Halloween may be pared down in 2020, but that doesn't stop us from discussing the things we find scary. To be honest, this episode was more funny than spooky since we couldn't stop making ourselves laugh, but we did manage to get through some of the most popular scary standards in film and pages. We delved into what makes one person scared and another person not, and we took a closer look at how environment and upbringing can shape what scares you.

An Open Dialogue

That's Frightful

After years of anticipation, Stephenie Meyer's Midnight Sun has finally been released, and Twilight fans everywhere are weighing in on the novel that gives them Twilight from Edward's point of view. In this week's episodes, Tawdra and Violet discuss their own introduction into the Twilight Universe and their thoughts on Midnight Sun: Edward's angst, the insight into the Cullens (and everyone else) through Edward's mind-reading, and the draw of this series and its impact on the publishing industry.

Midnight Sun: Views from Two Twi-Hards

The sound of crashing waves, the warmth of the sand, the salt in the air--what is it about a trip to the beach that helps us reset, recharge, and relax? Join Tawdra and Violet as they discuss their fondest beach memories, the qualities that make the best beaches for them, the title of most beautiful beach, and the yummiest must-have snacks for a beach day.

Wind, Waves, Sun, & Sand

When life seems filled with anxiety, fear, and ominous headlines, sometimes we need to take a humorous and light-hearted view of an otherwise dire situation. In this episode, we discuss what we've learned during this global pandemic, what we've missed, and what we wished we knew when it started.

Surviving the Non-Zombie Apocalypse

As a career success coach, the host of Quitcast for Writers on YouTube, and author of Dear Writer, You Need to Quit, Becca Syme is an authority on quitting for all the right reasons. This week, we discuss her path to coaching creatives and her best advice for how to find success in the new year by quitting what’s not working for you.

Becca Syme Says We Need to Quit

In this week's podcast, authors Tawdra Kandle and Violet Howe discuss the non-fiction books that have had the biggest impact on their lives and discuss their favorite biographies, self-improvement, and career advice books.

Motivated by Non-Fiction

Romance author MK Meredith has written the book she wish she'd had when she first received her breast cancer diagnosis. Not Your Usual Boob: The Good, The Bad, & The Wonky of Breast Cancer is a guide for what to expect as you or a loved one navigates the breast cancer diagnosis and treatment journey. But it's much more than that. While chocked full of valuable information, this is not a clinical, non-emotional approach. Instead, it's like having a girlfriend talk through the experience with you--sometimes painful, sometimes humorous, sometimes TMI--but always with the best intention of helping to support you, empower you, and walk with you. In this week's podcast, we discuss MK's medical history, the journey in publishing this book (and getting it advertised) and her best advice for women in advocating for their own health.

MK Meredith - Not Your Usual Boob

Romance author MK Meredith has written the book she wish she'd had when she first received her breast cancer diagnosis. Not Your Usual Boob: The Good, The Bad, & The Wonky of Breast Cancer is a guide for what to expect as you or a loved one navigates the breast cancer diagnosis and treatment journey. But it's much more than that. While chocked full of valuable information, this is not a clinical, non-emotional approach. Instead, it's like having a girlfriend talk through the experience with you--sometimes painful, sometimes humorous, sometimes TMI--but always with the best intention of helping to support you, empower you, and walk with you. In this week's podcast, we discuss MK's medical history, the journey in publishing this book (and getting it advertised), and her best advice for women in advocating for their own health.

MK Meredith -- Not Your Usual Boob

When is the last time you visited a library? In addition to being a great place to find books, libraries offer a wealth of reference materials and ways to connect with the community. Most these days feature computer stations for internet access, many have DVDS and CDS for check-out, and several host author-reader events where you can find a new read or meet a favorite writer. Did you know libraries also offer e-books you can get without ever having to leave your house? This week, we discuss the many benefits and features of local libraries, as well as reminiscence about our own fond library memories. Check it out! (Ha-see what we did there?)

Check Out Libraries

Funerals are a somewhat creepy but important part of life. Since Tawdra and Violet both recently said goodbye to family members, it seemed a good time to examine the various rituals and customs associated with these common but never ordinary social occasions. With equal parts humor and respect, they discuss the more bizarre aspects of funerals, as well as the importance of remembrance, grieving, saying goodbye, and connecting with family.

Funerals -- Bizarre and Bittersweet

What is it that makes small towns such perfect backdrops for romance? In this week's episode, Tawdra and Violet explore their own small town backgrounds as they discuss the benefits and pitfalls of living in a place where everyone knows your name. Then, they reveal how those experiences have shaped the different book series each of them have created set in small towns.

Love in a Small Town

As people who remember the 80s fondly from our youth, we're enjoying the trip down memory lane that Stranger Things provides. In this week's podcast, we discuss the explosive popularity of the show, its appeal to our age group (and others), and the enduring charm of the 80s, which seems in some ways more innocent than today and in others, more deadly.

The Nostalgia of Stranger Things

We love the rom-com film genre. We can watch our favorites over and over again. But sometimes when we watch an old favorite, we realize that it hasn't held up while over time. Things that were perfectly acceptable way back then can be uncomfortable or cringeworthy in today's world. It's also impossible to ignore that the happily-ever-after we're rooting for often sends unhealthy and/or unrealistic messages about love and romance. But does it matter? After all, it's fiction. It's supposed to be an escape from reality. So should we care if rom-coms might not be politically correct or may portray relationships that aren't healthy or have a low chance of success? Hear our thoughts and let us know yours!

Rom Coms--Good or Evil?

What is the draw that keeps the Beatles so popular long after they disbanded and stopped making music together? In honor of Global Beatles Day (and the upcoming release of a new film featuring their music), we discuss the Beatles--which one is our favorite, which songs we especially enjoy, which of us really isn't that much of a fan, and our take on their enduring impact on the music industry as a whole.

Beatlemania

Join us as we interview special guest Cate Kandle, a recent graduate of Unity College, America's Environmental College. Learn more about Cate's degree in Sustainable Agriculture, and the educational journey that inspired Tawdra Kandle's character careers in the Anti-Cinderella trilogy. We also discuss attitudes toward sustainability, as well as Cate's real-life, practical suggestions for changes we can implement to make a difference for our environment.

A Career Path to Sustainability

Authors Tawdra Kandle and Violet Howe share an open dialogue about books, movies, pop culture, families, travel, current events, and anything else that pops up in conversation. Occasionally, they even have guests!

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An Open Dialogue

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