Non Fiction

Humor, Memoir, Non Fiction, Writers on Writing

DEC 03: Sara Ruhl’s Letters From Max

November 9, 2018

Sara Ruhl is a distinguished playwright and author, Tony award nominee, and two time Pulitzer Prize finalist. In 2012, exuberant and opinionated Max Ritvo took her playwriting class at Yale University, proving himself a highly gifted poet. Max was also in remission from pediatric cancer. Over the course of four years, Sara watched Max blossom as his illness returned and his health declined, exchanging a series of letters with him that changed the way she looked at life, death, and the unexpected connections one makes along the way. She shares these urgency and humor filled exchanges in Letters From Max: A Book of Friendship.

Sara’s plays have won numerous awards, and have been produced all over the country and internationally, including on Broadway.

Health & Wellness, Non Fiction, Self-help

NOV 26: Ronald J. Frey’s Feeling Better

November 9, 2018

Ronald J. Frey, PhD., believes the answer to easing stress or depression doesn’t have to come from a bottle of pills. Along with co-author Cindy Goodman Stulberg, Ronald empowers you to get through periods of depression without relying on pharmaceuticals in Feeling Better: Beat Depression and Improve Your Relationships with Interpersonal Psychotherapy.

Ronald is a former acting chief psychologist for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and a registered forensic and clinical psychologist, and is codirector of the Institute for Interpersonal Psychotherapy.

Essays, Inspirational, Memoir, Non Fiction, Travel & Adventure, Writers on Writing

Nov 19: Anne Lamott on Almost Everything: Notes on Hope & Mary Ann Esposito’s Ciao Italia

November 6, 2018

She’s a writer’s-writer. A reader’s-writer. And with self-effacing humor, and ruthless honesty, Anne Lamott makes us think about what most of us don’t like to think about.

She’s known for writing and speaking about subjects that begin with Big Capital Letters. Today we’ll share her thoughts on Hate, Jealousy, Love, Hope, and preserving one’s Sanity.

A New York Times bestselling author and recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, Anne Lamott has been inducted into the California Hall of Fame. She’s taught at UC Davis, as well as at writing conferences across the country.

Academy Award-winning filmmaker, Freida Mock, made a documentary on her called Bird by Bird with Annie. Anne Lamott’s latest book of essays is Almost Everything: Notes on Hope.

We’ll end today’s show chatting with the host of Ciao Italia, the longest-running cooking show on television, Mary Ann Esposito. Find out the secret to the show’s success, her thoughts regarding pairing food and wine, and a few of her all time favorites for those who like to put an Italian spin on Thanksgiving. Her latest book, Ciao Italia: My Lifelong Food Adventures in Italy reads as both a cookbook and a love-letter to Italy.

Mary Ann’s 12 books have helped chefs and foodies understand authentic Italian ingredients and dishes. She created and has hosted Ciao Italia on PBS since 1989.

Fiction, Non Fiction, Writers on Writing

OCT 15: Joseph Olshan’s Black Diamond Fall & James Swallow’s Nomad

October 6, 2018

In a constantly changing publishing world, two writers and authors have managed to sustain thriving careers. Today, we’ll find out how they stay ahead of the game.

First, Joseph Olshan returns to discuss how he drove the publishing path for his tenth book, Black Diamond Fall, without an agent, and whether or not it is a direction he would continue to go in. Joseph is an award-winning author of 10 novels and is the editorial director of Delphinium Books. He will be appearing at University Bookstore in Seattle on October 18 at 6pm.

Later, from videogames, to audio dramas, to science fiction, to the first in a new thriller series with his new book Nomad, there is virtually no writing genre too big for James Swallow. Today he’ll share how he approaches writing a game differently than, say, a novel. James is a British author and scriptwriter. A BAFTA nominee, Scribe Award winner, New York Times, Sunday Times and Amazon bestseller, he is the author of over 45 original books and tie-in novels, along with numerous short stories, audio dramas and videogames.

Health & Wellness, Non Fiction, Personal Development, Self-help, Social Issues, Women's Issues

OCT 08: Linda Graham’s Resilience & Alexia Vernon’s Step Into Your Moxie

September 30, 2018

Do you stoically remain calm and together during a traumatic event? Or are you more likely to fall apart? Resilience: Powerful Practices for Bouncing Back from Disappointment, Difficulty, and even Disaster by Linda Graham, MFT, examines our brain’s built-in negativity bias, offering ways to improve your ability to withstand hardships and create positive change.

Linda is an experienced psychotherapist who integrates modern neuroscience, mindfulness practices, and relational psychology in her international trainings on resilience and well-being. She is a past winner of the Books for a Better Life Award.

Recent headlines have proven that women still have a long way to go to overcome patriarchal prejudices. Forget payscale for a moment, and other more obvious gender inequalities. We’re talking about being taken seriously as a valued human being. We’re talking about being heard when we say NO. When we file complaints about abuse or harassment. When we claim the right to express our feelings.

If you have trouble speaking up for yourself, join us and Step Into Your Moxie.

Alexia Vernon, branded “Moxie Maven” by President Obama’s White House Office of Public Engagement, is a leadership coach for Fortune 500 companies and the United Nations. With a graduate degree in women’s studies, she’s been featured on major networks and in publications such as Forbes Woman and Women’s Health.

Humor, Non Fiction, Personal Development

SEP 03: Ken Jennings’ Planet Funny & Allen Gannett’s The Creative Curve

August 22, 2018

From Jeopardy! champion and New York Times bestselling author Ken Jennings comes a history of humor. From fart jokes on clay Sumerian tablets all the way up to the latest Twitter gags and Facebook memes, Planet Funny: How Comedy Took Over Our Culture tells the story of how comedy came to rule the modern world.

Since his record-breaking Jeopardy! streak, Ken has become a best-selling author and has appeared in numerous ads. He is a frequent speaker at college campuses and corporate events.

Later, it helps to be creative to be considered a genius, but you don’t have to be a genius to be creative. In The Creative Curve: How to Develop the Right Idea, at the Right Time, author Allen Gannett disproves the notion that creativity is limited to the brilliant few who possess a certain gift, showing how anyone is capable of turning their genius idea into reality.

Allen is the founder and CEO of TrackMaven, a software analytics firm whose clients have included Microsoft, Marriott, Saks Fifth Avenue, Home Depot, Aetna, Honda, and GE. He has been on the “30 Under 30” lists for both Inc. and Forbes.

Health & Wellness, Lifestyle, Non Fiction

AUG 13: Michael Fenster’s Food Shaman, Sindy Warren’s Radi8, & Julia Turshen’s Now and Again

August 10, 2018

If you’ve ever claimed to have a gut feeling, you might have been more accurate than you think. In Food Shaman: The Art of Quantum Food, author Dr. Michael Fenster shares everything you need to know about the connection between your gut and your brain.

Dr. Mike, AKA the Food Shaman, combines his culinary talents with cutting-edge medical expertise to forge an approach to food and health beyond mere nutrition.

Next, John Lennon sang that we all shine on, but sometimes it might be hard to find that inner shine. That is where yoga teacher Sindy Warren comes in. She will help you focus from within using the techniques in her new book Radi8: Using the Practice of Yoga to Cultivate Your Inner Shine.

As principal for Warren & Associates, Sindy conducts workplace investigations, and uses the ancient art of yoga to ward off the stresses of her daily grind.

Finally, bestselling author and food writer Julia Turshen shows you how you can use food to bring people together with seasonal recipes, and she removes the stigma of using leftovers in Now and Again.

In addition to her own bestsellers, Julia has coauthored numerous cookbooks and hosted the first two seasons of Radio Cherry Bombe.

Humor, Non Fiction, Personal Development, Women's Issues, Writers on Writing

AUG 06: Matthew Dicks’ Storyworthy & Maxine Rosaler’s Queen for a Day

July 18, 2018

You’re already a storyteller. Whether it’s on a date, a job interview, or relating something that happened on the way to work, we tell stories every day. Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life through the Power of Storytelling by Matthew Dicks gives you straightforward tips and techniques to take your ability to tell your stories to the next level.

Matthew is a 35-time Moth StorySLAM champion and 6-time Moth GrandSLAM champion. He is an international bestseller, and in addition to his novels he has written musicals, a rock opera, and comic books.

Next, who wouldn’t want to be Queen for a day? What if that meant you get to compete against other potential Queens for the grand prize of … stainless steel silverware? Maxine Rosaler uses 1950’s era nostalgia as inspiration in her new book, Queen for a Day, examining imperfect women with special needs children, living under enormous pressure.

Maxine has had fiction and nonfiction published in several literary magazines and is the recipient of a New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship for Fiction.

Fiction, Non Fiction, Writers on Writing

JUL 02: Amy Meyerson’s The Bookshop of Yesterdays & Summer Reads for Everyone

June 26, 2018

How does the dream of becoming a published author compare to the reality? Amy Meyerson was already an established writer when she penned her first novel, The Bookshop of Yesterdays, and today she shares her journey in going from writer to novelist.

Amy is an Assistant Professor in the Writing Department of USC, and her writings have been published in numerous literary magazines.

Later, summer weekends are filled with camping trips, journeys to the beach, barbecues, and bonfires, but during the week are the warm and relaxing evenings to yourself. And there is no better way to pass a few of them then on the back porch with a glass (or two) of wine and a good book. Today, Vicki will introduce you to books for everyone, from fiction to nonfiction, love to horror, and children to octaogenarians.

Humor, Non Fiction, Personal Development

JUN 25: Ken Jennings’ Planet Funny & Allen Gannett’s The Creative Curve

June 10, 2018

From Jeopardy! champion and New York Times bestselling author Ken Jennings comes a history of humor. From fart jokes on clay Sumerian tablets all the way up to the latest Twitter gags and Facebook memes, Planet Funny: How Comedy Took Over Our Culture tells the story of how comedy came to rule the modern world.

Since his record-breaking Jeopardy! streak, Ken has become a best-selling author and has appeared in numerous ads. He is a frequent speaker at college campuses and corporate events.

Later, it helps to be creative to be considered a genius, but you don’t have to be a genius to be creative. In The Creative Curve: How to Develop the Right Idea, at the Right Time, author Allen Gannett disproves the notion that creativity is limited to the brilliant few who possess a certain gift, showing how anyone is capable of turning their genius idea into reality.

Allen is the founder and CEO of TrackMaven, a software analytics firm whose clients have included Microsoft, Marriott, Saks Fifth Avenue, Home Depot, Aetna, Honda, and GE. He has been on the “30 Under 30” lists for both Inc. and Forbes.

DEC 03: Sara Ruhl’s Letters From Max

NOV 26: Ronald J. Frey’s Feeling Better

Nov 19: Anne Lamott on Almost Everything: Notes on Hope & Mary Ann Esposito’s Ciao Italia

OCT 15: Joseph Olshan’s Black Diamond Fall & James Swallow’s Nomad

SEP 03: Ken Jennings’ Planet Funny & Allen Gannett’s The Creative Curve

AUG 13: Michael Fenster’s Food Shaman, Sindy Warren’s Radi8, & Julia Turshen’s Now and Again

AUG 06: Matthew Dicks’ Storyworthy & Maxine Rosaler’s Queen for a Day

JUL 02: Amy Meyerson’s The Bookshop of Yesterdays & Summer Reads for Everyone

JUN 25: Ken Jennings’ Planet Funny & Allen Gannett’s The Creative Curve

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