63 episodes

Every Soul Has A Story Hosted By Dara Levan

Every Soul Has A Story Dara Levan

    • Society & Culture
    • 5.0 • 15 Ratings

Every Soul Has A Story Hosted By Dara Levan

    64. Guest Michelle Cameron 10-23-23

    64. Guest Michelle Cameron 10-23-23

    Today’s guest is author, poet, editor, and writing teacher Michelle Cameron. Michelle is also a director of The Writers Circle, which offers creative writing instruction to adults and kids. She recently published her fourth novel, Babylon: a novel of Jewish Captivity, which is published by Wicked Son Books.

    In this episode, Michelle joins the conversation to share how she learned that we can't always predict our paths for ourselves or our children. She talks about her experiences with four different publishing houses, adapting to unexpected changes, and why both patience and persistence are important. Michelle also delves into her creative process, why she loves her craft, and how characters often lead writers to unexpected plot twists. Her favorite part of the creative process is that moment when she is birthing a new idea or story. We also discussed the fulfilling journey of growing a small organization into a larger one, teaching young creators, parenting, and much more. What an insightful, engaging, and heartfelt conversation!

    • 23 min
    63. Guest Elizabeth Sumner Wafler 9-18-23

    63. Guest Elizabeth Sumner Wafler 9-18-23

    Today’s guest is author Elizabeth Sumner Wafler. She recently published her fourth novel, A Cleft in the World. In this episode, Elizabeth shares how she learned that her grandfather was Jewish when she was 50 years old. Elizabeth talks about her childhood, sharing she grew up in “an insular world and provincial community” in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She talked about how her family in the ‘60s swept controversial or topics perceived as embarrassing under the rug. We laughed as we bantered about our mutual love of Yiddish, an endearing language, and that she and her cousins enjoy exchanging Rosh Hashanah cards.

    Elizabeth now lives in Greenville, South Carolina. She discussed her unique writing process, cultural influences, and the fascinating revelations about her heritage that impacted her upcoming book.

    We also chatted about Elizabeth’s love of words, the influence of her first editor's advice, and how observation plays a key role in storytelling. She shared how she explores the themes of identity, love, and compassion in her novels. And why it's taken her a long time to not worry about what others think of her; she lives life on her own terms. What an insightful, lively, and connective conversation!

    • 23 min
    62. Guest Jennifer Anglade Dahlberg 9-12-23

    62. Guest Jennifer Anglade Dahlberg 9-12-23

    It’s not every day you get to chat with someone who has experienced life in two vastly different environments. Today’s guest is @jennifer.anglade.dahlberg, who recently published her fourth novel, A Norn In Bloom. A New York native and former executive recruiter, Jennifer experienced a significant turning point after falling in love and moving to Sweden. Learn how Jennifer adjusted to a new country, language, and culture. Jennifer talks about her career shift, her publishing journey, and being true to yourself.

    We chatted about authenticity on and off the page, what inspires Jennifer, and how she stays connected to her family in the U.S. We also delved deep into the impact of social media, community, and connections.

    Jennifer shares her experience of self-discovery during the pandemic, the importance of self care, and how self-publishing her novel expanded her journey. We also discussed how the choices we make in life shape us. When Jennifer returned to the United States for five years, she rediscovered who she was and what she wanted. Loved our conversation @jennifer.anglade.dahlberg and your insights!

    • 41 min
    61. Guest Jennifer Vido 7-20-23

    61. Guest Jennifer Vido 7-20-23

    Jennifer Vido is the author of the Piper O'Donnell Social Lite Mystery series, a mystery and romance author with a love for all things cozy. When a twist of fate landed Jennifer at the "Reading with Ripa” roundtable discussion with Kelly Ripa and Meg Cabot, her entrée into the publishing world officially began. As an avid book lover, she blogs about bestselling book releases and writes the Jen’s Jewels author interview column for FreshFiction.com. She also is a certified copy editor. A longtime Romance Writers of America member, she recently began penning the Gull Island Series with The Wild Rose Press. Serendipity by the Sea is the first book in the series.

    Jennifer is also a national spokesperson for the Arthritis Foundation, she has been featured by Lifetime Television, Redbook, Health Monitor, The New York Times, The Baltimore Sun, Healthguru.com, and Arthritis Today. As a former national trainer for The Arthritis Foundation’s Aquatic and Land Exercise Classes and a current aquatics instructor, she advocates for those like herself who suffer from arthritis, the nation’s #1 cause of disability.

    On today's episode, we talked about letting of what we cannot change, how we are both adjusting to being empty nesters, and the highs/lows of life. When Jennifer was diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis as a young child, she realized she couldn't control how her body may ache or swell. She doesn't sugarcoat the challenges and also shares why this diagnosis doesn't define her. Yoga, prayer, and reading are a few of the ways Jen cares for herself. We also chatted about writing, family, and much more! What an honest, hopeful, and inspiring conversation!

    • 21 min
    60. Guest May Cobb 7-13-23

    60. Guest May Cobb 7-13-23

    What an honest, heartfelt, and profound conversation. Loved chatting with @May Cobb May is the author of MY SUMMER DARLINGS, THE HUNTING WIVES and BIG WOODS. Originally from East Texas, May moved to San Francisco where she studied Victorian Literature; then she lived in Los Angeles for a few years working for filmmaker/writer Ron Shelton and his wife, the actress Lolita Davidovich.

    She resides in Austin, Texas, with her husband and son where she says, “I enjoy napping, staring into space, making to-do lists for my to-do lists, shoveling cookies down my throat when I'm writing a particularly difficult scene (and even when I'm not), wearing my PJ’s as often as I can get away with and collapsing into bed at the end of a day with a great book.”

    May’s currently finishing a book about the late, jazz great, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, a project which has been in the works for twenty years. Kirk was a human phenomenon—a multi-instrumentalist who was best known for his miraculous ability to play three saxophones simultaneously. During his brief life, he defied staggering odds—from blindness, to prejudice, to a paralyzing stroke—to play the music that came to him through dreams. And May shares on today’s episode why she felt a deep connection with Kirk’s story, which also inspired her to become a writer.

    The mother of a child with autism, May talks about societal expectations and the judgment she’s experienced. And we also talked about the representation of autism in her latest book, A LIKELY WOMAN. In today’s episode, you’ll learn more about May’s inspiring story, how she carves time to create, and what inspires her writing.

    Thank you, May, for this honest, poignant conversation.

    • 27 min
    59. Guest Rob Schwartz 6-17-23

    59. Guest Rob Schwartz 6-17-23

    What a lively, heartwarming conversation with Rob Schwartz! We chatted about Rob’s late father, Morrie, his childhood memories, and the indelible impact of Morrie’s wisdom on his family and the world. The book Tuesdays With Morrie touched my heart in the 1990s and has stayed there ever since.

    Rob Schwartz is a writer, producer, and entrepreneur. His work has appeared in Time, Newsweek, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Interview and Melody Maker, among many others. He was a script editor at NHK World TV in Japan and has been an Asia Correspondent for Billboard magazine since 2008. In 2005 he founded the electro-rock crossover label Dynastic Records in Japan.

    In today’s episode, we chatted his father, childhood memories, and the layers of loss. We discussed how Rob discovered his father’s manuscript, written before Morrie was diagnosed with ALS that became the book Rob just edited/published—The Wisdom of Morrie: Living and Aging Creatively & Joyfully.

    Rob’s journey is inspiring, fascinating, and a life well lived.

    • 40 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
15 Ratings

15 Ratings

E. Wafler ,

Savvy Soul Sussing

Such a genuine show! The organic questions Ms. Levan asks of her guests showcase not only her savvy but her gift for sussing out the essence of a person--the experiences and beliefs that shape who they are. Personal and pithy conversations that develop when one soul touches another. Follow this Podcast!

CMuchnick ,

Down to earth and illuminating

Interesting guests and authentic conversations hosted by Dara Levan. Live the premise of this show in conversing about a individual journeys and sharing real stories. Highly recommend.

@NinaBadzin ,

Deep, inspiring conversations

Dara is an excellent interviewer and I appreciate the depth and variety of her episodes. She gets to topics and questions I haven’t heard on other shows. Can’t wait for more.

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