Offbeat Journeys

James Molloy

Offbeat Journeys. Books that shaped us. Stories that shift us. Conversations with indie authors and occasional solo wanderings, about the stories that leave a mark. Hosted by James, Offbeat Journeys explores the books that influenced how we think, write, and see the world. Some episodes feature deep conversations with independent author. Others follow James down the winding road of writing and self-publishing life. Whether you're an indie author, a curious reader, or someone who just loves hearing how stories shape people - there's a place for you here.

Episodes

  1. 4D AGO

    The Books That Changed How I See People

    “Every book leaves a mark. This is where we talk about it.”   In this episode of Offbeat Journeys, I discuss the books that changed how I see people.  I talk about how these books helped me reframe resilience, bravery, self-respect and empathy. In this episode I discuss:   · The book that made re-evaluate quiet strength · The one that made me see how different the system can be for different people · And how judging people based on external first impressions might be a mistake   I talk about how books can make us take a moment to re-evaluate judgements we felt sure about and help us to see people and the systems we all must live inside, in an entirely new perspective.     If you’ve ever felt understood by a book… if you love stories that linger… or if you’re curious about how writers are shaped by the books they read — you’re in the right place. Subscribe, settle in, and join the journey.   📚 Books Mentioned (Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through them, it supports the show at no extra cost to you.)   · Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand · Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington · Ego Is The Enemy by Ryan Holiday   ✍️ Connect with Me Newsletter → Offbeat Journeys by James My Books → Wednesday’s ChildFacebook → https://www.facebook.com/molloywrites  Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/molloywrites LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-molloy-23a9b822b TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@molloywrites Bluesky → https://bsky.app/profile/molloywrites.bsky.social   🎵 Intro/Outro Music The Beat of Nature by folk_acoustic on Pixabay

    8 min
  2. FEB 11

    12 Months, Told Through Books

    “Every book leaves a mark. This is where we talk about it.”   In this episode of Offbeat Journeys, I discuss the books and stories that made my last 12 months.  In a podcast coming to you a little later than I would have liked we talk about the books that carried me through a turbulent year including:    · The book that made me turn inward · The one that turned my attention toward the wider world · And how each book became a kind of arc to perfectly sum up the last year   I talk about how books often carry us through some of the most turbulent times in our lives and how they become the anchor we use when they are most needed.    If you’ve ever felt understood by a book… if you love stories that linger… or if you’re curious about how writers are shaped by the books they read — you’re in the right place. Subscribe, settle in, and join the journey.   📚 Books Mentioned (Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through them, it supports the show at no extra cost to you.)   · The Midnight Library by Matt Haig · The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah · Beyond the Wand by Tom Felton · The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka · A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens · Unkindness by James Molloy (Upcoming, 2026) · “The Cocoon Memoirs” by James Molloy (Upcoming, TBC)   ✍️ Connect with Me Newsletter → Offbeat Journeys My Books → Wednesday’s ChildFacebook → https://www.facebook.com/molloywrites  Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/molloywrites LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-molloy-23a9b822b TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@molloywrites Bluesky → https://bsky.app/profile/molloywrites.bsky.social   🎵 Intro/Outro Music The Beat of Nature by folk_acoustic on Pixabay

    10 min
  3. 12/10/2025

    The Stories I Still Carry

    “Every book leaves a mark. This is where we talk about it.” In this second episode of Offbeat Journeys, I discuss the books and stories that stay. The ones that nestle in behind the ribs and never leave. In this episode I talk about:  The book that still haunts me The 'other' one that flipped everything I knew And the book that made me feel seenI talk about how books often find us when we need them most and the best ones never leave us. They find a way to stay — whether we ask them to or not.  If you’ve ever felt understood by a book… if you love stories that linger… or if you’re curious about how writers are shaped by the books they read — you’re in the right place. Subscribe, settle in, and join the journey. 📚 Books Mentioned (Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through them, it supports the show at no extra cost to you.) The Alchemist by Paulo CoelhoA Prisoner of Birth by Jeffrey ArcherThe Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen ChboskyUnkindness by James Molloy (Upcoming, 2026) ✍️ Connect with Me Newsletter → Offbeat Journeys My Books → Wednesday’s ChildFacebook → https://www.facebook.com/molloywrites  Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/molloywrites LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-molloy-23a9b822b TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@molloywrites Bluesky → https://bsky.app/profile/molloywrites.bsky.social 🎵 Intro/Outro Music The Beat of Nature by folk_acoustic on Pixabay

    10 min
  4. 11/30/2025

    The Books That Built Me

    “Every book leaves a mark. This is where we talk about it.” In this first full episode of Offbeat Journeys, I answer the same three questions I’ll soon be asking independent authors on the show:  The book that sparked my love of writing The one that broke me open And the one that flipped everything I thought I knew I also introduce my upcoming novel Unkindness, share why I chose the independent publishing route, and talk about what this podcast hopes to become — a space for thoughtful readers, quiet rebels, and anyone who believes stories can reveal who we really are. If you’ve ever felt understood by a book… if you love stories that linger… or if you’re curious about how writers are shaped by the books they read — you’re in the right place. Subscribe, settle in, and join the journey. 📚 Books Mentioned (Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through them, it supports the show at no extra cost to you.) Where Rainbows End by Cecilia AhernThe Nightingale by Kristin HannahNot a Penny More, Not a Penny Less by Jeffrey ArcherWednesday’s Child by James MolloyUnkindness by James Molloy (Upcoming, 2026) ✍️ Connect with Me Newsletter → jamesmolloyauthor.substack.com/ My Books → Wednesday’s ChildFacebook → https://www.facebook.com/molloywrites  Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/molloywrites LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-molloy-23a9b822b TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@molloywrites Bluesky → https://bsky.app/profile/molloywrites.bsky.social 🎵 Intro/Outro Music The Beat of Nature by folk_acoustic on Pixabay

    8 min

About

Offbeat Journeys. Books that shaped us. Stories that shift us. Conversations with indie authors and occasional solo wanderings, about the stories that leave a mark. Hosted by James, Offbeat Journeys explores the books that influenced how we think, write, and see the world. Some episodes feature deep conversations with independent author. Others follow James down the winding road of writing and self-publishing life. Whether you're an indie author, a curious reader, or someone who just loves hearing how stories shape people - there's a place for you here.