In this meaningful episode of the Writers Way Podcast, host Jessica Wilkins sits down with Dr. Kofi Aninakwa, author of The Shadows of the Cross, for a heartfelt conversation about faith, suffering, sacrifice, and redemption.

Drawing from his personal journey, spiritual reflection, and deep understanding of Christian tradition, Dr. Aninakwa shares the inspiration behind his book and explains the significance of the Stations of the Cross in a way that feels both timeless and relevant today. He reflects on how this devotion can help people slow down, process pain, seek forgiveness, and find hope in God’s presence through every season of life.

This episode speaks to anyone longing for deeper faith, healing, and spiritual reflection. Through stories, scripture, and compassionate insight, Dr. Aninakwa reminds us that the journey of the cross is not only about suffering, but also about love, mercy, and the promise of new life.

Tune in for a powerful conversation that invites you to reflect, reconnect, and walk with greater purpose and compassion.

In this inspiring episode of the Writer’s Way Podcast, host Jessica Wilkins sits down with author Gopi Nair to explore the powerful connection between mindset and personal transformation.

Drawing from his book Manage Your Mind, Manage Your Life, Gopi shares how mastering our thoughts can reshape the way we approach challenges, relationships, and success. From his early struggles in sales to discovering the importance of gratitude, awareness, and discipline, he explains how the mind acts as the instrument that shapes our perception of the world and ultimately the direction of our lives.

During the conversation, Gopi introduces his concept of TSA alignment. Thought, Speech, and Action and explains how aligning these three elements can create harmony, clarity, and purpose in everyday life.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or limited by your own thinking, this episode offers thoughtful insights and practical wisdom to help you take the first step toward lasting change.

Listen now and discover how managing your mind can truly transform your life.

In this powerful episode of the Writer’s Way Podcast, host Jessica Wilkins sits down with Dr. Samuel Essah-Hienwo, author of Shattered Reflections, to explore the hidden crisis of father absence and its deep impact on young boys and communities.

Drawing from his research, mentorship work, and personal experiences, Dr. Samuel explains why father absence is often a silent epidemic, one that shapes identity, emotional development, and educational outcomes long before it appears in classrooms or statistics. He shares powerful stories about mentorship, identity restoration, and why boys don’t simply fail school, they often lose their sense of self first.

This conversation goes beyond diagnosis and focuses on solutions. Dr. Samuel discusses how mentorship, faith communities, and intentional male guidance can help restore identity, rebuild confidence, and change the trajectory of young lives.

If you care about education, mentorship, fatherhood, and building stronger communities, this episode offers honest insights and a hopeful path forward.

Listen now and join the conversation about restoring identity, leadership, and opportunity for the next generation.

In this episode of the Writer’s Way Podcast, host Jessica Wilkins sits down with author Rich Harvey to talk about his path from a struggling industrial town to writing the Pin Boys series, including his latest novel, In a Time of Sorrow and Change.

Rich shares what inspired The Kingpins of Riverbend, how his characters grew over time, and what it takes to keep writing through setbacks. He also opens up about the real challenges of publishing—marketing struggles, costly scams, and learning who to trust.

If you’re writing a book or navigating publishing, this one’s for you.

In this episode of the Writer’s Way Podcast, host Jessica Wilkins sits down with Nelda Stidham Woodruff, author of Bayou Gal—a heartfelt memoir she wrote to honor her mama’s dream. Nelda shares the true stories that shaped her life, from returning home to Louisiana during Hurricane Betsy, to growing up in a military family that moved across the U.S. and overseas, and even surviving terrifying moments in the Philippines.

With deep love for Cajun culture and the bayou way of life, Nelda brings listeners into her world—full of resilience, faith, family, and the little “lagniappe” that makes it personal (including recipes straight from home). If you love real-life stories that make you laugh, hold your breath, and maybe tear up a little, this one is for you.

Host Jessica Wilkins sits down with author Aaron Sigurd Olson to talk about Black Shadow Detective Agency: Infernal Angels—an urban fantasy noir where guardian angels fail and infernal demons step in to protect the innocent. Aaron shares his inspirations (old radio shows, writer prompts, and Twin Cities history), his upcoming books, and exciting news: Infernal Angels has been optioned for a movie.

Why do we exist—and what does that question mean for how we should live?

In this episode of the Writer’s Way Podcast, host Jessica Wilkins sits down with Robert Maxwell, author of The Meaning of Life, for an honest, plain-English conversation about purpose, belief, and the “big questions” we usually avoid. Robert shares how his work as a draft counselor (helping conscientious objectors articulate their beliefs) shaped his lifelong interest in meaning, values, and our place in the universe.

Robert explains his personal view of “the meaning of life,” discusses the philosophical and spiritual influences behind his ideas (including the Upanishads, Buddhist scriptures, Leibniz, and Schopenhauer), and reflects on how community and open dialogue helped shape his thinking.

You’ll also hear about his years as an educator and why his biggest hope for readers is simple: that the book makes you think, not what to think.

Listen now and check out The Meaning of Life by Robert Maxwell. Don’t forget to follow the show and leave a review if this episode resonates.

On this episode of the Writer’s Way Podcast, we’re joined by Laura Stack, a retired special education teacher turned children’s author, to talk about her uplifting book Howie the Unusual Bear—and why its message hits just as hard for adults as it does for kids.

Laura shares how today’s kids are wonderfully unique, and how Howie was created as a reminder that being different isn’t something to hide, it’s something to honor.

You’ll hear about Howie’s journey of building a fulfilling life, finding friendship, and holding onto hope even when life feels lonely or tough.

This conversation is for anyone who’s ever tried to fit in, felt “awkward,” or needed a gentle push to believe in themselves and keep going.

If you want a feel-good episode with real heart, inspiration, and a reminder that you belong exactly as you are—press play.