Sharing the Heart of the Matter

In this episode of Sharing the Heart of the Matter , hosts Wynne Leon and Vicki Atkinson talk with novelist Deborah Brasket about her new book, This Sea Within , a sweeping historical novel that blends political intrigue, love,coming-of-age, and spiritual longing. Deborah shares how her world travels, deep research, and personal reflections shaped a story rich with danger, beauty, and purpose. Tog...

Looking for a compelling author interview and a great newpsychological thriller to add to your reading list? In this episode of Sharing the Heart of the Matter , P. J. Gudka joins us to discuss her debut novel, Perfect , a psychological domestic thriller centered on family secrets, generationaltrauma, perfectionism, and moral complexity. We talk about her transition from poetry to fiction, how she...

In this episode, Vicki Atkinson and Wynne Leon talk with Wayne Runde. Wayne is an author, physician and veteran US Navy Commander. Wayne tells us about his book, Shadow of the Deceiver , the third installment in The Genesis Trust series. We hear about why he was called to start writing even with his busy schedule and a fascinating set of hobbies. We ask about the intersection of science, morality...

In this episode, hosts Wynne Leon and Vicki Atkinson engage with author Gloria Golec about her memoir, South Side Memories. The conversation explores themes of family, immigrant experiences, and the power of storytelling. Gloria shares insights on how her Polish heritage and family dynamics shaped her identity and writing journey. The discussion emphasizes the importance of preserving personal nar...

In this episode of 'How to Share', hosts Wynne Leon and Vicki Atkinson engage with author Marc Ross about his latest geopolitical thriller, 'Attacking the Dragon'. The conversation delves into the book's plot, which revolves around China's Belt and Road Initiative, and how Ross's background as a lawyer influenced his writing. They explore the complexities of Chinese pol...

In this episode of the podcast, Wynne Leon and Vicki Atkinson engage with novelist Doug E. Jones about Take Me Back to Chicago . Our conversation delves into the rich tapestry of 1974 Chicago, exploring the characters, music, and personal connections that shape the narrative. Doug also shares insights into his transition from TV writing as a writer for the tv show Charmed (and more) to novel writi...

Wynne Leon and Vicki Atkinson talk with author Ilsa Rey about her book, Wish I Was Here that will be released on December 23, 2025. The conversation delves into the thrilling narrative where Anna's best friend Isaac invents an invisibility pill and is kidnapped for it. In a desperate attempt to save him, Anna takes the pill herself, leading to a race against time to find him and secure the ant...

In this episode, hosts Wynne Leon and Vicki Atkinson engage with licensed nutritionist Meg Bowman, discussing her book 'This Is Your Body on Trauma.' They explore the intricate relationship between nutrition, trauma, and emotional well-being, emphasizing the importance of safety as a nutrient and how the way we eat can impact our health. The conversation delves into the significance of und...

In this heartfelt episode, Lauren Scott talks with Wynne Leon and Vicki Atkinson about her journey of grief and healing after the loss of her beloved dog, Copper. Through poetry, she found a way to express her emotions and honor Copper's memory, culminating in her book 'King Copper.' The conversation explores the deep bond between pets and their owners, the process of creating a tribut...

In this episode, Wynne Leon and Vicki Atkinson engage with author Michael Atman, who shares the journey of his book Cherry Whip, which has been republished 20 years after its initial release. The conversation delves into themes of self-awareness, the significance of personal experiences, and the cultural insights gained from living in Japan. Michael discusses the importance of humor in storytellin...

In this episode , hosts Wynne Leon and Vicki Atkinson engage with author Michele Lee Sefton, discussing her new book 'Jade's Broken Bridge'. The conversation delves into Michele's personal journey of courage and healing following the loss of her father, herexperiences in writing as a therapeutic tool, and her future creative projects. The episode highlights the importance of storyt...

In this episode, hosts Wynne Leon and Vicki Atkinsonengage with author Deborah Brasket about her debut novel, 'When Things Go Missing.' The conversation delves into the themes of motherhood, identity, and the complexities of family dynamics, as well as Brasket's personal experiences, including her adventurous sailing journey around the world. The discussion also touches on her creative...

In this episode of Sharing the Heart of the Matter, hosts Wynne Leon Vicki Atkinson engage with author Chris Thelen, discussing his latest political thriller, Race for Redemption, and the challenges of writing a sequel to his previous work, Islands of Deception. Chris shares insights into his writing process, the importance of character development, and the balance of managing multiple writing pro...

In this episode, Bob Conlon talks with Vicki Atkinson and Wynne Leon about his book 'Celtic Knot,' which tells the story of his grandfather, Tim Conlon, an Irish immigrant who faced numerous challenges in 19th-century Chicago. The conversation explores themes of resilience, family, community, and the importance of storytelling in preserving history. Bob shares insights into his research pr...

In this episode hosts Vicki Atkinson and Wynne Leon and Vicki Atkinson engage with writer Michael Frutig, who shares insights into his diverse creative projects, the collaborative writing process, and the importance of exploring different genres to maintain creativity. Michael discusses his journey as a co-author, the challenges of writing humor, and the personal connections he weaves into his cha...

In this episode, hosts Wynne  Leon and VickiAtkinson engage with authors Amy Goober and Gwen Borden, discussing their book 'My Mother Always Says: 25 Lessons for Finding the Silver Lining.' The conversation explores the wisdom passed down through generations, theimportance of reframing experiences, and the power of optimism in overcoming life's challenges. Amy and Gwen share personal stories that...

In this episode, Linda Broenniman talks with Wynne Leon and Vicki Atkinson about her journey of uncovering her family's Jewish heritage, which began with a surprising revelation about her father's identity. Through extensive research, she explores eight generations of her family history, revealing secrets, trauma, and the impact of historical events on her identity. The conversation delves...

In this episode of Sharing the Heart of the Matter, hosts Wynne Leon and Vicki Atkinson engage with author RitishSharma, who, along with co-author Deepak Joshi, has created a series of books titled 'Unfold the Stories of Unsung Heroes.' The conversation explores the inspiration behind the series, the process of finding and vetting stories of global heroes, and the emotional impact these na...

In this episode of the Heart of the Matter podcast, host Wynne Leon and co-host Vicki Atkinson engage in a deepconversation with mentalist and author Alexander Beresford. They explore themes of human connection, the interplay between magic and writing, and the insights derived from Beresford's works, including 'Mr. Fenwick and the Door That Stayed Closed (Until It Didn't)' and &#39...

In this inspiring episode, Wynne Leon and Vicki Atkinson are talking with filmmaker, philanthropist and author, Peter Samuelson. Peter produced films such as Return of Pink Panther, and Revenge of the Nerds. He’s worked with Steve McQueen, Peter Sellers, and started four philanthropies, including one with Steven Spielberg. And now he’s written this incredible book that combines the amazing and ent...

In episode 115, Vicki and Wynne engage with author Danny Miller, who shares insights from his book, 'The Way of the Wave.' The conversation explores themes of surrendering control, embracing creativity, navigating life's challenges, and the importance of self-care. Danny recounts his personal journey of transformation, emphasizing the significance of trusting the flow of life and the l...

In this fascinating episode, Vicki and Wynne talk with author, Mark Wukas. Mark has just released his debut novel, The Kiss of the Night. It’s a book more than 40 years in the making. Mark talks about how he cultivated the book that lived inside him for so long. We also get to hear about his careers as a journalist and teacher. He tells us what it was like to work a 5pm – 2pm shift as a City News...

In this thrilling episode, Vicki Atkinson and I have the pleasure of chatting with the captivating thriller author, Carl Vonderau. Carl left the world of international banking to become a writer, and he masterfully weaves his banking knowledge and upbringing as a Christian Scientist into his novels. Carl takes us on a journey as he shares his meticulous research process for the locations in his bo...

In this exciting episode, Vicki Atkinson and Wynne Leon have the pleasure of chatting with the phenomenal best-selling author, Andrew Mayne. Join us as Andrew Mayne takes us on an incredible journey through his captivating career – from mesmerizing audiences as an illusionist on cruise ships, starring in A&E’s hit show “Don’t Trust Andrew Mayne,” designing a groundbreaking stealth suit for div...

In this exciting episode, Vicki Atkinson and Wynne Leon have the pleasure of chatting with the phenomenal best-selling author, Andrew Mayne. Join us as Andrew Mayne takes us on an incredible journey through his captivating career – from mesmerizing audiences as an illusionist on cruise ships, starring in A&E’s hit show “Don’t Trust Andrew Mayne,” designing a groundbreaking stealth suit for div...