Quixotic Heights Podcast

Quill Hawk Publishing
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Personal Journals
  • Updated Bimonthly

Welcome to the Quixotic Heights Podcast, where dreams take flight... where we celebrate the dreamers, the visionaries, and the bold souls who dare to chase the impossible! Each episode brings you inspiring stories of individuals who have turned their wildest aspirations into reality, overcoming obstacles that seem insurmountable along the way. Join my Quixotes as we meet those who live passionately, refuse to settle for the ordinary, and push the boundaries of what's possible in pursuit of their dreams. May their stories inspire you to dream big & never give up.

  1. 5d ago

    Four Shocks and a Second Chance

    Welcome to the Quixotic Heights Podcast, where wecelebrate the dreamers, the doers, and the courageous people who refuse to let the word impossible have the final say. Today’s story is quite literally about a second chance inlife. At just 13 years old, Heather Freligh experienced suddencardiac arrest. In a matter of moments, an ordinary day became a fight for her life—and for her dad, Derek, a parent’s unimaginable nightmare. Today, through 7HF, Heather and Derek advocate for hearthealth, CPR awareness, AED readiness, and youth empowerment. Their work has reached schools, heart-health organizations, communities, and lawmakers,including advocacy surrounding California’s Heather Freligh Act. Together, they’re developing My HeartLink by 7HF, whilealso working on the Heather’s Heart Treasures book series—finding new ways to educate, empower, and potentially save lives. This conversation is about more than surviving cardiac arrest. It’s about what happens when the world keeps telling you “no,” and somewhere inside yourself, you find the courage to keep saying yes. For a chance to win free merch, follow @be7hankful, @quillhawkpublishing, and @quixoticheightspodcast, and tell us in the comments what you loved about the episode.We'll select one winner at the end of September 2026 to receive a limited-edition @lululemon 7HF sweatshirt, pin, and sticker from The Heather Freligh Heart Foundation. https://www.heatherfrelighheart.org, IG: @be7hankful, LinkedIn: Heather Freligh, Facebook: Heather Freligh

    Four Shocks and a Second Chance

  2. Aug 30

    Beyond the Dream: Finding Purpose Across the World

    Welcome to the Quixotic Heights Podcast, where we celebrate bold journeys, extraordinary people, and the stories that inspire us to rethink what's possible. Today's guest transformed an unexpected setback into a global mission. Whitney Pollard—known to many as Whitney Da'Gail and Ngọc Hân—once led teams of more than 100 people in the manufacturing industry after earning her MBA from the University of Michigan. Then a layoff changed everything. What began as a year of travel led to a life-changing decision aboard a cruise in Vietnam's breathtaking Ha Long Bay: instead of going home, Whitney chose to stay. That leap of faith launched an entirely new chapter—one filled with content creation, world travel, entrepreneurship, and the pursuit of helping people find genuine connection. Since then, Whitney has traveled to more than 40 countries, built a thriving online community of over 30,000 people, hosted events that have brought together people from around the globe, and founded Homii, a startup dedicated to helping people build authentic community wherever lifetakes them. She's also writing her upcoming book, Beyond the Dream, sharing the lessons she's learned about purpose, reinvention, and finding home in unexpected places. ⁠https://www.instagram.com/whitneydagail/⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/homiiglobal⁠ ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@whitneydagail⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@whitney.dagail⁠ ⁠https://www.homiiglobal.com/⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/homii-global/⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/whitney.pollard.90⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581346742532⁠ Whitney Pollard is an entrepreneur, storyteller, and contentcreator from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, currently living in Vietnam. She is the founder and CEO of Homii Global, a community platform building the infrastructure for real-world connection. A former engineer and Fortune 500 operations leader, Whitney spent nearly a decade leading teams in corporate America before earning her MBA from the University of Michigan and eventually choosing a different path. Shehas traveled to more than 40 countries and lived in three, building a global perspective on leadership, culture, identity, and community. She is currently writing her first book, Beyond the Dream, which chronicles her journey from Baton Rouge to corporate America to building a startup in Vietnam, while exploring the beliefs we inherit about success, identity, ambition, and the American Dream, and what happens when we give ourselves permission to question them. Through her content, Whitney blends storytelling, education,cultural commentary, and humor to challenge assumptions, connect people across cultures, and encourage others to think more expansively about how they want to live.

    Beyond the Dream: Finding Purpose Across the World

  3. Jul 26

    Following a Curious Mind

    Tamara Dragseth is an avid reader, lifelong learner, and what many would call a true Renaissance woman. From spinning wool, knitting, sewing, gardening, and cooking from scratch to managing investments, repairing homes, and painting, Tamara embodies a level of practical wisdom that seems increasingly rare in today's world. A former claims adjuster for Safeco, she spent years honing her financial expertise while raising her son. Through discipline, determination, and a commitment to living below her means, she built a life of financial independence without sacrificing the things that mattered most. Today, Tamara enjoys retirement alongside her husband, biking to local farmers' markets, traveling, embracing simple pleasures, and sharing her love of books through beta reading, book reviews, and content editing for Quill Hawk Publishing. In this episode, we'll explore the lessons she's learned about money, motherhood, resilience, self-sufficiency, and finding joy in life's everyday moments. Tamara discovered reading in second grade because of the Scholastic book program provided through school. She purchased the book "HEIDI," fell deeply in love with the book and reading, and she has never surfaced for air. It should be admitted that Tamara MAY be a compulsive reader, as she has been known to read FISHING REGULATIONS if nothing else is at hand. She typically reads two to three books a week! Not only is she an avid reader, but she is also a pioneer woman who is an expert gardener, cook, and knitter. She spins her own wool and makes everything from scratch in the kitchen. She rides horses, builds her own tack room, and bales hay. She is a woman of many talents, including financial management and investment. Miss Jane of all trades! Tamara loves to travel and makes a living being curious. Oh, and let's not forget to mention she bakes pies and sourdough bread!   https://tamaradragsethqhp.wixsite.com/bookreviews https://www.facebook.com/tamara.dragseth

    Following a Curious Mind

  4. Jul 19

    Choosing Passion Over Permission

    Welcome to Quixotic Heights, the podcast where dreamers become doers, setbacks become stepping stones, and extraordinary people remind us that the most meaningful journeys often begin with one courageous decision. I'm your host, Amy M. Le—award-winning author, founder andCEO of Quill Hawk Publishing, and storyteller who believes every voice has the power to inspire, heal, and change the world. Today's guest is someone whose story proves that determination is often louder than talent. In 1996, while many people were following a traditional career path, Charlotte Chiew opened the Yellow Pages and began calling everytheatre company in Singapore. She wasn't asking for fame or fortune—she simply wanted a chance to learn. She even offered to clean toilets for free if it meant she could be part of the theatre. Born into a traditional Asian family where the expectation was clear—study hard, find a stable job, get married, buy a home, and live a predictable life—Charlotte chose a different script. Despite being told to pursue a "normal" career, she followed the calling of an artist. That courageous decision led her into theatre, storytelling, and eventually to a career as an accomplished audiobook narrator, where she brings stories to life through the power of her voice. Today, we'll explore what it means to choose passion over expectation, how rejection can become your greatest teacher, the artistry behind audiobook narration, and why finding your authentic voice is one of life's greatest adventures. To learn more, visit https://charlottechiew.com/ https://seevp.org/ (volunteer narration for those whohaven't landed a project) https://learningally.org/ (resource for dyslexic children) Charlotte Chiew is an audiobook narrator with a special interest in figuring out audiobook sales and distribution strategies with Indie authors.   An Asian-American & British-South-East-Asian voice, she’s bubbly, uplifting, spunky - your favourite summer mocktail, with an unexpected ginger shot!  Charlotte was born in Singapore, grew up all over the world, left her heart in Paris, and is finally finding her feet in London after almost 10 years. A professional film, TV & Stage actor with an IMDB page, her favourite stories to narrate are YA sweet romance with no spice! Close contenders are YA Fantasy, where characters grow while struggling through epic journeys, and Christian literature that fuels her heart for Jesus. If you can’t find her in the recording booth, she’s probably pruning flowers somewhere in the garden, (artificially) bouldering (in a gym), or gone on a bike ride with her husband. Sometimes, she can be found in a corner competing with her teenagers at snarky comments and eye-rolling. (She often wins, but they tend to gang up and deny her that superiority.)

    Choosing Passion Over Permission

  5. Jun 28

    From Learning Disability to Author

    Today's guest proves that our greatest challenges can become the very foundation of our greatest gifts. Ava Wood grew up with a learning disability and often found herself escaping into worlds of her own imagination. What began as a way to quiet loneliness and make sense of life's challenges eventually became a lifelong passion for storytelling. Today, she describes herself as "an insomniacwho writes to calm the voices," reminding us that creativity often blooms from the places where we least expect it. Originally from the wide-open landscapes of Texas and now calling Florida home, Ava has built a life filled with family, imagination, and artistry. Alongside writing compelling stories, she designs book covers and logos, creates intricate 3-D prints, and isn't afraid to sing whenever inspiration strikes. In today's conversation, we'll explore how growing up with a learning disability shaped her creative mind, why imagination became her refuge, how sleepless nights fuel her storytelling, and what she's learned about resilience, family, and finding purpose through writing. Whether you're a writer, an entrepreneur, a creative, or someone who's ever wondered if your differences could become your greatest strength, this conversation is for you. https://www.instagram.com/btfl7/ https://www.facebook.com/authoravawood

    From Learning Disability to Author

  6. Jun 21

    From Broken to Brave

    We're turning the microphone around. Authors Shelley Malicote-Stutchman and Jennifer Mangini take the cohost chair and interview Amy M. Le —award-winning author of The Snow Trilogy, Founder and CEO of Quill Hawk Publishing (Amy M. Le) , and a passionate advocate for preserving diverse voices and untold stories. Amy's journey spans traditional, self, and hybrid publishing, giving her a unique perspective on the ever-changing publishing landscape. With fifteen books to her name and a highly anticipated memoir, From Broken to Brave: Memoir of a Heart Warrior, releasing July 30, 2026, Amy has dedicated her life to transforming adversity into purpose. Beyond her work as an author and publisher, Amy serves as a Board Emeritus member of the Vietnamese Boat People Podcast , helping preserve the stories and legacy of Vietnamese refugees. She is also co-founder of The Heart Community Collection , a collaborative initiative that empowers heart warriors and their families to share their experiences through storytelling. We'll explore Amy's publishing journey, the lessons she's learned as an entrepreneur, the inspiration behind her upcoming memoir, and the impact she hopes to leave on future generations of writers and readers. https://quillhawkpublishing.com/ This episode is sponsored by Dee Britt Studios! Dee Britt, creator of the course, "Running On Empty," has been a licensed physical therapist for 39 years. https://www.deebritt.com/ Jennifer Mangini is a U.S. ARMY female veteran, artist, animal lover (especially dogs!), and RN. She has been a nature lover, gardener, and beach and water lover since the day she was born. This awesome Gen Xer grew up on an acreage surrounded by walnut trees and small creeks. This was the time she explored the landscape of tadpoles, pollywogs, and her own imagination. Also, during this period, she experienced love and affection from her adoptive family—the same people who became part of her incredible support system later in life. Jenn is a 50-year-old (ish) woman who is in a category that most people don’t make it—a survivor. Shelley Malicote Stutchman, a survivor of breast cancer, has emerged as a dedicated patient advocate. Her journey, from being a retired nurse and former community liaison for home health and hospice, has endowed her with invaluable firsthand experience in the medical field. Her passion for research is not just a mere sentiment but a commitment she demonstrated by becoming a test subject for Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine. Shelley has made significant contributions in the healthcare field. She has owned a mental health program for low-income women, founded a support group for women over forty, and received recognition from the governor for her work with Workforce Oklahoma. Shelley is a featured writer for CAREGIVER MAGAZINE. Her expertise is further recognized through her status as an award-winning speaker and author.https://bookshop.org/a/55972/9798990074941

    From Broken to Brave

  7. Jun 14

    Trusting the Vision Before Anyone Else Does

    Welcome to Quixotic Heights, where we explore extraordinary stories of resilience, creativity, and the pursuit of bold dreams. Today's Quixote is Debbie Bishop—a creative director, author, founder, screenwriter, producer, podcast host, and visionary entrepreneur whose career spans more than three decades in Hollywood. Debbie has helped shape campaigns for some of the biggest studios in the world, including Disney, Warner Bros., Universal, Paramount, and Lionsgate. But after years of helping bring other people's stories to life, she realized she had stories of her own to tell. That realization led to Black Tide, an unexpected creative leap that grew into a successful comic book series, followed by War Eagles, an alternate-history World War II adventure, and the epic fantasy duology Pillywiggin, with the highly anticipated second installment, Pillywiggin: Awakening, releasing June 26, 2026. As if that weren't enough, Debbie hosts the By.Storytellers podcast and founded CreatorStage, an innovative platform designed to give every creative professional—from writers and artists to editors, designers, and production crews—a place to showcase their talents, build an audience, and thrive. We'll also dive into her perspective on artificial intelligence and what creators need to know to succeed in the future of entertainment. https://www.debbiebishop.com/ https://www.instagram.com/debbiebishop_ https://www.facebook.com/DebbieBishopbooks/ https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/485346.Debbie_Bishop https://x.com/debbiebishop https://www.tiktok.com/@debbie.bishop_ https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbiebishop/ https://www.youtube.com/@debbie-bishop_author https://www.youtube.com/@by.storytellers Bio: Debbie Bishop is not your typical fantasy author. In her award-winning novel *PILLYWIGGIN Awakening*, fae hide among humans, boys are on the verge of becoming dragon food, and survival depends on one powerful truth: no one iscoming to save you — you must become your own hero.  With a background in entertainment, technology, and entrepreneurship, Debbie delivers compelling conversations on resilience, reinvention, metaphysics, AI, and the real-world truths hidden inside fantasy storytelling.

    Trusting the Vision Before Anyone Else Does

  8. May 10

    Storytelling Legacies from Courtrooms to Capes

    Welcome to Quixotic Heights—where stories transcend boundaries, ideas ignite transformation, and the human spiritdares to reach beyond the ordinary. Today's Quixote is William Bernhardt—an award-winning author of more than sixty books, a master of legal thrillers, and a passionate advocate for writers around the world. From bestselling novels to shaping the next generation of storytellers through WriterCon, his impact on the literary landscape is both profound and far-reaching. We’ll be diving into his latest work, The Superman Wars: A Battle for Truth, Justice, and an American Icon, and dissectinghis career. William Bernhardt is the award-winning author of more than sixty books, including the bestselling Ben Kincaid novels and the Daniel Pike legal thriller series. His latest release, “The Superman Wars,” continues his tradition of captivating storytelling that blends sharp legal insight with deeply human stakes. Bernhardt’s body of work also includes historical fiction, poetry, young adult novels, and the Red Sneaker series for writers, which has inspired and instructed a new generation of authors. A passionate advocate for writers, Bernhardt is the founder of WriterCon—a renowned writers conference—and leads writing retreats, a podcast, a digital magazine, and afree newsletter, all under the WriterCon brand. His influence is far-reaching: more than thirty of his students have gone on to publish with major houses. He is also the president of Bernhardt Books, further extending his commitment tonurturing literary talent. Bernhardt’s accolades include the Southern Writers Guild’s Gold Medal Award, the Royden B. Davis DistinguishedAuthor Award, and the Arrell Gibson Lifetime Achievement Award. He has twice won the Oklahoma Book Award and has been nominated twenty times in three categories. Beyond writing, his adventurous spirit has led him to activities like paragliding, surfing, and even becoming a Jeopardy! Champion. Hailed by Oklahoma State University as “Oklahoma’s Renaissance Man,” Bernhardt’s creativity, intellect, and passion for storytelling continue to shape the literary landscape. Learn more at www.williambernhardt.com. instagram.com/willbern11 facebook.com/WGBernhardt2 goodreads.com/author/show/85988.William_Bernhardt x.com/wbernhardt tiktok.com/@williambernhardt04 linkedin.com/in/william-bernhardt-95807a15 https://www.youtube.com/@willbern100 bookbub.com/profile/william-bernhardt threads.com/@wbernhardtbooks https://bsky.app/profile/wbernhardtwriter.bsky.social

    Storytelling Legacies from Courtrooms to Capes
See All (53)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Quixotic Heights Podcast, where dreams take flight... where we celebrate the dreamers, the visionaries, and the bold souls who dare to chase the impossible! Each episode brings you inspiring stories of individuals who have turned their wildest aspirations into reality, overcoming obstacles that seem insurmountable along the way. Join my Quixotes as we meet those who live passionately, refuse to settle for the ordinary, and push the boundaries of what's possible in pursuit of their dreams. May their stories inspire you to dream big & never give up.

Information

  • Creator
    Quill Hawk Publishing
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    53
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Quill Hawk Publishing
  • Show Website
    Quixotic Heights Podcast