S:7 E:14 | Shelley Malicote Stutchman on Fighting Breast Cancer with Humor and Heart
Release Date: 09/09/2025
S:7 E21 | What If Women Ruled the future? D.A. Murray Breaks Down Dominion: Ascension
Books That Make You Podcast
What happens when the world is rebuilt after catastrophe and the power structure flips, completely? In this episode, author and tech executive D.A. Murray joins us to unpack her debut dystopian novel, Dominion: Ascension. The conversation starts with the central provocation: a society where women hold leadership across civilization and men are pushed into tightly controlled roles, including a “breeder class” shaped by fertility and status. From there, we go deeper into what the book is really examining—how power changes people, how systems enforce obedience, and what gets lost when...
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S: 7 E:20 | Dr. Abraham George’s “Mountains to Cross” and the Shanti Bhavan Story
Books That Make You Podcast
What compels someone to walk away from a lucrative Wall Street career and dedicate their life to eradicating generational poverty? In this episode, we talk with Dr. Abraham George, author of Mountains to Cross and founder of Shanti Bhavan, a residential school in India that transforms the lives of children born into extreme poverty. Dr. George shares the deeply personal story behind his life’s mission, from surviving a dynamite blast as a young officer in the Himalayas to building a financial foundation with a single goal: to serve. His philosophy, the 50/50 life model—spend half your life...
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S: 7 E:19 | How to Put Up a Christmas Tree with author Bill Hulseman
Books That Make You Podcast
Author and ritual designer Bill Hulseman returns to the show to take us deeper into his profoundly moving and gently humorous essay collection, six to carry the casket and one to say the mass. This time, Bill helps us reimagine the meaning of the holidays—beyond the performative gratitude and commercial frenzy. In this episode, Bill discusses two standout essays from his book: Grateful and How to Put Up a Christmas Tree. Through personal stories of family, grief, queerness, and complicated traditions, Bill reveals how the holidays can be both beautiful and deeply painful. From hand turkeys...
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S:7 E:18 Snoodles in Space: Escape from Zoodletraz, Steven Joseph & Andy Case on Kids, Creativity & Chaos
Books That Make You Podcast
What happens when a cranky humorist and a tech-savvy illustrator team up with some rebellious poodles and launch them into space? You get Snoodles in Space: Escape from Zoodletraz — the latest wild ride from author Steven Joseph and illustrator Andy Case. In this episode, the duo dives deep into their colorful, noodle-fueled universe. They talk about the imaginative process behind their newest book, from musical jailbreaks to intergalactic dance battles and zany characters like Coolio the Grand Rudel. But it’s not just about the laughs. Steven and Andy explore the deeper themes woven into...
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S:7 E:17 | Inside the Mystical Music of Alan Hovhaness with Bill Holst
Books That Make You Podcast
What if your stepfather was one of the most misunderstood yet spiritually profound composers of the 20th century—and your mother spent years writing his story? In this episode, Bill Holst shares the extraordinary journey behind Alan Hovhaness: Unveiling One of the Great Composers of the 20th Century, a memoir built from the poetic writings of his late mother and enriched with his own personal reflections. Alan Hovhaness was known for his deeply mystical, culturally diverse compositions, drawing from Armenian roots, Eastern music traditions, and nature itself. Bill shares how Hovhaness faced...
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S:7 E:16 | 3. Chester L. Richards on Star Trek, Rocket Launches & Wild Adventures
Books That Make You Podcast
How do you go from writing a Star Trek episode to launching rockets, facing crocodiles, and eventually healing through writing? Chester L. Richards returns to the show to share moments from his second memoir, The Trek Continues: More Memoirs of a Rocket Scientist. This lively interview explores how a vivid dream led to a Star Trek script, setting him on a lifelong path filled with science, danger, love, and self-discovery. Chester takes us behind the scenes of his early writing journey, reveals the high-stakes world of aerospace engineering, and shares stories of rafting down wild rivers and...
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S:7 E:15 | Sue William Silverman on Her “Selected Misdemeanors” and Finding Metaphor
Books That Make You Podcast
What do a dead goldfish, Pat Boone, and crème de menthe have in common? For acclaimed memoirist Sue William Silverman, they’re all part of her deeply personal and poetic exploration in her latest book, Selected Misdemeanors: Essays at the Mercy of the Reader. In this conversation, Sue opens up about the emotional missteps and moments that shaped her—and how writing flash essays allows her to capture the weight of fleeting experiences. Sue shares her unique approach to writing: mining small, seemingly mundane memories and transforming them into meaningful metaphors. From walking on hands...
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S:7 E:14 | Shelley Malicote Stutchman on Fighting Breast Cancer with Humor and Heart
Books That Make You Podcast
What happens when you're diagnosed with breast cancer at 67—just after building your dream home and planning your wedding? For Shelley Malicote Stutchman, you write about it with raw honesty, a whole lot of humor, and just enough sass to make people gasp. In this episode, Shelley joins us to talk about her memoir, Peek-a-Boob, a powerful yet hilarious account of her journey through breast cancer. A nurse, mental health advocate, and first-time author at 70, Shelley opens up about being diagnosed in 2022 and how she used Facebook posts to process her experiences and help others—ultimately...
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S:7 E:13 | Reader Nation Is the Book Event You Can't Miss, Joe Solari Explains
Books That Make You Podcast
What if your favorite authors weren't just names on book spines, but people you could meet in person? Joe Solari, managing director of Reader Nation and Writer Nation, shares why the upcoming Reader Nation event in Las Vegas is more than just a book signing. It's a real-world book community coming to life. Held at the Horseshoe and Paris Casinos, Reader Nation brings together over 300 authors, from legendary names like James Patterson to debut indie writers. It’s a rare chance for readers to get signed books, limited editions, and most importantly, personal conversations with the...
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S:7 E:12 | Life, Identity & Healing: Six to Carry the Casket Insights with Bill Hulseman
Books That Make You Podcast
What happens when your family identity, religious upbringing, and personal truth collide? In this compelling conversation, author Bill Hulseman shares the deeply personal stories that shaped his life and inspired his book six to carry the casket and one to say the mass: reflections on life, identity, and moving forward. Bill opens up about being the youngest of ten children, what it meant to grow up feeling ornamental in his family, and how he found his voice amid the chaos of family dynamics and personal struggle. He talks about the power of reflective practices, what it means to question the...
info_outlineWhat happens when you're diagnosed with breast cancer at 67—just after building your dream home and planning your wedding? For Shelley Malicote Stutchman, you write about it with raw honesty, a whole lot of humor, and just enough sass to make people gasp.
In this episode, Shelley joins us to talk about her memoir, Peek-a-Boob, a powerful yet hilarious account of her journey through breast cancer. A nurse, mental health advocate, and first-time author at 70, Shelley opens up about being diagnosed in 2022 and how she used Facebook posts to process her experiences and help others—ultimately turning them into a 432-page book.
Shelley shares deeply personal moments, from the fear of biopsies to the emotional weight of losing friends during treatment. She also reflects on unexpected joys, like finding love later in life and how her husband wrote the final chapter for the men who support survivors. Her advice is practical, heartfelt, and often laugh-out-loud funny.
Whether you're a survivor, a caregiver, or someone who simply wants to better understand the emotional toll of breast cancer, Shelley’s story will resonate.
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