The Kino Isaac Podcast

Doug Lawrence is back—and this time, he is diving deep into one of life’s most tender and challenging experiences: Grief. In this heartfelt episode, Doug shares the story and inspiration behind his latest book, Grief: The Silent Pandemic . Drawing from both his years as a mentoring expert and the profound personal loss of his wife, Doug opens up about what it really means to grieve—and why so many...

Sebastien de Castell is the kind of storyteller who’s lived a few lives before settling into the one where he creates worlds with words. After earning a degree in archaeology and quickly realizing digging in the dirt wasn’t his thing, he pivoted—again and again. Musician, ombudsman, interaction designer, fight choreographer, teacher, project manager, actor, product strategist… Sebastien’s worn a l...

Isabella Young (Bella) has lived an extraordinary life — one marked by accomplishments, deep personal loss, resilience, and profound transformation. Based in Kauai, Hawaii, Isabella is a writer, educator, and pioneer in therapeutic Outdoor Education. She co-founded Out Doors Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to supporting mental health through nature-based adventure and recreation. Her journey took a po...

Lynda Williams is a short fiction writer living in Calgary on Treaty 7 Territory. Her work dives deep into themes like class, feminism, and mental health, often told through the bold voices of women who don’t hold back. She jokingly describes her writing style as, “If Raymond Carver wrote feisty women,” — and honestly, it fits. Lynda’s stories have landed in respected lit mags like Grain, The Humb...

Meet Edward Willett—a storyteller at heart with over sixty books under his belt, spanning science fiction, fantasy, and nonfiction for all ages. Whether he's writing under his own name or pen names like E.C. Blake and Lee Arthur Chane, Ed has a knack for creating imaginative worlds and unforgettable characters. A winner of Canada’s prestigious Aurora Award for his novel Marseguro and a finalis...

Meet Kimberly Spencer — a powerhouse of positivity, purpose, and possibility. She's a high-performance coach, business strategist, TEDx speaker, and founder of Crown Yourself® and Communication Queens. From selling glitter water to her neighbors as a five-year-old to writing award-winning screenplays and running successful businesses, Kimberly’s story is anything but ordinary. She’s the bestse...

Meet CC Robinson - a storyteller with a heart shaped by over 20 years of working in cross-cultural spaces. From serving as a medical doctor in post-civil war countries to walking alongside others as an Associate Pastor in a multi-ethnic church in Cincinnati, CC has lived a life full of empathy, challenge, and connection - experiences that deeply influence her writing. Her series Divided is rooted...

With a saxophone in his hands, he has spent over a decade electrifying stages across 30 countries, sharing the spotlight with legends like George Duke, Marcus Miller, and Kirk Whalum. His music does not just play—it connects, earning him two #1 hits, five Billboard Top 10 singles, and a debut album that shot straight to the top. But here is what makes Jackiem truly special - he is as brilliant wit...

Meet Elissa D. Hecker - The Attorney Who Sees Your Whole StoryElissa D. Hecker is not your typical lawyer. Sure, she's got the expertise - trademarks, copyrights, contracts, and all the legal nuts and bolts that keep businesses running. But what really sets her apart is how she sees you - not just your legal issue, but your entire vision. As an attorney who works with everyone from startups to...

James L. Hill (aka J.L. Hill) isn’t just an author—he’s a living, breathing New York story. Born in the fire of the South Bronx’s Fort Apache during the turbulent 60s, he grew up in a world where you needed a gang just to go to the store. But between the blues records spinning in the background and the chaos of Vietnam and the Civil Rights Movement outside his door, James became something rare wit...

Meet Michael Hingson – a man who redefines what it means to be unstoppable. Blind since birth, Mike was raised by parents who refused to set limits, teaching him to ride a bike and do advanced math in his head. (Yes, really.) He went on to earn a master's degree in physics, work in high-tech management, and become a New York Times #1 bestselling author – but that's just the beginning. On S...

J.M. Shaw isn't just writing fantasy—she's weaving pieces of her own journey into every page. Living in Airdrie, Alberta with her husband and two young children, Shaw brings a deeply personal perspective to her stories. When her family received their shared autism and ADHD diagnoses, it sparked a lifelong path of understanding and acceptance—a journey that now infuses her fiction with raw authenti...

Meet Joel McKay—award-winning author, journalist, and Northern British Columbia’s own master of the macabre. With a career as wild and varied as his fiction, Joel has worn many hats: journalist, PR executive, CEO of an economic development trust, and even board chair at the University of Northern British Columbia. But beneath the polished resume lies a writer with a knack for the strange, the bloo...

In this special episode, I am thrilled to welcome back John Goodwin, President of Galaxy Press and host of the Writers & Illustrators of the Future Podcast. John joined us for an inspiring conversation about the highly anticipated release of Writers of the Future Volume 41 and the upcoming 41st Annual Achievement Awards on April 10, 2025.With decades of experience in the publishing industry, J...

Meet Charles Breakfield and Rox Burkey, the critically acclaimed, award-winning writing duo who are taking the literary world by storm. This dynamic Texas-based pair has just been honored with not one, but two prestigious awards at the 2024 Global Book Awards. Their novel Enigma Forced, the second installment in the Enigma Heirs series, took home the Gold Award in the Techno-Thriller category, whi...

Meet Kim, a multi-published author, podcast host, and a beacon of hope in a world that often feels overwhelming. Through her writing and podcast, Let Fear Bounce, Kim shares her love of nature, her life with PTSD, and her mission to spread Nuggets of Hope to anyone who needs a little light in their day. Kim is the lead author and coordinator of six anthologies, including the heartwarming Paw Print...

Meet Vinny Ribas—a true powerhouse in the music industry and beyond. With over six decades of experience, Vinny has worn just about every hat you can imagine: full-time musician, bandleader, booking agent, studio owner, producer, songwriter, artist coach, and manager. But his journey doesn’t stop there. In 2008, he founded Indie Connect, a groundbreaking company dedicated to helping independent ar...

Meet Bjorn Leesson, a true renaissance man with a lifetime of stories to tell. Born and raised in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, Bjorn has spent his working life in manufacturing, but his real passion lies in feeding his insatiable curiosity. From history and the paranormal to astronomy, photography, archeology, genealogy, and even stock car racing, Bjorn finds fascination in just about everyth...

Meet Ann Charles, a USA Today bestselling author who knows how to keep readers on the edge of their seats. Ann writes wildly entertaining stories packed with mystery, comedy, romance, adventure, and a dash of supernatural chaos. Whether it’s a quirky small-town mystery or a spine-tingling adventure, her books are guaranteed to deliver thrills, chills, and plenty of heart. But Ann’s life off the pa...

I am thrilled to introduce you to an incredible artist who took a leap of faith to follow her passion—and her story is nothing short of inspiring. Back in 2015, she was a sophomore at the University of Southern Mississippi, studying nursing, when she realized something wasn’t right. The passion she once had for nursing was gone, leaving her feeling lost and out of place. After some soul-searching...

Step into the imaginative world of Matthew Hughes, a celebrated Canadian author of science fiction and fantasy whose works have captivated readers and critics alike. With a career spanning decades, Hughes has crafted an impressive array of speculative fiction novels, including Fools Errant, Black Brillion, Majestrum, The Damned Busters, and Barbarians of the Beyond—an authorized companion to Jack...

Meet Kevin M. Hall, a retired professional, award-winning innovator, and now a passionate author with a story to tell. For over 40 years, Kevin built an impressive career in the private sector, earning a U.S. Patent, being featured in Forbes magazine, and writing several acclaimed white papers. But after retiring, he found a new calling—writing. Inspired by his six grandchildren who kept asking, “...

Diann Floyd Boehm is a storyteller at heart, bringing imagination and kindness to life through her award-winning children's and young adult books. Her mission is simple—help kids embrace who they are, be kind to others, and let their imaginations soar. Beyond writing, Diann created Diann's Story Garden on YouTube, a space where children can hear stories from different authors, sparking the...

Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes is an author, speaker, and educator with a passion for storytelling, leadership, and making an impact. With years of experience as an educational consultant and editor, she brings a unique blend of knowledge, humor, and real-life experiences to her work. Whether she’s coaching writers, delivering inspiring talks, or helping shape powerful stories as a content editor for...

Jonni Jordyn, an award-winning author from Oakland, California, has lived a life steeped in creativity. From the age of two, she was immersed in music, which led to singing and acting in grade school. By high school, her love for writing and filmmaking had blossomed, and in college, she added drawing and photography to her artistic toolbox. Needless to say, Jonni had a well-rounded and deeply libe...