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SEP 02: How Animals Help Improve Spiritual, Mental, Physical Well-Being with Richard Louv

September 2, 2020

Bringing you an interview today that was recorded with Richard Louv shortly before COVID 19, but is timely because study after study shows how spending more time in nature, and with animals, can help us manage stressful times.

Richard shares how connecting with animals can improve our spiritual, mental, and physical well-being. Why a coyote riding public transportation could become the new norm. How dogs can teach children ethical behavior. And … what Richard means when he compares raccoons to Silicone Valley and Seattle technophiles.

Richard Louv is the author of ten books, and the co-founder and Chair Emeritus of The Children & Nature Network. In good company with icons like Sir David Attenborough and Rachel Carson, Richard Louv earned the prestigious Audubon Medal in 2008. Today we look at his new book Our Wild Calling: How Connecting with Animals Can Transform our Lives — and Save Theirs.

Non Fiction, Social Issues, Women's Issues

AUG 26: Julie Suk with We The Women & Why the Equal Rights Amendment Matters

August 26, 2020

Julie Suk joins us to discuss stories from her new book WE THE WOMEN: The Unstoppable Mothers of the Equal Rights Amendment.

We explore why the ERA still hasn’t made it into the U.S. Constitution — and who’s blocking it. What that means to women today, and what to do about it. Julie also highlights some of the brilliant women suffragists who’ve kept pushing the ERA forward despite fierce opposition and subterfuge.

Julie C. Suk is a frequent media commentator on legal issues affecting women. She’s a professor of Sociology, Political Science, and Liberal Studies at the the Graduate Center of the City University of New York where she serves as Dean for Master’s Programs.

History, Non Fiction, Women's Issues

AUG 19: Olive the Lionheart with Brad Ricca

August 19, 2020

It’s 1910 when 30-year-old redhead and Scottish socialite Olive MacLeod defies all wisdom, packs her bags, and travels to Africa to find her missing fiance. Author Brad Ricca tells the true story of Olive the Lionheart based on her own journals and photographs, the lost journals of her fiance — naturalist Boyd Alexander — and the many letters that crossed continents between them.

Olive’s adventure of the heart sweeps her across deserts, cities, swamps, and jungles. We discuss what was at the heart of the journey, and what drove her. Because while some define her as a hero, Olive realizes in Africa that her journey’s not just about finding her fiance. It’s also about facing her demons and finding herself.

Brad Ricca is an award-winning writer and the Edgar-nominated author of the bestselling Mrs. Sherlock Holmes. He has appeared in documentaries on the History Channel and AMC. And has been a guest on shows such as Criminal, All Things Considered, and BBC Radio. More about Brad Ricca’s work and Olive the Lionheart: Lost Love, Imperial Spies, and Woman’s Journey into the Heart of Africa.

Non Fiction, Personal Development, Psychology

AUG 12: Thriving During COVID-19 & Other Crises with Dr. Jim Taylor

August 12, 2020

While we can’t control a crisis, we can control how we respond. Today, Dr. Jim Taylor shares a little science and a lot of practical solutions to help you transform from crisis mentality to opportunity mindset.

We discuss why anger can be good at the start of a crisis but then work against us. What Dr. Jim means by negative emotion chain. How to make better decisions when everything around us is crazed. And how our values may help, or hinder, us during bad times.

Dr. Jim Taylor is the author of How to Survive & Thrive When Bad Things Happen: 9 Steps to Cultivating and Opportunity Mindset in a Crisis. He’s internationally recognized for his work in the psychology of critical performance. And has authored 17 books, published over 700 articles, and appeared on major news networks.

Health & Wellness, Nature, Non Fiction, Science

AUG 05: The Well-Gardened Mind with Dr. Sue Stuart-Smith

August 5, 2020

Mental health issues in America are at an all time high, and with everything that’s going on right now, it’s not surprising that many people are struggling.

Studies show that connecting with nature can lift our spirits and provide long-term health benefits. Dr. Sue Stuart-Smith shares insights, neuroscience, and anecdotes to help us understand why. We discuss what a well-gardened mind means. Why so many famous artists are inspired by nature. What happens to our brain when we see beauty. And how nature can heal mind, body, spirit.

Dr. Sue Stuart-Smith is an accomplished psychiatrist and psychotherapist. She currently teaches at the Tavistock Clinic in London and is a consultant to the UK DocHealth Service. Her new book is THE WELL-GARDENED MIND: The Restorative Power of Nature.

Career, Non Fiction, Personal Development

JUL 29: Navigating Change & Things Outside Our Control with Maggie Craddock

July 29, 2020

How are you coping with America’s pandemic, politics, cultural wars, and job losses? Has your life or career been impacted? If not, chances are, it will be – and wouldn’t you rather be ready?

Maggie Craddock uses the experiences of Titanic survivors to share lessons learned in Lifeboat: Navigating Unexpected Career Change and Disruption – lessons that apply to our business and personal life.

We discuss Big Ship Mindset and the benefits of Lifeboat Mindset. Why we should pay attention to ‘group energy’. How lack of trust in friends and colleagues often leads to isolation and distancing from our authentic selves.

Maggie Craddock is a veteran executive coach who works with Fortune 500 senior management. She’s also authored The Authentic Career and Power Genes.

Conservation, Environment, Non Fiction, Social Issues, Sustainability

JUL 22: Facing the Climate Emergency with Dr. Margaret Klein Salamon

July 22, 2020

“You can create transformative change only by facing the truth.” So much of the battle to save the climate is psychological and Dr. Margaret Klein Salamon’s new book, Facing the Climate Emergency: How to Transform Yourself with Climate Truth, gives you the tools to face your negative emotions, accept your fears, and channel them into protecting humanity and the natural world.

So what is the Climate Truth we need to face? Simply put, Dr. Margaret Klein Salamon believes the scientific consensus that our current ecological crisis threatens every life on our planet.

Margaret Klein Salamon, PhD, is a clinical psychologist turned climate warrior and founder of The Climate Mobilization, which pioneered the internationally recognized Climate Emergency.

Creativity, Fiction, Social Issues, Writers on Writing

JUL 15: A Dangerous Breed with Glen Erik Hamilton

July 15, 2020

Thriller author Glen Erik Hamilton returns to Conversations Live with the latest novel in his popular Van Shaw series, A Dangerous Breed. We discuss a broad range of topics, including character development and how he keeps his recurring characters evolving from book to book. We also dive into some of the research he did for the novel, and where he took creative license and why.

Glen also shares his perspective on artist rights and responsibilities as related to our current political climate and how artists can (or should) go about representing characters from other backgrounds or orientations.

Glen grew up aboard a sailboat in Seattle, Washington, playing and occasionally finding trouble around the islands, marinas, and commercial docks of the Pacific Northwest. His books in the Van Shaw series have won numerous awards and received critical acclaim from Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and more.

Health & Wellness, Non Fiction, Personal Development, Self-help

JUL 08: The 12 Rules of Attention with Dr. Joseph Cardillo

July 8, 2020

We often use the words mindfulness and attention interchangeably, yet they have quite different meanings says Dr. Joseph Cardillo. He returns to Conversations Live to explain how recognizing that difference can make a big impact on your happiness, at work, and with life in general. We also discuss how to talk to your brain using visualization as a powerful method of communication, and what we can learn from nature.

Dr. Cardillo covers all of this and more in his new book The 12 Rules of Attention: How to Avoid Screw-Ups, Free Up Headspace, Do More & Be More At Work.

Dr. Joseph Cardillo is an inspirational speaker and sought after expert on energy teaching, as well as best-selling author of several books in the fields of health, mind-body-spirit; and psychology. He holds a PhD in holistic psychology and mind-body-medicine and is a regular contributor to Psychology Today, Live Happy magazine, and The Huffington Post.

Fiction, Writers on Writing

JUL 01: The Lost and Found Bookshop with Susan Wiggs

July 1, 2020

If you had to start over, what would you do, and who would you be? Returning guest Susan Wiggs explores that question along with the meaning of happiness, trust, and faith in oneself in The Lost and Found Bookshop.

Susan shares her thoughts on artistic expression, how she develops her stories and characters, and the responsibility she feels an author has in portraying characters outside their own ethnic background. She also reveals how she persevered through an incredibly tough period early in her career.

Susan Wigg’s novels have appeared in the #1 spot on the New York Times Bestseller List, and have been translated into more than 20 languages and 30 countries. Her recent novel, The Apple Orchard, is currently being made into a film, and The Lakeshore Chronicles has been optioned for adaptation into a series.

SEP 02: How Animals Help Improve Spiritual, Mental, Physical Well-Being with Richard Louv

AUG 19: Olive the Lionheart with Brad Ricca

AUG 12: Thriving During COVID-19 & Other Crises with Dr. Jim Taylor

AUG 05: The Well-Gardened Mind with Dr. Sue Stuart-Smith

JUL 29: Navigating Change & Things Outside Our Control with Maggie Craddock

JUL 08: The 12 Rules of Attention with Dr. Joseph Cardillo

JUL 01: The Lost and Found Bookshop with Susan Wiggs

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Past Shows