My Simplified Life Michelle Glogovac

In this episode of My Simplified Life, we delve into the intriguing world of mystery writing with author Marcy McCreary. Marcy shares her journey from a marketing and sales professional to becoming a noted author of the Ford Family Mysteries series. She also discusses the process of writing her books and how real-life experiences often inspire her stories. This conversation takes a heartfelt turn as Marcy shares about her husband Lew McCreary's battle with dementia and their collective efforts to get his latest book published.
What we’re talking about
Real-life experiences can fuel the process of writing.
The importance of editing and refining as you write.
The personal impact of Lew McCreary's dementia on his and Marcy's lives.
Real-life experiences can fuel the process of writing
Marcy's writing process is largely intuitive, and she often draws inspiration from real-life experiences. She identifies as a 'panzer' or an intuitive writer, and she lets her characters lead her through the story. This approach allows her to create narratives that are relatable and grounded in reality.
The importance of editing and refining as you write
Editing and refining are integral parts of Marcy's writing process. She edits as she writes, reviewing the previous day's work before moving forward. After completing a draft, she takes a break before returning to edit with fresh eyes. This process helps ensure that her books are cohesive, engaging, and polished.
The personal impact of Lew McCreary's dementia on his and Marcy's lives
Lastly, Marcy shares her personal experience with her husband Lew McCreary's dementia. Lou, a critically acclaimed author himself, has been a significant part of Marcy's writing journey. His cognitive decline has had a profound impact on their lives, emphasizing the importance of cherishing our loved ones and their legacies. Despite the challenges, Marcy and Lew continue to work together to ensure that Loew's latest book sees the light of day.

LINKS MENTIONED
Marcy McCreary’s Website
https://www.marcymccreary.com/
Marcy McCreary’s Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/marcymccrearyauthor/
Lew McCreary’s Kickstarter
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lewmccreary/the-13th-step

In this solo episode of My Simplified Life, host Michelle Glogovac talks about the importance of setting boundaries in both personal and professional life. She delves into how setting boundaries is a form of self-care and shares her experiences navigating relationships with differing beliefs. She also discusses managing the expectations of others and the necessity of understanding one's capacity and setting boundaries accordingly in a work context.
What we’re talking about
Setting boundaries is essential for self-care
Managing the expectations of others in your business is crucial
Navigating relationships with differing beliefs requires setting clear boundaries
Setting boundaries is essential for self-care
Michelle emphasizes that setting boundaries is a key aspect of self-care. She shares her journey of creating boundaries, which has led her to a better understanding and control over her time and tasks. She encourages listeners to value their happiness and prioritize it by setting effective boundaries.
Managing the expectations of others in your business is crucial
Another key topic Michelle addresses is managing others' expectations, particularly in a business context. She shares her experiences as a business owner, highlighting that it's important not to overestimate what others will do for your business. Understanding this helps to set realistic expectations and can lead to more successful business relationships.
Navigating relationships with differing beliefs requires setting clear boundaries
Lastly, Michelle discusses the challenges of navigating relationships with differing beliefs. She shares personal experiences of realizing that some beliefs can be deal-breakers in friendships, emphasizing the importance of standing up for one's beliefs. She encourages listeners to set boundaries where necessary to preserve their mental and emotional well-being.
 
LINKS MENTIONED
Ep 9: Creating Boundaries As A Form Of Self-Care
Ep 29: Managing Expectations Of Others In Business
Ep 155: Saying No & Making A Difference
Ep 219: Managing Expectations

In this episode, host Michelle Glogovac introduces us to her friend and novelist, Angela Brown. They discuss the trials of finding oneself while being content and the struggle of wanting more while being happy. Angela shares her journey to becoming a writer and the inspiration behind her book, Olivia Strauss is Running Out of Time. This conversation provides valuable insights into personal growth, career changes, and the challenges of creating a fulfilling life.
 
What we’re talking about
It's possible to seek personal growth without needing to disrupt a happy life.
Each choice, good or bad, leads to something important.
Age is not a barrier to pivot and try something new.
It's possible to seek personal growth without needing to disrupt a happy life. 
Angela Brown shares the concept behind her book, Olivia Strauss is Running Out of Time. She wanted to present a story about a woman who is content and happy yet seeks change and personal growth without causing chaos in her life. This narrative deviates from the traditional portrayal of a woman needing to "find herself," which usually involves significant life disruptions.
Each choice, good or bad, leads to something important. 
Angela emphasizes that every decision we make, whether a seemingly bad choice or a good one, contributes to our journey. These choices, she suggests, even the ones that lead to mistakes, are necessary stepping stones that guide us to our next phase. She credits the trials and errors of her past for leading her to become a writer and believes in the butterfly effect of choices.
Age is not a barrier to pivot and try something new. 
Angela and Michelle discuss the societal expectations around age and career and how they challenge these norms. Angela shares her personal experience of publishing her first book at 40 and how she sees this age as a pivot point. Rather than viewing it as a time to settle, she considers it an opportunity to explore new paths, demonstrating that age should not limit personal growth and career changes.
LINKS MENTIONED
Angela Brown’s Website
angelabrownbooks.com
Angela Brown’s Instagram
https://instagram.com/angelabrownbooks 
Olivia Strauss Is Running Out Of Time by Angela Brown
https://www.amazon.com/Olivia-Strauss-Running-Out-Time/dp/1662516355

In this episode of My Simplified Life, host Michelle Glogovac sits down with Elle Evans, an anesthesiologist and author of Wedding Issues. They discuss Elle's journey from being a big reader in her childhood to becoming a doctor and then deciding to write a book. Elle also shares her bridesmaid experiences and how those experiences influenced her book.
 
What we’re talking about
Elle's love for reading and writing started from an early age.
The importance of taking risks in life.
Wedding planning can bring up many other emotions and stories.
Elle's love for reading and writing started from an early age. 
Elle shares that she loved reading books from a young age and even brought books to school to read during breaks. She wanted to be a writer initially but eventually chose to pursue a career in medicine.
The importance of taking risks in life. 
Despite initially hesitating to pursue a career as a writer due to the perceived risks, Elle eventually decided to take the leap and write a book while working as an anesthesiologist. Her story serves as a reminder that it's never too late to pursue your passions.
Wedding planning can bring up many other emotions and stories. 
Elle shares how her experiences as a bridesmaid influenced her book. She noted that wedding planning can bring up many other emotions and stories, not just for the couple getting married but also for their friends and family. This inspired the backdrop for her book.
LINKS MENTIONED
Elle Evans’ Website
https://www.elleevansbooks.com/ 
Elle Evans’ Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/elle.evans.books/?hl=en 
Wedding Issues by Elle Evans
https://zibbymedia.com/blogs/our-books/wedding-issues

In this episode of My Simplified Life, Michelle Glogovac interviews Stephanie Hockersmith, better known as Pie Lady Books. Stephanie shares her inspiring journey from severe illness to her unique career creating beautiful pie art inspired by book covers. She discusses how she turned her passion project into a thriving business and the process of making each of her distinctive pies.
 
What we’re talking about
Stephanie's journey from illness to pie artist
The creation process of the pie art
The evolution of Pie Lady Books into a business
Stephanie's journey from illness to pie artist
In her early twenties, Stephanie was diagnosed with severe brain damage and had multiple seizures a day due to severe gluten allergy. She discovered her hidden talent in pie art during her lengthy recovery period. She started creating pies as a way to thank her husband for his support and found the process to be therapeutic.
 
The creation process of the pie art
Stephanie explains that she starts her week by making a pie base and filling, then creates a new top for each day of the week. Each pie design is unique, which makes every day different and exciting for her. Despite the fragility of the designs, she hopes to find a way to deliver the pies to the authors of the books she features.
 
The evolution of Pie Lady Books into a business
Stephanie initially started Pie Lady Books as a passion project to share her love for books and pie art. However, her unique approach quickly gained attention from authors and publishers, leading to her business's growth. She now gets commissioned to create pies for book promotions, and her Instagram following has grown to 97,000 followers. Despite the business's success, she remains committed to supporting authors and promoting books she loves.
 
LINKS MENTIONED
Pie Lady Books Instagram
https://instagram.com/pieladybooks
Pie Lady Books Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pieladybooks/

In this episode of My Simplified Life, host Michelle Glogovac has a heartfelt conversation with Meg Nocero, a former federal prosecutor turned empowerment coach. They discuss Meg's journey from law to personal development, the importance of storytelling, and the transformative power of loss.
What we’re talking about
The importance of storytelling in all aspects of life
The transformative power of loss and grief
The role of personal development in career transition
The importance of storytelling in all aspects of life 
Meg shares her experiences as a federal prosecutor, where she learned the significance of storytelling, particularly in the courtroom. She emphasizes the impact a compelling narrative can have, which she now applies to her career as a personal development coach and author.
The transformative power of loss and grief 
Meg opens up about her mother's passing and how it served as a wake-up call. Her mother's advice to "do what you love now" deeply resonated with her and led her to reconsider her life's trajectory. This experience also inspired her to write "The Magical Guide to Bliss," a book that helped her navigate through her grief.
The role of personal development in career transition 
Meg illustrates how her interest in personal development played a significant role in her career transition. As a legal intern coordinator, she had the opportunity to mentor young minds, which she found to be an exciting experience. Meg's career transition shows that shifting from a traditional career path to following one's passion is possible.
 
LINKS MENTIONED
Meg Nocero’s Website
http://www.megnocero.com/