Host Jennifer A. Nielsen tells the back story of an artist, musician, author, and educator, who was once just an child in a low-income school district. But a child of promise.

In this episode of the Backstory Podcast, Jennifer A. Nielsen interviews Brodi Ashton, a New York Times bestselling author known for her works like the Everneath series and My Lady Jane. They discuss Brodi's upbringing influenced by Greek mythology, her experiences in school, the challenges of procrastination, and the impact of COVID-19 on her creativity. Brodi shares her journey from education to writing, the importance of accepting limitations, and the collaborative process of co-writing. The conversation highlights the resilience required to navigate personal and professional challenges, ultimately emphasizing the importance of storytelling.

In this episode, Jennifer Nielsen shares the powerful story of bestselling author Brodi, whose once-effortless writing career came to a halt after a severe battle with COVID left her with brain fog and depression. As deadlines slipped and doubt crept in, Brodi made the difficult decision to seek help, discovering the life-changing power of setting boundaries and saying "no." Her journey is a reminder that even in our lowest moments, recovery is possible, and great careers can be built not in spite of our limitations, but because of how we grow through them.