Books That Make You Podcast

What happens when love, loss, and music collide in deep space? In this episode, Bram Stoker Award-winner and former Horror Writers Association president John Palisano joins us to talk about his latest book, Requiem. Set aboard a massive mortuary spacecraft called Eden, the novel blends gothic romance, cosmic horror, and speculative science fiction into one unforgettable journey. Eden isn't just a final resting place—it's a monument to memory, haunted by the preserved dead and a creeping entity named Animus. As musician Tessa tries to compose a new Requiem, she unwittingly opens a doorway for something dark and hungry. What follows is a chilling descent into hallucination, grief, and moral questions about memory, identity, and technology. John reveals the inspiration behind Eden, the emotional weight of grief, and how love—both lost and remembered—fuels the characters and narrative. He also teases real music he composed for the novel and the real science behind some of its more terrifying concepts. This isn’t just another haunted spaceship story—Requiem explores the kind of horror that lingers, that haunts your thoughts long after the final page.

What if the secret to rediscovering your creativity, your empathy, and even your joy was something you were born with—but lost along the way? In this episode, bestselling author Laura Munson talks about her newest book, The Wild Why, and the journey back to wonder. From the forests of Montana to ancient stone circles in Ireland, Laura’s personal stories and teachings invite us to pause, reflect, and reconnect with our inner voice. She shares the truth behind our creative blocks and the myth that we’re "not creative"—stories we’ve absorbed over time but don’t have to believe. We also explore why wonder matters, not just for personal fulfillment but for building empathy and a more compassionate society. Laura opens up about her own challenges, including divorce and life transitions, and how they shaped her understanding of inner kindness, creativity, and self-expression. Whether you’re juggling work, parenting, or just trying to get through the day, The Wild Why offers a compassionate call to stop in the moment, take a breath, and ask “what if?” again. #TheWildWhy #LauraMunson #BooksThatMakeYou #SelfHelp #Creativity #WritingLife #Wonder

Author Kelly O’Hearn joins the show to explore her captivating Arcanum series—a saga that intertwines time, love, and soul contracts across lifetimes. With In the Temple Shadows and Whispers In The Forest, the first two books of the six-part series, Kelly invites readers into a richly woven tale inspired by her own past life regressions and channeled entirely through the language of tarot. In this episode, Kelly breaks down how tarot goes beyond fortune-telling and becomes a powerful tool for self-discovery. She shares how the Arcanum series grew from visions of her former lives, where she played the roles of muse and mistress to powerful men—and how those soul contracts echo through time to shape the heroine’s modern-day life in New York City. We also dive into the deeper themes of the series: the seductive pull of power, the quest for freedom, the emotional impact of soulmates, and the transformation women experience in midlife. Whether you're a tarot enthusiast, skeptic, or just curious about metaphysical fiction, this episode offers something unique and inspiring. #Tarot #FantasyBooks #SpiritualFiction #ArcanumSeries #KellyOHearn @MagicalRealism @SpiritualJourney #BooksThatMakeYou

What happens when the spotlight fades and the pressure takes over? In this episode, Michele Kwasniewski dives deep into her powerful YA novel, Falling Star, the final installment of the Rise and Fall of Dani Truehart trilogy. Drawing from over 15 years of experience in the entertainment industry, Michele brings an unflinching look at the mental, emotional, and personal toll that fame can take—especially on young stars. Dani Truehart, once a teen pop sensation, is caught in the aftermath of a tragic decision. Fame, fortune, and pressure to perform have led her to a breaking point. As Michele explains, this isn’t just fiction—it mirrors real-life stories from the likes of Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, and other young talents who’ve had their lives dissected by the public eye. This book and conversation offer more than just drama. They ask real questions: Who are we when no one is looking? What happens when unconditional love is replaced by applause? And how do young people find their identity amid the noise? Whether you're a fan of YA fiction or fascinated by the world behind the red carpet, this episode pulls back the curtain.

What if healing your mind and body didn’t have to take months? In this powerful episode, we sit down with Dr. Paul Corona, author of The Corona Protocol, to discuss his fast-acting, patient-centered approach to mental health. From anxiety and depression to addiction and PTSD, Dr. Corona reveals how his mind-body treatment method delivers real results — often in just weeks. We explore the controversial but effective use of off-label medications, his thoughts on men's mental health, and why early intervention matters more than ever. Dr. Corona also opens up about his transition from family medicine to psychiatry, and how he blends both disciplines to treat patients holistically. Dr. Corona’s insights are reshaping the conversation around wellness. He doesn’t shy away from addressing school violence, trauma, and the mental health crisis facing today’s youth. Plus, we learn about The Doctor Paul Show, his reality-style series on Roku and Amazon Fire, which features real patients and real stories of transformation. If you or someone you know is struggling, this episode could be a game-changer. This is not medical advice and you should seek help and advice from a Dr.