Gimme 5 Book Review Podcast | Author Interviews, Book Recommendations & Writing Inspiration

Elizabeth O'Carroll
  • 5.0 (1)
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Gimme 5 Book Review Podcast | Author Interviews, Book Recommendations & Writing Inspiration Welcome to the "Gimme 5 – Book Review & Author Interview Podcast," your go-to destination for discovering new books, meeting inspiring authors, and exploring the stories behind the stories. Hosted by Elizabeth O’Carroll—world traveler, retired rehabilitation counselor, author, and educator—this podcast highlights meaningful conversations with writers from around the world. Each episode features engaging book reviews and authentic author interviews, including curated content from Elizabeth’s YouTube channel, designed to give authors greater visibility and connection with readers. This podcast is built on a simple mission: pay it forward. There are no fees, no sponsorships, and no affiliate promotions—just genuine support for authors and their work. All featured authors have granted permission for their content, images, and illustrations to be shared. Whether you're a reader searching for your next great book, a writer looking for inspiration, or someone who loves storytelling, this podcast brings you closer to the creative minds shaping today’s literary world. 📚 New episodes feature: * Book reviews across genres * Author interviews and personal journeys * Writing insights and creative inspiration * Curated highlights from YouTube interviews If you believe in supporting authors, sharing stories, and discovering meaningful books—this podcast is for you. This podcast is created to support and promote authors. All interviews and materials are shared with permission. No paid promotions, sponsorships, or affiliate partnerships are involved.

  1. 4d ago

    #STEM Books for Kids | Mike Wish; Quantum Mechanics, Rocket Science & Make Complex Ideas Click

    Have you ever tried to explain quantum physics, calculus, or rocket science to an 8-year-old—or to yourself—and hit a wall of intimidating equations and confusing jargon?  📚📚  In this episode of Gimme 5 Book Reviews & Author Interviews, host Elli O'Carroll sits down with applied physicist, mathematician, Marine Corps officer, and founder of Velle Logos, Mike Wish.  ➕➖Having taught physics at the U.S. Naval Academy and the Marine Corps Artillery School, Mike lives by a simple rule: if you can't explain something simply to a child, you don't truly understand it yourself.    We dive deep into his hit 8-Book STEM Series for Kids, covering titles like Quantum Physics for Kids, Chemistry for Kids, Calculus for Kids, Rocket Science for Kids, and Astrophysics for Kids.    ✨ In this interview, we cover: ➕Teaching Naval Academy midshipmen vs. curious 10-year-olds    ➕How to strip away equations without using misleading or cute shortcuts    ➕Demystifying quantum wave-particle duality using real-world analogies    ➕Why calculus is secretly just "the math of things that refuse to hold still"    ➕Kitchen chemistry, orbital mechanics, and bending space with gravity    ➕How real stories of discovery help kids build genuine scientific intuition    ⚡ The Gimme 5 Rapid-Fire Round! If you have a curious young scientist at home who is constantly asking "why," hit that SUBSCRIBE button and leave a comment below!   PDF 🔗 OFFICIAL LINKS & RESOURCES 📖 Explore Mike Wish’s 8-Book STEM Series for Kids on Amazon    🌐 Visit Velle Logos: https://www.vellelogos.com 📚 Discover Quantum Physics for Kids, Calculus for Kids, and Rocket Science for Kids    #MikeWish, #STEMBooksForKids, #Gimme5BookReviews, #ElliOCarroll, #AuthorInterview, #QuantumPhysicsForKids, #CalculusForKids, #RocketScienceForKids, #AstrophysicsForKids, #chemistryforkids , #VelleLogos, #HomeschoolScience, #stemeducation , #KidScientists, #PhysicsTeacher, #BookTube, #BookTok, #ScienceForKids, #CuriousKids, #bookreview

    #STEM Books for Kids | Mike Wish; Quantum Mechanics, Rocket Science & Make Complex Ideas Click

  2. Oct 29

    The Real Windsor Behind the Castle: Author Paul Symonloe on Coming of Age in 1985

    Everyone knows Windsor for its iconic royal castle and regal pageantry—but what about the ordinary people, family stories, and vibrant coming-of-age moments unfolding in its shadow? In this episode of Gimme 5 Book Reviews & Author Interviews, host Elli O'Carroll sits down with English-born writer and long-time Windsor resident Paul Symonloe. After forty years running an English school in Windsor, Paul channeled his deep connection to the town and his own family history into his debut novel—a moving, fictionalized memoir set in the summer of 1985. We explore his novel, Windsor '85: Unbridled Summer, following young Simon Levi as he moves into a rundown bedsit, navigates family tensions as the son of a Holocaust survivor, and meets the fearless, electric Georgina, who jolts him out of his quiet drift. ✨ In this interview, we cover: The real Windsor behind the royal castle wallsHow Paul's father's silent history as a Holocaust survivor shaped the Levi family dynamicMeeting Georgina and the "detonation" that breaks Simon's careful driftNostalgic 1980s details, journalism ambitions, and work mishapsThe transition from stage playwriting to novel writing⚡ The Gimme 5 Rapid-Fire Round!If you love rich coming-of-age fiction, 1980s nostalgia, and deeply human family stories, hit that SUBSCRIBE button and share your thoughts in the comments! 🔗 OFFICIAL LINKS & RESOURCES 📖 Get your copy of Windsor '85: Unbridled Summer on Amazon and local bookstores! 🌐 Connect with Paul Symonloe and explore his stage plays and writing updates online.  www.paulsymonloe.co.uk Goodreads Profile  #PaulSymonloe, #Windsor85, #UnbridledSummer, #Gimme5BookReviews, #ElliOCarroll, #AuthorInterview, #HistoricalFiction, #1980sNostalgia, #ComingOfAge, #WindsorUK, #FictionalizedMemoir, #SecondGenerationSurvivor, #BookTube, #BookTok, #DebutNovel, #BritishLiterature, #RomanceNovel, #IdentityAndBelonging, #BookReview, #MustReadBooks

    The Real Windsor Behind the Castle: Author Paul Symonloe on Coming of Age in 1985

  3. Oct 22

    1958 Rock ’n’ Roll, Friendship & Finding Where You Belong: Hound Dogged—Rebecca Hendricks #nostalgia

    What happens when four young men with battered guitars and more enthusiasm than talent try to find their place in 1958 rock ’n’ roll?  🎶 In this episode of Gimme 5 Book Reviews & Author Interviews, Host Elli O'Carroll sits down with award-winning historical fiction author Rebecca Hendricks to discuss her debut novel, Hound Dogged.  Set against the restless beat of 1958 Madison, Wisconsin, Hound Dogged explores the shift from making music for fun to navigating ambition, jealousy, romance, and the true meaning of belonging. 💖   ✨ In this interview, we cover: 🎸The inspiration behind setting a coming-of-age story in the early days of rock ’n’ roll.    🎸How Rebecca blends rich period detail with deeply human, resilient characters    🎸The band dynamics: Patrick’s departure, James’s grief, and the arrival of the charismatic Danny Bruer    🎸Writing authentic male friendships, quiet rivalries, and 1950s romance    🎸Why pursuing a dream is less about becoming famous and more about discovering where you belong    ⚡ The Gimme 5 Rapid-Fire Round! If you love historical fiction, 1950s music, and heartfelt coming-of-age stories, hit that SUBSCRIBE button and leave a comment below!  🔗 OFFICIAL LINKS & RESOURCES; 📖 Get Hound Dogged on Amazon! 📚🛒 🌐 Visit Rebecca Hendricks’ Official Website👇👇https://rebeccahendricksauthor.com/ 📸 Follow Rebecca on Instagram & Goodreads. `````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` #RebeccaHendricks, #HoundDogged, #Gimme5BookReviews, #ElliOCarroll, #authorinterviews, #historicalfiction, #1950srockandroll, #ComingOfAgeBooks, #BookTube, #BookTok, #DebutNovel, #HistoricalFictionAuthor, #1958Music, #BandStories, #RockAndRollHistory, #BookReview, #HistoricalNovels, #friendshipstories, #brotherhood, #booktube, #books, #author, #nostalgia, #music, #friendship, #integrity,

    1958 Rock ’n’ Roll, Friendship & Finding Where You Belong: Hound Dogged—Rebecca Hendricks #nostalgia

  4. Oct 15

    Ex-Google Recruiter: How Tech Apps Wire Your Brain to Never Look Up👀- Heather Henderson #booktube

    Are you constantly checking your phone, sitting with 33 open tabs in your brain, and feeling exhausted by the endless digital scroll? 😵😵 In this episode of Gimme 5 Book Reviews & Author Interviews, host Elli O'Carroll sits down with former Silicon Valley recruiter, speaker, and author Heather Henderson. Having spent over a decade recruiting top tech talent for giants like Visa, Accenture, Google, and Uber, Heather brings a rare inside perspective on how digital platforms are designed to capture human attention—and how they end up draining us. We dive into her groundbreaking new book, Reclaim: How to Stop Scrolling Through Your Life and Start Living It (released September 22nd). 📚 ✨ In this interview, we cover: ✅ The view from inside Silicon Valley and the reality of "open-tab brain" ✅ Why traditional "digital detoxes" fail and feel like drying off with a dirty towel  ✅Unpacking your digital persona: Are you a Watcher, a Scorekeeper, or a Performer?  ✅The 2-second "Why Now?" pause that interrupts the automatic reach ✅ How to use Red, Yellow, and Green settings to adjust your attention dial  ✅The power of in-person connection over online visibility ⚡ The Gimme 5 Rapid-Fire Round! If you are ready to stop letting algorithms dictate your focus and reclaim your present moment, hit that SUBSCRIBE button and join the conversation below! 📜📜 🔗 OFFICIAL LINKS & RESOURCES 📖 New Release—(Sept 22nd) "Reclaim: How to Stop Scrolling Through Your Life and Start Living It"  🌐 Visit Heather's Official Website: https://www.iamheatherh.com 💼Available on Heather's website or Amazon and other fine book retailers!  ```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````#HeatherHenderson, #ReclaimBook, #Gimme5BookReviews, #ElliOCarroll, #AuthorInterview, #digitaldetox, #digitalwellbeing, #attentioneconomy, #screenaddiction, #overcomingburnout, #GoogleRecruiter, #TechMindfulness, #SomaticHealing, #BookTube, #BookTok, #Mindfulness, #ProductivityHacks, #FocusAndClarity, #PersonalGrowth, #BookReview

    Ex-Google Recruiter: How Tech Apps Wire Your Brain to Never Look Up👀- Heather Henderson #booktube

  5. Oct 8

    AI for Non-Technical People: Save Hours in Word, Excel & Outlook with Gemma Coles

    Feeling overwhelmed by AI? Think everyone else at work is somehow miles ahead of you? 😯😯 In this episode of "Gimme 5 Book Reviews & Author Interviews," host Elli O'Carroll sits down with Microsoft Office and AI Specialist Gemma Coles, founder of Smart Skills Academy and published author. 📚📝 Gemma has spent over a decade delivering practical training for the UK Government, the NHS, and corporate organizations, helping everyday professionals build real, jargon-free tech confidence.  🌟Plus, in 2025, she was ranked in the top 3% of ChatGPT users worldwide! We dive deep into her essential new book, "AI FOR BUSY PROFESSIONALS: Using Microsoft Office Copilot to Save Time, Boost Productivity, and Automate Work Fast". ✨ In this interview, we cover:  ✅ Why most "AI for beginners" guides overcomplicate things—and what to ignore✅ The key difference between web ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot inside Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook✅ Gemma’s simple formula for writing "smart prompts" that deliver immediate, high-quality results✅ How to go from a blank page to a polished report or presentation in minutes✅ Overcoming "AI guilt" and using tools to automate repetitive admin fast.  ⚡ The Gimme 5 Rapid-Fire Round!* If you want to stop second-guessing yourself and start using AI with total confidence, hit that SUBSCRIBE button and leave a comment below! 🔗 OFFICIAL LINKS & RESOURCES 📖 Get "AI FOR BUSY PROFESSIONALS" on Amazon: 🛒https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D1234567 Check out Gemma's training at Smart Skills Academy— 🌐 Visit Smart Skills Academy: 📝https://www.smartskillsacademy.com 💼 Connect with Gemma Coles on LinkedIn ⚡ Don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave a comment below: ⚡ Share the #1 Microsoft app you can't wait to use Copilot in." Until next time, keep it simple, work smart, and we'll see you in the next episode!" #GemmaColes, #AIForBusyProfessionals, #Gimme5BookReviews, #ElliOCarroll, #authorinterview, #microsoftcopilot, #microsoft365, #aiprompting, #CopilotForBeginners, #ExcelAI, #OutlookAI, #PowerPointCopilot, #SmartSkillsAcademy, #productivityhacks, #aiintheworkplace, #booktube, #BookTok, #workplaceautomation , #officeproductivity , #NoJargonAI, #author

    AI for Non-Technical People: Save Hours in Word, Excel & Outlook with Gemma Coles

  6. Oct 1

    Stop Being the Bottleneck in Your Business! The CEO Shift—Jay Adewole #businessgrowth

    How to Build a Company That Scales WITHOUT You!(Clarity, Systems & Scale) 🌟🌟 FREE GIFT-RESOURCES FROM JAY--🎁🎁(Free Gifts for Your Audience—thank you for listening!)👇👇👇https://winnerscirclewithjay.com/free-gifts 👔Are you an entrepreneur whose business has grown, but your personal freedom and time haven't grown with it? In this episode of *Gimme 5 Book Reviews & Author Interviews*, host Elli O'Carroll sits down with two-time award-winning business coach, Harvard alumnus, Managing Partner at Point of View Consulting, and host of The Winners Circle Podcast, Olanrewaju "Jay" Adewole. Jay is the author of The CEO Shift: How Leaders Move Beyond Hustle and Build Companies That Grow Without Depending on Themand Purpose-Driven Disruption: How Purpose, Identity & Alignment Transform Your Leadership and Life. We dive deep into his signature C.S.S. Framework—Clarity, Systems, and Scale—to explore how founders can move from an "Operator" doing all the work to an "Architect" building a business designed to thrive on its own. ✨ In this interview, we cover: ✅  The "Hustle Ceiling" and why founder-dependence halts long-term business growth ✅ Transitioning your identity from Operator to Architect ✅  How *Purpose-Driven Disruption* aligns identity, systems, and strategy from the inside out ✅ Delegating real authority without sacrificing your core standards ✅  Using AI to boost productivity without losing strategic control ✅  Actionable steps to extract institutional knowledge and set up 90-day operating rhythms ⚡ The Gimme 5 Rapid-Fire Round! If you are ready to stop being the bottleneck in your business and scale with clarity and structure, hit that SUBSCRIBE button and join the conversation! 🔗 OFFICIAL LINKS & RESOURCES 🌐 Visit Jay's Official Website: https://www.winnerscirclewithjay.com 📖 Learn more about Point of View Consulting: https://www.winnerscirclewithjay.com/media 🎧 Listen to *The Winners Circle Podcast*: https://open.spotify.com/show/1M6leDxirpQnUDD3XU9ORS ▶️ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@winnerscirclewithjay 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elladewole ---#JayAdewole, #TheCEOShift, #PurposeDrivenDisruption, #Gimme5BookReviews, #ElliOCarroll, #AuthorInterview, #businessgrowth , #ClaritySystemsScale, #TheWinnersCircle, #PointOfViewConsulting, #BusinessSystems, #FounderDependence, #LeadershipTransformation, #ScalingABusiness, #Entrepreneurship, #ExecutiveCoaching, #booktube , #booktok , #BusinessStrategy, #OperationalExcellence

    Stop Being the Bottleneck in Your Business! The CEO Shift—Jay Adewole #businessgrowth

  7. Sep 23

    5 "Incurable" Diagnoses to 15 Years Well: Why Healing Isn't Your Job with Baba Sam #healingjourney

    What if your exhaustion isn't a sign that you're failing, but the natural result of fighting a war that can't be won with sheer force?  🎯🎯🏹🏹 In this deeply transformative episode of Gimme 5 Book Reviews & Author Interviews, host Elli O'Carroll sits down with author, spiritual teacher, and founder of the Inner Healer School, Baba Sam (Sam J. Shelley).   For 38 years, Sam was locked in severe illness—carrying five "permanent" diagnoses (bipolar disorder, chronic migraines, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and multiple sclerosis) while relying on a cane, a walker, and 13 daily medications. 🏥⚕🩺💊💉 Then, he made a radical shift: he stopped taking his panicked mind as a source of truth. Fourteen months later, the diagnoses were gone, and he has lived completely free of daily medications for over 15 years. 👩‍⚕️🌿🌿   We dive into his new book, "Healing Isn't Your Job: How to Put Down the Fight, Quiet the Mind, and Let the Healer Within Lead."  📚📑 ✨ In this interview, we explore: ✔Why "trying harder" and hyper-managing your symptoms keeps your body in fight-or-flight   ✔The difference between true surrender and "giving up"   ✔Dr. Gabor Maté’s 10-word summary of Baba Sam’s transformation   ✔The 5 Depths of Head Trash (and why surface-level "positive thinking" fails)   ✔Real Healing vs. "Performance Healing" ✔The Seven Minutes to Heal daily non-doing practice and The Mental Shower ritual   ⚡ The Gimme 5 Rapid-Fire Round!  📃📃If you are living with chronic illness, burnout, or health anxiety, this conversation is a gentle permission slip to set the heavy armor down.  Hit SUBSCRIBE and share your biggest takeaway in the comments!   🔗 OFFICIAL LINKS & RESOURCES 📖 Get Healing Isn't Your Job on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/9798192398616   🌐 Visit Baba Sam’s Official Website: https://beyondheadtrash.com   🏫 Join for FREE! 🌿Inner Healer School Community: 🌿https://www.skool.com/inner-healer-school/about?ref=e74a232a95d14426b017c8762cb8b33a Inner Healer School on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@BabaSamShelley`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````#HealingIsntYourJob, #BabaSam, #Gimme5BookReviews, #ElliOCarroll, #authorinterview, #ChronicIllnessRecovery, #MultipleSclerosis, #NervousSystemRegulation, #GaborMate, #InnerHealerSchool, #HeadTrash, #MindBodyHealing, #HolisticHealth, #OvercomingAnxiety, #SomaticHealing, #BookTube, #BookTok, #SpiritualAwakening, #NervousSystemReset, #healingjourney

    5 "Incurable" Diagnoses to 15 Years Well: Why Healing Isn't Your Job with Baba Sam #healingjourney

  8. Sep 16

    Stop Fitting In! How to Embrace Your "Inner Weirdo" & Live Free with Rasheed Hooda #personalgrowth

    Life: It's a Trip | Author Rasheed Hooda on Entrepreneurship, Happiness & Route 66 What happens when you stop trying to fit into everyone else's box and step out onto your own path? 📦📦 In this episode of "Gimme 5 Book Reviews & Author Interviews," host Elli O'Carroll sits down with author, photographer, speaker, and storyteller Rasheed Hooda.  Rasheed is a self-proclaimed "weirdo," a jack of many trades, and a man who literally walked 2,000+ miles across America from Chicago to L.A. along Route 66! 🚶‍♂️🚶‍♂️🚶‍♂️🚶‍♂️ We dive into his book, "Life: It's a Trip: A Brief Manual on Happiness, Success and Entrepreneurship," exploring six decades of heartwarming storytelling, humor, and practical wisdom on how to build a true "Freedom Lifestyle." ✨ In this episode, we cover: * Why being called a "weirdo" is actually the ultimate compliment* What walking Route 66 on foot teaches you about human connection & solitude* How to break free from traditional corporate traps and build an authentic life* Behind the heartwarming stories in *Life: It's a Trip** How to turn "impossible" into "I'm possible"* ⚡ *The Gimme 5 Rapid-Fire Round!* If you need a permission slip to embrace your true self, hit that SUBSCRIBE button and leave a comment below! 🔗 CONNECT WITH RASHEED HOODA 📖 Get *Life: It's a Trip* on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Life-Manual-Happiness-Success-Entrepreneurship/dp/179537909X 🌐 Official Website: https://www.rasheedhooda.com ▶️ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@rasheeduncl 🏫 Join Rasheed's Skool Community: "I help you transform your life so you can live on your own terms. How? One conversation at a time." "Embrace Your Inner Weirdo"🤼https://www.skool.com/yes-you-can-4362/about?ref=e74a232a95d14426b017c8762cb8b33a 🎧 Check out past episodes of the *Embrace Your Inner Weirdo* Podcast on Amazon/Spotify! ---#RasheedHooda, #LifeItsATrip, #Gimme5BookReviews, #ElliOCarroll, #EmbraceYourInnerWeirdo, #authorinterview, #Route66Walk, #entrepreneurshipmindset, #happinessandsuccess, #FreedomLifestyle, #BookTube, #BookTok, #inspirationalbooks, #Storytelling, #personalgrowth, #selfdevelopment, #OvercomingFear, #LiveFully, #JackOfAllTrades, #BookReview

    Stop Fitting In! How to Embrace Your "Inner Weirdo" & Live Free with Rasheed Hooda #personalgrowth
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About

Gimme 5 Book Review Podcast | Author Interviews, Book Recommendations & Writing Inspiration Welcome to the "Gimme 5 – Book Review & Author Interview Podcast," your go-to destination for discovering new books, meeting inspiring authors, and exploring the stories behind the stories. Hosted by Elizabeth O’Carroll—world traveler, retired rehabilitation counselor, author, and educator—this podcast highlights meaningful conversations with writers from around the world. Each episode features engaging book reviews and authentic author interviews, including curated content from Elizabeth’s YouTube channel, designed to give authors greater visibility and connection with readers. This podcast is built on a simple mission: pay it forward. There are no fees, no sponsorships, and no affiliate promotions—just genuine support for authors and their work. All featured authors have granted permission for their content, images, and illustrations to be shared. Whether you're a reader searching for your next great book, a writer looking for inspiration, or someone who loves storytelling, this podcast brings you closer to the creative minds shaping today’s literary world. 📚 New episodes feature: * Book reviews across genres * Author interviews and personal journeys * Writing insights and creative inspiration * Curated highlights from YouTube interviews If you believe in supporting authors, sharing stories, and discovering meaningful books—this podcast is for you. This podcast is created to support and promote authors. All interviews and materials are shared with permission. No paid promotions, sponsorships, or affiliate partnerships are involved.

Information

  • Creator
    Elizabeth O'Carroll
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Celestar Publishing LLC