When author Michelle Collins Anderson debuted her first novel, The Flower Sisters, she joined the podcast to discuss the ten-year journey it took to bring that story into the world. Since then, life has changed dramatically. Her second novel, The Moonshine Women, has become an instant USA Today bestseller, and she's already hard at work on book number three.

In this episode, we talk about her fascinating new novel set in the Missouri Ozarks, but we also dive into something much deeper: the pressure that comes after success. How do you create when people are waiting? How do you stay true to your voice when everyone has an opinion? And how do you keep moving forward when the expectations, both internal and external, keep getting higher?

Whether you're an author, an entrepreneur, a parent, or simply someone who wonders if you're doing enough, you'll find encouragement in Michelle's honest reflections on creativity, criticism, deadlines, and learning that your worth isn't defined by your latest achievement.

Show Notes:

Michelle Collins Anderson grew up in the Missouri Ozarks and holds a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Missouri and an MFA in fiction from Warren Wilson College. Her debut novel, The Flower Sisters, was an instant USA Today bestseller and won the Missouri Library Association Literary Award in 2025. Her new novel, The Moonshine Women, was an IndieNext pick in April 2026 and an instant USA Today bestseller. Michelle’s short fiction has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and appeared in Nimrod International Journal, Literal Latté, Midwestern Gothic, Elder Mountain: A Journal of Ozarks Studies, Literary Mama and more. She and her husband have three adult children and live in St. Louis with two sister cats and a rambunctious border collie.

To purchase her books, go to https://bookshop.org/shop/michelle_collins_anderson

Follow her writing journey at: The Creative Pause on Substack or at www.MichelleAnderson.me

Show produced by Jordan Overkamp at playroomstudio.net

There comes a point in life when the roles that have defined us begin to shift. The kids are grown (or growing up), our careers and perspectives on them may be changing, and for the first time in a long time, we have the opportunity to ask ourselves a simple but powerful question: What’s next?

In this episode, we talk about this time in life that we're calling the third act and exploring what it looks like to live with intention, deepen our faith, care for our bodies, and make room for what matters most.

Whether you’re entering an empty nest, nearing retirement, or simply sensing a new season ahead, we hope this conversation encourages you to embrace it with purpose, joy, and confidence.

Our hope is that your best chapter may not be behind you, but rather, it just might be the one you’re about to write.

Over the past 10 months, we’ve explored each of the Yamas and Niyamas: the ten ethical practices that form the foundation of yoga philosophy. In doing so, we discovered that these ancient teachings have as much to say about modern life as they did thousands of years ago.

In this episode, we’re bringing it all together.
Using Deborah Adele’s The Yamas & Niyamas: Exploring Yoga’s Ethical Practice as our guide, we reflect on the wisdom woven through all ten practices and revisit the lessons that challenged, encouraged, and inspired us the most. While each principle offers a unique pathway to greater freedom and peace, the final niyama of surrender might be the most transformative.

What does it mean to stop gripping so tightly to outcomes? How do we trust when life doesn’t unfold according to our plans? And why is surrender not a sign of weakness, but perhaps the deepest expression of courage and faith?

Whether you’ve followed this entire series or are joining us for the first time, this conversation offers a powerful reminder that the goal isn’t perfection. It’s awareness. Its presence. And sometimes, it’s having the wisdom to loosen our grip and trust the process.

Join us as we conclude our journey through the Yamas and Niyamas and explore how surrender may be the practice that changes everything.