Tag: #author

Christian Feraria – The Mediocre Student’s Guide to Graduating College

by Billy Dees, posted in Books, Media, Podcast

Christian Feraria is an author, publicist, public speaker, and YouTuber! His screen name is qtc_christian on various platforms including YouTube.

Christian’s book, “The Mediocre Student’s Guide to Graduating College,” is a book for struggling or unmotivated students who wish to navigate college successfully. Growing up, Christian’s sisters were both stellar students who went to elite colleges and medical school. Christian felt mediocre in comparison to them having been, at times, a more insecure student academically.

Shortly after graduating college, Christian was inspired by the Toni Morison quote, “Write the book you would want to read.” After hearing the quote, Christian immediately thought of a book for mediocre students because that’s the book he would have killed for!

Christian Feraria

Throughout his book, Christian elaborates on how to succeed academically and socially on a college campus. He writes about picking professors and the presence of drugs, sex, etc.

Since his book was released, Christian Feraria has been doing public speaking at schools to get struggling students to believe in themselves. He also has been doing interviews like this one, not only to promote his book but to also raise awareness that the challenges many of us face in school are not that unique.

You can find the full interview wherever you find podcasts. For your convenience you can listen below.

Barbara Legere – “Keven’s Choice – A Mother’s Journey Through Her Son’s Mental Illness, Addiction, and Suicide”

by Billy Dees, posted in Books, Media, Podcast

This episode contains discussion that some listeners may find triggering.

Author Barbara Legere

“Keven’s Choice: A Mother’s Journey Through Her Son’s Mental Illness, Addiction and Suicide”

Keven had spent half his life struggling with addiction while his single mom battled courts, health care companies, rehab facilities and mental health professionals to protect him. As their relationship strained and his drug use progressed, Legere was forced to accept and love Keven as he was in their limited time together—two years before his suicide.

In Keven’s Choice, Legere tells the story of trying to navigate the dark worlds of her son’s substance use and depression while also addressing her complicated guilt and regret over how she handled it. In the process, she shines a light on the hidden anguish of countless parents who are taking care of children that society tells them to abandon.

For parents who have borne witness to overdoses, arrests, addiction treatment and incarceration and even death, Keven’s Choice is a raw and intimate memoir of a mother’s grief that shows it’s possible and necessary to go on, even amidst the unimaginable.

You can find out more about the author’s story at her website www.barbaralegere.com.

M.K. McDaniel – “Misfit in Hell to Heaven Expat”

by Billy Dees, posted in Books, Media, Podcast

M.K. McDaniel

#1 Best Selling Author of “MISFIT IN HELL TO HEAVEN EXPAT”

We have all heard stories of someone’s account of a near death experience. There is almost always a description of a brilliant white light and euphoric sensation.

However, not all near death experiences are pleasant, in fact, some are traumatic.

What would you do if you found yourself in “the other place?”

Our guest on this episode is author, M.K. McDaniel. Her book, “MISFIT IN HELL TO HEAVEN EXPAT,” chronicles such a journey. Her story is hopeful and has given her insights into a realm that we do not need to fear.

You can find the author’s website misfitinhelltoheavenexpat.com.

and you can find her on Twitter @MKMcDaniel3

Disclaimer – The host, Billy Dees, was experiencing an allergic reaction at the time of the interview that affected his voice.

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.

Kitt O’Malley Author “Balancing Act: Writing Through a Bipolar Life”

by Billy Dees, posted in Books, Media, Podcast
Kitt O’Malley

Kitt O’Malley, author of “Balancing Act: Writing Through a Bipolar Life,” is a mental health advocate, public speaker, and former psychotherapist who lives with bipolar disorder. Her personal experience and clinical background inform her advocacy and enable her to help herself and guide others toward mental health recovery.

Over the years, Kitt has struggled with bipolar, experiencing depression so deep that it was a living hell and mania so severe that she was psychotic.

However, there is help. Psychotherapy, medication, and coping skills have enabled her to live a full life.

Acceptance has been key to her mental health recovery. Acceptance is essentially a spiritual experience.

To accept yourself is to love yourself. There is hope.

You are enough.

You can visit Kitt’s website for more detailed information KittOMalley.com and on Twitter @KittOMalley.

You can find the Billy Dees Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform. For your convenience the full episode is embedded below and the webcam version is below that.