Welcome to Story Deep Dive! In this episode, Rachel and Dana dive into the cast of characters in Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan—breaking down how character design, lived-in history, and community dynamics can carry a story with emotional power. Whether you’re a writer, storyteller, or craft-minded reader, you’ll gain valuable insights on how to build protagonists shaped by grief and recovery, how to write children as real characters (not props), and how to create conflict without villains. You can also watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube! Estimate Timestamps 0:00 – Welcome Back + Episode Focus: Why This Cast Hits So Hard Rachel and Dana introduce the episode’s theme: the character work in Before I Let Go is one of the most moving and structurally important parts of the story. They frame the conversation through a writer’s lens—studying how Kennedy Ryan builds a full ensemble that feels intimate, emotionally resonant, and essential to the story’s momentum. 1:00 – Small Talk: Micro Habits, Creative Play, and Making Space Away From Screens Dana shares a personal creative shift: she’s learning watercolor as a tactile, off-screen hobby that supports brainstorming and creative flow. She talks about how stepping into “beginner energy” helps her get out of her own way—and how intentional she has to be about scheduling non-writing creativity now that writing is her job. Rachel expands on the craft connection: writers often solve story problems faster by stepping away from the desk, letting the brain work in the background while the hands do something physical. Notable moment: the conversation highlights how tactile creativity can support clarity, emotional regulation, and better story thinking—especially when your primary creative passion is also your career. 7:30 – Rachel’s Update: A Tactile Scene-Planning Method (ProWritingAid Workshop) Rachel previews an upcoming ProWritingAid expert workshop where she’ll teach her favorite scene planning method—pen-and-paper, diagram-based, and conflict-forward. She explains how visual planning helps writers find what’s “missing” when a scene feels flat, especially in early drafts or revision, and why working away from the computer can unlock better insight. 10:30 – Book Summary: Second Chance Romance After the Marriage Ends Dana summarizes Before I Let Go as a second chance romance that begins after Yasmin and Josiah’s marriage has already broken. They’re divorced but still bound by co-parenting and their shared restaurant. The heart of the story isn’t whether love exists—it’s whether they’re capable of choosing each other again after grief, avoidance, and emotional fallout. 12:00 – Episode Roadmap: What We’re Studying in the Characters Dana outlines key topics: Yasmin as a portrait of grief, depression, recovery, and maternal guilt Josiah as a powerful alpha with real vulnerability (including therapy and cultural nuance) Deja and Kaseem as children with their own emotional arcs, not background props The supporting cast and Skyland community as a major story engine Rachel adds three craft angles: writing characters with history, handling mental health with care, and building antagonism without villains. 15:00 – Yasmin: Grief, Depression, Identity, and “Almost Being Back” Dana unpacks why Yasmin’s character lands with such force—especially through the lens of cultural context and mental health. She discusses how Kennedy Ryan portrays a successful Black woman whose outer life looks “fine,” while private grief nearly destroys her. The story begins after Yasmin’s lowest point, allowing readers to experience the residue of depression rather than being submerged in the darkest moments—while still feeling how close it remains. Rachel highlights the craft challenge of portraying two truths at once: Yasmin can be dressed up, radiant, and feeling herself—while still carrying the shadow voice of doubt and pain just behind her. They praise how the book makes mental health feel real without sensationalizing it, and how consequences (like the divorce request made at the lowest point) externalize what could otherwise feel intangible. Key insight: this is character work that transcends genre and culture—because grief, regret, and rebuilding identity are human experiences. 25:30 – Josiah: Swagger + Vulnerability, and the Conflict of Two Different Grief Styles Dana breaks down why Josiah is such a strong portrayal of masculinity: he has presence and confidence, but also emotional depth—especially in how he approaches counseling, fatherhood, and grief. The tension between him and Yasmin isn’t about a villain—it’s about mismatch. Yasmin folded inward; Josiah went into motion and “holding it together” mode. Their different coping styles become the antagonistic energy that keeps them locked in a painful tug-of-war. Craft takeaway: when characters’ words and actions say “we’re fine,” but their internal worlds are bleeding, that contradiction can become a powerful engine—especially in emotionally-driven stories. 30:00 – Deja + Kaseem: Kids With Real Arcs (Not Stakes Props) Rachel notes that kids are often used as “low-hanging fruit” to raise stakes or add cuteness—but Before I Let Go does the opposite. Deja and Kaseem are full characters with their own emotional journeys and interpretations of the divorce. Dana talks about what co-parenting looks like from the inside: the residue kids carry, the ways they interpret adult choices with limited lived experience, and how children become mirrors—reflecting both what happened and what was missed. They point out how the book lets us watch the kids process, not just “accept” the HEA. Dana even shouts out Otis (the dog) as part of the story’s lived-in family texture. 35:00 – Craft Study: How Kennedy Ryan Creates Believable Character History Rachel zooms in on a major technique: ultra-specific memory details. Instead of vague “we used to be in love,” the story uses concrete shared experiences (like their early broke days—old car quirks, a cold apartment, bad water pressure) to make history feel real and character-owned. Dana adds why this matters even more in second chance romance: the “falling in love” is mostly behind them, so the past must prove what was real and what’s worth fighting for. They discuss how the book uses flashbacks in a way that avoids info-dumping—each memory ties directly to present conflict, illuminating what was lost and what might be reclaimed. Key takeaway: history should never feel tangential—it should clarify the present and raise the emotional stakes right now. 41:00 – Supporting Cast: New Friendships, Community Care, and Emotional Momentum Rachel points out a brilliant structural choice: Yasmin’s closest girlfriends are newer friends who didn’t know her during the marriage. That gives the story organic space for curiosity, questions, and emotional processing without forced exposition—and it supports Yasmin’s healing by giving her relationships not tied to her “old self.” Dana celebrates the full ensemble: girlfriends who bring joy and pressure, family voices that challenge, therapists who normalize support, and a community that shows up in practical ways (neighbors watching kids, people missing Yasmin, small acts of care). They connect this to a universal fantasy: not “perfect small-town wackiness,” but real community—people who notice, hold you, and help you survive. 48:00 – No Villains: Mature Conflict Built From Human Messiness Rachel highlights one of the episode’s biggest craft points: the story builds antagonism without making anyone evil. Vashti and Mark aren’t cartoon threats—they’re real people looking for love. Deja’s anger isn’t villainy—it’s pain. Even when people clash, the story stays rooted in human complexity. Dana agrees and notes how rare this is—conflict isn’t driven by petty misunderstandings, but by layered grief and fracture at the foundation. That maturity requires strong characterization across the board, and they argue Ryan delivers it. 53:30 – Wrap-Up: Why This Book Is Worth Studying for Character Dana concludes that character work is one of the story’s strongest elements—especially because the cast is large but never feels crowded. Everything feels intimate and intentional. She shares she’s reread the book multiple times and it gets better with each read because the layers reveal themselves. Rachel agrees and previews next week’s editor takeaways episode. Book Selection Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan Their love was supposed to last forever. But when life delivered blow after devastating blow, Yasmen and Josiah Wade found that love alone couldn’t solve or save everything. It couldn’t save their marriage. Yasmen wasn’t prepared for how her life fell apart, but she’s finally starting to find joy again. She and Josiah have found a new rhythm, co-parenting their two kids and running a thriving business together. Yet like magnets, they’re always drawn back to each other, and now they’re beginning to wonder if they’re truly ready to let go of everything they once had. Soon, one stolen kiss leads to another … and then more. It’s hot. It’s illicit. It’s all good—until old wounds reopen. Is it too late for them to find forever? Or could they be even better, the second time around? Where to Find the Book Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan is available in several formats. It’s also widely available in libraries and online retailers. Details on his website. Next Episode: In the next episode, Rachel and Dana will explore their editor takeaways—big craft lessons from this book, what writers should study closely, and how to apply those insights to your own work. Be sure to tune in! Join the Conversation: Like what you heard? Subscribe, leave a review, and share your thoughts. Follow Story D
