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Author Express

Shawna Rodrigues, Kathleen Basi, Kristi Leonard

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This is your place to hear the voice behind the pages of your favorite books. Here you’ll get a feel for the person who spent hours, weeks, months, and even years to fill the pages and build a world where you can not only use yourself but possibly find yourself as well. Our gift is a glance at the human side of writing; perhaps a morsel from the author’s childhood, insight on the character to which they are most attached, or a little on the passion that fueled the topics in the book. It’s yo ...
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Education Perspectives podcast explores the challenges and opportunities in education from birth through productive work. Everyone seems to agree in principle that education is important. So, why is it so hard for us to get to a system that works for our society as it exists today? Taking the 30,000-foot view to look at the entirety of our multiple systems so that we might begin to plot a course toward transformational change is worthwhile. This type of change cannot happen until people are ...
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Ayo Jones Educator| Author |Creator Quote of the Podcast: “Forward ever, backward never.” – Kwame Nkrumah Introduction of Guest BIO – Ayo Jones is an educator, instructional designer, and the author of Teaching with AI: The PEACE Framework. She’s all about helping teachers integrate AI into their classrooms to build the critical skills students nee…
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Explore powerful storytelling and rich history in the latest Author Express episode with guest Barbara Josselsohn. Host Kathleen Basi chats with Barbara about the allure of New York’s theater scene, her lifelong dedication to ballet, and the spark behind her much-loved novel, The Forgotten Italian Restaurant. Peek into a saga set in wartime Italy, …
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Meet bestselling author Rochelle Weinstein in this episode of Author Express as she shares her heart-stirring journey from the world of music in Los Angeles to becoming a full-time novelist in Miami. Discover the real-life inspiration behind her latest novel, We Are Made of Stars, likened to "Virgin River meets White Lotus," and hear what makes her…
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Will Powers Adult Policy Partner Kentucky Student Voice Team Quote of the Podcast: “I believe in angels, something good in everything I see” Introduction of Guest BIO – Will Powers is a graduate of Occidental College, where he studied diplomacy and world affairs and graduated as an Obama Scholar. He has worked for the Brookings Institution, Blue Ha…
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Ready to meet an author who’s lived a story as gripping as the ones she writes? On this episode, Kathleen Basi interviews Elisabeth Dini, a former Hague prosecutor whose first novel blends laugh-out-loud romance with a twist of World War II secrets. Elisabeth shares the behind-the-scenes process of plotting a narrative filled with stolen jewels, hi…
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Ever wondered how an author weaves real-life inspirations into their fictional worlds? In this episode of Author Express, join Kristi Leonard as she welcomes Orly Konig, who reveals how writing became her unexpected therapeutic escape. Orly recounts her fascination with the language of flowers and how it blossomed into the delightful sabotage eleme…
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Step into the world of Jennifer Klepper, the USA Today bestselling author, as she joins Kathleen Basi on Author Express to unravel her multifaceted journey from a lawyer and tech-startup founder to a full-time writer. Jennifer talks about her deep-rooted passion for Nebraska Cornhusker football and how that ties into her sense of home. Listen as sh…
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Join us this week on Author Express as Kristi Leonard sits down with the multifaceted Lisa Rosenberg. An author, psychotherapist, and former ballet dancer, Lisa shares insights into her unique journey from the bustling streets of 1970s New York City to the serene complexity of psychotherapy and writing. Discover how her diverse experiences shape he…
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Kalimah Fergus Ayele Head of Campus The Winchendon School Quote of the Podcast: "Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it." --- Marian Wright Edelman, Former president and the Children's Defense Fund Introduction of Guest BIO – Kalimah Fergus Ayele is the Head of NYC Campus for…
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Adam Smith Founder and Lead Education Consultant Smith Education Consultants Quote of the Podcast: We all do better, when we all do better - Senator Paul Wellstone Introduction of Guest BIO – Adam A. Smith is a first-generation college graduate who has dedicated his almost three-decade career to ensuring college access and success for all Americans…
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Are you a fan of women's fiction that resonates deeply and moves the soul? In this captivating episode of Author Express, meet Donna Norman-Carbone, the creative force behind beloved titles such as All That Is Sacred. Discover how Donna's experiences as an educator influences her compelling storytelling and character development. This episode offer…
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Step into the vibrant world of Paulette Stout, the award-winning author renowned for her brave, spicy tales. This episode of Author Express offers a fascinating peek into her latest novel, What We Give Away. Stout's book is described as a "mesmerizing tapestry of realism" that tackles diet culture in a way that's both enlightening and engaging. You…
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Mariam Lee Interventionist Specialist/MTSS Lead Quote of the Podcast: Education is a passport to freedom and the means to unlock the globe.- Oprah Winfrey Introduction of Guest BIO – Mariam Lee has been making an impact in education for the past 15 years. She has taught K-5 for 10 years in a title 1 school and made the switch during the 2020 pandem…
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Uncover what makes Author Express special as Shawna Rodrigues opens up about three books that sculpted her worldview. Not merely narratives, these chosen books serve as windows into cultural, historical, and personal realms, urging listeners to reflect on their own pivotal reads. Alongside, Shawna shares a heartfelt announcement about her health jo…
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Join us on this episode of Author Express as we chat with Jenn Bouchard, the acclaimed author behind First Course and the much anticipated Considering Us. Explore the fascinating world of Boston suburbs, exploring local traditions like revolutionary war reenactments and New England-style town meetings straight out of the "Gilmore Girls." Jenn also …
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In this engaging episode of Author Express, host Shawna Rodrigues chats with the talented historical fiction author, Kerry Chaput. Listen as Kerry recounts her childhood in the unique Danish settlement of Solvang, California, and how it influenced her storytelling. With her new book, Wild as the Stars, set to release in June 2025, Chaput teases fan…
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Barbara Smith Author, Consultant Quote of the Podcast: "Show me your budget and I'll tell you what you value" Joe Biden, pre-VP Introduction of Guest BIO – Barbara Smith is a passionate educator who challenges the boundaries of "sameness" in schools. Smith's background includes over forty years in public, charter, independent and international scho…
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Author Express brings you an intriguing conversation with Kay Smith-Blum, an Austin-born, Seattle-based writer who transitioned from high-end retail to become an acclaimed author. Join Kristi Leonard as they explore the compelling backstory of Kay’s novel Tangles, which sheds light on the Hanford nuclear site controversy. Be enthralled by Kay’s uni…
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In this engaging episode of Author Express, Kathleen Basi hosts Sharon M. Peterson, whose romcom The Fast Lane has been lauded for its wit and heartfelt moments. Sharon reveals the most interesting fact about her small town, discusses her unique writing process, and shares an amusing anecdote about her inexplicable fear of poodles. Listen as Sharon…
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PODCAST Season 4 EPISODE 1 Jose Moreno CEO Neulight Quote of the Podcast: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” - Wayne Gretzky Introduction of Guest BIO – Jose Moreno graduated from Harvey Mudd College and began his tech career at Microsoft, working on services for over 500 million users. At Netflix, he contributed to features like "skip cre…
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Join Shawna Rodrigues on Author Express as she welcomes Julee Balko, a talented writer who can turn everyday moments into literary gold. This episode reveals fascinating snippets about Julee's life, from navigating power outages to creating viral kitten clips. Learn about the profound impact of her latest book, The Me List, and why it's an ideal ch…
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Join host Kristi Leonard as we revisit her interview from earlier this year with the talented Sheila Athens. Sheila, the author of Neena Lee Is Seeing Things captivates us with the unique premise of her latest novel where John F. Kennedy Jr. asks for help—25 years after his death. Sheila unravels the fascinating inspirations behind her characters a…
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S3 Ep8 Leonard Cassuto, Professor, Fordham University Intro Guest Bio Leonard Cassuto wears many hats. He's a professor of American literature at Fordham University, a well-known voice of reform in the graduate school world, and--encompassing all of these--he's a writer. He has written or edited ten books on subjects such as race and slavery, detec…
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Celebrate the magic of storytelling in this holiday episode of Author Express as host Kathleen Basi chats with Kimberly Nixon about her compelling novel, Rock Island Rising. Kimberly's remarkable ability to weave her family's tumultuous past into gripping fiction takes center stage. With tales of a grandmother who once robbed a train and the suppor…
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In this episode of Author Express, Shawna Rodrigues chats with Lyn Liao Butler, a Taiwanese American author whose portfolio spans thrillers, upmarket fiction, and rom coms. Are you curious about how someone expertly juggles writing multiple genres? Lyn charmingly shares her inspirations, the commonalities her novels share, and the unique workings o…
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PODCAST Season 3 EPISODE 7 Kristi Baird Executive Director Compass Community Schools Quote of the Podcast: "Each one of us can make a difference. Together we can make change." Barbara Mikulski Introduction of Guest BIO – Kristi Baird has more than 25 years of experience molding young minds in Memphis. She has remained a pillar in the local educatio…
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Author Express presents Lisa Montanaro, an Italian American writer with a compelling journey. This episode uncovers the layers of Lisa’s debut novel, "Everything We Thought Was True," involving family secrets and multidimensional characters. Lisa articulates how her personal history, including her role as an employment discrimination lawyer, intert…
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Meet the voices behind the Author Express Podcast as they mark a milestone—two years of sharing riveting stories and interviews! Hosts Shawna Rodrigues, Kristi Leonard, and Kathleen Basi share their most impactful reads of the year, from a gripping secret life narrative to tales of foster parenting and family bonds. Kristi reminisces about the auth…
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PODCAST Season 3 EPISODE 3 Kevin Dahill-Fuchel Executive Director Counseling In Schools Quote of the Podcast: Hope lies in dreams, in imagination, and in the courage of those who dare to make dreams into reality. – Jonas Salk Introduction of Guest BIO – A leader in school-based social work programming, Kevin has more than 30 years of experience in …
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In this uplifting episode of "Author Express," Kristi Leonard interviews Jen Sinclair, the author of the enthralling novel There's Always a Price. Jen shares the unique aspects of her storytelling, including complex relationships and morally gray characters. Hear about her upbringing in Toms River, New Jersey, a town with its own quirky claims to f…
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On today’s episode we get to chat with Erin Quinn-Kong, a longtime magazine editor who started writing fiction after having her second child, while she was a freelance writer. She started writing Hate Follow in December 2020 after unsuccessfully querying a women’s fiction novel. She knew this idea was different as it had such a solid, newsworthy ho…
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PODCAST Season 3 EPISODE 5 Tom Haggard VP Educate NKY Quote of the Podcast: "Fill your mind with truth, your heart with love and your life with service." Introduction of Guest BIO – From working with youth in Covington as a teen to his new position as vice president of EducateNKY, Tom Haggard has assumed increasing responsibility in collective impa…
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In this heartwarming episode of Author Express, join host Shawna Rodrigues as she sits down with Becky Ellis, a celebrated Northwest author from Portland. Discover Becky's journey growing up across various cities in California and how her complex family dynamics shaped her memoir, "Little Avalanches." Gain insights into the intriguing conversation …
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Tiffany Yates Martin started in the publishing industry in her twenties as a copy editor for many of the Big Six (back then), when the business still used red pencils and to fact-check she had to spend a day at the New York Public Library in the stacks. For the last fifteen-plus years as a developmental editor she’s worked directly with authors as …
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Curious about the life experiences that fuel a writer's imagination? In today's episode of Author Express, host Kathleen Basi chats with prolific author Cherie Dawn Haas. Cherie wrote her first book in 2016, titled Girl on Fire. It was inspired by her days as a fire eater and tribal belly dancer, and came at a time when she wanted to spend more tim…
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Cindy Lawrence Executive Director MoMath Quote of the Podcast: A lot things seem impossible…until you do them. Introduction of Guest BIO – Cindy Lawrence is the Executive Director and CEO of the National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath). She began her career as a CPA before transitioning to education, where she developed curriculum and taught student…
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On today’s episode, we will be chatting with Catherine Matthews, a Women’s Fiction author whose recently launched her debut novel, Releasing the Reins. This dual timeline novel follows Bunny O’Kelly’s as she storms off to Alaska to prove her worth, not just as a ranch hand, but as a woman in a world that doesn’t want her. As the title implies, Bunn…
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Get ready to be inspired on this episode of Author Express as we introduce you to the acclaimed historical fiction and romance author, Madeline Martin. Host Kristi Leonard pulls back the curtain on Madeline’s fascinating journey from being an Army brat in Germany to becoming a New York Times and USA Today bestseller. Discover how Madeline transitio…
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PODCAST Season 3 EPISODE 7 Pam McGorry C-SPAN's Education Program Senior Specialist Zach Lowe C-SPAN's Education Resource Specialist Quotes of the Podcast: Pam: “The child's own instincts and powers furnish the material and give the starting point for all education.” John Dewey, philosopher and psychologist Zach: “If you laugh, you think, and you c…
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On today’s episode, we’re chatting with Amy Watson, a Women’s Fiction and romance author. One day, at the prompting of her therapist, she went home and told her husband she was going to write a novel. Mind you, she wasn’t a writer at the time. Hadn’t done more than dabble in poetry in college. She took a couple of creative writing courses online, a…
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Join Shawna Rodrigues as she chats with Yvonne Battle-Felton on this episode of Author Express, where an exciting narrative journey awaits. Yvonne, a seasoned writer and creative force, reveals snippets of her rich life experiences and their impact on her writing. Discover the inspirations behind her debut, Remembered, and get a preview of her upco…
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PODCAST Season 3 EPISODE 2 Corey Mohn Quote of the Podcast: "Be excellent, not perfect." Introduction of Guest BIO – Corey is the President and Executive Director of CAPS Network, empowering high school students to fast-forward into their future through real-world business projects and the development of professional skills. Prior to CAPS, Corey se…
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Aimie K. Runyan writes to celebrate the spirit of strong women. She has been honored as a Historical Novel Society Editors’ Choice selection, as a five-time finalist for the Colorado Book Awards, and as a nominee for the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writer of the Year. Aimie is active as an educator and speaker in the writing community and beyond. Her ne…
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On today's episode we get to chat with Hadley Leggett, award-winning author of the debut novel, All They Ask Is Everything. A love letter to the messiness of motherhood, the book tells the story of three very different women who each want custody of the same two little girls — and discover they have more in common than the children they’re fighting…
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PODCAST Season 3 EPISODE 1 Dr. Kapono Ciotti Quote of the Podcast – Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself. -J. Dewey Introduction of Guest BIO – Kapono Ciotti attributes his educational philosophy to his own schooling experience in a progressive, social-constructivist school during his early years in Honolulu, Hawaii. He t…
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Dr. Bella Ellwood-Clayton is an award-winning author and editor. She has a BA from Concordia University in Montréal and a Ph.D. from the University of Melbourne in sexual anthropology—and, yes, that makes for interesting dinner party conversations. Bella’s novel, Weekend Friends, was published in 2023 by Post Hill Press. Her nonfiction book, Sex Dr…
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In this riveting episode of Author Express, Kathleen Basi chats with Edgar award-winning novelist Mindy McGinnis. If you’re fascinated by the balance between a cheerful personality and dark, compelling writing, Mindy’s story will captivate you. Get a glimpse into her life in a small Ohio town, marked by historical tragedies and quirky facts. Mindy’…
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On today’s episode we get to chat with Deirdre Swinden, a dark fiction author with a penchant for ghost stories. After twenty+ years as a leader in corporate communications, Dee took a leap of faith and set out to build her creative writing skills. She dove into the realms of sci-fi, horror and speculative fiction during her MFA. Her thesis novel, …
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PODCAST Season 2 EPISODE 16 Dr. Lyn Sharratt Quote of the Podcast – Hope is NOT a strategy in Teaching Introduction of Guest BIO – Lyn Sharratt is a highly sought-after expert in the field of education. A distinguished practitioner, researcher, author, and presenter, she has dedicated her career to turning cutting-edge research into practical guida…
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On today’s episode, we get to chat with southern novelist Mindy Friddle, whose third book (and first domestic thriller) Her Best Self is out now from Regal House Publishing. Her Best Self includes the perspectives of a constellation of characters, including first-person point-of-view from the protagonist, a small-town matriarch, as well as third-pe…
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