Between The Lines

Leanne Tran & Chelle Griffin

Chelle and Leanne are avid readers, mothers, and both work therapeutically with families. We read the books, and share perspectives on how they can add value to your life.

  1. Ep 66: Grief, Poetry and Starting Over: Courtney Peppernell on The Last Poem

    30 MAR

    Ep 66: Grief, Poetry and Starting Over: Courtney Peppernell on The Last Poem

    In this episode of Between The Lines, Chelle and Leanne chat with internationally bestselling author Courtney Peppernell about her latest novel The Last Poem - a moving story about grief, identity and the possibility of starting again. The novel follows Wren Paisley, a successful poet whose life is shattered by the sudden loss of her fiancée, Lucy. Overwhelmed by grief and public attention, she leaves everything behind and finds herself drawn to the small town of Everston, Colorado - a place where no one knows her and she can begin again. There, she quietly rebuilds her life. She changes her name, renovates an old Victorian house, and slowly becomes part of a local grief support group that centres around poetry. For the first time since her loss, she begins to feel a sense of connection — to the town, to the people around her, and possibly to a new kind of love. But as her past begins to catch up with her, she is forced to confront whether she can truly leave her old life behind. In our conversation with Courtney, we explore: How grief shapes identity and the process of starting over The role of poetry in healing and connection Why modern poetry resonates so deeply with readers today Writing in a way that feels accessible, emotional and real How Courtney's own readers influenced the creation of this story We also found ourselves completely drawn into the setting — and may or may not have added the town that inspired Everston, Colorado to our growing "to be visited" list. This is a heartfelt conversation about loss, healing and the quiet ways we begin again.   About the Author Courtney Peppernell is an internationally bestselling Australian author, best known for her Pillow Thoughts series and other works exploring love, healing and self-discovery. Her books have sold millions of copies worldwide and have been translated into multiple languages. Courtney lives on the South Coast of NSW and continues to create work that fosters connection, reflection and emotional healing.   Join Our Book-Loving Community Chelle and Leanne created Between The Lines because they love books and great conversations — and wanted to share both with you. 📚 Listen to the podcast for author interviews and reading inspiration 📦 Or join our online book club, where we deliver books to your door and a book club to your reading nook https://www.betweenthelinesaustralia.com/bookclub2026

    52 min
  2. Ep 65: Hormonal Harmony and it's impact on Health, with Sharon Kolkka

    15 MAR

    Ep 65: Hormonal Harmony and it's impact on Health, with Sharon Kolkka

    How to Be Well: Finding Your Way Back to Energy, Balance and You with Sharon Kolkka In this episode of Between The Lines, Chelle and Leanne sit down with Australian wellness expert Sharon Kolkka to talk about her book How to Be Well, co-written with integrative medicine specialist Dr Karen Coates. This conversation is a gentle but powerful reminder that many women are living in a constant state of busyness — juggling work, family and endless to-do lists — while slowly becoming overwhelmed, exhausted and disconnected from their own wellbeing. How to Be Well offers a different way forward. Through a practical and compassionate approach, Sharon and Karen introduce a framework to help women better understand their current state of health, whether they are thriving, surviving or depleted, and what small, meaningful steps they can take to move towards greater energy, balance and resilience. In our conversation with Sharon, we explore: Why so many women are feeling overwhelmed and burnt out The signs that you may be running on empty (even if you've normalised it) The idea of assessing whether you are thriving, surviving or depleted The importance of emotional wellbeing alongside physical health A more holistic, realistic approach to self-care How small, consistent changes can support long-term wellbeing Sharon brings decades of experience in women's health and emotional wellbeing to this conversation, sharing insights in a way that feels both grounded and achievable. This episode is a thoughtful invitation to pause, reflect and consider what it might look like to take better care of yourself - not perfectly, but intentionally. If you've been feeling overtired, stretched too thin, or like your own needs have slipped to the bottom of the list, this conversation will resonate. About the Book How to Be Well is a practical and compassionate guide for women who want to improve their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Blending science with real-life strategies, the book introduces a five-pillared approach to wellness and a personal health audit to help you understand your current state and take steps towards greater energy, vitality and resilience. About the Author Sharon Kolkka is one of Australia's most trusted wellness experts, with over 40 years of experience in emotional wellbeing, stress resilience and women's hormonal health. She has worked as an executive leader in award-winning wellness retreats and has supported thousands of women through transformative health programs. Sharon is a highly regarded speaker known for making complex health information accessible, practical and empowering.   AND IF YOU LOVE DISCUSSING BOOKS: Join our bookclub here for insider author chats: https://www.betweenthelinesaustralia.com/bookclub2026

    53 min
  3. Ep 64: Meet Cute… or Murder? with Shailee Thompson

    1 MAR

    Ep 64: Meet Cute… or Murder? with Shailee Thompson

    In this conversation, we sit down with Shailee Thompson to talk about her novel How To Lose a Guy In Ten Dates.  It's a fabulous book unlike one you will have read before - a mix of Rom Com and Slasher, which will have you on the edge of your seat waiting for the potential kiss, and the next inevitable death. We discuss the heart behind her writing, the themes that shaped this book, and the deeper questions it asks about identity, relationships, and what it means to truly see yourself clearly. This is one of those episodes where we go beyond the plot. We talk about: The inspiration behind the story How personal experience shapes fiction The emotional undercurrents running through the book The complexity of relationships and self-discovery What readers might notice on a second read   Themes We Explore This episode touches on: Growth and change The tension between who we are and who we think we should be Vulnerability and courage The power of storytelling to help us understand ourselves If you love character-driven stories and conversations that dig into the "why" behind a book, you'll enjoy this one. A Few Standout Moments Shaylee sharing what first sparked the idea for the book The discussion around how characters develop beyond the original plan Reflections on what readers have connected with most The reminder that stories often reveal something back to us   Have you read the book yet? What did you notice about the characters? Did anything surprise you? We'd love to hear your thoughts.   AND IF YOU LOVE DISCUSSING BOOKS: Join our bookclub here for insider author chats: https://www.betweenthelinesaustralia.com/bookclub2026

    49 min
  4. BOOKCLUB SPECIAL: Someone Else's Child

    11 JAN

    BOOKCLUB SPECIAL: Someone Else's Child

    If you'd like to join our book discussions, you're always welcome inside the Between the Lines Book Club. The details are in the show notes.  Join us for the next chapter. You can join our bookclub here BOOKCLUB SPECIAL: Someone Else's Child with Kylie Orr Step into this thoughtful and engaging conversation as Chelle sits down with author Kylie Orr to talk about her debut novel Someone Else's Child and the long, winding road to becoming a published author. Together, they explore the heart of the novel, female friendship, community generosity, moral grey areas, and the emotional complexity that emerges when a child is unwell and a whole town rallies to help. Kylie reflects on empathy, boundaries, and how easily good intentions can become complicated. The conversation also touches on her second novel The 11th Floor, writing trauma with care, and the persistence required to keep going through years of rejection. You'll hear: How Someone Else's Child explores loyalty, power imbalance, and the limits of empathy Why community fundraising raises uncomfortable but important questions Kylie's seven-year journey from first draft to book deal What rejection taught her about resilience and backing herself How The 11th Floor differs in pace, structure, and psychological intensity Discussion prompt: This book asks us to reflect on generosity, trust, and judgement. When you donate or show up for someone in crisis, where do you think responsibility ends, and empathy begins? P.S. Someone Else's Child is a compelling read for anyone who loves slow-burn psychological fiction that asks hard questions about friendship, morality, and what we owe each other in moments of crisis.

    22 min
5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Chelle and Leanne are avid readers, mothers, and both work therapeutically with families. We read the books, and share perspectives on how they can add value to your life.

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