work Podcast , host Donald Dunn sits down with Terry M. Brown author , award-winning novelist and host of Online for Authors , to explore what it truly means to rebuild your life after hardship. After leaving a fourteen-year emotionally abusive marriage, Terry embarked on a powerful tandem bicycle journey across the United States — a bold act of self-discovery th...

Terry M. Brown, an award-winning author, shares her incredible journey from overcoming an emotionally abusive marriage to becoming a successful writer. With a spirit of resilience, she cycled 3,102 miles across the U.S., which sparked her fiction career and helped her reclaim her voice. We dive deep into the ups and downs of writing, including the creative process, the importance of believing in o...

Today, we're diving into the world of writing books with the incredible Ray Hartjen, who’s not just an author but a lifelong storyteller. Ray shares his journey from a B2B and B2C revenue guru to penning five diverse books, ranging from sports history to personal memoirs shaped by his own battle with cancer. We explore the nitty-gritty of getting started in writing, emphasizing that the key is sim...

Today, we're diving deep into the world of filmmaking and storytelling with the talented Lisa Kaufman, a filmmaker who’s not just all about the glitz and glamour but has a rich history that connects her to some fascinating figures in literature and publishing. From her accidental discovery of family ties to the co-founder of Funk and Wagnalls to her journey of blending her love for writing with he...

What is it really like to police one of the most violent eras in American history — and then bring law and order to countries shattered by war? In this powerful interview, former law enforcement officer and author Mike shares what it was like working the streets of New York City during the height of the crack epidemic — a time when violent crime surged and officers faced life-or-death decisions da...

Today we're diving into a gripping mystery that unfolds during the tumultuous Don't Ask, Don't Tell era in the military. Our guest, Darryl Barry, a retired army officer turned novelist, shares his firsthand experiences and insights into a world where hidden pressures and quiet battles are all too real for gay service members. His book isn’t just about being gay in the military; it’s a powerful mys...

Burning Man isn't just a wild desert party; it's a transformative experience that challenges our notions of community and belonging. In this episode, I chat with Sarah Marshall, author of "Play A Dust in My Soul," who shares her journey from a cautious traveler to a full-fledged participant in this unique festival. We dive into her personal experiences at Burning Man, where she confronted her iden...

Tracy Smith takes us on an adventurous journey of self-discovery in this episode, highlighting how she found her identity by getting lost—literally and metaphorically. At 49, she booked a one-way ticket to Iceland, realizing that the life she had built no longer resonated with her. This leap of faith sparked her memoir, *The Purpose of Getting Lost*, which emphasizes that you don’t truly find your...

The discourse presented in this podcast delves into the intricate realm of Irish music and the essential etiquette surrounding it, particularly within session environments. We elucidate how an understanding and respect for the existing cultural frameworks can significantly ameliorate the anxiety often experienced by newcomers. By sharing relatable examples, we offer insights into navigating unfami...

What if the thing blocking your book isn’t craft, time, or talent—but identity? In this episode of Authors After Action , bestselling author and transformational coach Nina Amir reveals why most writers fail long before page one—and how inner alignment is the real publishing advantage. Nina shares her journey from childhood horse stories to magazine journalism, book editing, and ultimately walking...

In this episode of Authors After Action , we bring you a powerful storytelling podcast experience grounded in real life stories , inspiring interviews , and the depth of the human experience . We sit down with Elise Allison—sailor, author, and adventurer—whose personal journey carried her from a New Jersey horse farm to life on the open ocean. Alison has sailed through forty-six countries across f...

The primary focus of today's discourse centers on the essential interplay between leadership and organizational culture, as illuminated by our guest, Ms. Oksana Lukash. With over two decades of experience in shaping cultures across diverse organizations, Oksana emphasizes that a robust people strategy underpins effective business strategy. Our conversation delves into the nuances of leading with e...

In this episode of Authors After Action , we bring you a powerful storytelling podcast experience rooted in real life stories , inspiring interviews , and the depth of the human experience . We sit down with Tina Irwin—author, grief guide, and spiritual practitioner—whose personal journey began with the devastating loss of her six-year-old niece and evolved into a life devoted to helping others he...

In this episode of The Healing Side , we deliver a powerful storytelling podcast experience rooted in real life stories , deep conversations , and the evolving human experience of healing. We sit down with Lincoln Stoller—physicist turned psychotherapist—whose personal journey bridges science, spirit, and psychology into a unified approach to understanding the mind. Lincoln shares how quantum mech...

This podcast episode delves into the profound narrative captured within Jack Maher bestselling novel, "Poppy," which illuminates a neglected facet of Colorado's history, specifically focusing on Native American art. The narrative revolves around Jack’s grandfather, Eric Douglas, a pivotal figure who championed Native American artists and their creations, undertaking extensive journeys across the S...