“The problem is we see death and dying as an event. I’ve come to believe that death and dying are really a path way.” Katy Butler talks about her memoir – Knocking on Heavens’ Door – The path to a better way of death. “There is allot of emotional and I believe moral and spiritual Read More
D.J. MacHale is the New York Times best-selling author of the “Pendragon” and “Morpheus Road” science fiction adventure series for young adults. MacHale was also co-creator and producer of “Are You Afraid of the Dark?,” a Twilight Zone-inspired series for kids that ran on Nickelodeon for 7 seasons in the 1990’s. This summer, book 1 Read More
Drs. David and Rhoda Orme-Johnson are among the pioneers of the Transcendental Meditation that are profiled in George Ellis’ “Symphony of Silence: An Enlightened Vision.” Both of the Orme-Johnsons were founding faculty members of Maharishi International University (now known as Maharishi University of Management, or MUM) in Fairfield, IA, the home of Writers’ Voices. Dr. Read More
The subject of today’s book, Leon Leyson, stayed mostly silent about the struggles of his early life in Poland during the Holocaust. But after Steven Spielberg made the movie “Schindler’s List,” and an LA Times reporter convinced him to tell his own story as one of the youngest workers on the List, Leon began speaking publicly Read More
“Okay you people out there, you’ve got adversity, there are ways to deal with it.” Psychiatrist Dr Norman Rosenthal shares life lessons from his book – The Gift of Adversity. “I’m always listening to people’s stories and thinking, well, what can we learn from this, how can I use this information going forward. ” (Looking Read More
Suzanne Young is a high school teacher whose first five books went straight to the “novel graveyard.” But she kept writing, and perfecting her craft, and with her sixth effort she broke through to publishing success, in 2010. Since then she has published six young adult and crossover books, with three more on the way. Read More
Rudy Wilson returns to Writers’ Voices this week to expound in articulate and inimitable fashion on the life of a dedicated writer. From the travails of Rudy’s early life and how they make their disguised appearance in his novels, to working with famed editor Gordon Lish of Alfred Knopf (who also edited Raymond Carver among Read More
This episode of Writers’ Voices features George A. Ellis, the author of “A Symphony of Silence: An Enlightened Vision.” George’s transcribed interviews of some of the pioneers of the Transcendental Meditation movement offer an in-depth look at the many ways that individual lives have been impacted by TM. George himself introduced TM into Folsom Prison and other correctional Read More
Katie Ganshert is an Iowa writer who sets her books in small-town Iowa. Join us for this conversation about her newest book, “Wishing on Willows,” and learn how Katie got published!
WRiters’ Voices welcomes political commentator and history professor Dr. Robert Watson,. The professor has written over 30 books, two encyclopedia sets and more than 150 articles, essays and book chapters. He has appeared on all the major cable news networks ,The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Hardball, BBC and more. Dr. Watson is also a Read More
For some people it is the ocean, some the desert, some mountains. For Ralph Luikart, husband of author Marcy Luikart, it was always the Big River calling to him. A few years back, Marcy helped him fulfill a lifelong dream of building a raft and floating down the Mississippi River, and from that adventure came Read More
Whether you are looking for motivation to read good literature, or a cheat sheet that will allow you to discuss books you should have read, Kevin Smokler’s “Practical Classics: 50 Reasons to Reread 50 Books You Haven’t Touched Since High School” may be just the ticket. Published by Prometheus Books, “Practical Classics” includes both the “old” Read More
Nancy Kennedy, editor of the “Miracles and Moments of Grace” series from Leafwood Publishers, joins Monica and Caroline for a special Mothers’ Day interview. Learn how Nancy finds the heart-warming and tear-jerking stories that fill the Miracles and Moments of Grace series. Previous books in the series include “Inspiring stories from Military Chaplains” and Caroline’s favorite,“Inspiring Stories Read More
Is overeating just a result of poor willpower, or is there a deeper reason this problem affects so many people, even those who exhibit great will-power in other areas of their lives.? This week on Writers’ Voices, best-selling author, Discovery Health TV medical host and National Institute of Health medical researcher Dr. Pamela Peeke will discuss Read More
From serious journalist to seriously funny, New York Times bestselling author A.J. Jacobs has written it all. In this interview with Writers’ Voices, Jacobs discusses his recent experiment and the book that came out of it, “The Year of Living Biblically: One Man’s Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible.” The “humble” Read More
Monica Hadley and guest host and community activist Bob Ferguson interview Peter Fusaro, noted speaker and author of 16 books including “What Went Wrong at Enron.” Fusaro’s passionis Green Energy and his three most recent books have been “Cut Carbon, Grow Profits,” “Energy & Emissions: Collision or Convergence” and “Energy & Environmental Hedge Funds: The New Investment Read More
In the middle of an Iowa winter, poet Paul Stokstad joins Writers’ Voices host Monica Hadley to talk love and tattoos, tennis and marketing, and of course, poetry. Paul’s third book, “Butterfuly Tattoo” is published by 1st World Publishing. It’s a far cry from his previous tomes, “How To Be Your Own Best Tennis Pro” Read More
Norman Zierold has led a most interesting life, from his birth in the Amana Colonies of Iowa in 1927 clear to the present day in Fairfield, also Iowa. But in between, he traveled the world in the Navy, studied political science at Harvard University, taught in France, and then became an editor and writer in Read More
Kate McGuinness just published her first novel, “Terminal Ambition,” a legal thriller that explores issues of sexual harassment and discrimination. It was put out by Kate’s publishing company Two XX Press. Kate studied writing at the University of Southern California under the tutelage of Janet Fitch, who authored the Oprah Book Club selection “White Oleander.” Read More
Author of the best-selling memoirs “Population 485: Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time”, “Truck: A Love Story,” and “Coop: A Year of Poultry, Pigs and Parenting”, Michael Perry discusses his newest book “Visiting Tom: A Man, A Highway, and the Road to Roughneck Grace”. He’s written for Esquire, The New York Times Magazine, Read More
B.K. Loren joins us for a discussion of her debut novel, “Theft,” categorized by writer Ann Pancake as a riveting combination of “part environmental novel, part elegy to place, part family tragedy, part murder mystery.” Her writing has garnered Pushcart nominations, fellowships, and inclusion among Best American Spiritual Writing anthologies. She has worked as a Read More
One of the most common problems writers face is the dreaded “writer’s block”. Our guest, Rosanne Bane, a writing and creativity teacher, has, for decades, been giving writers help with this problem. Her new book, entitled, “Around the Writer’s Block: Using Brain Science to Solve Writer’s Resistance”(Tarcher/Penguin), deals with the problems writers face in a Read More
Senior Editor and Multimedia Editor at The Atlantic, Jennie Rothenberg Gritz produces an online edition of the magazine, edits TheAtlantic.com’s National Channel, and creates original videos for the website. Before being with The Atlantic, she was senior editor of Moment, a national magazine founded by Elie Wiesel. Jennie grew up in Fairfield, earned her B.A. Read More
Author/playwright Dr. Lawrence McCullough is our guest this week. Fairfield’s Way Off Broadway, Iowa’s only professional musical theater company, is currently running the production, “Orphan Train”, which is based on the book Lawrence wrote about New York orphans sent to live in Iowa. The musical runs through Aug 12th. Gov. Terry Branstadt has declared Aug Read More
Eric Johnson discusses writing, marketing, and formatting ebooks and other topics related to new trends in publishing. Eric, founder of Inkslinger Industries, has written, “How to Make a Book with iBooks Author”. He created it in an ebook format. Eric explored book arts at Brown University, where he handcrafted books using techniques taught by Walter Read More
Lynda Young returns for a very special conversation. Her new book, “Hope for Families of Children on the Autistic Spectrum”, is a helpful book at this time when 730,000 children in the United States between the ages of 0-21 have Autism Spectrum Disorder. Her book provides useful information, encouragement, and guidance for the entire family. Read More
Join us for this lively interview with Anne Greenwood Brown. Ann grew up sailing the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior, leaning over the bow, and wondering what amazing thing might flash by. In her book, “Lies Beneath,” she answers that question. “Lies Beneath” is a Young Adult fantasy about three scary mermaids and their more Read More
Nancy B. Kennedy has gathered a collection of inspiring stories from all branches of medicine in her book, “Miracles & Moments of Grace: Inspiring Stories from Doctors”, the second in her “Miracles and Moments of Grace” book series. From family doctors, military doctors, dentists, neurosurgeons, missionary doctors and more, they each tell their stories, both Read More
Larry Baker, an Iowa City writer, returns to Writers’ Voices to discuss his new book, “Love and Other Delusions”. This book puts a fresh perspective on a story of a married woman’s affair with a younger man. It is a complicated and confusing journey inside a relationship. Larry’s other books include, “Athens, America” and “The Read More
Sharelle Byars Moranville, the award-winning versatile author of fiction for all ages, has had her recent book, “The Hop”, published by Disney/Hyperion. The book chronicles the intertwined stories of Tad, a small toad trying to save his home, and Taylor, a girl determined to stop her grandmother’s pond from being turned into a strip mall Read More
Humorist, Polly Frost is the guest on this episode of Writers’ Voices. Polly will be presenting her one-person show, “How To Survive Your Adult Relationship with Your Family”, Saturday, May 19 at The Englert Theatre, in Iowa City. Combining anecdotes, storytelling, and humorous tips, Polly takes a heartfelt and humorous exploration of what families go Read More
Our guest, Priscilla Warner, has written the new book, “Learning to Breathe: My Yearlong Quest to Bring Calm to My Life”. For years, Priscilla struggled to overcome anxiety and panic attacks despite having a loving family and a successful book (“The Faith Club”). In this book, she chronicles her journey and transition from panic into Read More
In “Autobiography of a Recovering SkinHead: The Frank Meeink Story as Told to Jody M. Roy, Ph.D.”, you’ll find the raw true life story of Frank Meeink, from his angry childhood that found an outlet in the Neo-Nazi movement through his time in prison, encountering fellow prisoners of all backgrounds and race, that first caused Read More
Our guest this week is a Master Gardener and mindfulness meditation teacher, who brings her two passions together in her book, “The Meditative Gardener”. Cheryl Wilfong guides readers in practical easy-to-follow practices to bring full awareness into your gardening through sitting, walking, strolling or bending over in your garden. This book helps show you how Read More
Caroline Preston has created the first ever scrapbook novel, “The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt: A Novel in Pictures”. Growing up enamored with her families scrapbooks, she has collected a large collection of vintage ephemera, including vintage postcards, magazine ads, ticket stubs, catalog pages, fabric swatches, fashion spreads, menus, and more. All of which she uses Read More
Author, editor, blogger, and humorist, Wendy McClure is the author of “The Wilder Life: My Adventures in the Lost World of Little House on the Prairie”; also a recently released e-book, “Don’t Trade the Baby for a Horse and Other Ways to Make Your Life a Little More Laura Ingalls Wilder”, that explores her fascination Read More
Emerging writer, Rae Bryant is a teacher at the John Hopkins University graduate writing program and is editor-in-chief of the program’s new literary and arts journal. “The Indefinite State of Imaginary Morals”, Her short story collection, is a Pen Hemingway and Pushcart award nominee. This collection pushes the boundaries and explores all the humor and Read More
Join Cheryl Fusco Johnson for a delightful conversation with Iowa native, Beth Howard. Beth has recently written “Making Piece: A Memoir of Love, Loss and Pie”. A journalist for more than 25 years, Beth recounts the sudden loss of her husband and her healing journey that took her across the country and back to her Read More
Luis Alberto Urrea, the 2005 Pulitzer Prize finalist for nonfiction, discusses his most recent novel, “Queen of America”. Following beloved healer and “Saint of Cabora”, Teresita Urrea, as she flees with her father from Mexico, the book, a sequel to Urrea’s “The Hummingbird’s Daughter”, takes the reader on a journey through turn of the century Read More
Author, economist, attorney, and entrepreneur, Michael H. Shuman has authored, coauthored, or edited eight books, including, the award-winning, “The Small-Mart Revolution”, “Going Local”, and, his newest, “Local Dollars, Local Sense: How to Shift Your Money from Wall Street to Main Street and Achieve Real Prosperity”(Chelsea Green Publishing). In this book, Michael shows investors how to Read More
Village in Nepal. Growing up in poverty, Khakendra dreamed of coming to America for a better life. His dream came true in 1991, arriving in San Francisco and embarking on an entirely new journey. In his book “Nueli Cried in the Himalayas”, Khakendra tells the story of his life, describes the life of his people, Read More
In today’s fast moving, media entrench culture, kids are forced to deal with situations their parents never had to face. In their new book “From Santa To Sexting: Helping Your Child Safely Navigate Middle School and Shape the Choices that Last a Lifetime”, Dr. Brenda Hunter and Kristen Blair, tackle difficult topics, such as media, Read More
For 10 years, Deborah Halverson edited children’s books before starting to write herself. She is the author of teen novels “Honk If You Hate Me” and “Big Mouth”. Her most recent book, “Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies”, gives aspiring writers for young adults writing exercises, tips, and more. She has also written three books Read More
Dan Buettner is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Blue Zones and the author of “The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest”. In 2004, Dan worked with National Geographic and some of the world’s top longevity experts to identify places around the world where people lived measurably Read More
Don’t miss out on this very inspirational Writers’ Voices! Allan Lokos, the founder and guiding teacher of New York City’s Community Meditation Center, has written “Patience: The Art of Peaceful Living”. In our fast paced, ever changing culture, patience is often our most needed, but least cultivated virtue. Allan’s book lays out a helpful and Read More
Author, speaker, and consultant, Seth Braun discusses his new book, “Indestructible Success: Creativity, Leadership and The Art of Small Business”, and shares about his passion for helping others reach their fullest potential. In his book, Seth lays out a blueprint for both inner and outer success. His book explains how to build your mind, heart Read More
Author, speaker, and teacher, Melissa Tosetti founded the online magazine, The Savvy Life, and, with coauthor Kevin Gibbons, wrote the book “Living the Savvy Life: The Savvy Woman’s Guide to Smart Spending and Rich Living” (Morgan James Publishing 2011). Her book explores ways the reader can save money, so you have more to spend in Read More
Cheryl Fusco Johnson discusses storytelling this week with Larry Brooks. A critically acclaimed best-selling author of six psychological thrillers, Larry has written “Story Engineering”. The book describes six core competencies that any writer should master. Larry is also the creator and editor of Storyfix.com, an award winning instructional writing site. Don’t miss this fantastic informational Read More
Cheryl Fusco Johnson hosts this conversation with long-time educator, Sharron McElmeel. Sharron is an award-winning literacy advocate, author of educational materials, and publicist for many Iowa authors. She has been awarded with Iowa Reading Teacher of the Year and nominated as Iowa’s Teacher of the Year. She has written extensively on integrating literature into every Read More
Writers’ Voices welcomes back best-selling author, Dr. Rick Hanson. The author of “Buddha’s Brain”, which has been published in 21 languages, Dr. Hanson recently wrote “Just One Thing: Developing a ‘Buddha Brain’”, a pocket-sized companion to “Buddha’s Brain”. Featuring many quick, easy, yet helpful practices to change the neurocircuitry in our brains to enable us Read More