True Fiction Project (Reenita Hora)
Explore every episode of True Fiction Project
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 Oct 2023 | S4 Ep 1 - Jerusalem Road | 00:27:25 | |
Welcome to the start of season 4 of the True Fiction Project Podcast. This episode was recorded October 11, 2023 and rushed to release to mark the October 2023 events between Israel and Hamas, marking the most significant escalation of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict in several decades. With the heaviness in the world today and the events playing out in Israel and the Gaza strip, I introduce a particularly timely story brought to audiences through playwright, poet and screenwriter, Simone Yehuda. Simone discusses her screenplay, Jerusalem Road, which has wild synchronicity between the storyline and what is happening between the Israelis and Palestinians right now. Simone talks about why it is so important to release her screenplay right now. She shares the history of both the Israelis and Palestinians feeling that home is the same place, and the barriers that are at stake. We then hear a scene from a table read of Simone’s screenplay, Jerusalem Road. The scene compares and contrasts the years of suffering the two character groups, Palestinians and Jews, have faced and how both groups were forced into exile. IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Check out HelloFresh and use my code truefictionprojectfree for a great deal: https://www.hellofresh.com/ Fiction Credits: Excerpt written by: Simone Yehuda BIO: Simone Naomi Yehuda was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts to a German Jewish Holocaust survivor and French Catholic mother whose own mother was a leader of the French Resistance. Writing became her cure for massive psychic trauma. She began as a published poet (two books: THAW and LIFTING WATER) and multi-produced playwright (including a play, WILLING, Off Broadway). While in New York, she played the flute with the New York Symphony and was a member of the Mass Transit Dance Company. Simone began writing screenplays full-time ten years ago hoping to reach a wider audience. She now writes feature screenplays that include JERUSALEM ROAD, THE NEW EVE, LOVE AND HOMICIDE, THE THIRD MOTHER, THE SIG OF A FREE MAN and MATADORA! Her scripts focus on the reconciliation of opposites divided by insurmountable barriers where survival and identity are at stake. Simone’s adult twin daughters, physician Valerie Gabriella Press and psychologist/artist Corinna Nicole Press, live in Chicago and San Francisco respectively. She lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan with her historian husband Barry Michael Shapiro. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 27 Jun 2023 | S3 Ep 7 - Solace in Our Roots | 00:35:29 | |
Welcome back to another episode of the True Fiction Project Podcast! On today’s episode, I am joined by Bobby Singh Bansal. He is a British born historian, author, documentary filmmaker who has a focus on the history of the Sikh community and their relations over the generations with the British. Bobby is so passionate about carrying on the traditions and culture of the Punjab, as the history is a mystery for many. Bobby discusses his book, The Punjab Chiefs, and shares a story that stood out the most to him during his research. At the end of the episode, we hear a short story titled Solace in Our Roots, written by Trent Davis and narrated by Kristen Udowitz. In this story we follow a young British born Sikh girl who is lost and confused about her Sikh heritage until a friendly stranger decides to educate her about the Sikh culture and religion. IN THIS EPISODE: [2:23] What does Bobby Singh Bansal’s work focus on? [4:20] What happened in 1984 in India? [6:35] What is the book Punjab Chiefs about? [13:30] Bobby Bansal shares one story that stood out to him during his Punjab research. [20:30] Why was the Maharaja Ranjit Singh so powerful? Why couldn't the British penetrate it? [24:37] What is the difference between religious and political groups working together vs. apart? [27:34] A short story, Solace in Our Roots, written by Trent Davis and voiced by Kristen Udowtiz KEY TAKEAWAYS: In 1984 in India, a radical group of Sikhs entered the Golden Temple and took shelter there. The Indian government sent in an army and completely destroyed the temple while killing many people across a span of 3-4 days. The Maharaja were incredibly generous and kind. They gave out incredible relics and gifts and were so welcoming to all. So much history from the Punjab has been lost along the way, where many people don’t realize their heritage or culture. There is so much to learn there. Bobby Singh Bansal’s book illustrates pictures and stories of many families in order to carry on their legacy. Fiction Credits: Short story written by: Trent Davis Short story narrated by: Kristen Udowitz BIO: Bobby Singh Bansal is a British-born Sikh historian, writer and filmmaker. His interest in Sikh Heritage and Culture has allowed him to interact with the Sikh diaspora all over the world. He has attended major International Sikh and Indian conferences and has given numerous lectures on the theme of Sikh Heritage and History. A passionate advocate of promoting Sikh Heritage and Culture on a global scale, especially in Pakistan, in 2003 he became President of the Sarkar Khalsa Foundation, and has worked on the restoration of the tomb of Maharaja Sher Singh in Lahore. Abstract: An important facet of Sikh history is the presence of several monuments and other architectural structures in the parts of Punjab that are in modern-day Pakistan. The SK Foundation has been working to create awareness about the need for the preservation of these structures. This presentation deals with one such initiative that aims to enhance the Sikh legacy in the area. The Punjab Chiefs by Bobby Singh Bansal Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 27 Aug 2024 | S5 Ep 5 - In Conversation with Sathya Saran: Flying High Despite Clipped Wings | 00:33:54 | |
Hey everyone! Welcome to this week's episode of the True Fiction Project. Today I’m honored to talk with Sathya Saran and learn her story about rising in the editorial world in India that was typically dominated by men. Sathya shares her experience in journalism and explains how she turned around and brought success to the magazine’s Femina India and Me Magazine for the DNA, Daily News and Analysis. Tune in to learn how she flew high, even when her wings were clipped. IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free or become a paid subscriber to watch the video version of this episode and be eligible to receive other extras such as exclusive content from podcast guests, short stories, exclusive fiction and more! https://substack.com/@reenitahora
Fiction Credits: Read by Sathya Saran
GUEST RESOURCES:
HOST RESOURCES BIO: Best known for her long association with Femina, which she edited for 12 years, Sathya Saran is currently Consulting Editor with Penguin Random House India. Sathya Saran is also the author of a diverse variety of books. The Dark Side reflects her love of the short story, while the critically acclaimed biographies, Ten Years with Guru Dutt Abrar Alvi's Journey; Sun Mere Bandhu Re The Musical World of SD Burman and Baat Niklegi toh Phir The Life and Music of Jagjit Singh bear testimony to her love of cinema and music. Sathya has also written the hugely appreciated biography of Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia. Sathya teaches fashion journalism at NIFT Mumbai, Kangra and Srinagar. She has been a stage actor with Veenapani Chawla. Passionate about writing, she conceptualised and curates the first of its kind Writers Conclave titled The Spaces between Words the unfestival sponsored by JSW at Kaladham near Hampi. Sathya has written a tv serial titled Kashmakash on marital problems. Her column in Femina and Me magazine is now continuing to gain new fans as a guest column in Dainik Jagran. She also writes a column for the New Indian Express. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 18 Jan 2022 | Ep 2 - Wiseguy Charming | 00:35:03 | |
In this episode, I’m speaking with accomplished standup comedian and actor, Ethan Herschenfeld. We talk about his most recent project, Thug Thug Jew, and his experience with often being typecast as the villain. We discuss diversity, racism, and cultural appropriation within the entertainment industry. As a Jewish comedian, Ethan talks about the fine line between producing comedy that is inoffensive while still being relevant – which can change quickly based on the political and cultural temperatures. The latter part of the episode features a fictional story written and read by Parker James. Parker’s story is inspired by Ethan’s comical experience of playing Prince Charming in a children’s theater and being called out by a little girl for not meeting her “princely” expectations.
Wise Guy Charming - A Fictional Story in Print
IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:01] Ethan Herschenfeld introduced
[00:59] From Opera Singer to Comedian/Actor
[02:38] Thug Thug Jew
[04:10] Typecasting
[08:09] Diversity in the entertainment industry
[12:16] Cultural appropriations in entertainment
[16:40] Addressing cultural issues in comedy
[20:30] Upcoming projects
[22:59] Ethan’s writing prompt
[26:39] Wiseguy Charming
[30:09] A disinterest in the family business and dream of acting
[31:06] Acting classes while working for the family business
[32:23] Dream role as Prince Charming
[33:37] A surprise confrontation
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Ethan spent the better part of two decades as an opera singer, before transitioning to stand up, where he enjoys the spontaneous laughter and the release of energy from the audience.
Although there has been a push for diversity in theater and TV, racism is still woven in storylines in how villains are written as certain ethnicities. There is still an infinite appetite from audiences for cliche and offensive storylines related to certain ethnicities and religions.
Comedy is a different world where you're getting laughs and allowing people to unload baggage around topics that are very charged.
The beauty of theater and performing arts in general, is it opens up a world of empathy for the audience and for the performer to explore things that they don't get to explore in their real lives. There has to be, however, a push to diversify roles and casting and be cognisant of cultural appropriation.
BIO:
Ethan Herschenfeld: Actor and comedian
His album Thug Thug Jew was #1 on iTunes and Amazon and the special is on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AUA8wel23qI [Text Wrapping Break]High Maintenance (hbo): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpJ--b-Sd4A[Text Wrapping Break]Boardwalk Empire (hbo): https://youtu.be/vqUuys6pJCE
Red Notice on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/watch/81161626?trackId=259607612&tctx=6%2C1%2C5a5fe77d-2b17-41ef-94a4-13a67831e188-448571224%2C6c29447b-cdcd-48f3-afeb-832d0026d654_63186441X101XX1637761873650%2C%2C
2020 reel https://youtu.be/a6TXfWrxckk [Text Wrapping Break]WEBSITE: ethanherschenfeld.com[Text Wrapping Break]TWITTER:
@ethanherschenfeld[Text Wrapping Break]INSTAGRAM: @eherschenfeld
LINKS:
His album Thug Thug Jew was #1 on iTunes and Amazon and the special is on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AUA8wel23qI
David Feldman Show: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/david-feldman-show/id321997239 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 13 Jun 2023 | S3 EP 6 - The Haul Bag | 00:33:14 | |
Welcome back to another episode of the True Fiction Project Podcast! Today I have Ann Bancroft with me on the show, one of the world's preeminent polar explorers and an internationally recognized leader who is dedicated to inspiring women and girls around the world to unleash the power of their dreams. Ann was the first woman to participate in and successfully finish expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic. She shares her journey to becoming an explorer and how she followed her passion to find her purpose in life. Ann recalls some wonderful stories about her experience traveling across both North and South Poles and what she learned about life along the way. At the end of the episode, listen to a short story written by Parker James about a woman who takes her life in her hands and embarks on a dangerous expedition in the Swiss Alps named, The Haul Bag. IN THIS EPISODE: [1:36] Ann tells us about her travels across the Antarctic. [3:23] How did Ann’s desire to explore and travel come about? [5:30] What drove Ann’s desire to explore the poles? What was Ann’s purpose for those trips? [8:30] What did being the first woman at the top of the world feel like? What did it awake inside of Ann? [10:22] What does Ann learn and teach about while out on expeditions? [14:22] Ann tells us a story that puts her expeditions and experience into context. [21:11] A short story, The Haul Bag, written and read by Parker James. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Following your passion and purpose allows you to discover what’s out there and there is the potential of falling into living by design. Stories draw us together as humans, the common elements to our story will bring stories back from others and we can receive that connection. The journey’s we take in life are about no one other than ourselves. So much self discovery can come from the experience. Added bonus when you come back from the life changing experience and can share the story and learnings with others. Fiction Credits: Short story written and read by: Parker James BIO: Ann Bancroft is one of the world's preeminent polar explorers and an internationally recognized leader who is dedicated to inspiring women and girls around the world to unleash the power of their dreams. Through her various roles as an explorer, educator, sought-after speaker and philanthropist, Ann believes that by sharing stories related to her dreams of outdoor adventure, she can help inspire a global audience to pursue their individual dreams. Ann's teamwork and leadership skills have undergone severe tests during her polar expeditions and provided her with opportunities to shatter female stereotypes. The tenacity and courage that define her character have earned Ann worldwide recognition as one of today's most influential role models for women and girls. She has been named among Glamour magazine's "Women of the Year" (2001); featured in the book Remarkable Women of the Twentieth Century (1998); inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame (1995); named Ms. magazine's "Woman of the Year" (1987); and honored with numerous other awards for her accomplishments. Bancroft Arnesen Explore Website Bancroft Arnesen Explore Facebook Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 30 May 2023 | S3 EP 5 - What She Learned From the Flowers | 00:30:04 | |
Welcome back to another episode of the True Fiction Project Podcast! Today I have the author of Angels, Herpes and Psychedelics, Beth Bell on the show. Beth discusses the shift in her life from working in corporate pharmaceuticals to uncovering her soul's desires with the use of Earth Angels and psychedelics. She talks to us about her experience becoming a flower whisperer and how we can quiet down to hear what our soul is telling us. Logan Rose then shares her beautiful story about a woman who reconnects to the earth, awakening her spiritual journey and finding her life’s purpose, titled, What She Learned From The Flowers. Tune in today to learn more about angels, herpes, and psychedelics. I N THIS EPISODE: [2:15] What is Beth’s book, Angels, Herpes and Psychedelics, about? [3:38] What does Beth mean by a virus of the mind when it comes to herpes? [5:00] Is Beth saying that belief systems need to be unwound using psychedelics? [6:08] What is an example of a limiting belief pattern that was helped using angels and psychedelics? [7:40] What is the difference between working hard and working with intention? [08:50] What have Beth’s clients or the people she has interviewed experienced through psychedelics and angels? [12:08] How did the idea of becoming a flower whisperer come into Beth’s life? [13:50] What can we learn from flowers and how can we use them to get into an energy or vibration? [16:09] How did Beth get her start into this work field? [18:11] Are psychedelics really shifting from what we knew in the 60s and 70s? [22:00]: A short story, What She Learned From The Flowers by Logan Rose. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Identify who is driving your life. Is it your ego or your soul? Psychedelics and unheard messages are things that can help you identify what is driving your life and decide if that’s really the journey you are supposed to be on. When you get quiet you can start to listen to what it is your soul is telling you. For our guest, one way to do that was getting up close with flowers and mother nature. There are a wide variety of modalities to connect with your soul. Angels and psychedelics are just two of the ways. Fiction Credits: Short story written and read by: Logan Rose BIO: Her soul's journey has taken her around the world to live, starting with humble beginnings in North Dakota, to California, New York City, Singapore, India, Bali, and now back in California. She spent 15-plus years in strategic brand management in the pharmaceutical industry, before becoming an entrepreneur and developing inspirational products, including a silver jewelry line for both eCommerce and a retail shop in Bali. She currently produces and co-hosts the Psychedelic Sages podcast and is an advisor to CEOs and psychedelic pharmaceutical companies. Her new book, Angels, Herpes and Psychedelics, shares her journey of awakening and provides a spiritual toolbox others can learn from. Beth Bell’s Website Beth Bell’s Instagram Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 21 Jun 2022 | EP 14 - Janet Blue | 00:35:19 | |
In today’s episode, Heather Vickery is here to talk about her life journey from fear-based to limitless! Heather is an award-winning business owner, global leader, entrepreneur, and published author. We talk about embracing fear and the unhelpful and unrealistic pursuit of being fearless. Heather shares her story of coming out at the age of 38 and how she rebuilt her life by taking risks and manifestation. Later in the episode, we hear a fictional story by Michael Kobzik about a woman who takes a chance and a brave step toward her dream.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[02:15] Why authenticity matters
[04:30] Heather’s coming out experience at the age of 38
[10:50] Fear and bravery
[18:29] Heather’s latest book on bravery: F*ck Fearless
[23:34] The Brave Files Podcast and Heather’s fictional writing prompt
[29:08] Fiction Story: “Janet Blue” by Michael Kobzik
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Authenticity is an important part for building the life you truly want. But being authentic and being vulnerable don’t mean turning yourself inside out for people to pick you apart.
There is no such thing as being fearless. Fear is a part of life. Fear is actually here for us. It either owns us or empowers us and we gain our power when we're honest about our fear, surrender to it, and learn from it.
Manifestation is different than just relying on luck. It comes from declaring something and then changing it. Sometimes it's blind luck, but usually we make choices. We embrace, we show up, we walk through the door, and we start the conversation.
Fiction Credits:
Fiction piece narrated by: Regina Williams - https://www.fiverr.com/raejanae
Fiction piece written by: Michael Kobzik
BIO:
Heather Vickery is an award-winning business owner and global leader with over 20 years as an entrepreneur. She leverages her entrepreneurial skills and expertise to coach individuals towards greater personal and professional fulfillment by helping them leverage their fear into intentional bravery. Heather says,“When we choose bravely, on purpose, we choose bigger, win successes, and it’s contagious.” A celebrated public speaker, Heather inspires audiences and provides attendees with the tools they need to live bold and successful lives on their own terms. Heather is a single mom of four (all girls!) who left a decade-long marriage and came out (yes, of the closet) personally and professionally. She’s on a mission to create a global “everyday brave” revolution.
She’s the author of F*CK FEARLESS: Making The Brave Leap, Gratitude Journal: Shift Your Focus, and Grow Grateful: A Gratitude Journal for Kids and Families. Heather is also the host and executive producer of The Brave Files, a top 1.5% global podcast, and Co-host and producer of Was It Chance? podcast (released in November, 2021).
When Heather’s not coaching, podcasting, volunteering, or hanging out with her family, you’ll probably find her reading, at the theater, on a long walk with a good friend, or playing around on Twitter.
Heather Vickery's Website
Heather Vickery Facebook Group
Heather Vickery on Twitter
Heather Vickery on Instagram
Heather Vickery on LinkedIn
Heather's New Podcast: Was It Chance
Heather's FREE Brave Method 101 Guide
Heather's Latest Book: F*ck Fearless Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 16 May 2023 | S3 Ep 4 - Pressure Cooker | 00:35:56 | |
Welcome back to another episode of the True Fiction Project Podcast! This week I enjoyed speaking with Naz Beheshti, author of the book, Pause. Breathe. Choose. and CEO of Prananaz, a corporate wellness company that improves leadership effectiveness, employee well-being, and company culture. First, Naz discusses her experience working with Steve Jobs and the valuable lessons she gained as his Executive Assistant that set forth the trajectory of her life. She shares the importance of a holistic approach to well-being, with a focus on rest and recovery. Naz provides several beautiful examples of how well-being drives success.
The episode ends with the short story, Pressure Cooker, by Logan Rose. Listen as we follow a woman who lives with intention, practices self-care, and nourishes her body and mind everyday life. In order to do well, you must be well to escape the “pressure cooker” of life.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[2:02] Naz shares her experience with her first job working for Steve Jobs.
[4:36] Is it a misconception that Steve Jobs was hard to work for?
[7:04] Why do we need multiple areas of interest/activities to be successful?
[11:30] How was Naz’s definition of healthy actually unhealthy?
[13:34] Naz explains her philosophy about “doing something you love every day.”
[17:58] What are Naz’s thoughts on children having over-packed schedules that limit boredom?
[19:57] For a successful CEO, is this a CEO who is naturally attuned to play and recover, or does that have to be taught?
[21:25] How does Prananaz work?
[22:55] How was Steve Jobs so attuned to his own personal well-being?
[25:43] How did Naz find her Exec Admin role with Steve Job as a complete accident?
[28:58] A short story Pressure Cooker by Logan Rose
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Well-being drives success. In order to do well, you must be well. Your body, mind, soul, and spirit must constantly be re-booted to be well-rounded and successful.
Play and recovery help you show up as your best self. Think of something that makes you happy and is fun; make that activity a standing time/practice in your week. This should be non-negotiable and something you consistently do.
Boredom invites creativity. When bored, you often find something to fill the time that brings you great joy. Take the time to get bored, get quiet, and discover what fills your cup. Life is a pressure cooker; it never slows down, so create play and well-being to control your life.
Fiction Credits:
Short story written and read by: Logan Rose
BIO:
Naz Beheshti (pronounced nawz beh-hehsh-tee) is the author of Pause. Breathe. Choose.: Become the CEO of Your Well-Being. She is an executive wellness coach, speaker, Forbes contributor, CEO, and founder of Prananaz, a corporate wellness company improving leadership effectiveness, employee well-being and engagement, and company culture. Clients include Google, Facebook, Nike, JPMorgan Chase, First Republic Bank, UCSF Health, and Columbia University. Her work has been widely featured in the media, including CNBC, Forbes, BBC, Yahoo, Entrepreneur, Inc., Fast Company, and many more. Naz also cofounded Rise2Shine, a nonprofit helping to alleviate the suffering of young children in Haiti.
Visit her online
Facebook Personal Page
Facebook Business Page
Twitter Personal Account
Twitter Business Account
Instagram
LinkedIn
Pause. Breathe. Choose.: Become the CEO of Your Wellbeing - Book Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 02 May 2023 | S3 Ep 3 - The Vibrant Years | 00:40:19 | |
Welcome to this week’s True Fiction Project Podcast. Today, I have the honor of speaking with Sonali Dev, Best Selling Indian American Romance Novelist and author of her new book, The Vibrant Years. The Vibrant Years is the first book released by actress Mindy Kaling’s new publishing imprint, Mindy’s Book Studio. Sonali’s book describes the everyday world of Indian American women. Using her storytelling magic to explore deeper questions about women’s self-reliance and the fight for empowerment by underrepresented, often unheard voices.
Sonali talks about the way of life from past generations to her daughter's generations, noting the differences in choices available to each generation. Sonali discusses the brave choice immigrants make to migrate, whether the choice comes from wanting to seek adventure and exploration, or through necessity or tragedy. At the end of the episode, listen to an excerpt of The Vibrant Years, where we follow Cullie, Alisha and Bindu, three generations of Indian American women, discuss the modern dating scene and walk the precarious line between traditional expectations and twenty-first century aspirations.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[3:03] What did Sonali mean by the title The Vibrant Years?
[6:33] What does Sonali mean by the fact that women can now live the way they want?
[11:13] How would the story have been different if the characters didn’t come from a family of immigrants?
[14:34] How are women conditioned to believe things and being told what to do?
[17:56] Was Sonali’s book inspired by real-life circumstances?
[23:32] How her grandma’s life and experiences played into her book.
[29:52] Why did Mindy Kaling choose to release this book under her imprint?
[32:23] An excerpt from The Vibrant Years by Sonali Dev.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
This generation has the choice to do a variety of things that the previous generation didn’t have the ability to choose from. The opportunities available are double-edged on if they are for the better or not.
An immigrant has an inherent value to adventure, a sense of restlessness, and a belief that they can change their life if they choose. Their hearts are in their choices.
An author’s real-life experiences can often be found in their fiction writing. Many aspects of The Vibrant Years tied in to things that Sonali had gone through or that her grandmother’s experienced.
Fiction Credits:
Story written and read by: Sonali Dev
BIO:
USA Today bestselling author Sonali Dev writes Bollywood-style love stories that explore universal issues. Her novels have been named Best Books of the Year by Library Journal, NPR, the Washington Post, and Kirkus. She has won numerous accolades, including the American Library Association’s award for best romance, the RT Reviewer Choice Award for best contemporary romance, multiple RT Seals of Excellence, has been a RITA® finalist, and has been listed for the Dublin Literary Award. Shelf Awareness calls her “Not only one of the best but one of the bravest romance novelists working today.” Sonali lives in Chicagoland with her husband, two visiting adult children, and the world’s most perfect dog. Find more at sonalidev.com.
Sonali Dev’s Website
Sonali’s Twitter
Sonali’s Facebook Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 25 Jul 2023 | S3 Ep 9 - Brought Together by Bagels | 00:34:13 | |
Welcome back to another episode of the True Fiction Project Podcast! This week on the podcast, I have the pleasure of talking to Gastor Almonte. He is a Comedy Central featured comedian and storyteller from Brooklyn NY. Gastor shares his experience being a first generation immigrant, and what it was like having parents who immigrated from the Dominican Republic. He shares the benefits he has because of the struggles that they faced coming to America, and how he still ties back everything he does to his roots. Gastor tells a hilarious story about the time he attended the wrong party and how he learned that he was in fact at the neighbors house instead of his aunts. At the end of the episode, we hear the story Brought Together by Bagels about new neighbors who struggle with garbage responsibility, but ultimately come together over their love of bagels. IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Fiction Credits: Short story written by: Gastor Almonte Short story narrated by: Kristen Udowitz BIO: Gastor Almonte is a comedian and storyteller from Brooklyn, NY (East New York specifically.) He has twice appeared on Comedy Central’s This Is Not Happen, Comedy Central’s Featuring, Vice Live, and the PBS featured Stories From The Stage. His appearance on Stories From The Stage won the 2020 Webby People’s Voice award for Best Individual Performance. Timeout Magazine named him “One of your new comedy obsessions.” His debut album, Immigrant Made, debut at #1 on the iTunes Comedy, Google Play Comedy and Amazon Music Comedy charts. His self-funded independent special, “Immigrant Made”, can be seen on Amazon Prime. He is a producer and board member of the science-storytelling non-profit Story Collider. He is also the producer and co-host of the topical news comedy podcast, The War Report, with co-host Shalewa Sharpe. Currently, Gastor can be seen touring the country and workshoping his one-man show, The Sugar. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 22 Nov 2022 | S2 Ep 11 - A Good Samaritan - Beth Hennessy | 00:29:41 | |
Welcome to this week’s True Fiction Project Podcast. I have the privilege of speaking with Beth Hennessy, Fiction Author & Singer/Songwriter in the music group, Kalliah. Beth tells us the story of the cult she grew up in and her family’s experience there. She discusses the rules and reasons for a cult and how her family became a part of it. Beth then shares what led her family to leave the cult and what life on the other side was like. She talks a little about her experience trying to create new beliefs that relate more to herself than the beliefs she was ingrained with during her time in the cult. Then, we hear a poem inspired by Beth’s experiences in the cult. A Good Samaritan is written and voiced by Beth Hennessy.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[2:07] What about Beth’s past inspired her new book?
[4:33] What is a cult, and how does it work?
[6:21] Why do cults decide to live their way of life?
[9:39] Why are people eager to please the cult's leader?
[14:07] What led Beth’s family to leave the cult?
[17:56] What was it like in the outside world with the cult's beliefs?
[20:53] Where is this cult, and does it still exist?
[24:30] A poem, A Good Samaritan, written and voiced by Beth Hennessy
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Your past does not have to be your future.
Learning to tune in to your beliefs as you grow older and determining if the beliefs you grew up with resonate with you are essential to uncovering who you are.
Many things can happen under our noses that we overlook. Open your eyes around you, see what others are going through, and be kind, as you don’t know what the person next to you is experiencing.
Fiction Credits:
A poem written and read by: Beth Hennessy
BIO:
Beth Hennessy is a multifaceted creative with an unusual beginning. Now a fiction author, songwriter, singer, and visual artist; she can still remember a time when being her most vibrant and free self, wasn’t encouraged. She grew up in a closed community where TV, movies, and music with drums were prohibited. But this didn’t stop her from imagining stories for her little sister’s entertainment, drawing elaborate pictures, and sneaking into the neighbor’s house to play the piano. Her upbringing only fuels her truth. “Our past does not have to be our future. Our minds belong to no one else. They are our own. They are our freedom.”
HOME | Kalliah
Kalliah Music Facebook
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| 13 Aug 2024 | S5 Ep 4 - Balancing Act | 00:34:31 | |
Hey everyone! Welcome to this week's True Fiction Project. India's celebrating its 78th Independence Day, and we've got a treat for you. A few years back, Shukla Lal shared her Partition story (which we have linked to below). Today, I'm excited to continue that thread with her niece and my lifelong friend, Miel Sahgal. Miel talks about growing up with her inspiring grandfather, his love for yoga, and how he influenced her essay "Balancing Act." At the end of the episode Miel shares her touching essay which hones into the story of her grandfather and her upbringing. Don’t miss it! IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free or become a paid subscriber to watch the video version of this episode and be eligible to receive other extras such as exclusive content from podcast guests, short stories, exclusive fiction and more! https://substack.com/@reenitahora Fiction Credits: Written and read by Miel Sahgal Balancing Act in the Hamilton Arts & Letters RESOURCES: S2 EP 4 – India at 75: A special “Partition Story” with Shukla Lal, author of Rano & Phulo Episode HOST RESOURCES BIO: Miel Sahgal writes about nature, education, and contemporary world society. She serves on the Advisory Board of the Sanctuary Nature Foundation, where she was previously Managing Editor of Sanctuary Asia and conducted events for children and educators. Miel was born in India, and has co-authored a children’s book on Mumbai as well as a travel book on Maharashtra. She now lives in Southern Ontario, Canada. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 20 Dec 2022 | S2 Ep 13 - The Night That Dancing Saved My Life - Anand Bhatt | 00:32:03 | |
Welcome to this week’s True Fiction Project Podcast. I had the pleasure of speaking with Anand Bhatt. He is a musician, cooking show host of Rock Star Recipes, and quite the storyteller! Anand shares how he got started in the music industry, what Latindian music is, and how all of that evolved into a cooking show. Then he dives into some fascinating stories of the dangers he has come across in his life. Tune in to hear his story, The Night That Dancing Saved My Life, detailing when he visited Columbia and decided to go to an old cartel house. You don’t want to miss this outrageous and thrilling story, also featuring his music!
IN THIS EPISODE:
[2:05] Anand Bhatt tells us his story and how he got to be the first Indian-American to walk the Latin Grammy’s.
[4:14] Where did the name “Latindian” come from?
[5:27] Does Anand Bhatt write his music?
[6:23] How did Anand’s music transition to a TV show, Rock Star Recipes?
[12:06] Anand tells us about some of the dangerous experiences he’s been through.
[15:32] Anand’s outrageous story, The Night That Dancing Saved My Life.
[30:00] Where to find Anand’s music.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
American food is bland! Anand was tired of putting hot sauce on his salad, so he began creating meals on the road that were healthy and much more flavorful.
A photoshoot with a gun doesn’t make you as tough as you might think! Ten minutes later, you may get robbed!
Dancing your heart out just might save your life! Anand tells his outrageous story of when he was in Columbia and visited an old cartel house.
Fiction Credits:
Short story told by: Anand Bhatt
BIO:
Born and raised in Chicago, Anand Bhatt is the first Indian-American to walk the Latin Grammy Red Carpet and the pioneer of his signature musical sound called "Latindian Style."
Aside from being a musical artist, Anand is also the host of the cooking show on Amazon, "Rock Star Recipes."
You've seen Anand on the red carpet with Zoe Saldana, Usher, Queen Latifah, Romeo Santos, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Gerardo Ortiz, Jesse y Joy, and more.
Anand Bhatt’s Spotify
Rock Star Recipes TV Show on Amazon
Anand Bhatt’s Facebook
Anand Bhatt’s Twitter
Anand Bhatt’s Instagram
Beyond The Balance Sheet Podcast Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 10 Oct 2023 | Season 2 - Actors and Musicians Mashup | 00:31:16 | |
Welcome to this week’s True Fiction Project Podcast. During this special episode, we are mashing up the actors and musicians interviews and true fiction pieces from season 2! These episodes include: A Good Samaritan, The Night That Dancing Saved By Life, and The Garden of Earthly Delights. Each interview and story has something unique to share, ranging from a woman who lived in a cult, a man who danced himself away from some serious dangers to a couple who show up to defend the Lord. Tune in today to hear interview snippets and full story stories from each episode! Find the link to the full episode in the notes below. IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Fiction Credits: A Good Samaritan A short story written and read by: Beth Hennessy HOME | Kalliah | Kalliah Music Facebook | Kalliah Music Twitter | Kalliah Music Instagram The Night That Dancing Saved My Life Short story written and read by: Anand Bhatt Anand Bhatt’s Spotify | Rock Star Recipes TV Show on Amazon | Anand Bhatt’s Facebook | Anand Bhatt’s Twitter | Anand Bhatt’s Instagram The Garden of Earthly Delights Short story written and read by: Parker James Parker James Twitter | Parker James Linkedin Resources: S2 EP 11 Good Samaratian Full Epsiode S2 EP 13 The Night The Dancing Saved My Life S2 EP 8 The Garden of Earthly Delights Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 28 Feb 2023 | Revisited - Emergency Ukraine Crisis Episode: A Plea From Yuriy | 00:29:38 | |
As we pass the anniversary of Russia invading Ukraine, we are revisiting this special Ukraine emergency episode on the True Fiction Project Podcast. I spoke with Yuriy, a journalist on the ground in Kyiv who had taken up arms to fight for the freedom of his country. Yuriy recalled waking up to the early morning attacks in Kyiv and he shared how this unwarranted conflict has affected his family and the civilians of Ukraine. He spoke to the heroic and sacrificial patriotism of his fellow Ukrainians. Yuriy’s main concern was to appeal to Western allies to take to the streets in an effort to help convince NATO to help Ukraine by establishing a no fly zone. Later in the episode, we hear two fictional stories that give us a glimpse into the sobering realities that the people of Ukraine are still facing today.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[01:59] Yuriy recalls the morning when the Russians first attacked Kyiv
[05:36] Ukrainian neighbors become family as they fight for their freedom
[08:40] Yuriy shares about the location and safety of his family and pleads for Western allies to help stop the destruction of Ukraine
[14:00] Yuriy talks about his wartime duties, helping foreign journalists
[15:57] An appeal for a no fly zone to be issued for Ukraine and Yuriy’s concern for Ukrainians and all of the people of the free world
[19:28] Fiction Story #1: Mornings in the Kyiv Metro was written and voiced by Parker James
[24:02] Fiction Story #2: Dearest Papa story was written by Anjalika Sharma and voiced by her daughter, Anika
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Yuriy makes a strong plea for Ukrainian allies to do everything in their power to demand that NATO help establish a no fly zone and protect Ukrainian civilians.
From Yuriy’s perspective, Russia’s attack is not a war against only Ukraine. If Russia’s agenda is not halted it may impact free people all over the world.
Free speech may be another casualty of the Russia Ukraine situation as President Vladimir Putin is taking extreme steps to control what the Russian public knows about the invasion of Ukraine. He has signed a law that imposes stiff sentences on journalists who air what he deems to be false information.
In “Mornings in the Kyiv Metro,” we see the loss, confusion, and hardship of Russia’s attacks through a child’s eyes. In “Dearest Papa,” a father and daughter are separated by the Ukrainian war with only memories and letters to comfort them.
LINKS:
Listen to Yuriy’s Fighting For Ukraine: On The Ground for daily updates
Apple Podcast
Spotify
Visit Change.org to petition demanding NATO to install a no fly zone of Ukraine: https://www.change.org/p/no fly-zone-for-ukraine-now
A Plea from Yuriy - A Fictional Story in Print
Mornings in the Kyiv Metro - A Fictional Story in Print
Dearest Papa - A Fictional Story in Print Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 10 Sep 2024 | S5 Ep 6 - Queer Cheer | 00:21:44 | |
Hey everyone! In this episode, I’m excited to introduce two amazing storytellers and writers to the show, Jodie Anders and Eric Rosswood. This week we are discussing their collaboration writing Queer Cheer and why it was so important to them to represent the queer teen community. We discuss identity, book bans, and the difference that teens are making in the queer community. Jodie shares a “News Announcement” from their book Queer Cheer, about two teens who are on a mission to remove a book ban. Tune in for a great episode! IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free or become a paid subscriber to watch the video version of this episode, to receive the ‘News Announcement’ from the book Queer Cheer, referred to in the fiction section of the podcast, and be eligible to receive other extras such as exclusive content from podcast guests, short stories, exclusive fiction and more! https://substack.com/@reenitahora
Fiction Credits: Written by Jodie Anders & Eric Rosswood Read by Jodie Anders
GUEST RESOURCES: HOST RESOURCES BIO: Jodie is a multi-talented artist whose work spans the mediums of acting, writing, videography, editing, and graphic design. As a Jewish bisexual creator who struggled as a teen, Jodie focuses on celebrating diversity and promoting youth empowerment. She currently serves as the Publicity and Communications Director for the youth non-profit California Rainbow Girls, where she's spent over two decades mentoring and guiding teens in confidence and leadership skills. She is the co-author of Queer Cheer: Activities, Advice, and Affirmations for LGBTQ+ Teens and the producer of "Let's Talk about Leadership, Service and Sisterhood," a podcast by and for teens. Eric Rosswood is an author and commentator on LGBTQ+ issues including civil rights, parenting, marriage, and politics. He has led panels on LGBTQ+ parenting issues for organizations such as the Family Equality Council and the Modern Family Alliance. His bestselling book, Journey to Same-Sex Parenthood, won numerous awards including the best Parenting/Family/Relationships book in the IAN Book of the Year Awards, the best Parenting book in the Readers’ Favorite Book Awards, and the best LGBTQ Non-Fiction book in the International Best Book Awards. His picture book, Strong, won the Stonewall Honor from the American Library Association. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 18 Jun 2024 | Season 4 Indian Artists Mashup | 00:22:54 | |
Welcome to this week’s True Fiction Project Podcast. During this episode we are highlighting guests from my homeland, India. First you will hear poetry titled Sea Link, My Place and The Kohinoor, Mughal Sequence, written and read by Anand Thakore about life and letting go. Next, you will hear an excerpt from the story Toddy Trails, written by yours truly, about the adventures of a baker who ran out of yeast and must find a replacement. Lastly, you will enjoy an excerpt from My Voice, written and read by Priya Subberwal, which tells of her learning about being adopted. All three are wonderful, don’t forget to tune in to the original episodes linked in the show notes. IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Fiction Credits: Sea Link, My Place, and The Kohinoor, Mughal Sequence by Anand Thakore Poetry written and read by Anand Thakore Anand Thakore's Facebook | Anand Thakore's Website | Poetry International Website Toddy Trails Short story written by Reenita Hora inspired by Avinash Martin’s story Chef Avinash Martins' Instagram | Chef Avinash Martins' Facebook My Voice Excerpt written and read by Priya Subberwal Dishas Consulting Website | Priya Subberwal's Instagram | Priya Subberwal's Facebook RESOURCES Season 4 - Episode 12: The Kohinoor, Mughal Sequence Season 4 - Episode 6: Toddy Trails Season 4 - Episode 9: Masala Movie Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 11 Jul 2023 | S3 Ep 8 - Orchids of War | 00:31:51 | |
Welcome back to another episode of the True Fiction Project Podcast! On today’s episode we have award-winning writer, teacher, actress, director and producer, Denise Frisino. Denise is currently writing the third book of The Orchid Trilogy which is a series of books sharing stories of wartime fiction. In this episode, she shares what inspired her to write her books and describes the strong women characters that have arisen from her research. Denise tells us about the interviews that she did with WWII heroes and the miracles that fell into place during her research for the books. Denise then reads an excerpt from her book Orchids of War about Billi O’Shaughnessy, a young caucasian woman fluent in Japanese that would be selected to help the US uncover the Nippon spies. IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Fiction Credits: Short story written by: Denise Frisino Short story narrated by: Denise Frisino BIO: A Seattle native, Denise Frisino, is an award-winning writer, teacher, actress, director, and producer. Whiskey Cove, her first novel, a fast-paced who done it, centers around Prohibition in the Northwest. Next came Orchids of War and Storms From A Clear Sky, both finalists in numerous national competitions, including 1st place for the Hemingway Book Award for 20th Century Wartime Fiction. When researching for these historical fictions, Denise spent over 10 years interviewing 50 men and women from the WWII era. She weaves the experiences of those she interviewed into her story about Japanese espionage along the West Coast prior to WWII, then follows the same characters throughout the war. She is currently working on the last book in the Orchids Trilogy and the movie script for Whiskey Cove Her blogs and YouTube channel contain some of the WWII veteran interviews and she has just launched a new web www.wwiiinterviews.com. Denise has stood atop 5 mountain peaks over 14,000 feet, lived aboard one of the old Mosquito Fleet boats on Lake Union, and drank scotch with Katharine Hepburn. She enjoys being on the water and loves her rowboat. Denise and her husband continue to enjoy the many facets of the Pacific Northwest. Storms From A Clear Sky Book Link Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 18 Jan 2022 | EP 3 - Shadow Realm with Dr. Kanniks Kannikeswaran | 00:43:13 | |
In this episode, I’m speaking with Dr. Kanniks Kannikeswaran, an internationally renowned music composer, educator and scholar known for his sustained contribution to music and community for the past 25 years. We talk about his incredible work on the soundtrack of Shadow Realm, a podcast project based on a young adult fantasy fiction book that I wrote. Dr. Kanniks shares how his imagination was instantly captivated by the vivid literary descriptions and how he utilized Sanskrit chants, an ancient language of India, to musically portray different characters. We also talk about the inspiration he found from his travels to the ancient village of Hampi, India. The latter part of the episode showcases Dr. Kanniks’ work as we listen to Episode 8 of Shadow Realm and hear a portion of Arya’s story.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:01] Kanniks Kannikeswaran introduced
[02:02] Purpose of The True Fiction Project
[03:12] His process of writing music
[10:50] Explaining lyrics and Sanskrit
[13:40] The Medicine Woman
[16:55] Rishiji’s Theme
[25:57] Where to find the music
[28:30] Episode 8 of Shadow Realm
[29:03] The Vanar’s theme
[39:06] Rishiji’s theme
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Shadow Realm is a young adult fantasy fiction story about Arya, a 15 year old boy who fell through a fault and finds himself in the land of the Ramayana. He has to fight demons in this mythical world in order to get back home to save his mom and tackle demons in his ordinary world
Dr. Kanniks’ main inspiration came from his travels to the ancient village of Hampi in India
The vanar represent the prehistoric people descended from old world tribes, best translated as monkeys or monkey people
For the “Vanar March,” Dr. Kanniks used Sanskrit chants to create a joyful chant to go along with the vanar as they joyfully frolic and jump around
For “Rishiji’s Theme,” Dr. Kanniks used the pentatonic scale, most commonly known for meditation, to create a serene humming that captures the magic and mysteriousness of the mystical mentor
The Medicine Woman is a representation of a source of wisdom for us all
Dr. Kanniks created a total of 14 tracks to complement the podcast project which is now available on Apple Music, Spotify, and other streaming platforms.
BIO:
Dr. Kanniks Kannikeswaran, an internationally renowned music composer, educator and scholar is known for his sustained contribution to music and community for the past 25 years. His recent viral video ‘Rivers of India’ featuring Bombay Jayashri and Kaushiki Chakravarti has received critical acclaim. Kanniks, is regarded as a pioneer of Indian American Choral music and for bringing together ancient chants in Indian ragas with choral and orchestral polyphony; his far reaching work in this area has personally touched the lives of over 3500 performers, has inspired the flowering of community choirs in over 12 cities in the United States, has built new audiences and collaborations. His composition ‘Mahavakya’ was performed at the historic reception accorded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Madison Square Gardens in 2014. Kanniks has been described as a renaissance personality who effortlessly traverses diverse disciplines such as music, spirituality and innovation. He is a recipient of several awards including the Distinguished Alumnus Award from IIT Madras, the McKnight Residency, the Ohio Heritage Fellowship and more. He can be reached at kanniks@gmail.com.
Connect on Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/kanniks/
https://twitter.com/kanniks
https://www.instagram.com/kanniks_kannikeswaran/
LINKS:
https://www.thearyachronicles.com/ Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 24 May 2022 | EP 11 - The Appointment | 00:42:21 | |
In this episode, I’m speaking with Jess Salomon, a New York based Canadian comedian who prior to her career in comedy was a war crimes lawyer. Jess speaks to the cathartic process of her work and how “tragedy plus time equals comedy.”
Jess shares about her relationship with wife, their comedy duo, and the unique perspective they bring with being Jewish and her wife being Muslim and Palestian. We also hear a comedy fiction story, written by Parker James, based on Jess’s prompt about an odd couple and their unique career choice.
The Appointment Fiction Story
IN THIS EPISODE:
[02:05] Jess’s interesting background as a war crimes lawyer
[05:42] How humor can be cathartic and the desire to share that with others
[08:13] Jess shares about her and her wife’s comedic duo
[12:46] The story behind Jess and her wife meeting, their unique relationship and how they work together
[20:39] Comedy As Advocacy: From war crimes lawyer to comedian, Jess shares about her career change
[26:08] Jess talks about her BBC show, Comedians Versus the News
[32:40] Fiction Story: Will, a therapist, and his husband, Marcus, vent about his latest counseling session with a seemingly deranged married couple
[41:10] In the fiction story, Will and Marcus reveal their unique career choice as a couple
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
They say, “Tragedy plus time equals comedy.” When you get a bit of distance between tragedy, pain, or even annoyance and can see the humor in it, it can be very relatable and cathartic to share it with others and make people laugh.
During a career change, there can be a period of time when you have lost touch of the skills used in your previous career but still lack skills for the new career you are pursuing.
Comedy can be a form of advocacy. The hope is that by making people laugh, as a byproduct, you can also make them think.
Jess and her wife co-host a comedy show that airs on BBC called Comedians Versus the News. The third season comes out in February.
BIO:
Jess Salomon is a New York based Canadian comedian, who has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
Jess also performs as part of the beloved comedy duo, “The El-Salomon’s” with her wife Eman El-Husseini (@TheElSalomons). Their comedy special, “Marriage of Convenience” recorded at Just for Laughs, is available in Canada on Crave and elsewhere on Just for Laugh’s YouTube page.
Fun fact: before comedy Jess used to be a U.N. war crimes lawyer. The jury is still out on whether this was a good move.
Jess Salomon Facebook
Jess Salomon Comedy
Twitter: @jess_salomon
Instagram: @jess_salomon
Instagram: @theelsalomons
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 23 Apr 2024 | Revisited - Jerusalem Road with Simone Yehuda | 00:27:25 | |
Welcome back to another episode of the True Fiction Project Podcast. This week we are revisiting an episode that was recorded October 12, 2023 to mark the October 2023 events between Israel and Hamas, marking the most significant escalation of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict in several decades.
With the heaviness in the world still today and the events playing out in Israel and the Gaza strip, I introduce a story brought to audiences through playwright, poet and screenwriter, Simone Yehuda. Simone discusses her screenplay, Jerusalem Road, which has wild synchronicity between the storyline and what is happening between the Israelis and Palestinians right now. Simone talks about why it is so important to release her screenplay right now. She shares the history of both the Israelis and Palestinians feeling that home is the same place, and the barriers that are at stake. We then hear a scene from Simone’s screenplay, Jerusalem Road. The scene compares and contrasts the years of suffering the two character groups, Palestinians and Jews, have faced and how both groups were forced into exile.
IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Fiction Credits: Excerpt written by: Simone Yehuda
BIO: Simone Naomi Yehuda was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts to a German Jewish Holocaust survivor and French Catholic mother whose own mother was a leader of the French Resistance. Writing became her cure for massive psychic trauma. She began as a published poet (two books: THAW and LIFTING WATER) and multi-produced playwright (including a play, WILLING, Off Broadway). While in New York, she played the flute with the New York Symphony and was a member of the Mass Transit Dance Company. Simone began writing screenplays full-time ten years ago hoping to reach a wider audience. She now writes feature screenplays that include JERUSALEM ROAD, THE NEW EVE, LOVE AND HOMICIDE, THE THIRD MOTHER, THE SIG OF A FREE MAN and MATADORA! Her scripts focus on the reconciliation of opposites divided by insurmountable barriers where survival and identity are at stake. Simone’s adult twin daughters, physician Valerie Gabriella Press and psychologist/artist Corinna Nicole Press, live in Chicago and San Francisco respectively. She lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan with her historian husband Barry Michael Shapiro. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 26 Mar 2024 | S4 Ep 11 - Memories of the Alhambra: In Conversation with Pablo Sáinz-Villegas | 00:22:33 | |
Music is a way for everyone to connect, no matter where they come from or what their beliefs are. Today’s guest Pablo Sáinz-Villegas is on the True Fiction Project Podcast to talk about why music and Spanish guitar is the perfect vehicle for storytelling. He discusses the difference between the guitar and Spanish guitar, and how even though they all may have the same six strings, and the same tuning, they all offer something different. He shares his stories of working with other musicians and how storytelling comes out of each piece, whether working alone or collaborating with others. Tune in and close your eyes to enjoy the piece Recuerdos de la Alhambra (Memories of Alhambra in English) by the Spanish composer Franciso Tarrega at the end of the episode. IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Fiction Credits: First song: Recuerdos de la Alhambra by the Spanish composer Franciso Tarrega Second song: Asturias (Leyenda) - Isaac Albéniz. Pablo Sainz-Villegas. LIVE at Teatro Mayor, Colombia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EowSRVAp8rM
BIO: Sainz-Villegas is the "global ambassador of the Spanish guitar" (Billboard Magazine), a star who has brought classical music to millions of people from the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium to a floating stage on the Amazon River or Carnegie Hall in New York. He has been the first guitarist in 38 years to perform at the Philharmonie with the Berlin Philharmonic under Kirill Petrenko. In addition, he has collaborated with artists such as John Williams, Yo-Yo Ma and played for world leaders as the Dalai Lama. Thanks to his charity work Pablo Sainz-Villegas has also been able to bring access to classical music to tens of thousands of children in Spain, Mexico and the United States. Pablo Saniz Villegas' Personal Facebook Pablo Saniz Villegas' Instagram Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 30 Aug 2022 | S2 EP 5 - Operation Mom Book Launch | 00:41:42 | |
We're going to shake things up by bringing on a guest host today! I’m excited to have Traci DeForge back on the podcast as we talk about my new novel, Operation Mom: My Plan to Get My Mother a Life and a Man. I also invited my publisher, Dr. Morissa Schwartz, to join the conversation. Dr. Schwartz is the Founder and CEO of Dr. Rissy’s Writing & Marketing and GenZ Publishing, LLC, and was recently named to Forbes 30 Under 30 list. We talk about current trends in publishing and how Dr. Schwartz is making strides to increase diversity and representation among writers. We discuss the power of strong female characters and cultural representation in modern fiction and later in the episode, I share a short excerpt from my new book, Operation Mom: My Plan to Get My Mother a Life and a Man.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[03:55] Dr. Schwartz’s journey into publishing from a career in BioSciences
[08:52] Operation Mom and GenZ Publishing’s partnership and how Operation Mom connects with American young adult audiences
[12:58] Representation of strong female characters and diverse cultural backgrounds
[20:25] Diversity in publishing and GenZ’s commitment to storytelling for young adults
[26:10] Future plans and dreams for Operation Mom
[32:51] Book excerpt: Operation Mom: My Plan to Get My Mother a Life and a Man written and read by Reenita Hora
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Podcast listenership for comedy podcasts and narrative fiction podcasts grew exponentially during and since the pandemic.
Over 60% of books are still published by men over the age of 45 – and most publishers are white men. GenZ Publishing is making strides to change this statistic by publishing more diverse writers.
Representation and cultural diversity is so important in modern fiction. Not only does Operation Mom give readers a strong female lead, it also represents a cultural experience located outside of the U.S.
Fiction Credits:
An excerpt from Operation Mom - My Plan to Get My Mother a Life and a Man, written and read by: Reenita Hora
https://www.facebook.com/ReenitaMalhotraHora
https://www.linkedin.com/in/reenita/
@reenymal
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=978-1958503096&crid=RKKB1RHM5FT8&sprefix=978-1958503096%2Caps%2C111&ref=nb_s
BIO:
Dr. Morissa Schwartz is one of Forbes 30 Under 30 in Media for 2022. Dr. Schwartz is the Founder and CEO of Dr. Rissy’s Writing & Marketing and GenZ Publishing, LLC.
Dr.RissysWriting.com is a marketing and writing company ranked #1 in PR and in the top ten in Social Media and SEO for New York and New Jersey on Thumbtack. GenZ Publishing is a publishing company that has produced 15 Amazon bestsellers.
Dr. Rissy has been featured on Forbes, MTV, and is a bestselling author herself. She speaks professionally about inspiring others through words and entrepreneurship and was named the “Voice of Generation Z” by Community magazine. Dr. Rissy is a contributor for Entrepreneur magazine.
She holds a doctorate in Literature from Drew University and has a Master’s in Communications.
Dr. Morissa Schwartz on Facebook
Dr. Morissa Schwartz on LinkedIn Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 10 May 2022 | EP 10 - Namaste Station | 00:42:51 | |
In this episode, I’m speaking with three members of the Kabir Café or Neeraj Arya's Kabir Café. Described as a modern mystic band, they are influenced and inspired by a 15th century poet named Kabir. We discuss how the band came to be and what Kabir’s ideology means to them and fans. They also play a beautiful piece of music that encompasses the message of Kabir and carries a central theme that we have come to better understand during the pandemic.
The fictional story is written by Jean Bernard and tells the story of Kabir, a traveling poet who finds a young boy to apprentice. The young boy adopts Kabir’s melodies and continues to share them long after they have both died.
Namaste Station - A Fictional Story in Print
IN THIS EPISODE:
[02:48] How did Kabir Cafe come together?
[10:41] Who is Ram? Who is Kabir?
[16:32] Is Kabir simply music, or a way of life?
[19:30] What is Kabir Panth?
[21:50] Kabir Cafe sings and explains the meaning behind the music
[25:52] The different between greed and need
[27:52] What does the “Fakir” symbolize?
[33:17] FICTION PIECE: Kabir stops traveling to write
[35:18] Kabir meets a young boy named Neeraj
[37:02] Kabir apprentices Neeraj
[39:27] Kabir passes away and Neeraj carried on his music and ideology
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Kabir was a poet back in the 14th century who spoke about oneness, humanity, gender equality, and love. Although he's from the 14th or 15th century, you can still connect to him as a friend because he spoke about the eternal truth.
The Guru–shishya relationship is a very, very old tradition that we have from India. It’s not schooling in the traditional sense. A student sits with their guru and takes in the knowledge that the guru imparts, similar to apprenticeship.
Kabir Panth is a non-denominational ideology of togetherness, equality, and humanity. It values community and helping other people.
A Fakir represents contentment. They ask nothing of others. They are free to seek and achieve true happiness in life.
BIO:
The only band to exclusively perform the verses of Kabir. Neeraj Arya’s Kabir Café is a Mumbai based folk fusion band known for performing songs composed out of Saint Kabir’s Dohas. The band’s lineup consists of Neeraj Arya (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), Raman Iyer (Mandolin), Viren Solanki (percussions and drums), Mukund Ramaswamy (violin), and Poubuanpou Britto KC (Bass Guitars, backing vocalist). Kabir Café aims to ensure that the verses of Kabir Das are accessible to the rest of the world.
Not only does the band perform folk renditions of classic verses by Sant Kabir Das, but they also are known for fusing different genres of music into their compositions. The songs composed and produced by Kabir Café reflect the flavours of pop, rock, reggae, and Carnatic music occasionally. Neeraj Arya’s Kabir Café talks about Sant Kabir Das who did not believe in any sorts of boundaries, then why should they do so?
Bio Source: https://www.republicworld.com/entertainment-news/music/everything-about-kabir-cafe-the-fusion-band-based-out-of-mumbai.html
LINKS:
Instagram @kabircafelive Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 28 Nov 2023 | S4 Ep 3 - Relationship With a View | 00:30:55 | |
Welcome back to another episode of the True Fiction Project Podcast. Today I am joined by writer, podcaster and CEO of Tulla Productions, Nicole Christie. Nicole is a fabulous storyteller and helps others both in the corporate world and entrepreneurs to master their storytelling skills. She talks about her podcast, Here for Me, which highlights badassery stories from people who have gone through difficult situations and persevered to the other side. Nicole discusses why storytelling is so important, and then walks us through the premise of Relationship with a View. She then reads her short story, Relationship with a View, about a woman who meets a man in the elevator of her apartment complex and they hit it off right away but their relationship takes a sudden turn. Tune in to hear more of her story! IN THIS EPISODE: [2:41] Nicole shares about her podcast all about choosing yourself, and what that means. [4:14] What is Tulla Productions and how does she help brands? [7:19] What does storytelling look like for a notable person that hires Tulla Productions? [9:20] Why is storytelling so important? [11:06] Nicole shares the premise of Relationship with a View. [21:20] A short story, Relationship with a View by Nicole Christie. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Social media highlights all the good things happening in people’s lives, but misses an opportunity for genuine connection. Storytelling is what lights up the threads of continuity between humans. The more that our stories are raw, candid and vulnerable, the more genuinely connect with each other. Many people go through hard moments, but they are able to come out on the other side with healing and a fresh outlook. Nicole’s podcast showcases guests from all walks of life that share their story. Check out HelloFresh and use my code truefictionprojectfree for a great deal: https://www.hellofresh.com/ Fiction Credits: Excerpt written by: Nicole Christie Excerpt narrated by: Nicole Christie BIO: Nicole is a writer, podcaster, and entrepreneur. She’s the founder and CEO of Tulla Productions—a storytelling studio that connects leading brands and notable people with their audience through human-centered audio, visual, and print stories—and the creator and host of Here For Me, a podcast about the power of choosing yourself. She has been a storyteller since she could string words together and it’s her passion to bring tales of courage, impact, and utter badassery to life! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 29 Aug 2023 | S3 Ep 12 - Faking the Grade | 00:35:51 | |
Welcome back to another episode of the True Fiction Project Podcast! This week's episode is the finale for season 3 and we have actor, writer, and stand up comedian Shenuque Tissera on the show to celebrate! Shenuque shares his story of how he went from a Doctor of Geography to a Stand Up Comedian. He talks about the expectations his parents had of him after immigrating to the US, and his fear of disappointing them as he faked his graduation and dropped out of graduate school. We hear all about the Art of Killin' It and the other projects he is currently working on. The episode ends with the short story titled, Faking the Grade by Michael Kobzik. In this story we follow an aspiring stand up comedian who officially drops out from becoming a Doctor of Geography but still shows up at his graduation to receive a fake diploma to appease his unaware parents. IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Fiction Credits: Excerpt written by: Michael Kobsik BIO: Shenuque is an actor, writer, and stand-up comedian. He portrays 'Jaylen' in the theatrical production of the Art of Killin' It. He's been featured on HBO Max's Human By Orientation. He is also the voice of Yaksha Rah on the Twenty Sided Podcast. You can find him @shenuque on Instagram or @fakeshenuque on TikTok. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 14 Feb 2023 | Revisited - Shadow Realm with Dr. Kanniks Kannikeswaran | 00:43:13 | |
In this revisited episode, I’m speaking with Dr. Kanniks Kannikeswaran, an internationally renowned music composer, educator and scholar known for his sustained contribution to music and community for the past 25 years. We talk about his incredible work on the soundtrack of Shadow Realm, a podcast project based on a young adult fantasy fiction book that I wrote. Dr. Kanniks shares how his imagination was instantly captivated by the vivid literary descriptions and how he utilized Sanskrit chants, an ancient language of India, to musically portray different characters. We also talk about the inspiration he found from his travels to the ancient village of Hampi, India. The latter part of the episode showcases Dr. Kanniks’ work as we listen to Episode 8 of Shadow Realm and hear a portion of Arya’s story.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:01] Kanniks Kannikeswaran introduced
[02:02] Purpose of The True Fiction Project
[03:12] His process of writing music
[10:50] Explaining lyrics and Sanskrit
[13:40] The Medicine Woman
[16:55] Rishiji’s Theme
[25:57] Where to find the music
[28:30] Episode 8 of Shadow Realm
[29:03] The Vanar’s theme
[39:06] Rishiji’s theme
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Shadow Realm is a young adult fantasy fiction story about Arya, a 15 year old boy who fell through a fault and finds himself in the land of the Ramayana. He has to fight demons in this mythical world in order to get back home to save his mom and tackle demons in his ordinary world
Dr. Kanniks’ main inspiration came from his travels to the ancient village of Hampi in India
The vanar represent the prehistoric people descended from old world tribes, best translated as monkeys or monkey people
For the “Vanar March,” Dr. Kanniks used Sanskrit chants to create a joyful chant to go along with the vanar as they joyfully frolic and jump around
For “Rishiji’s Theme,” Dr. Kanniks used the pentatonic scale, most commonly known for meditation, to create a serene humming that captures the magic and mysteriousness of the mystical mentor
The Medicine Woman is a representation of a source of wisdom for us all
Dr. Kanniks created a total of 14 tracks to complement the podcast project which is now available on Apple Music, Spotify, and other streaming platforms.
BIO:
Dr. Kanniks Kannikeswaran, an internationally renowned music composer, educator and scholar is known for his sustained contribution to music and community for the past 25 years. His recent viral video ‘Rivers of India’ featuring Bombay Jayashri and Kaushiki Chakravarti has received critical acclaim. Kanniks, is regarded as a pioneer of Indian American Choral music and for bringing together ancient chants in Indian ragas with choral and orchestral polyphony; his far reaching work in this area has personally touched the lives of over 3500 performers, has inspired the flowering of community choirs in over 12 cities in the United States, has built new audiences and collaborations. His composition ‘Mahavakya’ was performed at the historic reception accorded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Madison Square Gardens in 2014. Kanniks has been described as a renaissance personality who effortlessly traverses diverse disciplines such as music, spirituality and innovation. He is a recipient of several awards including the Distinguished Alumnus Award from IIT Madras, the McKnight Residency, the Ohio Heritage Fellowship and more. He can be reached at kanniks@gmail.com.
Connect on Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/kanniks/
https://twitter.com/kanniks
https://www.instagram.com/kanniks_kannikeswaran/
LINKS:
https://www.thearyachronicles.com/ Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 27 Feb 2024 | S4 Ep 9 - Masala Movie | 00:27:05 | |
Learning about her adoption at age 21 was quite impactful for Priya Subberwal, along with the lack of conversation that her adoptive parents had with her afterwards regarding her biological family. Today, I am honored to have Priya join the True Fiction Project, she is a long time friend of mine, and is a wonderful storyteller. We start the episode discussing her business, Disha Limited, where she helps people set their homes up for the best energy through Feng Shui work. She talks about how to utilize the evergreen elements of Feng Shui as well as what to prioritize for 2024. We then get to hear the story of how Priya found out she was adopted, and what that was like to find out as an adult. Priya reads an excerpt from her story, Masala Movie, in the book, My Voice about what she uncovered through the process of trying to find her biological parents and how she brought closure to herself. IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Fiction Credits: Story written by: Priya Subberwal Story narrated by: Priya Subberwal BIO: Priya Subberwal is a qualified Classical Feng Shui practitioner. A trained interior designer, her interest in Chinese Metaphysics was sparked by a chance look through at a coffee table book on the subject in 2000. After extensive reading on the subject, she formally started studying in 2007 and applying it to her daily life. Friends and family too gained from her knowledge and fascination. Priya aims to bring focus and stability to the lives of others. In 2016 she formed the company 'Disha' which comes from the Sanskrit word ‘Dishadhara’ meaning direction - something that she strives to give her clients. Priya is a yoga enthusiast and an avid reader. She lives in Hong Kong with her banker husband and a dog. She is a mother of two adult daughters, who love giving her unsolicited fashion and make-up advice. Interestingly, she previously co-owned a cricket team “Kowloon Cantons” in Hong Kong and has co- authored an Amazon bestseller novel #my voice -A collective memoir by women of substance. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 30 Jul 2024 | S5 Ep 3 - An Indian Summer | 00:27:45 | |
Welcome to this week's episode of the True Fiction Project! I am honored to have author and poet, Bhakti Mathur join the show. Bhakti is the author of two children’s series titled Amma, Take Me and Amma, Tell Me, which were inspired by exploring new places with her children. Aside from writing, Bhakti is also a bibliotherapist, who helps clients explore their emotions and heal through the use of fiction, non fiction and poetry. She explains how she got into the bibliotherapist work and came to be the first in Hong Kong. At the end of the episode, Bhakti shares three different poems with us. The first is about her grandmother’s death, the second is about the Ganges on fire, and the last is about a failed relationship. Tune in to learn more about bibliotherapy and hear her amazing poems. IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free or become a paid subscriber to watch the video version of this episode and be eligible to receive other extras such as exclusive content from podcast guests, short stories, exclusive fiction and more! https://substack.com/@reenitahora Fiction Credits: Written and read by Bhakti Mathur GUEST RESOURCES: Bhakti Mathur's Personal Facebook Bhakti Mathur's Business Facebook Bookswithbee.net HOST RESOURCES BIO: Bhakti Mathur is the author of the 'Amma Tell Me' and 'Amma Take Me' series of children’s books about Indian mythology and history, with 19 published titles to date. After a long stint as a banker, she now juggles her time between writing, practicing yoga, and with her family. She lives in Hong Kong with her husband, their two children, and two dogs. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from the University of Hong Kong and is a freelance journalist with 100 published articles in the South China Morning Post on life, health, and fitness. Bhakti is an ICF credentialled (ACC) executive coach and is Hong Kong's first bibliotherapist. When not writing or running after her boys, Bhakti is happiest curled up with a book in one hand and a hot cup of chai in the other. To learn more about her, visit her at www.bhaktimathur.com, www.reflectwithbhakti.com, and www.bookswithb.net. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 05 Jul 2022 | S2 EP 1 - The Price of Magic | 00:33:14 | |
In today’s episode, Barbara Majeski joins us to talk about how she improved her life and started chasing her dreams amidst life challenges. Barbara is a lifestyle expert and “Curator of the Good Life” where she helps others live life with purpose, style and adventure. We talk about her childhood, divorce, fight with colon cancer, and how she has come to be the person that she is today. Barbara has great tips and insights on pushing through mindset to conquer your purpose with the limited amount of time that we have on Earth. Later in the episode, we hear a fictional story by Gary Krivtsov about a girl who meets a fairy who can help her sick mother.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[1:25] Introduction to Barbara Majeski - Living life with purpose, style, and adventure
[3:04] Does Barbara think we live life without purpose? Her story while battling cancer.
[7:10] How did her younger brother Steven give her purpose?
[11:20] What pushed her forward during her fight with colon cancer?
[14:30] How did she pick this lifestyle business and reinvent herself?
[20:30] For women who want to emulate the life of Barbara, how do they do that to achieve a dream that is similar to hers?
[28:51] Fiction Story: “The Price of Magic” by Gary Krivtsov
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
We only have one life, so figuring out our purpose makes life so much more powerful. Living through our purpose, style, and adventure is the way to approach life.
When you are ready to tackle something new in life, get information and learning from the experts, the people who have gone through it. Request first-hand reference, don’t take advice from people who are struggling with the thing you are wanting to learn about (money, business, health, etc.)
Change your mind, change your life, that's Barbara’s jam. Having your mental game strong is the only way that you will see shifts in your life.
Fiction Credits:
“The Price of Magic”
A short story written and narrated by: Gary Krivtsov
BIO:
Barbara Majeski is dedicated to living life with purpose and approaching all aspects of living with confidence. After recovering from her divorce and Stage III cancer, the “Curator of the Good Life” was born.
Barbara is a TV personality that loves sharing her tips and tricks. She has made frequent appearances on The TODAY Show, Good Day NY, New York Live and the Nick Cannon Show. Barbara is also a mother of three and resides in Princeton, New Jersey.
In 2015 Barbara simultaneously entered a divorce and was handed a diagnosis of Stage III cancer. While in the midst of treatment she vowed that if she beat cancer and got another shot at life, she would live bigger, better and bolder with true purpose, meaning and intent.
Barbara has taken her life lessons and created the 14-Day Accountability plan that sets the groundwork for crushing lofty goals and teaches you consistency, and habits and rituals that will last a lifetime.
Once you take that first step and begin creating real change, you will begin living your life.
Barbara Majeski’s Website
Barbara Majeski’s Instagram
Barbara Majeski’s Facebook
Barbara Majeski’s TikTok Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 29 Mar 2022 | EP 7 - True Fiction Favorites: A Case Study on Anna Delvey/Anna Sorokin | 00:47:13 | |
In this episode, I'm speaking with Diann Wingert, psychotherapist turned business mindset coach and the host of the Driven Woman Podcast.
Why are people so fascinated by Anna Delvey/Anna Sorokin, who bilked her way through the New York social scene? As a psychotherapist, Diann was particularly intrigued by her motivation – what drove this seemingly successful young woman to engage in such fraudulent behavior? Interestingly, much of Anna's motivation can be traced back to her childhood. She was always a bright and imaginative child, but she was also drawn to the finer things in life. This combination of factors likely contributed to her later sense of entitlement and her willingness to take whatever she felt she deserved – even if it meant breaking the law.
Tune in as Diann Wingert explains where Anna's personality pathology starts to develop, personality of entrepreneurs vs signs of narcissism, and the real reason audiences like stories where humans are missing morals. Later in the episode, we hear a fictional story written by Parker James.
Shifting Weight - A Fictional Story in Print
HXGO - New Delhi Song
IN THIS EPISODE:
[03:42] Anna Sorokin's personality and what was really the driving force behind her?
[10:23] Creative people need to go where creative things are happening. For Anna, that was Paris.
[14:00] Diann Wingert explains Anna’s personality pathology starts to develop in New York
[18:40] Someone called Anna a sociopath and she considered it a compliment.
[24:00] Why do we like stories where humans are missing morals?
[31:55] Diann talks about age and maturity
[34:40] The common ambition shaming of women
[38:18] FICTION: Shifting Weight written by Parker James
[40:34] Justin James sauntered into the house
[41:50] I need you to wire me $2,000, please
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Celebrities who came from humble beginnings knew that their hometown was not where they belonged
Most people will continue to live a lifestyle and have very close expectations to what they grew up
The flaw in her psychological makeup is that she didn't have empathy for the people that she was taking advantage of
People are drawn to flawed characters because every one of us has the potential to be arrogant, manipulative, to be an opportunist, to be dishonest. Although we like to watch them fall so we can be reminded that we in fact are not, reassuring us of our own morality
Diann Wingert talks about age and maturity. Does it come as a result of being incarcerated or as she aged and matured
We admire, applaud, support, and encourage ambition in males. But girls are supposed to be modest. We are supposed to accept what is offered to women. But men do. So why is this?
BIO:
Diann Wingert is a psychotherapist turned business mindset coach who serves the growing number of female solopreneurs who struggle with self-employment after successful corporate or nonprofit careers by helping them identify and eliminate the obstacles that hold them back so they can embrace their full potential for success. She is an expert in the mental health challenges of entrepreneurship and how ADHD presents in adult women and entrepreneurs.
LINKS:
Diann Wingert is a psychotherapist turned business mindset coach who serves the growing number of female solopreneurs.
WEBSITE: http://diannwingertcoaching.com/
PODCAST: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-driven-woman/id1513039926
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/coachdiannwingert/
LINKED IN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diannwingertcoaching/ Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 07 May 2024 | Revisited - Operation Mom Book Launch | 00:41:43 | |
In this revisited episode of the True Fiction Project Podcast, Traci DeForge, Founder and CEO of Produce Your Podcast, is back on the podcast as we talk about Reenita’s book, Operation Mom: My Plan to Get My Mother a Life and a Man. Reenita’s publisher, Dr. Morissa Schwartz joins the conversation as well. Dr. Schwartz is the Founder and CEO of Dr. Rissy’s Writing & Marketing and GenZ Publishing, LLC and was named to Forbes 30 Under 30 list. They talk about current trends in publishing and how Dr. Schwartz is making strides to increase diversity and representation among writers. They discuss the power of strong female characters and cultural representation in modern fiction and later in the episode, Reenita shares a short excerpt from her book, Operation Mom: My Plan to Get My Mother a Life and a Man.
IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Fiction Credits: An excerpt from Operation Mom - My Plan to Get My Mother a Life and a Man written and read by: Reenita Hora https://www.facebook.com/ReenitaMalhotraHora https://www.linkedin.com/in/reenita/
BIO: Morissa is one of Forbes 30 Under 30 in Media for 2022. Dr. Morissa Schwartz is the Founder and CEO of Dr. Rissy’s Writing & Marketing and GenZ Publishing, LLC. Dr.RissysWriting.com is a marketing and writing company ranked #1 in PR and in the top ten in Social Media and SEO for New York and New Jersey on Thumbtack. GenZ Publishing is a publishing company that has produced 15 Amazon bestsellers. Dr. Rissy has been featured on Forbes, MTV, and is a bestselling author herself. She speaks professionally about inspiring others through words and entrepreneurship and was named the “Voice of Generation Z” by Community magazine. Dr. Rissy is a contributor for Entrepreneur magazine. She holds a doctorate in Literature from Drew University and has a Master’s in Communications.
Dr. Morissa Schwartz on Facebook
Dr. Morissa Schwartz on LinkedIn Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 19 Nov 2024 | S5 Ep 11 - Pied Piper's Prince | 00:23:34 | |
This week, I am excited to introduce paranormal writer Gina Lynelle Schaefer. The stories she shares throughout the episode are quite fascinating and it is inspiring to learn more about her writing process and how she is inspired by real life events. She shares about her personal contributions and how she pulls them into stories, as well as her experience with capturing ghosts. Gina reads an excerpt from her book Pied Piper’s Prince which is inspired by the Candy Man. This portion of the story is when the veil is lifted, and a woman is trying to understand what happened in her home in the past. Tune in if you enjoy spooky, goosebump giving stories!
IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free or become a paid subscriber to watch the video version of this episode and be eligible to receive other extras such as exclusive content from podcast guests, short stories, exclusive fiction and more! https://substack.com/@reenitahora
Reenita is also on Patreon! Check out her link here:https://www.patreon.com/Reenita
Fiction Credits: Written by Gina Lynelle Schaefer Read by Gina Lynelle Schaefer
GUEST RESOURCES: Gina Schaefer's Facebook Personal Page Gina Schaefer's Facebook Business Page HOST RESOURCES BIO: Gina Lynelle Schaefer is the author of five books based out of historical fiction and paranormal horror. She has performed paranormal investigations and visited and written about all realms of paranormal and true crime. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 15 Aug 2023 | S3 Ep 11 - The Unbroken Horizon Part 2 | 00:23:15 | |
Welcome back to another episode of the True Fiction Project Podcast! This week is part 2 from our last episode. During this episode, Jenny Brav discusses her relationship with her father and how she incorporated those experiences in her new book. She talks about finding a “dad box” which held information about her father she never knew since he passed away when she was a child. Jenny talks about the connection with her dad box and her character Sarah’s dad box. She goes on to discuss what she found in the dad box and how she is carrying out his dream of writing, by releasing her book, The Unbroken Horizon, on the anniversary of his death. Tune in to hear an excerpt from The Unbroken Horizon when Sarah discovers her dad box and reveals astonishing information and a possible tie to Auschwitz? IN THIS EPISODE: [2:31] What is a “dad box" and how did finding her dad box tie into her character Sarah finding her dad box? [6:56] Did finding the dad box lead Jenny to delve into the family lineage on Ancestry.com? [11:31] Did Jenny move to the bay area because of her father’s life in San Francisco? [13:51] Jenny shares the details of when her book release and the special reason she chose to release the book on August 15. [15:37] Jenny reads an excerpt from her book, The Unbroken Horizon. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Getting insight into family after you’ve lost them can heal many wounds. Being able to find connections between your life, utilize tools like Ancestry.com can help you piece together your loved ones history and make connections to extended family. The Unbroken Horizon, a novel by Jenny Brav is set to be released on the anniversary of her father’s death. This is to pay tribute to him and the fact that his dream of being a writer never came to fruition. She is bringing her fathers dream to life. Fiction Credits: Excerpt written by: Jenny Brav Excerpt narrated by: Jenny Brav BIO: Jenny Brav was born and raised in Paris, France, to American parents who instilled in her a love of words, a sensitivity to the human condition, and a passion for travel. She did humanitarian work in Asia and the Middle East before settling in Oakland, California, where she practices holistic healing. In her spare time, she writes poetry, dabbles in vegan cooking, chases waterfalls, and caters to her calico cat’s whims. The Unbroken Horizon, winner of a First Place CIBA award in late historical fiction, is her first novel. It brings together the themes that are close to her heart, especially how we find wholeness within our wounding. [One of her main character's journey to heal from her father's sudden death in her childhood, and her exploration to learn more about that lineage, closely mirror Jenny's own experiences.] Jenny Brav’s Personal Facebook Page Radiant Wholeness Healing Facebook Page Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 09 Jan 2024 | S4 Ep 6 - Toddy Trails | 00:34:59 | |
Welcome back to another episode of the True Fiction Project Podcast. Today we feature Chef Avanish Martins. Avanish discusses how his restaurant, Cavatina, came to be and how he made the decision to focus on Goan cuisine. He discusses what “toddy trappers” are and why their skill is so essential to Goan food. Avinash describes how he tells stories through his cuisine and the beautiful way he ties the culture in by plating his food. We learn how the coconut and tree are used in the Goa Culture, and how Pader Pader Ponk Ponk was used to wake up the town. Toddy Trails the fiction piece from this episode takes us along the journey of a local baker who’s yeast has been ruined, risking a critical order he needed to fill. A friend encourages him to use toddy to replace the yeast, and after many attempts he nails down a successful recipe, only to have his rolls of bread stolen. Tune in to hear how the story ends! IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Check out HelloFresh and use my code truefictionprojectfree for a great deal: https://www.hellofresh.com/ Fiction Credits: Excerpt written by: Reenita Hora Excerpt narrated by using AI BIO: Chef Avinash Martins has got the humble Goan cuisine to an international level with farm to table practices and traditional cooking methods but presented it in a modern flair Chef Avinash Martins' Instagram Chef Avinash Martins' Facebook Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 27 Sep 2022 | S2 EP 7 - Good-Bye Bob | 00:37:10 | |
Welcome to this week’s True Fiction Project Podcast. I have the privilege of speaking with Kevin Lowe as he tells us about his journey through finding out he had a brain tumor and how his life changed after surgery left him blind. He tells us about the impact that his tumor and blindness had not only on himself but also on those around him. Kevin has turned the unthinkable into an inspiring career where he shares his story at schools, on his podcast, and through life coaching. He is such a light in this world and has dedicated so much time to sharing his struggles and journey with others so they can see and feel that they are not alone. At the end of the episode, listen to Kevin’s story transform into a fiction short story titled “Good-Bye Bob,” written by Anjalika Sharma.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[02:33] Kevin’s history with a brain tumor.
[9:06] What was Kevin’s reaction when he woke up from his surgery, and how did they find out he was blind?
[12:24] Did Kevin always have strong faith, or did it come after his surgery experience?
[15:24] How did Kevin’s mom take this experience? What did she do?
[18:25] What emotional struggles has Kevin run into during these past 18 years?
[20:36] What led Kevin to create his podcast - The Lowe Down with Kevin Lowe?
[27:36] Short Story: Good-Bye Bob by Anjalika Sharma
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Traumatic experiences like this affect the person in the center (who it is happening to), but it also impacts all those around them. Parents, siblings, family, friends, and doctors are also affected.
You never know who you might impact by sharing your story. So many people are struggling, and many can relate to your story, and you can help them work through their situation.
Live life to the fullest today, and let those around you know how much you love and care about them. Don’t take life for granted, as you never know what will happen. Enjoy the mundane moments of your life and make them magical.
Fiction Credits:
Short story written and read by: Anjalika Sharma
BIO:
Kevin Lowe believes everything in this life happens for a reason, and a good reason at that. And this is true, even after losing his ability to see. Fueled by a strong desire to ignite a sense of hope and optimism into the world, Kevin sets out to inspire others to not give up on life, even when it seems like life has given up on them.
At just 17 years old, Kevin was left completely blind. Ever since waking to find a world gone dark, Kevin has been inspiring and encouraging people of all walks of life by sharing his own story of rediscovering light, even in the midst of the dark.
Today, Kevin continues to spread this same sense of inspiration and encouragement as a Life Coach and host of his podcast, The Lowe Down with Kevin Lowe.
The Lowe Down with Kevin Lowe Website
The Lowe Down with Kevin Lowe Apple Podcast Link
Kevin Lowe Coaching Facebook Page Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 25 Oct 2022 | S2 EP 9 - Witness to the Joy of Strangers | 00:30:57 | |
Welcome to this week’s True Fiction Project Podcast. Today we are joined by award-winning playwright and actor, Ellen McLaughlin. Ellen joins me to discuss her many pieces of work throughout her career and the project she just completed with the Play On Podcasts series. She describes the incredible experiences of being around someone while they encounter extraordinary joy and the impact of that on individuals. Ellen talks about the connection she believes all artists should have to their work. At the end of the episode, we get the pleasure of listening to Ellen’s short story titled Witness to the Joy of Strangers.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[1:11] Introducing Ellen McLaughlin and her work with Play On Podcasts.
[6:52] What about the Shakespeare play Ellen worked on that resonated with her?
[13:05] When Ellen is creating her art, is she always thinking about a real-life moment or is it happenstance?
[17:45] Ellen gives us an insight into her short story.
[22:07] Short Story Witness to the Joy of Strangers by Ellen McLaughlin
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
People need to recognize that they are privileged to be a bystander and to witness a revelation that one has when they discover their passion. To take in their joy even without necessarily being a part of it is a memorable experience.
Someone cannot make something worthwhile unless they have something on the line. If the story means something to them, you can feel the passion in the piece. Without it being worthwhile to them, it risks falling flat.
A person will work harder and be more involved in a project if they have passion behind it. If there is no passion, choose a different project that will showcase the passion for the work.
Fiction Credits:
Short story written and read by: Ellen McLaughlin
BIO:
Ellen McLaughlin's plays have received numerous national and international productions. They include Days and Nights Within, A Narrow Bed, Infinity's House, Iphigenia, and Other Daughters, Tongue of a Bird, The Trojan Women, Helen, The Persians, Oedipus, Ajax in Iraq, Kissing the Floor, Septimus and Clarissa, and Penelope. Producers include: the Public Theater, The National Actors' Theater and New York Theater Workshop in NYC, Actors' Theater of Louisville, The Actors' Gang L.A., Classic Stage Co., N.Y., The Intiman Theater, Seattle, Almeida Theater, London, The Mark Taper Forum, L.A., The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, The Getty Villa, California., and The Guthrie Theater, Minnesota, among other venues.
Grants and awards include Helen Merrill Award for Playwriting, Great American Play Contest, Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, the NEA, the Writer's Award from the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund, the Berilla Kerr Award for playwriting. T.C.G./Fox Residency Grant -- for Ajax in Iraq, written for the A.R.T. Institute.
She has taught playwriting at Barnard College since 1995. Other teaching posts include Breadloaf School of English, Yale Drama School, and Princeton University, among others.
Ms. McLaughlin is also an actor. She is most well known for having originated the part of the Angel in Tony Kushner's Angels in America, appearing in every U.S. production from its earliest workshops through its Broadway run.
Ellen McLaughlin Website
Ellen McLaughlin Facebook
This episode is sponsored by Magic Mind:
Try it today by going to https://www.magicmind.co/tfp and use my code "TFP20" for 20% off all orders or for a limited time 40% off a subscription. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 08 Aug 2023 | S3 Ep 10 - The Unbroken Horizon Part 1 | 00:26:01 | |
Welcome back to another episode of the True Fiction Project Podcast! This week I am speaking with author Jenny Brav. She will be releasing her first book, The Unbroken Horizon on August 15, 2023. During this episode, Jenny describes the connection between her own life, where she did humanitarian work for a decade, and her two main characters. Jenny also explains how her humanitarian work led her to a path of holistic healing. Finally, Jenny shares an excerpt of her book, The Unbroken Horizon. In this excerpt, Sarah, one of the main characters, describes in detail with her therapist the moment she found her father dead in their home. Tune in for part 2 of this episode as Jenny discusses her relationship with her father and how she incorporated those experiences in her new book. IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Fiction Credits: Excerpt written by: Jenny Brav Excerpt narrated by: Jenny Brav BIO: Jenny Brav was born and raised in Paris, France, to American parents who instilled in her a love of words, a sensitivity to the human condition, and a passion for travel. She did humanitarian work in Asia and the Middle East before settling in Oakland, California, where she practices holistic healing. In her spare time, she writes poetry, dabbles in vegan cooking, chases waterfalls, and caters to her calico cat’s whims. The Unbroken Horizon, winner of a First Place CIBA award in late historical fiction, is her first novel. It brings together the themes that are close to her heart, especially how we find wholeness within our wounding. [One of her main character's journey to heal from her father's sudden death in her childhood, and her exploration to learn more about that lineage, closely mirror Jenny's own experiences.] Jenny Brav’s Personal Facebook Page Radiant Wholeness Healing Facebook Page Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 19 Jan 2023 | Season 1 Fan-Favorite Episodes Mashup | 00:38:35 | |
Welcome to this week’s True Fiction Project Podcast. During this episode, we are mashing up the top three fan-favorite interviews and true fiction pieces from season 1! Our top three episodes were: ENCORE - Wise Guy Charming, The Queen of Teacups, and Janet Blue. Each interview and story has something unique to share, ranging from a tale of Prince Charming to a family memento that helped overcome fear. Tune in today to hear interview snippets and full story stories from each episode, and find the link to the full episode in the notes below!
IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:52] Number 3: Ethan Herschenfeld’s unlikely casted character
[04:15] Wise Guy Charming by Parker James
[10:56] Number 2: Queen of teacups - Lissi Kaplan
[15:16] The Queen of Teacups by Michael Colucci
[25:40] Number 1: Heather Vickery - Success and Leadership Coach
[28:18] Janet Blue by Michael Kobzik
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Fear is here for us. It either owns us or empowers us, and we gain power when we’re honest about our fear, surrender to it, and learn from it. Don’t fear fear…instead, get curious about the message it is trying to communicate.
Teacups have a rich history of being used as offerings and sacred vessels. They have been passed down from generation to generation as gifts in families.
TV roles are often chosen based on how viewers would imagine the character to look, so actors don’t always get to play the part they want. This sometimes creates limitations for actors because if they look a certain way, they will only be cast for a specific role throughout their career.
Fiction Credits:
Wiseguy Charming
Short story written and read by: Parker James - Twitter : parkerjwrites Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parkerjames324892213
Queen of Teacups
Short story narrated by: Amy Scanlon- AmyScanlonVO@hotmail.com Twitter: @scanners19 IG: @ScanlonSounds
Short story written by: Michael Colucci
Janet Blue
Short story narrated by: Regina Williams - https://www.fiverr.com/raejanae
Short story written by: Michael Kobzik
Resources:
S1 Ep 14 Janet Blue Full Episode
S1 Ep 13 Queen of Teacups Full Episode
S1 Ep 12 Encore Wiseguy Charming Full Episode Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 03 Dec 2024 | S5 Ep 12 - How We Healed | 00:17:24 | |
Hi everyone! This week, I am excited to introduce Melody Fowler, a passionate creative who brings a story to us ranging over several decades. The inspiration for this historical fiction novel comes from her husband’s grandmother, Loucindia. She died at the age of 97 but left behind a life-long trail of stories. Melody reads an excerpt from her book How We Healed which tells of Loucindia facing the Great Appalachian Storm of 1950 and waiting for her alcoholic husband to come home. Tune in for a story of a powerful woman, ahead of her time.
IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free or become a paid subscriber to watch the video version of this episode and be eligible to receive other extras such as exclusive content from podcast guests, short stories, exclusive fiction and more! https://substack.com/@reenitahora
Reenita is also on Patreon! Check out her link here:https://www.patreon.com/Reenita
Fiction Credits: Written by Melody Fowler Read by Melody Fowler
GUEST RESOURCES: Melody Fowler - Facebook Personal Page Melody Fowler - Facebook Business Page Melody Fowler - Twitter Personal Account HOST RESOURCES BIO: Melody is from Vancouver, BC, Canada. Three years ago, Melody retired after decades of working for the government. The artist in her was now completely free to pursue her passions. She is a recognized painter and a poet. Her art has been showcased in local galleries. Her first book was Life Lyrics: Love, Sex & Other Deviances, a book of poetry, and her latest work is How We Healed a novel she has co-written with her husband, Arric. She now lives outside Vancouver with her husband, where their backyard, affectionately known as the "Fowler Vineyard," continues to produce amazing mustard, wines, jams and jellies. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 31 Oct 2023 | Season 3 - Public Speaker and Comedians Mashup | 00:27:36 | |
Welcome to this week’s True Fiction Project Podcast. During this episode, we are mashing up the public speaker and comedian interviews and true fiction pieces from season 3! These episodes include: How to Human 101, Brought Together by Bagels, and Faking the Grade. Each interview and story has something unique to share, ranging from an alien learning to read human body language and facial expressions to an unlikely set of neighbors who bond over bagel preferences, to a doctor turned comedian who fakes his graduation. Tune in today to hear interview snippets and full story stories from each episode! Find the link to the full episode in the notes below. IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Check out HelloFresh and use my code truefictionprojectfree for a great deal: How to Human 101 A short story written and read by: Parker James Parker Hicks LinkedIn | Parker Hicks Twitter Brought Together by Bagels Short story written by Gastor Almonte, Read by Kristen Udowitz Gastor Almonte's Website | The War Report Podcast | Gastor Almonte's Facebook | Gastor Almonte Twitter | Gastor Almonte Instagram | Story Collider Website Faking the Grade Short story written and read by: Michael Kobzik Shenuque Tissera Website | The Twenty Sided Podcast | Shenuque Tissera's Twitter Shenuque Tissera's Instagram | Shenuque Tissera's TikTok Resources: S3 EP9 Brought Together By Bagels Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 12 Sep 2023 | Revisited - True Fiction Favorites: A Case Study on Anna Delvey/Anna Sorokin | 00:47:13 | |
In this revisited episode of the True Fiction Project, I speak with Diann Wingert, psychotherapist turned business mindset coach and the host of the Driven Woman Podcast. Why are people so fascinated by Anna Delvey/Anna Sorokin, who bilked her way through the New York social scene? As a psychotherapist, Diann was particularly intrigued by her motivation – what drove this seemingly successful young woman to engage in such fraudulent behavior? Interestingly, much of Anna's motivation can be traced back to her childhood. She was always a bright and imaginative child, but she was also drawn to the finer things in life. This combination of factors likely contributed to her later sense of entitlement and her willingness to take whatever she felt she deserved – even if it meant breaking the law. Tune in as Diann Wingert explains where Anna's personality pathology starts to develop, personality of entrepreneurs vs signs of narcissism, and the real reason audiences like stories where humans are missing morals. Later in the episode, we hear a fictional story written by Parker James. Shifting Weight - A Fictional Story in Print
IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
BIO: Diann Wingert is a psychotherapist turned business mindset coach who serves the growing number of female solopreneurs who struggle with self-employment after successful corporate or nonprofit careers by helping them identify and eliminate the obstacles that hold them back so they can embrace their full potential for success. She is an expert in the mental health challenges of entrepreneurship and how ADHD presents in adult women and entrepreneurs. LINKS: Diann Wingert is a psychotherapist turned business mindset coach who serves the growing number of female solopreneurs. WEBSITE: http://diannwingertcoaching.com/ PODCAST: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-driven-woman/id1513039926 INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/coachdiannwingert/ LINKED IN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diannwingertcoaching/ Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 05 Feb 2024 | S4 Ep 8 - Mr. Taffles Pants of Insanity | 00:30:31 | |
What would it be like to experience a 26 mile dinner party? Today, on the True Fiction Project, I am joined by author and screenwriter, Daniel Finkel. Daniel shares with us his story Mr. Taffles Pants of Insanity, how it came about, and the adventure he has taken to write this story and get it out to the public. He talks about other screenplays he has written and what his next steps are for this adventurous story. Daniel discusses what it was like growing up in L.A. and Hollywood and how his experience may have differed from others. At the end of the show, we hear a chapter titled The Dinner Party from Mr. Taffles Pants of Insanity where the characters explore through a 26 mile long underground dinner party. Tune in to hear more of this insane story! IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Check out HelloFresh and use my code truefictionprojectfree for a great deal: https://www.hellofresh.com/ Fiction Credits: Story written by: Daniel Finkel Story narrated by: Daniel Finkel BIO: I moved to LA to work in the entertainment industry, where I learned I didn't want to work in the entertainment industry. But I got to read screenplays by writers with big agents that were horrible. So I started to write my own screenplays that were also horrible. And it worked! I started to option and sell them… eventually selling the biggest piece of crap I ever wrote to MGM. But then my brain literally went on strike. I was supposed to write this script with a big time commercial producer and I literally couldn't think of anything. My brain forced me to write only ideas that I was passionate about. So I co-wrote and directed my first feature film Everything Will Happen Before You Die. The cast was amazing and I got to direct major league talent like Academy Award Nominee John Hawkes and Marc Boone Junior (Sons of Anarchy). It was a dream come true. However, there's a big missing part of this story… MUSIC. It all started when my roommate asked me to be his vocal sidekick in this rave rock psychedelic lounge funk band called The Serotonins. The idea was I would be a cow and he would be the farmer. Well, he never dressed as a farmer, thus The Mad Cow was born. I became a bit of a counter-culture hero in the Burningman scene and played to packed clubs for years. And TODAY… I'm beyond excited to have published my award winning debut comedy/satire/sci-fi novel MR. TAFFLE'S PANTS OF INSANITY. It's an incredible feeling to have written my first book but even more of an incredible feeling to know that I'll be writing them for the rest of my life. And now we just released the audiobook which I couldn't be more excited about how it turned out. Oh and yes… the MUSIC. A couple of pals and I wrote an EP of songs based on the novel. I will be performing this at bookstores and weird stages all over North America (to start.) Daniel Finkel's Personal Facebook Page Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 31 Jan 2023 | Season 2 Fan-Favorite Episodes Mashup | 00:35:05 | |
Welcome to this week’s True Fiction Project Podcast. During this episode, we are mashing up the top three fan-favorite interviews and true fiction pieces from Season 2! The top three episodes were: Ro’s Journey of Love, Price of Magic, and Cut from the Same Cloth. Listen to a wide range of topics, from Julia Karol becoming a single mom in her 40s with the use of a sperm bank to Barbara Majeski’s life being turned upside down with a cancer diagnosis. Finish up with Chrysta Bilton learning her boyfriend was actually her half-brother! Tune in for these great interviews snippets and fiction pieces and listen to the full episodes linked in the show notes.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:48] Number 3: Julia Karol’s journey of heartbreak, healing, love, and her decision to become a single mom in her 40s.
[3:12] Ro’s Journey of Love by Priya Sharma Shaikh.
[12:43] Number 2: Barbara Majeski joins to talk about how she improved her life and started chasing her dreams amidst life challenges.
[15:15] Price of Magic by Gary Krivtsov.
[23:34] Number 1: Chrysta Bilton’s story about her new memoir and the discovery of her 35 siblings.
[26:25] Cut from the Same Cloth by Michael Kobzik.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Do the things that you want in life, get into the arena and try and fail. It can end at any moment, so chase those dreams and desires! We only have one life, so don’t waste it being fearful of what you genuinely want to do in life.
Just because you haven’t found love yet doesn't mean you have to hold off on your dream of becoming a parent. With so many options available now, you can make your dreams come true as a single person.
Ancestry tests that are now available open up a whole new option of finding out if those conceived through sperm donations are related. Information kept anonymous in the 70s and 80s is now readily available.
Fiction Credits:
Ro’s Journey of Love
A short story written and narrated by: Priya Sharma Shaikh - priyasharmashaikh@gmail.com Twitter: @piyushaikh Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priyasharmashaikh/recent-activity/posts/
Price of Magic
A short story written and narrated by: Gary Krivtsov
Cut from the Same Cloth
A short story written by: Michael Kobzik
A short story narrated by: Regina Williams - https://www.fiverr.com/raejanae
Resources:
S2 Ep3 Ro’s Journey of Love Full Episode
S2 Ep 1 The Price of Magic Full Episode
S2 Ep 2 Cut from the Same Cloth Full Episode Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 08 Oct 2024 | S5 Ep 8 - Second Set | 00:33:21 | |
Hello everyone! This week, on the True Fiction Project, I am joined by screenplay writer and professor of film and media, Candace Egan. Candace shares about how she works on a variety of different genres from horror to comedy pieces. She talks about her latest piece, Second Set which is a twist on getting a second chance to do something you would never expect. Candace describes her writing and revision process and what it looks like to go from draft to final piece. At the end of the show we hear an excerpt from Second Set about a woman who received a tennis scholarship, but after ending up pregnant at a young age, decided to move away. She has since come back home and is getting a second chance at tennis. IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free or become a paid subscriber to watch the video version of this episode and be eligible to receive other extras such as exclusive content from podcast guests, short stories, exclusive fiction and more! https://substack.com/@reenitahora Reenita is also on Patreon! Check out her link here:https://www.patreon.com/Reenita Fiction Credits: Written by Candace Egan Read by Candace Egan GUEST RESOURCES: HOST RESOURCES BIO: Candace Egan is a professor of Film and Media Arts at Fresno State and a screenwriter focused on female-forward stories. She’s had a long career as a non-fiction visual storyteller, exploring stories about a breadth of people such as the first Hmong women to go to college, a U.S. Poet Laureate, and competitive wheelchair tennis players. She writes female-driven stories about mature, authentic women who transform into vibrant, adventurous versions of themselves and learn that it’s never too late to explore new opportunities. Her comedy pilot “Second Set” about a grandmother becoming a freshman tennis student-athlete, based on Candace’s own experience, has won or placed in 16 contests including winning a fellowship at the Stowe Story Labs. When Candace isn’t writing she’s on the tennis court trying to keep up with spry, athletic 80-year-olds who compete internationally. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 05 Nov 2024 | S5 Ep 10 - Meet Me in Ivy Falls | 00:23:12 | |
Welcome to the True Fiction Project! From historical fiction to adult romances, Amy True is a wonderful storyteller. Amy shares the various female protagonists she showcases in her stories, and who she got the inspiration from. She explains how she creates her characters and the process of writing historical fiction. Amy then shares what led her to add adult romance to her list of books. Tune in to hear an excerpt from her newest book Meet Me in Ivy Falls, about a hot mess of a woman who goes on to save a small town. IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free or become a paid subscriber to watch the video version of this episode and listen to Bill’s second song, “It is What it Is Until It’s Not”. You will also be eligible to receive other extras such as exclusive content from podcast guests, short stories, exclusive fiction and more! https://substack.com/@reenitahora
Reenita is also on Patreon! Check out her link here:https://www.patreon.com/Reenita
Fiction Credits: Written by Amy True Read by Amy True
GUEST RESOURCES:
HOST RESOURCES BIO: After stints working in entertainment and advertising, Amy True turned to chasing her one dream: writing romance. She can often be found in her local writing spot sipping her favorite iced tea (with a touch of lemonade) and putting together playlists for her next books. When she’s not daydreaming about her next cinnamon roll hero, she’s traveling with her family, reading good books, and plotting her next small-town romance. While she grew up only ten minutes from Disneyland, which inspired her love for storytelling, she now calls Arizona home. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 07 Jun 2022 | EP 13 - The Queen of Teacups | 00:38:22 | |
Today I’m speaking with the Queen of Teacups, Lissi Kaplan, about her journey to becoming an internationally recognized fine artist. Lissi’s hand-painted porcelains are in the collections of dignitaries, heads of state, and private collectors around the world. We talk about her unique calling to porcelain art following the passing of her mother. More than her skill with a brush, Lissi also has a beautiful gift of capturing the essence and spirit of a client through her artwork. Listen in as she explains the emotional process behind her art and hear a fictional story by Michael Colucci inspired by Lissi’s story.
[ADD MEDIUM LINK HERE]
IN THIS EPISODE:
[02:08] The Queen of Teacups, the big dream and the hummingbird
[09:41] Learning the artform and her first hotel collection
[15:35] Painting for dignitaries
[18:55] The emotional process behind her art
[21:56] Would you do things differently if given the chance
[28:15] Fiction Story: The Queen of Teacups by Michael Colucci
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
The teacup has a rich history of being used as an offering and a sacred vessel. It was often given as a gift to be felt by others for generations.
Porcelain painting is a very difficult art form because you're painting on a slippery surface. Lissi describes porcelain artists as part mineralogist and part alchemist.
What makes Lissi’s teacups so unique is how she paints a signature essence of flowers based on who the client is and what she perceives and feels about them.
Fiction Credits:
Fiction piece written by: Michael Colucci
Voice Over by: AmyScanlon
Contact Information: AmyScanlonVO@hotmail.com
Twitter: @scanners19
IG: @ScanlonSounds
BIO:
Lissi Kaplan is a fine artist whose hand-painted porcelains are in the collections of dignitaries, heads of state, and private collectors around the world. Her watercolor paintings have been collected internationally. She also designs fabric and wallpaper.
Lissi is a popular guest speaker on the subject of the unique history of China painting which dates back to 1400 A.D. Lissi also incorporates into her presentation the art of exploring and finding one's passion at any age.
Lissi is the author and illustrator of The Power of a Teacup: A Story of Art, Love, and Sacred Gardens, published by ReganBooks in 2003. She is also the author and illustrator of her newly released book, Light as a Feather, published by Little Finch Press.
Lissi's Website
Shop Lissi's Work
Lissi on Facebook
Lissi on Instagram
Lissi Kaplan's Delicate Porcelain Pieces
Meet Lissi Kaplan
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 23 Jan 2024 | S6 Ep 7 - Conversations with Good Men | 00:21:46 | |
Raised as an evangelical Christian, Bethel Swift started her dating journey late in life, after realizing that God was not going to drop the right guy in her lap. Throughout her three part book, Conversations with Good Men, Bethel shares poems of her experience as a daughter and then about her dating life. In this episode, you will hear what propelled Bethel to turn her personal experiences into a story, and what she found along the way. Bethel then reads two of her poems, the first called The Artist Takes Herself on a Date, which represents her journey of becoming a strong version of herself and the lessons she learned. The second poem, Potpourri Rain, is about her experience with sexual assault from someone close to her, which sent a chill down my spine. Tune in to learn more about Bethel’s dating journey Trigger Warning: Sexual Assault IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Check out HelloFresh and use my code truefictionprojectfree for a great deal: https://www.hellofresh.com/ Fiction Credits: Poems written by: Bethel Swift Poems narrated by: Bethel Swift BIO: Bethel Swift is a San Diego based artist, poet, indie publisher, workshop instructor, professional home organizer, and the author of Conversations with Good Men (2020, Swift & Sparrow Press). Bethel's poetry has been published in Armenian Poetry Project, Haiku Journal, San Diego Poetry Annual, and Expressions from Englewood as well as exhibited at Columbia College Chicago. In 2017, Bethel was the recipient of an AWP Writer to Writer Mentorship with poet Sandy Coomer (Available Light). Prior to that, she studied poetry under Kristina Marie Darling (Dark Horse) and Larry Sawyer (Vertigo Diary) at the Chicago School of Poetics and with Martha Vertreace-Doody (Glacier Fire) at Kennedy-King College. Bethel earned her degree in journalism from Columbia College Chicago (in 2007) and her journalistic features, interviews, reviews, and opinion pieces have appeared in multiple print and web publications. Bethel Swift's Personal Facebook Page Bethel Swift's Business Facebook Page Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 16 Jul 2024 | S5 Ep 2 - The Girl in the Toile Wallpaper | 00:30:12 | |
Welcome to this week's episode of the True Fiction Project! Join us as we delve into the inspiring journey of Mary K. Savarese, an "overnight success" who discovered her passion for writing after becoming an empty nester. In this episode, Mary shares how her life experiences have shaped her unique storytelling style, and why she loves to explore different genres and projects. Mary captivates us with her writing journey, from the challenges she faced to the triumphs she achieved. She also treats us to an exclusive reading from her trilogy, The Girl in the Toile Wallpaper. In this excerpt, we meet Dante, a man ensnared in a mysterious world, where an evil figure manipulates scenes he cannot intervene in. Tune in for an episode filled with creativity, perseverance, and the magic of storytelling! IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free or become a paid subscriber to watch the video version of this episode and be eligible to receive other extras such as exclusive content from podcast guests, short stories, exclusive fiction and more! https://substack.com/@reenitahora
Fiction Credits: Written and read by Mary K. Savarese.
GUEST RESOURCES: Mary K. Savarese's Facebook Page HOST RESOURCES
BIO: Mary K. Savarese is a traditionally published, best-selling, award-winning fiction author and speaker. She is known for her quirky titles. Her debut novel, Tigers Love Bubble Baths & Obsession Perfume (who knew!) a mystery romance with a supernatural twist garnered eight awards. Her recent novel is a fantasy adventure intertwined with romance and has also become an audiobook. The Girl In The Toile Wallpaper, is the first in the StarWriters trilogy. The second novel, The StarWriters Club, will be published this July 15. A finalist in the CIBA 1st place and grand prize category, The Girl In The Toile Wallpaper, won The NYC Big Book Award for Fantasy, the International Royal DragonFly for Fantasy and YA and most recent swept the Fantasy category at the International Cadmus Awards. US Review of Books compared it to A Wrinkle in Time and Dr. Who. Mary K. Savarese was born in Brooklyn, NY, raised her family in New England, and now resides in Florida where she loves to take her readers on wonderful fantasies. Mary appears on iHeartRadio, radio podcasts, Streaming Podcasts, Mindalia TV, Cable, YouTube, local publications and UK Radio. Her novels can be purchased from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, on line & brick and mortar and independent book stores everywhere Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 08 Nov 2022 | S2 EP 10 - Spec Ops for the Princess | 00:36:08 | |
Welcome to this week’s True Fiction Project Podcast. I have the privilege of speaking with Keren Eldad, personal/business coach and TedTalk speaker. Keren starts the episode by telling us about her rocky transition from a “princess” life to military life. Next, she discusses what a coach is and how they differ from a therapist or teacher. She gives us some incredible insights into mindset shifts and how “hustle culture” is damaging to ourselves. Keren encourages taking control of our own lives and to push ourselves to discover our values and live to those values. At the end of the episode, we hear the short story titled Spec Ops for the Princess, written by Parker James.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[2:30] Keren Eldad discusses her military experience.
[6:15] How did the early days shape who Keren is today?
[7:20] How did Keren get into the coaching industry?
[10:50] What is the difference between a coach, therapist, and teacher?
[13:38] What are “princessy values,” and do they have a purpose?
[16:24] Do big companies like Nike, Este Lauder, etc. need “saving?”
[17:52] What is the superstar paradox?
[20:44] How does one stop him or herself from becoming an “overachiever?”
[23:02] What was it like being mentored by Olympia Dukakis?
[27:23] Short story Spec Ops for the Princess by Parker James
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Superficial things will not build our character. Those things will not bring you any happiness. Focus on your values and live your life towards those values - that is what will fill your life with joy and happiness.
Everybody could use clarity, ease, and tools to feel like they are in the driver's seat of their own life. This is what a coach helps you with. They uncover beliefs and where the views came from and help you choose a new set of beliefs to reach your goals.
When you’re in survival mode, you are in a completely different mode. You are twice as likely to be depressed or anxious the higher your income and achievement levels are. Your focus is on the things that don’t bring you joy and experiences in your life.
Fiction Credits:
Short story written and read by: Parker James
BIO:
Coach Keren Eldad (PCC) is a transformational coach, speaker/ TEDx speaker, and trainer who has coached professionals and entrepreneurs on business goal achievements as well as personal development goals such as self-awareness, self-acceptance, vulnerability, and empathy to overcome overwhelm, stress and their adverse effects in life and work.
Live with Enthusiasm Facebook
Coached with Coach Keren Podcast
Kenen Eldad’s Website
Keren Eldad’s Instagram
Keren Eldad’s TED Talk - You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know
This episode is sponsored by Magic Mind:
Try it today by going to https://www.magicmind.co/tfp and use my code "TFP20" for 20% off all orders or for a limited time 40% off a subscription. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 04 Jun 2024 | Season 4 Fantasy Authors Mashup | 00:20:45 | |
Welcome to this week’s True Fiction Project Podcast. During this special episode, we are mashing up two fantasy fiction author interviews and true fiction pieces from season 4! These episodes include Mr. Taffles Pants of Insanity and New Rock, New Role. Both stories have unique plots and are sure to make you laugh! Tune in today to hear interview snippets and full story stories from each episode! Find the link to the full episode in the notes below. IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Fiction Credits: Mr. Taffles Pants of Insanity A short story written and read by: Daniel Finkel Daniel Finkel's Personal Facebook Page | Daniel Finkel's Instagram | Trailer for the Audiobook New Rock, New Role A short story written and read by: Richard Sparks Richard Spark's Website | Richard Spark's Facebook | Richard Spark's Instagram | Buy New Rock New Role Fantasy Novel Today! RESOURCES Season 4 - Episode 8: Mr. Taffles Pants of Insanity Season 4 - Episode 5: New Rock, New Role Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 01 Mar 2022 | EP 4 - Spirit Bird | 00:42:51 | |
In this episode, I’m speaking with Marah Arcilla, a yoga practitioner who has been teaching in Hong Kong for over 12 years, about her deep respect for yoga. Although the physical aspect drew her in, she quickly realized yoga had so much more to offer. Marah shares about the emotional and spiritual strength that is birthed through yoga and the community she helps to initiate between her students. We talk about yoga’s evolution over the years and discuss the harmful trend of elevating “performative” yoga using it as a way to prey on vulnerable people. The latter part of the episode features an original fiction narrative written and read by Anjalika Sharma and inspired by Marah’s resilience while facing challenges with her now ex-husband.
Sprit Bird - A Fictional Story in Print
IN THIS EPISODE:
[01:03] Marah introduction and early career
[09:18] Authenticity of yoga
[18:02] Relationships and resilience
[20:00] Evolution of yoga
[28:21] Yoga therapy instructor training information
[33:26] Spirit Bird - audio fiction story by Anjalika Sharma
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Marah first started taking yoga classes when she was an aerialist for Disneyland in Hong Kong.
She was in a harness every day and wanted to be proactive and prevent any serious injuries from doing the same repetitive movements every day.
Marah’s yoga practice focuses on the history, the philosophy, learning the roots, and seeing herself as a practitioner, and a gatekeeper of this tradition.
There is a social media trend for yoga to be more about performance and preying on vulnerable people. Marah focuses on presenting yoga in its purest essence without selling it as a quick fix to people’s problems.
Some view yoga as a way to escape the stresses of life. For Marah, yoga is not an escape. It’s something that arises in you that you have to deal with. It teaches resilience on the mat that then translates to resilience and strength off the mat.
BIO:
Marah is a yoga practitioner and a hatha yoga teacher of 12 years. She moved to Hong Kong from Manila 16 years ago to work for Disney. The intensity of the city and physical demands of being a professional dancer led her to her yoga practice to seek balance and grounding.
Facebook
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| 12 Mar 2024 | S4 Ep 10 - Wondrous Experiences | 00:26:06 | |
After experiencing a tragic bicycle accident, Mark Berridge spent a year getting his health back. He then decided to write a story to inspire others to keep pushing a little bit further, because they are stronger than they think. This week on the True Fiction Project, Mark Berridge joins Reenita to talk about his accident, and what led him to write his nonfiction book, A Fraction Stronger. Mark discusses future work that he hopes to accomplish, shifting from a nonfiction author to a fiction author, and hopefully one day to playwriting. We then hear an excerpt from the short story, Wondrous Experiences, where a man takes a trip and allows himself to experience it from a new perspective, seeing how the world is truly vibrant and full of possibility. IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Fiction Credits: Story written by: Mark Berridge Story narrated by: Mark Berridge BIO: Mark Berridge has broad experience in negotiation, marketing, strategy and transformation. His most prominent corporate role was the Chief Negotiator for Rio Tinto Iron Ore from 2012 to 2015 where he led the pricing strategy for revenue worth USD20 billion. Mark always enjoyed finding high value in complex situations. In March 2019 he became his own subject matter when a bicycle crash changed his life forever. Mark fractured 2 vertebrae and heard the devastating words spinal cord injury. He spent 7 weeks in hospital and 9 months in full time rehabilitation regaining the ability to walk. He will strive to maintain and improve his mobility all his remaining life. Mark now writes and speaks about the impacts of disruption and how we can fight our way forward from almost any situation. His inspirational award-winning book A Fraction Stronger was released in the USA September 2022. Mark Berridge's Personal Facebook Page Mark Berridge's Business Facebook Page Mark Berridge's Instagram Page Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 13 Jan 2022 | Ep 1 - 3 Innings | 00:47:15 | |
The True Fiction Project was born from Reenita Hora’s love of fiction and how she finds it in everyday non-fiction. In the pilot episode, Reenita talks about the purpose behind the True Fiction Project which will invite amazing guests to share their unique impact on the world while also giving different fiction writers the opportunity to create new fiction narratives based on the interview. Colleague and friend, Traci DeForge, joins the conversation as Reenita shares about her many career reincarnations and her traditional Indian upbringing in Bombay. Reenita opens up about her late father and her recent decision to quit her job to pursue creative endeavors like this podcast project. The second half of the podcast features a compelling fictional story inspired by key moments in Reenita’s life and her experience of being a woman and building a career in a male-dominated culture.
3 Innings - A Fictional Story in Print
IN THIS EPISODE:
[01:16] True Fiction explained
[02:33] Podcast producer introduced
[03:28] Reenita shares about her life and career history
[09:40] Guests to look forward to
[12:24] Reenita about her family
[18:04] Women in business in traditional Indian family
[22:55] Building the narrative
[28:14] That’s my version of the truth
[30:53] First inning - Gaia and Reenita as children
[35:12] Second inning - Gaia and Reenita’s early careers
[40:53] Third inning - Gaia and Reenita’s losses and gains
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Reenita’s career has included several reincarnations of herself: Ayurveda clinician, freelance writing, broadcast journalism in Hong Kong, recruited as a writer by Bloomberg, and now author, podcast host, and creative content creator.
She recently quit her job to pursue her creative projects, like this podcast, that marries the two things she loves: fiction and how she finds it in everyday non-fiction.
Reenita shares about her father’s recent passing and the values he held as a serial entrepreneur.
Reenita grew up in a traditional Indian home where women were not included in the inner workings of the family business. Only recently, after her father’s passing, has she been invited to sit on the board of the family business.
Her role, if not to join the family business, was to document the stories of her father and family life and plans to turn them into a book or TV show.
Looking back on her upbringing, she has learned now that it’s not about what you are or are not supposed to think about certain things, but rather what you have experienced.
The purpose of this podcast is to share interviews with guests as a way to give other storytellers an opportunity to create fiction.
BIO:
Traci DeForge, founder of Produce Your Podcast, is recognized as an international podcast expert, sought after speaker and media contributor. She is the creator of PODHIVE.com, an online community providing education, encouragement and support for podcasters and her newest venture, My Podcast Biz .Traci is the host of the podcasts, Journey to There and Talking Finance and co-host of Ask Brien on KHTS AM 1220, Los Angeles, CA. She is the Executive Producer of The Personal Finance Podcast Network.She's been featured on all three major networks along with CNN, CTV, Fortune.com and American Express Open. Traci is a member of the Rolling Stone Culture Council, a regular contributor to RadioINK and is on the Editorial Advisory Board for the Podcast Business Journal.
LINKS:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracilongdeforge/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracideforge/
https://www.instagram.com/produceyourpodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tracideforge
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tracideforge
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 12 Apr 2022 | EP 8 - First Stop | 00:42:08 | |
In this episode, I’m having a timely conversation with Dr. Barry Thomas Malin, a head and neck surgeon turned art gallerist (the Malin Gallery), about switching careers and following your passions. Now more than ever people are reevaluating their careers and asking themselves the important question of am I satisfied in my work. Dr. Malin reflected on this same question when he decided to leave his career as a sought-after free flap construction surgeon and open his own art gallery. We talk about the intricacies and challenges of being a free flap surgeon and what ultimately led him to quit his job. Dr. Malin shares about his journey into the art world and what it is like to manage an art gallery. Later in the episode, we hear a fictional story written by Jared K. Chapman about a young man’s journey to living life to the fullest.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[01:20] Barry shares about his medical education and early career and when he decided to change careers
[07:42] Why choose art as a second career and the irony of a career in free flap construction
[12:35] How Barry started his art collection and the meaning behind the original art gallery name
[16:31] Malin Art Gallery and the backstory on its original name
[20:21] What kind of artists and art is represented at Malin Gallery and challenges of being an art gallery owner
[25:00] The post-covid phenomenon of people making career changes
[28:17] FICTION: A hospital visit leaves a young man grappling to honor his Papa’s death-bed bucket list
[35:34] At his Papa’s funeral, this young man realizes the true meaning of his Papa’s last wishes
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
A career as a free flap surgeon takes years to train for but studies show the average career length, meaning the time that people spend doing this almost exclusively, is only six or seven years. It’s a young person's game, both from a physical and a mental standpoint.
Following your passion and switching careers can be terrifying. Now more than ever people are reevaluating their jobs and making appropriate changes.
People don’t normally reflect on their own mortality but in Barry’s previous career it was an everyday conversation. He would often shift the focus from death to living by asking questions like what is most important in life and what is most satisfying. He took his own advice when he decided to switch from medicine to art.
Fiction Credits:
Fiction piece narrated by: Regina Williams
Fiction piece was written by: Jared Chapman - Los Angeles
BIO:
Dr. Barry Thomas Malin founded Malin Gallery in 2015. Originally named Burning in Water, Malin Gallery actively represents a diverse roster of living artists. The curatorial program combines exhibitions by roster artists with historically-oriented shows, particularly of work by previously under-recognized artists. The gallery’s progressive approach to curation has earned it a reputation in both introducing and re-introducing important artists to a NY audience. Malin Gallery exhibitions have been reviewed in multiple national publications, including The New York Times, The New Yorker, Artforum, The Wall Street Journal, ARTnews, Time Out - New York, Galerie, The San Francisco Chronicle, The London Review of Books and Artnet News.
LINKS:
Malin Gallery Website
Malin Gallery Facebook Page
Malin Gallery on Instagram
Malin Gallery on Twitter Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 24 Sep 2024 | S5 Ep 7 - Save Your Drama For Your Mama | 00:27:28 | |
I can’t wait for you to meet my guest this week, singer and songwriter, Bill Abernathy. Bill started in the music world at 19, then shifted to work in the corporate world for 40 years and has come back around to music! Many of his songs are based around sci-fi and the political world that we are experiencing today. Tune in to hear his song Save Your Drama for Your Mama and if you are a paid substack subscriber or a patreon member, you can listen to his second hit It is What it Is Until It’s Not. If you are up for a challenge, after you listen to both songs, send me a message at reenita.com/contact-us about the sci-fi connections you hear for a chance at a prize! IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free or become a paid subscriber to watch the video version of this episode and listen to Bill’s second song, “It is What it Is Until It’s Not”. You will also be eligible to receive other extras such as exclusive content from podcast guests, short stories, exclusive fiction and more! https://substack.com/@reenitahora Or subscribe to Patreon for exclusive content! https://www.patreon.com/Reenita Fiction Credits: Written by Bill Abernathy Sung by Bill Abernathy
GUEST RESOURCES: Reenita Malhotra Hora - send your challenge answers here! Bill Abernathy's Personal Facebook Bill Abernathy's Business Facebook HOST RESOURCES BIO: Bill Abernathy has embarked on an exceptional journey, courageously navigating through the ebbs and flows of his musical and corporate life. Rising from humble beginnings, he has persistently pushed beyond the ordinary, challenging the status quo and dismantling long standing stereotypes. Bill's Latest Project "MORE", released in 2023 has had 3 #1 singles in the Adult Contemporary Charts. The Songs, "Hideaway", Call Their Name, and the title cute "More", have reached hundreds of thousands of listeners on various streaming and video platforms. In 2017, Abernathy's musical passion ignited with the release of his album "Find A Way," indelibly inscribing his unique signature on the vast tapestry of music. His pivotal track, "Goodbye Will Never Come Again," ascended to the zenith of the Roots Music Chart, signaling the inception of a truly extraordinary musical journey. Venturing further, his acclaimed album "Crossing Willow Creek," unveiled the hit "Cry Wolf," among other tracks that captivated international audiences, increasing his global reach. His deeply stirring track, "Who Are You, Who Am I," from his 2021 EP, earned him a place as a finalist for ISSA Song of the Year— an accolade that attests to his ever-evolving artistry. Abernathy's music has permeated the globe, amassing streams from countless devoted listeners. His authentic voice, genuine songwriting, and masterful storytelling have nurtured a long-lasting bond with his audience, carving a niche for him in the hearts of music lovers across the world. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 18 Apr 2023 | S3 Ep 2 - How to Human 101 | 00:29:58 | |
Welcome back to another episode of the True Fiction Project Podcast! I was intrigued to speak with face reader and introverted extrovert, Brian Galke. Brian brings us along his journey from working behind the scenes in the helpdesk field to how he became a public speaker. He has perfected the art of reading faces, which has propelled him forward through connection and successful personal and business relationships. He discusses the facial features to look for when talking with someone to uncover the best way to interact with them. At the end of the episode, enjoy the short story, How to Human 101, by Parker James, where we follow an alien in a human body trying to learn the art of face reading.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[1:35] What is an introverted/extrovert?
[2:55] Where and how did Brian pick up face-reading skills?
[4:45] How did Brian move from the helpdesk to a public speaker?
[7:29] How can Brian read someone’s eyebrows when they change them (pluck, tattoo, etc.)?
[9:13] Does the ability to read faces propel you forward in the potential of working successfully with someone?
[10:56] What happens when facial features change?
[14:20] Brian shows his experience working with people via face reading.
[17:30] How do we focus on the next person when so many of us only want to focus on ourselves?
[19:16] How is Brian teaching the millennial generation, who don’t generally communicate face-to-face, to be comfortable in face-to-face situations?
[24:02] The short story, How to Human 101, Written and Read by Parker James
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Your face is constantly evolving. The left side is the personal side of your face; the right side is your external or professional side. As things in your life change, your facial features can naturally change.
Face reading is all about letting people feel seen and heard. If you attempt to speak someone’s language, you will be treated differently and build better relationships.
Fiction Credits:
Short story written and read by: Parker James
BIO:
As an Introverted/Extrovert, Brian purposely chose professions where people came to him for help (Retail, Hospitality, & Help Desk) to help ease his social anxiety.
Over the course of his career, he realized he loved to learn new tips and tricks to better interact with people, and he always sought out the knowledge. With every new social skill, another promotion soon followed. He was onto something…maybe success starts with good communication skills.
The #1 skill that changed his Personal & Professional life forever was learning Facial Feature Analysis. That skill alone led to Brian’s growth from working the help desk to Regional Vice President of Sales, not too bad for someone who still considers himself to be a bit of an Introvert.
Wanting to help people achieve that same level of success, Brian created Subtle Skills (subtleskills.com) and began speaking/teaching Facial Analysis around the world.
Brian Galke LinkedIn
Brian Galke Facebook
Brian Galke Twitter
Subtle Skills Facebook
Subtle Skills Instagram
Subtle Skills Website
Books mentioned in the episode:
What Every BODY is Saying: An Ex-FBI Agent's Guide to Speed-Reading People by Joe Navarro
You Say More Than You Think: Use the New Body Language to Get What You Want!, the 7-day Plan by Janine Driver Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 19 Jul 2022 | S2 EP 2 - Cut from the Same Cloth | 00:29:59 | |
Today, I’m talking with Chrysta Bilton about her new book and the discovery of her 35 (and counting) siblings! Chrysta is an American author who lives in Los Angeles, CA, with her husband and two children. Chrysta’s new memoir, Normal Family, details her nontraditional upbringing and how her father was one of the most prolific sperm donors of the California cryobank in the 80s. Listen in as Chrysta talks about family reunions, nature versus nurture, and how we can learn and grow from our parents’ trauma. Also hear a short story based on Chrysta’s life from Michael Kobzik.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[03:02] Chrysta’s discovery of her many siblings
[08:15] Chrysta’s upbringing and meeting and building relationships with her half-siblings
[13:29] Family reunion and interviewing her family for her book
[18:45] Writing prompt and further discussion about her book, Normal Family
[20:16] Short story: “Cut from the Same Cloth”
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Truth is sometimes stranger than fiction.
Sperm donation was and continues to be unregulated.
Normal Family is an effort to try to understand our parents' traumas as a way to gain acceptance of their choices. This often informs the way in which we structure our own families and how we break free from generational issues.
Fiction Credits:
Short story written by: Michael Kobzik
Voice Over by: Regina Williams
BIO:
Chrysta Bilton is an American author who lives in Los Angeles, CA, with her husband and two children. Normal Family is her first book.
Chrysta Bilton Website
Chrysta Bilton on LinkedIn
Chrysta Bilton on Instagram
Chrysta Bilton on Twitter Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 13 Sep 2022 | S2 EP 6 - The Don of the Southern Boundary | 00:35:04 | |
Welcome to this week’s True Fiction Project Podcast. I have the privilege of speaking with Les Bird about his fascinating history as a Marine Police Officer in 1976 during the Hong Kong Handover. Les has now written two books about his 21 years in the Marines and his work in helping Vietnamese refugees arrive safely in Hong Kong following the end of the Vietnam War. He recounts specific memories of rescuing refugees from hired criminals and pirates and details the less than ideal conditions of travel that so many Vietnamese braved in order to make it to Hong Kong. Also hear a short story based on Les’ Marine adventures called “The Dawn of the Southern Boundary” from Annemarie Evans.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[02:34] Who are the “Boatpeople” referenced in Les’ book and why were they fleeing to Hong Kong?
[06:31] Why did Hong Kong welcome these refugees when other countries were not as willing and what was Les’ role as a Marine Police Officer?
[09:20] What was Les’ connection with a former soldier in South Vietnam?
[14:23] What was the condition of the refugees as they arrived in Hong Kong?
[17:41] Les recalls memories from his time as an officer and the corruption that he encountered.
[25:53] Short story: “The Don of the Southern Boundary” by Annemarie Evans
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
It’s estimated that starting in 1975, between 1 and 2 million people fled by boat over the next 15 years from Vietnam to Hong Kong.
Following the Vietnam War, Hong Kong became a hub for Vietnamese refugees to find safety and through the United Nations, be relocated to other countries like the US, Canada, and Australia.
Many Vietnamese refugees arrived in Hong Kong in unsuitable conditions as they were crammed by the thousands on boats for four to five weeks with no sanitation and little fresh air or food.
Fiction Credits:
Short story written and read by: Annemarie Evans
Contact Information: Annemarie Evans - Annemarie's email
BIO:
Born in 1951, Les comes from a military family. His father, grandfather and three uncles all served in the British Royal Navy, whilst his mother served as a gunner with the Royal Artillery during World War II. Les was the second from his family to serve in Hong Kong. His father was part of the Royal Navy force that came to Hong Kong in August, 1945, at the end of the Japanese military occupation and subsequently helped in the policing of the territory throughout 1946.
Les Bird joined the Royal Hong Kong Police in 1976 and worked in the Marine Police for 21 years until June, 1997.
Bird’s work was diverse – he was a rural inspector of West Lantau, and in the early 80s he returned to launch-going duties overseeing the influx of tens of thousands of Vietnamese refugees in the years that followed. During his service, Les commanded three of the five Marine divisions and also headed the SBU, the Marine Fast Pursuit Unit combating cross-border smuggling of people, arms, drugs and luxury cars.
After leaving the police in 1997, Les moved into the private sector, working in the security industry across Asia. He is an endurance athlete and has taken part in Ironman events and long-distance triathlons worldwide. He represented Great Britain at the 2009 Ironman World Championship. In 2011, he swam the English Channel and in 2012, summited Mont Blanc.
In 2020, he spoke to a sold-out audience at the Hong Kong International Literary Festival about his memoir A Small Band of Men: An Englishman’s Adventures in Hong Kong’s Marine Police. At the 2021 Festival, he presented photographs and stories from his second book Along the Southern Boundary: A Marine Police Officer’s Frontline Account of the Vietnamese Boatpeople and their Arrival in Hong Kong.
Les Bird Website
Les Bird on Facebook
Les Bird on Twitter
Les Bird on LinkedIn Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 14 Nov 2023 | S4 Ep 2 - Thrillville USA | 00:23:07 | |
Welcome back to another episode of the True Fiction Project Podcast. This week we have Taylor Koekkoek on the show, who is the author of the short stories series, Thrillville USA. Taylor talks to us about the inspiration behind the short stories and how pieces of the stories are pulled from his life. He talks about how he included Oregon’s opioid crisis into the story and why he felt it was relevant. Then we learn what is next for Taylor as far as future projects he is working on. At the end of the episode, he reads us an excerpt from the first story of the Thrillville USA series, where we follow a character finishing his shift at the amusement park and the scandalous scene he stumbles upon behind the back side of the Scrambler. IN THIS EPISODE: [3:18] What is Thrillville USA? [4:40] Why did Taylor decide to name his book series after Thrillville? [6:29] What was the inspiration behind Thrillville USA? [7:51] How Taylor tackles the subject of Oregon’s opioid crisis and is it discussed in all the short stories? [11:12] Taylor tells us about the excerpt he is going to read to us. [13:28] What future works will we see from Taylor? [15:55] An excerpt from the first book of the Thrillville USA series by Taylor Koekkoek KEY TAKEAWAYS: [3:19] Thrillville used to be a little roadside amusement park outside of Oregon that felt like a little bit of a death trap with rides that bucked in ways that didn’t seem natural. Many rumors about fatalities and bodily harm were told about the amusement park, but they are believed to be false. [6:29] Thrillville USA was inspired by an amusement park that Taylor and his brothers visited from time to time when they were younger. The characters are not based on people he knew directly during his childhood, but instead pieced together from stories he heard from other people that he met. [10:03] There is an unintentional metaphor between the amusement park and drug use, being a dangerous activity that is also ominous, fun and exciting. Check out HelloFresh and use my code truefictionprojectfree for a great deal: https://www.hellofresh.com/ Fiction Credits: Excerpt written by: Taylor Koekkoek Excerpt narrated by: Taylor Koekkoek BIO: Taylor Koekkoek received his MFA from Johns Hopkins University. His work has been supported by Oregon Literary Arts, the Breadloaf’s Writer’s Conference, the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and has appeared in Paris Review, Glimmer Train, Ploughshares, The Iowa Review, online at Tin House, and elsewhere. His short story collection, Thrillville, USA, was published by Simon & Schuster in 2023. He lives in Portland, Oregon, with his wife, Joselyn Takacs, also a writer. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 04 Jan 2023 | Revisited - Operation Mom Book Launch | 00:41:43 | |
In this revisited episode of the True Fiction Project, Traci DeForge is back on the podcast as we discuss my new novel, Operation Mom: My Plan to Get My Mother a Life and a Man. I also invited my publisher, Dr. Morissa Schwartz to join the conversation. Dr. Schwartz is the Founder and CEO of Dr. Rissy’s Writing & Marketing and GenZ Publishing, LLC and was recently named to Forbes 30 Under 30 list. We converse about current trends in publishing and how Dr. Schwartz is making strides to increase diversity and representation among writers. We discuss the power of strong female characters and cultural representation in modern fiction and later in the episode, I share a short excerpt from my new book, Operation Mom: My Plan to Get My Mother a Life and a Man.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[03:55] Dr. Schwartz’s journey into publishing from a career in BioSciences
[08:52] Operation Mom and GenZ Publishing’s partnership and how Operation Mom connects with American young adult audiences
[12:58] Representation of strong female characters and diverse cultural backgrounds
[20:25] Diversity in publishing and GenZ’s commitment to storytelling for young adults
[26:10] Future plans and dreams for Operation Mom
[32:51] Book excerpt: Operation Mom: My Plan to Get My Mother a Life and a Man written and read by Reenita Hora
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Podcast listenership for comedy podcasts and narrative fiction podcasts grew exponentially during and since the pandemic.
Over 60% of books are still published by men over the age of 45 – and most publishers are white men. GenZ Publishing is making strides to change this statistic by publishing more diverse writers.
Representation and cultural diversity is so important in modern fiction. Not only does Operation Mom give readers a strong female lead, it also represents a cultural experience located outside of the U.S.
Fiction Credits:
An excerpt from Operation Mom - My Plan to Get My Mother a Life and a Man written and read by: Reenita Hora
https://www.facebook.com/ReenitaMalhotraHora
https://www.linkedin.com/in/reenita/
@reenymal Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 09 Apr 2024 | S4 Ep 12 - The Kohinoor, Mughal Sequence: In Conversation with Anand Thakore | 00:35:16 | |
In the last episode of season 4 of the True Fiction Project, I am honored to welcome the amazing Anand Thakore. I’ve known Anand since we were in school together, and it has been incredible to see his journey and learn of his success as an Anglophone Poet and Hindustani Classical Musician. During this episode we reminisce on some of our school experiences and share stories. Then we dive in to learn what Anand is up to now, while he shares his latest projects. We hear an excerpt of music and a poem from Deepankar Khiwani, titled Cathedral. Anand shares his experience working with Deepankar and how their work together inspired him to start writing poetry again. The episode goes on to include three original pieces by Anand Thakore titled Sea Link, My Place and Mughal Sequence. Tune in for this entertaining episode! IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Fiction Credits: Poems below written and narrated by: Anand Thakore
Cathedral Poem: Written by Deepankar Khiwani and narrated by Anand Thakore The Cathedral & John Connon School Anand’s song at end of episode:
Anand's other works and information: De Kooning's Smile: Collected Poems youtube interview and reading at book launch Anand Thakore introduces you to 'In Praise of Bone' ( video) _THE-KOH-I-NOOR, Poetry International , Anand Thakore BIO: Born in Mumbai in 1971, Anand Thakore grew up in India and in the United Kingdom. He has spent most of his life in Mumbai. His published collections of poetry include In Praise of Bone (2023), Waking In December (2001), Elephant Bathing (2012), Mughal Sequence (2012), and Seven Deaths and Four Scrolls (2017). A Hindustani classical vocalist by training, he has devoted much of his life to the study, performance, composition and teaching of Hindustani vocal music. He received musical instruction for many years from Ustad Aslam Khan, Pandit Baban Haldankar and Pandit Satyasheel Deshpande. He is the founder of Harbour Line, a publishing collective, and of Kshitij, an interactive forum for musicians. He holds an MA in English Literature and is the recipient of grants from The Ministry of Human Resource Development and The Charles Wallace India Trust. He lives in Mumbai and divides his time between writing, performances, and teaching music. His fourth collection of verse, entitled Seven Deaths and Four Scrolls, was recently shortlisted for The Jayadeva National Poetry Award. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 06 Dec 2022 | S2 Ep 12 - A Small Victory - Arden O'Connor | 00:44:06 | |
Welcome to this week’s True Fiction Project Podcast. I have the privilege of speaking with Arden O’Connor, founder and CEO of the O’Connor Professional Group. Arden shares the story she and her family experienced while working through her brother's substance use. She discusses how families can support their family members who are struggling with substance use, what type of support to offer, and how to approach a relationship with an addict. Arden gives insight into how therapists and medical providers can help with substance use and she even provides advice on how parents can talk to their children about the risks of drugs and alcohol. At the end of the episode, we hear the short story, A Small Victory, written and voiced by Shobha Nihalani.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[2:31] Arden shares her story of love and loss.
[4:28] What does it mean for there to be a genetic predisposition?
[7:45] What does Arden suggest is a good way for parents to talk about addiction with their children?
[10:28] Arden discusses what manipulation she experienced with her brother.
[16:45] What role do therapists and medical providers play in the addiction scenario?
[21:20] How can families support someone with an addiction?
[27:13] What can a parent do to support an adult child?
[34:44] A short story A Small Victory, written and voiced by Shobha Nihalani
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Have an open relationship/conversation with your children so they are aware of what may impact them. Someone is talking to your children about these difficult topics even if you choose not to. That might be peers, family members, or someone telling them negative things.
A person with addiction is two different people. There is a person under the influence and then a sober person. Family members should seek help for themselves to determine how they can support their loved ones.
There can be added success when family members are doing alcohol and drug testing to support their loved one who has an addiction. Families need a long-term view and evaluate each scenario individually regarding family get-togethers and other events.
Fiction Credits:
Short story written and read by: Shobha Nihalani
BIO:
Arden O’Connor founded the O’Connor Professional Group to address the needs of families and individuals struggling with an array of behavioral health issues, including addiction, mental health disorders, eating disorders, learning, and other developmental challenges. With several relatives in recovery, Arden is passionate about helping families and individuals navigate the highly fragmented treatment system in a way that creates positive outcomes and allows families to heal. Arden is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Business School. She remains heavily involved in community activities, as a board member of Winsor School Corporation, Collaboration for Family Flourishing, and Massachusetts Association of Mental Health. Previously, she served as a board member for the Justice Resource Institute (former chair), C4 Recovery Solutions, Attorneys for Family Held Enterprises, Harvard Club of Boston, Victory Programs, and Harvard Business School Alumni Association of Boston.
O’Connor Professional Group Website
O’Connor Professional Group Facebook Page
O’Connor Professional Group LinkedIn
O’Connor Professional Group Instagram
O’Connor Professional Group Twitter
Dopey Podcast (Arden’s late brother’s podcast, still hosted by his co-host)
Beyond The Balance Sheet Podcast Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 11 Oct 2022 | S2 EP 8 - The Garden of Earthly Delights | 00:38:56 | |
In today’s episode of the True Fiction Project Podcast, I’m speaking with actor and activist, Tramell Tillman. Tramell and I laugh about his least favorite job as an abstinence educator of middle and high school students and how he has been involved in nonprofit work for over 20 years now. We chat about the success of his latest project on the Apple TV+ psychological thriller series, Severance. He shares his process for building the complex character of Seth Milchick and his experience working with director Ben Stiller. Listen in as we chat about activism, arts, and abstinence! Also, hear a short story titled The Garden of Earthly Delights, written by Parker James.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[02:34] Tramell’s least favorite job as abstinence educator in Mississippi
[13:30] Tramell’s role in the TV show, Severance
[16:08] The challenge of becoming character, Seth Milchick and what Ben Stiller is like as a director
[20:00] The evolution of Milchick and how he differs from the original intent
[23:55] Future projects and philanthropic work for Tramell Tillman
[31:14] Short Story: The Garden of Earthly Delights, written by Parker James
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
One of Tramell’s first and least favorite jobs was as an abstinence educator for middle and high school students in Mississippi. At the time, Mississippi had a high rate of STDs and pregnancy. Tramell shares how it was one of the worst jobs he ever had and one that he was terrible at doing.
For the role of Seth Milchick, Tramell has developed a very specific process using meditation and exercise to get into character.
Philanthropic work is very important to Tramell and he has been involved in nonprofit work for over 20 years now. It was something that was ingrained in him through his grandparents and parents from an early age.
Fiction Credits:
Short story written by: Parker James
Short story read by:
—David: Arya Hora
—Michael: Parker James
—Zipporah: Reenita Hora
BIO:
February 18th, 2022, Tramell Tillman starred in the Apple TV+ brand new psychological thriller series Severance, starring Adam Scott, Patricia Arquette, John Turturro, Christopher Walken, and Britt Lower; with director and executive producer Ben Stiller at the helm. Serving as a series regular on a top-billed show such as this comes with an incredible artistic history.
Tillman has graced the screen and stage for over 20 years.
The classically trained actor is no stranger to the classics. This spring you can hear Tillman voice the role of Edmund, in Shakespeare’s King Lear, as part of the Play on Podcast Series. In the summer he will return to the series voicing the role of Duke Orsino in Twelfth Night.
In his spare time Tillman works in local communities supporting causes of arts advocacy, mental health awareness, LGBTQ+ rights, and causes focusing on persons of color. He has served as guest lecturer for theater programs at both Jackson State, in Mississippi, and the University of Tennessee. He is a singer, dancer, activist, and confidant; but most of all he is an artist committed to giving voice to the voiceless. He believes in the transformative power of the arts. In his opinion it’s one of the purest channels into preserving and enhancing all of humanity.
Tramell Tillman on Facebook
Tramell Tillman on Twitter
Tramell Tillman on Instagram
Tramell Tillman Website
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
The Creative Coalition - The Creative Coalition Creative Coalition
Home - Children's Defense Fund
Housing is Healthcare
New Alternatives | LGBTQ+ Homeless Youth | New York City
University of Tennessee Theatre Department
JSU Development – Jackson State University
Teach for America Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 22 Oct 2024 | S5 Ep 9 - Season of the Witch: Whispers Most Foul | 00:18:35 | |
Welcome to the Season of the Witch! This week I am joined by Emma MacDonald, a storyteller of witch fantasy. We talk about all things witches from black and white witches, to herbal witches. Emma explains how she uses witchcraft in her life, and how it is different from the outcasted witches of the past. She shares what inspired her to write her novel Whispers Most Foul about a college student who cannot cast spells, but can see ghosts. At the end of the episode, you’ll hear an excerpt of her novel, which is when the main character, Rose, is visited by a ghostly vision in the bath. Interested in reading more? Whispers Most Foul is out now! Check it out here. IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free or become a paid subscriber to watch the video version of this episode and be eligible to receive other extras such as exclusive content from podcast guests, short stories, exclusive fiction and more! https://substack.com/@reenitahora Reenita is also on Patreon! Check out her link here:https://www.patreon.com/Reenita Fiction Credits: Written by Emma MacDonald Read by Emma MacDonald GUEST RESOURCES: Emma MacDonald's Twitter Account Emma MacDonald's Instagram Account Emma MacDonald's TikTok Account HOST RESOURCES BIO: Emma MacDonald was born and raised outside of Washington, DC, where she received a B.A in International Relations from American University. When she’s not writing, she can be found gardening, brewing potions, or chasing after her small menagerie of pets. Emma loves to write fantasy with a big splash of magic and romance. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 02 Jul 2024 | S5 Ep 1 - Vermilion Harvest: Playtime at the Bagh Book Launch | 00:42:38 | |
Welcome to Season 5 of the True Fiction Project. We are kicking off this episode with something a little different. Traci DeForge, CEO and Founder of Produce Your Podcast, interviews Lynn Moon (CEO) and Shannon Peason (CFO), Co-Founders of the publisher, Indignor House, about the new book they are launching July 15, 2024, written by our very own Reenita Hora! Lynn and Shannon share a bit about the type of authors they typically work with, and how they became connected to Reenita. Lynn shares a lot of the history in India from when this book was written and the impact that it can have on future generations of those who read this book. At the end, you will hear an excerpt from Vermilion Harvest: Playtime at the Bagh written and read by Reenita herself about the forbidden love between an Anglo-Indian school teacher and a Muslim student activist against General Dyer’s impending tragedy. IN THIS EPISODE:
If you'd like to receive a FREE Chapter 1 of Vermilion Harvest - Playtime at the Bagh or if you are interested in inviting Reenita to connect with you book club (in person or by zoom), please send us a note at https://www.reenita.com/contact. Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free or become a paid subscriber to watch the video version of the podcast and be eligible to receive other extras such as exclusive content from podcast guests, short stories, exclusive fiction and more! https://substack.com/@reenitahora Fiction Credits: Written and read by Reenita Hora RESOURCES: Where to buy Vermilion Harvest: Playtime at the Bagh:
If you'd like to receive a FREE Chapter 1 of Vermilion Harvest - Playtime at the Bagh or if you are interested in inviting Reenita to connect with you book club (in person or by zoom), please send us a not at https://www.reenita.com/contact.) Guest Information Get in touch with Reenita: BIO: Bio for Lynn Moon: CEO & Co-Founder of the publisher, Indignor House Lynn is the award-winning author of the Agency Series that follows a government with unlimited power and money. She has worked for state and federal government agencies and uses her long reaching personal experiences to captivate her audience with realistic stories of political corruption. Her novels have won awards including the Moonbeam Children's Book Award, IPPY award, and the Dante Rossetti Book award. Lynn holds an MPA in Public Administration from Troy State University and an MFA in Literature from Lindenwood University. She’s the CEO of Indignor House, working to change the publishing environment one book at a time. Bio for Shannon Pearson: CEO & Co-Founder of the publisher, Indignor House Shannon comes to Indignor House with a treasure trove of over 10 years of experience in accounting and administrative services. For the last five years, Shannon has worked in the editorial fields of all genres. With her talent, she gives the numbers and letters a refined breath of fresh air. Bio for Reenita Hora Reenita, the 'Nora Ephron' of South Asian storytelling, spinning yarns as eclectic as Mumbai's iconic 'Bhel Puri' – a tantalizing concoction of flavors with an occasional bug for that extra crunch! Her stories star a motley crew of characters caught in the whirlwind of imperfect scenarios, all while stubbornly refusing to sell out. Her writing, unapologetically Indian, pulses with the colors and rhythms of her culture, deftly blending humor and authenticity. LA Weekly spotlighted her unique approach to weaving Indian humor and culture into the American tapestry, celebrating the innovative narrative of Operation Mom. Read the LA Weekly Article here. In her previous life, Reenita was a journalist, editor, and writer for platforms like National Geographic Kids, Disney India, Cartoon Network Asia, the New York Times, CNN, Radio Television Hong Kong, and Bloomberg. Her awards and accolades include the Eric Hoffer Book Award, IndieReader Discovery Award, Santa Barbara International Screenplay Award, Script2Comic, Launchpad, and Emerging Screenwriters awards, and Sundance Institute Development Slate second rounder. No one-trick pony though, she's the brains behind two podcasts: the True Fiction Project (where reality takes a nose dive into the scripted world) and Shadow Realm (a magical portal to riveting narrative fiction). Dive headfirst into her world fantastical tales, and laugh-out-loud moments at http://www.reenita.com. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 17 Dec 2024 | S5 Ep 13 - Swift Sword | 00:23:58 | |
Hi everyone! This week, I am thrilled to introduce Doyle Glass, a former criminal prosecutor, an American historical novelist, and a sculptor who brings us the powerful story of the young men who fought in Vietnam. Doyle's journey is one of passion, perseverance, and the desire to preserve the untold stories of those who served. His book, Swift Sword, is a tribute to the Vietnam War veterans whose real experiences were often overlooked or forgotten. Tune in for an unforgettable conversation about history, healing, and the importance of telling the truth. IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free or become a paid subscriber to watch the video version of this episode and be eligible to receive other extras such as exclusive content from podcast guests, short stories, exclusive fiction and more! https://substack.com/@reenitahora
Reenita is also on Patreon! Check out her link here:https://www.patreon.com/Reenita
Fiction Credits: Written by Doyle Glass Read by Doyle Glass
GUEST RESOURCES:
HOST RESOURCES BIO: Doyle Glass (born January 22, 1962) is an American historical novelist and sculptor known for his bestselling books Lions of Medina (2007) and Swift Sword (2023), as well as his sculptures of the Texas and Kentucky Medal of Honor Memorials. A former criminal prosecutor, Glass began writing and sculpting after his legal career. Lions of Medina details the sacrifices of Charlie Company Marines in Vietnam, while Swift Sword recounts a harrowing firefight in the Queson Valley. His upcoming book, Unthrottled: The Story of Robert Benoist (2025), will tell the story of a French Grand Prix champion turned British secret agent during WWII. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 26 Apr 2022 | EP 9 - The Grape Farm Spectre | 00:47:09 | |
In this episode, I’m speaking with Rajeev Samant, CEO of Sula Vineyards and the man responsible for putting wine on the map of India. When asked about his success he simply says he was “the right guy in the right place with the right background.” His friends called him crazy when he quit his job and moved to a poverty-stricken area in India to start a vineyard. But, he now has the last laugh having created one of the most visited vineyards in the world. Rajeev talks about the team he assembled to help him create Sula Vineyards, the bureaucratic obstacles he had to overcome in the beginning, and his top takeaways for entrepreneurs. Later in the episode, we hear a fictional story written by Gary Krivstov.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[02:20] The right guy in the right place with the right background
[08:15] Acclimating to the culture of Nashik
[11:52] Rajeev’s team and mentors
[15:30] Challenges of an entrepreneur
[20:08] Agricultural entrepreneurship in India
[23:25] Takeaways from Rajeev’s experience
[31:38] FICTION: Sanith grapples with tales of a ghost in his vineyard
[35:35] Sanith’s father recounts seeing the Spirit and Sanith tries to understand
[41:50] Sanith gets to the bottom of the ghost story
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Rajeev’s success goes far beyond having established and grown a business, he essentially crafted an industry that was nonexistent in India.
Rajeev turned the vineyard into one of the most visited vineyards in the world. He created a destination where people would love what they saw and experienced. Where they would leave as converts and as brand ambassadors.
The Indian government has a lot of potential when it comes to agricultural progress. Rajeev explains how bringing in private buyers could balance out the larger farms that are far too politically powerful.
Entrepreneurs need to be strong. They have to be mentally resilient.
In your business, if you're not talking about sustainability and you're not thinking about doing business in an eco-friendly way from day one, then you should not be doing it.
BIO:
Rajeev Samant is the CEO of Sula Vineyards.
LINKS:
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
INSTAGRAM
LINKED IN Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 27 Sep 2023 | Revisited – The Don Of The Southern Boundary with Les Bird | 00:35:04 | |
Welcome to this revisited episode of the True Fiction Project Podcast. I have the privilege of speaking with Les Bird about his fascinating history as a Marine Police Officer in 1976 during the Hong Kong Handover. Les has now written two books about his 21 years in the Marines and his work in helping Vietnamese refugees arrive safely in Hong Kong following the end of the Vietnam War. He recounts specific memories of rescuing refugees from hired criminals and pirates and details the less than ideal conditions of travel that so many Vietnamese braved in order to make it to Hong Kong. Also hear a short story based on Les’ Marine adventures called, The Dawn of the Southern Boundary, from Anna Marie Evans.
IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Fiction Credits: Short story written and read by: Anna Marie Evans Contact Information: Anna Marie Evans - hkhradio3@gmail.com BIO: Born in 1951, Les comes from a military family. His father, grandfather and three uncles all served in the Royal Navy, whilst his mother served as a gunner with the Royal Artillery during World War II. Les was the second from his family to serve in Hong Kong. His father was part of the British Royal Navy force that came to Hong Kong in August 1945 at the end of the Japanese military occupation and subsequently helped in the policing of the territory throughout 1946. Les Bird joined the Royal Hong Kong Police in 1976 and worked in the Marine Police for 21 years until June 1997. Bird’s work was diverse – he was a rural inspector of West Lantau and in the early 80s he returned to launch-going duties overseeing the influx of tens of thousands of Vietnamese refugees in the years that followed. During his service, Les commanded three of the five Marine divisions and also headed the SBU, the Marine Fast Pursuit Unit combating cross-border smuggling of people, arms, drugs and luxury cars. After leaving the police in 1997, Les moved into the private sector, working in the security industry across Asia. He is an endurance athlete and has taken part in Ironman events and long-distance triathlons worldwide. He represented Great Britain at the 2009 Ironman World Championship. In 201,1 he swam the English Channel and in 2012, summited Mont Blanc. In 2020, he spoke to a sold-out audience at the Hong Kong International Literary Festival about his memoir “A Small Band of Men: An Englishman’s Adventures in Hong Kong’s Marine Police.” And at the 2021 Festival, he presented photographs and stories from his second book “Along the Southern Boundary: A Marine Police Officer’s Frontline Account of the Vietnamese Boatpeople and their Arrival in Hong Kong.” Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 21 May 2024 | Revisited - Faking the Grade | 00:35:51 | |
In this revisited episode of the True Fiction Project Podcast, actor, writer, and stand up comedian Shenuque Tissera shares his story of how he went from a Doctor of Geography to a Stand Up Comedian. He talks about the expectations his parents had of him after immigrating to the US, and his fear of disappointing them as he faked his graduation and dropped out of graduate school. We hear all about the Art of Killin' It and the other projects he is currently working on. The episode ends with the short story titled, Faking the Grade by Michael Kobzik. In this story we follow an aspiring stand up comedian who officially drops out from becoming a Doctor of Geography but still shows up at his graduation to receive a fake diploma to appease his unaware parents.
IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Fiction Credits: Excerpt written by: Michael Kobsik Excerpt narrated by:
BIO: Shenuque is an actor, writer, and stand-up comedian. He portrays 'Jaylen' in the theatrical production of the Art of Killin' It. He's been featured on HBO Max's Human By Orientation. He is also the voice of Yaksha Rah on the Twenty Sided Podcast. You can find him @shenuque on Instagram or @fakeshenuque on TikTok. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 07 Dec 2023 | S4 Ep 4 - Storms From a Clear Sky | 00:31:54 | |
Denise has an incredible skill of turning the truth of WWII into a fiction book that people will both learn the history from while also finding the story engaging and entertaining. An award winning writer, teacher, actress, director and producer, Denise is a wealth of knowledge, and I am so grateful to have her back on the show. She shares why America and the world has such a fascination with spies and then dives into how spies helped lead Japan to their attack on Pearl Harbor, 82 years ago today. Denise discusses why she chose to write fiction vs. nonfiction and how she used her research to create such an engaging story. She then reads an excerpt from her story Storms From a Clear Sky where the Americans realize that they’ve been assisting a Japanese spy all along. IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Check out HelloFresh and use my code truefictionprojectfree for a great deal: https://www.hellofresh.com/ Fiction Credits: Excerpt written by: Denise Frisino Excerpt narrated by: Denise Frisino BIO: A Seattle native, Denise Frisino, is an award-winning writer, teacher, actress, director, and producer. Whiskey Cove, her first novel, a fast-paced who done it, centers around Prohibition in the Northwest. Next came Orchids of War and Storms From A Clear Sky, both finalists in numerous national competitions, including 1st place for the Hemingway Book Award for 20th Century Wartime Fiction. When researching for these historical fictions, Denise spent over 10 years interviewing 50 men and women from the WWII era. She weaves the experiences of those she interviewed into her story about Japanese espionage along the West Coast prior to WWII, then follows the same characters throughout the war. She is currently working on the last book in the Orchids Trilogy and the movie script for Whiskey Cove Her blogs and YouTube channel contain some of the WWII veteran interviews and she has just launched a new web www.wwiiinterviews.com. Denise has stood atop 5 mountain peaks over 14,000 feet, lived aboard one of the old Mosquito Fleet boats on Lake Union, and drank scotch with Katharine Hepburn. She enjoys being on the water and loves her rowboat. Denise and her husband continue to enjoy the many facets of the Pacific Northwest. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 09 Mar 2022 | EP 5 - Emergency Ukraine Crisis episode: A Plea from Yuriy | 00:29:38 | |
In this Ukraine special emergency episode, I’m speaking with Yuriy, a journalist on the ground in Kyiv who has taken up arms to fight for the freedom of his country. Yuriy recalls waking up to the early morning attacks in Kyiv and shares how this unwarranted conflict has affected his family and the civilians of Ukraine. He speaks to the heroic and sacrificial patriotism of his fellow Ukrainians. Yuriy’s main concern is to appeal to Western allies to take to the streets in an effort to help convince NATO to help Ukraine by establishing a no fly zone. Later in the episode, we hear two fictional stories that give us a glimpse into the sobering realities that the people of Ukraine are facing today.
A Plea from Yuriy - A Fictional Story in Print
Mornings in the Kyiv Metro - A Fictional Story in Print
Dearest Papa - A Fictional Story in Print
IN THIS EPISODE:
[01:59] Yuriy recalls the morning when the Russians first attacked Kyiv
[05:36] Ukrainian neighbors become family as they fight for their freedom
[08:40] Yuriy shares about the location and safety of his family and pleads for Western allies to help stop the destruction of Ukraine
[14:00] Yuriy talks about his wartime duties, helping foreign journalists
[15:57] An appeal for a no fly zone to be issued for Ukraine and Yuriy’s concern for Ukrainians and all of the people of the free world
[19:28] Fiction Story #1: Mornings in the Kyiv Metro was written and voiced by Parker James
[24:02] Fiction Story #2: Dearest Papa story was written by Anjalika Sharma and voiced by her daughter, Anika
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Yuriy makes a strong plea for Ukrainian allies to do everything in their power to demand that NATO help establish a no fly zone and protect Ukrainian civilians.
From Yuriy’s perspective, Russia’s attack is not a war against only Ukraine. If Russia’s agenda is not halted it may impact free people all over the world.
Free speech may be another casualty of the Russia Ukraine situation as President Vladimir Putin is taking extreme steps to control what the Russian public knows about the invasion of Ukraine. He has signed a law that imposes stiff sentences on journalists who air what he deems to be false information.
In “Mornings in the Kyiv Metro,” we see the loss, confusion, and hardship of Russia’s attacks through a child’s eyes. In “Dearest Papa,” a father and daughter are separated by the Ukrainian war with only memories and letters to comfort them.
LINKS:
Listen to Yuriy’s Fighting For Ukraine: On The Ground for daily updates
Apple Podcast
Spotify
Visit Change.org to petition demanding NATO to install a no fly zone of Ukraine: https://www.change.org/p/no fly-zone-for-ukraine-now
A Plea from Yuriy - A Fictional Story in Print
Mornings in the Kyiv Metro - A Fictional Story in Print
Dearest Papa - A Fictional Story in Print Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 22 Mar 2022 | EP 6 - White Terror | 00:40:48 | |
In this episode, I’m speaking with Steve Vines, who was a journalist based in Hong Kong for 35 years until he recently left for political reasons in 2021. Steve shares the rapid series of events that ultimately led to his departure from the country he called “home.” Steve sheds light on the current situation in Hong Kong by looking back at its history and the resilient spirit of Hong Kong, which he has studied in depth for his new book, Defying the Dragon: Hong Kong and the World's Largest Dictatorship. He discusses how there was once a high degree of liberty and low democracy in Hong Kong, but now both are non-existent. Later in the episode, we hear a fictional story about the oppression and propaganda that is prevalent in Hong Kong.
White Terror - A Fictional Story in Print
IN THIS EPISODE:
[01:11] Steve’s departure from Hong Kong
[07:39] White Terror explained
[10:20] Democracy, Liberty and the Special Administrative Region
[18:30] The incredible spirit of Hong Kong
[23:00] What other societies can learn from the situation in Hong Kong
[30:29] FICTION: White Terror
[33:33] Bob defies the warnings to stay in at night
[37:00] Bob leaves Hong Kong after witnessing something terrible
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
White Terror refers to the suppression of the democracy movement by the Taiwanwese government after they left the main Chinese mainland and installed a regime on the island of Taiwan. It’s what is similarly happening in Hong Kong now.
The Special Administrative Region claimed that Hong Kong would be a fully-fledged capitalist society until 2047. If we look back more carefully, the mainland never really saw one country or two systems applying to the political orient.
The narrative that is spun in Hong Kong by the Chinese communist party is that the terrible people of Hong Kong brought all these troubles on themselves by provoking the mainland.
Hong Kong survived the 1960s and came back stronger. Hong Kong has survived enormous economic recessions, and many, many things but come back stronger. So the question is, will the spirit of Hong Kong survive this?
BIO:
Stephen Vines was a Hong Kong based journalist, writer and businessman until 2021 when he was forced to leave for political reasons. He is the author of Defying the Dragon – Hong Kong and the World’s Largest Dictatorship.
In Hong Kong, he was the founding Chief Editor of ‘Eastern Express,’ a groundbreaking daily newspaper published in Hong Kong. He was also a founder and publisher of Spike magazine.
He presented a weekly current affairs television programme – The Pulse – produced by RTHK and is a frequent broadcaster and commentator on business and political affairs for newspapers and a number of international radio and TV stations.
Vines combined writing with founding and running a number of companies, mainly in the food sector and this has enabled him to learn a lot more about how business really works.
He is the author of a number of books including ‘Hong Kong: China’s New Colony’ and a study of the Asian financial crisis called ‘The Years of Living Dangerously’. He is also author of the multi-edition ‘Market Panic’ and ‘Food Gurus.’
Stephen Vines was the Deputy Business Editor of The Observer and has worked for The Guardian, The Independent, The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Times, and the BBC.
LINKS:
https://stephenvines-author.com/
White Terror - A Fictional Story in Print Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 04 Apr 2023 | S3 Ep 1 - Lalan & the Kathiawadi Horse | 00:31:02 | |
Welcome to season 3 of the True Fiction Project Podcast! I was delighted to speak with Mrinalini Watson, a social justice researcher of Rajasthan folktales. Mrinalini discusses how the caste system works in Rajasthan and what social injustices she’s experienced while visiting. She spoke about how stories are shared throughout the villages and how folktales are created. Mrinalini then shares a folktale of Lalan and the Kathiawadi Horse, which tells the story of a woman who fulfills her dying father's wish when her brothers refused. At the end of the episode, we discuss how fiction stories come alive from actual events. Tune in to hear more about how folktales impact the world, the similarities between stories in different cultures, and how they highlight issues that we all share.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[2:18] What does it mean to collect folktales, and how did the folktales come to be?
[6:44] Were the social injustices relevant when Mrinalini visited Rajasthan?
[9:20] Why do women have to cover their faces and take off their shoes? Why would they get in trouble if they didn't?
[11:48] What is the caste system, and how does it work?
[17:43] Mrinalini Watson shares a folktale of Lalan and the Kathiawadi Horse, about a dying father's wish to give a horse to each person who had supported him as king and how his daughter made it happen when his sons wouldn't.
[23:37] How much of this story is true or steeped in mythology?
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
The folktales were created by patrons/genealogists who would come in for special occasions like birth or wedding and were called to narrate a story. Each person in the family has their own storyteller, which resulted in individual collections of stories.
The caste system is very pronounced. It takes greater prominence over the economic divide. You have the upper class, who can be poor people, but they can still have a higher status than wealthier scheduled castes.
Folktales are a way for people to deal with their problems. We see similar stories all across different cultures where the same story would not have been shared before. People around the world have similar problems; they're using similar strategies to resolve these problems through storytelling. We aren’t so special and unique afterall.
Fiction Credits:
A folktale read by: Mrinalini Watson
BIO:
Mrinalini Watson is a student – with undergraduate degrees in nutrition and accounting. She has graduate degrees in tax, linguistics, and literary translation and is a retired CPA. Mrinalini is a state department-administered Critical Language (CGIU) conference attendee and award recipient.
Co-founder of enLighten two emPower, an NGO empowering girls and women in remote areas of rural Rajasthan. Recipient of two Fulbright fellowships for research on social justice in Rajasthani folktales that I will be collecting and translating. Currently learning the Bengali language and culture and studying anthropology.
An athlete – from high school (track and field, long-distance races, gymnastics, swimming, and basketball) to the present (summited Mt. Whitney 5 times; 2 L A marathons; and a few half marathons) Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 15 Aug 2022 | S2 EP 4 - India at 75: A special "Partition Story" with Shukla Lal, author of Rano & Phulo | 00:33:02 | |
Today, we have a very special show because we are celebrating the 75th anniversary of Independent India, which fell on August 15th. Our special guest is Shukla Lal, a writer based in New Delhi, who has recently written a book detailing her personal experience from the partition that led to India’s Independence. We hear the amazing story of her father’s incredible escape in the midst of the violence and mayhem of the partition. Later in the episode, Shukla’s daughter, Sonia Kullar, reads an excerpt from Shukla’s book, Rano and Phulo.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[01:50] Shukla and her new book on the 75th Anniversary of the Partition of India are introduced.
[05:39] We hear about Shukla’s family’s experience before the partition and how her father escaped.
[11:45] We learn how her true events are interwoven into her short story.
[14:30] We explore how Shukla’s story captures an India frozen in time.
[18:50] Has India grown into the identity it desired after the partition?
[21:16] We hear about the future of India and more about Shukla’s written work.
[24:57] Short Story: Written by Shukla Lal, and read by Shukla’s daughter, Sonia Kullar.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Shukla and her family left for Shimla on holiday, never believing that they would not return to their home due to rising political and religious tensions, now known as the partition of India. Her book is based on her family’s experience during this time.
Following the partition, there was a renewed sense of nationalism and patriotism. It was also a time where women were leading out in entrepreneurship and contributing as business women.
India continues to rise and be recognized for its culture and ethics. Since the 60s and 70s it has grown from being a developing and poor nation to being a globally recognized and self-respecting nation.
Fiction Credits:
Short story taken from a book written by Shukla Lal, Rano and Phulo
Shukla Lal's website
Shukla Lal's Facebook
Link for further research
Sonia Kullar, reading from Shukla Lal’s novel, Rano & Phulo
Sonia's email
BIO:
Shukla Lal was born in Amritsar. As a child, she imbibed the beauty and diversity of this beautiful land – India, as her family moved from Amritsar, Lahore, Shimla, to the Central and Southern cities of Madras (now Chennai), Nagpur and Hyderabad and eventually found their anchor in Calcutta (now Kolkata) in the early-1950s. Over 40 years later, she moved to New Delhi to retire.
Since catching the literary bug on her 80th birthday, Shukla has written two historical romance sagas, Floating Logs set in Kolkata (published by Notion Press in December 2019), and Rano and Phulo set in Undivided and then partitioned India (published by Goya Publishing in March, 2019), and a collection of poems, Meri Nazmon ka Ehsaas (soon to be published) all captured gamely on her iPad Notes App. She has finished the first draft of her third historical novel, Soul’s Rapture, a mystical romance set in Lahore and Mumbai. She has also written several short stories. She was invited to write for the Chandigarh Tribune, and has been interviewed for the Reader’s Digest, the Times of India, the Telegraph (Kolkata), and www.womensweb.com. Her deep spiritual practice and sense of wonder for the beauty of the world around her find expression in her storytelling. Her own lived experience adds luster and authenticity to her stories.
Joyful wit and multilingual expressiveness is a family trait she inherited from her parents and shares with her accomplished siblings. Her choice of stories and writing style could best be understood from her own words “I am a romantic and an idealist by nature and find true romance scattered everywhere irrespective of class, creed, religion, nationality or age”.
Shukla Lal Website
Shukla Lal on Facebook (personal)
Shukla Lal on Facebook (business)
Shukla Lal on Instagram
Good Reads - Shukla Lal
If you would like to purchase any of Shukla Lal’s books, follow these links::
Amazon India
Flipkart Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 02 Aug 2022 | S2 EP 3 - "Ro's Journey of Love" | 00:33:01 | |
I’m delighted to be speaking with fellow podcast host, Julia Karol, who is the creator of Stork’d, the podcast where she highlights the unique ways in which people come together and find family. The growth of the podcast has paralleled her own personal journey of discovering what family truly means, no matter what shape it takes. You’ll find inspiration as you hear Julia’s beautiful story about heartbreak, healing, love, and her decision to become a single mom in her 40s. Later in the episode, we hear “Ro’s Journey of Love,” a short story inspired by Julia’s journey, and written by Priya Sharma Shaikh.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[2:20] What is the meaning of traditional family and love
[3:27] The premise behind Julia’s podcast, Stork’d
[03:43] A traditional upbringing and choosing an untraditional path towards family
[07:33] Healing after a break up in her 30s and the decision to freeze her eggs
[14:06] A life changing trip to Peru and the next phase of family building
[17:50 Julia’s path down the fertility journey
[22:05] Short story: “Ro’s Journey of Love” by Priya Sharma Shaikh
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Having a family and experiencing the love and joy it brings, no matter in which way or shape it comes, is more important than trying to conform to what a traditional family looks like.
Additional family building options like adoption, IUI, or egg freezing are becoming more culturally accepted and available through advances in science. However, even with these options, it is still a backup plan and you have to remember that no plan is perfect.
Stork’d podcast started from Julia’s interest in how people create amazing families in unique ways. It has grown as a space to help normalize the different paths that people can take to find love and family.
Fiction Credits:
“Ro’s Journey of Love,” a short story written and read by Priya Sharma Shaikh
Voice Over by: Priya Sharma Shaikh
Contact Information: priyasharmashaikh@gmail.com
Twitter: @piyushaikh
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priyasharmashaikh/recent-activity/posts/
BIO:
Julia Karol is a mom, creative leader, warm friend, animal lover, and champion of alternative families.
When she is not hosting Stork'd, Julia runs a private investment firm which acquires, operates, and improves businesses at a crossroads. She loves supporting businesses to grow and evolve. Passionate about social change, Julia also supports a number of non-profit organizations.
Outside of work, Julia's passions include hiking, skiing, yoga, and reading. She lives in Boston, MA, with her dog and infant son.
Stork'd Podcast Website
Stork'd Podcast on Facebook
Stork'd Podcast on Instagram
Stork'd Podcast on Pinterest
The podcasts available on this website have been produced for informational, educational and entertainment purposes only. The stories and experiences contained within the interview reflect the experiences and opinions of the guest. The short fiction story reflects the creativity of the writer. The contents of this podcast do not reflect the opinions of the podcast or its host and do not create any type of professional relationship between the audience and presenters. True Fiction Project Podcast expressly disclaims any and all liability relating to any actions, beliefs or opinions of the guests taken or not taken based on any or all contents of this site. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 19 Dec 2023 | S4 Ep 5 - New Rock New Role | 00:25:59 | |
Richard Sparks has been successful in so much of his work from writing The Schoolmaster, performed by Rowan Atkinson, to aiding an opera singer to launch her career. The one area he couldn’t seem to get into was fiction writing, until now that is. On today’s episode, I am so excited to have writer and author Richard Sparks on the show to discuss his prior pieces of work as well as his new fantasy novel! Richard shares what it was like to work with John Cleese, Rowan Atkinson, and others. At the end of the episode, we hear a clip from his new fantasy story, New Rock New Role that talks about a man who gets sucked into a video game and is trying to understand how he got there. This is Richard’s take on how it would feel to be a character in one of the games that he frequently plays. The clip we hear is from early on in the book and series, and there is more to come! Grab a free audio book chapter and ebook chapter or buy the full novel released December 12 on his website - www.richardsparks.com! IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Check out HelloFresh and use my code truefictionprojectfree for a great deal: https://www.hellofresh.com/ Fiction and Schoolmaster Credits: Excerpt written by: Richard Sparks Excerpt narrated by: Richard Sparks Schoolmaster Clip performed by: Rowan Atkinson Schoolmaster Clio written by Richard Sparks BIO: Born in England, and a graduate of Oxford University (Exeter College, where, like both JRR Tolkien and Philip Pullman before him, he read English), Richard started out as a writer of stage plays, comedy revues and TV, for such shows as Not the Nine o’clock News. Rowan Atkinson performed his Schoolmaster sketch in John Cleese’s The Secret Policeman’s Ball. UK TV credits include The Famous Five, The Flying Kiwi, The Optimist, The Worst of Hollywood, and a lot of script editing. On being hired by Columbia Pictures TV, Richard moved with his family to Los Angeles. His lyrics have been recorded by talents as diverse as Dom de Luise, Eric Idle, Vanessa Williams and Plácido Domingo. He has written libretti for several new operas composed by Lee Holdridge (TV’s Beauty and the Beast, et al.), produced by the LA Opera, as well writing new English versions of German and Italian classics. His non-fiction books, Diary of a Mad Poker Player, and its sequel, Getting Lucky, chronicle his adventures in the poker boom of the 2000’s. Along the Cherry Lane is his biography of the music producer, Milt Okun. “High Adventure Spiced with Low Comedy,” inspired by his love of online role-playing games, New Rock New Role is the first of four volumes Richard has written so far in the New Rock fantasy series, and is his fiction debut. Buy New Rock New Role Fantasy Novel Today! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| 31 May 2022 | EP 12 - ENCORE - Wiseguy Charming | 00:35:54 | |
I want to tell you about a show I think you'll enjoy: Play On Podcasts -- epic audio adventures that reimagine Shakespeare’s timeless tales, featuring original music composition and the voices of award-winning actors. Each episode explores plays from Macbeth to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, in a way that you can actually understand it and created specifically for the podcast form by some of America’s most exciting playwrights, directors and composers, and performed by stage and screen’s best. Check out their current season of King Lear that stars Emmy-winner Keith David and Severance star Tramell Tillman. Hear Shakespeare like you've never heard before. Subscribe to Play On Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.
I am re-releasing this episode with guest Ethan Hershenfeld. In this episode, I’m speaking with accomplished standup comedian and actor, Ethan Hershenfeld. We talk about his most recent projects and his experience with often being typecast as the villain. We also discuss the nuances of diversity and cultural appropriation for entertainers. The latter part of the episode features a fictional story – written and read by Parker James – and inspired by Ethan’s one and only time playing Prince Charming. Listen as we touch on the complexities of the entertainment industry and hear a new fictional narrative inspired by Ethan’s acting experience.
Wise Guy Charming - A Fictional Story in Print
Play on Podcasts
IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:01] Ethan Herschenfeld introduced
[00:59] From Opera Singer to Comedian/Actor
[02:38] Thug Thug Jew
[04:10] Typecasting
[08:09] Diversity in the entertainment industry
[12:16] Cultural appropriations in entertainment
[16:40] Addressing cultural issues in comedy
[20:30] Upcoming projects
[22:59] Ethan’s writing prompt
[26:39] Wiseguy Charming
[30:09] A disinterest in the family business and dream of acting
[31:06] Acting classes while working for the family business
[32:23] Dream role as Prince Charming
[33:37] A surprise confrontation
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Ethan spent the better part of two decades as an opera singer, before transitioning to stand up, where he enjoys the spontaneous laughter and the release of energy from the audience.
Although there has been a push for diversity in theater and TV, racism is still woven in storylines in how villains are written as certain ethnicities. There is still an infinite appetite from audiences for cliche and offensive storylines related to certain ethnicities and religions.
Comedy is a different world where you're getting laughs and allowing people to unload baggage around topics that are very charged.
The beauty of theater and performing arts in general, is it opens up a world of empathy for the audience and for the performer to explore things that they don't get to explore in their real lives. There has to be, however, a push to diversify roles and casting and be cognisant of cultural appropriation.
BIO:
Ethan Herschenfeld: Actor and comedian
His album Thug Thug Jew was #1 on iTunes and Amazon and the special is on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AUA8wel23qI
High Maintenance (hbo): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpJ--b-Sd4A[Text Wrapping Break]
Boardwalk Empire (hbo): https://youtu.be/vqUuys6pJCE
Red Notice on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/watch/81161626?trackId=259607612&tctx=6%2C1%2C5a5fe77d-2b17-41ef-94a4-13a67831e188-448571224%2C6c29447b-cdcd-48f3-afeb-832d0026d654_63186441X101XX1637761873650%2C%2C
2020 reel: https://youtu.be/a6TXfWrxckk
WEBSITE: ethanherschenfeld.com
TWITTER: @ethanherschenfeld
INSTAGRAM: @eherschenfeld
LINKS:
His album Thug Thug Jew was #1 on iTunes and Amazon and the special is on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AUA8wel23qI
David Feldman Show: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/david-feldman-show/id321997239 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||