Books That Make You Podcast

Debbie Bishop on PILLYWIGGIN: AWAKENING and Becoming Your Own Hero PILLYWIGGIN: AWAKENING with Debbie Bishop | Fantasy, AI and Resilience Debbie Bishop's PILLYWIGGIN: AWAKENING Blends Fantasy and Real Power Inside PILLYWIGGIN: AWAKENING with Fantasy Author Debbie Bishop Debbie Bishop on Epic Fantasy, Reinvention and PILLYWIGGIN: AWAKENING 2. YouTube video description What if no one is coming to save you—and that is actually the good news? In this episode of Books That Make You, award-winning author and entrepreneur Debbie Bishop joins us to talk about PILLYWIGGIN: AWAKENING, a sweeping fantasy adventure filled with fey worlds, hidden realms, imprisoned boys, dragon danger, martial arts, strategy, friendship, and the powerful idea of becoming your own hero. Debbie shares how the story explores resilience, reinvention, and the strength that comes from rising through difficult circumstances rather than waiting for rescue. She discusses the layered world of PILLYWIGGIN: AWAKENING, where characters build bonds, train themselves, challenge stereotypes, and discover courage in unexpected places. The conversation also moves beyond fantasy into Debbie's own creative life, including her work in Hollywood, her experience reinventing herself after personal and professional setbacks, and her views on creativity, metaphysics, AI, and the future of storytelling. She opens up about learning to stop diminishing herself, step into her own voice, and finally promote the work she has spent years creating. This conversation is for fantasy readers, creatives, entrepreneurs, and anyone who has ever felt called to break out of their shell and trust their own power. #DebbieBishop #PILLYWIGGINAWAKENING #FantasyBooks #BooksThatMakeYou #EpicFantasy #AuthorInterview #CreativeWriting #AIAndStorytelling #WomenAuthors

What happens when love, loss, and music collide in deep space? In this episode, Bram Stoker Award-winner and former Horror Writers Association president John Palisano joins us to talk about his latest book, Requiem. Set aboard a massive mortuary spacecraft called Eden, the novel blends gothic romance, cosmic horror, and speculative science fiction into one unforgettable journey. Eden isn't just a final resting place—it's a monument to memory, haunted by the preserved dead and a creeping entity named Animus. As musician Tessa tries to compose a new Requiem, she unwittingly opens a doorway for something dark and hungry. What follows is a chilling descent into hallucination, grief, and moral questions about memory, identity, and technology. John reveals the inspiration behind Eden, the emotional weight of grief, and how love—both lost and remembered—fuels the characters and narrative. He also teases real music he composed for the novel and the real science behind some of its more terrifying concepts. This isn't just another haunted spaceship story—Requiem explores the kind of horror that lingers, that haunts your thoughts long after the final page.

What if the secret to rediscovering your creativity, your empathy, and even your joy was something you were born with—but lost along the way? In this episode, bestselling author Laura Munson talks about her newest book, The Wild Why, and the journey back to wonder. From the forests of Montana to ancient stone circles in Ireland, Laura's personal stories and teachings invite us to pause, reflect, and reconnect with our inner voice. She shares the truth behind our creative blocks and the myth that we're "not creative"—stories we've absorbed over time but don't have to believe. We also explore why wonder matters, not just for personal fulfillment but for building empathy and a more compassionate society. Laura opens up about her own challenges, including divorce and life transitions, and how they shaped her understanding of inner kindness, creativity, and self-expression. Whether you're juggling work, parenting, or just trying to get through the day, The Wild Why offers a compassionate call to stop in the moment, take a breath, and ask "what if?" again. #TheWildWhy #LauraMunson #BooksThatMakeYou #SelfHelp #Creativity #WritingLife #Wonder

What happens when the spotlight fades and the pressure takes over? In this episode, Michele Kwasniewski dives deep into her powerful YA novel, Falling Star, the final installment of the Rise and Fall of Dani Truehart trilogy. Drawing from over 15 years of experience in the entertainment industry, Michele brings an unflinching look at the mental, emotional, and personal toll that fame can take—especially on young stars. Dani Truehart, once a teen pop sensation, is caught in the aftermath of a tragic decision. Fame, fortune, and pressure to perform have led her to a breaking point. As Michele explains, this isn't just fiction—it mirrors real-life stories from the likes of Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, and other young talents who've had their lives dissected by the public eye. This book and conversation offer more than just drama. They ask real questions: Who are we when no one is looking? What happens when unconditional love is replaced by applause? And how do young people find their identity amid the noise? Whether you're a fan of YA fiction or fascinated by the world behind the red carpet, this episode pulls back the curtain.

What happens when a peaceful society faces a brutal threat it never saw coming? In this episode, we talk with fantasy author Peter Gribble, creator of "The City of the Magicians" series and author of book one, Threat. Drawing from his background in psychology, history, and education, Gribble explores what happens when complacency meets chaos—and how intellect, strategy, and even a little magic might be the keys to survival. Set in a richly imagined world, Threat follows characters like Lilia, who finds herself drawn into an underground movement while searching for her mother's manuscript. Set in a society that must adapt or fall, the story explores themes of pacifism, unity, and hidden resistance. Gribble also shares personal stories from his time growing up in postwar France, studying figures like Gandhi, and what magic means in both fantasy and real life. We also dive into his experience writing for gardening magazines, working in bookstores, and his views on how memory and awareness shape our lives and our stories. Whether you love fantasy with a psychological twist, or you're curious about the intersection of intellect and imagination, this conversation is for you.

What happens when your father creates a cult, and you're left to raise yourself in a decaying mansion filled with spiritual seekers and chaos? That's the world of Naked Girl, the powerful novel by Janna Brooke Wallack. In this conversation, Janna delves into the unconventional childhood that inspired her book, her thoughts on generational parenting shifts, and how she channeled her own emotions into compelling fiction. Set in 1980s Miami Beach, Naked Girl follows siblings Sienna and Siddartha as they navigate life within their father's bizarre, cult-like commune. Through their eyes, we experience the beauty, danger, and loneliness of growing up in an unpredictable world. With rich metaphors and immersive storytelling, Janna brings this unique setting to life, showing both the allure and the peril of freedom. We also dive into parenting, spirituality, and the generational cycle of raising children differently than we were raised. Janna shares insights from her own life as a mother of five, reflecting on how much of our past shapes our choices. Join us for this fascinating discussion and discover why Naked Girl has received critical acclaim, becoming a semifinalist for the 2024 Publishers Weekly Book Life Prize in Fiction. #JannaBrookeWallack #NakedGirl #BooksThatMakeYou #ComingOfAge #WritingCommunity #Parenting #CultSurvival

How do schools shape our understanding of race—intentionally or not? Dr. Laura C. Chávez-Moreno joins us to discuss her groundbreaking book How Schools Make Race, which examines the ways educational systems reinforce racial identities and hierarchies. Through her research in a bilingual education program, Dr. Chávez-Moreno uncovers how schools, often unknowingly, contribute to the racialization of students. From curriculum choices to classroom dynamics, tracking, and resource allocation, these factors all play a role in shaping racial categories. She explores how bilingual education is both an attempt to counteract historical discrimination and a system operating within existing racial structures, creating tensions and contradictions. The conversation also touches on how educators can approach race in the classroom, the importance of evolving racial education, and how students themselves can advocate for change. If you're a teacher, parent, school leader, or simply someone interested in how race and education intersect, this is a must-watch conversation.