Episode 272 - Xavier's Voice (ft. Ashley Franklin & Tatiana Gardel)
Release Date: 11/05/2024
Episode 290 - Remnants of the Past (ft. Saadia Faruqi)
The DTALKS Podcast
Get ready for a SUPER episode! One might even call it a MARVELous episode! On this episode of the podcast, author Saadia Faruqi stops by the show to share about her latest book, "Ms. Marvel: Remnants of the Past". Saadia shares about her background as an author, how she got an opportunity to tell a story in the ever-expanding cannon of Ms. Marvel, and how all kids should feel seen in the literature they consume. Enjoy! Saadia Faruqi is a Pakistani American author and interfaith activist. She writes the popular children’s early reader series Yasmin and other books for...
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Episode 289 - Rodeo Hawkins (ft. John Claude Bemis)
The DTALKS Podcast
How do you write the story that only you can tell? How do you remain disciplined when you want to continue to create new and different pieces of art? Or, what if you find yourself on the run from multiversal agents of chaos!? All of these discussion topics and more are shared in the latest episode of The DTALKS Podcast! Today's guest, John Claude Bemis, shares his perspective writing, the highs and the lows, this is an episode you won't want to miss! John Claude Bemis is the award-winning author of six middle-grade novels, a picture book, and the forthcoming Rodeo Hawkins graphic...
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Episode 288 - Grandmother Moon (ft. Wunneanatsu Lamb-Cason)
The DTALKS Podcast
How much do you think about the land you're living on? Have you taken the time to give your thanks/appreciation for who came before you? Today's guest Wunneanatsu Lamb-Cason discusses her latest book "Grandmother Moon", why it was important for her to share this story, and the significance of paying respect to the native land we live on. We chose to release this episode right on the heels of Indigenous People's Day as a way to pause, reflect, and appreciate the people who were here originally, enjoy! Wunneanatsu Lamb-Cason (Schaghticoke/HoChunk) is an educator, advocate, traditional...
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Episode 287 - The Stuff of Dreams (ft. Leah Hager Cohen)
The DTALKS Podcast
Have you ever wondered about what goes on at your local community theatre? Or have you, yourself, participated in community theatre and wished someone covered it in a book? Today's guest of the podcast, Leah Hager Cohen, set out to do just that in her 2001 release "The Stuff of Dreams". This book covered a specific performance in a season of plays for her local community theatre, dubbed one of the oldest community theatres in the country. Despite having many other fantastic releases since her '01 release, she's on the show today because 'The Stuff of Dreams' was a formative book for Joe...
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Episode 286 - The Picasso Curse (ft. Dan Gutman)
The DTALKS Podcast
What would you do if you found out you accidentally bought a priceless work of art? Would you sell it? Would you donate it? Would you get rid of it? Or would you keep it secret? In Dan Gutman's latest book, 'The Picasso Curse', Edwin discovers he's bought a Picasso original piece of art hidden behind a $10 Kobe Bryant poster. Little does he know this discovery is about to change his whole life! We're thrilled to welcome back Dan Gutman to the podcast to discuss all things about art, Picasso, and a lot of 'what ifs!?' Enjoy! New York Times best-selling and award-winning author Dan...
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Episode 285 - Bear and the Three Goldilocks (ft. Patrick Horne)
The DTALKS Podcast
Do you like fractured fairy tales? You know, when the story you think you know gets flipped turned upside down!? Yeah you do, you know you do and today's guest has got a fun one! On this episode of the podcast author Patrick Horne stops by to share his debut release, "Bear and the Three Goldilocks" and what path he took to get to this point. It's a fun conversation we think you'll really like so pull up a chair and enjoy! I've worn many hats throughout my adult life. I've been a tennis coach, a teacher and more recently a children's book author. Every experience...
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Episode 284 - The Last Voyage (ft. Brian McLaren)
The DTALKS Podcast
He's back but this time, he's going to Mars! Mars!? That's right, MARS! Good friend and author Brian McLaren returns to the podcast to discuss his latest book and first in the start of a brand-new sci-fi trilogy, The Last Voyage! Brian and I discuss the timeliness of this book and how it compares to his first fiction trilogy, 'A New Kind of Christian'. I think you'll really enjoy the episode and get ready to dive into a wonderful world of science fiction that, eerily, may not be that far fetched, enjoy! Brian D. McLaren is an author, speaker, activist, and public theologian. A...
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Episode 283 - Cults Like Us (ft. Jane Borden)
The DTALKS Podcast
Are you in a cult? Are you sure? Are you really sure? According to guest Jane Borden, our entire country was founded by a doomsday cult, the Puritans. Aaaaand if that didn't get your curiousity piqued for this latest episode of the podcast, then I don't know what will! In the latest episode of The DTALKS Podcast, Joe and Jane get into a conversation about the definition of a cult, some of the earliest examples, and how the world around us uses "Us vs Them" logic to drive people further and further apart. It's a startling realization in an age where everything seeks to divide us. It's a...
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Episode 282 - Guy talk (ft. Ben Feller)
The DTALKS Podcast
What do guys talk about? How do male friendships work? How can you be vulnerable in an environment where you've been conditioned to "bottle it up" and not share what's really on your mind? That's the topic of this episode of the podcast as we welcome back former guest, Ben Feller, to the show to discuss his latest project, the new podcast "Pour It On". Joe and Ben get into a great conversation about Ben's podcast, how much it means to him, and what he hopes listeners of the podcast get out of it. Enjoy! Ben Feller is an award-winning writer who covered two presidents and now...
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Episode 281 - Four Mothers (ft. Abigail Leonard)
The DTALKS Podcast
What is your perspective on motherhood? How does it change depending on where in the world you are? What would new mothers in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America have in common vs what would be unique to them? These are some of the talking points in Abigail Leonard's latest book, "Four Mothers" which highlights 4 different women's first year of motherhood. On the heels of both Mother & Father's Day, it's a great opportunity to discuss what a parent-child relationship looks like from day one. Enjoy! Abigail Leonard is an award-winning international reporter and news...
info_outlineDo you have trouble sharing your voice?
Do you want to be heard loud & clear?
These are some of the issues facing Xavier in the wonderful children's book 'Xavier's Voice'. This book is beautifully written by Ashley Franklin and wonderfully illustrated by Tatiana Gardel.
The two of them are on the show today to discuss this latest project, what excited them about the work, lessons they hope people take away from the book, and what's next!
Enjoy!
Ashley Franklin is an Arkansas-based author whose work centers characters with big hearts and even bigger imaginations. She believes everyone, especially kids, deserves to see themselves reflected within the pages of a book.
Some of her most popular works include the picture books Disney’s The Little Mermaid: Make a Splash and NOT QUITE SNOW WHITE and her middle-grade short story “Creative Fixes” from the anthology ONCE UPON AN EID.
Ashley received her M.A. from the University of Delaware and B.A. from Albright College, both in English Literature. In 2021, The Highlights Foundation selected Ashley to be a part of its first-ever Muslim Storytellers Fellowship cohort. Her picture book, The Masjid Kamal Loves, was a Kirkus Reviews pick for one of the Best Picture Books of 2023 That Celebrate Community.
When she is not writing, Ashley’s time is filled with being a mother and adjunct college professor. Most recently Ashley has begun her journey as a graduate student at Southern New Hampshire University.
Tatiana Gardel is a New York City-based illustrator and teaching artist whose work has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators and American Illustration. Books she illustrated include THE FIRST DAY OF PEACE (Candlewick Press, 2023), ABUELO, THE SEA, AND ME (Roaring Brook Press, 2024), XAVIER’S VOICE (The Innovation Press, 2024), and PAINTING THE SKY WITH LOVE (Feiwel & Friends, 2024).
Born and raised in Brazil, she received her BFA in Painting from Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro and her Art Education License from Universidade Candido Mendes. She began her career as a painter and later discovered a passion for visual storytelling while studying animation at Anima Mundi/Campo 4 Estúdio in Rio.
Tatiana works digitally and traditionally. Watercolors and colored pencils are her favorite traditional mediums. She loves to tell her own stories through her work as well as to contribute to other projects. She is specially drawn to heartfelt stories that explore children’s emotions and imagination.
Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!
Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!
AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:
