Coffee on the couch's Podcast

Coffee on the Couch: Episode Seventy Two - Pastor Fouad Faris

Relative Excerpts from the podcast:Chris: Welcome back, everyone! I’m your host, Chris, and today we have something truly special in store. We’re joined by someone who embodies faith, integrity, and leadership in today’s world—Pastor Fouad Farris. His life has been a testament to his deep commitment to God, and he has dedicated himself to impacting others with grace, wisdom, and an unwavering moral compass. Today, we’ll dive into the heart of his work, how he nurtures his relationship with Christ, and how that journey has shaped both him and his family. Pastor Fouad, thank you so much for being here. Welcome! Pastor Fouad: Thank you, Chris! It’s great to be with you. I really appreciate you having me on. Chris: Absolutely! I know we’ve been trying to make this happen for a while now. Pastor Fouad: Yeah! Chris: A lot of life stuff came up—between my move, some other factors... oh, and having a baby! Pastor Fouad: Well, here we are! Chris: Exactly—here we are! It’s actually kind of funny how we met. I first visited your church in Jaffrey, New Hampshire, and I really connected with it. My sister-in-law actually attends there, and I ended up going for a little while myself. What really stood out to me—and I shouldn’t even have to say this, but I will—is just how deeply rooted in the Bible your church is. Pastor Fouad: That means a lot. Thank you._____________________________________________Host: Pastor Fouad, your unwavering faith and commitment to Christ are evident in all that you do. Could you share the moment you first realized your life’s work would be in service to others? And how did that moment change your outlook on the world? Pastor Fouad: I became a Christian during my freshman year of college. I was studying pre-med at Austin College in North Texas, up in a town called Sherman, about 60 miles north of Dallas. I was also playing football, and through sports, I got involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). Then, on January 15, 1981, at an FCA state convention, I came to truly know Christ—and it completely transformed my life. Growing up with a name like Fouad, people could tell I wasn’t originally from around here. Fouad is an Arabic name—I was born in Israel. And for a long time, if you had asked me what I was, I would have said I was a Christian, but only because I wasn’t Jewish or Muslim. I had been baptized, I knew about Christ, but I didn’t have a relationship with Him. That night at the convention, everything changed. My faith became personal. And while I stayed on the pre-med track for a while, even considering medical missions, I quickly realized through my involvement in FCA that my real calling was to work with people—to serve Christ by serving others. During college, I spent summers as a camp counselor, balanced a regular job, and had opportunities—thanks to being a college athlete—to share Christ with high school and middle school students. I spoke at retreats, served at camps, and through it all, I sensed that this was what God had for me. Right out of college, I had the opportunity to join FCA full-time in the Dallas area. I spent five years there before taking a one-year sabbatical to complete my master’s at Dallas Seminary. Then I returned to FCA and continued serving for another 22 and a half years—27 and a half years in total with the organization. Eventually, I felt God calling me out of FCA and into a different kind of ministry, pastoring. But looking back, that moment in college set the trajectory for everything. Whether through medicine or ministry, I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to Christ’s service. And now, all these years later, that calling is still just as clear. Pastor Fouad’s Links:http://www.jaffreybible.org/ [http://www.jaffreybible.org/]Youtube - JBC [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYTv1yk03x4xuOrgxVqoEKw]My Personal links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile [https://www.facebook.com/profile] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-lafreniere [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-lafreniere] Email: cl71088@gmail.com [cl71088@gmail.com] Calendly: https://calendly.com/cl71088 [https://calendly.com/cl71088] Alignable: coffee-on-the-couch-podcast [https://www.alignable.com/baileyville-me/coffee-on-the-couch-podcast] Apple Podcasts: coffee-on-the-couchs-podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/coffee-on-the-couchs-podcast/id1707052100]Spotify: Coffee on the Couch [https://open.spotify.com/show/01JL5fUYMLBCawMFJXbIjK?si=85f45270834a4d66] Affiliate links: Fight Coffee: Affecting true change one cup at a time! fightcoffee.org/ [http://fightcoffee.org/] Should you decide to purchase any coffee, Use my affiliate code » COC « Input it into the special instructions box.Also worth mentioning is that any purchase of $40 and over qualifies for free shipping.Additionally, everyone who uses the discount code » WELCOME « will get 10% off their first order. All-Natural & American Made For too long, jerky has been cut with weird fillers, strange chemicals, and swag ingredients. RF products are high in protein, low in sugar, and made with clean, simple ingredients... without ever compromising on taste or texture. https://www.righteousfelon.com/ Craft Jerky - AMERICAN SOURCED PROTEIN Righteous Felon: Farm Fresh Jerky company. American family farms. Protein that is pasture-raised and free of both antibiotics and growth hormones. Enabling fresh, flavorful, and consistent quality that other jerky brands cannot match – and a win-win-win-win for RF, the farmer, the customer, and the environment." <<< RF jerky website » My own interjection here: Righteous Felon is a high-quality beef jerky company. If you like Jerky with ingredients that are all Pronounceable and know what or where they come from, starting with “Beef” in the listed ingredients!? This is the jerky for you! I’ve personally tried it and can tell you first-hand They’re top-notch! And they brings the flavors to boot! "Righteous Felon: Beef Jerky - https://www.righteousfelon.com/discount/CHRISCOFFEEONTH?ref=v3j236e0 [https://www.righteousfelon.com/discount/CHRISCOFFEEONTH?ref=v3j236e0]" Coupon code for 15% off your purchase. Coffee Hound - Crafted right here in Maine:https://www.coffeehoundcoffeeco.com/ref/CoffeeontheCouch/ [https://www.coffeehoundcoffeeco.com/ref/CoffeeontheCouch/] Coffee-Hound Eat Proper goods: Eat-proper-good: COTC - Affiliate Link [https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Featpropergood.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0MlICwmYx6mrTZEd4E2k--SA2AiQom8i2Pfa66--TOjlwHHFBTDCpOT-o&h=AT2lSYQkXorsqcQk2AB8hQvmSsSBYAqRR2q804JBhIXwtz5b73_giSs8ZYUSkl9XI1DQLgTnpq2LTOOf8PY8RtWvFVR4tgEZ07XUCAmVK3o3iTjE-Htmp9j51poqFBjtVA] The superhero duo over at Eat-Proper-Good Proper Good is based on a few simple premises: * We LOVE eating well. * We LOVE it when eating well is easy. * We LOVE having fun, working with wonderful people, and dressing up in as many ridiculous outfits as possible. Well, that’s it for now; if you have any questions, please reach out! You can email us directly at chris@eatpropergood.com [chris@eatpropergood.com] and jenny@eatpropergood.com [jenny@eatpropergood.com]. We would love your feedback on anything and everything, and we hope you enjoy our lovely soups, oatmeals, chilis, and broths! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit coffeeonthecouchpodcast.substack.com [https://coffeeonthecouchpodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Coffee on the Couch: Episode Seventy-One - Robert B. Charles

Relative excerpts from the podcast:Chris (Host): Welcome back, folks, to another enriching episode of Coffee on the Couch. I’m your host, Chris, and today we’re diving deep into the mind of a man whose words don’t just tell stories—they carry the weight of history, experience, and keen observation. He’s navigated the highest levels of government, wielded words in ways that have shaped policy and perspective, and now brings that same depth to the written page. So get ready for a conversation packed with insight, heart, and maybe even a twist or two. Let’s welcome Robert B. Charles to the show! Robert B. Charles (Guest): Thank you, Chris. It’s a pleasure to be with you today. Chris (Host): Yeah, it’s great to have you on—especially after all the trouble we had getting this set up! Robert B. Charles: Ha! Absolutely. But I’m glad we made it work. Chris (Host): Same here. Let’s jump right into it. From the pine trees of Maine to the halls of power, your book Eagles and Evergreens beautifully captures your upbringing in rural Maine. How did your early years shape your worldview and, ultimately, your approach to writing? Robert B. Charles: Great question. So, Eagles and Evergreens is a book I wrote about six years ago. But my newest book, Cherish America: Stories of Courage, Character, and Kindness, continues that journey. Both of these books were influenced, I think, by the kindness and strength of the people who shaped me—mentors, though we didn’t call them that back then. Just the folks I grew up with in a small town of 500 in rural Maine. The first book—and even Cherish America, which you can find on Amazon and Tower Publishing here in Maine—captures those values. It features 56 stories, highlighting World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam-era veterans—men and women who, in many ways, set the tone for the community I grew up in.________________________Robert B. Charles (Guest): My first book, Eagles and Evergreens, is more of a memoir—capturing what it means to grow up in rural America, and specifically, rural Maine, under the influence of World War II veterans. The second book, Cherish America, is the one I’m really focusing on right now. It’s already sold thousands of copies, was featured in People magazine, and has received some incredible endorsements. This book isn’t political—it’s all about courage. More than anything else, that’s the heart of it. It highlights stories of everyday heroes—law enforcement officers, nurses, teachers, parents, military aviators, and soldiers, including members of the 101st Airborne in Vietnam. Each story captures a pivotal moment—just a single slice of time—when someone had to show courage, unsure if they had it in them… but when the moment came, they stepped up. Take the first story, for example. It follows a law enforcement officer coming home late at night when he spots smoke curling from a trailer. And as most people know, once a trailer catches fire, it goes up fast. So, in that split second, he has to decide—does he run toward the flames, risking everything? (Spoiler alert ahead if you listen to the podcast…)__________________________________ __________________________________Robert’s links:https://www.robertbcharles.com/ [https://www.robertbcharles.com/]https://www.facebook.com/robertbcharlesauthor [https://www.facebook.com/robertbcharlesauthor]https://www.instagram.com/robertbcharlesauthor/ [https://www.instagram.com/robertbcharlesauthor/]My Personal links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile [https://www.facebook.com/profile] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-lafreniere [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-lafreniere] Email: cl71088@gmail.com [cl71088@gmail.com] Calendly: https://calendly.com/cl71088 [https://calendly.com/cl71088] Alignable: coffee-on-the-couch-podcast [https://www.alignable.com/baileyville-me/coffee-on-the-couch-podcast] Apple Podcasts: coffee-on-the-couchs-podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/coffee-on-the-couchs-podcast/id1707052100]Spotify: Coffee on the Couch [https://open.spotify.com/show/01JL5fUYMLBCawMFJXbIjK?si=85f45270834a4d66] Affiliate links: Fight Coffee: Affecting true change one cup at a time! fightcoffee.org/ [http://fightcoffee.org/] Should you decide to purchase any coffee, Use my affiliate code » COC « Input it into the special instructions box.Also worth mentioning is that any purchase of $40 and over qualifies for free shipping.Additionally, everyone who uses the discount code » WELCOME « will get 10% off their first order. All-Natural & American Made For too long, jerky has been cut with weird fillers, strange chemicals, and swag ingredients. RF products are high in protein, low in sugar, and made with clean, simple ingredients... without ever compromising on taste or texture. https://www.righteousfelon.com/ Craft Jerky - AMERICAN SOURCED PROTEIN Righteous Felon: Farm Fresh Jerky company. American family farms. Protein that is pasture-raised and free of both antibiotics and growth hormones. Enabling fresh, flavorful, and consistent quality that other jerky brands cannot match – and a win-win-win-win for RF, the farmer, the customer, and the environment." <<< RF jerky website » My own interjection here: Righteous Felon is a high-quality beef jerky company. If you like Jerky with ingredients that are all Pronounceable and know what or where they come from, starting with “Beef” in the listed ingredients!? This is the jerky for you! I’ve personally tried it and can tell you first-hand They’re top-notch! And they brings the flavors to boot! "Righteous Felon: Beef Jerky - https://www.righteousfelon.com/discount/CHRISCOFFEEONTH?ref=v3j236e0 [https://www.righteousfelon.com/discount/CHRISCOFFEEONTH?ref=v3j236e0]" Coupon code for 15% off your purchase. Coffee Hound - Crafted right here in Maine:https://www.coffeehoundcoffeeco.com/ref/CoffeeontheCouch/ [https://www.coffeehoundcoffeeco.com/ref/CoffeeontheCouch/] Coffee-Hound Eat Proper goods: Eat-proper-good: COTC - Affiliate Link [https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Featpropergood.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0MlICwmYx6mrTZEd4E2k--SA2AiQom8i2Pfa66--TOjlwHHFBTDCpOT-o&h=AT2lSYQkXorsqcQk2AB8hQvmSsSBYAqRR2q804JBhIXwtz5b73_giSs8ZYUSkl9XI1DQLgTnpq2LTOOf8PY8RtWvFVR4tgEZ07XUCAmVK3o3iTjE-Htmp9j51poqFBjtVA] The superhero duo over at Eat-Proper-Good Proper Good is based on a few simple premises: * We LOVE eating well. * We LOVE it when eating well is easy. * We LOVE having fun, working with wonderful people, and dressing up in as many ridiculous outfits as possible. Well, that’s it for now; if you have any questions, please reach out! You can email us directly at chris@eatpropergood.com [chris@eatpropergood.com] and jenny@eatpropergood.com [jenny@eatpropergood.com]. We would love your feedback on anything and everything, and we hope you enjoy our lovely soups, oatmeals, chilis, and broths! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit coffeeonthecouchpodcast.substack.com [https://coffeeonthecouchpodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Coffee on the Couch: Episode Seventy - Jennifer Comeau

Relative excerpts from the podcast:Announcer: Today’s guest is bringing a dose of storytelling magic—but you’ll have to stick around to find out more. So grab your favorite cup, and let’s get this conversation brewing. Coffee on the Couch starts in five, four, three, two, one… and we’re live. Chris (host): Grab your favorite mug and settle in because today, we’re diving into a world of wonder, imagination, and storytelling magic. My guest today has a way with words that captivates young minds and brings stories to life in the most enchanting way. She’s a dreamweaver, an adventure crafter, and a true champion of childhood curiosity. From the pages of her books to the hearts of her readers, she’s creating something truly special. So let’s turn the page and step into her world. Welcome to the show, Jennifer Comeau! I said that right, right? Comeau? Jennifer Comeau: Yeah, yeah, you did! Chris (Host): Okay, great. Jennifer Comeau: Thank you, Chris. It’s great to be here—I really appreciate the opportunity. Chris (Host): Welcome! It’s great to have you. So, a quick little thing—Melissa Gerrety, your publicist, is how we got connected. Jennifer Comeau: Yes! Chris (Host): Yeah, she’s a real treat to talk to—high energy. Jennifer Comeau: Oh, absolutely. And she’s such a hardworking professional. She loves Maine authors and goes out of her way to support us—even doing some pro bono work. That’s actually how she got me this opportunity, and I hadn’t even hired her yet. I really admire that spirit of generosity she carries with her. Chris (Host): For sure. And it’s funny—when I first started working with her, I’d just tell her, “Hey, I need such and such type of guests,” and she’d immediately have a list. “Oh, I’ve got so-and-so and this person—how’s that?” And I’d say, “Yep, perfect—just connect us, and we’re good to go.” Jennifer Comeau: I love those kinds of relationships—where you just show up for each other. Chris (Host): Exactly. Now she’s happy, I’m happy, and it gets you all on the show—a win-win. Jennifer Comeau: Absolutely!_________________Chris (Host): First question of the day—Nature’s Muse. Your book, The Inside of Me, beautifully encourages children to explore the wonders of nature. Can you share a childhood memory that sparked your own connection to the natural world? Jennifer Comeau (Guest): Oh, yes, absolutely. In fact, I even wrote a blog about it called Return to Hanalee. I grew up on a street called Willow Grove, which—true to its name—was once a massive grove of big, big weeping willow trees. There were still some left when I was a kid, and one in particular stood right at the edge of a golf course behind my house. I’d climb the fence, dash across the golf course, and climb into that tree. If you can imagine the branches of a weeping willow, they felt like silky green curtains. And to me, it was the safest place on earth—a place where a girl could just dream. My best friend, Maureen, and I would climb up in that tree and—oh man—we’d gossip about all the boys we were in love with. But beyond that, my younger, more intuitive self knew there was something special about that place. It was safe, dreamy, and just a space to be—free from the pressures that, even unintentionally, society and parents can place on kids. Being out in nature, for me, has always been about gaining perspective. It’s warm, friendly, and just happy. Chris (Host): Yeah, absolutely. At that age, everything feels big and exciting. You’re filled with huge thoughts, big ideas about what the world is going to be like when you grow up. It’s that sense of wonder—dreaming about who you’ll become, what you’ll do. That’s what childhood should be, right? A time to dream big, think big, just live in that space of imagination. Sadly, not every kid gets that experience. Some grow up worrying about where their next meal is coming from, why their parents are always fighting, or why they’re bouncing from place to place. Childhood shouldn’t be about those kinds of struggles. Jennifer Comeau (Guest): Oh, absolutely. To have a carefree, happy childhood? That’s a gift, and I’m so grateful I had that. Chris (Host): Yeah, for sure. And as we grow up, we reflect on those years, picking out the good parts, recognizing what we’d want to do differently—especially if we’re raising kids ourselves. Jennifer Comeau (Guest): Exactly. I carry an innate playfulness into all my adult relationships, and that’s why I love being around kids so much. The world, in their eyes, is just full of possibility—especially the young ones.______________ _____________ Jenn’s links:Website: www.jennifercomeau.com [http://www.jennifercomeau.com]Email: jen@jennifercomeau.com [jen@jennifercomeau.com]Phone: +1 207 229 4136www.facebook.com/jennifer.e.comeau [http://www.facebook.com/jennifer.e.comeau] and (business page): www.facebook.com/jenjencomeau/ [http://www.facebook.com/jenjencomeau/]Instagram: @jenniferelwellcomeau [https://www.instagram.com/jenniferelwellcomeau/]Substack: SUBSTACK.COM/@JENNIFERCOMEAU [http://SUBSTACK.COM/@JENNIFERCOMEAU]LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-elwell-comeau [http://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-elwell-comeau]Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@jenniferelwellcomeau [http://www.youtube.com/@jenniferelwellcomeau] My Personal links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile [https://www.facebook.com/profile] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-lafreniere [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-lafreniere] Email: cl71088@gmail.com [cl71088@gmail.com] Calendly: https://calendly.com/cl71088 [https://calendly.com/cl71088] Alignable: coffee-on-the-couch-podcast [https://www.alignable.com/baileyville-me/coffee-on-the-couch-podcast] Apple Podcasts: coffee-on-the-couchs-podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/coffee-on-the-couchs-podcast/id1707052100]Spotify: Coffee on the Couch [https://open.spotify.com/show/01JL5fUYMLBCawMFJXbIjK?si=85f45270834a4d66] Affiliate links: Fight Coffee: Affecting true change one cup at a time! fightcoffee.org/ [http://fightcoffee.org/] Should you decide to purchase any coffee, Use my affiliate code » COC « Input it into the special instructions box.Also worth mentioning is that any purchase of $40 and over qualifies for free shipping.Additionally, everyone who uses the discount code » WELCOME « will get 10% off their first order. All-Natural & American Made For too long, jerky has been cut with weird fillers, strange chemicals, and swag ingredients. RF products are high in protein, low in sugar, and made with clean, simple ingredients... without ever compromising on taste or texture. https://www.righteousfelon.com/ Craft Jerky - AMERICAN SOURCED PROTEIN Righteous Felon: Farm Fresh Jerky company. American family farms. Protein that is pasture-raised and free of both antibiotics and growth hormones. Enabling fresh, flavorful, and consistent quality that other jerky brands cannot match – and a win-win-win-win for RF, the farmer, the customer, and the environment." <<< RF jerky website » My own interjection here: Righteous Felon is a high-quality beef jerky company. If you like Jerky with ingredients that are all Pronounceable and know what or where they come from, starting with “Beef” in the listed ingredients!? This is the jerky for you! I’ve personally tried it and can tell you first-hand They’re top-notch! And they brings the flavors to boot! "Righteous Felon: Beef Jerky - https://www.righteousfelon.com/discount/CHRISCOFFEEONTH?ref=v3j236e0 [https://www.righteousfelon.com/discount/CHRISCOFFEEONTH?ref=v3j236e0]" Coupon code for 15% off your purchase. Coffee Hound - Crafted right here in Maine:https://www.coffeehoundcoffeeco.com/ref/CoffeeontheCouch/ [https://www.coffeehoundcoffeeco.com/ref/CoffeeontheCouch/] Coffee-Hound Eat Proper goods: Eat-proper-good: COTC - Affiliate Link [https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Featpropergood.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0MlICwmYx6mrTZEd4E2k--SA2AiQom8i2Pfa66--TOjlwHHFBTDCpOT-o&h=AT2lSYQkXorsqcQk2AB8hQvmSsSBYAqRR2q804JBhIXwtz5b73_giSs8ZYUSkl9XI1DQLgTnpq2LTOOf8PY8RtWvFVR4tgEZ07XUCAmVK3o3iTjE-Htmp9j51poqFBjtVA] The superhero duo over at Eat-Proper-Good Proper Good is based on a few simple premises: * We LOVE eating well. * We LOVE it when eating well is easy. * We LOVE having fun, working with wonderful people, and dressing up in as many ridiculous outfits as possible. Well, that’s it for now; if you have any questions, please reach out! You can email us directly at chris@eatpropergood.com [chris@eatpropergood.com] and jenny@eatpropergood.com [jenny@eatpropergood.com]. We would love your feedback on anything and everything, and we hope you enjoy our lovely soups, oatmeals, chilis, and broths! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit coffeeonthecouchpodcast.substack.com [https://coffeeonthecouchpodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Coffee on the Couch: Episode Sixty-Nine - David Allen Edmond's

Relative excerpts from the podcast:Announcer: Ladies and gentlemen, coffee lovers and story seekers—welcome back to another invigorating episode of Coffee on the Couch! And of course, no great show starts without the man who brings the conversation to life—your host, Chris. Today, we're diving into the mind of a writer who knows how to keep readers on the edge of their seats. His words paint vivid worlds. His characters linger in your thoughts. And his storytelling? Absolutely unforgettable. Buckle up—because this episode is brewing up something special. Coffee on the Couch starts in... five... four... three... two... one— And we’re live! Chris (Host): Ladies and gentlemen, mystery lovers, and book enthusiasts—welcome back to another captivating episode of Coffee on the Couch. Today, we have a guest whose pen weaves suspense like a master illusionist. He’s a storyteller, a former educator, and a man who knows how to craft a plot twist that’ll keep you turning pages deep into the night. His stories don’t just entertain—they pull you into a world where every clue matters and no detail is accidental. Buckle up, because this episode is sure to be a thrilling ride. So, please welcome—David Allen Edmonds! David Allen Edmonds (Guest): Hey, Chris! It’s great to be here. Chris (Host): Good to see you again! David: Yeah, likewise.____________________Chris (Host): So, David, your teaching career not only shaped young minds but also kept you out of the Vietnam War. Looking back, how do you think that pivotal moment influenced the trajectory of your life—both as an educator and as a writer? David Allen Edmonds (Guest): Oh, it had a huge impact on my life. I was a senior in college in 1970. Sometime in the spring, I signed a teaching contract, and then about a month later, they started pulling draft numbers. That was not a good night. My roommate—who, if he’d gotten a low number, would have run to Canada—ended up with 364. So, he wasn’t going anywhere. I, on the other hand, got number 88. Which meant I was definitely getting drafted. That summer, I was thinking about getting married—not that I was, but the thought was there. Meanwhile, the summer passed, and I was called up for my draft physical. I passed. Then, I started teaching because the school year had already begun. Sometime in the fall, I got called in. They told me, "Hey, we understand you want a deferment." I said, "Yes, I do." They said, "Well, we don’t give deferments anymore. And you’re number 88, so you’re ready to go." I said, "Well, you did give deferments when I signed my contract in the spring." They basically shrugged and said, "Well, nothing we can do about that now. Have a nice day." So, I left that meeting not knowing where I’d be the next month. Then, a couple of weeks later, I got a letter in the mail—somehow, I did get a deferment. To this day, I have no idea how that happened. It was too late to apply for one, but somehow, there it was. _____________________David Allen Edmonds links:https://www.facebook.com/davidallenedmonds [https://www.facebook.com/davidallenedmonds]dave@davidallenedmonds.com [http://dave@davidallenedmonds.com] http://davidallenedmonds.com/ [http://davidallenedmonds.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/authordavidallenedmonds/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/authordavidallenedmonds/]https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16591719.David_Allen_Edmonds [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16591719.David_Allen_Edmonds]My Personal links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile [https://www.facebook.com/profile] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-lafreniere [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-lafreniere] Email: cl71088@gmail.com [cl71088@gmail.com] Calendly: https://calendly.com/cl71088 [https://calendly.com/cl71088] Alignable: coffee-on-the-couch-podcast [https://www.alignable.com/baileyville-me/coffee-on-the-couch-podcast] Apple Podcasts: coffee-on-the-couchs-podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/coffee-on-the-couchs-podcast/id1707052100]Spotify: Coffee on the Couch [https://open.spotify.com/show/01JL5fUYMLBCawMFJXbIjK?si=85f45270834a4d66] Affiliate links: Fight Coffee: Affecting true change one cup at a time! fightcoffee.org/ [http://fightcoffee.org/] Should you decide to purchase any coffee, Use my affiliate code » COC « Input it into the special instructions box.Also worth mentioning is that any purchase of $40 and over qualifies for free shipping.Additionally, everyone who uses the discount code » WELCOME « will get 10% off their first order. All-Natural & American Made For too long, jerky has been cut with weird fillers, strange chemicals, and swag ingredients. RF products are high in protein, low in sugar, and made with clean, simple ingredients... without ever compromising on taste or texture. https://www.righteousfelon.com/ Craft Jerky - AMERICAN SOURCED PROTEIN Righteous Felon: Farm Fresh Jerky company. American family farms. Protein that is pasture-raised and free of both antibiotics and growth hormones. Enabling fresh, flavorful, and consistent quality that other jerky brands cannot match – and a win-win-win-win for RF, the farmer, the customer, and the environment." <<< RF jerky website » My own interjection here: Righteous Felon is a high-quality beef jerky company. If you like Jerky with ingredients that are all Pronounceable and know what or where they come from, starting with “Beef” in the listed ingredients!? This is the jerky for you! I’ve personally tried it and can tell you first-hand They’re top-notch! And they brings the flavors to boot! "Righteous Felon: Beef Jerky - https://www.righteousfelon.com/discount/CHRISCOFFEEONTH?ref=v3j236e0 [https://www.righteousfelon.com/discount/CHRISCOFFEEONTH?ref=v3j236e0]" Coupon code for 15% off your purchase. Coffee Hound - Crafted right here in Maine:https://www.coffeehoundcoffeeco.com/ref/CoffeeontheCouch/ [https://www.coffeehoundcoffeeco.com/ref/CoffeeontheCouch/] Coffee-Hound Eat Proper goods: Eat-proper-good: COTC - Affiliate Link [https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Featpropergood.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0MlICwmYx6mrTZEd4E2k--SA2AiQom8i2Pfa66--TOjlwHHFBTDCpOT-o&h=AT2lSYQkXorsqcQk2AB8hQvmSsSBYAqRR2q804JBhIXwtz5b73_giSs8ZYUSkl9XI1DQLgTnpq2LTOOf8PY8RtWvFVR4tgEZ07XUCAmVK3o3iTjE-Htmp9j51poqFBjtVA] The superhero duo over at Eat-Proper-Good Proper Good is based on a few simple premises: * We LOVE eating well. * We LOVE it when eating well is easy. * We LOVE having fun, working with wonderful people, and dressing up in as many ridiculous outfits as possible. Well, that’s it for now; if you have any questions, please reach out! You can email us directly at chris@eatpropergood.com [chris@eatpropergood.com] and jenny@eatpropergood.com [jenny@eatpropergood.com]. We would love your feedback on anything and everything, and we hope you enjoy our lovely soups, oatmeals, chilis, and broths! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit coffeeonthecouchpodcast.substack.com [https://coffeeonthecouchpodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Coffee on the Couch: Episode Sixty-Eight - Emily M. Leonard

Relative excerpts from the podcast: Announcer: Today, we’re cracking open the mind of a writer who weaves words like magic—crafting stories that linger long after the last page. This episode is bound to be rich, immersive, and full of creative sparks. So grab your coffee and get ready to dive in. Coffee on the Couch will be starting in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… and we’re live. Chris (Host): Ladies and gentlemen, coffee lovers and story seekers, welcome back to another episode of Coffee on the Couch. I’m your host, Chris, here to serve up another rich and robust conversation, brewed fresh just for you. Today, we’re diving into the world of storytelling with a guest whose words paint vivid landscapes and whose imagination knows no bounds. From the quiet helm of inspiration to the whirlwind of publishing, this episode promises to be a journey worth savoring. So grab your favorite cup and settle in—this one’s going to be a page-turner. Chris (Host): Welcome, Emily! Emily (Guest): Thank you! Chris (Host): Good to have you on the show. So, how we got connected—we were talking a little bit before the recording—was through Melissa Garrity. I always wonder if I’m saying her last name right. Emily (Guest): Yeah, that’s how I say it! Chris (Host): Okay, good! So yeah, we got connected through her. Melissa has been a great source of help in connecting me with different authors—and you were one of them. Emily (Guest): Yeah, Melissa’s fabulous. I met her at the Bangor Authors event last year—2023. I always get confused on my dates at the beginning of the year. Chris (Host): Oh, I get that! Emily (Guest): Yeah, so at the Bangor Authors event, she was going around meeting authors, and that’s how we connected. She’s been my publicist since then, and she’s phenomenal. Just a down-to-earth, hardworking person. I highly recommend her if anyone’s looking for a publicist, web design help, or just someone to help get the word out. Chris (Host): Yeah, I’ve really enjoyed connecting with her as well. She’s very straight to the point, and you can feel her energy even through emails. Emily (Guest): Oh, absolutely! It just oozes out of her messages. Chris (Host): Yeah! She’s a lot of fun. _________________________ Chris (Host): So, getting into the questions… Emily: Guest: Sure! Chris (Host): Your books beautifully capture the spirit of the Appalachian Trail—whether through memoir, children’s literature, or devotionals. What initially inspired you to translate your trail experiences into written stories? Emily: Guest: Wow, that’s a great question. First of all, for your listeners—I hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2015 and then again in 2017. Before I went, I read a lot of memoirs and books about the trail. And while reading those, I thought, Gee, I should take notes while I’m hiking so I can write my own memoir. Because even though there are already a lot of books about people’s journeys on the Appalachian Trail, they’re all different. It may be the same path, but everyone’s journey is unique. I knew going into my hike that I wanted to write a book, but I didn’t realize it would turn into seven books—plus more in the making! The initial inspiration really came from those who had gone before me and shared their stories. Chris (Host): That’s really interesting. It touches on a great point—the idea that so many people walk the same path but have vastly different experiences and outcomes. It’s almost like an analogy for life, you know? You can follow the same route, do the same things, but still end up with a completely different result. Emily: Guest: Absolutely! Chris (Host): It’s kind of like how siblings can grow up in the same house, with the same parents and environment, but one becomes a lawyer while the other takes a completely different path. You have to wonder—what happened there? Emily: Guest: Yeah! I think it comes down to that inner drive. We all face similar circumstances at times, but it’s what’s inside a person’s heart that helps shape their outcome. Chris (Host): Yeah, that’s a great point. So, Happy Hiking is a deeply personal memoir about your journey on the Appalachian Trail. What was the most challenging part of turning such a profound experience into a book? And were there moments you hesitated to share? Emily: Guest: Honestly, the biggest challenge was procrastination! I love to get things done, and I’m a very organized person—but I also procrastinate like crazy. I let other things distract me from what I should be doing. I get squirreled a lot, you know? I see something shiny over here, and suddenly I’m chasing that instead of writing! So just staying focused and actually finishing the book—that was the hardest part. It took me five years to complete it. Emily's links: Instagram: @emilysescapades [https://www.instagram.com/emilysescapades/]Facebook: Emily’s Escapades [https://www.facebook.com/EmilysEscapades2015/photos_by]Youtube: Emily’s Escapades [https://www.youtube.com/@emilysescapades] http://emilysescapades.com/ [http://emilysescapades.com/] Emily@EmilysEscapdesc.om [Emily@EmilysEscapdesc.om] My Personal links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile [https://www.facebook.com/profile] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-lafreniere [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-lafreniere] Email: cl71088@gmail.com [cl71088@gmail.com] Calendly: https://calendly.com/cl71088 [https://calendly.com/cl71088] Alignable: coffee-on-the-couch-podcast [https://www.alignable.com/baileyville-me/coffee-on-the-couch-podcast] Apple Podcasts: coffee-on-the-couchs-podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/coffee-on-the-couchs-podcast/id1707052100]Spotify: Coffee on the Couch [https://open.spotify.com/show/01JL5fUYMLBCawMFJXbIjK?si=85f45270834a4d66] Affiliate links: Fight Coffee: Affecting true change one cup at a time! fightcoffee.org/ [http://fightcoffee.org/] Should you decide to purchase any coffee, Use my affiliate code » COC « Input it into the special instructions box.Also worth mentioning is that any purchase of $40 and over qualifies for free shipping.Additionally, everyone who uses the discount code » WELCOME « will get 10% off their first order. All-Natural & American Made For too long, jerky has been cut with weird fillers, strange chemicals, and swag ingredients. RF products are high in protein, low in sugar, and made with clean, simple ingredients... without ever compromising on taste or texture. https://www.righteousfelon.com/ Craft Jerky - AMERICAN SOURCED PROTEIN Righteous Felon: Farm Fresh Jerky company. American family farms. Protein that is pasture-raised and free of both antibiotics and growth hormones. Enabling fresh, flavorful, and consistent quality that other jerky brands cannot match – and a win-win-win-win for RF, the farmer, the customer, and the environment." <<< RF jerky website » My own interjection here: Righteous Felon is a high-quality beef jerky company. If you like Jerky with ingredients that are all Pronounceable and know what or where they come from, starting with “Beef” in the listed ingredients!? This is the jerky for you! I’ve personally tried it and can tell you first-hand They’re top-notch! And they brings the flavors to boot! "Righteous Felon: Beef Jerky - https://www.righteousfelon.com/discount/CHRISCOFFEEONTH?ref=v3j236e0 [https://www.righteousfelon.com/discount/CHRISCOFFEEONTH?ref=v3j236e0]" Coupon code for 15% off your purchase. Coffee Hound - Crafted right here in Maine:https://www.coffeehoundcoffeeco.com/ref/CoffeeontheCouch/ [https://www.coffeehoundcoffeeco.com/ref/CoffeeontheCouch/] Coffee-Hound Eat Proper goods: Eat-proper-good: COTC - Affiliate Link [https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Featpropergood.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0MlICwmYx6mrTZEd4E2k--SA2AiQom8i2Pfa66--TOjlwHHFBTDCpOT-o&h=AT2lSYQkXorsqcQk2AB8hQvmSsSBYAqRR2q804JBhIXwtz5b73_giSs8ZYUSkl9XI1DQLgTnpq2LTOOf8PY8RtWvFVR4tgEZ07XUCAmVK3o3iTjE-Htmp9j51poqFBjtVA] The superhero duo over at Eat-Proper-Good Proper Good is based on a few simple premises: * We LOVE eating well. * We LOVE it when eating well is easy. * We LOVE having fun, working with wonderful people, and dressing up in as many ridiculous outfits as possible. Well, that’s it for now; if you have any questions, please reach out! You can email us directly at chris@eatpropergood.com [chris@eatpropergood.com] and jenny@eatpropergood.com [jenny@eatpropergood.com]. We would love your feedback on anything and everything, and we hope you enjoy our lovely soups, oatmeals, chilis, and broths!Relative excerpts from the podcast: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit coffeeonthecouchpodcast.substack.com [https://coffeeonthecouchpodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]