Record Scratch with Kara Kavensky

Kara Kavensky
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

When something unexpected happens in our lives, just like in the movies, everyone and everything seems to freeze, and the soundtrack playing in the background stops abruptly with the sound of a needle across vinyl. A record scratch. These big, disruptive moments require resiliency to move forward with our lives, for we are never the same. It’s how we decide to respond to these events that shapes us. In these interviews, there’s no competition and no judgment as we speak about varying topics including generational trauma, grief, PTSD, and what we can do to heal our wounds and be better humans. Please visit KaraKavensky.com and sign up for updates. Thank you!

  1. 6d ago

    Bill Hampton - Author of GUARDED

    Bill Hampton was a member of the legendary 1955 basketball team from Crispus Attucks High School that made history by becoming the first all-Black team in the nation to win a state championship. Mr. Hampton’s memoir, GUARDED, is about survival, identity, and the quiet cost of living under constant pressure. He calls us to remember not only what was overcome, but what must never be forgotten. Thanks to Betsy Blankenbaker Murphy for introducing us! Betsy created the documentary on the legendary 1955 Crispus Attucks team, SOMETHING TO CHEER ABOUT. GUARDED by William "Bill" Hampton is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble online. KARA KAVENSKY Website: Kara Kavensky Visit Kara’s website to receive updates and pre-order her new memoir, TELL ME ABOUT JOY. Record Scratch with Kara is sponsored by Adam Gibson Design and Remain Relevant, a corporate storytelling masterclass Produced by Marilou Marosz Original music written and performed by Adam W. Gibson TIMESTAMPS [01:09] Introduction: William "Bill" Hampton [03:39] A basketball first in a racially divided era [05:30] Crispus Attucks and Coach Ray Crowe [06:31] From high school to college [07:48] Semi-pro basketball [09:17] Lessons to be learned [10:18] Lifelong bonds [11:27] Pride in family, championship [13:30] Things that need to be said

  2. Aug 27

    Leisse Wilcox - Award-Winning Speaker, Coach & Author

    Leisse Wilcox is an award-winning keynote speaker, executive coach, and bestselling author specializing in future-proof leadership, communication, and emotional intelligence. She joins Kara Kavensky to discuss how her high-performing clients learn to turn their expertise into “stages and pages.” As a sought-after executive coach, Leisse emphasizes authenticity and structure to transform ideas into compelling books, signature keynotes, and thought-leadership platforms that grow visibility, credibility, and revenue. Leisse's books include THE COURAGE CODE, ALONE, and TO CALL MYSELF BELOVED. LEISSE WILCOX Website: https://www.leissewilcox.com/ Instagram: @leissewilcox KARA KAVENSKY Website: Kara Kavensky Visit Kara’s website to receive updates and pre-order her new memoir, TELL ME ABOUT JOY. Record Scratch with Kara is sponsored by Adam Gibson Design and Remain Relevant, a corporate storytelling masterclass Produced by Marilou Marosz Original music written and performed by Adam W. Gibson TIMESTAMPS [01:10] Introduction: Leisse Wilcox [04:36] TO CALL MYSELF BELOVED [05:49] Single parenting [07:28] Breaking bad patterns [10:05] Evolution to "stages and pages" [12:15] Authenticity and structure [14:23] Executive coach for speaking and writing [16:12] Work in progress

  3. Aug 20

    Sam Perroni – Author of BRAINSTORM

    The premature death of Academy Award winning-actress, Natalie Wood, in 1981 off the coast of Catalina Island, California, has become one of Hollywood’s most controversial unsolved mysteries. Sam Perroni, the author of BRAINSTORM: AN INVESTIGATION OF THE MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF FILM STAR NATALIE WOOD, continues to call for justice. Mr. Perroni is a former trial lawyer and Adjunct Professor of White-Collar Crime and Trial Advocacy, William H. Bowen School of Law, Little Rock, Arkansas. He served for five years as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas. BRAINSTORM, by Sam Perroni, is available wherever you shop for books. Mr. Perroni is also the founder of the "Patricia Ann Perroni Field of Dreams Foundation," whose mission is to raise at least $1M dollars every year for Alzheimer's research. KARA KAVENSKY Website: Kara Kavensky Visit Kara’s website to receive updates and pre-order her new memoir, TELL ME ABOUT JOY. Record Scratch with Kara is sponsored by Adam Gibson Design and Remain Relevant, a corporate storytelling masterclass Produced by Marilou Marosz Original music written and performed by Adam W. Gibson TIMESTAMPS [01:10] Introduction: Sam Perroni [03:21] Suspicions around Natalie Wood's death [04:43] Obstacles to investigation [06:04] Lawsuits [07:20] Surprising evidence [08:51] The men on the yacht [09:37] Prosecutorial experience [10:58] The investigator's notes [13:21] Lies and corroboration [18:34] Misinformation [20:58] The Banging Dinghy Theory [23:24] The Field of Dreams Foundation for Alzheimer's research [25:08] A new book in progress

  4. Aug 13

    Nadia Salomon - Author of A VOICE OF HOPE

    A VOICE OF HOPE: THE MYRLIE EVERS-WILLIAMS STORY, by award-winning author Nadia Salomon, is the first picture book biography ever written about the iconic civil rights activist. GOODNIGHT GANESHA, Nadia’s bedtime picture book, was named a Bank Street Best Book and a Notable Children’s Recording/DIA Selection by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC). Nadia’s books are beautifully illustrated, celebratory, and educational. Nadia writes on themes of South Asian and Caribbean culture, STEM, nonfiction, and humor. NADIA SALOMON Website: https://www.nadiasalomon.com/ Substack: https://nadiasalomon.substack.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nadiasalomon.author/ KARA KAVENSKY Website: Kara Kavensky Visit Kara’s website to receive updates and pre-order her new memoir, TELL ME ABOUT JOY. Record Scratch with Kara is sponsored by Adam Gibson Design and Remain Relevant, a corporate storytelling masterclass Produced by Marilou Marosz Original music written and performed by Adam W. Gibson TIMESTAMPS [01:09] Nadia Salomon and GOODNIGHT GANESHA [02:53] A VOICE OF HOPE [04:10] Meeting Myrlie Evers-Williams [08:33] Educational books and school curricula [10:30] Promoting creative work [13:04] Drawing on journalism experience [14:43] Podcasting and works in progress

  5. Aug 6

    Cathy Haynes – Author of THE FULLNESS OF TIME

    Artist, curator, and author Cathy Haynes shares her exploration of the forgotten ways humans once experienced time long before digital clocks and endless notifications. In her beautiful new book, THE FULLNESS OF TIME: MARKING THE DAY BY BIRDSONG, BLOOMS, SHADOWS, AND STARS, Cathy shares how nature offers a richer, more meaningful rhythm for daily life. What if the best way to tell time isn't by looking at a clock but by listening to birds, watching flowers bloom, or noticing the changing shape of your cat's pupils? CATHY HAYNES Website: https://cathyhaynes.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cathy.haynes.uk/ KARA KAVENSKY Website: Kara Kavensky Visit Kara’s website to receive updates and pre-order her new memoir, TELL ME ABOUT JOY. Record Scratch with Kara is sponsored by Adam Gibson Design and Remain Relevant, a corporate storytelling masterclass Produced by Marilou Marosz Original music written and performed by Adam W. Gibson TIMESTAMPS [01:09] Introduction - Cathy Haynes [02:40] Curator, artist, timekeeper [04:50] Mapping time [06:08] Reestablishing connections with the rhythms of nature [09:14] The evening primrose [11:23] Telling time without clocks [14:05] Medieval sundials and landmarks [17:43] Using animals' eyes for timekeeping [18:57] Mindfulness and intention

  6. Jul 30 ·  Bonus

    Presenting: Kara Kavensky and Katharine Sands on Hungry Authors

    The Record Scratch team is taking a break this week, and we are excited to share a conversation that Kara and her agent, Katharine Sands, with the Sarah Jane Freymann Agency, had with Ariel Curry and Liz Morrow, co-hosts of HUNGRY AUTHORS. Through the Hungry Authors podcast (and Substack), Ariel & Liz share insights and tools to plan and write your book, navigate the publishing industry, and bring your ideas to life. Kara’s memoir, TELL ME ABOUT JOY, is on Zibby’s Fall 2026 Most Anticipated Books list! HUNGRY AUTHORS Substack: https://hungryauthors.substack.com @ArielKCurry @Liz_Morrow KARA KAVENSKY Website: Kara Kavensky Visit Kara’s website to receive updates and pre-order her new memoir, TELL ME ABOUT JOY. Record Scratch with Kara is sponsored by Adam Gibson Design and Remain Relevant, a corporate storytelling masterclass Produced by Marilou Marosz Original music written and performed by Adam W. Gibson

  7. Jul 23

    Sarah L. Kaufman – Author of VERB YOUR ENTHUSIASM

    Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, author, and former Washington Post dance critic Sarah L. Kaufman joins Kara Kavensky for a fascinating conversation about the hidden power of language and why the verbs we choose shape not only our writing, but the way readers experience our stories. Sarah's latest book, VERB YOUR ENTHUSIASM: HOW TO MASTER THE ART OF THE VERB AND TRANSFORM YOUR WRITING, isn't a grammar book. It's an invitation to think differently about storytelling. SARAH L. KAUFMAN Website: https://sarahlkaufman.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahlkaufmanwriter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahlkaufman/ KARA KAVENSKY Website: Kara Kavensky Visit Kara’s website to receive updates and pre-order her new memoir, TELL ME ABOUT JOY. Record Scratch with Kara is sponsored by Adam Gibson Design and Remain Relevant, a corporate storytelling masterclass Produced by Marilou Marosz Original music written and performed by Adam W. Gibson TIMESTAMPS [01:09] Intro - Sarah Kaufman [02:54] Verbs in great writing [04:38] Overused verbs [06:31] VERB YOUR ENTHUSIASM origin story [07:47] Transformative writing techniques [08:22] Teaching and writing [10:36] Workshops and writing groups [11:43] The expressive potential in verbs [15:59] Becoming and developing a writer [18:24] The typewriter as assistive technology [19:49] Learning from parents [21:01] Learning from authors [23:06] A message for writers

  8. Jul 16

    Jessica Doyle-Mekkes - Author of I'M SPEAKING

    Jessica Doyle-Mekkes is a nationally recognized keynote speaker, author, educator, and communication expert whose work focuses on confidence, vocal presence, storytelling, and helping people communicate with greater clarity, authority, and impact. Her bestselling book, "I’M SPEAKING: EVERY WOMAN’S GUIDE TO FINDING YOUR VOICE & USING IT FEARLESSLY," is now available in paperback and as an audiobook. Listen to Kara’s first discussion with Jessica from Season 2 of Record Scratch. JESSICA DOYLE-MEKKES Website: https://www.jessicadoylemekkes.com/ Instagram: @jessicadoylemekkes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicadoyle-mekkes/ KARA KAVENSKY Website: Kara Kavensky Visit Kara’s website to receive updates and pre-order her new memoir, TELL ME ABOUT JOY. Record Scratch with Kara is sponsored by Adam Gibson Design and Remain Relevant, a corporate storytelling masterclass Produced by Marilou Marosz Original music written and performed by Adam W. Gibson TIMESTAMPS [01:10] Intro: Jessica Doyle-Mekkes [02:53] Radio frequencies advantage men [05:20] The inspiration for I'M SPEAKING [08:47] Recording the audiobook [10:27] When voices go underground [11:52] Coaching and speaking engagements

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When something unexpected happens in our lives, just like in the movies, everyone and everything seems to freeze, and the soundtrack playing in the background stops abruptly with the sound of a needle across vinyl. A record scratch. These big, disruptive moments require resiliency to move forward with our lives, for we are never the same. It’s how we decide to respond to these events that shapes us. In these interviews, there’s no competition and no judgment as we speak about varying topics including generational trauma, grief, PTSD, and what we can do to heal our wounds and be better humans. Please visit KaraKavensky.com and sign up for updates. Thank you!

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