Living The Next Chapter: Candid Conversations with Authors and Writers for Readers Searching for a New Read

Episode 720 - Hollis Jo McCollum - Epic Dark Fantasy with Inspired Romantic Subplots In this lively author episode, Dave is joined by dark fantasy writer and podcaster Hollis Jo McCollum for an unscripted, improv flavored conversation about creativity, connection and the realities of podcasting as an author. Hollis broadcasts from Suwanee, in the north metro Atlanta area, where she loves the local...

EPISODE 719 - Alfred Muller - supernatural, occult fiction and traditional fantasy Alfred Muller shares a personal, long-form reflection on writing, feedback, and growth as an author, framed by his Tennessee roots and a deep love of the craft. The episode weaves practical advice with candid stories—from embracing constructive criticism to the discipline of finishing a manuscript—into a portrait of...

EPISODE 718 - V. Maia - Cultural clashes and ordinary moments become intertwined with extraordinary dreams and the destiny of the universe V. Maia is a Brazilian academic researcher, IT professional, and passionate storyteller. With a Ph. D. in cloud computing privacy and over two decades of experience in the information technology sector, his expertise ranges from data security to cybersecurity....

EPISODE 717 - Hal Glatzer - Accidental Detectives, Friends With Benefits and How Music Influences Writing Hal Glatzer is a novelist who blends mystery with a rich musical background, sharing insights about his creative journey, his fiction’s settings, and the people who populate his work. The interview unfolds in three main threads: the mysteries Glatzer writes, the music he performs, and the biog...

EPISODE 716 - Richard DeVeau - In Plain Sight - In Washington, nothing is what it seems In this engaging return visit to the show, author Richard DeVeau discusses his new thriller In Plain Sight, the second installment in his Eve Tanzi series following the debut Lights Out. Living in Batavia, Illinois—a suburb along the Fox River west of Chicago—he shares how his brother's lighthouse refurbis...

EPISODE 715 - Babs Walters - Facing The Jaguar - Telling is Healing In this moving episode, author Babs Walters discusses her memoir Facing the Jaguar, a deeply personal story of trauma, healing, and transformation. Speaking from her home in sunny Florida, she reflects on the lifelong promise she made to write her story and how the process of sharing it became both a journey of self-discovery and...

EPISODE 714 - David Lomax - Trail of Thoughts - true story of survival, resilience, and self-discovery in the remote wilds of Alaska In this heartfelt conversation, author David Lomax joins Dave to share the extraordinary story behind his deeply personal and historical memoir, Trails of Thoughts. Speaking from his serene home in Oregon, David reflects on his 25-year journey to complete a book root...

EPISODE 713 - Scott Pearson - Simon & Schuster’s Star Trek Novel Editor and Author Taking Us To New Places and Beyond This episode features author and editor Scott Pearson sharing his woodland life in Carlton, Minnesota, and his multifaceted career in science fiction, Star Trek, and publishing. From fan to professional, he reveals how persistence and adaptability built his path through a rapid...

EPISODE 712 - Valerie Taylor - A Romantic Comedy Series and A Cozy Series - Write From A Different Perspective This episode features novelist Valerie Taylor discussing her shift from corporate marketing to writing romantic comedies and cozy mysteries, sharing practical advice for aspiring authors on overcoming blocks, building series, and embracing new challenges. Valerie shares a recent encounter...

EPISODE 711 - Reyna Marder Gentin - Jessica Harmon Has Stepped Away, A Mother Daughter Story and a Book Tour This episode explores how former criminal appellate attorney turned novelist Reyna Marder Gentin reinvented her life and writing, and how law, empathy, and complex family relationships shape her fiction. It offers an honest look at creative risk, persistence, and the emotional truths behind...

EPISODE 710 - Corey Croft - Wrestling With Your Writing, A Novella - France V. Brazil In this episode, author Corey Croft joins the show from Vancouver to explore the realities of writing, the creative life and the difficult choices facing modern authors. Corey speaks candidly about the tension between traditional and independent publishing, explaining that neither path is easy. One demands the pe...

EPISODE 709 - Sandra Schnakenburg - The Housekeeper’s Secret - Uncover the story hidden by a family’s beloved housekeeper, Lee Metoyer In this episode of Living The Next Chapter, author Sandra Schnakenburg shares the extraordinary origin of her memoir The Housekeeper's Secret, born from a deathbed promise to her beloved housekeeper, Lee Metoyer. A corporate finance veteran with no formal writ...

EPISODE 708 - Jeanette Gil - Cuban-American and proud Latina author - A book for kids - Aloe Vera's Special Gift I’m a Cuban-American and proud Latina author who believes in the power of stories to celebrate culture, family, and the beautiful connections that shape us. Whether you’re exploring my children’s books, or diving into my insights on education and leadership, my mission is to inspir...

EPISODE 707 - Dr. Dawn Filos - Tales of a Pet Vet - Stories from the Clinic and House Calls Dr. Dawn Filos has been a practicing small animal veterinarian for over 31 years. She has taught pet first aid courses, CPR courses, and has always enjoyed educating her clients to enable them to be the best pet parents that they can be. She has a particular interest in sharing the emotional benefits that s...

April 2026 Podcast Check-in - Thanks for supporting our amazing guests - we appreciate you In this April 2026 check-in, Dave from Living the Next Chapter takes a moment to speak directly to listeners and thank them for supporting the show and its guests. He shares a behind the scenes update about having time left on his hosting site and uses the episode as a chance to connect one on one with the a...

EPISODE 706 - John Schachnovsky - Beyond The Badge - CRIME, JUSTICE, AND THE FBI IN THAILAND About the author John Schachnovsky is the former head of FBI operations in Thailand. He spent 25 years as a law enforcement officer, motivating and managing diverse teams in demanding environments.  Book: Beyond the Badge: Crime, Justice, and the FBI in Thailand Welcome to Thailand: there’s no room for err...

EPISODE 705 - Jane Loeb Rubin - I run like the wind to stay ahead of my disease - living, family, writing - my refuge In this captivating episode, author Jane Loeb Rubin shares her inspiring journey from healthcare executive to acclaimed historical fiction writer, sparked by her 2009 ovarian cancer diagnosis linked to a genetic mutation inherited from her great-grandmother Matilda. Living in Morri...

EPISODE 704 - Sasha Preston - The Sweetest Getaway, a gripping, girl-powered caper About Sasha Preston Originally from Michigan, I’ve made my home in the perfectly weatherless land of Southern California. I fell in love with a boy from Orange County and never looked back. I write women’s fiction crime capers that help you to escape your daily reality, feel a sense of excitement, and plan your next...

EPISODE 703 - Michael Hunter - Resilience for leaders in tech, integrating heart, mind, body, and spirit to sustain leaders In this episode of Living The Next Chapter, host Dave welcomes Michael, a seasoned guide for tech leaders who positions himself not as a fixer, but as a partner uncovering hidden dynamics that sap energy and stall progress in teams. From Columbia, Missouri—near the quirky geo...

EPISODE 702 - John R. Carlos - Retired Royal Australian Air Force Wing Commander and Author of Cryonic Dreams, Awakening Amazon Bestselling Author John R. Carlos Launches a Bold Sci-Fi Trilogy That Confronts Power, Control and the Ethics of Resurrection About John R. Carlos Born in Madrid and raised in Perth, Australia, John R. Carlos is a retired Royal Australian Air Force Wing Commander. Over a...

EPISODE 701 - Julie A Swanson - North of Tomboy, Trying to Find Your Spot and Fit In As A Kid In this episode of Living The Next Chapter, Dave sits down with author Julie A. Swanson to talk about her novel North of Tomboy and the real-life experiences that shaped it. Julie shares that she has been writing since childhood, creating handmade books her mom would “send off to be published,” even thoug...

Episode 700 - Dominick Domasky - Motivation Champs, Creative Sparks for Authors and Creative Facing Lackluster Results In this episode, Dominick Domasky shares an encouraging and practical conversation about purpose, consistency, and the long game of creating meaningful work. He reflects on the early mistakes he made with his first book, the years it took to find his direction, and how those exper...

EPISODE 699 - Mark Peres - The Accord - The Accord, a defining novel about the future of human-AI relations This episode features author Mark Peres, who shares the story of his rich and varied life journey as a writer, educator, and civic leader based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mark describes growing up as the son of an international import-export salesman, moving often between port cities, whi...

EPISODE  698 - Joe Battaglia - Award-winning journalist, From High School Sports to Olympic Coverage - We Go for Gold “Beneath The Rings” Joe Battaglia is a seasoned and award-winning journalist who spent years in The Olympics arena. With over two decades in sports media, Battaglia has led content creation across news, politics, and athletics, including a role on the NBCOlympics.com team that earn...

Episode 697 - Rae Dumont - In the Shadow of Silence - A Novel of love and joy leading to the descent of untreated depression and unbearable loss In this episode, author Rae Dumont shares the inspiration behind her novel In the Shadow of Silence , a story drawn from her decades as a pediatrician and family therapist. Living in a New Jersey suburb near Manhattan, Dumont explains how the book demande...