In this episode of The Book Club, Ruth Klein sits down with author Sevan Minaskanian to explore storytelling, family, identity, and the deeply personal experiences that inspired her journey as a writer.
Sevan moved to the United States from Armenia when she was eight years old without speaking English. Growing up speaking Armenian and French, she experienced bullying because of the language barrier, but those early experiences became part of the story that shaped who she would eventually become.
A lifelong storyteller and natural daydreamer, Sevan always had a gift for creating detailed, emotional, and visual stories. She recalls how people would naturally gather around her at parties simply to listen to her tell stories, long before she ever considered becoming a published author.
Sevan credits her father, an unpublished writer, for inspiring her love of writing, while her mother influenced the outgoing and friendly personality she carries today. Her path to becoming an author took a deeply personal turn during an anniversary trip to Vail, Colorado, where an emotional experience involving her late father sparked the beginning of her writing journey.
After her father appeared to her in a dream and encouraged her to write, her husband gave her the tools to begin, including a journal and laptop. That experience eventually led to her debut young adult romance novel, Wintertime.
Published through Incline Publishing, Wintertime draws heavily from Sevan’s own life. From the bridge inspired by Vail to characters and details connected to her family, the novel blends personal memories with fiction to create an emotionally driven story.
Sevan shares what it means to turn real experiences into storytelling, honor the people who shaped you, and find the courage to finally put your stories on the page. She also discusses the upcoming books in her trilogy, Winter Love and Winter Dream.

In this episode of The Book Club, Ruth Klein sits down with Billie Miles, founder and CEO of Miles Financial Group, to explore wealth, retirement, family, faith, and building a meaningful legacy.
With more than 20 years of experience in financial services, Billie specializes in holistic integrated fiduciary planning, helping families transition from building wealth to confidently living off their wealth in retirement.
Billie shares insights from his professional journey and discusses the philosophy behind his book, Peace of Mind for the Miles Ahead. He explains why financial planning should go beyond numbers and investments to consider a person's goals, values, family, and vision for the future.
The conversation also explores the three values that have guided Billie throughout his life and career: faith, family, and education. Raised in a deeply faith centered family, Billie discusses how his upbringing shaped his approach to leadership, service, and business.
Ruth and Billie also discuss building a family business and working alongside multiple generations of family members at Miles Financial Group. From his siblings to his nephews, family plays an important role in the company's culture and long term vision.
Billie also reflects on fatherhood, legacy, and the lessons passed down to him by his parents, including the importance of education, responsibility, and creating opportunities for the next generation.
This episode offers a thoughtful conversation about financial freedom, purposeful living, family legacy, and finding peace not only through financial preparation, but through the values that shape how we live.

In this episode of The Book Club with Ruth Klein, Ruth welcomes Dr. Suze Q and LeeAnn Taylor for a deeply personal conversation about relationships, resilience, caregiving, spirituality, and the transformative power of telling your story.
Dr. Suze Q, a recently retired clinical psychologist, shares the fascinating story behind her online persona, “Suze Q,” which began more than 20 years ago while playing poker online. What started as an avatar and personal diary eventually became a 500 page memoir exploring online dating after 50, relationships, and the psychology of the people she encountered along the way.
Her book, Cyber Frogs and Princes: A Sex Manual of Online Dating After Age 50, combines personal experience with psychological insight and chronicles her journey toward eventually finding her own “prince charming.”
LeeAnn Taylor brings a very different but equally powerful story. An author, intuitive mentor, and spiritual teacher, LeeAnn shares her journey as a mother of five and caregiver to children affected by Fragile X syndrome.
Her book, The Fragile Face of God, grew from hundreds of pages of personal journals documenting years of caregiving, trauma, grief, guilt, and ultimately healing.
LeeAnn also reflects on the spiritual experiences that shaped her understanding of purpose and faith, including the profound loss of her mother during childhood and the spiritual awakening that followed years later.
Together, Ruth, Suze Q, and LeeAnn explore how life's most difficult experiences can become sources of wisdom, connection, and transformation. Their stories demonstrate how writing can help us process the past, understand ourselves more deeply, and turn personal experiences into meaningful messages for others.

In this episode of The Book Club with Ruth Klein, Ruth welcomes author, singer, songwriter, and biblical counselor Mary Love alongside Holocaust survivor, cantor, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and author Esther Leon for an unforgettable conversation about resilience, faith, forgiveness, and the healing power of storytelling.
Esther shares her extraordinary journey of surviving the Holocaust as an infant, being hidden in churches during World War II, and immigrating to America as a young refugee aboard the Queen Mary. Despite experiencing poverty, raising two children as a single mother, and enduring profound personal loss, Esther built a successful fashion business before dedicating her life to serving others through philanthropy, education, and faith. She reflects on the inspiration behind her books Tears of Stone and My Deal with God, and why choosing hope has shaped every chapter of her life.
Mary Love opens up about her remarkable journey through music, personal hardship, and spiritual restoration. From performing at the legendary Apollo Theater and growing up in a musical family to overcoming depression, addiction, and a nervous breakdown, Mary shares how faith transformed her life and inspired her to become a certified advanced biblical counselor and children's author. She discusses her heartwarming book series The Adventures of Papa and Sunshine, celebrating family, healing, and the enduring bond between parents and children.
Together, Ruth, Esther, and Mary explore overcoming adversity, trusting God through life's darkest moments, forgiveness, purpose, resilience, and how stories have the power to preserve hope for future generations. They discuss the importance of sharing personal testimony, finding healing through faith, and using life's greatest challenges to encourage others.
Whether you're seeking inspiration, spiritual encouragement, or powerful stories of perseverance, this episode reminds us that hope can flourish even through life's most difficult seasons.

In this episode of The Book Club, Ruth Klein welcomes Mel Kubeyinje and Christina Arana Anderson for an inspiring conversation about creativity, personal transformation, and using your voice to make a meaningful impact.
Los Angeles-based recording artist, actress, and screenwriter Mel Kubeyinje shares her journey of pursuing a career in entertainment while remaining authentic to her creative vision. She discusses her passion for songwriting, the inspiration behind her original music, and how her screenplay Hollywood Isn't for the Weak reflects the real-life challenges of chasing dreams in Hollywood.
Joining the conversation, bestselling author and intuitive guide Christina Arana Anderson explores how healing from personal chaos can become the foundation for a more joyful and purpose-driven life. Drawing from her book Unchaos Yourself and Change Your Life, Christina shares practical and spiritual tools for gaining clarity, overcoming limiting patterns, and embracing personal growth.
Together, Ruth, Mel, and Christina discuss the power of storytelling, resilience, creativity, intuition, and the importance of trusting your unique path. Whether through music, writing, or personal transformation, they remind listeners that every challenge can become the beginning of a new chapter.

In this inspiring episode of The Book Club with Ruth Klein, Ruth welcomes holistic wellness practitioner and author Nicole Anne Fonovich alongside psychotherapist and award-winning author Flick Hatcher for a heartfelt conversation about healing, resilience, and the transformative power of storytelling.
Nicole shares her remarkable journey of overcoming lifelong health challenges, surviving a life-changing typhoon and earthquake in Japan, and building a thriving holistic wellness practice that now includes more than 100 practitioners. She discusses the healing benefits of yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and her mission to help others find peace through holistic living.
Flick Hatcher reflects on his decades as a psychotherapist and the inspiration behind his novel Romancing Normal: A Love Story. Together, they explore how gratitude, self-awareness, and challenging limiting beliefs can help people move beyond societal expectations and create more authentic, meaningful lives.
Together, Ruth, Nicole, and Flick examine the connection between healing, personal growth, and the stories we choose to tell ourselves.

In this episode of The Book Club, Ruth Klein sits down with author, publisher, editor, and entertainment executive Charles Allen for a thought-provoking conversation about storytelling, publishing, entrepreneurship, and the power of sharing lived experiences.
As Editor-in-Chief of Storyteller Media and a partner at Curiosity Entertainment, Charles has helped authors transform their ideas into books, brands, and intellectual property with the potential to reach audiences far beyond the page. His unique "360-degree" approach combines publishing, public relations, marketing, and media strategy to help stories evolve into films, television projects, and larger cultural conversations.
The discussion centers around Pay to Play: Political Corruption, Corporate Greed, and the Cost of the American Dream, a memoir by Steven L. Keller that Charles co-authored and edited. The book explores Keller's pioneering role in creating the life settlement industry during the AIDS epidemic, allowing individuals to sell life insurance policies for immediate financial support during times of crisis.
Together, Ruth and Charles discuss the pursuit of success, the risks of ambition without balance, and the personal costs that can emerge when professional achievement comes at the expense of relationships and family.
Charles also shares his perspective on disruption versus stewardship, the lessons hidden within difficult experiences, and why telling the truth about our journeys can inspire and empower others.
This episode is a compelling exploration of business, storytelling, and the human experiences that shape both our careers and our character.

In this episode of The Book Club, Ruth Klein sits down with neuroscientist, psychiatrist, and author Dr. David M. L. Rabin to explore the groundbreaking ideas behind his book, A Simple Guide to Being Alive.
Drawing from decades of clinical experience and research, Dr. Rabin shares why traditional approaches to treating anxiety, depression, and PTSD often fall short and explains how healing begins when the body feels physiologically safe. He discusses the emerging science of epigenetics, revealing how stress and trauma can influence gene expression—and how those patterns can be changed through the right interventions and experiences.
Together, Ruth and Dr. Rabin examine the importance of activating the vagus nerve, creating environments that support recovery, and understanding the connection between the body and the mind. They also discuss the effects of modern technology, chronic stress, and overstimulation on learning, emotional resilience, and cognitive development.
Dr. Rabin shares insights from his work as co-founder of Apollo Neuroscience, including how vibration and sensory-based tools can help regulate the nervous system, improve sleep, and support recovery.
This conversation offers a fascinating look at the future of mental health and reminds listeners that healing is not simply about managing symptoms—it is about helping the body rediscover safety and balance.