Every Soul Has A Story

What happens when a Hollywood matchmaker’s own love story begins with her client? In this episode, host Dara Levan sits down with Jaydi Samuels Kuba, a matchmaker, dating coach, and author of Your Last First Date. Jaydi shares the surprising story of how she met her husband—after setting him up with other women—and why throwing away the superficial checklist was key to their success. She pulls bac...

What happens when you discover a wooden crate containing human remains under your family's lake house—and your brother becomes the primary murder suspect? In this powerful episode, author Debbie Levison shares her shocking true crime story "The Crate," which intertwines her Holocaust survivor parents' history with a present-day murder investigation. Debbie opens up about why she pivoted to fiction...

What happens when a white Jewish woman asks a black Christian woman to “get together and talk about race”? For authors Asha Youmans and Alli Frank, it was the beginning of a bestselling writing partnership. In this episode of Every Soul Has a Story, host Dara Levan sits down with this dynamic duo to discuss their fifth book, Run for Your Life, Callie Kingman, and their mission to tackle hard topic...

What if the red flags in your life were literally invisible? Award-winning author, speaker, and travel host Lisa Niver joins Dara Levan to share her incredible story of reinvention after a traumatic divorce and a late-in-life diagnosis of a lazy eye that reshaped her understanding of her past. Discover how Lisa’s journey through vision therapy, extensive world travel, and writing her memoir "Brave...

What happens when a breast radiologist decides to write gripping medical novels? Join host Dara Levan for a conversation with physician and author Heather Frimmer, whose third book, Always Hope, explores the devastating impact of a malpractice lawsuit from all sides. Discover how Heather’s medical career fuels her writing, why empathy is her superpower in both radiology and fiction, and how she cr...

How does an optimist write about her husband's suicide and find purpose in the pain? Author, developmental editor, and former dance critic Kathryn Craft joins Dara Levan for a profound conversation on transforming personal tragedy into powerful fiction. Discover how Kathryn's journey through loss led to her novels  The Art of Falling  and  The Far End of Happy , learn why she waited eight years to...

What if menopause could be an opportunity for empowerment and reclaiming your identity? In this episode of  Every Soul Has a Story , host Dara Levan speaks with Lauren Tetenbaum, a licensed social worker and author of  Millennial Menopause . They dive into the often-overlooked symptoms of perimenopause that can start as early as one's late thirties, the critical importance of setting loving but fi...

What if "full recovery" from an eating disorder is an unrealistic ideal? In this powerful episode of Every Soul Has a Story, host Dara Levan has an unfiltered conversation with Mallary Tenore Tarpley, author of the reported memoir "Slip." Mallory bravely shares her journey from the traumatic loss of her mother at age 11 to a decades-long struggle with anorexia, binge-restrict cycles, and the often...

What if writing could transport you to a state of deep meditation? Bestselling author and editor Jill Santopolo (The Light We Lost, The Love We Found) joins Dara Levan to reveal how her creative process is a form of zen, the surprising way she uses "bets" to hit word counts, and how she compartmentalizes her life as a writer and publisher. In this deeply personal episode, Jill shares the real-life...

What happens when a tech executive discovers writing as therapy for processing her grandmother's dementia? In this powerful episode of Every Soul Has a Story, host Dara Levan converses with Rachel Caplin—VP of Business Development, mother of three, and author of "The Spoon and the Sea." Rachel shares her incredible journey from Australia to Israel, how she met her husband in a destined encounter,...

Discover the memoir writing journey of Julie Fingersh, an award-winning journalist turned "accidental author" of Stay: A Story of Family, Love, and Other Traumas. Named a People Magazine Best Memoir, Julie reveals how midlife crisis, empty nesting, and buried family secrets ignited her bestselling book. Learn why she stopped writing for 30 years—and how radical truth-telling healed her. What happe...

               What does it take to live a life of purpose and radiance? Author and entrepreneur Lynne Golodner joins Dara Levan for a profound conversation on finding meaning through human connection. Lynne shares her transformative journey from seeking external validation to embracing self-empowerment, the pivotal role of her solo travels after divorce, and how she weaves her Jewish identity int...

How do you break generational patterns when you had no healthy models to follow?    In this episode of "Every Soul Has a Story," Dara Levan welcomes Cari Fund, an advocate for women's empowerment and healing from generational trauma. Cari doesn't hold back. From recognizing toxic patterns at just 14 years old to her current work with her Surviving Roots podcast, she shares her journey with narciss...

  What happens when the preventative surgery you chose to avoid cancer reveals you already have it?    In this episode of "Every Soul Has a Story," Dara Levan welcomes author Gila Pfeffer, whose memoir "Nearly Departed" chronicles her journey through losing both parents to cancer at a young age and her own battle with breast cancer. With refreshing candor and signature wit, Gila shares how her Ort...

What if your greatest challenges were actually your most profound teachers?    In this soul-stirring conversation, educator and writer Daphne Gregory-Thomas weaves together the threads of loss, resilience, and transformation through her journey as an innovative educator, cancer survivor, and storyteller. Her narrative illuminates how life's greatest challenges often become our most profound teache...

In what ways did author Sheila Athens transform her personal grief into a powerful source of resilience and creativity, leading to the release of her third novel? In this episode of "Every Soul Has a Story," host Dara Levan welcomes novelist Sheila Athens to share her inspiring journey from a corporate HR executive to a successful author. Sheila recounts her early passion for writing, which was re...

Why is the fight against book banning so crucial for maintaining diverse viewpoints, and how can literature empower us to embrace empathy and understanding?    In this episode of "Every Soul Has a Story," host Dara Levan welcomes bestselling author Emily Bleeker. This episode is a must-listen for writers and book enthusiasts as it delves into the art of weaving historical truths into fiction, a te...

How did author and writing teacher Sarahlyn Bruck’s journey through unexpected twists and turns in the publishing world lead to her ultimate success as an author?    Today host Dara Levan welcomes Sarahlyn Bruck to discuss the intricate paths of the publishing world. Sarahlyn’s setbacks, and ultimate success, reveal her belief in the power of perseverance and the crucial role of timing in the indu...

We all live with the possibility that we won’t wake up one day, but not everyone is consciously aware of that fact. Today’s guest lives with a daily reminder of her mortality. In today’s episode, you’ll hear from Andra Watkins, a New York Times bestselling author known for her captivating writing and soul-stirring speeches. Andra, who has navigated the waves of adversity with unwavering resilience...

Bringing my first book to life felt like an emotional adventure akin to childbirth—filled with excitement, challenges, and profound self-discovery. In this heartfelt solo episode of "Every Soul Has a Story", I share about the intense journey of editing, revising, and ultimately letting go of my "book baby". With poignant advice from a dear friend guiding me, I reflect on the incredible personal an...

What does it mean to receive an autism diagnosis in your 40s? Today’s guest, Katie Rose Guest Pryal, J.D., Ph. D., shares her unique journey of navigating life with a late autism diagnosis—an experience surprisingly common, particularly among women. Katie is an accomplished author, mental health advocate, professor, and mother who brings a rich blend of personal and professional expertise to the c...

The journey of “Every Soul Has a Story” began with an unexpected Instagram Live session during the early COVID-19 lockdown. These impromptu conversations, born out of a need for connection, have grown into a sanctuary for authentic dialogues. This season opener is a heartfelt recounting of my personal challenges, including an unexpected surgery and the profound loss of loved ones. It’s a testament...

Today’s guest is author, poet, editor, and writing teacher Michelle Cameron. Michelle is also a director of The Writers Circle, which offers creative writing instruction to adults and kids. She recently published her fourth novel, Babylon: a novel of Jewish Captivit y, which is published by Wicked Son Books . In this episode, Michelle joins the conversation to share how she learned that we can't a...

Today’s guest is author Elizabeth Sumner Wafler. She recently published her fourth novel, A Cleft in the World. In this episode, Elizabeth shares how she learned that her grandfather was Jewish when she was 50 years old. Elizabeth talks about her childhood, sharing she grew up in “an insular world and provincial community” in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She talked about how her family in the ‘60s swep...

It’s not every day you get to chat with someone who has experienced life in two vastly different environments. Today’s guest is @jennifer.anglade.dahlberg, who recently published her fourth novel, A Norn In Bloom. A New York native and former executive recruiter, Jennifer experienced a significant turning point after falling in love and moving to Sweden. Learn how Jennifer adjusted to a new countr...