Books That Make You Podcast

Debbie Bishop on PILLYWIGGIN: AWAKENING and Becoming Your Own Hero PILLYWIGGIN: AWAKENING with Debbie Bishop | Fantasy, AI and Resilience Debbie Bishop's PILLYWIGGIN: AWAKENING Blends Fantasy and Real Power Inside PILLYWIGGIN: AWAKENING with Fantasy Author Debbie Bishop Debbie Bishop on Epic Fantasy, Reinvention and PILLYWIGGIN: AWAKENING 2. YouTube video description What if no one is coming to sa...

Do you have ADHD and not even know it? For many professionals, the answer may be more complicated than they think. In this episode, Dr Jennie Byrne MD PhD joins the show to discuss her book, ADHD in Professionals: Embracing Your Brain, and the hidden ways ADHD can show up in high-achieving adults. From doctors and executives to entrepreneurs and leaders, many people appear successful on the outsid...

What happens when an enlightened society built on intelligence, healing, magic, and pacifism suddenly faces a threat it is not prepared to confront? Author Peter Gribble returns to Books That Make You to discuss The City of the Magicians , his three-book fantasy series exploring what happens when stability begins to crack, ideals are tested, and a culture must decide whether it can survive without...

Most people know Superman as the heroic figure from Krypton, the mild-mannered Clark Kent who fights for truth, justice, and the American way. But as William Bernhardt reveals in The Superman Wars, the story behind Superman's creation is far more complicated, emotional, and dramatic than many fans realize. In this conversation, William Bernhardt joins Books That Make You to discuss the decades-lon...

What happens when the world is rebuilt after catastrophe and the power structure flips, completely? In this episode, author and tech executive D.A. Murray joins us to unpack her debut dystopian novel, Dominion: Ascension. The conversation starts with the central provocation: a society where women hold leadership across civilization and men are pushed into tightly controlled roles, including a "bre...

What compels someone to walk away from a lucrative Wall Street career and dedicate their life to eradicating generational poverty? In this episode, we talk with Dr. Abraham George , author of Mountains to Cross and founder of Shanti Bhavan , a residential school in India that transforms the lives of children born into extreme poverty. Dr. George shares the deeply personal story behind his life's m...

Author and ritual designer Bill Hulseman returns to the show to take us deeper into his profoundly moving and gently humorous essay collection, six to carry the casket and one to say the mass . This time, Bill helps us reimagine the meaning of the holidays—beyond the performative gratitude and commercial frenzy. In this episode, Bill discusses two standout essays from his book: Grateful and How to...

What happens when a cranky humorist and a tech-savvy illustrator team up with some rebellious poodles and launch them into space? You get Snoodles in Space: Escape from Zoodletraz — the latest wild ride from author Steven Joseph and illustrator Andy Case. In this episode, the duo dives deep into their colorful, noodle-fueled universe. They talk about the imaginative process behind their newest boo...

What if your stepfather was one of the most misunderstood yet spiritually profound composers of the 20th century—and your mother spent years writing his story? In this episode, Bill Holst shares the extraordinary journey behind Alan Hovhaness: Unveiling One of the Great Composers of the 20th Century, a memoir built from the poetic writings of his late mother and enriched with his own personal refl...

How do you go from writing a Star Trek episode to launching rockets, facing crocodiles, and eventually healing through writing? Chester L. Richards returns to the show to share moments from his second memoir, The Trek Continues: More Memoirs of a Rocket Scientist. This lively interview explores how a vivid dream led to a Star Trek script, setting him on a lifelong path filled with science, danger,...

What do a dead goldfish, Pat Boone, and crème de menthe have in common? For acclaimed memoirist Sue William Silverman, they're all part of her deeply personal and poetic exploration in her latest book, Selected Misdemeanors: Essays at the Mercy of the Reader . In this conversation, Sue opens up about the emotional missteps and moments that shaped her—and how writing flash essays allows her to capt...

What happens when you're diagnosed with breast cancer at 67—just after building your dream home and planning your wedding? For Shelley Malicote Stutchman, you write about it with raw honesty, a whole lot of humor, and just enough sass to make people gasp. In this episode, Shelley joins us to talk about her memoir, Peek-a-Boob , a powerful yet hilarious account of her journey through breast cancer....

What if your favorite authors weren't just names on book spines, but people you could meet in person? Joe Solari, managing director of Reader Nation and Writer Nation, shares why the upcoming Reader Nation event in Las Vegas is more than just a book signing. It's a real-world book community coming to life. Held at the Horseshoe and Paris Casinos, Reader Nation brings together over 300 authors, fro...

What happens when your family identity, religious upbringing, and personal truth collide? In this compelling conversation, author Bill Hulseman shares the deeply personal stories that shaped his life and inspired his book six to carry the casket and one to say the mass: reflections on life, identity, and moving forward . Bill opens up about being the youngest of ten children, what it meant to grow...

What happens when love, loss, and music collide in deep space? In this episode, Bram Stoker Award-winner and former Horror Writers Association president John Palisano joins us to talk about his latest book, Requiem . Set aboard a massive mortuary spacecraft called Eden, the novel blends gothic romance, cosmic horror, and speculative science fiction into one unforgettable journey. Eden isn't just a...

How do you go from writing revenge-fueled mystery novels to coaching authors through one of the most misunderstood parts of the publishing process—marketing? Juliet Clark, founder of Author Traffic School and Superbrand Publishing, shares her personal journey from publishing her own novels like Pitch Slapped and Dead by Dawn , to helping other authors find their footing in the often murky world of...

What if the secret to rediscovering your creativity, your empathy, and even your joy was something you were born with—but lost along the way? In this episode, bestselling author Laura Munson talks about her newest book, The Wild Why, and the journey back to wonder. From the forests of Montana to ancient stone circles in Ireland, Laura's personal stories and teachings invite us to pause, reflect, a...

Author Kelly O'Hearn joins the show to explore her captivating Arcanum series—a saga that intertwines time, love, and soul contracts across lifetimes. With In the Temple Shadows and Whispers In The Forest , the first two books of the six-part series, Kelly invites readers into a richly woven tale inspired by her own past life regressions and channeled entirely through the language of tarot. In thi...

What happens when the spotlight fades and the pressure takes over? In this episode, Michele Kwasniewski dives deep into her powerful YA novel, Falling Star , the final installment of the Rise and Fall of Dani Truehart trilogy. Drawing from over 15 years of experience in the entertainment industry, Michele brings an unflinching look at the mental, emotional, and personal toll that fame can take—esp...

What if healing your mind and body didn't have to take months? In this powerful episode, we sit down with Dr. Paul Corona, author of The Corona Protocol , to discuss his fast-acting, patient-centered approach to mental health. From anxiety and depression to addiction and PTSD, Dr. Corona reveals how his mind-body treatment method delivers real results — often in just weeks. We explore the controve...

What happens when a peaceful society faces a brutal threat it never saw coming? In this episode, we talk with fantasy author Peter Gribble , creator of "The City of the Magicians" series and author of book one, Threat . Drawing from his background in psychology, history, and education, Gribble explores what happens when complacency meets chaos—and how intellect, strategy, and even a little magic m...

Are you dreaming of becoming an author, but unsure where to start? Dale L. Roberts, award-winning author and self-publishing advocate, joins us to talk about Self-Publishing for New Authors and what it really takes to launch a book in today's indie publishing world. Dale shares his journey from reader to writer, the biggest fears new authors face, and how to overcome them. He also dives into the d...

What happens when your father creates a cult, and you're left to raise yourself in a decaying mansion filled with spiritual seekers and chaos? That's the world of Naked Girl , the powerful novel by Janna Brooke Wallack. In this conversation, Janna delves into the unconventional childhood that inspired her book, her thoughts on generational parenting shifts, and how she channeled her own emotions i...

Can you really publish a book on your own? What does it take to be a successful indie author today? In this episode, we sit down with Jim Azevedo , a key figure in the self-publishing revolution and part of the team at Draft2Digital . Jim shares the fascinating journey from Smashwords to Draft2Digital, and how the industry has evolved since 2008. He discusses how indie authors can take control of...

How do schools shape our understanding of race—intentionally or not? Dr. Laura C. Chávez-Moreno joins us to discuss her groundbreaking book How Schools Make Race , which examines the ways educational systems reinforce racial identities and hierarchies. Through her research in a bilingual education program, Dr. Chávez-Moreno uncovers how schools, often unknowingly, contribute to the racialization o...