Episodes

Thirteen-year-old Jennifer grapples with the unraveling of her family when her mother, who lost her parents at a young age and was raised in a strict Baptist orphanage, reveals that eighteen years ago, unmarried and pregnant, she was forced to relinquish her infant boy at birth and give him up for adoption, and that she has finally located him. While trying to come to terms with her mother’s secrets and the discovery of a new brother, Jennifer’s world is once again shattered when her father anno...

From the time he was born, Martin Luther King III has carried the weight of his father’s legacy—and his dream of a Beloved Community built on justice, love and equal rights for all. Today, in a world burdened by histories of violence, oppression, racism, poverty, fear and disconnectedness, that dream seems more remote than ever. Martin has teamed up with his wife and fellow activist, Arndrea Waters King, and legacy architects Marc Kielburger and Craig Kielburger to find a new way forward. Drawin...

In recent years, gentle parenting has become popular among parents but it sometimes can be challenging to pull off. With its emphasis on building connections and acknowledging feelings, this parenting philosophy helps children feel supported and valued while giving parents the tools to calmly guide them as they grow and develop. Yet, while this approach seems infinitely better than the authoritarian styles of previous generations, parents often find that it can be challenging to execute with kid...

Patricia Bonis fell madly in love with Rahman Abbar, scion of a wealthy Saudi Arabian family. She reveals her story of a whirlwind romance, her eventual marriage and what happened when she journeyed to his country to meet the family. A smart, free-spirited girl who had attended Wellesley College, Patricia was not prepared for life as a Saudi woman-a life spent looking through curtains and veils at the world outside, a life that of necessity was curtailed and protected from the toxic masculinity ...

When Lee Metoyer is hired to be the new housekeeper, she has no idea that she’s about to become the anchor to a family in an abusive patriarch's home, setting a mystery in motion that will take decades to uncover. At the age of 72, Lee falls ill and on her deathbed asks Sandra Schnakenburg to write her story. The only problem is, she doesn’t know the story. Embarking on a quest to honor Lee’s final wishes, Sandy takes an emotional and thrilling journey, unveiling shocking truths about herself an...

Kathryn also interviews Author Gail Lukasik.Blending social history and personal narratives, Gail Lukasik delves into the devastating psychological trauma of uncovering a hidden family secret with all the twists and turns of a mystery novel, starting with how the discovery was made; to why it was kept secret; to the arduous, sometimes disappointing, quest to find a biological parent or parents. To fully understand the secrecy surrounding these family secrets, the book examines pre-WWII and post-...

Kathryn interviews Author Mickey Huff.It's so common that it’s become a cliché: Americans gather around a holiday table with sumptuous food and plenty of drink. The best china has been taken out of storage for the occasion. Family from out of town reunite after a long year apart or only seeing each other on Zoom. It all starts out with such good intentions and high hopes. Then the talk turns to politics and in short order, cousins are screaming at each other; siblings are vowing never to speak a...

Kathryn interviews Author Kim Dower.Following the commercial and literary success of her bestselling poetry collection, I Wore This Dress Today for You, Mom: Poems on Motherhood, Kim Dower delivers What She Wants: Poems on Obsession, Desire, Despair, Euphoria—turning her keen eye, vibrant imagination, trademark insight, and humor to the intensity of obsessive love. These steamy and provocative poems, combining humor and heartache, run through the four phases of Limerence, the state of being infa...

Kathryn interviews Author Jill Robin Payne.Discover "Bempathy," the game-changing communication technique that combines lighthearted banter with genuine empathy. Jill Robin Payne shows us how to transform negatives into positives, and watch even good interactions become exceptional using her unique approach on empathy. She was the first student from her college to intern at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. During her over 40 years of work experience in the mental health f...

Kathryn interviews Author and Speaker TJ Woodward.In a world where division and uncertainty are prevalent, the need for genuine connection has never been more critical. But how can we remain connected when opinions diverge and times are unpredictable? The answer lies in cultivating curiosity by “Living in the Question,” according to TJ Woodward. This concept is a practice that encourages authenticity and greater connection by embracing uncertainty and openness. He encourages us to ask questions,...

Kathryn interviews Author Dr. Macie P. Smith.The holidays can be a joyful but challenging time when a loved one has Alzheimer’s or dementia. Keeping surroundings familiar, letting your loved one help in ways they can, and connecting through meaningful conversations are all ways to include your loved one in the celebration, says gerontologist and licensed social worker Dr. Macie P. Smith. For more than 24 years she has been helping family caregivers and their loved ones navigate a diagnosis of Al...

Kathryn interviews Author Dr. Macie P. Smith.The holidays can be a joyful but challenging time when a loved one has Alzheimer’s or dementia. Keeping surroundings familiar, letting your loved one help in ways they can, and connecting through meaningful conversations are all ways to include your loved one in the celebration, says gerontologist and licensed social worker Dr. Macie P. Smith. For more than 24 years she has been helping family caregivers and their loved ones navigate a diagnosis of Al...

Kathryn interviews Author Liz Elting.Most think innovation is synonymous with invention—and that to become successful, you need to come up with a shiny new product, market, or idea. But what if you don’t have to invent something entirely new or have a “Shark Tank” moment to succeed at entrepreneurship? Liz Elting?entrepreneur and philanthropist is the living embodiment of this concept. By studying the shortcomings of other translation companies and finding ways to improve upon them, she co-found...

Kathryn interviews Author Liz Elting.Most think innovation is synonymous with invention—and that to become successful, you need to come up with a shiny new product, market, or idea. But what if you don’t have to invent something entirely new or have a “Shark Tank” moment to succeed at entrepreneurship? Liz Elting?entrepreneur and philanthropist is the living embodiment of this concept. By studying the shortcomings of other translation companies and finding ways to improve upon them, she co-found...

Kathryn interviews Author Michelle D.Gladieux.Raising your game as a communicator is one of the best ways to make a difference in the world, but it takes courage to open up to others and invite others to open up to you. As a lifelong communication coach, Michelle Gladieux has discovered the four obstacles that can keep you from becoming the best communicator you can be; hiding, defining, rationalizing and settling. These challenges all have something in common. They require taking risks—to revea...

Kathryn interviews Author Michelle D.Gladieux.Raising your game as a communicator is one of the best ways to make a difference in the world, but it takes courage to open up to others and invite others to open up to you. As a lifelong communication coach, Michelle Gladieux has discovered the four obstacles that can keep you from becoming the best communicator you can be; hiding, defining, rationalizing and settling. These challenges all have something in common. They require taking risks—to revea...

Kathryn interviews Author Nadine Haruni.In her first novel for middle-grade (and older) readers, The Hat Diaries: The Secret Life of Ryan Rigbee, award-winning author Nadine Haruni introduced readers to Ryan Rigbee, a 13-year-old loner reeling from losing his dad who forms an unexpected bond with Merlo. The enchanted hats Ryan puts on before bedtime magically transform him into the role of the hat-wearer, and he is drawn into a world filled with nightly action-packed adventures with his dog, Sha...

Kathryn interviews Author Nadine Haruni.In her first novel for middle-grade (and older) readers, The Hat Diaries: The Secret Life of Ryan Rigbee, award-winning author Nadine Haruni introduced readers to Ryan Rigbee, a 13-year-old loner reeling from losing his dad who forms an unexpected bond with Merlo. The enchanted hats Ryan puts on before bedtime magically transform him into the role of the hat-wearer, and he is drawn into a world filled with nightly action-packed adventures with his dog, Sha...

Kathryn interviews Author Sarah Allen Benton LMHC.“Recovery is more than ‘stopping drinking or using drugs’—it involves an entire lifestyle change and impacts every aspect of a parent’s life,” acknowledges Sarah Allen Benton, an Advanced Alcohol and Drug counselor who has been a parent in recovery from alcoholism for more than 20 years. She draws on both her professional expertise and deeply personal experience to support mothers and fathers as they navigate their way through parenting while emb...

Kathryn interviews Author Sarah Allen Benton LMHC.“Recovery is more than ‘stopping drinking or using drugs’—it involves an entire lifestyle change and impacts every aspect of a parent’s life,” acknowledges Sarah Allen Benton, an Advanced Alcohol and Drug counselor who has been a parent in recovery from alcoholism for more than 20 years. She draws on both her professional expertise and deeply personal experience to support mothers and fathers as they navigate their way through parenting while emb...

Kathryn interviews Author Stephanie Harrison.It’s not your fault if you are unhappy. You have been told three lies: you’re not good enough; you need to achieve fame, wealth, and power; and you need to do it all on your own. This is “Old Happy”, our society’s false definition of happiness, and it’s making us miserable. Well-being expert and social media sensation Stephanie Harrison takes us through the process of unwinding Old Happy, uncovering your own gifts, and using them to both improve your ...

Kathryn interviews Author Meghan Riordan Jarvis, MA, LCSW.All of us will experience loss in our lives, and with loss comes grief. Still, nothing really prepares you for the toll grief takes. As Meghan Riordan Jarvis, MA, LCSW explains, grief doesn’t just happen in your mind — it’s a five-senses experience that impacts all physical systems. “Grievers end up stunned by what a full-contact sport grief ends up being.” Anyone who has struggled with grief knows that there are many questions that come ...

Kathryn interviews Author Meghan Riordan Jarvis, MA, LCSW.All of us will experience loss in our lives, and with loss comes grief. Still, nothing really prepares you for the toll grief takes. As Meghan Riordan Jarvis, MA, LCSW explains, grief doesn’t just happen in your mind — it’s a five-senses experience that impacts all physical systems. “Grievers end up stunned by what a full-contact sport grief ends up being.” Anyone who has struggled with grief knows that there are many questions that come ...

Kathryn interviews Author Rhea Wessel.Are you brimming with groundbreaking ideas, eager to make a mark in business and tackle global challenges, yet feeling like your voice remains unheard? If so, you’re not alone. In order to amplify your message and truly make an impact, mastering the art of idea discovery and communication is paramount. Thought leader, writer, and corporate thought-leadership writing trainer Rhea Wessel has recently honed her expertise, now placing a significant emphasis on e...