Book Bites by Spines

What happens when a child is terrified of the operating room? We sit down with Dr. Amnon Smuskovitz, a veteran ENT surgeon, to discuss his children's book Lia Goes to Surgery. Tune in as he shares the inspiration behind turning a frightening medical procedure into a comforting, rhyming journey, and why preparing both the parents and the child is the real secret to a successful surgery. Writing a b...

What happens when a 12-year-old's birthday DNA test unravels a 400-year-old family secret? We sit down with author J. Carvajal to discuss The Hidden Flame: What the Fire Could Not Destroy. Tune in to hear how he uncovered his family's hidden Sephardic Jewish roots dating back to the Mexican Inquisition, and the creative journey of turning heavy academic research into a captivating, emotional novel...

Writing a book about profound spiritual truths requires translating deeply personal healing into universal logic. We sit down with software developer turned author Rajbir Randhawa to chat about navigating immense grief, finding the practical meaning of "oneness," and the meditative writing process that led to her book, Ek Onkar: A practical guide. Writing a book is 10% inspiration and 90% wonderin...

What will life look like in 2040? While some see a future ruled by unpredictable changes, Dr. Yoav Armony sees an opportunity to prepare the next generation. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Armony to explore Generation Alpha 2040, a thought-provoking guide co-authored with Professor Orit Hazzan and Uri Shinar. Tune in to hear his optimistic take on the integration of AI, the evolution of edu...

Children’s stories are often born in the most unexpected ways—sometimes, they start as a simple strategy to keep a toddler awake on the car ride home. In this episode, we sit down with Navy veteran and grandfather Willie Rodriguez to explore the heartwarming origin of Eva and Captain P'Pa's Big Treasure Hunt. Tune in to hear how a playful storytelling routine with his granddaughter blossomed into...

Grief doesn’t always follow the expected rules. After 42 years of marriage, Susannah Lake suddenly lost her husband, sparking an unexpected journey that led her through a treacherous, gaslighting affair and ultimately to a spiritual ayahuasca retreat in Costa Rica. In this episode, we sit down with Susannah to explore the story behind her raw and unflinching memoir, Widow's Fire. Tune in to hear h...

Most authors start their books with a carefully planned outline, but Luis Ramirez started his with a fever dream. In this episode, we sit down with Luis to explore the vivid, silent visions that sparked his ambitious gothic historical fantasy, Jessenia. Tune in to hear how a sudden rush of inspiration in the middle of a winter night led him on a relentless journey—even pushing him to go back to co...

Ebony Butler didn’t set out to write a book; she wrote to let her late son's vivid imagination live on. Tune in as we discuss her deeply personal and hilarious children's book, Izzy and Dusty the Giant, and the love, resilience, and laughter it took to turn a playful car-ride game into a published breakthrough. Writing a book is 10% inspiration and 90% wondering why we decided to do this in the fi...

Surviving life's hardest storms takes more than just physical strength; it requires an unbreakable mindset. In this episode, we sit down with Patrick “Dr. Fit” Jamerson to explore the deeply inspiring story behind Indestructible 42. Tune in as we discuss how navigating a grueling four-year period of personal adversity led him to create a powerful blueprint for mental resilience, and why true trans...

Trina R. Patterson didn’t set out to write a book; she wrote to survive. Tune in as we discuss her deeply personal devotional, Courage During the Storms of Life, and the faith, resilience, and quiet obedience it took to turn her private writing sessions into a published breakthrough. Writing a book is 10% inspiration and 90% wondering why we decided to do this in the first place. In this bite-size...

Writing a book brings its own unique kind of pressure, but author Rich Plumery knows exactly how to steady the room (and himself). Tune in for a lighthearted chat about protecting your creative decision quality, overcoming the urge to rush, and navigating the messy middle of a first draft. Writing a book is 10% inspiration and 90% wondering why we decided to do this in the first place. In this bit...

Writing a book about love, compassion, and divine wisdom is a profound undertaking, but getting it across the finish line still takes everyday discipline. Tune in as author John Rumble shares the laughs, lessons, and spiritual stamina that helped him navigate the publishing world and share his vision. Writing a book is 10% inspiration and 90% wondering why we decided to do this in the first place....

Join us for an inspiring, quick chat with veterinary pioneer Dr. William T. Watson as he shares the mindset and discipline that helped him turn a historic life—from segregated Georgia to military trailblazer—into a published memoir. Writing a book is 10% inspiration and 90% wondering why we decided to do this in the first place. In this bite-sized episode, we’re skipping the fluff and getting stra...

Writing an impassioned, objective history about human brilliance takes courage, wit, and a lot of endurance. We sit down with author Jens Chr. Abildskov to discuss the laughs, the struggles, and the creative breakthroughs that helped him compile and publish Jews Brilliance and Resilience. Writing a book is 10% inspiration and 90% wondering why we decided to do this in the first place. In this bite...

What if mid-life isn’t a crisis, but the perfect time to finally write your story? Author Eli Brackenbury joins us to share how a quiet longing for more turned into his inspiring memoir, Finding God at 50, and the mindset it took to embrace this new creative calling. Every masterpiece starts with a messy first page. In this episode, we track the rewarding evolution of a story from a rough idea int...

Discover what it takes to build a universe of hope as we sit down with Jaye Ramanan, author of The Flame of Serenthos. Jaye shares the breakthroughs, laughs, and practical writing strategies that helped cross the finish line and publish a wonderous sci-fi fantasy. Writing a book is 10% inspiration and 90% wondering why we decided to do this in the first place. In this bite-sized episode, we’re ski...

How do you forge a new family ecosystem while writing a book to inspire others to do the same? Author and mother of three Louisette Winkel joins us to share the laughs, struggles, and resilient mindset that helped her finish and publish Flip Your Script. Writing a book is 10% inspiration and 90% wondering why we decided to do this in the first place. In this bite-sized episode, we’re skipping the...

Author Rosemary Jenkins has made a career out of guiding others through life's challenges, but how did she navigate the challenges of writing her own book? Join us for a fun, motivating chat about drawing on your own life lessons to find the clarity and drive to hit publish. Writing a book is 10% inspiration and 90% wondering why we decided to do this in the first place. In this bite-sized episode...

In Two Connected Souls, characters transcend physical limits to save each other, much like author Bruce K. Royer had to push his own creative boundaries to finish this novel. Join us for an inspiring chat about trusting the unknown, staying deeply connected to your work, and the mindset needed to finally publish. Writing a book is 10% inspiration and 90% wondering why we decided to do this in the...

How do you keep track of hidden clues, murder plots, and romance without losing your mind during the first draft? Author Debra Ison joins us to share her practical writing tips, the joy of a good plot twist, and the inspirational journey of publishing The Confession. Writing a book is 10% inspiration and 90% wondering why we decided to do this in the first place. In this bite-sized episode, we’re...

Writing a memoir requires raw honesty, acceptance, humility and a touch of humor. We sit down with Eli Brackenbury to chat about finding inspiration in everyday moments, pushing past self-doubt, and the practical steps that helped him publish Finding God at 50. Writing a book is 10% inspiration and 90% wondering why we decided to do this in the first place. In this bite-sized episode, we’re skippi...

Most writers dream of stumbling upon a story as wild as a suburban dad leading a double life as a bank robber, but few talk about the actual work required to get that story right. Today, Steven Meyers joins us to walk through the journey of committing memory and research into story, the inevitable rewrites, and the honest, messy process of turning the unbelievable truth into The Treehouse.   Every...

We all have stories that feel too wild to be true, but Steven Meyers actually had to figure out how to put one on paper. Today, we’re zooming in on the moment Steven realized that telling the truth about a legendary bank robber meant facing his own biggest hurdles as a writer. Writing a book is 10% inspiration and 90% wondering why we decided to do this in the first place. In this bite-sized episo...