Podcasts may be trendy—but they’re here to stay, especially with creators like Kara leading the charge. Kara’s all about building genuine community, and our own connection is proof of that. She’s a huge inspiration to my podcasting career.

In this episode, she shares how her journey into podcasting began, how being a military spouse shaped her path, and how daring to dream helped her build a life—and a show—on her own terms. From landing her dream guest to knowing what sets her podcast apart, Kara’s story is all about taking chances and showing up.

We talk about learning to trust your taste (it’s totally fine not to like a hyped book), how she curates her guest list, and why we need to think about visibility, marketing, and diversifying our platform in this social age.

Oh—and don’t miss a surprise cameo from my border collie puppy, Sasha!

You can connect with Kara, here.

We dive into the Ali Hazelwood situation and the lessons it left behind—yes, it’s been resolved, but it’s a powerful reminder: authors are human, and if something doesn’t serve you, it’s okay to walk away without cruelty. We’re all here because we love stories, even if we don’t all love the same ones.

Jen shares her journey writing The Veiled God series—spoiler: it’s not a pirate book, no matter what people think! She took the brave step of writing a quiet, introverted FMC, knowing not everyone gravitates to that character type, but standing by her choice anyway.

We talk about the unpredictability of author life, the absence of a rule book, and how sometimes you have to get it wrong before you get it right. From balancing life as a working mom to drawing character inspiration from her brothers (built-in research squad!), Jen brings humor and heart.

We also touch on grief, growth, and healing—how writing helps her process the loss of a loved one. As a multi-genre author flipping between fantasy and romance, she’s all about learning the craft, finding what works for you, and giving yourself the freedom to evolve.

You can follow Jen on instagram here.

In 2023, Shelby launched a powerful growth strategy for her Bookstagram—and discovered a talent for video content and community building along the way. Passionate about uplifting BIPOC and queer authors, she’s used her platform to amplify diverse voices and push herself in experimenting and trialling new forms of bookish content.

But Shelby’s story doesn’t start there. From her roots in cosplay (yes, you can cosplay outside your body type!) to her role as a teacher advocating for inclusive reading—even in the face of book bans—she brings creativity and conviction to everything she does.

We dive into her candid takes on spice, dark romance, purity culture, and the patriarchy—and how reclaiming sexual empowerment through literature is a step toward greater diversity and representation.

Shelby also worked on Harper L. Woods’ Coven series and reminded me of something important: you don’t have to do it all. Play to your strengths and build a support network, especially when it comes to feedback and creative burnout.

We talk honestly about burnout, life milestones, and why giving yourself permission is more important than ever. Plus, Shelby shares what she’s exploring next—like her work with The Bindery and how it aligns with her evolving business model.

Spoiler warnings: ACOTAR & Crescent City

You can follow Shelby here!