Read And Write With Natasha

What happens when ancient biblical narratives collide with Wall Street ambition?  Author Jeanne Blasberg takes us on a fascinating journey through her literary trilogy, culminating in Daughter of a Promise - a bold, contemporary reimagining of the David and Bathsheba story set in the high-stakes world of investment banking. The conversation reveals how Blasberg transforms this ancient tale of powe...

Dr. Nicole Janz , author of The Write Habit planner, brings an honest perspective to the psychological barriers that prevent writers from establishing consistent creative practices.  Drawing from her own journey from burnt-out academic to thriving authorpreneur, she reveals how the most common writing struggles—procrastination, avoidance, and inconsistency- often mask deeper fears about worthiness...

When a creative mind trained in Hollywood's competitive structure ventures into the world of novel writing, the results can be illuminating.  Shan Serafin's journey from James Patterson collaborator to solo novelist offers fascinating insights into the modern creative landscape, and a passionate warning about the future of human expression. Serafin reveals the unexpected path that led hi...

What happens when a child spills leftovers on the kitchen floor and immediately labels himself "stupid"?  For autho r Brenda Do , this heartbreaking moment sparked the creation of It's Okay Not to Know, a children's book challenging our perfection-obsessed culture. Growing up Chinese in 1970s America, Brenda never saw herself represented in children's literature; every boo...

For Neera Mahajan , a professional critique about her written English didn't derail her career; it sparked an extraordinary second act as an author, book coach, and community builder. "The only thing standing between you and the senior management position is your written English," Neera's boss told her years ago.  Rather than accepting this limitation, she embraced it as a chal...

What does it take to build a sustainable career as a writer?  In this special episode, the tables turn as I’m interviewed by author Jean Alfieri about my 25-plus years in the writing world. I talk about how it all began with a letter to the editor challenging gender discrimination in Jordan’s labor laws.  Seeing that letter published and realizing my words could spark debate was the moment I knew...

What if becoming a parent actually made you MORE creative, not less? Writer and "book therapist" Heidi Fiedler discovered something surprising: when life became more demanding after she became a mom, her creative drive didn't disappear. It intensified.  "I had less time, less energy when I became a mom, and yet I wanted to keep writing. It felt more important to me than ever.&q...

What if you could design your entire life around freedom and flexibility?  That's exactly what Kayla Ihrig did when she bought a one-way ticket to Mexico in 2017, launching herself into the world of digital nomadism. This journey ultimately led to an unexpected book deal, "How to Be a Digital Nomad, " and a thriving freelance career. In this conversation, Kayla shares the truth abou...

Imagine being just 20 years old when police force you to confess to a double murder you didn’t commit.  Then imagine spending the next 21 years of your life behind bars, with no hope of release. This isn’t fiction; it’s the reality Deon Patrick lived before his exoneration in 2014. In this powerful conversation, Deon shares how Chicago police built a false case against him and seven others, includ...

▶️  Watch the episode: The Bold Leap: How JD Barker Left a Six-Figure Career to Write Full-Time What would drive someone to leave behind a comfortable six-figure corporate career and sell everything they own to pursue writing?  For JD Barker , New York Times bestselling author and collaborator with James Patterson, it was a calculated risk that changed everything. In this conversation, Barker reve...

What if anyone could have a biological child with anyone, regardless of gender, fertility, or age? That’s the provocative premise behind Baby X , the new novel by author and bioethicist Kira Peikoff .  In this episode, we explore the world of In Vitro Gametogenesis (IVG), a cutting-edge technology that transforms ordinary cells into sperm or eggs using stem cells. It’s already been tested in mice....

What happens when a marketing strategist decides history shouldn't be boring? In this captivating conversation, Paul Lloyd Hemphill shares how a simple question to his teenagers about history sparked an unexpected creative journey. When they repeatedly called history "boring," Hemphill set out to change the narrative, literally. Hemphill shares the fascinating evolution of his book,...

What makes a truly unforgettable literary villain?  According to bestselling thriller author Gary Braver , it's not mustache-twirling evil, but rather those "sweet smelling reasons" that justify their actions in their minds.  Drawing from over four decades of teaching creative writing and penning critically acclaimed mysteries, Braver takes us behind the curtain of compelling thrill...

What does it take to reinvent your life in your 40s, face down hundreds of rejections, and still come out on top? In this episode, I speak with Dr. Christina LePort , a former cardiologist turned medical thriller author, about her remarkable journey from the operating room to the written word. Born in Bologna, Italy, Christina once dreaded writing assignments. But everything changed in her mid-40s...

What if it didn’t take a life-altering tragedy to change your life for the better? In this uplifting episode, I sit down with Scott White , also known as the “ Life is Too Short Guy, ” who’s on a mission to make the world a happier place—one smile at a time. Scott breaks down the ten simple but powerful principles from his Amazon #1 bestselling book. These aren't vague motivational quotes—the...

When Patricia Bonis lost her children to international abduction, she was thrust into every parent’s worst nightmare—fourteen years of silence. In her memoir Jeddah Bride , Patricia recounts the unimaginable journey from Florida courtrooms to the heart of Saudi Arabia, where a judge’s decision to allow unsupervised visitation led to more than a decade of separation. With raw honesty and emotional...

When Karen De Bonis arrived at her library book reading to find zero attendees, she didn't crumble—she took a photo. That single photo of empty chairs would go viral on Twitter , reaching over a million views and revealing something profound about vulnerability in our success-obsessed world. Behind this viral moment lies a much deeper story. De Bonis spent seven years crafting her memoir &quo...

What if the secret to publishing success isn't TikTok or Instagram but good old-fashioned hustle and real-world connections? In this episode, I chat with Jean Alfieri , author of the beloved Zuggy the Rescue Pug series and an advocate for shelter pets everywhere.  Jean’s journey into authorship began with one determined rescue pug and has blossomed into an impressive 11-book series (and count...

In this episode, I sit down with the marketing strategist and author of The Art of Resilience: The Refugee State of Mind — Hussein Al-Baiaty, to explore the power of writing communities and the evolving world of indie publishing . We discuss how building connections, honing communication, and embracing community can shape an author’s journey—whether you're considering traditional publishing,...

Renowned executive coach Antonia Bowrin g joins us to reveal how coaching has evolved in the digital age, especially amidst the challenges brought on by COVID-19.   This shift has increased the acceptance and accessibility of coaching across regions like Africa and the Middle East.  Through her book " Coach Yourself: Increase Awareness, Change Behavior, and Thrive," Antonia empowers list...

What if the items gathering dust in your attic held the keys to unlocking your deepest healing?  In this heartfelt conversation, I sit down with Ann Mracek, author of Unpacking the Attic: A Path to Healing Your Inner Child , to explore the transformative power of confronting childhood memories through seemingly mundane objects. Anne shares her personal journey of healing old wounds, where items li...

In this episode, we focus on actionable strategies for aspiring writers and solopreneurs to thrive in the creator economy.  Author and solopreneur  ​ Ayodeji Awosika shares his insights on leveraging personal strengths, mastering marketing skills, and the significance of building an audience to achieve financial independence. We discussed the following: • Importance of aligning work with natural s...

In this episode, three authors come together to share their journeys through widowhood, highlighting the strength found in friendship and community.  Karen Smith Racicot, Karen Justice, and Rebecca LaChance discuss their collaborative writing process in their book Widows Among Us,   and the essential lessons learned about preparing for an unforeseen loss.  Among the topics we discussed:  • How uni...

🎥  You can watch the episode on YouTube here. Join us for an engaging conversation with Dr. Daisy Khan, a pioneering advocate for Muslim women's rights. From her early days in architectural design to becoming a powerful voice for gender equality, Dr. Khan shares her inspiring journey detailed in her memoir , Born with Wings.  Her story unfolds against the backdrop of 9/11, driving her leader...

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Josh McConkey, best-selling author, emergency physician, and military leader. Hear how his dual roles have shaped his views on addressing Gen Z's mental health challenges, exacerbated by social media pressures. Dr. McConkey shares insights from his military and medical career on preparing Gen Z for success, emphasizing community involvement and volunteerism...