Talks with Dr Shafer

Latest Episodes:

Making Reading Cool & Connecting for Kids with Aron Nels Steinke Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

Aron Nels Steinke is an incredible voice in children's literature. The author of Speechless, a Pacific Northwest Book Award Winner, and the beloved Mr Wolf's Classroom series, Aron started out as an artist, drawing from a young age, and started to accompany his drawing series with words, leading to his popular graphic novels. Kids not only love Steinke's stoires, they also see themselves in them. Aron Nels Steinke advocates for supporting kids with kidlit and discussing important topics in children's literature, and talks today with Dr Shafer about book bans, working as an author illustrator, and more. Join us for an inspiring conversation about Aron's writing and illustrating journey, and the impact his work has had on kids worldwide.

Share this episode with a teacher or family with a middle grader in your life!

Learn more about Aron Nels Steinke's work here:

https://www.mrwolfsclass.com/

Connect with Aron Nels Steinke here:

https://www.instagram.com/mrwolfcomics/

The newest addition to the Aron Nels Steinke collection is out October 6. Pre-Order here:

https://bookshop.org/p/books/la-classe-de-m-loup-aron-nels-steinke/b5020de33d750a3f?ean=9798225061609&next=t

Meet Aron Nels Steinke at the upcoming Bigfoot Kids Book Festival in Redmond, Oregon on October 10, 2026!

Learn more here:

https://www.bigfootkidsbookfestival.com/

Thank you Aron Nels Steinke for being on the show & sharing your inspiring story with us!

What inspired you about today's episode? Let us know, and share this episode with someone you think will love this talk

Connect with Dr. Shafer: ⁠⁠https://drshaferstedronova.com/⁠⁠

To watch inspiring and informative Talks with Dr Shafer head to her YouTube Channel: / @talkswithdrshafer

This episode does not offer individualized medical advice. Opinions discussed are for informational purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice.

Little House Of Dreams Entertainment, LLC, 2026.

#graphicnovels #aronnelssteinke #talkswithdrshafer #empowerment #storytelling

Dr Shafer's I Love This Book features a Neuropsychologist's Work Supporting Kids with Kidlit Sep 10, 2026

Show notes

Dr Suzy Gray is a neuropsychologist, elementary school educator, and children's author of the illustrated children's books Lily and the Fairy Cake (A Story for Autism Spectrum Disorder)and her newest book, Teddy the Bear (A Story for Anxiety), published by Miriam Laundry Publishing.

Dr Gray shares her work with us today and how her books highlights the stories of neurodivergent children, the struggles they face, and how loving caregivers can help support them and model skills to help them navigate their emotions and the world.

I love these books, and the important lessons they share. More importantly, I love the warmth with which the messages are delivered, and how they at once highlight how we may be different, while reminding us that we are all more alike than we may think.

Learn more about Dr Gray and her books here:

https://drsuzygray.com/

Thank you to Dr Suzy Gray for being on the show and sharing her books with us!⁠⁠

To watch inspiring and informative Talks with Dr Shafer head to her YouTube Channel: / @talkswithdrshafer

This episode does not offer individualized medical advice. Opinions discussed are for informational purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice.

Little House Of Dreams Entertainment, LLC, 2026.

Love this book, too? Share this episode with someone and share the love! Books aren't pie: the more you share them, the bigger the enjoyment.

Do you have a book that you would love to have Dr Shafer review on the show? Let us know!

Contact at ⁠shaferstedronova@gmail.com⁠ for book recommendations, to recommend a guest or for other questions.

Want to have Dr Shafer come speak at your event about literacy and the power of storytelling! Go to ⁠www.drshaferstedronova.com⁠ to learn more about Dr Shafer and speaking events.

Photo Credits: Dr Suzy Gray

Photo Credits for Dr Shafer: Stephanie Baker Photography

Music Credit: Shafer Yost, Impulse

PR: PR from the Heart

#autism #author #ilovethisbook #bookreview #talkswithdrshafer

Becoming A Champion Sep 01, 2026

Show notes

Becoming a Champion may not look anything like what you imagine it would: just ask David Fasoli and his French Bulldog, Iza. The Bay City duo, brought together by a friend after Iza was born from a surprise litter, navigated rough waters during Covid together, and through their adventures on the beach, David learned that his young Frenchie was a natural in the water, contrary to what is typical of her breed. David helped Iza learn to find her stride riding the waves, and a few years later, she is dominating the Surf Dog world, winning championships and hearts along the way. David shares his story of resilience, determination and second chances with us today on Talks with Dr Shafer, and encourages us to keep going and chase our dreams.

David and Iza remind us how love in all forms can uplift and inspire us to be the version of ourselves we are striving to become.

Thank you David Fasoli and Iza the Surfing Frenchie for joining us on the show!

Check out Iza in the upcoming Helen Woodward Animal Center's Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon:

https://animalcenter.org/surf-dog-surf-a-thon/

What connected with you about today's episode? Let us know, and share this episode with someone you think will love this talk.

Does your dog have an amazing talent? Let us know!

Learn more about Iza the Surfing Frenchie and follow along on Instagram as

https://www.instagram.com/iza_surf_dog/

Connect with Dr. Shafer: ⁠⁠https://drshaferstedronova.com/⁠⁠

To watch inspiring and informative Talks with Dr Shafer head to her YouTube Channel: / @talkswithdrshafer

This episode does not offer individualized medical advice. Opinions discussed are for informational purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice.

Little House Of Dreams Entertainment, LLC, 2026.

PC: Guest- Copyright Cyndi A/@losangelespetphotography.

TWDS- Stephanie Baker Photography

#izasurfdog #surfing #talkswithdrshafer #empowerment #storytelling

When Memory Fails But Music Remains Aug 26, 2026

Show notes

When memory fails us, our love of music can often remain.

One artist is using her mother's love of music, which inspired her own musical journey from early childhood to the present day, to help connect with her mother as her memory and ability disappears due to her battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Ester Wisnerova is a vocalist, composer and educator originally from Slovakia. Now based in NYC with strong roots overseas in Europe, Ester is internationally acclaimed for her work in music, performing across the world and sharing her critically acclaimed debut album, Blue Journal. Named in the top 30 under 30 in Forbes Slovakia, Ester Weisnerova has caught international attention for her unique and velvety voice and approach to Jazz. Influenced by her mother, a musician, at a young age, Ester sang in the church choir starting at age 4 and began piano lessons at age 5, to then fall in love with Jazz, a style of music not traditionally taught at the time in Slovakia. Ester googled how to sign Jazz, and since then, Ester has been making her mark on the music industry. Not only is Ester a performer, she co-founded “Music Beyond Borders”, a jazz and contemporary music education non-profit in Slovakia which has served over 150 Slovakian students in just four years. She is here today to share the story about how she became a jazz vocalist and educator, and how she is sharing the story of love and perseverence of a mother and daughter with her upcoming album that shares her experience caring for her mother with dementia, and how music continues to be a uniting factor in their loving relationship.

Thank you Ester Wiesnerova for being on the show & sharing your inspiring story with us.

What connect with you about today's episode? Let us know, and share this episode with someone you think will love this talk.

Learn more about Ester Wiesnerova's work here:

https://esterwiesnerova.com/en/

Follow Ester on Instagram as @esterwiesnerova

Connect with Dr. Shafer: ⁠⁠https://drshaferstedronova.com/⁠⁠

To watch inspiring and informative Talks with Dr Shafer head to her YouTube Channel: / @talkswithdrshafer

This episode does not offer individualized medical advice. Opinions discussed are for informational purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice.

Little House Of Dreams Entertainment, LLC, 2026.

#esterwiesnerova #dementia #talkswithdrshafer #music #storytelling

Made By Presley: Elevating Precious Moments Through Art Aug 19, 2026

Show notes

Reclaiming your story can look like choosing to paint where and how you want to, and one artist is bringing a community of inspired people along with her on the journey! Today's guest, Presley Bergmooser, is a live painter, professional muralist and the founder of Presley Made It. Located in Detroit, Michigan, Presley is an artist known for her larger than life murals who has gone viral online for her wedding paintings. Presley's work creates a sense of community and presence in the moment as she paints a scene while interacting with it, and provokes thought and discussion about her work from around the world. Featured in Hour Detroit Magazine and national publications such as People, Presley is making a big impact with her art, and she shares with us her story, her love of art and community, and what is coming up next.

Check out Presley's ArtPrize Art Instillation, Performative, featured at the Hyatt Place Grand Rapids Downtown from September 18-October 3, 2026; voting opens September 18.

https://www.artprize.org/entries#84584

Connect with Presley Bergmooser here and bring her to your live event:

https://www.presleymadeit.com/

Follow on Social Media as @presleymadeit

Thank you Presley Bergmooser for being on the show & sharing your inspiring story with us!

What inspired you about today's episode?

Let us know, and share this episode with someone you think will love this talk.

Connect with Dr. Shafer: ⁠⁠https://drshaferstedronova.com/⁠⁠

To watch inspiring and informative Talks with Dr Shafer head to her YouTube Channel: / @talkswithdrshafer

This episode does not offer individualized medical advice. Opinions discussed are for informational purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice.

Little House Of Dreams Entertainment, LLC, 2026.

#presleymadeit #livepainting #talkswithdrshafer #empowerment #storytelling

Travis Althouse: Sharing His Story & Supporting Those Who Stutter Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

Travis Althouse, M.S. CCC-SLP is a Speech Therapist who is known around the world for his videos where he shares his own journey living with a stutter, is now the author of a new children's book, Finn Finds His Voice. On this episode of Talks with Dr Shafer, Travis shares his journey of developing a stutter in the third grade, the impact stuttering had on him as a child, and how he has been sharing his story on social media, creating community and providing education and resources for people with stuttering, and those who want to learn more about stuttering. With his first illustrated children's book, Finn Finds His Voice, Travis Althouse not only wrote but illustrated the story about Finn and his journey to find his voice at school where he doesn't fit in with the other fish. Join us for an inspiring conversation and share with someone you think would enjoy this talk!

Get your copy of Finn Finds His Voice here:

https://a.co/d/04PNlGb4

Connect with Travis Althouse here:

https://www.travisstuttering.com/

Thank you Travis Althouse for being on the show & sharing your inspiring story with us!

What inspired you about today's episode?

Let us know, and share this episode with someone you think will love this talk

Follow across Social Media as @travis.stuttering

Connect with Dr. Shafer: ⁠⁠https://drshaferstedronova.com/⁠⁠

To watch inspiring and informative Talks with Dr Shafer head to her YouTube Channel: / @talkswithdrshafer

This episode does not offer individualized medical advice. Opinions discussed are for informational purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice.

Little House Of Dreams Entertainment, LLC, 2026.

#travisstuttering #stuttering #talkswithdrshafer #empowerment #storytelling

Girls Just Wanna Tour, Write Songs, Live and Love Out Loud Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

Whoever said don't meet your heroes clearly never met the incredible Morgan St. Jean. A beloved singer-songwriter who has created a community where her fans feel accepted, loved and inspired by her music, Morgan creates more than songs, she writes anthems for so many people and for so many different seasons of life.

On this inspiring episode of Talks with Dr Shafer, Dr Shafer sits down with Special Guest Morgan St. Jean, a New York musician now based in LA, to talk about music, love, learning to embrace your own voice in life and the music industry, and more. Watch and listen with us where you enjoy podcasts, and let us know your favorite Morgan St. Jean song: Made For, Not All Men, Skin and Bones, God's Country, Past Life.

There are so many beautiful hits, it's hard to choose just one. Learn more about Morgan St. Jean here:

https://www.morganstjean.com/

Keep an eye out for upcoming tour dates in Europe for Morgan St. Jean!

Follow on Social Media as @morganstjean

Add your favorites to your playlist and support independent musicians!

Thank you Morgan St. Jean for being on the show & sharing your inspiring story with us!

What inspired you about today's episode?

Let us know, and share this episode with someone you think will love this talk.

Connect with Dr. Shafer: ⁠⁠https://drshaferstedronova.com/⁠⁠

To watch inspiring and informative Talks with Dr Shafer head to her YouTube Channel: / @talkswithdrshafer

This episode does not offer individualized medical advice. Opinions discussed are for informational purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice.

Little House Of Dreams Entertainment, LLC, 2026.

#morganstjean #music #talkswithdrshafer #empowerment #storytelling

Building Kids Self-Esteem with the Story of a Rescued Dog Jul 21, 2026

Show notes

On this inspiring episode of Talks with Dr Shafer, Dr Shafer sits down with Special Guest Kathy DiMario. Inspiring author, psychologist and professor as well as the CEO of Second Acts Career Services in Toms River, New Jersey, Kathy is the author of What Kind of Dog Am I?, the story of a rescued dog named Posha who is on a journey of self-discovery. Kathy DiMario wrote the book with her daughter Kelly DiMario, and the book was lovingly illustrated by Emily Foster, a high school junior from Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey. Kathy shares her curriculum for self-esteem building with the help of Posha's inspiring story in schools, and most recently shares Posha's story with a Tonie created for What Kind of Dog Am I?

Get your copy of What Kind of Dog Am I? and the accompanying Tonie here:

https://www.whatkindofdogami.com/

Connect with LKathy DiMario here:

⁠⁠https://www.kathleendimario.com/⁠⁠

Follow on Instagram as @poshatherescuedog

Thank you Kathy DiMario for being on the show & sharing your inspiring story with us!What inspired you about today's episode? Let us know, and share this episode with someone you think will love this talk

Connect with Dr. Shafer: ⁠⁠https://drshaferstedronova.com/⁠⁠

To watch inspiring and informative Talks with Dr Shafer head to her YouTube Channel: / @talkswithdrshafer

This episode does not offer individualized medical advice. Opinions discussed are for informational purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice.

Little House Of Dreams Entertainment, LLC, 2026.

#kathydimario #selfesteem #talkswithdrshafer #empowerment #storytelling

Let's Talk: Good Gossip with the Telly Tale Phone Jul 14, 2026

Show notes

What is good gossip? Kids are learning just that, along with emotional regulation, patience, and communication skills thanks to an elementary school teacher's invention, the Telly Tale Phone.

Educator and Entrepreneur Anais Zavala shares with us the why behind her invention and how she has seen both first-hand in her classrooms from TK to fifth grade and from educators around the world how giving kids a safe space to speak their mind can have a big impact on the classroom.

Learn more about the Telly Tale Phone at:

https://www.tellytalephone.com/

Do you have a Telly Tale Phone? Let us know how you are using yours!

Connect with Anais Zavala at Telly Tale Phone on Social Media as @tellytalephone for inspiring shorts, helpful tutorials and more!

Thank you Anais Zavala for being on the show & sharing your inspiring story with us!

What inspired you about today's episode? Let us know, and share this episode with someone you think will love this talk

Connect with Dr. Shafer: ⁠⁠https://drshaferstedronova.com/⁠⁠

To watch inspiring and informative Talks with Dr Shafer head to her YouTube Channel: / @talkswithdrshafer

This episode does not offer individualized medical advice. Opinions discussed are for informational purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice.

Little House Of Dreams Entertainment, LLC, 2026.

PC:

Guest: Anais Zavara

Host: Stephanie Baker Photography

#teacher #tellytalephone#talkswithdrshafer #empowerment #storytelling

Stitching Together a Beautiful Life Jul 07, 2026

Show notes

Life doesn't come ready made: it's up to us to stitch together the life we desire. Hannah Arnold is the Founder of Sherwood Forest Creations which specializes in embroidery kits, courses, and accessories. A fellow Michigan creator who pivoted from work as a Physical Therapist to now embracing a career in embroidery, Hannah is making embroidery and crafting accessible and cool to people across the country, and building a community of crafty people from around the world who love creating something unique and special. From Youtube Tutorials to engaging social media content, Hannah is bringing back the joy of embroidery and reminding us of the benefits of slowing down and putting our own imprint on the world around us. Join us for an inspiring talk about the healing power of craft, embracing change on our growth journey, and more.

Learn more about Hannah Arnold's work with Sherwood Forest Creations and get your kits and tuturials here:https://www.sherwoodforestcreations.com/

Connect with Hannah Arnold on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube as @sherwoodforestcreations

Thank you Hannah Arnold for being on the show & sharing your inspiring story with us!

What inspired you about today's episode? Let us know, and share this episode with someone you think will love this talk

Connect with Dr. Shafer: ⁠⁠https://drshaferstedronova.com/⁠⁠

To watch inspiring and informative Talks with Dr Shafer head to her YouTube Channel: / @talkswithdrshafer

This episode does not offer individualized medical advice. Opinions discussed are for informational purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice.

Little House Of Dreams Entertainment, LLC, 2026.

Photo Credit: Guest: Hannah Arnold/USA Today

Dr Shafer: Stephanie Baker Photography

Music Credit: Impulse, Shafer Stedron

#sherwoodforestcreations #embroidery #talkswithdrshafer #empowerment #storytelling

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