Tamara Dragseth is an avid reader, lifelong learner, and what many would call a true Renaissance woman. From spinning wool, knitting, sewing, gardening, and cooking from scratch to managing investments, repairing homes, and painting, Tamara embodies a level of practical wisdom that seems increasingly rare in today's world.

A former claims adjuster for Safeco, she spent years honing her financial expertise while raising her son. Through discipline, determination, and a commitment to living below her means, she built a life of financial independence without sacrificing the things that mattered most.

Today, Tamara enjoys retirement alongside her husband, biking to local farmers' markets, traveling, embracing simple pleasures, and sharing her love of books through beta reading, book reviews, and content editing for Quill Hawk Publishing.

In this episode, we'll explore the lessons she's learned about money, motherhood, resilience, self-sufficiency, and finding joy in life's everyday moments.

Tamara discovered reading in second grade because of the Scholastic book program provided through school. She purchased the book "HEIDI," fell deeply in love with the book and reading, and she has never surfaced for air.

It should be admitted that Tamara MAY be a compulsive reader, as she has been known to read FISHING REGULATIONS if nothing else is at hand. She typically reads two to three books a week!

Not only is she an avid reader, but she is also a pioneer woman who is an expert gardener, cook, and knitter. She spins her own wool and makes everything from scratch in the kitchen. She rides horses, builds her own tack room, and bales hay. She is a woman of many talents, including financial management and investment. Miss Jane of all trades! Tamara loves to travel and makes a living being curious. Oh, and let's not forget to mention she bakes pies and sourdough bread!

https://tamaradragsethqhp.wixsite.com/bookreviews

https://www.facebook.com/tamara.dragseth

Welcome to Quixotic Heights, the podcast where dreamers become doers, setbacks become stepping stones, and extraordinary people remind us that the most meaningful journeys often begin with one courageous decision.

I'm your host, Amy M. Le—award-winning author, founder andCEO of Quill Hawk Publishing, and storyteller who believes every voice has the power to inspire, heal, and change the world.

Today's guest is someone whose story proves that determination is often louder than talent. In 1996, while many people were following a traditional career path, Charlotte Chiew opened the Yellow Pages and began calling everytheatre company in Singapore. She wasn't asking for fame or fortune—she simply wanted a chance to learn. She even offered to clean toilets for free if it meant she could be part of the theatre.

Born into a traditional Asian family where the expectation was clear—study hard, find a stable job, get married, buy a home, and live a predictable life—Charlotte chose a different script. Despite being told to pursue a "normal" career, she followed the calling of an artist. That courageous decision led her into theatre, storytelling, and eventually to a career as an accomplished audiobook narrator, where she brings stories to life through the power of her voice.

Today, we'll explore what it means to choose passion over expectation, how rejection can become your greatest teacher, the artistry behind audiobook narration, and why finding your authentic voice is one of life's greatest adventures.

To learn more, visit https://charlottechiew.com/

https://seevp.org/ (volunteer narration for those whohaven't landed a project)

https://learningally.org/ (resource for dyslexic children)

Charlotte Chiew is an audiobook narrator with a special interest in figuring out audiobook sales and distribution strategies with Indie authors.

An Asian-American & British-South-East-Asian voice, she’s bubbly, uplifting, spunky - your favourite summer mocktail, with an unexpected ginger shot!

Charlotte was born in Singapore, grew up all over the world, left her heart in Paris, and is finally finding her feet in London after almost 10 years. A professional film, TV & Stage actor with an IMDB page, her favourite stories to narrate are YA sweet romance with no spice! Close contenders are YA Fantasy, where characters grow while struggling through epic journeys, and Christian literature that fuels her heart for Jesus.

If you can’t find her in the recording booth, she’s probably pruning flowers somewhere in the garden, (artificially) bouldering (in a gym), or gone on a bike ride with her husband.

Sometimes, she can be found in a corner competing with her teenagers at snarky comments and eye-rolling. (She often wins, but they tend to gang up and deny her that superiority.)

Today's guest proves that our greatest challenges can become the very foundation of our greatest gifts.

Ava Wood grew up with a learning disability and often found herself escaping into worlds of her own imagination. What began as a way to quiet loneliness and make sense of life's challenges eventually became a lifelong passion for storytelling. Today, she describes herself as "an insomniacwho writes to calm the voices," reminding us that creativity often blooms from the places where we least expect it.

Originally from the wide-open landscapes of Texas and now calling Florida home, Ava has built a life filled with family, imagination, and artistry.

Alongside writing compelling stories, she designs book covers and logos, creates intricate 3-D prints, and isn't afraid to sing whenever inspiration strikes.

In today's conversation, we'll explore how growing up with a learning disability shaped her creative mind, why imagination became her refuge, how sleepless nights fuel her storytelling, and what she's learned about resilience, family, and finding purpose through writing.

Whether you're a writer, an entrepreneur, a creative, or someone who's ever wondered if your differences could become your greatest strength, this conversation is for you.

https://www.instagram.com/btfl7/

https://www.facebook.com/authoravawood