In this episode of The Wandering Pen, host Christine Musser welcomes historian and author Shannon D. Smith, President of the Mari Sandoz Heritage Society, for a compelling conversation about the life, work, and enduring legacy of Mari Sandoz—one of the most powerful voices of the American High Plains.

Born in 1896 in a sod house in northwest Nebraska, Mari Sandoz faced relentless hardship, rejection, and personal sacrifice on her path to becoming a published author. With only an eighth-grade education and a fierce determination, she rose to literary prominence with books like Old Jules, Crazy Horse: Strange Man of the Oglala, The Buffalo Hunters, and Miss Morissa. Sandoz was more than a writer—she was a truth-teller, a creative nonfiction pioneer, and a fierce advocate for authentic Plains history, especially Indigenous perspectives.

Together, Christine and Shannon explore:

• How Sandoz’s gritty upbringing shaped her voice and purpose

• Why her meticulous research and index card system became legendary

• What made her writing style controversial yet visionary

• Her legacy as an ally, educator, and story-catcher of the Plains

• Why her books remain relevant today, especially for writers, historians, and lovers of the American West

Whether you're a fan of historical fiction, biography, Western history, or women's stories of perseverance, this episode brings Mari Sandoz’s unique journey vividly to life.

🔗 Learn more at mariSandoz.org and thewanderingpen.net

#MariSandoz #AmericanWest #WomenWriters #HistoricalNonfiction #HighPlainsHistory #CrazyHorse #OldJules #NebraskaHistory #IndigenousHistory #StorycatcherofThePlains #WritingWithGrit #WomensVoices #LiteraryLegacy #TheWanderingPenPodcast #NebraskaSandhills

In this heartfelt episode, author Julie Burtinshaw joins host Christine Musser to explore the healing power of writing through personal loss and life’s most challenging moments. Julie opens up about her journey back to writing after deep grief, sharing how creativity can be both a refuge and a path to renewal. Together, Christine and Julie reflect on resilience, the challenges of staying motivated, and finding hope even when life feels overwhelming. This candid conversation blends laughter with honest emotions, offering inspiration for writers and anyone navigating grief or creative roadblocks.

If this episode moves you, please share it with others who might benefit—and don’t forget to follow The Wandering Pen Podcast on any podcast platform for more powerful conversations and stories that remind us: storytelling can heal. Julie’s contact is https://burtinshaw.wordpress.com/.

You can find her books on Amazon or by googling for her.

#WritingThroughGrief #JulieBurtinshaw #AuthorInterview #HealingThroughWriting #PodcastForWriters #CreativityAndResilience #GriefJourney #TheWanderingPenPodcast #StorytellingHeals

In this episode of The Wandering Pen, Christine Musser welcomes Cristen Hemingway Jaynes—great-granddaughter of Ernest Hemingway, author, and environmental journalist—for a thoughtful conversation on legacy, creativity, and the natural world. From retracing her famous ancestor’s steps to carving out her own voice through fiction, nonfiction, and environmental advocacy, Cristen’s path is one of curiosity, courage, and connection.

You’ll hear about:

• How her JD, creative writing, and journalism converge

• The story behind her biography on the places Ernest Hemingway traveled to and lived - Ernest’s Way: An International Journey Through Hemingway’s Life.

• Her upcoming novel about traveling on buses and trains.

• Her reflections on growing up in the Hemingway family.

• Insights into climate control, sustainable agriculture, Indigenous wisdom, and storytelling as activism.

Whether you’re a writer, wanderer, or someone who finds meaning in place and purpose, this episode will inspire you to keep exploring and writing!!

📚 Books: Ernest Way, The Smallest of Entryways 🌿 Connect: Instagram & Facebook @CristenHemingwayJaynes - Email cristenjaynes@gmail.com

#PodcastInterview #WritersOnWriting #StorytellersOfInstagram #CreativeVoices #WomenWhoWrite #AuthorInterview #CristenHemingwayJaynes #HemingwayLegacy #EnvironmentalJournalism #TravelWriting #NatureInspired #SustainableLiving #EcoWatch #ClimateStories #IndigenousWisdom #OrganicFarming #LegacyAndVoice #WritingThroughWanderlust #StoriesThatMatter #FindingYourVoice #WriteYourLegacy #WordsAndWilderness #TheWanderingPen