Ramblings From the Little Shed

Holly B.
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Arts
  • Updated Weekly

Where pets and creativity curl up together. Welcome to the coziest corner of the creative world, where art, literature, and our beloved animal companions come together in conversation. Join us in the little shed—a space where ideas flow freely and creativity thrives—as we explore the profound ways animals influence and inspire our creative lives. Whether you're a writer crafting your next novel, a painter finding inspiration in nature, or simply someone who believes their best work happens with a dog at their feet or a cat on their lap, this podcast is for you.

  1. 4d ago

    Patent Agent by Day, Author by Night: Tricia Copeland

    Episode #81 Summary In this episode of Ramblings from the Little Shed, host Holly B. chats with award-winning author and podcaster Tricia Copeland, who also writes romance as Maria Jane. Tricia writes everything from contemporary romance to fantasy and dystopian fiction. She didn’t start creative writing until her mid-30s, after a career as a patent agent. Tricia shares how a master’s degree in microbiology led her to technical writing and then to fiction, why she switches between heavy fantasy and light romance to give her psyche a break, and how her pets keep her calm and creative. There’s also a surprise appearance from her dog, Woody! Meet Our Guest Tricia Copeland writes women’s fiction, fantasy and dystopian fiction. As Maria Jane, she writes contemporary romance. She is also the host of Finding the Magic Book Podcast. Connect with Tricia: https://triciacopeland.com/ Instagram Youtube ******** If you want to support the show, consider buying us a coffee instead Either way, I am grateful that you have chosen to be here today, to be part of my community of listeners.

    Patent Agent by Day, Author by Night: Tricia Copeland

  2. Oct 13

    Michael Hingson on Trust, Thunder Dog & Disability

    Episode summary Holly B and Rogan talk with Michael Hingson, New York Times bestselling author of Thunder Dog and an international keynote speaker. Michael, blind since birth, survived the September 11 attacks with the help of his guide dog, Roselle. In this conversation, he explains why guide dogs aren't pets, what pet owners can learn from the trust between a guide dog and handler, and how Thunder Dog came to be. He also challenges how we define disability, shares how he prepares for speaking engagements, and offers practical advice for anyone who wants to start public speaking. About the guest Michael Hingson is a New York Times bestselling author and international lecturer who gives over 100 presentations a year for groups including ExxonMobil, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross. He is an ambassador for the National Federation of the Blind's National Braille Literacy Campaign and for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards. Key takeaways Dogs want to know the rules and want a clear team leader.If a guide dog does something unexpected, Michael assumes there's a reason and follows his lead.Disability isn't a lack of ability. Michael argues every person has one, and sighted people are "light dependent."Michael prefers "blind" or "low vision" over "visually impaired."Links and resources Book Michael to speak: speaker@michaelhingson.comBook: Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero

    Michael Hingson on Trust, Thunder Dog & Disability

  3. Oct 9

    From Business Consultant to Time-Traveling Druids: Writing Fantasy at the Cabin with P K Stuart

    If you enjoy the show, consider subscribing or leaving us a comment. If you find value in the content and the services provided, please consider supporting the show. Every bit makes the show better and we get to improve our equipment. Next up – a better camera for Holly! For each donation, I will handwrite you a thank you letter. https://buymeacoffee.com/ramblingsfromlittleshed Episode Summary Holly B. and Rogan sit down with Colorado indie author P K Stuart, who traded a career in business management and startup consulting for a second act writing dystopian fantasy. P K talks about her off-the-grid-feeling "hillbilly chateau" in the aspens, the Merlin bird app, how a conference keynote by Diana Gabaldon pushed her to get serious about writing, and her top tips for hiking Colorado's San Juan Mountains. Connect with P.K. StuartWebsite: https://pkstuart.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pkstuartwrites/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pkstuartauthor/

    From Business Consultant to Time-Traveling Druids: Writing Fantasy at the Cabin with P K Stuart

  4. Oct 7

    12 Mondays Left, Marianas Trench Fixed Me & Our Biggest Hike Yet1

    Episode Summary Holly and Rogan are back with a Monday-night catch-up. They settle the Coke vs. Pepsi debate (sort of), review Timmies new strawberry cold foam matcha latte, and share an update on Holly's puppy Joey finishing his training class. Holly shares news on a possible coffee sponsorship with Farm Dog Coffee, and the pair reveal their backup plan: their own coffee and tea brand. Rogan shows off a Marianas Trench Fix Me 20th anniversary vinyl he found while his brother visited, which leads into a conversation about concept albums like The Black Parade and Hozier's Unreal Unearth. Then it's on to their next big hike, about 80 kms in cold weather, and how little they've trained. If you find value in the content and the services provided, please consider supporting the show. Every bit makes the show better and we get to improve our equipment. Next up – a better camera for Holly! For each donation, I will handwrite you a thank you letter. https://buymeacoffee.com/ramblingsfromlittleshed

    12 Mondays Left, Marianas Trench Fixed Me & Our Biggest Hike Yet1

  5. Oct 5

    Her Grandmother's Club Minutes Became a Novel Kristine Jensen

    Episode SummaryHolly chats with Kristine Jensen who is a lifelong storyteller whose career has included writing scripts, screenplays, and narratives for some of the world’s most recognizable brands. With a talent for bringing characters and ideas to life, she has spent decades distilling complex ideas into language that resonates. Born and raised on a farm in South Dakota, Kristine found the spark for her debut novel in a box of handwritten club minutes kept by her grandmother—records of a real-life women’s group that met for more than sixty years. That discovery blossomed into Wednesday Club, a novel about inter-generational friendship, quiet resilience, and the search for belonging.  Key Takeaways•      A five-year diary is a low-pressure way to build a journaling habit, and it lets you see what you were doing a year or two ago. •      A dedicated space and device for writing helps keep distractions away. •      Family stories and archives can become fiction, even when the original records are incomplete or dry. •      Even experienced writers feel vulnerable when they publish a novel. •      Not every reader will connect with your book, and that's okay. Connect with Kristine Website: https://www.wednesday-club.com/author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristine_connelly/ ******  If you enjoy the show, consider subscribing or leaving us a comment. If you find value in the content and the services provided, please consider supporting the show. Every bit makes the show better and we get to improve our equipment. Next up for us is a better camera for Holly in the shed! For each donation, I will handwrite you a thank you letter. buymeacoffee.com/ramblingsfromlittleshed

    Her Grandmother's Club Minutes Became a Novel Kristine Jensen

  6. Oct 2

    Gamify Your Business: How a D&D Barkeep Teaches Creatives to Make Money with Paul Pape

    Episode Summary Paul Pape designs custom collectibles for clients like Disney and Universal. He also runs Gamify Business, which teaches creatives and small business owners to run their companies using tabletop RPG frameworks. The conversation covers shop cats, creative burnout, finding your passion, and why you only need 100 true fans. Key Takeaways 1.     Find your seed. Ask what you're passionate about, then what you do with it differently from everyone else. That answer is the seed of your business. 2.     Ride the dragon of passion. Chase passion and fame and fortune follow, instead of stripping yourself down to catch them. 3.     The Rule of 100. A small business needs about 100 real fans, not a million likes. Likes aren't dollars. 4.     You are your best customer. Pitch your idea to yourself first. If you don't know who your audience is, look in the mirror. 5.     Separate ego from assessment. Building a character sheet makes it easier to name your weaknesses honestly. 6.     Business monsters are real. Scope creep and other pitfalls become encounters you can plan for and defeat. 7.     Quiet people should lead. In team workshops, the person with the right skill leads the encounter, not the loudest person. 8.     Give your brain a hard reset. A brisk walk or working somewhere uncomfortable can jolt you into a flow state. 9.     Play taxes like golf. Reframe them as a game where the lowest score wins. 10.  Skin in the game works. Paid coaching gets better results than free advice, because clients follow through when it costs them something. Connect with Paul •      Podcast: Gamify Business Tavern Tales •      TEDx talk: "Santa for Nerds" (second TEDx talk on killing the "starving artist" myth coming in October) •      Paul's books: monster manuals, player guides, DM guides, a storytelling book, and a finance book in the works https://gamifybusiness.com/

    Gamify Your Business: How a D&D Barkeep Teaches Creatives to Make Money with Paul Pape

  7. Sep 30

    Slow and Steady Wins the Heart: A Tortoise, a Book, and a Whole Lot of Dogs with Sarah Lipman

    Episode Summary In this episode, host Holly B. sits down with author Sarah Lipman to talk about someone a little different from the usual dogs and cats — her beloved tortoise, Lassie! Sarah has had Lassie since she was 8 years old, and with tortoises living 70-90 years, this little companion has been by her side through every major life chapter. We dig into Lassie's quirky habits (she hibernates every winter and makes a tiny "popping" sound when she's happy), her surprising origin story, and how she became a quiet source of inspiration for Sarah's debut children's book, Sophia Starr and a Dog to Love. Sarah also opens up about her journey from dog-sitting mishaps to becoming a first-time author — writing while working full-time in the music industry and raising two daughters, and learning the ropes of marketing her own book at community fairs and vendor events. Whether you're an animal lover, an aspiring author, or just curious about life with a tortoise, this conversation has a little something for everyone. Connect with Sarah Book: Sophia Starr and a Dog to Love Instagram https://www.instagram.com/storiesbysarahlipman/ Subscribe to Ramblings from the Little Shed for more heartfelt conversations about pets, creativity, and the stories that connect us.

    Slow and Steady Wins the Heart: A Tortoise, a Book, and a Whole Lot of Dogs with Sarah Lipman

  8. Sep 24

    He Said, She Said, the Dog Said: Inside Canine Custody with Gary Goldstein

    Episode Summary Host Holly B. sits down with screenwriter, playwright, and four-time novelist Gary Goldstein to talk about his new release, Canine Custody — a witty, heartfelt story told from three alternating points of view: Layla, Franklin, and their Springer Spaniel, Betty. Gary opens up about writing convincingly from a dog's perspective, casting audiobook narrators, designing a standout book cover, and how his screenwriting background shapes the structure of his novels. Along the way, the two swap stories about their own dogs, grief and rescue, and why every good book needs a little "buoyancy" even in its darkest moments. About the Guest Gary Goldstein is a screenwriter, playwright, and novelist based in Los Angeles. He's written more than 15 produced TV movies, including The Wish List, My Boyfriend's Dogs, and the first two Flower Shop Mystery films starring Brooke Shields. His film Friends and Family Christmas earned a 2024 GLAAD Award nomination, and his theatrical credits include Politics of Love and If You Only Knew. His plays have been produced across LA stages. As an author, his novels include The Last Birthday Party and the bestselling Please Come to Boston. His newest novel, Canine Custody, released September 22nd. Links & Resources Gary's website: garygoldsteinla.comCanine Custody — available now wherever books are soldInstagram https://www.instagram.com/garygoldsteinla/Follow the Show Did you enjoy this episode? Consider buying us a coffee via Ko-fi to help cover hosting costs. Ramblings from the Little Shed — new episodes with authors you'll love. Subscribe, rate, and review to help more listeners find the show! https://ko-fi.com/ramblingsfromthelittleshedpodcast

    He Said, She Said, the Dog Said: Inside Canine Custody with Gary Goldstein
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Where pets and creativity curl up together. Welcome to the coziest corner of the creative world, where art, literature, and our beloved animal companions come together in conversation. Join us in the little shed—a space where ideas flow freely and creativity thrives—as we explore the profound ways animals influence and inspire our creative lives. Whether you're a writer crafting your next novel, a painter finding inspiration in nature, or simply someone who believes their best work happens with a dog at their feet or a cat on their lap, this podcast is for you.

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