Tag: #amwriting

Live with Rachel Thompson, Author, Survivor, & Biz Owner

by Billy Dees, posted in Media, Podcast

Do you ever wonder what resilience, advocacy, and entrepreneurship look like in the face of adversity?

Rachel Thompson – Bad Red Head Media

In this episode, we had the incredible Rachel Thompson, author, survivor, and business owner, sharing her inspiring journey of overcoming childhood sexual abuse and trauma. Rachel’s story is not only powerful but also a testament to the strength of the human spirit.

One of the key takeaways from the episode was how Rachel highlighted the importance of finding coping mechanisms and healing strategies for survivors of trauma. Through her advocacy work, she sheds light on the realities and challenges faced by survivors and offers a message of hope and support to those in need.

Plus, Rachel dives into the role of writing as a form of therapy and self-expression, discussing how sharing her story has been a cathartic experience for her. Her insights into the power of storytelling and advocacy are truly inspiring!

Whether you’re a survivor, an advocate, or simply looking for some motivation and empowerment in your life, this episode is a must-listen. Join us as we dive deep into Rachel’s story and uncover the strength and resilience that lies within us all.

Follow @BillyDees on X to keep up on the exciting guests and thought-provoking conversations on the Billy Dees Podcast.

You can follow Rachel Thompson on X @RachelintheOC

The podcast as featured on Spotify and Rumble are below.

HOPress – Dan Rottenberg – “The Price We Paid”

by Billy Dees, posted in Books, Podcast
Front and back cover of “The Price We Paid.”

Author Dan Rottenberg 

The Price We Paid: An Oral History of Penn’s Struggle to Join the Ivy League, 1950-55 (Shorehouse Books, 2024)

Are you aware of the largely untold stories behind the transition of the University of Pennsylvania’s football program into the Ivy League? In this week’s episode of the Billy Dees Podcast for HOPress, we dive into the fascinating history shared by author Dan Rottenberg in his book, “The Price We Paid.”

Join us as Dan takes us on a journey through the struggles, pain, and ultimate triumphs of Penn players, coaches, administrators, and fans during the turbulent years of the 1950s. Discover the personal anecdotes and behind-the-scenes moments that shed light on this pivotal period in both sports and academic history.

Dan Rottenberg

If you’re a sports enthusiast, a history buff, or simply love a good story, this episode is not to be missed. Tune in now to gain a unique perspective on the intersection of academics and athletics, and explore the invaluable lessons learned from the past.

This episode was produced in partnership with HumorOutcasts.com HOPress Shorehouse Books.

You can find out more about Dan and his work on his website.

The Billy Dees Podcast is available on all major podcast networks. For your convenience, the full interview is below on Spotify.

The Webcam version is below on YouTube.

Jessica Guerrieri Talks Writing, Querying, and Maintaining Sobriety

by Billy Dees, posted in Books, Media, Podcast
Jessica Guerrieri

Jessica Guerrieri is a true advocate for sobriety and the recovery community. It was a pleasure to have her on as a guest on the podcast.

Jessica is a mom to three fierce, young daughters and has spent the past decade as an advocate for addiction recovery.

Jessica enjoys competing in Spartan Races all over California and in May of 2023 she celebrated a decade of sobriety.

Follow Jessica on Twitter!

Jessica has a BA in English from UC Davis with an emphasis in creative writing. Her articles have been published on Scary Mommy, Yahoo Life, Mom.com, BluntMoms, Filter Free Parents, and Sonoma Family Life and Mendo Lake Family Life magazines.

“Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea” is book (being queried now) about an alcoholic mother’s obsession with her mother-in-law’s perfectionism which ultimately forces her to reexamine the enemy in the mirror.

During the interview Jessica shares her personal journey of recovery into sobriety. She also shares the trials and tribulations of being an author going through the query process of getting published.

Jessica’s website is www.jessicaguerrieri.net

You can find her on Twitter and IG @witandspitup

The full podcast is available here:

Gigi Langer – “Love More Now”

by Billy Dees, posted in Books, Media, Podcast

On this episode we are interviewing Gigi Langer, PhD.

As of February 2023, Gigi has completed her new book, “Love More Now: Facing Life’s Challenges with an Open Heart.” You may remember this author from her previous offering, “50 Ways to Worry Less Now.”

Both titles are very recovery-related in their approach to the subject matter.

The book covers how to dissolve the negative beliefs restricting love for yourself and others. With your true self liberated, you’ll be able to handle difficult relationships and other challenges with wisdom, strength, and serenity. Gigi Langer, author of award-winner, “50 Ways to Worry Less Now,” illustrates how she overcame alcoholism, codependency, and trauma to discover the love at her center.

Drawing on ideas from A Course in Miracles, the Twelve Steps, and positive psychology, Gigi shows you how to become a loving, open-hearted person (with firm boundaries).

Langer holds a PhD from Stanford University and has been sober for over 35 years.

You can find out more about Gigi at her website gigilanger.com.

Twitter @gigi_langer

For your convenience, the entire podcast interview is available below as well as the videocast.

“Sleeping between Giants Book 2, Ask a Terrier: Professional Advice from a Licensed Dog” by Dave Jaffe

by Billy Dees, posted in Books, Media, Podcast

“Sleeping between Giants Book 2, Ask a Terrier: Professional Advice from a Licensed Dog” by Dave Jaffe

This title was released in December 2022 from Cray-Cray Publishing in association with HumorOutcasts Press.

The first edition was titled, “Sleeping between Giants Book 1: Life, If You Could Call It That, With a Terrier.”

  • 2021 International Book Awards Winner: Humor
  • Indies Today 2019 Best Humor Book Award Winner

In “Sleeping between Giants Book 2,” Budleigh, the Terrier with ‘Tude, is back; this time dispensing crucial advice to Giants and Canines on everything from space travel and sniffing Covid, to giving a TED Talk and shopping for purses.

Dave Jaffe

Through essays and cartoons created by Dave Jaffe, learn what’s going on in the mind of your Canine and why it’s just as odd as what going on in yours.

During the podcast we discuss with Dave where his ideas come from, the discipline of writing, and his own style of humor.

You can find this episode below in this post or on your favorite platform under the Billy Dees Podcast. Also below, is the webcam version of the interview.

Dorothy Rosby – Humor Writer and Author – Tis the Season to Feel Inadequate…

by Billy Dees, posted in Books, Media, Podcast

Dorothy Rosby is an author, speaker and syndicated humor columnist whose work appears in publications throughout the West and Midwest. We are happy to have her on this episode talking about writing humor and the pressure of the holidays.

Her new book is:

‘Tis the Season to Feel Inadequate: Holidays, Special Occasions and Other Times Our Celebrations Get Out of Hand

Dorothy Rosby

The book is described on her website “as a collection of humorous essays about holidays, special occasions and other times our celebrations make us feel not-so-celebratory. It’s understanding for those who think Christmas form letters can be honest—or they can be interesting. And it’s empathy for anyone who’s ever gotten poison ivy during Nude Recreation Week or eaten all their Halloween candy and had to hand out instant oatmeal packets to their trick-or-treaters.”

You can find out where to find her on her website DorothyRosby.com.

You can find Dorothy on Twitter: @DorothyRosby

You can find the Billy Dees Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform. For your convenience we have the episode below on Spotify. You may also view the webcam version below the podcast on YouTube.

Making the Most of Your Interview Appearances – Billy Dees Featuring Kristy Mickelsen

by Billy Dees, posted in Media, Podcast

This episode discusses numerous aspects of being interviewed as a guest on podcasts as well as other types of shows.

This episode was recorded with a live studio audience via Twitter Spaces.
  • What should guests bring to the table in terms of content?
  • How should you query the shows you want to be on?
  • In what ways should you support the show after your interview?

Billy Dees and then Kristy Mickelsen each give their core presentations which together run approximately 40 minutes into the episode. Then, a conversation opens up with a live studio audience which was facilitated via Twitter Spaces. The podcast was recorded in studio with an audio feed brought in from Twitter for a question-and-answer segment.

Kristy Mickelsen

Twitter Spaces is a form of the burgeoning medium of social audio. In short, hosts can create audio spaces for presentations and talks. Billy Dees was recently named one of the top voices in social audio by the Global Interview based in Ireland.

You can find Billy Dees on Twitter @BillyDees and Kristy Mickelsen @KristyBooks.

The episode can be found on your favorite platform under the Billy Dees Podcast. The full episode is below for your convenience.