Best Reader Essentials Podcasts (2025)

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Essential Christian Novels for Classical Readers 41:53

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14d ago41:53

41:53

What are the best Christian novels to read? In this episode of Classical Et Cetera we share a new list of books we think are especially worthwhile for Christian readers. These stories that have stayed with us, shaped our thinking, and resonated with our Christian beliefs. Whether you’ve read through our original list or you're simply looking for yo…

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Rethinking Osteoporosis and Bone Health with Dr. Susan Brown: What Your DEXA Scan Isn’t Telling You 1:01:25

3h ago1:01:25

1:01:25

In this powerful and eye-opening episode, I sit down with Dr. Susan Brown, medical anthropologist, clinical nutritionist, and founder of Better Bones, to unravel the truth behind modern osteoporosis care. We explore how the DEXA scan became the gold standard—despite its limitations—and why so many women are being mislabeled as “high risk” when the …

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Did Classical Education Cause the Enlightenment? | Classical Et Cetera Mailbag 38:49

11h ago38:49

38:49

We’re back with another Mailbag episode! Did classical education actually cause the Enlightenment? How does one become a classical educator? When is the best time to start logic at home? We’re also diving into co-ops, composition choices for younger students, art and music recommendations, and more! Whether you're homeschooling, teaching in a class…

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I haven't been so entertained by a novel in years - Jeremy Duns talks Cover Story with R.N.Morris 50:11

15h ago50:11

50:11

I've read a lot of thrillers, but the way I realise that something is good is when I envy it, and I think, damn, I wish I could have come up with that! Jeremy Duns on Cover Story In this captivating episode of Spybrary, guest host, the spy thriller writer Jeremy Duns welcomes acclaimed historical fiction author R.N Morris to discuss his latest nove…

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All Dogs Go To Therapy with Carvell Wallace 52:21

22h ago52:21

52:21

Carvell Wallace joins us for a tale of neighborly revenge involving fences, motion sensor lights, and a certain infamous app. Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Rachelle, Se'era, Jae, Alex, and Kelsey, plus blog recommendations and secrets! You can support Normal Gossip directly by buying merch or becoming a Friend or a Friend-of-Friend a…

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Breaking the Lonely Author Myth: How Community Fuels Indie Success 16:54

1d ago16:54

16:54

In this episode of Indie Author Magazine, our hosts dig into Susan Odev’s provocative article about the “lonely author” myth and why indie writers must embrace community if they want to succeed. From the real pressures of wearing every publishing hat (marketer, accountant, IT support, and more) to the transformative power of finding your author tri…

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Wanderlust Over 70: Claiming Joy in Senior Travel 15:39

4d ago15:39

15:39

The source, an article titled "Getting What You Want and Deserve" from the blog "Wanderlust Over 70," offers a reflection on senior travel and the importance of self-advocacy. Written by Roberta Hill, the piece argues that travel in later life shifts from chasing "more" to seeking alignment, meaning, and joy, prioritizing comfort and authentic expe…

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Crowdfunding for Writers: The Secret Sauce Behind 90% Success Rates 14:05

5d ago14:05

14:05

Double Funding Success How can indie authors nearly double their chances of crowdfunding success? In this episode, our hosts break down the latest data and insights from a featured article in Indie Author Magazine, exploring why crowdfunding doesn’t have to be a solo journey—and why, frankly, it shouldn’t be. Together, they unpack the real numbers …

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Episode 193 - Plotting: go big or go home. 26:43

6d ago26:43

26:43

Fiction's job is to entertain. A main way to entertain is to be bold with our plot. Here are thoughts on how to avoid the dull in our plot and how to create a story that keeps readers turning the pages. Also, how to invent strong metaphors and similes. And avoiding overly-precious, self-conscious writing. Support the show…

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The Holiday Survival Guide for Osteoporosis and Osteopenia 33:41

6d ago33:41

33:41

The holidays are meant for joy, connection, and celebration — but for many women managing bone health issues with osteoporosis or osteopenia, this season can feel stressful and full of temptation. In this solo episode, Debi shares her Holiday Survival Guide for Osteoporosis, offering empowering tips to help you enjoy the festivities without comprom…

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Are Fairy Tales Closer to Scripture Than We Think? 47:41

7d ago47:41

47:41

Fairy tales are far more than simple children’s stories. In this episode of _Classical Et Cetera_ we explore why these tales endure, what they offer the moral imagination, and how they help both children and adults see the world with clarity and wonder. From questions about when to begin reading fairy tales to the connections they share with Script…

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Forks Out with Tracy Clayton 57:49

8d ago57:49

57:49

You know we had to find a special story to celebrate the return of Tracy Clayton! This week's tale involves a big family, a cabin in the woods, and the mysterious disappearance of a sweet potato pie. Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Rachelle, Se'era, Jae, Alex, and Kelsey, plus blog recommendations and secrets! You can support Normal Go…

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How Epistolary Writing Engages Readers: Rules, Tips, and Case Studies for Indie Success 13:21

9d ago13:21

13:21

In this episode of Indie Author Magazine’s Deep Dive, our hosts crack open the world of epistolary writing—stories told through letters, journal entries, official documents, and more. Together, they unravel why this centuries-old format is experiencing a renaissance in indie fiction, and why the act of reading someone else’s “mail” is so profoundly…

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👂 Listening Over Echoes in Travel 9:53

11d ago9:53

9:53

The provided text is an excerpt from a travel blog called "Wanderlust Over 70," specifically a post titled "Are We Hearing Answers or Just Echoes," written by Roberta Hill. The post advises readers, particularly travellers, on the importance of genuine listening rather than simply seeking confirmation of their existing biases or expectations, which…

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Navigating the Indie Publishing Revolution: IAM’s Strategic Roadmap for 2026 and Beyond 14:17

12d ago14:17

14:17

In this incisive deep dive, our hosts unpack the latest strategic roadmap announced by Indie Author Magazine. Join them as they explore how the publication is responding to seismic industry changes—from AI-driven book discoverability to the evolving demands of indie authors worldwide. You’ll discover why IAM is making a bold shift from a monthly to…

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Episode 192 - Plotting: the importance of conflict, crisis, resolution. 25:11

13d ago25:11

25:11

In fiction in all genres only trouble is interesting. How do we writers use trouble in our story? Here are thoughts on how we can plot using conflict, crisis, and resolution, a technique important for all genres. Also, should we use beta readers? And the add-a-quirk technique. Support the showBy James Thayer

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Fasting for Stronger Bones: How Intermittent Fasting Supports Osteoporosis, Osteopenia, and Metabolic Health 47:38

13d ago47:38

47:38

Could fasting be one of the most overlooked tools for improving bone health, supporting osteoporosis and osteopenia, and strengthening your metabolism? In this episode, functional bone health expert Debi Robinson sits down with Registered Dietitian Ashley Bizzell to explore how intermittent fasting and autophagy support not only metabolic healing b…

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Anne Rice's Email With A Vampire with Mike Rugnetta 52:09

15d ago52:09

52:09

Mike Rugnetta graciously accepted our invitation to a vampire ball in New Orleans. Follow Mike on Instagram here. Listen to his podcast Never Post here. And here's that collab with ICYMI. Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Rachelle, Se'era, Jae, Alex, and Kelsey, plus blog recommendations and secrets! You can support Normal Gossip directl…

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Make the Holidays Work for You: Essential Book Marketing Tactics for Indie Authors 14:58

16d ago14:58

14:58

Join our hosts for a smart and actionable deep dive into holiday marketing strategies for indie authors, inspired by insights from Indie Author Magazine. In this episode, you’ll learn why the holiday season—and especially the period right after Christmas—is a prime opportunity to boost your book sales and grow your audience, whether you’re selling …

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Writing Through Reading and Travel 14:02

18d ago14:02

14:02

The source is a reflective blog post titled "To be a good writer, you must be a good reader," from the website Wanderlust Over 70, authored by Roberta Hill and posted in September 2025. Roberta asserts that writing is a process of self-discovery and that her own writing improved when she shifted from seeking approval to writing for herself. A centr…

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Strategic Marketing with Universal Book Links: Tools, Data, and Global Opportunities 14:39

19d ago14:39

14:39

Episode Description: Universal Book Links – Streamlining Global Book Sales for Indie Authors In this insightful deep dive, our hosts break down everything indie authors need to know about Universal Book Links (UBLs), drawing on practical strategies from the latest Indie Author Magazine article. Whether you’re expanding beyond Amazon or marketing in…

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Episode 191 - Do we know enough to write the first sentence? 24:35

20d ago24:35

24:35

When do we know enough writing techniques to start our novel? And when is the story ready to be written? I'll try to answer both questions. Also, how do great writers describe a character's appearance in ways that reveal the character's past and personality? Here's how masterful writers do it. Support the show…

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Ian Fleming's The Man With The Golden Gun - The James Bond Book Club 1:02:51

21d ago1:02:51

1:02:51

Prepare to experience Ian Fleming's James Bond novels as if reading them for the first time in the year of publication, as we embark on this 007 James Bond literary adventure together. In this episode of the James Bond Book Club, the Spybrary hosts discuss Ian Fleming's final Bond novel, "The Man with the Golden Gun." They explore the book's themes…

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The Hidden Triggers Behind Bone Loss: How Toxins, Mold, Stress, and Inflammation Affect Osteoporosis and Osteopenia 54:57

21d ago54:57

54:57

What if chronic inflammation, mold exposure, or unresolved emotional stress were silently accelerating osteoporosis or osteopenia? In this eye-opening episode, functional bone health expert Debi Robinson sits down with Dr. Kelly McCann, a leading functional MD and environmental medicine specialist, to uncover the hidden triggers behind bone loss th…

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Should My Gifted Child Skip a Grade? 39:48

21d ago39:48

39:48

Every parent wants to do what’s best for their child—especially when that child seems ahead of the curve. But in a classical education, growth isn’t about racing forward; it’s about steady formation and broad mastery. In this episode of Classical Et Cetera, the panel discusses when a gifted child should skip a grade and why every stage of learning …

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Love Is Blind with Malala Yousafzai 58:49

9d ago58:49

58:49

Welcome to season NINE of Normal Gossip! We're kicking off the season with Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai and a story about four college students on a star-crossed Eurotrip. Order Malala’s new memoir Finding My Way here and follow her on Instagram here. You can join us in donating to the Palestine Children's Relief Fund here or Transanta here. Sub…

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Walking, Writing, and Winning: Productivity Hacks from Sci-Fi Legend Kevin J. Anderson 14:58

23d ago14:58

14:58

Join our hosts as they explore the remarkable creative and business journey of legendary author Kevin J. Anderson. This episode digs into how Anderson's unconventional methods—such as dictating his best-selling novels while hiking in the Colorado Rockies—fuel his staggering productivity and global success. From Anderson's "Popcorn Theory" of opport…

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Essential Smartphone Apps for Seamless Travel 13:34

24d ago13:34

13:34

The provided text is an article from the travel blog "Wanderlust Over 70," specifically titled "Why I Love Smartphone Apps for Travel," written by Roberta Hill. This extensive piece serves as a comprehensive guide detailing the author's personal recommendations for various smartphone travel applications, organizing them into logical categories such…

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Publishing Partnerships: Gain Professional Results and Keep Full Ownership 13:54

26d ago13:54

13:54

Curious about the real-world pros and cons of publishing service providers for indie authors? This episode brings you a hands-on look at a model that promises full control without the stress of doing everything alone. Our hosts break down a recent Indie Author Magazine feature, following author Cara Stevens’ journey from the struggles of a totally …

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Episode 190 - The right way to leave red herrings. 27:10

27d ago27:10

27:10

Red herrings--false clues--are used in most all stories in all genres. Here are the right and wrong ways to insert red herrings into our stories. Also, here's how we can show--reveal--much about a character by describing a setting. Support the showBy James Thayer

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The Diabetes - Bone Health Connection You Can’t Ignore 46:02

28d ago46:02

46:02

What if your blood sugar was secretly affecting your bone strength? In this episode of the Stronger Bones Lifestyle Podcast, I sit down with Ben Tzeel, a registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator, and strength coach who’s been living with type 1 diabetes for over two decades. We dive deep into how blood sugar balance, inflammation, and stre…

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Can Classical Conversations & Memoria Press Work Together? | Classical Et Cetera Mailbag 50:03

28d ago50:03

50:03

This week on Classical Et Cetera. it’s another Mailbag episode! We’re answering all your homeschool and classical education questions. Should you teach with drawings, if you can’t draw? How do you start a book club that actually works? How does Berean Builders fit with Memoria Press science programs? Can Classical Conversations and Memoria Press wo…

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Scheduled Success: Making Every Writing Session Count for Indie Authors 16:42

29d ago16:42

16:42

Ready to leave behind the struggle of the blinking cursor and find your writing flow? In this special deep dive, our hosts unpack the blueprint for writing abundance as outlined in Indie Author Magazine’s featured article. Drawing on Honore Corder's practical approach, they reveal how to move from scarcity to prolific output—no “hustle harder” plat…

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💰 Outsmarting the Sky: Minimizing Flying Costs 16:14

1M ago16:14

16:14

The provided text is an excerpt from a travel blog post, "How to Outsmart the Sky and Minimize Flying Costs", published on Wanderlust Over 70, which focuses on advising older travellers how to reduce the expense of air travel. The author, Roberta Hill, offers practical strategies and personal anecdotes that illustrate how to secure lower flight pri…

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The Peak - Sam Guthrie In Conversation with Tim Shipman 46:09

1M ago46:09

46:09

What happens when a former diplomat turns spy-thriller author? In this episode, Sam Guthrie, ex-Australian trade envoy and senior government official, sits down with award-winning journalist Tim Shipman to discuss The Peak — a gripping, character-driven espionage novel set across Hong Kong, Beijing and Canberra. Join the Spybrary Community Today! 👉…

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Smart Strategies for Indie Authors Attending Conferences: Connections, Self-Care, and Actionable Follow Up 19:30

1M ago19:30

19:30

In this focused deep dive from Indie Author Magazine, our hosts break down the essentials for making the most out of your next author conference. Based on an insightful article featured in the magazine, the conversation gets granular about two key topics: how to maximize your strategic return at industry events, and how to stay healthy while naviga…

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Episode 189 - Start as close to the end as possible. 25:07

1M ago25:07

25:07

Kurt Vonnegut said we should "Start as close to the end as possible." What did he mean? How can we do so? Here are thoughts on this famous piece of advice from a legendary novelist. Also, avoiding the word "not" to give our sentences more energy. And Orson Scott Card on creativity. Support the showBy James Thayer

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Healing from the Inside Out: Understanding Long COVID, Fatigue, and the Hidden Links to Bone Health 45:29

1M ago45:29

45:29

In this episode, Debi Robinson talks with Dr. Jenny Tufenkian, a naturopathic doctor specializing in long COVID, chronic fatigue, and environmental medicine. Together, they explore the deep connections between energy depletion, inflammation, and bone loss — and how true healing begins from within. Dr. Jenny explains how post-viral illness and stres…

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Classical Education in a Casual Age: Let’s Be Formal Again 56:43

1M ago56:43

56:43

As classrooms grow more casual, is something important being lost? This week’s Classical Et Cetera tackles the question of formality in both schools and homeschools. We explore why order, decorum, and even dress still matter in a classical education. Along the way, a listener brings us a question about balancing extracurriculars with the homeschool…

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Launch Smarter: Preorder Rules, Risks, and Rewards for Independent Authors 15:47

1M ago15:47

15:47

Episode Description: Stress-Free Preorders – A Deep Dive with Indie Author Magazine Join our hosts as they untangle the complicated world of ebook preorders for indie authors, drawing directly from an insightful deep dive article in Indie Author Magazine. In this episode, you’ll learn exactly how preorders work, why they matter, and the key strateg…

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The Privilege of Travel: Gratitude and Responsibility 12:08

1M ago12:08

12:08

The provided text is an excerpt from a travel blog post, "Making Peace with the Privilege of Travel," written by Roberta Hill for Wanderlust Over 70. This post primarily discusses the author's internal struggle and ultimate reconciliation with the privilege inherent in being able to travel for leisure, contrasting it with global inequities like ref…

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Level Up Your Writing: Avoid Infodumps by Making POV Your Storytelling Filter 12:11

1M ago12:11

12:11

In this insightful episode of Indie Author Magazine, our hosts take a deep dive into one of the most common challenges writers face: how to use point of view (POV) to skillfully filter detail and steer clear of the dreaded infodump. Drawing on Rona Gofstein’s practical advice, they explore how leveraging POV isn’t just a stylistic choice—it’s a str…

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Episode 188 - How to make our writing fun. 29:15

1M ago29:15

29:15

Is your writing time becoming a grind? If so, here are some things that may reduce the grind and maybe even make writing fun. Also, here are thoughts on how we might write a sentence that is a timeless truth told in lovely language, an immortal sentence that will live forever. Support the showBy James Thayer

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Mary’s Story: How She Reversed Her Bone Loss Naturally to Combat the Effects of Osteoporosis 35:20

1M ago35:20

35:20

When Mary was diagnosed with osteoporosis, fear and confusion took over. Doctors told her the only option was medication — but deep down, she knew there had to be another way. In this inspiring episode of the Stronger Bones Lifestyle Podcast, Debi Robinson sits down with Mary, one of her Healthy Gut, Healthy Bones graduates, to share her journey of…

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A Scenic Route to the Liberal Arts (There's Lots Of Et Cetera) 49:01

1M ago49:01

49:01

It takes us a while to get there, but it’s worth the journey! In this episode of Classical Et Cetera, Tanya, Martin, and Paul share what they’re reading, answer a listener question about audiobooks, and (eventually) get around to the main topic of the liberal art Here, they explore the liberal arts through the lens of Sister Miriam Joseph’s The Tri…

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Bonus Episode: Introducing Only If You Get Caught with Patrick Redford 33:23

1M ago33:23

33:23

We've got one more treat for you before we'll be back with more gossip next month! This is the first episode of Patrick Redford's new podcast Only If You Get Caught. Only If You Get Caught is about how we can better understand sports and culture by examining how humans cheat in ways big and small. Sacramento Kings fans have long believed that the N…

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New Opportunities for Indie Authors: KDP Select’s Library Distribution Update Unpacked 11:30

1M ago11:30

11:30

In this special deep dive episode of Indie Author Magazine, our hosts break down a game-changing policy update from Amazon’s KDP Select program. With inviting expertise, they guide listeners through how just three new words—“and public libraries”—are opening doors for indie authors, blending the worlds of Kindle Unlimited exclusivity and library di…

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The Balcony You Didn’t Know You Needed on a Cruise 16:31

2M ago16:31

16:31

This article, The Balcony You Didn’t Know You Needed on a Cruise, from Wanderlust Over 70 strongly advocates for the value of booking a cruise cabin with a balcony, presenting it as a hidden luxury that significantly enhances the travel experience, especially on scenic itineraries. The author, Roberta Hill, contrasts the private, uninterrupted view…

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How Indie Book Awards Impact Sales, Visibility, and Author Credibility 18:39

2M ago18:39

18:39

Episode Description: Indie Author Magazine – Indie Book Awards Deep Dive Join our hosts as they unpack the real value of indie book awards in this insightful episode of Indie Author Magazine. Drawing directly from the latest featured article, Paige and Reed offer a transparent, no-nonsense look at the opportunities, pitfalls, and strategies that su…

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Episode 187 - Giving readers what they want. 28:46

2M ago28:46

28:46

We writers should consider giving readers what they want. Well, what do they want? Here is a discussion of the five things readers want in a novel. Also: the dual timeline plot structure. And F. Scott Fitzgerald's seven tips on writing. Support the showBy James Thayer