Holly B. sits down with Nicoletta Chiromante, a traditional Italian fortune teller, shamanic practitioner, and medium. Her gift is generational, passed down through family, and she now runs a full-time metaphysical practice in Northern Ontario after leaving the corporate world.

Nicoletta introduces us to her two cats — the grey jazz-bar stray Leonidas and the toddler terror Deimos. The episode winds through the spiritual mechanics of feline energy clearing, the courage it takes to leave a corporate job for a calling, intuition as a bodily phenomenon, and why trauma might actually be blocking your psychic signal.

Noteworthy

Meet Leonidas, the manifested jazz-bar cat. How Nicoletta accidentally drew him into existence, and how a DVD of 300 gave him his name.

Meet Deimos, the God of Terror (and also Honey Pickle). Cat number two arrives via the cat distribution system. A word of caution about naming your pets.

Cats as purring energy filters — transmuting and discarding the energetic load of the household.

Cats, creativity & social media. On the tension between authentic metaphysical work and building an online presence — and why cats bridge both.

What Nicoletta actually does. Tarot spreads, mediumship, shamanic practice, and how a session unfolds (spoiler: no one dies today).

Where she works & why energetic boundaries matter. Offices, home visits, weddings, baby showers, and keeping personal and professional energy separate.

Can animals come through in a reading? Yes — including a horse.

Trauma, The Body Keeps the Score & the body as a psychic instrument. Intuition as a physical whisper in the solar plexus, and why women often feel it more acutely.

Where you can find Nicoletta

Instagram   @nicoletta_chiromante
Facebook    Nicoletta Chiromante
Website      psychicsudbury.ca

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What if an artificial intelligence could translate whale song, decode elephant frequencies, and relay a very uncomfortable message from every animal on Earth?

Author Bill Wittur joins Holly B. and Rogan to explore the wild, science-backed frontier of animal communication — and how it sparked a novel. Along the way, the conversation weaves through bioacoustics, speciesism, the healing power of writing, and why the Earth hums in G sharp.

Breaking the Animal Code

Large language models are being used to translate whale clicks and sperm whale vocalizations. Researchers have identified what may be vowels used by Caribbean sperm whale populations — a potential breakthrough in interspecies communication.

Extinction Event — Bill’s Debut Novel

Bill’s book follows a sentient AI that learns to communicate with animals. The animals’ verdict? Humans need to back off. The novel explores speciesism, the philosophy of Peter Singer, and the question of what happens when another species finally gets a voice.

Why We Can’t Hear What’s There

Dolphins communicate at frequencies up to 20 times beyond human hearing. Elephants and whales use ultra-low frequencies that would damage our hearing at full volume. Military sonar, Bill explains, is essentially like placing a stick of dynamite beside a dolphin’s head.

Speciesism & Moral Responsibility

Philosopher Peter Singer coined the term ‘speciesism’ in his 1970s book Animal Liberation. Bill argues that cracking even one species’ language will force a reckoning with how humanity treats the non-human world.

Writing as Therapy & Process

From journaling through grief to forest bathing, Bill shares the rituals that keep his creative life alive. He also reveals a hidden habit: early in every novel, he writes a chapter honouring the Muses through a character’s relationship with music.

Music, Lyrics & the Creative Life

300 pages of lyrics written since COVID. Guitars, a dreamed-of mandolin, and the advice of Jeff Tweedy (Wilco): write everything, even the mundane. Bill traces the overlap between songwriting, poetry, and fiction — and why he thinks musically even when writing prose.

Bill is the author of Extinction Event and the forthcoming sequel Ecopia. He is currently completing an MFA in Fiction at King’s College. A songwriter, guitarist, former wine importer, and committed believer that AI will crack animal language long before humanity is ready for what they have to say.

Bill is also working on a non-fiction memoir about his brother’s experience living with a stroke, and maintains a stockpile of over 300 pages of song lyrics written since the COVID-19 pandemic.

https://billwittur.com/

https://www.facebook.com/bill.wittur.2025/

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Intro/Outro Music by Uppbeat - RA Let Good Times Roll

In this episode, Holly and Rogan sit down with Rachael Austin — dog mom, photographer, and dog-friendly travel content creator — for a warm, wide-ranging conversation about life on the road with two very spirited hunting dogs.

Meet the Dogs

Rachael introduces us to Willow, her eight-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer and original creative muse, and Timber, her three-year-old Vizsla with a coat the color of autumn leaves. She breaks down the key difference between the two breeds — GSPs love to range (sometimes out of sight!), while Vizslas want to stay close to their people.

From Camera Novice to Content Creator

What started as snapping photos of Willow grew into a full creative practice. Rachael shares how she taught herself photography through YouTube, Skillshare, and sheer trial and error — even getting drone-certified along the way. Her dogs pushed her toward a niche she didn't expect: dog-friendly travel.

Balancing Creativity with Burnout

After a hectic fall season of paid brand work, Rachael got real about creator burnout. She shares her systems: shot lists, scheduled content-free weekends, and knowing when to leave the camera at home. Rogan gets some solid first-time backpacking advice ahead of his Algonquin trip this summer.

Book Club Moment

In a delightful twist, all three discover they're currently listening to the same audiobook — The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett— and bond over Pancakes the cat, Uncle PJ, and Holly's very particular audiobook strategy.

Find Rachael

Check out Rachel’s stunning dog-friendly travel content on social media, and keep an eye out for her upcoming website relaunch and — fingers crossed — a coffee table book.

https://roamingwithpointers.mypixieset.com/

https://www.instagram.com/roamingwithpointers/

Looking to be a guest or perhaps you are a host! Pod Match is the greatest way to connect!

Intro/outro music thanks to Uppbeat - Let Good Times Roll - RA

New episodes drop weekly. Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen!

The One Where Holly Steals Nothing (But Really Wants a Puppy)

Holly kicks things off fresh from the gym and yoga, while Rogan admits to a rare early Saturday wake-up. The two compare matching plaid outfits (with very different color palettes) and settle in with their drinks — Holly with a McDonald's latte, Rogan empty-handed after a last-minute errand run.

Things of the Week

Rogan had an exciting week, but his thing of the week is under NDA — so his thing of the week is, officially, NDAs.

Holly is on a Caesar salad kick. She draws the comparison to her legendary chocolate bar phases (Twix era → Kit Kat Chunky → Aero → current: O'Henry Peanut Butter).

The Book: The Road to Tender Hearts

Holly can't stop talking about it. Standout detail: inanimate objects (including the house) have inner thoughts and speak — a whimsical touch she absolutely loves. Both hosts agree they enjoy a little whimsy in their reading.

Engagement Question

Do you like books where animals, objects, or inanimate things have thoughts and speak?

Holly is currently unavailable — she's having her tarot cards read and eating a Caesar salad. Rogan is signing something he can't tell you about.

Books at a glance

•        Rabbit Cake — debut novel. Narrated by a 10–12-year-old girl processing her mother's mysterious drowning (suicide or sleepwalking accident?). Dark comedy; funny because of the girl's strange, scientific way of seeing the world. Dog Boomer based on Harvey.

•        Unlikely Animals — partly narrated by cemetery ghosts. Features Moses the Great Pyrenees, a domesticated Russian fox, and a lot of graveyard atmosphere. Annie calls it her "weirdest book."

•        Road to Tender Hearts — most recent novel. Her intentionally funniest. An elderly man uses obituaries like Tinder and drives across the country to pursue a high-school sweetheart. Features Pancakes the death-predicting cat and a talking hat.

Annie Hartnett 

Author of three novels: Rabbit Cake and Unlikely Animals and new national bestseller The Road to Tender Hearts -- out now! Find it at your bookstore!

anniehartnett.com 

accountabilityworkshops.com - helping writers get work done

Intro music courtesy of Upbeat Let Good Times Roll

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Holly and Rogan kick off this episode with some warm-weather complaints (yes, even 27°C indoors counts), before diving into their favourite things of the week. Rogan shares his love of savoury French toast — a childhood staple made by his dad — and how a friend recently elevated the recipe with a goat cheese and sun-dried tomato spread. Holly's highlight?

A trip to Hobby Lobby across the border, where she fell in love with everything from miniatures to a print of two donkeys she swears is a portrait of her and Rogan's dad.

The conversation takes a more ambitious turn when they reveal their upcoming plans: a 3-day, ~80km hike through the Niagara section of the Bruce Trail — one of Ontario's oldest maintained trails. Neither of them feels fully prepared, but they're committing anyway.

They also touch on a CN Tower challenge and a 10K race (that Rogan forgot to sign up for — Holly has not forgotten). Trail runners vs. ankle boots, training timelines, and general panic ensue.

Engagement Question: Wish them luck on the Bruce Trail — or let them know how screwed they are. Either answer accepted!

Episode summary

This episode is a warm, wide-ranging conversation about the animals that ground us, the creative projects we're afraid to birth, and the astrology that can help us time both. Julia Portela — astrologer, reiki practitioner, theater kid, and self-described "black cat energy" person — shares the deeply moving story of her cats Sherlock, Watson, and Fig, and how each one supports a different phase of her creative and spiritual work. From there the conversation opens into Julia's practice (the Art of Living Alchemy), her pop culture podcast Femme & Furious, why she believes pop culture is inherently spiritual, and the Big Magic-esque philosophy that ideas have their own consciousness and will find whoever is ready to birth them.

What we cover

Sherlock, Watson & Fig — the cats who spiritually babysit

Julia's three cats each serve a distinct energetic role: Sherlock was her first bonded companion, Watson is her co-host in life and creative spark, and Fig is the Cancer-energy protector who shows up for deep work and stays up doing the rounds at night.

What is the Art of Living Alchemy?

Julia's personal philosophy merging astrology, Reiki, and creative coaching — designed to help people transmute their inner potential (their chart) into a life they actually want to live. Special focus right now: helping creatives write books, start podcasts, and finally put their ideas out into the world.

Astrology is data, not belief — and you can chart your pets

Julia breaks down how astrology works as pattern recognition and potential mapping, not a belief system. She's done Harry Potter's natal chart, fictional characters from novels, and yes — you can absolutely run your cat's chart.

The creative itch, Big Magic, and why ideas pass you by if you're not ready

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert makes an appearance — the idea that creative concepts exist in a collective consciousness and will move on to whoever is ready. Julia keeps an ideas journal, avoids chasing shiny objects, and is moving to Paris. There's a whole astrology class about the current moment available free on YouTube.

Black cat energy vs. golden retriever energy — defined for the uninitiated

A deep dive into the bookish romance community's shorthand for personality types: golden retriever = bubbly, friendly, all-in; black cat = aloof, discerning, broody. Heated Rivalry was strongly endorsed by two out of three hosts.

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@juliaroseportela IG / TikTok

If you have been waiting to write that book, start that podcast, or move to Paris — this episode was made for you.

A late-night catch-up between Holly and Rogan: handmade books, miniature house plants, a very unusual coffee recipe with sugar and an egg, Rogan's belated discovery of Mulholland Drive, and a very relatable struggle to find time for the gym. Classic Ramblings energy — cozy, chaotic, and over way past Holly's bedtime.

Highlights

• Holly made two handmade books at a weekend bookbinding workshop — one with a very lemon cover. Two days of work, completely worth it.
• The miniature house project is picking up traction on TikTok and YouTube. A log cabin is the next target. Before-and-after content is coming.
• France's egg espresso: one teaspoon of sugar, whipped raw egg, espresso poured over. Rogan will try it. Holly will not make it herself but may try it under supervision.
• Rogan watched Mulholland Drive (2001) while tired and missed most of it. He found out about it via a Chappell Roan lyric. He was one year old when it released.
• On the exercise front: mornings don't work for Rogan (he runs twice as far in the evenings), after-work is the sweet spot but work runs late, and weekends disappear fast. No resolution reached — but relatable content achieved.
• Holly and Rogan are both preparing for the CN Tower climb. Rogan is (somewhat) confident. Holly is going to beat him.

Listener engagement question

What color should Holly paint the outside of the miniature house?

Holly and Rogan confirmed this episode that the show now has more than five listeners — two of them commented. Huge. We see you.

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In this cozy, candid conversation, Cara joins Holly from her famous foster cottage in Virginia to talk about the animals, the work, and the writing life that ties it all together.

In this episode:

• Meet Otis and Fanny — two rescue dogs with opposite personalities who somehow complete each other
• Why Cara says letting a foster dog go is less about sacrifice and more about saving the next life
• How fostering completely redirected Cara's writing career (in the best possible way)
• The brand new Live Intentionally journal Cara designed for herself — and why eleven beta testers convinced her to share it with the world
• Her morning reading ritual, her Goodreads addiction, and the novel she calls the best debut she's read in years

Cara's current reads: We Will Be Shelter (Andrea Gibson), A Good Animal (Sarah Maurer), and an upcoming Julia Cameron title she's very excited about.

Holly’s current reads: The Road to Tender Hearts (Annie Hartnett)

Facebook        @CaraSueAchterberg
Tiktok             @CaraSueAchterberg
Instagram       @CaraSueAchterberg

Substack         caraachterberg

Website           www.WhoWillLettheDogsOut.org

A candid conversation covering music, personal growth, and cultural identity — from piano purchases and midlife creativity to Canadian artists and the unifying power of Buffalo Plaid.

Key Topics

• The significance of Buffalo Plaid as a cultural and personal identity marker
• Music as a tool for emotional well-being
• Navigating life transitions through creative pursuits like learning piano

Takeaways

• Music is a powerful vehicle for emotional expression and growth
• Personal identity can be deeply tied to cultural symbols
• Creative hobbies can be a healthy anchor during midlife transitions

Becca Syme is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and has individually coached over 6000 authors at all levels. She is the author of a series of books for writers, the popular Write Better-Faster course, and the host of the Quitcast for Writers podcast and YouTube channel. She also writes mystery novels and lives on one of the thousand lakes in Minnesota.

Holly discovered this episode after hearing Becca speak about her cat, Mikhail, on her own podcast — and felt an immediate connection. What started with a DM ended with one of the most wide-ranging, warmhearted conversations the Little Shed has hosted thus far.

Buckle up. We go from a Russian Blue cat doing ballet flips, to the neuroscience of empathy, to the Skyrim soundtrack, to a spontaneous trio in matching buffalo plaid. Not all who ramble are lost.

Mikhail — The Cat Who Changed Everything

• Mikhail was a Russian Blue named after Mikhail Baryshnikov for his gravity-defying flips and twists.
• For 15 years he was Becca's creative companion — physically present for every major writing milestone.
• She describes the feeling of a heartbeat on your chest as a form of nervous-system regulation that unlocked her best creative work.
• Even after his passing, a gray cat appears in a meaningful portion of Becca's fiction — a quiet tribute woven into the work.

Empathy Is a Superpower (Science Says So)

• Emotions are not weakness — they are data. Every emotion is a biological signal trying to reconcile internal expectations with external reality.
• High empathy = a high capacity to create action, connection, and change in the world.

Relationships, Growth & the Art of the Friendship Breakup

• A longitudinal happiness study found that relationships — not achievement or wealth — are what people point to at the end of their lives as the source of happiness.
• Friendships can quietly become about honoring shared history rather than building a shared present — and that's okay to acknowledge.

Place, Nature & The Creativity Connection

• Becca identifies as a "sense of place writer" — a personality trait (Connectedness strength) that means physical proximity to nature directly unlocks her creativity.
• Both Becca and Rogan describe the Canadian and American Rockies as the closest thing to a truly spiritual, out-of-body experience — especially under a pitch-black, high-altitude sky.

Music as the Language Under the Language

• Becca started playing piano at age two and a half, watching her musical parents and refusing to be left out.
• For her, music expresses an internal reality that words simply can't reach. When emotion won't come, she sits at the piano and lets her hands decide what needs to be said.

Connect with Becca Syme:

Instagram      Becca_Syme

Quitcast for Writers with Becca Syme Podcast         

Holly and Rogan wrap up an emotionally resonant episode, reflecting on their conversation with guest Anne last time on the podcast, whose storytelling about her dogs and life left Holly visibly moved. Holly describes Anne's calm, unhurried voice as deeply affecting and hopes listeners will connect with it the same way.

Things of the Week

• Rogan — Public transit. A self-proclaimed fan of city life without a car, Rogan gives a shoutout to Toronto's TTC (yes, even the streetcars) while also making a case for giving transit priority over single-occupancy vehicles. Bonus: Rogan also nominates crying as a late-breaking thing of the week — highly recommended, ideally on a streetcar.
• Holly — A goal board made with jewel-toned sticky notes, organized by year, month, and achieved goals. With a book release on the horizon, Holly is keeping herself on track across writing, social media, and podcasting.

Chit-Chat

• Toronto got a record-breaking snowfall. Rogan jogged through it to make an appointment and later fell backwards into the snow for an Instagram video — and kept going.
• Holly escaped with just cold temps and laughs at her colleagues across Canada asking "did you get snow?"
• Holly's mug of the night: an XO Dorothy "There's No Place Like Home" mug from a Home Hardware in Shawville, Ontario.
• Rogan's: a four-hour-old cold coffee from Pilot Coffee Roasters.

Closing Thought

"English be hard — and I write much better than I speak." —

Holly, heading to the couch for a sappy show and some well-earned happy tears.

Thanks for listening! See you next time

Takeaways

• Animals as Creative Inspiration
• The Role of Pets in Writing Balancing writing with other obligations
• The impact of social media on writers

Chapters

• 00:00 Anne's Pets: Shay, Marlowe, and Mireille
• 25:13 Writer's Routine and Lifestyle
• 31:30 Challenges of Social Media and Marketing
• 39:33 Bots and Artificial Engagement

In this lively episode, Holly and Rogan share a candid, humorous conversation covering everything from unexpected snowstorms and their evolving hobbies to work stress and fitness pursuits. Perfect for those who appreciate real-life banter with insights on balancing chaos and passion.

Key Topics:

• Dealing with unexpected snowstorms and weather disruptions
• Sharing personal "thing of the week": Olympic weightlifting and weightlifting coaching
• The charm and challenges of miniature crafting and creative hobbies
• Supportive relationships in sports and creative pursuits
• Balancing work stress with outdoor activities like running and stair climbing
• The pun-filled humor about escape rooms, miniatures, and dogs "lifting"
• How hobbies influence personal growth and connections

 Season 1, Episode 15

Holly and Rogan catch up on life, celebrating Holly's impressive book sales at a vendor show, reminiscing about the Olympic gold medal game, and bonding over their shared love ofskating. The episode also covers favourite drinks, fun snack discoveries, a Dexter-styled basement greenhouse, and wraps up with Holly's take on the fantasy novel Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Diniman.

Adam Mardero is a queer, neurodivergent author who lives and writes in Ontario. His first book, "Uncommon Sense: An Autistic Journey" chronicled what it was like to grow up Autistic and ADHD in the 90s and early 2000s, while his latest project is a young adult science fiction series about overcoming trauma and hate through found family. He lives with his pet cat Shelby.

Holly B. and Rogan chat with Adam about his journey as a writer, the importance of pets in providing emotional support, and the challenges of self-publishing. They explore themes of mental health, authenticity, and the role of hope in navigating life's difficulties. Adam shares insights from his experiences, emphasizing the significance of community and creativity in personal growth. The discussion flows from light-hearted banter about pets to deeper reflections on overcoming imposter syndrome and the power of storytelling.

• The importance of pets in providing emotional support.
• Navigating mental health challenges through creative outlets.
• The journey of self-publishing and its challenges.
• Finding hope in difficult times through writing.
• The significance of authenticity in personal and professional life.
• Dealing with criticism and developing a thicker skin.
• The role of community and support in creative endeavours.
• Using personal experiences to shape writing and storytelling.
• The impact of past experiences on current perspectives.
• The joy of sharing creative work with others.

• From Pets to Publishing: A Journey of Hope
• Navigating Life's Challenges Through Creativity

Sound Bites Chapters

01:45 Exploring Adam's Podcast Journey

04:50 The Bond with Pets: Adam's Cat Shelby

08:41 The Emotional Support of Pets

10:04 Writing and Creativity: Incorporating Pets into Stories

12:33 The Long Journey of Writing a Sci-Fi Series

15:13 Self-Publishing Experience and Challenges

17:40 The Joy of Promotion and Community Engagement

22:27 Handling Feedback and Criticism

24:11 The Cat Chronicles: Life with Shelby

26:16 The Writing Journey: Crafting a Fantasy Series

27:52 Balancing Work and Passion: The Author's Life

29:52 Embracing Authenticity: Overcoming Self-Doubt

32:40 The Power of Resilience: Learning from Adversity

35:17 Finding Hope: The Role of Positivity in Writing

39:24 Inner Critics: Naming Our Doubts

41:52 The Importance of Connection

49:32 Beverage Preferences and Brand Loyalty

52:19 The Stanley Cup Phenomenon

55:23 TMJ and Jaw Health

58:32 Childhood Injuries and Lessons Learned

Check out our guest's socials!

Adam Mardero - Author

The Neurodivergent Polyamorist Podcast

Instagram: @adammerdy123

In today's episode, meet Shanon and Lulu. Shanon is a watercolour artist with an affinity for all things vintage. From classic cars to fountain pens and typewriters, Shanon is fascinated by the care and craftsmanship of design that defined an era.

Her mail club, the Spilled Ink Mail Club, was created to connect communities of like-minded people through tangible, handwritten, handmade items. 

Connect with Shanon!

www.instagram.com/shanonstewart

www.shanonstewart.com

thehandwrittenrevolution.substack.com

In this episode, Holly B. sits down with the wonderfully multi-layered Cheryl Kemppainen — culinary school graduate, holistic nutritionist, animal naturopathy student, yoga teacher, English teacher, and author — to talk about her spirited Belgian Malinois Lila, life on a property with eleven horses, and how her animals became the unlikely catalyst for her most joyful creativeproject yet: a gourmet dog cookbook.

About Our Guest

Cheryl Kemppainen describes herself as the executive assistant toher dog Lila. A self-proclaimed curious and creative soul, Cheryl hastrained in culinary arts, holistic nutrition, and animal naturopathy.

These days, her kitchen experiments are guided by tail wags and bum wiggles, and when she's not writing or cooking, she's escorting Lila on her daily wilderness sniffing adventures.

The Book 📖

Title: Food is My Love Language 

Subtitle: Stories, Recipes and Nourishing Tips for the Dog with Gourmet Taste Buds

Cheryl's debut cookbook features 52 gourmet dog-friendly recipes (think steak with poached eggs and basil pesto, dog-friendly pancakes, and fresh breads), woven together with personal stories and a holistic nutrition resource section.

 Connect & Follow

•  Cheryl's blog (launching alongside the book) — link coming soon!
• Book release: Food is My Love Language — watch for purchase links
• www.thedogchefcafe.com

Episode Description

Join host Holly B. and co-host Rogan for an inspiring conversation with Alexia about building creative community, multidisciplinary art, and the power of poetry. Discover how one person's vision to find community transformed into a thriving arts organization that's bringing emerging and established artists together in innovative ways.

Pets & Creativity (02:25)

• Meet Toulouse, Alexia's half-Persian, half-Turkish Angora cat

• How pets influence creative perspective and writing

• The dynamic between Toulouse and Rocky the dog

The Birth of Anaphor (10:23)

• From open mic series to non-profit organization in months

• Building community through identifying local needs

• Events maxing out capacity within 20-30 minutes of posting

The Anthology Project (07:51)

• 24 poets paired with 28 local businesses

• Poets create work inspired by or for their sponsor businesses

• Publishing summer 2026

• Supporting arts while highlighting community businesses

Collage Poetry Workshops (18:42)

• Blackout poetry, acrostic projects, and found word poetry

• Working with available resources to maximize impact

Current & Upcoming Projects

• Monthly open mics

• Punch card workshop for artist goals and self-care

• Surrealism workshop combining painting and collage

• Future: Cat-themed multidisciplinary art exhibit (2027)

Poetry Reading (32:21)

• Alexia shares "Everything Falls Towards"

Connect with Anaphor Sudbury

• Instagram: @anaphore.sudbury

• Facebook: Anaphore Sudbury

Guest: Liisa Kovala - Author, Book Coach, and Podcaster

Episode Overview

Join hosts Holly and Rogan as they welcome special guest Liisa Kovala, a Finnish Canadian author, book coach, and podcaster. She is the author of Like Water for Weary Souls (House of Karhu, 2025), Sisu's Winter War (Latitude 46, 2022) and Surviving Stutthof: My Father's Memories Behind the Death Gate (Latitude 46, 2017).

Liisa shares her journey from teaching to full-time writing, the creative influence of her mini golden doodle Emmy, and her exciting new project, Hygge House Nordic Cozy Mystery series she writes under the pen name A. L. Jensen.

Meet Emmy: The Canine Companion

• Emmy: a 2.5-year-old mini golden doodle who reminds Liisa to rest, play, and take walks

• The 40-year wait for a dog and convincing her husband (spoiler: he's now in love with Emmy!)

• How pets keep us young, vibrant, and creatively inspired

• Walking as a tool for creative thinking and slowing down

Liisa's Writing Journey

From Historical Fiction to Cozy Mysteries

• Recently published "Water for Weary Souls " (historical fiction, November 2025)

• Transitioning to writing a cozy mystery series

• How a beautiful house (the Rowley House) sparked an entire series concept

• Ideas "downloaded" during the drive home

The New Cozy Mystery Series:

• Features protagonist Minna with her mini golden doodle Hugo Dogberg (named after Finnish artist Hugo Simberg)

• Set in a Nordic-inspired town with rich character details

• Includes two Norwegian cats: Freya and Astrid

• A resident ghost named Fanny

The Creative Process

• Recording voice notes while driving to capture ideas

• The contrast between writing historical fiction and cozy mysteries

• Balancing multiple projects across different genres

Writing Wisdom & Advice

On Creativity

• Creative people need to be moving and active

• Walking in nature is magical for the creative process

• Even 15-20 minutes of creative time daily fills the well

On Reading

• Writers should be readers, and readers become writers

• Reading widely across genres enriches the creative mind

Liisa's Recent Reads

• "The Wake" by Linden MacIntyre

• "Jenny Cooper Has a Secret" by Joy Fielding

Current Reads

• Holly: "Dungeon Crawler Carl" by Matt Dinniman and "The Eyes and the Impossible" by Dave Eggers

• Rogan: Planning to start Terry Pratchett's Discworld series with friends after finishing The Wheel of Time

Connect with Lisa Kovala

• Substack: liisakovalawomenwriting.substack.com

• Website: liisakovalabookcoach.com

Subscribe, rate, and review Ramblings from the Little Shed wherever you get your podcasts.

Episode Summary 

Holly, Rogan, and Mitzi explore the profound influence of pets on creativity, the power of storytelling, and the journey of self-publishing.

They discuss the emotional connections we have with our pets and how these relationships can inspire our creative endeavours.

The trio emphasizes the importance of positive thinking and the impact of writing as a legacy. They also navigate the complexities of the publishing world and share their future aspirations as creative individuals. 

Mitzi is an avid advocate for holistic well-being and the host of the "Mitzi, Let's Think About It" Podcast. Mitzi is also a self-published author of four children’s books. She firmly believes that by encouraging children to think differently and more consciously, we can steer the future towards a positive trajectory. 

• The influence of pets can significantly enhance creativity. 

• Storytelling is a powerful tool for connection and understanding. 

• Self-publishing allows authors to share their work without traditional barriers. 

• Emotional connections with pets can inspire writing and creativity. 

• Creative processes often involve brainstorming and idea generation. 

• Positive thinking can transform the way we approach challenges. 

• Writing can serve as a legacy, impacting future generations. 

• Navigating the publishing world requires careful consideration of options. 

• Future aspirations can drive current creative efforts. 

• Collaboration and accountability can enhance the creative process. 

 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Mitzi-Think-Inc/100064244280126/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitzithinkinc 
X (Twitter): https://x.com/MitziThinkInc 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitzi-ocasio-3a343a24b/ 

On Her Philosophy About Dogs

Anke views dogs as our wisest teachers who deserve far more respect and understanding than society typically gives them. She stands firmly against treating dogs as status symbols, toys, or emotional outlets, emphasizing that her core value of fairness drives everything she does in the animal welfare space. Her mission is to help people become better advocates for their dogs' needs.

Her Work with Dog Professionals

Anke specializes in helping dog coaches, trainers, and experts navigate the business side of their practice. She works with people who have deep expertise in their craft but struggle with marketing, technology, and business development. Her key insight: being excellent at what you do isn't enough—youneed to understand business fundamentals to build a sustainable career helping dogs and their people.

Published Work

Taming the Tech Monster (2020) - This book helps people overcome their fear of technology by reframingit from a threatening obstacle into a friendly challenge. Instead of letting tech intimidate you, Anke shows how to approach it with curiosity and confidence.

Upcoming Book (working title includes "The Dog at My Feet") - Her current project addresses the gap between professional certification and business success. Why do so many qualified, passionate dog professionals struggle to build thriving practices? This book aims to bridge that divide.

Creative Process

Dog walks are a sacred, creative time for Anke. She takes solo walks with her dogs (one at a time) as dedicated thinking sessions away from screens and distractions. Many of her best ideas for podcasts, books, and business concepts emerge during these mindful moments with her canine companions.

Business Philosophy

Anke is critical of "proven formula" programs that oversimplifythe complex process of building a business. She emphasizes that creating a successful practice typically takes years, not weeks or months. The key to success is understanding your target audience deeply and presenting your offerings in ways that genuinely resonate with their needs and values.

Find more on Anke at the following links:

The Website soultouchedbydogs.com

The podcast Soul Touched by Dogs

The Fur Baby Book Candid comments from a pet's POV - Love stories from their owners

For Dog Professionals Turning your real-world brilliance into online traction: The Business-Savvy Dog Pro

Season 1 Episode 9

In this heartfelt conversation, registered psychotherapist and author Ingrid Phaneuf joins us to discuss how animals influence creativity, the importance of normalizing death, and her upcoming novel that weaves together grief, humour, and magical realism.

Ingrid shares her unique journey from journalism to psychotherapy, and how her experiences with grief—both personal and professional—inspired her to write fiction that helps readers process loss in new ways. We explore theconcept of "fabulism," the special relationship between humans and animals, and how nature can provide comfort during difficult times.

Timestamps
01:26 - Ingrid introduces herself and her dog Cole
03:18 - How animals influence creativity and mood
04:24 - The inspiration behind George the Cat - Schrodinger the neighbour's cat
05:06 - The novel's premise: consciousness hijacking an animal
05:57 - Animals' healthier relationship with death
07:31 - How nature normalizes death and grief
08:40 - Holly's plan to become a tree / environmentally friendly burials
09:46 - Normalizing conversations about death
10:30 - Does Cole come to therapy sessions?
11:08 - Diving deeper into the novel idea
12:40 - The Tibetan Book of the Dead and reincarnation
17:08 - Balancing humour and truth in writing about death
22:04 - Ingrid's journey from journalism to psychotherapy
24:42 - Reclaiming creative writing during COVID
26:56 - Learning to tolerate boredom and see projects through
28:25 - The importance of grief counsellors
29:45 - "Your heart gets bigger" - understanding ongoing grief
31:00 - Traditional vs. self-publishing plans
32:12 - Holly's book: North of Broken and Furever Home
33:06 - Discovering "fabulism" as a genre
34:20 - Discussing their dogs' personalities
36:10 - Connecting at MFA residency
39:37 - Wrap-up and farewell to Ingrid
39:41 - Post-interview chat with Rogan about the episode
41:41 - Reflections on the conversation and upcoming plans
44:50 - Sign-off and New Year wishes

Holly's Book Announcement

Holly's debut novel, North of Broken and Furever Home releases February 14th! Available for pre-order on Amazon. The book features dual POVs—a woman and her dog companion—in what Holly describes as contemporary "fabulism" fiction.

Connect

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the podcast. Share it with anyone who might benefit from a different perspective on grief, creativity, and the human-animal bond.

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Join Holly and Rogan for another fun-filled episode where they share their "Thing of the Week," discuss Holly's newly published book, reflect on their recent guest, and explore everything from skating with properly fitted skates to the Rideau Canal's freezing challenges. As always, they close with their signature sign-off and a call for listener engagement!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODE

Holly's Book is Here!

Holly shares the exciting moment of holding the physical copy of her book North of Broken & Furever Home, for the first time. A true "Thing of the Year" moment that she modestly calls her Thing of the Week.

Skating Pro Tips

Rogan's endorsement of the week: buy skates that actually fit you! He shares how much better skating becomes when you're not struggling with uncomfortable rental skates and discusses the joy of skating as a preferred mode of transportation.

Episode Reflection

Holly and Rogan reflect on their recent conversation with guest Julia, discussing her medium, potential live collaborations, and suggestions for Holly's upcoming book launch.

Ottawa Winter Culture

Discussion of the Rideau Canal skating tradition, its challenges with freezing, and the status of Winterlude.

Listener Appreciation

The hosts continue their tradition of acknowledging those who stick around to the end of the episode, showing genuine gratitude for their dedicated audience.

THING OF THE WEEK

Holly's Thing: Holding the physical copy of her published book for the first time North of Broken & Furever Home (even though she initially forgot what her Thing of the Week was!)

Rogan's Thing: Buying skates that actually fit - a game-changer for anyone who loves skating.

DRINKS OF CHOICE

Holly: Diet Coke with Lime from a Wendy's machine, with a splash of cherry vanilla.

Rogan: Americano at 8 PM (because he needed a pick-me-up after a long workday)

ENGAGEMENT CHALLENGE

Are you Team Black Cat Energy or Team Golden Retriever Energy?

Comment and let us know which one describes you best!

CONNECT WITH US

Website: www.ramblingsfromthelittleshed.com

Instagram: @rambling_from_the_little_shed

Email: ramblingsfromthelittleshed@gmail.com

Novel: North of Broken & Furever Home

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review! Your support helps us reach more listeners and keeps us motivated to create great content.

Thank you for listening!

Bye for now!

Holly sits down with Kari A. Kilgore, an indie author who is celebrating a remarkable milestone: her 50th book and 10th anniversary of publishing — all in the same year.

Kari A. Kilgore is an independent author and publisher based in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, living on 250 acres deep in the woods with her husband (also a writer), two rescue dogs, and a collection of rescue cats. She began publishing in 2016, has released 50 major titles across nearly every fiction genre, and has written over 300 short stories. A former IT professionaland technical writer, she brings the same love of learning to indie publishing that she brought to her previous career.

What We Talk About

Dictation & How They Met

Kari and Holly both found their dictation practice finally clicking after taking a class with Sarah Elizabeth Sawyer. Kari shares how she's been using dictation for journaling and fiction, finding it dramatically speeds upher output. Kevin J. Anderson (author of several Dune books) was an early inspiration — the image of him dictating while hiking through Death Valley touched Kari's creative heart years before she found her own groove with it.

Meet the Dogs: Pebbles & Dana

Kari has two rescue dogs — Pebbles, a pit bull (aka "the Pibble"), and Dana, a Great Dane, named creatively for "two riders in the house." Today they are inseparable, pair-bonded best friends who snuggle, wrestle, and make regular appearances in Kari's Zoom calls andcreative life. They've both been featured in her fiction.

Animals as Creative Muses

Nearly every rescue animal Kari has had since age 19 has found its way into a story — as a character name, a spaceship, a planet, or a full protagonist. Her cat Zortia inspired a holiday romance with a magic cat that sold and has been reprinted twice. That single story grew into a world withseven or eight tales, all featuring real cats she's lived with. She's also written a story specifically about Pebbles and Dana's rescue.

50 Books in 10 Years

Kari published her first books in 2016 and has since released novels, novellas, short story collections, anthologies, and over 300 short stories (which she doesn't even count in that total). She works across virtually every genre — historical fiction, science fiction, romance, high fantasy, mystery, urban fantasy — and often doesn't know the genre until the story is finished.

The Joy of Independent Publishing

Kari is a passionate advocate for indie publishing. She loves cover design, page layout, sales copy, merch ideas, Kickstarters, and running her own Shopify store. She describes indie publishing as "a multifaceted satisfier" — there's always something new to learn and create. She ran her first Kickstarter last year and is planning an October Kickstarter to celebrate her 10th anniversary.

Current Project

Kari is deep into a historical fiction novella (started as a shortstory, now approaching 30,000 words) set in 1880s Virginia, featuring a woman who flees Richmond after the Civil War and stumbles into a mysterious mountain community. A real astronomical event — the Great Comet of 1880, which wasvisible in daylight — plays a central role. Research rabbit holes include horseshoe-making and frontier soap production.

Four-Legged Heroes — Special Edition

Kari's collection Four-Legged Heroes: When PetsRescue People — five stories written in five weeks for a workshop — is now available as a special edition ebook on her website, with exclusive artwork not available through retail platforms like Amazon or Kobo. She also showed off a beautiful custom sticker designed to accompany the book.

Connect with Kari

Learn more at KariKilgore.com.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kari.kilgore.1/

Ramblings from the Little Shed is hosted by Holly B. New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe, leave a review, and come back soon — Rogan will return eventually.

Cindy Ojczyk joins Holly and Rogan for an intimate conversation about her unexpected path to writing and the profound ways her pets have shaped both her creativity and her stories. Cindy opens up about the emotional complexities of being a pet foster parent, explaining the bittersweet concept of "foster fails" and processing the loss of beloved animals.

The discussion explores her unique writing approach, the realities of self-publishing versus traditional publishing, and the considerable effort required to market independently published books.

Cindy also shares how she weaves themes of mental health and animal rescue into her storytelling, with a particular focus on creating conversations around teen mental health issues. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes the critical role of community support for self-published authors and advocates for greater awareness of the challenges young people face.

• 01:24 Cindy's Journey as a Writer
• 03:46 The Influence of Pets on Creativity
• 05:42 Understanding Foster Fails
• 08:04 The Impact of Poet the dog: A Foster Fail Story
• 11:40 The Challenge of Fostering Multiple Pets
• 13:50 Cindy's Writing Process and Book Promotion
• 18:57 Lessons Learned from Self-Publishing
• 25:48 Diversity in Publishing and Self-Publishing Freedom
• 30:07 Navigating Themes in Writing: Mental Health and Animal Welfare
• 32:33 Awareness and Leadership in Community Conversations
• 35:45 Embracing the Present: The Journey of an Author

cindyowrites.com

Instagram @cindyocheck

Facebook Cindy Ojczyk - writer

Book Mom Loves the Dogs More

In this episode, hosts Holly and Rogan sit down with author A-M Mawhiney to discuss her journey from academic writing to fiction, her three-book series of speculative fiction novels, and the creative process behind her work. Anne-Marie shares insights into her writing style, the influence of her editor, and how her beloved dog, Charlie, inspired her creative life.

A-M Mawhiney has lived in Northern Ontario most of her life, with brief times in Powassan, Montreal, and Toronto. At the young age of eight, she was already writing poetry and short stories. She retired from Laurentian University in 2018. She began writing again during the first Covid lockdown in 2020 with her first novel, Spindrifts, which was short-listed for the Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writing Literary Prize (2022). Spelldrifts was published in 2023, and Fugitive Rifts in 2025.

Threads   @ammawhiney          

IG     @ammawhiney

X     https://x.com/ammawhiney

Timestamps

[26:28] - The dramatic climactic scene in her second book ,and the editor'sfeedback

[26:41] - Writing process as a "panster" and developing the chaoticscene

[27:22] - Editor's suggestions about world-building and the theme of inclusion

[27:33] - The collective world with full inclusion and respect in the first twobooks

[28:25] - Discussion about not describing character appearances in the books

[28:42] - Anne-Marie's hope to meet with readers to discuss their charactervisualizations

[29:32] - Journey from academic to creative writing with help from friends

[31:25] - The editing process and catching academic writing patterns

[32:02] - Cutting 40 pages from the third book through cold-hearted editing

[33:48] - Beautiful book cover designs

[34:28] - The backstory about a dragon egg near an imaginary volcano

[35:11] - Difference between science fiction and fantasy elements in the books

[35:48] - Introduction to the character Alice from Fugitive Rifts

[36:33] - Exploration of Alice's dark backstory

[36:47] - Six pages written as a potential opening for Alice's story

[38:00] - Alice's experience of being unhoused and her hard life

[38:24] - Charlie's influence on Anne-Marie's intuition and creative life

[38:49] - Wrap-up and information about A-M Mawhiney’s novels

Post-Interview Discussion

[40:49] - Discussion about writing retreats

[41:02] - The flannel segment begins

[42:09] - Rogan's instant coffee vs. French press preference

[44:00] - Holly's discovery of mini pottery in Toronto

[44:18] - Realizing it was couples’ night at the pottery studio

[45:25] - The Stanley Cup pottery incident

[46:24] - Final thoughts and sign-off

Main Highlights:

• They had a disappointing encounter with an unenthusiastic Santa on a streetcar
• The hosts picked up adorably tiny pottery pieces they made in a class—so small they could barely fit a single blueberry
• Rogan shared stories from his solo trip to Utah and Nevada, which included attending the Dragon Steel Nexus convention (a Brandon Sanderson fantasy convention) and hiking through five national parks, including Zion, Arches, and Bryce Canyon
• Holly experienced some FOMO while Rogan was away on his adventure
• They enjoyed Toronto's festive holiday decorations and visited a beautifully lit outdoor skating path complete with heated seating areas, twinkling lights, and Christmas music
• The episode wrapped with gratitude for family and each other, plus a preview of upcoming episodes in the new year featuring guests discussing how their pets influence their creativity

In this engaging conversation, Holly and Rogan welcomeEmily De Angelis to discuss the profound impact of pets, particularly cats, on creativity and writing. They explore the joy of running and community, the emotional connections we form with our pets, and how these relationships influence artistic expression. Emily shares insights into her writing process, upcoming projects, and the unique roles that animals play in our lives. The discussion culminates in a reading of Emily's cat poetry, highlighting the deep bond between humans and their furry companions.

Emily De Angelis is a writer of fiction and poetry. Her young adult novel, The Stones of Burren Bay (Latitude 46 Publishing, 2024), won two 2025 Next Generation Indie Book Awards for YA fiction. A chapbook of poetry and art entitled In the Space Between: The ‘New Woman’ in the Writing of Florence Carlyle was also released in 2024 (Woodstock Art Gallery). De Angelis has known and loved eight cats in her lifetime—despite allergies and severe asthma.

IG www.instagram.com/emilyjdeangelis

FB  ⁠facebook.ca/emilyjdeangelis⁠ 

website ⁠www.emilydeangelisauthor.ca