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Living The Next Chapter: Candid Conversations with Authors and Writers for Readers Searching for a New Read — Books
Living The Next Chapter: Candid Conversations with Authors and Writers for Readers Searching for a New Read

Living The Next Chapter: Inspiring Conversations with Amazing Authors and Writers – Better Questions, Better Conversations, Better Connections

Are you an avid reader or an aspiring writer seeking inspiration to embark on your own literary journey? Look no further! Welcome to “Living The Next Chapter,” the podcast that celebrates the world of books and writing. Join us as we connect you with captivating authors who have mastered the art of storytelling.

Living The Next Chapter is more than just a podcast. It is a platform built for meaningful conversations, authentic storytelling, and real connection within the literary world. Each episode highlights inspiring authors who openly share their journeys, including the struggles they have overcome, the triumphs they have achieved, and the lessons they have learned along the way.

This is a space where better questions lead to better conversations, and ultimately, stronger connections. Whether you are an experienced author or continuing to grow your voice, this platform offers a unique opportunity to expand your reach, elevate your message, and connect with a global audience that is passionate about books and writing.

This show is always ad free, if you love what you hear, please refill our coffee cup here! https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

https://livingthenextchapter.com/

Author Podcast, Podcast for Authors, Book Podcast, Authors, Writing, Books, Literature, Storytelling, Creative Writing, Bestselling Authors, Interviews with Authors, Writing Tips, Publishing Insights, Book Recommendations, Author Experiences, Literary Discussions, Writing Process, Inspiring Conversations with Authors, How to Write a Book, Tips for Aspiring Writers, Behind the Scenes of Writing, Exploring Author Journeys

Latest Episodes:

E633 - Chris Kruger - Walking Away from the Ledge - A Soldier's Memoir, the raw truth of war, survival, and self-destruction Nov 22, 2025

Show notes

EPISODE 633 - Chris Kruger - Walking Away from the Ledge - A Soldier's Memoir, the raw truth of war, survival, and self-destruction
Walking Away from the Ledge: A Soldier's Memoir
Walking Away from the Ledge is a hard-hitting, no-BS military memoir that goes beyond the battlefield to expose the raw truth of war, survival, and self-destruction. With an unapologetic voice and brutal honesty, Chris takes readers deep inside the challenging world of an Army Ranger, the brotherhood that holds soldiers together, and the personal demons that threaten to tear them apart.
More than a war story, this book is about what happens when the fight doesn’t end—the toll of combat, the grip of addiction, and the struggle to hold onto love when everything else is falling apart. This memoir hits hard, digs deep, and refuses to look away.
https://paradedeck.com/news/author/christopher-kruger
https://a.co/d/b4CukhO

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podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/
Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!
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E632 - Shelley Grandy - Devious Web - A bingeworthy mystery thriller through business and politics Nov 21, 2025

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E632 - Shelley Grandy - Devious Web - A bingeworthy mystery thriller through business and politics
Shelley Grandy, Canadian author of the tech‑thriller Devious Web, joins the show to talk about her path from journalism and corporate communications into fiction, and how her real‑world experience in high‑tech and politics shaped the novel. Born in Timmins and now living in Trenton, Ontario, Shelley spent years as a reporter and then as a writer in the telecom and fibre‑optics world, eventually running her own PR firm. That background in data, networks, and media handling feeds directly into Devious Web, which follows Tom Oliver, a Toronto tech CEO whose data‑analytics company becomes the center of a dangerous conspiracy just as he’s about to sell to a Silicon Valley buyer. The story weaves together business intrigue, family tensions, politics, and a homicide investigation led by Tom’s detective friend, with Shelley using interviews and media moments in the book to naturally explain complex technology and U.S. issues like gerrymandering for general readers.

Shelley also opens up about the reality of being a debut novelist later in life: finishing the manuscript isn’t the finish line, it’s the starting gun. She describes the emotional and practical challenges of claiming the title “author,” battling imposter syndrome, and then having to learn social media, build a website, start a newsletter, and get comfortable showing up in public to market the book. For someone used to writing behind the scenes, events like speaking at the National Women’s Show in Toronto, experimenting with Instagram, and nurturing an email list are all part of what she calls “The Journey”—the ongoing process she chronicles on her blog. Her training as a journalist still shapes her fiction: she writes in tight, scene‑based chapters that she can easily imagine on screen, focuses on strong openings, and then has to consciously slow down to add colour, atmosphere, and richer description.

A big part of the conversation dives into how Devious Web blends entertainment with timely themes. Shelley talks about drawing on her long‑standing interest in U.S. politics—especially the Trump era and debates over democracy—to bring gerrymandering, data analytics, and the misuse of personal information into the plot without turning the book into a lecture. She explains gerrymandering in plain language, connects it to modern data‑driven targeting, and hints at how the wrong hands using the right software could tip the balance of power, all while keeping the focus on mystery, character, and suspense. The book also reflects her personal passions: there’s a romantic subplot, horses and equestrian life, Canadian settings she knows intimately (from Toronto restaurants and banks to Honey Harbour and Caledon stables), and vivid secondary characters like Patrick, the charming Irish “bad boy” whose Las Vegas misadventures were especially fun for her to write. Shelley even shares how she fact‑checked locations after the pandemic by revisiting them in person, turning research into a kind of mini‑adventure.

https://www.shelleygrandy.com/

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podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/
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E631 - Tia Lashay - Question of Affection, A heartfelt journey of vulnerability, courage and love Nov 20, 2025

Show notes

EPISODE 631 - Tia Lashay - Question of Affection, A heartfelt journey of vulnerability, courage and love
Book: Question of Affection - Ian is a self-reliant pharmacist in her late 30s, navigating the labyrinth of love and loss. With a past marred by heartbreak, Ian has been searching for the missing piece to complete her life. Her journey turns unexpectedly when she meets Wyatt at a speed-dating event, sparking a glimmer of hope that true love might be within reach. However, life throws her a curveball when she finds herself drawn to her enigmatic female neighbor, challenging her perceptions and stirring up emotions she's never faced before.
As Ian delicately balances these newfound relationships, she embarks on a path of self-discovery, exploring the multifaceted nature of her heart. Delve into Ian's world, where love knows no bounds, and learn how embracing one's true self can lead to the most profound connections. Will Ian find the courage to embrace her desires and redefine her understanding of love? Join her on this heartfelt journey of vulnerability, courage, and the beautiful complexities of sexuality and growth.
https://www.winsbookspublishing.com/store/p/question-of-affection?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAae38prEvOv1c6-Xn9t39qOMh2g0CSzt7ICOnBjVlVXduA_jgQod0fXd2biHhQ_aem_N3xCZCVH6H2oToQ45MnFqQ

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https://livingthenextchapter.com/
podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/
Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!
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E630 - Sheral DeVaughn - The “Word Whisperer.” She is a 3-time #1-rated radio morning show host, podcast host, keynote speaker and professional emce Nov 19, 2025

Show notes

Episode 630 - Sheral DeVaughn - The “Word Whisperer.” She is a 3-time #1-rated radio morning show host, podcast host, keynote speaker and professional emce

Sheral DeVaughn is a 3-time, #1-rated radio morning show host and podcast host. She is a sought after speaker impacting global audiences and is the voice on commercials and marketing promotions nationwide. She is the founder of Speaking with Sher, a Communication Strategy Consultation service connecting your voice and your message to your ideal audience.
The Frog Book
Sheral DeVaughn takes you on an adventure where there are no fairy godmothers nor white knights in shining armor, but there still are steps you can take to get to your “happily ever after.”
Using anecdotes of her own personal struggles, and professional obstacles in both the radio and wine and spirit industries, she masterfully tells stories and gives you steps on how to overcome your own hurdles and find your voice once again.
Part autobiography, part motivational book, part self-help primer, you’ll find a piece of your own story within the pages, and discover where you might be holding yourself back, how to come to terms with life’s scars and baggage, and how to get yourself to the finish line of a life that is fulfilling and joyful.
If you’ve ever felt like you have an “invisible voice” and struggle to be heard, then The Frog in Your Throat is the unconventional primer you need to leap over life’s hurdles and open the door to a more satisfying life experience.
https://thefroginyourthroat.com/

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podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/
Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!
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E629 - Allison Cundiff - Hey, Pickpocket - Is it possible to leave behind one life and find a new one Nov 18, 2025

Show notes

EPISODE 629 - Allison Cundiff - Hey, Pickpocket - Is it possible to leave behind one life and find a new one
Allison Cundiff’s publications include the novel Hey Pickpocket (2025, JackLeg Press), two books of poetry: Otherings (2016, Golden Antelope Press), and In Short, A Memory of the Other on a Good Day, co-authored with Steven Schreiner, (2014, Golden Antelope Press), and two chapbooks: Snapshot (2023, Bottlecap Press), and Just to See How It Feels (2018, Word Press). Her second novel, The Mysterious Women of J Road is forthcoming in March of 2026 (April Gloaming).
She is a graduate of the University of Missouri (MA English Literature, MEd Secondary Education) and Truman State University (BA English Literature). She teaches at Lindenwood University and at Parkway North High School.
Book: Hey Pickpocket
“Is it possible to leave behind one life and find a new one? This is the provocative question ‘Hey, Pickpocket’ poses, and the result is a deeply felt exploration of grief, redemption, and the human heart. Spanning cultures and continents, foggy mornings on the Arans and hazy memories of the States, Allison Cundiff's debut novel probes the eternal riddle of home, the enduring allure of hope.”
-Jeffrey Zuckerman
https://www.allisoncundiff.net/

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https://livingthenextchapter.com/
podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/
Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!
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E628 - Nicholas Casbarro - Vitalerium, A novel was written at 36,000 feet - the narrative of Roman Matthews Nov 17, 2025

Show notes

EPISODE 628 - Nicholas Casbarro - Vitalerium, A novel was written at 36,000 feet - the narrative of Roman Matthews
Welcome to the Vitalerium Universe
A Sci-Fi Series By Nicholas Keating Casbarro
A dark, thrilling odyssey that will challenge everything you think you know about humanity’s future. Seven centuries from now, the stars are both a refuge and a battlefield, where ambition, deception, and survival collide.
Hailed as a critically acclaimed sci-fi epic, Vitalerium – Descent into the Void delivers a relentless adventure filled with political intrigue, forbidden power, and cosmic mystery. Will you uncover the secrets that lie beyond the void—or be consumed by them?
Nicholas Casbarro
Born in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1990. He attended Northeastern University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in Boston, class of 2013. Though he never practiced, he maintained his curiosity and love for the sciences. After college, he worked in the medical device field with a specialty in wound-healing and burn treatment. In 2021, he joined a regenerative medicine company where he would spend five days a week on a plane, traveling the country to work with burn surgeons and victims. While flying, he experienced a spark of inspiration, and decided to follow the thread. Since childhood, he had a deep love for science fiction, growing to appreciate the greats in sci-fi like Aldous Huxley, George Orwell, Frank Herbert, Isaac Asimov, and many others. Nicholas used his time on countless flights to create the Vitalerium Series and its universe. The majority of the Vitalerium novel was written at 36,000 feet. He has seven books planned in the Vitalerium Series and continues to craft the narrative of Roman Matthews.
https://vitaleriumseries.com/

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podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/
Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!
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E627 - Cameron Reuben Hudson - Actor, Writer and Author - the novel series, Preter-Human Chronicles Nov 16, 2025

Show notes

EPISODE 627 - Cameron Reuben Hudson - Actor, Writer and Author - the novel series, Preter-Human Chronicles
Cameron Reuben Hudson
the founder of Hudson Media Collective™, is a uniquely multifaceted artist who is always creating new works and telling stories for future generations to remember.
Whether he's writing a new book for his upcoming novel series
"Preter-Human Chronicles"™ or exploring a new character on film,
(Watch his acting debut in J&M Productions' Reacher)
There is always something bright shining on Hudson's horizon.
You'll often find him mingling and collaborating with new artists to create meaningful stories people can relate with and look up to.
Hudson Media Collective redefines storytelling by seamlessly blending film production and book publishing under one creative house.
We are committed to crafting innovative, immersive narratives that captivate audiences across multiple mediums, pushing the boundaries of how stories are told, experienced, and remembered.
https://www.hudsonmediacollective.com/
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12364897/

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podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/
Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!
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E626 - Suzanne Parry - The Soviet Experience Through Historical Fiction, Pentagon Tour, Iron Maiden of Stockholm Nov 15, 2025

Show notes

EPISODE 626 - Suzanne Parry - The Soviet Experience Through Historical Fiction, Pentagon Tour, Iron Maiden of Stockholm
Raised in a quiet rural corner of western New York State, I didn’t always want to be a writer. I was, however, always surrounded by books. Bookcases in every room. Entire walls of them. My mother was an avid reader and regular trips to the library were part of my childhood. My stepfather was a creative writing professor and words floated through the rooms and into the nooks and crannies of that pre-Civil War era farmhouse. Books weren’t my escape so much as they were part of my daily diet.
At twenty I made a list of things I wanted to accomplish and “write a book” was on it. That list included both measurable things like “learn five foreign languages” and “complete a significant athletic achievement” and less quantifiable items like “make the world a better place.” During the Cold War of my high school and college years, I very much wanted to help reduce the possibility of conflict between the US and the USSR.
I earned a bachelor’s degree at Purdue University, and then continued my Russian studies at the Pushkin Russian Language Institute in Moscow. I studied Public and International Affairs at Princeton University, received a Master’s in 1982 and started a career in public service with the US Department of Defense. My work in the Office of the Secretary of Defense focused on European security issues between NATO, Warsaw Pact, and neutral nations.
While at the Pentagon I helped negotiate the Conference on Disarmament in Europe, the first security agreement of the Gorbachev era. At the Stockholm talks as we often called the CDE, a number of my European colleagues jokingly called me the “Iron Maiden of Stockholm” in a not altogether flattering reference to British PM Margaret Thatcher, the original tough-as-nails female negotiator. The many months I spent crafting an agreement with diplomats from thirty-five nations, sitting at a table alongside NATO colleagues and opposite Soviet and Warsaw Pact counterparts, was my great honor.
After this heady time, I put most of my energy into raising a large family (requiring its own negotiating skills). Funny enough, having a family was not on that list and yet today I would say without hesitation that the most impactful (and most difficult) thing I’ve ever done is raise four children.
I lived in several countries, including the former Soviet Union, Belgium, Sweden, Singapore, and Germany. Throughout adulthood I’ve been a committed runner. I’ve completed dozens of marathons in more than twenty countries, including the fifty-six-mile Comrades Marathon in South Africa.
I eventually landed in the wonderful and welcoming city of Portland, Oregon as a single parent. There, I coached high school cross country and track at a large public high school before deciding it wasn’t too late to dust off that forty-year-old list and write a book.
I now divide my time between Portland and Washington, DC, but also travel for fun, for research, and best of all, to visit my children and grandchildren.
https://suzanneparrywrites.com/

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podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/
Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!
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E625 - Urmi Hossain - Discovering Your Identity, A Rebirth From Interracial Struggle Nov 14, 2025

Show notes

EPISODE 625 - Urmi Hossain - Discovering Your Identity, A Rebirth From Interracial Struggle
About the author
Introducing Urmi Hossain, a published author of "Discovering Your Identity: A Rebirth From Interracial Struggle". With an extensive finance background, she works full-time in the financial services industry and firmly believes in the adage "higher the risk, higher the return". Urmi is an avid opportunity seeker and is dedicated to continuous self-improvement and lifelong learning. During her leisure time, she enjoys reading and refining her public speaking skills, as well as advocating for women's empowerment. Urmi is not solely an author, but also an accomplished blogger, YouTuber, speaker, and mentor for young women. Her life philosophy revolves around the notion that anything is attainable if it is genuinely desired. Let's #beagogetter
Book: Discovering Your Identity: A Rebirth From Interracial Struggle
Do you ever feel like the challenges you face as a brown girl are unique to you or experienced universally? Are you living in a culture where others control your life to maintain their reputation in the community? Do you feel like you're living in a bubble, unable to share your point of view? This book tells the story of a brown girl who grew up in Italy with Bengali parents who wanted her to be the perfect and obedient Bengali girl. Through reflections and confessions, she shares her experiences growing up as a third-culture kid and the struggles many South Asian girls face.
https://www.iambrownstyle.com/author/urmi-hossain/
https://www.instagram.com/urmamio/
https://amzn.to/4fBlPkW

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podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/
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E624 - Beverly Burch - What You Don't Know - One contrary ghost, two women, three triangles Nov 13, 2025

Show notes

EPISODE 624 - Beverly Burch - What You Don't Know - One contrary ghost, two women, three triangles
About the author
My newest book is the novel, What You Don't Know. I also have four collections of poetry and two nonfiction books. My work has won a Lambda Literary Award, a John Ciardi Prize, a Gival Poetry Prize and was a finalist for Audre Lorde Award. I live in the Bay Area with my wife and two Maine coon cats, Mac & Zadie.
Praise For What You Don’t Know
“A dazzling story, containing so much more than the width of its spine. Love is all over the place in this novel, and you don’t know which way it will turn next, and you stay glued to the page to find out. Burch reminds us that life is complex and dynamic and we really don’t know what might happen next.”
—Nina Schuyler, award-winning author of In This Ravishing World
“Dreamy and poetic, What You Don’t Know chronicles the awakening of two young women to the intertwined forces of grief and desire. Set in soul-freeing San Francisco and music-rich Nashville, this immersive novel deeply explores the hearts of its characters.”
—Lucy Jane Bledsoe, award winning author of Tell the Rest
One contrary ghost, two women, three triangles, four children: What You Don’t Know is a bisexual love story from the Music City, the Blueridge Mountains and the Bay Area.
Chloe, beautiful, whip-smart, flees a difficult childhood and sexual betrayal to the Bay Area where she falls in love with a woman. Afraid of this love, she devotes herself to making money instead. At 29 she moves to Nashville and meets Peter, a producer whose wife Angie recently died. Angie still seems to be around though, quietly coaching Chloe about Peter and helping her twin sister Rosie through grief. Rosie is devastated by the loss of Angie and dislikes Chloe immediately, that is, until she becomes intrigued by her. After Chloe marries Peter, their relationship grows close, displeasing Angie. Chloe realizes she’s in love with Rosie, creating yet another triangle. A terrible accident ensues that upends everyone’s lives again, but bringing Chloe home to her true desires.
https://www.beverlyburch.com/

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podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/
Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!
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