You, Me, and the Writing Journey Podcast

Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD

A podcast that meets at the intersection of all things literary + mental health, providing insights, tips, tools, and support surrounding well-being in the writing journey and pub world. Supporting writers, creators, and publishing professionals through conversations created to support you right where you are in your journey.

  1. Apr 26

    Ep. 34 Living Life, Not Just Living Publishing (Season 4 Early Release Episode)

    In the publishing industry, it can be easy for creators and industry professionals alike to struggle with life balance. Instead of publishing being a part of our life, we can get pulled into it become our life. In this special pre-season episode, Ivan Taurisano (Macmillan – First Second Editor) and DanielleRender Turmaud (YMWJ Host) discuss ways to allow publishing to be a part of our life, instead of consuming it. You, Me, and the Writing Journey (X, Instagram, and BlueSky): @YMWJPodcast Podcast Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm/you-me-the-writing-journey-podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ivan Taurisano (Macmillan- First Second Editor) Ivan Taurisano is an Associate Editor at First Second Books, where he’s on the lookout for commercial, laugh-out-loud stories with quirky characters that make kids fall in love with reading. He holds an MA in Children’s Literature and an MFA in Writing for Children, and worked across every corner of children’s publishing—from board books and picture books to middle grade and graphic novels. Originally from Rome, Ivan moved to the United States to chase his dream of becoming achildren’s book editor. Along the way, he’s had the joy of collaborating with beloved brands and series, including How to Catch, Sesame Street, Disney, Marvel, tokidoki, and Pokémon. Ivan believes that a child whose life is changed by a book will grow up to be an adult who will change the world. IG: @ivantaurisano LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivan-taurisano-61b5641a8/ MSWL: https://manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/ivan-taurisano/   Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD (Host/Author/Therapist): Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD is an agented kidlitauthor, trauma therapist, experienced professor, internationalpresenter/speaker, Critique Coach with the Picture Book Author Academy, Mighty Kidlit Leader, co-host for several kidlit contests/events, and the host of You, Me, and the Writing Journey, Take Your Kid to Publishing Day kidlit event, and the #YouDeservepIt Pitch event. X, BlueSky, and Instagram: @Drenderturmaud Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    1 hr
  2. Apr 22

    Ep. 33 Publishing is Hard for Publishers Too (Season 4 Early Release Episode)

    The past few months in the publishing industry have been ROUGH. From imprint and publisher closures, to dozens of editors being let go, agents resigning, longer wait times and silence for creators who are querying/on submission, and more, many in the writing community are feeling discouraged. Because of this, we are releasing two very special Season 4 episodes early (before the full Season 4 release) in hopes that they will encourage you! In this first pre-release episode, Jon Seymour (Publisher with Tielmour Press) and Host Danielle Render Turmaud, discuss the realities and challenges that publishers face. You, Me, and the Writing Journey (X, Instagram, and BlueSky): @YMWJPodcast Podcast Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm/you-me-the-writing-journey-podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jon Seymour (Publisher of Tielmour Press) Instagram and BlueSky: @TielmourPress Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TielmourPress Website: ⁠https://www.tielmourpress.com/   Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD (Host/Author/Therapist): Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD is an agented kidlit author, trauma therapist, experienced professor, international presenter/speaker, Critique Coach with the Picture Book Author Academy, Mighty Kidlit Leader, co-host for several kidlit contests/events, and the host of You, Me, and the Writing Journey, Take Your Kid to Publishing Day kidlit event, and the #YouDeservepIt Pitch event. X, BlueSky, and Instagram: @Drenderturmaud Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    49 min
  3. Jan 25

    Ep. 32 It's Time to Change the Language of "Rejection" to "Pass"--And Here's Why

    “Rejection,” a word that often is heard/said throughout the writing community. But what if we changed the language of “rejection” to “pass”? And moved towards a cultural understanding of what the passes truly are, a “not now" or a “not for me,” instead of a personal rejection of ourselves/our work? In this episode, Vicky Weber (Agent/Author) and Danielle Render Turmaud (Author/Therapist/Host) explore the benefits of creators and industry professionals shifting the language we use around passes. You, Me, and the Writing Journey (X, Instagram, and BlueSky): @YMWJPodcast Podcast Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm/you-me-the-writing-journey-podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Vicky Weber (Agent/Author) Vicky Weber is a literary agent, bestselling children’s bookauthor, and publishing industry expert with years of experience helping authors navigate both traditional and self-publishing. As the founder of At Home Author, she has guided countless writers through the process of crafting, publishing, and marketing successful books. With a background in education, Vicky is passionate about breaking down complex industry concepts into actionable steps. Whether securing book deals for her clients or sharing insights on the ever-evolving publishing market, she is dedicated to helping authors turn their creative dreams into reality. My MSWL: https://www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/vicky-weber/ Follow me on social media: @vickyweberbooks My blog: www.athomeauthor.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AtHomeAuthor Try my PB coaching program free for 7 days: https://www.allthingspicturebooks.com/free-trial-ppb    Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD (Host/Author/Therapist): Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD is an agented kidlit author,trauma therapist, experienced professor, international presenter/speaker, Critique Coach with the Picture Book Author Academy, Mighty Kidlit Leader, and the host of You, Me, and the Writing Journey, Take Your Kid to Publishing Day kidlit event, and the #YouDeservepIt Pitch event. X, BlueSky, and Instagram: @Drenderturmaud Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    48 min
  4. Jan 19

    Ep. 31 The Benefits of Writing Community (More Than Just Networking)

    We often hear about the importance of the writing community—because of the powerful support it can be to us in our journey! In this episode, April Berry (Author) and Danielle ender Turmaud (Host/Author/Therapist) discuss the many benefits of having a writing community, beyond networking.   You, Me, and the Writing Journey (X, Instagram, and BlueSky): @YMWJPodcast Podcast Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm/you-me-the-writing-journey-podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ April Berry (Author) April Berry is a children’s book author. She has a heart for reading and for encouraging children to read. When she is not reading or writing, April enjoys road trips, hiking, eating ice cream, and snapping too many pictures of her adorable dog. She lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan with her husband and their three children. Bluesky: @aprilberrybookshttps://bsky.app/profile/aprilberrybooks.bsky.social Instagram:@AprilBerryBooks https://www.instagram.com/aprilberrybooks/ Facebook: @AprilBerryBookshttps://www.facebook.com/AprilBerryBooks Website: https://aprilberrybooks.com/ Newsletter Signup: https://aprilberrybooks.com/subscribe/   Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD (Host/Author/Therapist): Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD is an agented kidlitauthor, trauma therapist, experienced professor, internationalpresenter/speaker, Critique Coach with the Picture Book Author Academy, Mighty Kidlit Leader, and the host of You, Me, and the Writing Journey, Take Your Kid to Publishing Day kidlit event, and the #YouDeservepIt Pitch event. X, BlueSky, and Instagram: @Drenderturmaud Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    31 min
  5. Jan 4

    Ep. 30 Sharing Joy Through Writing, Even Amidst the Hard Times

    Writing can be a powerful way to bring joy to ourselves and share joy with others, especially during the hard seasons of life. In this episode, Dr. Audrey Barbakoff (Author/Librarian) and Danielle Render Turmaud (Host/Author) discuss how writing and reading can be a mirror, a window, and a door to better understand the world—and bring joy to all of us. You, Me, and the Writing Journey (X, Instagram, and BlueSky): @YMWJPodcast Podcast Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm/you-me-the-writing-journey-podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Audrey Barbakoff, EdD, MLIS (Author/Librarian/Entrepreneur) Dr. Audrey Barbakoff is an author, librarian, and entrepreneur. Her debut picture book, The Schlemiel Kids Save the Moon (The Collective Book Studio, 2024) features a hilarious and diverse modern-day twist on a Yiddish folktale. Kirkus called it an enjoyable, rollicking read and Foreworddeemed it a multicultural winner. She is also the author of a forthcoming board book, Mazel Toes (The Collective Book Studio, 2025), and multiple professional development books, chapters, and articles for librarians. Audrey holds a doctorate in education and a master’s degree in library and information science. As a Jewish mother, she is passionate about passing down the vibrancy of Jewish humor, language, and stories to the next generation. Audrey lives with her family and a flock of chickens on a Puget Sound island.   Instagram: @barbakoffbooks Bluesky: @barbakoffbooks.bsky.social Website and newsletter: www.barbakoffbooks.com    Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD (Host/Author/Therapist): Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD is an agented kidlit author,trauma therapist, experienced professor, international presenter/speaker, Critique Coach with the Picture Book Author Academy, Mighty Kidlit Leader, and the host of You, Me, and the Writing Journey, Take Your Kid to Publishing Day kidlit event, and the #YouDeservepIt Pitch event. X, BlueSky, and Instagram: @Drenderturmaud Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    34 min
  6. 12/26/2025

    Ep. 29 Separating the Self from Personal Stories (And Their Passes)

    "Writing a book is such a personal experience, and we pour so much of ourselves, our pain, our experiences, and the way we see the world into those pages. So much so, that it makes it hard to see a pass or a "this isn't for me" as a rejection of the self." Writing is a beautifully vulnerable and personal process, which also means that separating ourselves from the stories we write (and the passes we get on them!) is not always easy. In this episode, Sophia Briar (Author) and Danielle (Host) explore this reality and ways to separate ourselves from the personal stories we bring into the world. You, Me, and the Writing Journey (X, Instagram, and BlueSky): @YMWJPodcast Podcast Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm/you-me-the-writing-journey-podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sophia Briar (Author) Sophia is the querying author of the locked-room mystery Dust in the Light, which was inspired by classic Agatha Christie novels and her own experiences with toxic relationships and grief. She spends her time between her native Brazil and her chosen home of France, and is passionate about crafting compelling narratives that explore missed connections and unreliable narrators—always set in eerie places. Social Media/Website: You can find her, and her many cups of coffee, on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok at @sophbriar, or on her website https://sophiabriar.carrd.co/. Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD (Host/Author/Therapist): Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD is an agented kidlit author, trauma therapist, experienced professor, international presenter/speaker, Critique Coach with the Picture Book Author Academy, Mighty Kidlit Leader, and the host of You, Me, and the Writing Journey, Take Your Kid to Publishing Day kidlit event, and the #YouDeservepIt Pitch event. X, BlueSky, and Instagram: @Drenderturmaud Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    40 min
  7. 12/15/2025

    Ep. 28 What Do Editors Worry About?

    It is no secret that creators and authors deal with many worries in the writing industry. But what about editors? In this episode, Danielle (YMWJ Host) talks with Best Selling Author, Award-Winning Editor, and Publishing Director at Hodder and Stoughton Phoebe Morgan (aka, “The Honest Editor) about her Substack article “What Do Editors Worry About?” Phoebe shares many worries that editors can experience. This episode is real, its raw, and it reminds us that all parties in the publishing industry deal with worries and pressures of their own.   Phoebe's Substack article can be found here: https://open.substack.com/pub/honesteditor/p/what-editors-worry-about?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web   You, Me, and the Writing Journey (X, Instagram, and BlueSky): @YMWJPodcast Podcast Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm/you-me-the-writing-journey-podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Phoebe Morgan (Bestselling Author/Publishing Director at Hodder and Stoughton/”The Honest Editor” Substack Author) Phoebe Morgan is a bestselling author and award-winningeditor. She currently works as the Commercial Fiction Publishing Director at Hodder & Stoughton, and is the author of five books published by HarperCollins.  Social media: Instagram: Phoebeannmorgan X: Phoebe_A_Morgan Substack: The Honest Editor Facebook: PhoebeMorganAuthor  Website: www.phoebemorganauthor.com    Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD (Host/Author/Therapist): Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD is an agented kidlit author,trauma therapist, experienced professor, international presenter/speaker, Critique Coach with the Picture Book Author Academy, Mighty Kidlit Leader, and the host of You, Me, and the Writing Journey, Take Your Kid to Publishing Daykidlit event, and the #YouDeservepIt Pitch event. X, BlueSky, and Instagram: @Drenderturmaud Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    48 min
  8. 12/07/2025

    Ep. 27 Running Our Own Race

    Everyone’s writing/publishing journey is different, and yet the comparisons are real. In this episode, Alexandria Faulkenbury and Danielle talk about what it means to run our own race and focusing on our own journeys, taking it one moment, one celebration, and one step at a time. You, Me, and the Writing Journey (X, Instagram, and BlueSky): @YMWJPodcast Podcast Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm/you-me-the-writing-journey-podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Alexandria Faulkenbury (Author): Alexandria Faulkenbury is the author of Somewhere Past the End, which was published in May 2025. She holds an M.A. in multicultural and transnational literature and lives with her family in South Carolina. Instagram: @amfaulkenbury  Twitter/X: @lexibury.  Website: alexandriafaulkenbury.com Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD (Host/Author/Therapist): Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD is an agented kidlit author, trauma therapist, experienced professor, international presenter/speaker, Critique Coach with the Picture Book Author Academy, Mighty Kidlit Leader, and the host of You, Me, and the Writing Journey, Take Your Kid to Publishing Day kidlit event, and the #YouDeservepIt Pitch event. X, BlueSky, and Instagram: @Drenderturmaud Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    42 min
5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

A podcast that meets at the intersection of all things literary + mental health, providing insights, tips, tools, and support surrounding well-being in the writing journey and pub world. Supporting writers, creators, and publishing professionals through conversations created to support you right where you are in your journey.