The DTALKS Podcast
The DTALKS Podcast is an inclusive parenting podcast where you can "detox" from the world and get a window into how other people live their lives. Our guests are parents and non-parents alike but each of them have a unique story and journey which will empower you to live your life to the fullest and help your children be better than we are. Come detox with DTALKS.
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Episode 287 - The Stuff of Dreams (ft. Leah Hager Cohen)
09/02/2025
Episode 287 - The Stuff of Dreams (ft. Leah Hager Cohen)
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 during his youth and he had her on the show to discuss all things community and theatre. Please note: Unfortunately, there were some audio issues with Leah's Zoom connection and the quality is not up to the usual standards, we've cleaned it up the best we could but we hope you enjoy it nonetheless. We'll have Leah back again soon to continue this discussion! Enjoy! Leah Hager Cohen was born in Manhattan and raised at in Queens (where her parents worked) and later in Nyack, New York. As a kid, she spent summers at , stiltdanced with the , ran a follow spot at , and shelved books at . At age 16, Leah enrolled as a drama student at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, then transferred to Hampshire College a year later to study writing. She joined an arts brigade in Nicaragua, worked as a nanny in Berkeley, rode a Greyhound bus across the country, and freelanced as an ASL interpreter in NYC before attending Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. The best praise she ever received came in a letter of recommendation by , her first boss after college: “She is impatient with institutional stupidity.” Her favorite quote about writing comes from the poet : “My first memory of poetry was watching the rain on my windowsill when I was young, and touching the windowpane.” Leah is the author of 7 novels, 5 nonfiction books, one pamphlet, and the blog , as well as various and sundry essays, articles and reviews. As of September 2025, she has gone back to school, enrolled in the Master of Social Work program at Simmons University. In this unique theatrical memoir, novelist Cohen chronicles the ups and downs of her suburban community theater's struggles over the staging of David Henry Hwang's M. Butterfly. The project is fraught with problems—the Arlington, Mass., theater and its conservative supporters are reluctant to stage a play that deals daringly with sexuality and race; meanwhile, it proves quite difficult to find an Asian man to play the transgendered lead (who also has a nude scene)—but the show must and does go on. Cohen, who loves working in theater, is a keen observer who never hesitates to pinpoint the problems and personality clashes endemic to the process of putting on a play. While she provides useful background, from the history of her theater (begun in 1913) to the importance of community theater in the U.S., she is best at describing the endlessly delicate negotiations between the small but award-winning theater's director, actors, designers and stagehands. Cohen is respectful of everyone's opinions and methods as they face M. Butterfly's considerable challenges to the theater's conventional approach to staging a production and moves us assuredly through her characters' process of political and artistic discovery. While never deeply probing the myriad social issues it raises, Cohen's backstage drama does give us a miniature yet nuanced glimpse into a world rarely explored. Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at
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Episode 286 - The Picasso Curse (ft. Dan Gutman)
08/26/2025
Episode 286 - The Picasso Curse (ft. Dan Gutman)
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 Gutman has written more than 190 books for readers from kindergarten through middle school. Dan’s My Weird School series includes 100+ titles, and has sold more than 35 million copies globally over the past 20 years. Dan also is the author of the best-selling Genius Files series, the Baseball Card Adventure series, and many more. Dan’s books have been named Junior Library Guild Selections and Bank Street College’s Best Children’s Books of the Year, and have been awarded numerous state book awards, including: The California Young Reader Medal, the Massachusetts Children’s Book Award, and the Iowa Children’s Choice Award, among others. When he’s not writing books, Dan loves to ride his bike, play pickleball, throw Frisbees, and explore New York City where he lives with his wife Nina. To find out more, follow Dan on Facebook, X, and Instagram. What would happen if you accidentally bought a doodle worth millions? Edwin Hodge finds out in this middle grade novel by Dan Gutman, bestselling author of My Weird School series. There were so many things Edwin Hodge didn’t know when he paid $10 for a cool poster of Kobe Bryant at the local flea market. He didn’t know that hidden within the frame of the poster was an original drawing by Pablo Picasso, one of the most famous artists in history. He didn’t know the Picasso might be worth millions of dollars. He didn’t know that kids at school were going to treat him differently, or that he would become a world famous social media superstar. And he sure didn’t know that people would tap his phone, follow him home, break into his house, or threaten to burn it down. He didn’t know the Picasso was going to ruin his life. Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at
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Episode 285 - Bear and the Three Goldilocks (ft. Patrick Horne)
08/12/2025
Episode 285 - Bear and the Three Goldilocks (ft. Patrick Horne)
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 that I have had has made a great impact on my life and I'm so happy to be able to share those experiences here. You’ll laugh out loud at this funny fractured folktale with pictures by a popular artist! The Goldilocks family leave their campsite to go on a hike while their s’mores cool off . . . when along comes Bear. “What’s that yummy smell?” Bear wonders. S’mores, of course: too gooey, too chocolatey . . . and just right! Bear eats them all. Bear continues to wreak havoc by breaking a chair, smashing musical instruments, and extinguishing the fire. When the Goldilocks return, they are flabbergasted. They try to make a lot of noise to shoo away the bear . . . when Mama Bear and Papa Bear show up. Mama and Papa apologize profusely for the behavior of their naughty offspring, but the Goldilocks don’t speak “Bear.” They just hear a lot of LOUD GROWLING. So they decide to hightail it out of there, and the Bear family gets to enjoy the tents and snacks that are left behind. This hilarious story, a perfect readaloud, and its hilarious pictures will delight children and parents alike. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at
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Episode 284 - The Last Voyage (ft. Brian McLaren)
08/05/2025
Episode 284 - The Last Voyage (ft. Brian McLaren)
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 former college English teacher and pastor, he is a passionate advocate for “a new kind of Christianity” – just, generous, and working with people of all faiths for the common good. He is Dean of Faculty for the and a podcaster with . He is a co-host of . His newest books are (January 2021), (May 2022), and (2024). His co-authored children’s book was released in 2023. The first book of a new science fiction trilogy, can be pre-ordered now for release in July, 2025. Born in 1956, he graduated from University of Maryland with degrees in English (BA, 1978, and MA, 1981). His academic interests included Medieval drama, Romantic poets, modern philosophical literature, and the novels of Dr. Walker Percy. In 2004, he was awarded a Doctor of Divinity Degree (honoris causa) from Carey Theological Seminary in Vancouver, BC, Canada, and in 2010, he received a second honorary doctorate from Virginia Theological Seminary (Episcopal). It’s 2056 and international oligarchs have pushed the world to the precipice of ecological, economic, and nuclear catastrophe. But two philanthropists have teamed up to establish a viable outpost on Mars. Could this daring outpost be the next chapter in the story of the human race? Or will its brilliant team of scientists and engineers repeat the folly of humans on Earth? When the project’s founders on Earth discover that Mars Base has been keeping a terrifying, multi-layered secret from them, they recruit an unusual crew for a last voyage. Will these young voyagers bring what’s needed for the fledging community on Mars to flourish? In this first volume in a thrilling new trilogy from Brian McLaren, you’ll explore the limits of technology, the deepest needs of the human spirit, and the abiding questions that energize humans wherever they live … on Earth or elsewhere in space. Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at
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Episode 283 - Cults Like Us (ft. Jane Borden)
07/29/2025
Episode 283 - Cults Like Us (ft. Jane Borden)
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 great episode that you won't want to miss, enjoy! Jane Borden is an author, culture journalist, and editor. She contributes regularly to Vanity Fair, and has written for the New York Times Magazine and The Washington Post, among other outlets. Her book Cults Like US: Why Doomsday Thinking Drives America will be published in March 2025 by One Signal Publishers. Her first book, I Totally Meant to Do That, was published by Crown. Before all of that, she was a culture editor at Time Out New York. She is also a professional editor, book coach, and ghost writer. Jane lives in Los Angeles. This colorful and enlightening pop history explains why the eccentric doomsday beliefs of our Puritan founders still drive American culture today, contextualizes the current rise in far-right extremism as a natural result of our latent indoctrination, and proposes the United States is the largest cult of all. Since the Mayflower sidled up near Plymouth Rock, cult ideology has been ingrained in the DNA of the United States. In this eye-opening book, journalist Jane Borden argues that Puritan doomsday belief never went away; it just went secular and became American culture. From our fascination with cowboys and superheroes to our allegiance to influencers and self-help, susceptibility to advertising, and undying devotion to the almighty dollar, Americans remain particularly vulnerable to a specific brand of cult-like thinking. With in-depth research and compelling insight, Borden uncovers the American history you didn't learn in school, including how we are still being brainwashed, making us a nation of easy marks for con artists and strong men. Along the way, she also revisits some of the most infamous cults in this country—including, the Branch Davidians and Love Has Won, presenting them—as integral parts of our national psyche rather than as aberrations. Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at
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Episode 282 - Guy talk (ft. Ben Feller)
07/01/2025
Episode 282 - Guy talk (ft. Ben Feller)
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 helps people and organizations tell their own stories. He is also a writing coach, moderator, media adviser and public speaker on parenting, politics and the power of communications. In his first career as a journalist, which spanned 20 years, Ben distinguished himself as one of the finest reporters in the nation. He ultimately served as the Chief White House Correspondent for The Associated Press, a role in which he led presidential coverage for the largest news organization in the world. Ben spent more than six years covering President Barack Obama and President George W. Bush, traveling aboard Air Force One across the United States and to more than 25 other countries. He often asked the first question at press conferences and was honored as a “master of deadline reporting.” Ben then pivoted to business, becoming a communications adviser who specializes in guiding companies, universities, foundations and leaders on their messaging and their biggest strategic decisions. He is now a partner at maslansky + partners, the world’s leading language strategy firm, where the power of story is used to achieve goals and solve problems. A native of State College, Pa., Ben graduated with distinction from Penn State in 1992 with a degree in journalism, and he has been honored as an Alumni Fellow of the university for success across his communications careers. Pour It On is a podcast hosted by Shaun Emerson, Ben Feller and Chris Lozier about male friendship, life’s challenges and joys, and making the most of our time here. When the chaos of life makes you want to bottle it in, don’t let it. Grab your drink of choice, enjoy the moment, and let’s pour it on! Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at
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Episode 281 - Four Mothers (ft. Abigail Leonard)
06/24/2025
Episode 281 - Four Mothers (ft. Abigail Leonard)
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 producer, previously based in Tokyo, where she was a frequent contributor to NPR, Time Magazine, and New York Times video. Her stories have also appeared in The Washington Post, Newsweek, and Vox. Before moving to Japan, she wrote and produced long-form news documentaries as a staff producer for PBS, ABC and Al Jazeera America. Stories she reported have earned a National Headliner Award, an Award for Excellence in Health Care Journalism Award, an Overseas Press Club Award and a James Beard Foundation Media Award Nomination. She was a 2011 East-West Center Japan Fellow and 2010 UN Foundation Journalism Fellow. She served as First Vice President of the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan, a 2000-member national press organization, and also chaired its scholarship program. In the tradition of Lisa Taddeo’s Three Women and Robert Kolker’s Hidden Valley Road, Abigail Leonard’s immersive, page-turning narrative follows four women from around the world as they embark on the transformative first year of motherhood. Tsukasa in Japan grapples with memories of a difficult childhood as she tries to chart a new, healthier path for her own daughter while balancing onerous cultural expectations. Chelsea in Kenya endures a devastating loss just before she gives birth and finds that without the traditional support of previous generations, motherhood can be grueling – but it can also provide emotional healing. Anna in Finland navigates a complicated relationship with her child’s father, but the country’s robust family policies allow her to still pursue the kind of parenthood that she envisioned. Sarah in the US leaves the religious community that raised her in order to create a less traditional family of her own, only to find she’s largely confronting motherhood alone. Utterly moving and propulsively readable from page one, Leonard interweaves these stories with a critically researched exploration of how parental support programs evolved in each country—and why some provide more help than others. As nations around the world debate programs like paid leave, universal daycare, reproductive healthcare, and family tax incentives, Four Mothers offers a uniquely intimate, moving portrait of what those policies mean for parents on the ground—and considers what modern families really want. Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at
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Episode 280 - The Incorruptibles (ft. Lauren Magaziner)
06/03/2025
Episode 280 - The Incorruptibles (ft. Lauren Magaziner)
Are you ready for the next YA book series to completely obsess over!? That's what's in store for you when you pick up Lauren Magaziner's latest book, The Incorruptibles! Lauren stopped by the show this week to share her background as an author, working on this (among many other) projects, and some of her favorite memories writing this book. Check it out! Lauren is the internationally bestselling author of the Case Closed series, The Mythics series, the upcoming series The Incorruptibles (June 10, 2025), and three other stand-alone books for middle grade readers. Her books are available in 12 languages, have been Junior Library Guild selections, have been on the Indie Next List, been an Amazon bestseller, earned starred reviews, been on state lists, and have been optioned for a TV movie with Nickelodeon. She has also contributed short stories to Storyworks magazine and a middle grade mystery anthology called Super Puzzletastic Mysteries. Lauren grew up in New Hope, Pennsylvania. After receiving a B.A. in Creative Writing and Philosophy at Hamilton College, Lauren Magaziner worked on two delightful Scholastic magazines, where many of her coworkers didn’t believe her last name was real. She currently lives in Philadelphia, where she writes full time. Fiora Barrowling lives in a world where sorcerers rule over humans. After surviving an encounter with The Radiance—the very worst of the sorcerers—she’s whisked away to the incredible Incorruptibles (“Inc”) Academy, a school for resistance fighters in training. But most of the other students think Fiora hasn’t earned her place there, and when things start to go wrong and it seems the sorcerers have a spy in the academy, all eyes are on Fiora. With all odds stacked against her, can Fiora prove that she belongs? Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at
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Episode 279 - The Lemonade War (ft. Jacqueline Davies)
04/22/2025
Episode 279 - The Lemonade War (ft. Jacqueline Davies)
Are you ready for Summer? Are you ready for Lemonade? Are you ready for a Lemonade WAR!? In this latest episode of the podcast, Joe sits down with author Jacqueline Davies to discuss the graphic novel adaptation of her book, 'The Lemonade War'. Joe and Jacqueline get into a fabulous conversation about the book that you won't want to miss! Enjoy! Jacqueline Davies has lived more places than she has fingers and toes. She moved six times before fifth grade, and she credits all that moving around with making her an excellent observer of people and life. (She’s also very good at packing.) She discovered her love of writing when she was young, penning her first illustrated book in the third grade. It was called The Sad Shape, and although it never got published, she still enjoys sharing it with young readers and writers today. Jacqueline has three grown children and way too many houseplants. She divides her time between a town just outside of Boston and a cabin on the wild coast of Maine. She writes picture books, early chapter books, middle-grade novels, and young adult novels. In addition, she almost always has a suitcase that is in the process of being packed or unpacked. Evan Treski is people smart. He’s good at talking to people, even grown-ups. His younger sister, Jessie, on the other hand, is math smart—but not especially good at understanding people. She knows that feelings are her weakest subject. With just five days left of summer vacation, Evan and Jessie launch an all-out war to see who can sell the most lemonade before school starts. As the battleground heats up, there really is no telling who will win—and, even more important, if their fight will ever end. Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at
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Episode 278 - A Risky Game (ft. Alyson Gerber)
04/01/2025
Episode 278 - A Risky Game (ft. Alyson Gerber)
Have you always considered yourself a 'storyteller' but don't consider yourself a writer? That was the conundrum Alyson Gerber found herself in when Molly Ringwald (yes, THE Molly Ringwald) convinced her she needed to write! After Alyson wrote several books which her inner self needed to read, she turned her attention to mystery! Alyson, today (no foolin'!) released the second book in her best-selling 'The Liars Society' series, 'A Risky Game'! Alyson goes into detail about The Liars Society, her writing process, and how her love of storytelling guiding her through all the impostor syndrome which tried to come home to roost. Enjoy! Alyson Gerber is the bestselling author of The Liars Society, a middle grade mystery set at a New England prep school. The Liars Society is a USA Today bestseller, Barnes & Noble Bookseller Favorite, B&N Most Anticipated Book of the Month, and B&N Best Book of the Year (So Far), as well as an American Booksellers Association’s Best Books for Young Readers, Roku's Best Book of the Month, Bookshop's Favorite New Books. It's also a nominee for the Texas Bluebonnet Award and Indiana's Young Hoosier Award. The Liars Society #2: A Risky Game will be in stores April 1. Weatherby is a fish out of water. When she lands a scholarship to the prestigious Boston School, she’s excited to be in the same world as her dad, whom she’s never met, and make real friends. But Weatherby has a secret she’ll risk everything to protect, one that could destroy her new life. Every member of Jack’s wealthy and privileged family has made their mark at the Boston School. Everyone, that is, except for Jack, who is entirely mediocre. He’s desperate to prove his worth to his influential father. But Jack has a secret of his own . . . one with the power to ruin everything. When the money for their school trip to a private island―exclusive to Boston students―is stolen, Jack and Weatherby are invited to play a high-stakes game and solve the mystery of the missing money. If they win, they’ll be selected to join the oldest, most powerful secret society in the world―and they’ll be Boston royalty forever. If they lose . . . well, they better not lose. Beloved author Alyson Gerber crafts an unforgettable mystery that asks―are some secrets and lies impossible to overcome? Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at
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Episode 277 - How to Explain Climate Science to a Grown-Up (ft. Ruth Spiro)
03/11/2025
Episode 277 - How to Explain Climate Science to a Grown-Up (ft. Ruth Spiro)
What do YOU really know about Climate Science? What if your kids could explain it to you in an easy-to-understand way? That's the premise of Ruth Spiro's latest book 'How to Explain Climate Science to a Grown-Up" and her entire 'how to explain' series! Ruth stops by the show this week to discuss her latest books and how we can empower kids and use their love of knowledge to help explain things to us, grown-ups, which we typically might not be able to wrap our mind around. It's a great conversation and I can't wait for you to hear it, enjoy! Ruth Spiro is the author of more than 30 children’s books, with over one million copies in print worldwide. Her bestselling Baby Loves Science board books are the groundbreaking originals that introduce big ideas to the littlest listeners in an age-appropriate and engaging style. The series has been praised by the Los Angeles Times, NPR, TODAY, Popular Science, Working Mother, and more. Fans who have publicly shared their love of her books include former U.S. Representative Gabby Giffords, Chelsea Clinton, and Chance the Rapper. The enthusiastic response to the Baby Loves Science books inspired a new picture book series perfect for early elementary readers, How to Explain Science to a Grown-Up. In addition, Ruth is the author of picture books including Made by Maxine, Maxine and the Greatest Garden Ever, Love Grows, and One Small Spark: A Tikkun Olam Story, which received starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and Kirkus. Ruth graduated with a B.S. in Communications from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign and earned an MBA from Loyola University of Chicago. She worked for advertising agencies in both account management and broadcast production, and coordinated a large-scale research grant at DePaul University funded by the National Institutes of Health. Her articles and essays have been published in FamilyFun, The Writer, CHILD, and Chicago Parent. Ruth’s stories have also been included in popular anthologies, notably The Right Words at the Right Time, edited by Marlo Thomas, and several Chicken Soup for the Soul titles. Ruth’s work has won awards and recognition from the National Science Teaching Association, the Mathical Book Prize, Junior Library Guild, Science Friday, Bank Street College of Education, Illinois Reads, Purdue Engineering, Willamette Writers, and Writer’s Digest. A frequent speaker at schools and conferences, Ruth’s previous appearances include Windy City Live on ABC-TV, Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, World Science Festival, Chicago Tribune Printer’s Row LitFest, Children’s Festival of Stories, and the National Association for the Education of Young Children. She hopes her books inspire kids to observe the world, ask questions, and when it comes to their futures, DREAM BIG! Do you want to know a secret? Sometimes grown-ups need YOU to explain things to THEM. Like climate science! In this tongue-in-cheek guide, an in-the-know narrator instructs kid readers in the fine art of explaining climate science to a grown-up. Both children and their adults learn: The difference between weather and climate. How climate scientists collect data. What causes climate change. What we can do to reverse course and repair the planet. Fun and fact-filled, the How to Explain Science to a Grown-Up series will empower kid experts to explore complex scientific concepts with any grown-up who will listen. Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at
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Episode 276 - Nat a Chance (ft. Maria Scrivan)
02/25/2025
Episode 276 - Nat a Chance (ft. Maria Scrivan)
We're back and we're kicking off the NINTH season of The DTALKS Podcast with a wonderful conversation about one's own adolescence and the advice we would give ourselves if we could do it again. That's the topic we get into with this week's guest, Maria Scrivan. Maria is the author and illustrator of the fabulous "Nat" book series. This series started with 'Nat Enough' about a girl named Nat, who believes she isn't good enough. Through the book she discovers what makes her unique and see that she is in fact 'enough'. Maria has now written 6 total books and her latest release 'Nat a Chance' is the topic of our conversation today. Enjoy! Maria Scrivan is a New York Times bestselling author and award-winning syndicated cartoonist. The first book in her, Nat Enough (Scholastic/Graphix), launched on April 7th, 2020, became an instant New York Times bestseller. It was followed by: Forget Me Nat, Absolutely Nat, Definitely Nat, Nat for Nothing, and All is Nat Lost. Nat a Chance will be available in Spring 2025. She is also a contributor to which released in October 2023. Her books have been translated into Italian, French, German, Spanish, Catalan, Hebrew, Korean, Russian, Turkish, and Greek. Maria's comic, Half Full, is syndicated by Andrews McMeel and available on , and it appeared daily in newspapers nationwide including the LA Times for the last ten years. Her cartoons have appeared in many publications including MAD Magazine, Highlights, American Bystander, Prospect Magazine, Parade Magazine, and Wired, and licenses her work for hundreds of greeting cards. Maria lives in Connecticut, close to New York City. The sixth book in the New York Times bestselling series that began with Nat Enough! You don't know until you try... Nat doesn't think she's an athlete, but after a series of painfully embarrassing moments, she's determined to build her confidence and signs up for a triathlon with her best friend, Zoe. As training begins, Nat realizes she's in way over her head, facing so many setbacks and challenges that she wonders why she ever signed up! Can Nat get out of her own way and complete the triathlon, or will she convince herself that she's not cut out for it and quit? Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at
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Episode 275 - Sometimes you have to ask (ft. Don Richmond)
12/17/2024
Episode 275 - Sometimes you have to ask (ft. Don Richmond)
Ok, so you've had a great career in Finance and are ready to start the next chapter of your life. What's the first thing you dive into? Professional Wrestling! At least, that's the story for today's guest: Don Richmond! Don found out the best way to get involved in something he loved was just...to ask! Cut to, now Don is the owner/operatory of an Independent Wrestling Promotion (Dragonslayer Wrestling) with their first show set to kick things off on Thursday, January 16! Enjoy! An exciting new chapter in Indie Professional Wrestling! Dragonslayer Pro presents RENAISSANCE January 16, 2025 at The Warehouse 1125 E Berry St, Fort Worth, TX Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at
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Episode 274 - Persistence Pays Off (ft. Ralph Strangis)
11/19/2024
Episode 274 - Persistence Pays Off (ft. Ralph Strangis)
What does an NHL franchise, a defunct wrestling promotion, and a professional Volleyball team have to do with each other? They were ALL stops that today's guest, Ralph Strangis, made on his way to the top! Yes, that's right, THE definitive voice of the Dallas Stars, Ralph Strangis, is on today's episode to share his story about how he navigated all of the twists and turns to stay true to himself and always be in the right place at the right time. I was truly honored to have Ralph on the show and the truth is, we didn't even come close to scratching the surface of his career, I sense future episodes about both the AWA and the Volleyball league are in our future. For now, let's sit back, relax, and let Ralph guide the story! Enjoy! We’re coming up on 10 years since I left the Dallas Stars booth after 25 years at the mic. Spent recent years calling hockey and freelancing and teaching and acting and writing. I work for me. I’m going to write about hockey like almost no one else before. You’ll get honest, unfiltered, sarcastic and satirical content when it comes to the NHL and the hockey culture. Buckle up… I’ll teach you how to BET HOCKEY MY WAY. We’re gonna make money. I’ll have live chats during hockey games, special content for paid subscribers, contests, games, prizes, special guests and lots more. You’ll see musings on lots of other stuff too. And we’re gonna build a new kind of community here you and me. I’m looking forward to meeting old and new fans alike. Be happy, stay well - Ralph Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at
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Episode 273 - Heist Royale (ft. Kayvion Lewis)
11/12/2024
Episode 273 - Heist Royale (ft. Kayvion Lewis)
Are you ready to fall in love with a high octane thrill ride that's ALREADY been optioned for a motion picture!? Are you ready to read a book that's been described as a cinematic thriller that combines The Inheritance Games and Ocean's Eleven!? Then look no further, as Kayvion Lewis has the books you need! Kayvion is on the show today to discuss her latest book, 'Heist Royale'. She also discusses the unique circumstances where she even started writing and how wild it was to have your book optioned for a movie BEFORE it's even published! Enjoy! KAYVION LEWIS is a young adult author of all things escapist and high-octane. Her THIEVES' GAMBIT duology has been published in over 25 languages, and is being adapted for film by Lionsgate. A former youth services librarian, Kayvion's been working with young readers and kidlit since she was sixteen. When she’s not writing, she's breaking out of escape rooms, jumping out of airplanes, and occasionally running away to mountain retreats to study kung fu. Though she lives in Louisiana and often visits her family in The Bahamas, Kayvion never really knows when she'll take off on her next adventure, which could take her anywhere in the world.+ The Inheritance Games meets Ocean’s Eleven in this cinematic heist thriller where a cutthroat competition brings together the world’s best thieves and one thief is playing for the highest stakes of all: her mother's life. At only seventeen years old, Ross Quest is already a master thief, especially adept at escape plans. Until her plan to run away from her legendary family of thieves takes an unexpected turn, leaving her mother’s life hanging in the balance. In a desperate bid, she enters the Thieves’ Gambit, a series of dangerous, international heists where killing the competition isn’t exactly off limits, but the grand prize is a wish for anything in the world—a wish that could save her mom. When she learns two of her competitors include her childhood nemesis and a handsome, smooth-talking guy who might also want to steal her heart, winning the Gambit becomes trickier than she imagined. Ross tries her best to stick to the family creed: trust no one whose last name isn’t Quest. But with the stakes this high, Ross will have to decide who to con and who to trust before time runs out. After all, only one of them can win. In this high-stakes, high drama sequel to Thieves’ Gambit, Ross must find a way to out-heist the boy who betrayed her to protect her family—and her heart. It’s been six months since the end of the gambit. Instead of winning an impossible wish, Ross has the threat of her family’s execution hanging over her head. Devroe, the only person Ross thought she could trust, could wish the Quests into oblivion at any time. And shockingly, despite his betrayal and the two being forced to pull jobs together for the Organization, Devroe is still making a play for Ross’s heart. But Ross has learned her lesson. A Quest can only trust another Quest. When Ross finds herself at the center of a power struggle within the Organization, she sees her chance to change her fortunes. As a new deadly Gambit develops for control of the criminal underworld, Ross strikes a risky deal to guarantee protection for herself and her family. In this final clash, Ross will square off against a ruthless opponent who will stop at nothing to seize power, and in their corner will be not only Devroe, but his mother, who wants to destroy the Quests at any cost. The new Gambit takes Ross and her crew into the intoxicating casinos of Monte Carlo and across treacherous snow-covered slopes in Antarctica, as Ross competes against Devroe in a fight for her life. Loyalties will be tested, backs stabbed, hearts broken. May the best thief win. Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at
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Episode 272 - Xavier's Voice (ft. Ashley Franklin & Tatiana Gardel)
11/05/2024
Episode 272 - Xavier's Voice (ft. Ashley Franklin & Tatiana Gardel)
Do 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. Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at
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Episode 271 - Jurassic Bark (ft. Brian Anderson)
10/01/2024
Episode 271 - Jurassic Bark (ft. Brian Anderson)
What do you do when your parents bring home a loud, smelly, bald, brother!? How RUDE! At least, that's what Sophie thinks! Sophie is the protagonist dog in author/illustrator Brian Anderson's latest Sophie graphic novel releases! Brian stops by the show today to discuss his background in writing/illustrating, the origins of the Sophie book, and what's next. Enjoy! In addition to being the creator of DOG EAT DOUG, Brian Anderson is the author of several children’s books, including The Conjurers trilogy (Rise of the Shadow, Hunt for the Lost, and Fight of the Fallen), as well as the picture books Nighty Night, Sleepy Sleeps, The Prince’s New Pet, and Monster Chefs. He lives in North Carolina with his family, which includes a herd of rescued dogs and cats. Brian has also partnered with “Reading is Fundamental” to explore ways comics and graphic novels can help their mission to ensure every child can read. Based on the much-loved webcomic, “Dog Eat Doug,” Sophie is a hilarious new graphic novel series, a sendup of family life from the perspective of one snarky dog who wants nothing more than to have everything—without ever having to share. Full of mini adventures, pop culture spoofs, sharp jokes, adorable illustrations, and a sneaky dose of heart, Jurassic Bark and Frankenstein’s Hound are the perfect introduction to these characters and their world. Just right for the pet-obsessed among us no matter the age, while simultaneously appealing to the kids who love to giggle at Big Nate, Dog Man, Garfield, and Snoopy. Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at
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Episode 270 - Unico! (ft. Samuel Sattin)
08/20/2024
Episode 270 - Unico! (ft. Samuel Sattin)
We're back AND we're bringing a magical creature with us! Is that a cat? No, it's a unicorn? WRONG, it's UNICO!!! Yes, we know we took a bit of a summer break but we're back with some new episodes starting with this fabulous interview with author Samuel Sattin discussing his latest book "Unico: Awakening". Joe and Samuel get into a great discussion about writing graphic novels, adapting a beloved manga series for a new generation of children, and what's on the horizon. Enjoy! Samuel Sattin is an American writer. His books include the multi-volume Unico series for Scholastic Graphix, the Eisner Award-nominated Buzzing, Side Quest, The Silent End, and (as co-author) both A Kids Guide to Anime and Manga and The Essential Anime Guide: 50 Iconic Films, Standout Series, and Cult Masterpieces. He has also adapted the Academy Award-nominated films WolfWalkers, Song of the Sea, and The Secret of Kells to the graphic novel format. He graduated with an MFA in comics from the California College of the Arts and works as a studio writer for Schulz Creative Associates, aka Snoopy Central. Samuel resides with his wife in San Francisco. An adventure across space and time awaits! A young unicorn named Unico awakens on earth with none of his memories. As he works to unravel the mystery of who he is and where he comes from, he soon realizes he is being hunted by gods and monsters. With the help of new friends, Unico will need to unlock his full power and save the world in this original manga adventure. Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at
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Episode 269 - My Weird School (ft. Dan Gutman)
06/18/2024
Episode 269 - My Weird School (ft. Dan Gutman)
What do you do if you're tryiong to reverse-engineer a popular children's book? How about, if your goal is to create a series to help reluctant readers? You might follow the path of today's guest, Dan Gutman, when he created the "My Weird School" series over 20 years ago! Dan created the phenomenal book series to help solve for reluctant readers and create something he wish existed back when he was a reluctant reader himself! Joe and Dan get into a conversation about creating a book series from scratch, how to help reluctant readers, and some advice for those young aspiring writers in our households. Enjoy! New York Times best-selling and award-winning author Dan Gutman has written more than 190 books for readers from kindergarten through middle school. Dan’s My Weird School series includes 100+ titles, and has sold more than 35 million copies globally over the past 20 years. Dan also is the author of the best-selling Genius Files series, the Baseball Card Adventure series, and many more. Dan’s books have been named Junior Library Guild Selections and Bank Street College’s Best Children’s Books of the Year, and have been awarded numerous state book awards, including: The California Young Reader Medal, the Massachusetts Children’s Book Award, and the Iowa Children’s Choice Award, among others. When he’s not writing books, Dan loves to ride his bike, play pickleball, throw Frisbees, and explore New York City where he lives with his wife Nina. To find out more, follow Dan on Facebook, X, and Instagram. With more than 100 titles and 35 million copies sold, Dan Gutman’s My Weird School series follows the day-to-day life of wisecracking A.J., his loyal pals Ryan and Michael, and his archenemy, smarty-pants Andrea, as they face a set of wacky teachers at Ella Mentry School—the weirdest school ever. Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at
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Episode 268 - Continental Drifter (ft. Kathy MacLeod)
06/04/2024
Episode 268 - Continental Drifter (ft. Kathy MacLeod)
What do you do when you feel stuck between two worlds? How do you navigate the spaces you're in, when you're both part of and separate from, two worlds? This is the situation Kathy finds herself in at the beginning of the book 'Continental Drifter'. In this episode of the podcast, Joe sits down with author/illustrator Kathy MacLeod to discuss her autobiographical graphic novel about her time growing up in both Thailand and Maine. Joe and Kathy get into a lovely conversation about navigating spaces and places while growing up to find one's one place in this world. Enjoy! Kathy MacLeod is the author of Continental Drifter, a middle grade selection. MacLeod is an illustrator and cartoonist whose work has appeared in The Believer, Catapult, The Hairpin, and Lucky Peach. After spending most of her life in Bangkok, Thailand (with a four-year interlude at Wesleyan University), she is currently living in Berlin, Germany. With a Thai mother and an American father, Kathy lives in two different worlds. She spends most of the year in Bangkok, where she’s secretly counting the days till summer vacation. That’s when her family travels for twenty-four hours straight to finally arrive in a tiny seaside town in Maine. Kathy loves Maine’s idyllic beauty and all the exotic delicacies she can’t get back home, like clam chowder and blueberry pie. But no matter how hard she tries, she struggles to fit in. She doesn’t look like the other kids in this rural New England town. Kathy just wants to find a place where she truly belongs, but she’s not sure if it’s in America, Thailand . . . or anywhere. Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at
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Episode 267 - Life After Doom (ft. Brian McLaren)
05/21/2024
Episode 267 - Life After Doom (ft. Brian McLaren)
How does one go about navigating a world at odds with each other? Heading into another contentious political cycle, is there hope? What can we do to navigate this feeling of doom in our relationships with each other AND the planet? These are just a few questions asked in the latest episode of The DTALKS Podcast! Joe welcomes back good friend of the podcast, author & theologian Brian McLaren to the show! Brian and Joe get into a fascinating conversation about Brian's latest book 'Life After Doom' and what people can do to navigate what's just around the corner and keep some humanity intact. It's an important conversation, tune in! Brian D. McLaren is an author, speaker, activist, and public theologian. A former college English teacher and pastor, he is a passionate advocate for “a new kind of Christianity” – just, generous, and working with people of all faiths for the common good. He is a core faculty member and Dean of Faculty for the and a podcaster with . He is also an and is a co-host of . His newest books are (January 2021), and (May 2022). His next release, , is available for pre-order now and will release in May 2024. Born in 1956, he graduated from University of Maryland with degrees in English (BA, 1978, and MA, 1981). His academic interests included Medieval drama, Romantic poets, modern philosophical literature, and the novels of Dr. Walker Percy. In 2004, he was awarded a Doctor of Divinity Degree (honoris causa) from Carey Theological Seminary in Vancouver, BC, Canada, and in 2010, he received a second honorary doctorate from Virginia Theological Seminary (Episcopal). For the last quarter-century, author and activist Brian D. McLaren has been writing at the intersection of religious faith and contemporary culture. In Life After Doom, he engages with the catastrophic failure of both our religious and political leaders to address the dominant realities of our time: ecological overshoot, economic injustice, and the increasing likelihood of civilizational collapse. McLaren defines doom as the “un-peaceful, uneasy, unwanted feeling” that “we humans have made a mess of our civilization and our planet, and not enough of us seem to care enough to change deeply enough or quickly enough to save ourselves.” Blending insights from philosophers, poets, scientists, and theologians, Life After Doom explores the complexity of hope, the necessity of grief, and the need for new ways of thinking, becoming, and belonging in turbulent times. If you want to help yourself, your family, and the communities to which you belong to find courage and resilience for the deeply challenging times that are upon us — this is the book you need right now. Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at
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Episode 266 - Duck and Moose (ft. Kirk Reedstrom)
05/07/2024
Episode 266 - Duck and Moose (ft. Kirk Reedstrom)
What would you do if you suddenly had a new best friends who moved in...on your head!? That is the situation Moose is in when Duck moves in right on top of his head in 'Duck and Moose (Duck moves in)' by Kirk Reedstrom. Kirk comes on the show to share all about how he was able to go from dreaming of having painting hanging in galleries to getting books published by Disney in 2024! ALSO! Huge shout-out to former guest, Scout Underhill, for making this possible! It was their recommendation back when they were on the show which directly lead to Kirk coming on this episode. Enjoy! Kirk Reedstrom has spent most of his adult life surrounded by books. He currently works at a public library and used to be a bookseller at Blue Willow Bookshop, an independent bookstore in Houston, TX. He has led children's art workshops at the Kimball Art Museum, the R.W. Norton Art Gallery, and interned with William Joyce at Moonbot Studios. Kirk mixes his past experience with traditional and digital mediums to develop fun-filled characters with a lot of heart and a little bit of mayhem. Kirk enjoys creating books that make people laugh. Moose loves peace and quiet, relaxing, living alone, and spring! He can’t wait for the arrival of sun, flowers, and…a new neighbor?! Duck just landed himself a new home. He loves parties, karaoke, and living with—and on—Moose’s head. Moose tries everything he can to send Duck away, but he soon finds that this persistent neighbor might just be the best thing spring could bring. Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at
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Episode 265 - ABCs of History (ft. Dr. Seema Yasmin)
04/30/2024
Episode 265 - ABCs of History (ft. Dr. Seema Yasmin)
Do you know your history? How much do you see yourself represented in the history books today? Dr. Seema Yasmin set out to provide education for both kids and adults with her latest book "The ABCs of Queer History". In this episode of the podcast Joe and Dr. Yasmin get into a great conversation around representation and the importance of knowing all the various historical figures who helped shape history but may not be in your textbooks. Enjoy! Dr. Seema Yasmin is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, medical doctor, and professor. She is director of the Stanford Health Communication Initiative, clinical assistant professor in Stanford University’s Department of Medicine, and visiting professor at the Anderson School of Management at UCLA where she teaches crisis management and communications. Yasmin was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in breaking news in 2017 with a team from The Dallas Morning News, and she is the recipient of two awards from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. Dr. Yasmin has been featured in and contributed to , , , , and other outlets. She is a medical analyst for CNN and a correspondent for Conde Nast Entertainment. Her books paint vivid pictures about ourselves and how we interact with the world around us and include What the Fact?!: Finding the Truth in All the Noise, Muslim Women are Everything, the poetry collection If God Is a Virus and more. In this beautiful picture book brimming with P for Pride, writer and poet Seema Yasmin and illustrator Lucy Kirk introduce a different kind of ABCs—not just words like apple, ball or cat, but rather what it means to be diverse, to be equitable, and to be inclusive. That no one counts unless we all count, and how we must open our eyes and ears, minds and hearts, to hear everyone’s story and understand and celebrate their experience. This is a book of people, of ideas, of accomplishments and events. It’s a book about Allies and Ancestors, about Belonging and Being accepted, about Hope, Knowledge, and Love. About historic moments like Stonewall, and how it changed the world. And all about Trailblazers, like Audre Lorde, James Baldwin, Josephine Baker, Harvey Milk, Barbara Jordan, George Takei, Elliot Page, and Sally Ride. The ABC’s of Queer History celebrates both joyful and challenging moments in queer history in the United States through rhyming verse and bright, colorful illustrations. Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at
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Episode 264 - Force of Nature (ft. Kate T. Parker)
04/16/2024
Episode 264 - Force of Nature (ft. Kate T. Parker)
Have you ever used your voice to stand up and speak out? Are you a 'force of nature?' In this episode of the podcast, fabulous author and photographer Kate T. Parker stops by the show to promote her latest book 'Force of Nature.' It's an incredible book about the power of Women and Girls. The conversation between Kate & Joe covers all manner of individual perspectives and how everyone can learn something from these powerful women and girls. Enjoy! KATE T. PARKER is a mother, wife, Ironman, professional photographer/director and New York Times Bestselling author who shoots both personal projects and commercial work for her clients. Her book led to collaborations with brands such as Disney, Athleta, Kellogg’s, and NBC. It has also inspired Kate to launch a philanthropic arm of SITNP, partnering with organizations such as Girls on the Run, Girl Up, The Arthur Blank Family Foundation, Disney, Glam4Good, and The Bully Project by investing in childrens’ health and education. Kate is also the author of , and I first picked up a camera not long after my oldest daughter was born, eighteen years ago. I felt as if something clicked in me (almost literally). I loved making images and sharing stories of what it was like to be young, confident and free. I found my calling and means of expression in celebrating kids, especially girls, authentically. My first book, Strong is the New Pretty, started as a project to encourage my own two girls to know that they are enough just as they are and that being who they are is enough. I’ve been photographing with that in mind ever since. My hobby soon turned into a passion and then into a career. Yes, it took me until I was in my thirties to find my “thing”, but I am so grateful. This is my fifth book that celebrates the voices and stories of my subjects alongside images of them being themselves. I love helping to amplify their stories, told in their own words. It’s the best part of what I do, and it is how I use my voice. Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at
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Episode 263 - The Icon (ft. Dashaun Wesley)
04/09/2024
Episode 263 - The Icon (ft. Dashaun Wesley)
"Said you wanna be a legend Or a statement, or a star Said you wanna be a legend said you wanna Be a statement, said you wanna be a star No, we're legendary!" On the episode today is THE ICON Dashaun Wesley! I've been a fan of Dashaun ever since I first saw him on Max's 'Legendary' ballroom competition show! I then went back and watched him on Pose! This was an incredible episode where we covered Ballroom, Dashaun's performance background, and how ballroom can be used to further the conversation around the LGBTQ+ community. Enjoy! A lifelong dancer & performer Dashaun has wowed crowds with his outstanding unique vogue dance style & charismatic personality! His dedication, talent and ambition has landed Dashaun on MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew, in international commercials for Coca Cola and inspired the creation of the Hip Hop dance “The 5000” making him an internet and media sensation, garnering millions of hits on Youtube. A Brooklyn, NY native Dashaun was introduced to the underground NYC Ballroom scene in High school where the dance phenomenon vogue was created; from that initial introduction it captivated his attention. August 2009 marked Vogue performance’s return to mainstream attention when Dashaun competed on the fourth season of MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew as 1/5 of the dance group Vogue Evolution. The crew’s showcase of different elements of the vogue performance alongside popular urban dance moves took them to the top five in the competition. In January 2010 Dashaun was invited back to host the behind the scenes specials for “ABDC” season 5 interviewing & guiding new competitors on their journey. Dashaun currently travels the world touring with his dance company & hosting international dance competitions in Helsinki, Finland, Stockholm, Sweden, St. Petersburg, Russia & Hong Kong, China. Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at
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Episode 262 - Unicorn Boy (ft. Dave Roman)
04/03/2024
Episode 262 - Unicorn Boy (ft. Dave Roman)
Have YOU ever had a unicorn horn sprout suddenly form your forehead!? What about having to go into the underworld to retrieve your BFF!? Did I mention the horn sings!? All this and more is covered in Dave Roman's FABULOUS graphic novel 'Unicorn Boy'! Dave is on the show today to discuss all things unicorn, how they got started writing and illustrating, and how kids can take lessons from 'the boy' and apply it to their own lives. Enjoy! Dave Roman is the author/illustrator of the Astronaut Academy series (winner of Maryland’s Black-Eyed Susan Book Award) and writer of the graphic novels Teen Boat! (with John Patrick Green) and Agnes Quill: An Anthology of Mystery. He has contributed stories to Comics Squad: Recess!, Explorer: The Mystery Boxes, Nursery Rhyme Comics, and Goosebumps Graphix: Slappy’s Tales of Horror. Roman is a professor at the School of Visual Arts, a former editor at and is currently series editor for First Second’s and series of nonfiction graphic novels. He lives in New York City and draws webcomics like and Pup & Duck that can be found on his website The first few years of Brian Reyes’ life were unremarkable—nothing weird about this kid, no sir. Then, one day, a bump appeared on his head, and it grew…and grew…and grew until it was a full-blown, sparkling, SINGING unicorn horn. That’s absolutely the last thing a shy kid like Brian wants, but destiny waits for no unicorn boy. Luckily, Brian has his reassuring pal Avery to keep him grounded as weird occurrences start stacking up, like Brian’s breakfast muffin talking to him, or a bizarre black cat offering him a business card. But when shadowy creatures from another realm kidnap Avery, Brian has to embrace his fate to rescue his best friend. In the pages of Unicorn Boy, Dave Roman has created a cast of charming oddballs reckoning with normal, every day problems like heroic destinies and the fate of all magic in the universe. Readers of Narwal and Jelly, Grumpy Unicorn, and InvestiGators will also endear themselves to these lovable characters. Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at
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Episode 261 - Louder Than Hunger (ft. John Schu)
03/19/2024
Episode 261 - Louder Than Hunger (ft. John Schu)
Do you ever find yourself consumed with the 'voice inside your head'? How do you separate out what is helpful vs what is harmful? When do you speak up to obtain the necessary tools and resources to come out of a difficult situation? These are some of the topics discussed in the latest episode of the podcast! Author John Schu stops by the podcast to discuss his latest book 'Louder Than Hunger' and he and Joe get into a deep conversation about how to navigate some of life's most difficult times growing up. Also, because John is a librarian there are plenty of discussions around libraries, enjoy! John Schu has made a career out of advocating for the people and things he cares about most: kids, books, and the people that connect them. He was named a Library Journal Mover and Shaker for his dynamic interactions with students and his passionate adoption of new technologies as a means of connecting authors, illustrators, books, and readers. He is the children’s librarian for , a part-time lecturer at Rutgers University, and shares his love of reading with countless educators and students around the world. He served as the Ambassador of School Libraries for Scholastic Book Fairs for almost 6 years. He is the author of This Is a School (Candlewick Press, 2022) illustrated by Veronica Miller Jamison, This Is a Story (Candlewick Press, 2023) illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist Lauren Castillo, Louder Than Hunger (Candlewick, 2024) and The Gift of Story: Exploring the Affective Side of the Reading Life (Stenhouse, 2022). He is a contributor to The Creativity Project (Little, Brown, 2018), edited by Colby Sharp. John Schu lives in Naperville, Illinois. Revered teacher, librarian, and story ambassador John Schu explores anorexia—and self-expression as an act of survival—in a wrenching and transformative novel-in-verse. But another voice inside me says, We need help. We’re going to die. Jake volunteers at a nursing home because he likes helping people. He likes skating and singing, playing Bingo and Name That Tune, and reading mysteries and comics aloud to his teachers. He also likes avoiding people his own age . . . and the cruelty of mirrors . . . and food. Jake has read about kids like him in books—the weird one, the outsider—and would do anything not to be that kid, including shrink himself down to nothing. But the less he eats, the bigger he feels. How long can Jake punish himself before he truly disappears? A fictionalized account of the author’s experiences and emotions living in residential treatment facilities as a young teen with an eating disorder, Louder than Hunger is a triumph of raw honesty. With a deeply personal afterword for context, this much-anticipated verse novel is a powerful model for muffling the destructive voices inside, managing and articulating pain, and embracing self-acceptance, support, and love. Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at
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Episode 260 - Shiny Misfits (ft. Maysoon Zayid)
03/12/2024
Episode 260 - Shiny Misfits (ft. Maysoon Zayid)
What would you do if your historic talent show performance was upstaged by GASP your crush!? And further what would you do if your "crush" then started telling people he saved you because of your disability!? This is the premise for the fantastic book 'Shiny Misfits' writen by Maysoon Zayid. Maysoon joins the podcast today to share the background on writing this particular book and emphasizes the continued importantance of representation in children's books. Enjoy! Maysoon Zayid is a comedian, actress, writer, and disability advocate. She is a graduate of Arizona State University and a Princeton Fellow. Maysoon is the co-founder/co-executive producer of the New York Arab American Comedy Festival and The Muslim Funny Fest. She was a full-time On Air Contributor to Countdown with Keith Olbermann and a columnist for The Daily Beast. She has appeared on 60 Minutes, CNN, ABC News, and Oprah Winfrey Networks. Maysoon had the most viewed TED Talk of 2014 and was thrilled to collaborate with Huda Beauty. As a professional comedian, Maysoon has sold out top New York clubs and has toured extensively at home and abroad. She was a headliner on the Arabs Gone Wild Comedy Tour and The Together Live Tour. Maysoon appeared alongside Adam Sandler in You Don’t Mess With the Zohan and has written for Glamour magazine. She limped in New York Fashion Week and is a recurring character on General Hospital. She is the author of the best-selling memoir Find Another Dream and is collaborating with Scholastic on her debut comic book Shiny Misfits. About 'Shiny Misfits' A sparkling story about friendship, fame, and fighting to write your own narrative, SHINY MISFITS spotlights Bay Ann, a young Arab American Muslim girl with two tap shoes and a dream of the stage who, despite her awe-inspiring routine is reduced to her disability—cerebral palsy—after her wobble on stage goes viral. Bay Ann refuses to have her talent cast aside and teams up with her best friends to take her power back… while getting into a few capers along the way. Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at The DTALKS Podcast has also been ranked #9 in the "Top 40 Detox Podcast You Must Follow in 2020" according to Feedspot.com for our work in the Cultural Detox space. Thank you so much to the Feedspot team!
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Episode 259 - DnDoggos (ft. Scout Underhill)
02/20/2024
Episode 259 - DnDoggos (ft. Scout Underhill)
Ooooh Natural 20! oh nooooo crit miss! Roll your initiative! Which dice? Your d20! ..... What am I reading? Oh, no big deal, it's just dogs playing a roleplaying game. Oh, ok. Wait, whut? ..... Yes, this week's wonderful author/illustrator, Scout Underhill, created a wonderful book "DnDoggos" based on their wonderful webcomic which has been in existence since 2017! Enjoy this fun interview about this super exciting debut novel from Scout! ..... Scout Underhill (they/them) is a nonbinary, queer author-illustrator and a life-long professional dog cuddler, creating stories in the woods near Nashville, TN. They started drawing comics as a wee child and never stopped. DnDoggos began as a webcomic in 2017 after the real life dogs were caught playing tabletop roleplay games. Having no thumbs of their own in which to hold pencils, the doggos enlisted Scout's help to make them famous. When not drawing dog comics, Scout can be found thinking about dogs, playing with dogs, and cuddling with dogs. Scout received the award “Best Person In The World” from their own dogs in 2010 and has held the title every year since. DnDoggos GET THE PARTY STARTED (Feiwel & Friends, 2024) is their debut graphic novel. Four adorable dogs have picked their characters and favorite dice and are ready to save the day in this middle-grade graphic novel debut from online comic creator Scout Underhill. Magnus is tail-waggingly excited to share his favorite role-playing game with his friends! They've picked their characters and favorite dice, and are ready to set off on the adventure Magnus has created for them.Pickles, a rough-and-tumble fighter; Tonka, a playful and fun-loving bard; and Zoey, a wise and caring cleric, are given a quest to fetch a magical dog collar from a nearby swamp. But when they triumphantly return, they soon find that the collar isn't the only thing that has gone missing from Tail's Bend. All the squeaky toys in town have disappeared and Squish, the mayor's young son, has set off on his own to find them.It's up to the Doggos to rescue Squish, track down the missing toys, and save the day! Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at The DTALKS Podcast has also been ranked #9 in the "Top 40 Detox Podcast You Must Follow in 2020" according to Feedspot.com for our work in the Cultural Detox space. Thank you so much to the Feedspot team!
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Episode 258 - Unstuck (ft. Barbara Dee)
02/13/2024
Episode 258 - Unstuck (ft. Barbara Dee)
Have you ever felt stuck? How about feeling like you've hit a wall? What did you do to overcome it? How did you push through? These questions and more are covered in the latest episode of The DTALKS Podcast! Barbara Dee is the award-winning author of fourteen middle grade novels, all published by Simon & Schuster. Her books have earned several starred reviews and have been named to many best-of lists, including The Washington Post’s Best Children’s Books, ALA Notable Children’s Books, ALA Rise: A Feminist Book Project List, School Library Journal’s Best Middle Grade Books, and the ALA Rainbow List Top Ten. Her books appear on numerous state awards lists as well. Barbara graduated magna cum laude from Yale with honors in English. She has a MA degree from Middlebury College’s Bread Loaf School of English and a JD degree from the University of Chicago Law School, where she was an associate editor of the law review. She has taught high school English and has practiced law. Barbara is one of the founders and a former board member of the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival, now the largest children’s book festival in the country. Lyla is thrilled when her seventh-grade English language arts class begins a daily creative writing project. For the past year, she’s been writing a brilliant fantasy novel in her head, and here’s her chance to get it on paper! The plot to Lyla’s novel is super complicated, with battle scenes and witches and a mysterious one-toed-beast, but at its core, it’s about an overlooked girl who has to rescue her beautiful, highly accomplished older sister. But writing a fantasy novel turns out to be harder than simply imagining one, and pretty soon Lyla finds herself stuck, experiencing a panic she realizes is writer’s block. Part of the problem is that she’s trying to impress certain people—like Rania, her best friend who’s pulling away, and Ms. Bowman, the coolest teacher at school. Plus, there’s the pressure of meeting the deadline for the town writing contest. A few years ago, Lyla’s superstar teen sister Dahlia came in second, and this time, Lyla is determined to win first prize. Finally, Lyla confides about her writing problems to Dahlia, who is dealing with her own academic stress as she applies to college. That’s when she learns Dahlia’s secret, which is causing a very different type of writer’s block. Can Lyla rescue a surprisingly vulnerable big sister, both on the page and in real life? Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at The DTALKS Podcast has also been ranked #9 in the "Top 40 Detox Podcast You Must Follow in 2020" according to Feedspot.com for our work in the Cultural Detox space. Thank you so much to the Feedspot team!
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