Story Impact Podcast - Compelling Author Interviews

Lisa Towles
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Hello book lovers and welcome to Story Impact, an author interview podcast that dives deep into the meaning, purpose, and magic behind the stories we love. I'm your host, award-winning crime novelist Lisa Towles. As a fellow author, I know the incredible passion and hard work that goes into creating a story. That's why I created this series—to lift up authors and shine a spotlight on the incredible stories they've brought into the world. Book lovers, you're in for a treat! On this show, we'll go behind the scenes with some of the most renowned authors reshaping our literary landscape to understand their inspirations, craft, and the purpose that drives them forward. So get ready to be inspired, to discover new books for your reading list, and to connect with some amazing visionaries.

  1. 2d ago

    Story Impact Podcast - Carmela Dutra

    Welcome to the Story Impact author interview podcast. Cozy mystery author Carmela Dutra joins host Lisa Towles to explore the art of writing entertaining, character-driven crime fiction. Author of the Food Truck Mystery series, including A Murder Most Fowl and Hot Wings and Homicide, Carmela traded ten years as a wedding photographer for a full-time writing career. Together they talk about what makes a great cozy mystery, why a food truck makes such a fun setting for suspense, and how lighter fiction can still be smart, surprising, and deeply satisfying. Essential listening for cozy mystery readers, aspiring authors, and anyone who loves a little humor with their murder. In this in-depth conversation, Lisa Towles and Carmela Dutra discuss: Why humor, food, and murder make such a good combination The appeal of the cozy mystery and the comfort it gives readers How a food truck opens up setting, suspense, and character How photography and visual storytelling show up in her fiction Her writing routine and the editing process Watch the full YouTube video interview: https://youtu.be/N1H_aLTFuUk?si=RiAcv85679V2Z623 Learn more about Carmela Dutra: carmeladutra.com The Story Impact Podcast is hosted by Lisa Towles—award-winning crime novelist and founder of the Story Impact multimedia platform. This literary podcast features authors and creative voices exploring books, creativity, storytelling, and the deeper purpose behind the stories that shape our lives. Learn more about the Story Impact platform: storyimpactconsulting.com Follow Story Impact with Lisa Towles on Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio to stay connected to powerful conversations exploring books, meaning, purpose, and the ideas that shape our lives. Subscribe on YouTube for full-length video interviews with today's most compelling authors. Stories hold the world together.

  2. Oct 10

    Story Impact Podcast - Somia Sadiq

    Welcome to the Story Impact author interview podcast. What if the path to peace begins not at a negotiating table, but with a story? In this episode, host Lisa Towles welcomes Somia Sadiq—award-winning novelist, entrepreneur, and peacebuilder whose extraordinary career explores the power of storytelling to bridge cultural divides, transform conflict, and create meaningful change. Through thoughtful questions, personal reflections, and a shared passion for storytelling, Lisa draws connections between Somia's international peacebuilding work, her cultural heritage, and her creative life. Together, they explore how stories shape our fears and beliefs, the humanity connecting different cultures, and why learning to listen may be one of our most powerful tools for healing a divided world. Somia also discusses her American Fiction Award-winning novel Gajarah, shares a beautiful reading of her poem “Lahore,” and introduces her forthcoming prequel, Daughters Are Rivers, anticipated in summer 2027. In this conversation: How ancestral storytelling traditions shape our identities, beliefs, and understanding of others. Why peacebuilding begins in everyday conversations and the importance of listening across differences. The universal human experiences connecting cultures, communities, and generations. The inspiration behind Gajarah, Somia's poetry, and the unpredictable creative process. How individual responsibility and collective healing can help transform a divided world. About Somia Sadiq Somia Sadiq is an award-winning author, entrepreneur, professional planner, and peacebuilding strategist whose work bridges storytelling, cultural identity, community development, and conflict transformation. She is the founder of Narratives, a planning and design firm; Kahanee, a Canadian nonprofit dedicated to storytelling and peacebuilding; and Ravayat, an organization exploring ancestral approaches to conflict transformation in Pakistan. Her debut novel, Gajarah, won the 2026 American Fiction Award for Multicultural Fiction. Her forthcoming novel, Daughters Are Rivers, explores the life of Nanojan, the beloved grandmother of Gajarah's protagonist. Learn more: https://www.somiasadiq.com/   About Host Lisa Towles Lisa Towles is an award-winning, Amazon bestselling crime novelist, book coach, and founder of Story Impact Consulting. Through her books, podcast, magazine, and consulting work, she champions the power of storytelling to connect people, amplify voices, and create meaningful impact. Website: https://lisatowles.com   About the Story Impact Podcast Books, Meaning, and Purpose. The Story Impact Podcast features conversations with authors about the stories behind their books, their creative journeys, and the experiences and ideas that drive their work. Listen on Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and YouTube. https://storyimpactconsulting.com/podcast Stories hold the world together.

  3. Oct 3

    Story Impact Podcast - Billie Hanson-Dupree

    History, Place & the California Story with Billie Hanson-Dupree What happens when personal history, place, music, and memory become fiction? Author Billie Hanson-Dupree joins Lisa Towles for a conversation about the California stories that shaped her life and her writing—from her father’s experience as a World War II veteran to growing up in California’s Central Valley, the juke joints and blues music that inspired Still Kickin’, and the 1950s Oakland setting of her next novel, Some Greens for My Blues. Billie shares how her father inspired the character of Bill Reeves; what it was like growing up in a Central Valley community; and how her lifelong love of blues found their way into her fiction. The conversation also moves into creativity and craft: why Billie doesn’t outline, how characters sometimes arrive before she knows where they’re taking her, why she believes writers need community, and the creative philosophy she’s learning to trust—sometimes you have to simply “relax and wait.” Billie Hanson-Dupree is an author, educator, literacy coach, world traveler, and lifelong learner. Her novel Still Kickin’ follows an African American World War II veteran returning to California’s Central Valley and confronting trauma, racism, love, and the difficult work of finding his way home. She co-authored a biography of her grandmother, A Little Piece of Leather Well Put Together. Her poetry has appeared in Spectrum 18, and her essay on racism aired on KQED Public Radio’s Perspectives. Her next novel, Some Greens for My Blues, takes readers to 1950s Oakland. Learn more about Billie Hanson-Dupree: billiehansondupree.net Learn more about the Story Impact multimedia platform: storyimpactconsulting.com Follow Story Impact on Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and subscribe on YouTube for full-length video interviews. Stories hold the world together.

  4. Oct 1

    Story Impact Podcast - Victoria Zackheim

    Welcome to the Story Impact author interview podcast. What happens when the homicide detective becomes the murder suspect? Acclaimed author, editor, playwright, filmmaker, and writing instructor Victoria Zackheim returns to Story Impact with Murder at Hotel Gloriosa, the second mystery in her latest series featuring journalist Aria Nevins and homicide detective Noah Roche. This time, Victoria moves the action from Paris to the high desert of New Mexico, where an international conference of homicide detectives and forensic experts takes a deadly turn. When Noah’s nemesis is found murdered in Aria and Noah’s hotel suite, Noah is arrested—and a man accustomed to being in control suddenly has none. As Aria works to uncover the truth, the story becomes as much about loyalty, vulnerability, guilt, and resilience as it is about solving a murder. In this in-depth conversation, Lisa Towles and Victoria Zackheim discuss: Taking control away from a character—and what it reveals Building meaningful character arcs across a mystery series Aria’s continuing journey through guilt, shame, and self-forgiveness Why Victoria believes deeply in outlining and knowing her characters before she writes Point of view, overwriting, and trusting readers to understand what isn’t explained The importance of emotional truth in both fiction and nonfiction How our own experiences, traumas, and transitions inform the characters we create The unforgettable story of a Holocaust survivor who learned to carry her past “in a box” rather than allowing it to obstruct her life The books that taught Victoria about the extraordinary power of words A first look at Aria and Noah’s third mystery, which takes them back to Paris This episode is ideal for mystery and crime-fiction readers, writers interested in character development and craft, and anyone fascinated by the ways our experiences shape the stories we tell. Learn more about Victoria Zackheim: victoriazackheim.com Learn more about Host Lisa Towles: lisatowles.com About Story Impact: Story Impact is hosted by Lisa Towles—award-winning crime novelist and founder of the Story Impact multimedia platform. This literary podcast features visionary authors, entrepreneurs, and changemakers exploring creativity, meaningful work, and the deeper purpose behind powerful stories. Learn more about the Story Impact multimedia platform: storyimpactconsulting.com Follow Story Impact on Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and subscribe on YouTube for full-length video interviews. Stories hold the world together.

  5. Sep 26

    Story Impact Podcast - Laurie R. King

    Welcome to the Story Impact author interview podcast. What happens when a writer takes one of literature’s most iconic detectives and gives him the one thing he never knew he needed: an intellectual equal? New York Times bestselling author, Edgar Award winner, and Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Laurie R. King joins host Lisa Towles for a wide-ranging conversation about Sherlock Holmes, Mary Russell, unforgettable characters, mystery craft, and what it takes to sustain a creative career. Laurie looks back at the bold decision behind The Beekeeper’s Apprentice, which introduced the fiercely intelligent Mary Russell as Holmes’s apprentice, equal, and eventual wife. She recalls the early skepticism the pairing encountered among Sherlockians, her eventual welcome into the Baker Street Irregulars, and how Mary Russell grew into the heart of a series that has captivated readers around the world. The conversation also turns to Laurie’s newest novel, Those Who Are Gone, featuring San Francisco Police Department Inspector Raquel Laing, and the creative possibilities of cold cases, intertwined timelines, and characters whose strengths can also complicate the mysteries they’re trying to solve. Laurie and Lisa explore playing fair with mystery readers, first drafts and rewrites, the growing business demands placed on authors, and the challenge of protecting creative energy while still bringing books into the world. In this conversation: • Reinventing Sherlock Holmes • Mary Russell and the Sherlockians • The Baker Street Irregulars • Raquel Laing and Those Who Are Gone • Playing fair with mystery readers • First drafts and fragile ideas • Marketing vs. creative energy • How story ideas become pearls • Building a lasting writing career About Laurie R. King Laurie R. King is a New York Times bestselling crime novelist, Edgar Award winner, and Mystery Writers of America Grand Master. She is the creator of the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series, the Kate Martinelli mysteries, standalone novels, and the Raquel Laing series. Her newest novel, Those Who Are Gone, brings SFPD Inspector Raquel Laing back for a new investigation. Learn more: laurierking.com About Host Lisa Towles Lisa Towles is an award-winning crime novelist, book coach, podcast host, and founder of the Story Impact platform. She is the author of 16 books, including The Weight of Cold Things, the E&A Investigations series, and her nonfiction book, The ME Factor. Her work explores identity, secrets, human behavior, and the forces that shape the stories we tell about ourselves. Learn more: lisatowles.com About Story Impact Story Impact is a platform dedicated to Books · Meaning · Purpose, bringing together author interviews, book coaching and consulting, workshops, and Story Impact Magazine. Through conversations and resources for writers and readers, Story Impact explores how stories are created, why they matter, and the impact they have on the world. Learn more: storyimpactconsulting.com Follow the Story Impact Podcast on Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and YouTube at Story Impact Media. Stories hold the world together.

  6. Sep 23

    Story Impact Podcast - K.D. Neill

    Welcome to the Story Impact author interview podcast. What does it mean to build a creative life across continents, blending the resonance of music with the deep history of historical fiction? Scottish novelist and lifelong musician K.D. Neill joins host Lisa Towles to discuss his remarkable journey from a planned two-year relocation in South Africa to more than half a lifetime on the continent, featuring years on the road as a touring singer-songwriter, a number-one single, multiple recording contracts, and ultimately his epic Deceit of the Empire trilogy. At the heart of the conversation is the intersection of travel, displacement, and artistic creation. Kenny shares memories of camping under a Northern Cape sky blanketed in stars and writing his hit song "God's Country" on a mountain road above the clouds near Eswatini. From there, the discussion goes deep into the unexpected cultural similarities between Scotland and South Africa, the real 19th-century history of the Xhosa people and Lord Chelmsford that inspired his trilogy, and whether it is innovation or deep cultural myth that truly reaches the human heart. Kenny even treats listeners to an exclusive live acoustic performance of an original song written for South Africa's homesick expats. In this conversation: • A two-year plan that turned into more than half a lifetime rooted in Southern Africa • Achieving a number-one single, recording contracts, and a thriving career on the road • Songwriting above the clouds and sleeping under a desert sky packed with stars • How music and historical fiction feed each other creatively • The real 19th-century history behind the Deceit of the Empire trilogy • Expanding a single manuscript into an immersive multi-book historical saga • An exclusive live acoustic performance of an expatriate ballad Learn more about K.D. Neill and his books: K.D. Neill Books Story Impact is hosted by Lisa Towles, award-winning crime novelist, book coach, and founder of Story Impact Consulting, exploring books, meaning, and purpose through conversations with authors, artists, and visionaries. Learn more about Lisa Towles:  lisatowles.com storyimpactconsulting.com Follow Story Impact on Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and YouTube at Story Impact Media on YouTube. Stories hold the world together.

  7. Sep 18

    Story Impact Podcast - Jesse Ratner and Dan Kutler

    Welcome to the Story Impact author interview podcast. What does it mean to be human in the age of technology? Writer Jesse Ratner and photographer Dan Kutler join host Lisa Towles to discuss The Cage You Carry, a provocative new book exploring technology, identity, creativity, connection, and the forces shaping contemporary human experience through poetry and photography. At the heart of the book is the metaphor of the “cage”: the structures imposed upon us, the ones we construct ourselves, and the complicated ways they can protect, confine, and shape us. From there, the conversation goes deep into agency, vulnerability, individuality, human connection, and our relationship with the systems surrounding us. Jesse’s visceral poetry and Dan’s photography approach these questions through two very different artistic lenses. Jesse reads from “Vending Machine Angel” and “Cathedral of Wires,” while Dan takes us inside the images and creative choices that give the book its distinctive visual language. They also share how the project came together and how Jesse’s viral writing became the catalyst for The Cage You Carry. In this conversation: • The many meanings behind the “cage” we carry • Technology, algorithms, automation, and human agency • Connection, vulnerability, individuality, and identity • Poetry, photography, and lived human experience • The origins of The Cage You Carry • Art, creativity, and what it means to be human Pre-Order The Cage You Carry: https://thecageyoucarry.com/ Learn more about Jesse Ratner: https://copythatconnects.biz/ Learn more about Dan Kutler: https://www.dankutler.com/ Story Impact is hosted by Lisa Towles, award-winning crime novelist, book coach, and founder of Story Impact, exploring books, meaning, and purpose through conversations with authors, artists, and visionaries. https://lisatowles.com/ https://storyimpactconsulting.com/podcast Follow Story Impact on Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and YouTube. Stories hold the world together.

  8. Sep 12

    Story Impact Podcast - Tec Weston

    Welcome to the Story Impact author interview podcast. In this episode, award-winning crime novelist and host Lisa Towles sits down with horror author and illustrator Tec Weston to explore the intersection of visual storytelling, horror, time travel, and the creative process behind his novel You Are All Charlotte. What happens when the monster hunting you isn't just somewhere out there — but somewhere else in time? You Are All Charlotte combines the visceral tension of a slasher with paranormal horror and time travel, following Magda Craig as she confronts the Scraggly Man, a serial killer who can reach across decades. Essential listening for horror readers, writers, visual storytellers, and anyone fascinated by where unusual story ideas come from. Trained at the renowned Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art, Tec brings an illustrator’s eye to fiction. He describes writing much the way he learned to create an illustration: beginning with the rough shape of a scene and building it through repeated passes, adding dialogue, texture, detail, and voice. The premise for You Are All Charlotte came from a vivid nightmare in which Tec found himself moving between two time periods inside the same house — with an axe murderer waiting for him in the past. That image eventually grew into a larger mythology involving ghosts, portals, multiple decades, and the Scraggly Man. In this conversation, Lisa Towles and Tec Weston discuss: How Tec’s illustration training influences the way he writes and revises fiction The nightmare that inspired You Are All Charlotte Blending time travel, paranormal horror, and classic slasher storytelling Influences including Scream, Friday the 13th, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Stephen King The deeper themes of violence, power, and control beneath the horror His upcoming follow-up, Retro Vibes, set 24 years after You Are All Charlotte For horror fans, aspiring writers, artists, and storytellers interested in how imagination moves between visual art and the written word, this conversation offers a fascinating look at how one powerful image can become the foundation for an entire fictional world. Watch the video interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fzCpovWGB00?si=-CXjflpD1HUtVR5q  Find Tec Weston and You Are All Charlotte: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F24ZS5W6 Story Impact is hosted by award-winning crime novelist, book coach, and speaker Lisa Towles and explores books, meaning, and purpose through conversations with authors and creatives about their work, their journeys, and the stories that shape us. Learn more about Story Impact: storyimpactconsulting.com/podcast Story Impact is available on Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and YouTube. Follow the podcast on your favorite platform and subscribe on YouTube for new author conversations. Stories hold the world together.

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Hello book lovers and welcome to Story Impact, an author interview podcast that dives deep into the meaning, purpose, and magic behind the stories we love. I'm your host, award-winning crime novelist Lisa Towles. As a fellow author, I know the incredible passion and hard work that goes into creating a story. That's why I created this series—to lift up authors and shine a spotlight on the incredible stories they've brought into the world. Book lovers, you're in for a treat! On this show, we'll go behind the scenes with some of the most renowned authors reshaping our literary landscape to understand their inspirations, craft, and the purpose that drives them forward. So get ready to be inspired, to discover new books for your reading list, and to connect with some amazing visionaries.

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