Best Lisa Cooper Ellison Podcasts (2025)

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Building a Writing Career Without Social Media: Amelia Hruby on Creative Independence 53:11

1d ago53:11

53:11

Send us a text When was the last time you examined your relationship to social media? During this week’s episode, I speak with Amelia Hruby, host of the Off the Grid podcast, a show that helps business owners and creatives leave social media without losing customers or readers. Discover what led her to leave Instagram, how her post-Instagram life h…

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Deep Memoir Writing: 3 Stages of Transformation Every Writer Should Know with Jennifer Selig 43:34

9d ago43:34

43:34

Send us a text In today’s episode, join me and Jennifer Selig as we explore how memoir writing can be a powerful tool for healing and self-discovery. Learn how Jennifer’s unique blend of depth psychology and storytelling offers a fresh perspective on the writing process, and find out how her alchemical stages of change and equations for transformat…

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Finding Your Form: Kelly McMasters on Writing Memoir in Essays and Emotional Truth 46:00

16d ago46:00

46:00

Send us a text What happens when a story won’t stay linear—when your life fractures in ways that defy neat beginnings, middles, and ends? In this episode of Writing Your Resilience, I sit down with essayist, professor, and former bookshop owner Kelly McMasters, author of The Leaving Season: A Memoir-in-Essays. From leaving marriages to landscapes, …

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Embracing Your Weirdness: Allison Landa on Self-Acceptance and Social Stigma 50:58

23d ago50:58

50:58

Send us a text What makes you weird? Is it something that fills you with pride or something you try to hide, a secret you’re constantly working to cover up? In today’s episode, I’m beyond excited to sit down with the brilliant author, Allison Landa, whose memoir Bearded Lady takes us on a raw and transformative journey of self-acceptance, societal …

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Writing Through Collapse: Eiren Caffall on Illness, Climate, and Finding Your Memoir's Form 49:34

30d ago49:34

49:34

Send us a text How do you tell a story of resistance that invites others in? Through the power of your metaphors—something today’s guest, Eiren Caffall has truly mastered. During today’s conversation, we explore how chronic illness and a love for nature shaped Eiren’s memoir The Mourner’s Bestiary, what it means two books in tandem (and release the…

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How to Protect Your Writing Time, Energy, and Creative Worth with Carolyn Fallert 32:07

1M ago32:07

32:07

Send us a text Have you ever felt like your creativity isn’t enough or that your artistic endeavors are secondary to everything on your to-do list? Have you tried all the strategies only to find yourself struggling with this yet again? Join me and my client, Carolyn Fallert, as we explore the impact of familial and cultural socializations and how s…

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How to Navigate the Business of Writing and Publishing: Expert Advice from Jane Friedman 37:39

1M ago37:39

37:39

Send us a text Writers, if you've ever wondered how to navigate the ever-changing world of writing and publishing, then you are in for a treat. Jane Friedman, who has spent nearly 25 years in the book publishing industry is here today to talk about the second edition of her groundbreaking book, “The Business of Being a Writer.” Join us as we explor…

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The Art of Intimacy: Crafting Connection in Memoir and Essay with Lilly Dancyger 43:51

2M ago43:51

43:51

Send us a text Join me and editor extraordinaire Lilly Dancyger as we discuss her latest book, First Love, an intimate, electric collection of essays on friendship, identity, and what it means to grow into yourself in community. During our conversation, Lilly shares her sharp insights on the craft of memoir, why she bristles at the idea of writing …

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Writing with Purpose: How to Understand Your Audience and Create Compelling Content with Krystal Proffitt 43:24

2M ago43:24

43:24

Send us a text Whether we like it or not, writers are content creators. And one of the biggest struggles I watch writers face is understanding their audience—what they want, what they need, and how to authentically engage with them. In this episode, podcast coach, content strategist, and host of the award-winning The Proffitt Podcast, Krystal Proff…

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Are Trauma Triggers Ruining Your Writing Life? Here's What to Do 24:53

2M ago24:53

24:53

Send us a text If you’ve ever sat down to write about a tough experience, only to find yourself avoiding the page, feeling emotionally wrecked, or questioning whether you should even be writing this story—you are not alone. Writing about trauma can be healing, but it can also trigger us in ways we don’t expect. Today, we’re going to unpack this. We…

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The Power of Words: Samman Akbarzada on Finding Her Voice After Fleeing Afghanistan 43:29

2M ago43:29

43:29

Send us a text Imagine working tirelessly for years to publish your first novel—only to have the moment of celebration collide with the collapse of your country. Imagine being forced to flee, leaving behind everything you’ve ever known, and yet… still finding your voice through poetry, storytelling, and advocacy. Today, I have the honor of speaking…

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The Creative Cure for Writers: Trauma-Informed Approaches for Memoir and Embracing Your Creativity with Jacob Nordby 40:57

3M ago40:57

40:57

Send us a text Do you struggle to see yourself as creative? Or have you ever wondered where your creativity comes from, and how to maximize it? This week, I’m joined by Jacob Nordby, founder of A Writing Room Collective and author of Blessed are the Weird: A Manifesto for Creatives, and The Creative Cure, a powerful guide to reconnecting with your …

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Embracing the Full Catastrophe: Writing About Loss and Finding Belonging with Casey Mulligan Walsh 46:02

3M ago46:02

46:02

Send us a text Have you ever been told what you’re writing is too dark, too sad, or that it needs more levity? Have you wondered how a story of tragedy can grow into something more than the sum of its parts? Join me and my client, Casey Mulligan Walsh as we discuss her revision process, what it took to embrace both the heartbreaking and beautiful a…

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Counterintuitive Editing: Finding Balance Between Inner Reflection and Outer Action + Writing Tips for 2025 with Sarah Chauncey 44:19

3M ago44:19

44:19

Send us a text Join me for a conversation with Sarah Chauncey, a veteran writer, developmental editor, and the author of P.S. I Love You More Than Tuna, as we dive into the inner and outer work of editing, the power of allowing rather than forcing, and why true creative flow often comes from stepping away from the keyboard. Episode Highlights 3:03 …

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Writing Through Shame: Hannah Sward on Memoir, Resilience, and Being Present 44:26

3M ago44:26

44:26

Send us a text This week, I’m thrilled to introduce you to a powerful voice in memoir, Hannah Sward, author of Strip. In today’s conversation, Hannah takes us behind the scenes of her writing process—how she wrote her first draft by hand, in one long, unfiltered sentence; how she found the courage to put her full truth on the page; and how she dist…

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Using the Akashic Records to Awaken the Powerful Writing Voice within You with Amy Robeson 44:29

4M ago44:29

44:29

Send us a text Every writer wants to be successful, but sometimes we just get stuck or feel uninspired. Even when things are going well, we can be baffled when our big wins don’t feel more successful. This week, I’ll explore these struggles alongside my guest, Akashic Records master teacher, Amy Robeson. Join us as we bust some of the myths around …

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Writing Rituals: Staying Grounded While Being Vulnerable with Natalie Buster 43:56

4M ago43:56

43:56

Send us a text How do you write about really tough, or even traumatic, life events, in a way that connects with your audience and the truth, without losing yourself? It’s a question so many writers ask me. This week, I’ll answer it with the help of my guest, the multi-talented Natalie Buster—a certified trauma-informed yoga therapist, actress, and …

1
How to Gaslight-Proof Your Writing Practice 40:40

4M ago40:40

40:40

Send us a text Have you ever dismissed your feelings, discounted your writing wins, or told yourself you should feel differently about your writing projects? If so, you might be gaslighting writing practice. Join me as I discuss what gaslighting is, how it shows up in our writing lives, and most importantly, how you can stop doing it. Episode Highl…

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When Agents Say No: Overcoming Setbacks with Jessica Yen 33:23

5M ago33:23

33:23

Send us a text When you get negative feedback from an agent on your writing you can do two things: adapt and improve your writing, or quit. In this episode, I am speaking with Jessica Yen, a Camp Structure graduate, about the recent challenges she faced while dealing with discouraging feedback from a literary agent. Join us as we explore how agents…

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From Captivity to Clarity: Reclaiming Your Voice and Writing Your Truth 48:48

5M ago48:48

48:48

Send us a text What’s holding you hostage or keeping you stuck? In Jessica Buchanan’s case, it initially seemed like the Somali pirates who held her hostage for ninety-three were her biggest problem. But as she completed a powerful exercise during her captivity, she realized the issues she faced were far deeper and ultimately more common than the k…

1
The Power of Micro Memoir: Grief, Storytelling, and Experimentation with Amy Lin 54:41

5M ago54:41

54:41

Send us a text How do you dive into the marrow of an experience we’ll all one day share, yet so many of us struggle to talk about? And how do you write into a topic so widely covered that it feels impossible to say something new? Today, I’m joined by Amy Lin, author of the stunning micro memoir Here After, as we tackle these questions head-on. Toge…

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Why Practicing Gratitude Can Transform Your Writing and Your Life 15:55

6M ago15:55

15:55

Send us a text Today, I am grateful. Grateful for my fellow writers, all of you listeners, and for this podcast. In this episode, I am holding space for those who might be struggling with the Thanksgiving holiday while exploring how gratitude can ground us in the midst of life’s challenges. This episode reflects on: The duality of emotions surround…

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Writing with Hunger: Mindset, Goals, and the Publishing Shift with Ariel Curry and Liz Morrow 50:36

6M ago50:36

50:36

Send us a text When you hear the phrase hungry author, what does that mean to you? How might a hungry author approach their goals and what might they’re willing to do to achieve them? Join Sourcebook’s nonfiction editor Ariel Curry and ghostwriter Liz Morrow and me as we talk about the mindset writers need to succeed, how to stay hungry while worki…

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Forgiveness to Friendship and Why It's Never Too Late with Gayle and Mildred Kirschenbaum 45:41

6M ago45:41

45:41

Send us a text Is there an age when it’s too late to publish a book, forgive a person, or take a chance on yourself? Not if you’re Mildred Kirschenbaum. With the help of her daughter Gayle, Mildred is a 101-year-old Instagram sensation and debut author who is currently on a book tour. Join us as we discuss the challenges of mother/daughter relation…

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Bright Spots, Neurodiversity, and More Chicken in Your Memoir with Kristin Jarvis Adams 36:17

6M ago36:17

36:17

Send us a text If you’re writing about a medical drama or other high-intensity journey involving another person, how do you write about these events without swallowing your story of transformation? What would you do if your agent’s feedback to you was “more chicken?” That’s exactly what parent advocate Kristin Jarvis Adams’s agent said after readin…

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The Loneliness of Sibling Loss with Alyson Shelton and Lynn Shattuck 46:42

7M ago46:42

46:42

Send us a text November is Worldwide Bereaved Siblings Month, yet most siblings grieve alone. They’re told to be strong for their parents, or they get subtle, and, sometimes not so subtle, cues to move on. Yet the loss of a sibling is the loss of a lifetime, because it’s a relationship we expect we’ll have for most of our lives. Join me, Alyson She…

1
Breaking the Silence on Sexual Assault with Cheyenne Wilson 43:08

7M ago43:08

43:08

Send us a text Many survivors of sexual abuse and assault silently carry questions about what happened to them. Am I truly a victim? Should I report what happened? If so, what are the steps? How do I disclose this to family members? Join me and Cheyenne Wilson, sexual assault advocate and author of We Are the Evidence, as we explore the power of br…

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Writing about Absent Fathers and Attachment Styles with Acamea Deadwiler 52:47

7M ago52:47

52:47

Send us a text Join me and Pushcart Nominee, TedX Speaker, and multi-passionate creative, Acamea Deadwiler, as we talk about normalized violence, how our attachment styles can influence the way we approach our memoirs, and the importance of connecting with your inner compass. During our conversation, you’ll also learn what transcendental meditation…

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Self-Acceptance, Dating Disasters, and Life After Loss with Debbie Weiss 45:45

7M ago45:45

45:45

Send us a text Join me and Debbie Weiss, author of the memoir Available As Is, as we discuss how multiple major losses impact the way we see ourselves and the world, the challenges of dating when you’re over fifty, and the most important thing new writers should consider when starting a book. Debbie’s Bio: Debbie Weiss is the author of the award-wi…

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The Challenges of Being Vulnerable On the Page with Megan Williams 35:25

8M ago35:25

35:25

Send us a text What would you do if an experience you’d long dreamed of was not only not what it’s cracked up to be, but at times miserable? Would you own up to the challenges or pretend it’s as great as you imagined Join me and Megan Williams, author of One Bad Mother as we explore the challenges of being vulnerable on the page, the realities of m…

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Estrangement, Dementia, and the Fractured Memoir with Lara Lillibridge 37:29

8M ago37:29

37:29

Send us a text If you have a complicated relationship with someone, how do you write about them? Should you craft a linear memoir that reads more like a journey or write something that mirrors your experience? Join me and Lara Lillibridge, author of Girlish, Mama, Mama, Only Mama, and The Truth of Unringing Phones, as we explore the impact of estra…

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Caring for Your Nervous System and Creativity with Somatic Experiencing Practitioner Kirby Moore 47:33

8M ago47:33

47:33

Send us a text Writing can be a powerful tool for healing, but when writing the tough stuff, it’s easy to get triggered and relive the experiences you’re writing about. If you’re wondering what to do about this, join me and somatic experiencing practitioner Kirby Moore as we explore how the nervous system works and how to care for it and your writi…

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Writing about Intergenerational Trauma with with Margaret Juhae Lee 48:52

8M ago48:52

48:52

Send us a text Like it or not, our family history shapes who we are. What if lost portions of your history are holding you back? What lengths would you go to recover this history, understand it, and then turn your discoveries into a memoir? Join me and author of the memoir Starry Field, Margaret Juhae Lee, as we explore the impacts of intergenerati…

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The True Meaning of Success and The Multiple Paths to Publishing Your Book with Courtney Maum 1:10:01

8M ago1:10:01

1:10:01

Send us a text What does it take to become a professional writer with a published book? More importantly, what does it take to become a happy writer? Join multi-genre writer and book coach Courtney Maum and me as we discuss writer mental health, the key ingredients in an author brand, what success really means and how you can achieve it, as well as…

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Is It Self-Protection or Self-Sabotage: Why Tough Stories Cause Writer's Block 29:33

9M ago29:33

29:33

Send us a text Have you ever worked on a tough story only to hear a voice in your head say maybe you’re not good enough, or maybe this isn't the project for you? How do you know if it’s self-sabotage or a wise part of you that’s trying to get your attention? Join professional writer Donna Moriarty and me as we discuss these voices and how to tell t…

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Strategies for Navigating Traumatic Memories In Your Memoir 24:15

9M ago24:15

24:15

Send us a text TW: Mention of Sexual Assault In this episode, you’ll hear from Deborah Svec-Carstens, a writer working on a memoir that details her journey of healing after trauma. In this episode: Writing about trauma and recounting hard memories. Three reasons why we struggle to write about feelings The impact trauma has on our memories and emoti…

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The Challenges of Writing Coming-of-Age Memoirs 25:31

9M ago25:31

25:31

Send us a text This week, you'll hear from Laila Rall, a writer working on a memoir about her chaotic, bicultural childhood with an unstable mother. We will explore two of the biggest challenges writers of coming-of-age memories grapple with: when does my story really begin and how do I gracefully insert my wisdom into scenes that involve very youn…

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The Dark Side of Publishing: Why It's So Hard for Trauma Survivors 31:44

9M ago31:44

31:44

Send us a text This week, you will hear from Laurie Riedman, a memoirist who wrote Diamonds in the Dirt: Stories from a Junkyard Girl, a collection of short pieces that mirror the fractured memories she built while growing up in a world filled with discarded car parts. During our conversation we talk about how to deal with the voice in your head th…

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Does What I Am Writing Really Matter? 29:55

10M ago29:55

29:55

Send us a text This week, you'll hear from Amanda Creasey, an outdoors writer and novelist, as we explore the age-old existential question: does what we are working on matter? In this episode, you will hear Amanda vulnerably share the frustration and discouragement many writers face when working on long-term projects and publishing their work. We’l…

1
How to Tell My Story Without Sounding Like I’m Playing the Victim 28:27

10M ago28:27

28:27

Send us a text This week, you will hear from Wendy Hawkes, an emerging writer working on a coming-of-middle-age memoir about how she survived category 5 Hurricane Dorian, a storm whose intensity was due to climate change, and how this experience taught her to go with the flow. During our conversation we talk about how to write tough scenes without …

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How Can I Braid My Life Story With My Deceased Partner’s? 29:06

10M ago29:06

29:06

Send us a text This week, you’ll hear from Meredith Master, a writer working on her memoir who is deciding on its structure. In this episode, we discuss writing a braided memoir, writing with a disability, telling the story of someone who has passed away, and how to write about the parts of someone’s life you weren’t present for. Meredith’s Bio: Me…

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Should I Honor Their Privacy or Break the Silence by Publishing My Memoir? 31:21

10M ago31:21

31:21

Send us a text Have you ever felt the need to write your story and share it with others? What if you believed breaking the silence would heal you, but family members want you to keep certain stories private? Could you find a way to respect their wishes while honoring your truth? In this episode, I am joined by Stephanie Shafran, a writer who’s spen…

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Is My Book Ready for Beta Readers? 25:14

11M ago25:14

25:14

Send us a text Before you send your book to beta readers, listen to this episode! In it, you’ll meet Melissa Macomber, another Camp Structure alumni who’s working on her memoir. During this episode, we explore how to know when your book is ready for beta readers, the three types of beta readers you’ll need, how to choose beta readers wisely, and qu…

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How to Return to Your Memoir After Loss and How to Navigate Your Author Platform as a Trauma Survivor 31:42

11M ago31:42

31:42

Send us a text This week, you’ll hear from Camp Structure alumni Shoshana Koch, a writer and speaker who’s working on a coming-of-age memoir. During this episode, we explore the challenges trauma survivors face when building an author platform, how to deal with rejection, and how to re-engage with a writing project after an extended break. Shoshana…

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Writing that Gets Noticed with Estelle Erasmus 1:06:22

11M ago1:06:22

1:06:22

Send us a text Welcome to season three of the Writing Your Resilience podcast! During seasons one and two, I interviewed experts and published authors who generously shared their wisdom on writing and healing. We’ll get back to that in season four. But sometimes it’s nice to know the people walking this journey alongside you. For my season three “S…

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"How Do You Know When Your Story Is “Finished?” Ask Me Anything with Lisa Cooper Ellison 21:15

11M ago21:15

21:15

Send us a text Welcome to the last episode of Season 2! This second season has been amazing, and I am so grateful for all of the featured guests and all of you listeners. Just as I did last season, I decided to sit behind the microphone and open myself up to answering questions. In this episode, you’ll meet Katie Rouse, a poet, memoirist, and forme…

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It’s Not You: Identifying and Healing from Narcissistic People with Dr. Ramani Durvasula 1:10:07

11M ago1:10:07

1:10:07

Send us a text Dr. Ramani Durvasula, author of It’s Not You: Identifying and Healing from Narcissistic People, shares her insights into narcissism, how narcissistic abuse survivors can heal and get support, and how to care for yourself when writing and promoting a book on tough topics. Ramani Durvasula, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist in …

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Addiction, Recovery, and Confronting the Good Mother Myth with Ann Batchelder 49:28

12M ago49:28

49:28

Send us a text Author Ann Batchelder talks about her daughter’s struggle with addiction, their recovery journeys, the myths she had to confront, her struggle with perfectionism, and the writing tips she learned as she was writing her memoir, Craving Spring: A Mother's Quest, a Daughter's Depression, and the Greek Myth that Brought Them Together Ann…

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Writing about Chronic Illness and Crafting the Hybrid Memoir with Jennifer Lunden 49:49

12M ago49:49

49:49

Send us a text Author, Jennifer Lunden, shares her struggles with chronic illness, the challenges of writing a hybrid memoir, especially when you’ve not trained in science writing, and the grit all writers, but especially writers with disabilities, need to cultivate. Jennifer Lunden Bio: Jennifer Lunden (she/her) is the author of American Breakdown…

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How Recovery Supports Memoir Writing and Book Marketing Tips with Laura Cathcart Robbins 58:03

1y ago58:03

58:03

Send us a text Author Laura Cathcart Robbins shares book marketing tips she learned while promoting her memoir Stash: My Life in Hiding, and how recovery helped her cultivate the honesty needed to write her memoir. Laura’s Bio: Laura Cathcart Robbins is the best-selling author of the Atria/Simon & Schuster memoir, Stash, My Life In Hiding, and host…

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