National bestselling novelist Diane Les Becquets joins Stories from Real Life for an unforgettable conversation about survival, faith, creativity, and the remarkable healing power of nature.

Known for literary novels that immerse readers in America’s wild landscapes, Diane has earned acclaim for Breaking Wild, The Last Woman in the Forest, and her newest novel, Where the Water Meets the Sky. Her latest work is a moving coming-of-age story set in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula that explores grief, memory, forgiveness, and the restorative power of community and the natural world.

But during the writing of this novel, Diane faced a life-changing challenge of her own.

Diagnosed with five brain aneurysms, she underwent complex surgery and emerged with a transformed perspective on writing, faith, family, and purpose. Following her recovery, she returned to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula—traveling to the very locations that inspired her novel—as both a celebration of life and a pilgrimage of gratitude.

In this deeply personal episode, Diane shares how beauty, wonder, and wilderness continue to shape both her stories and her life.

In This Episode

* The inspiration behind Where the Water Meets the Sky

* Why Michigan’s Upper Peninsula became the heart of the novel

* Surviving five brain aneurysms

* Finding peace after trauma

* Faith, surrender, and creativity

* Nature as a source of healing

* Why place can become a character

* Living with gratitude after facing mortality

* What she hopes readers carry with them long after finishing her books

About Diane Les Becquets

Diane Les Becquets is the award-winning, national bestselling author of Breaking Wild, The Last Woman in the Forest, and Where the Water Meets the Sky.

Her novels have received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and Kirkus Reviews, been featured on NPR’s Morning Edition, and earned numerous literary honors, including the Colorado Book Award and the New Hampshire Outstanding Work of Fiction.

Drawing from years spent exploring wilderness alongside archaeologists, wildlife biologists, conservationists, and foresters, Diane creates stories where landscape becomes as important as the people who inhabit it. She now lives in New Hampshire and continues to write from her backyard writing studio, “Wild Spaces.”

Books Mentioned

* Where the Water Meets the Sky

* Breaking Wild

* The Last Woman in the Forest

* Nuremberg, Mississippi

Connect with Diane Les Becquets

🌐 Official WebsiteDiane Les Becquets

📚 Where the Water Meets the SkySimon & Schuster Book Page

📖 Author Page at Simon & SchusterSimon & Schuster Author Page

📸 Instagram@dianelesbecquets

📚 GoodreadsGoodreads Author Page

Learn More

If you’re drawn to stories about resilience, healing, wilderness, and the search for meaning, Diane’s novels offer richly imagined worlds where nature becomes both setting and teacher. Her latest novel, Where the Water Meets the Sky, has been praised as “a love letter to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula” and a deeply affecting meditation on memory, forgiveness, and belonging.

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Key Points

Keywords

storytelling, habits, identity, product management, entrepreneurship, AI, personal development, childhood influences, curiosity, leadership AI, storytelling, human connection, personal habits, failure, hope, kindness, technology, creativity, identity

Summary

In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards speaks with Connie Kwan, CEO of Product Maestro and storytelling coach, about her book ‘Story Habits’ and the importance of identity in habit formation. Connie shares her experiences growing up in Hong Kong and Canada, her early interest in technology, and how storytelling plays a crucial role in product management. They discuss the qualities that make great product leaders, common mistakes founders make, and the impact of AI on entrepreneurship. Connie emphasizes the significance of understanding habits, the misconceptions surrounding them, and how organizations and families can develop effective story habits.

In this conversation, Connie Kwan discusses the evolving role of AI in storytelling and human connection, emphasizing that while AI can assist in research and content creation, it cannot replace the essential human skills of empathy and connection. She explores how AI has made storytelling more accessible, allowing individuals to create meaningful narratives, including personal family stories. Connie also shares her personal journey with habits, including her approach to reducing dessert intake and managing her TV watching habits. The discussion touches on the importance of learning from failure and the inherent goodness in humanity, providing a hopeful perspective on the future.

Takeaways

The identity piece is crucial for habit change.Childhood experiences shape our current identities.Adjusting to new environments can be challenging yet rewarding.Early exposure to technology fosters interest and skills.Storytelling is essential in product management to bridge gaps.Curiosity is a key trait for successful product leaders.Founders often fall into the trap of the ‘if I build it’ mentality.AI has transformed the landscape of entrepreneurship.Understanding the story behind habits is vital for change.Organizations and families can cultivate beneficial story habits. AI helps you make connections with the right folks.AI is not going to replace human skills.AI made storytelling more accessible for every person.You can build a movie about your family.I’m a fancy dessert eater now.TV is my addictive substance.Failure is data that helps you move forward.Keep going. Keep going. Keep going. Don’t give up.Audit your life once in a while.The most important story you’ll ever tell is why you’re here.

Connie’s contact links- Website

- Substack

- LinkedIn

Melvin E. Edwards’ contact links:

Media Well Done, LLC

Stories from Real Life website

Neil Taylor’s father, Patrick, died in March 2021. Six days later, Neil’s son was born and given Patrick as his middle name. Caught between grief and new life, Neil realized that his son would never know his grandfather unless Neil found a way to carry Patrick’s voice and story forward.

That realization became Me & My Old Man, a 12-week guided storytelling experience that helps families preserve the voices, memories, and life stories of the people they love.

In this episode, Neil joins Stories from Real Life to talk about grief, fatherhood, family legacy, and what more than 350 hours of listening to ordinary people’s stories has taught him about love, memory, regret, and the questions families often wait too long to ask.

About Neil Taylor

Neil Taylor is the founder of Me & My Old Man, a family storytelling project created after the death of his father, Patrick. Through guided conversations, Neil helps families record and preserve the stories of parents, grandparents, and loved ones in their own voices.

His work has now reached 32 families across six countries, with more than 350 hours of recorded life stories.

In This Episode

Melvin and Neil discuss:

* Losing a father just days before becoming a father

* Why Neil felt responsible for helping his son know the grandfather he would never meet

* The difference between remembering someone and truly understanding their life

* Why ordinary people often carry extraordinary stories

* What families discover when they finally sit down and really listen

* The questions people should ask their parents and loved ones before it is too late

* How grief can become a bridge between generations

* What 350+ hours of family conversations taught Neil about love, regret, and legacy

Memorable Themes

Most family stories are not lost dramatically. They disappear quietly — through silence, assumptions, and unasked questions.

This conversation reminds us that the people closest to us may still be carrying entire lives we have never fully heard. Parents are more than parents. Grandparents are more than family roles. They are people with fears, dreams, disappointments, choices, sacrifices, and stories that deserve to be heard while their voices can still tell them.

Listener Challenge

After listening to this episode, ask someone you love one meaningful question about their life.

Start with one of these:

* What is a story from your life you hope our family never forgets?

* What was a time when you were scared but kept going?

* What do you wish people understood about the life you lived before they knew you?

Guest Link

Learn more about Neil Taylor and Me & My Old Man:meandmyoldman.co.uk

Episode Keywords

Neil Taylor, Me & My Old Man, family stories, oral history, fatherhood, grief, legacy, preserving family history, recording parents’ stories, family memory, storytelling, life stories, parent interviews, preserving a loved one’s voice, Stories from Real Life.