Featured Interview With Gwen Suesse

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I grew up in a small town in upstate New York. Following that, I went to New York City and Boston for college and graduate school. I started teaching in Clinton, New York and went on to live in the greater Syracuse area after I married. Career-wise, I have worked as a choral director and music teacher, as well as in various human resources positions. I am a certified life coach with advanced training in grief support.

Currently, I am blessed to live in Tryon, North Carolina, a small town in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Tryon has a remarkable presence of the arts, music, and cultural opportunities for a town of its size, attracting many artists, musicians, and writers to make their homes here.

I’ve had dogs most of my life but am currently pet-less following the demise of my beloved corgi, Daisy.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have loved books all my life. I read voraciously from the time I “cracked the code” and learned to read. I was lucky to be raised in a family that valued reading and education. There were always books in our home. Books on all subjects, from Audubon’s Birds of America to multiple encyclopedias, to novels and nonfiction titles, to the ever-present, huge, (or so it seemed to me as a child) Merriam Webster Unabridged Dictionary. My parents valued teaching their children to use exactly the right word. The dictionary sat in an alcove between the living and dining rooms, ever at the ready for reference!

Writing is so much a part of who I am that I cannot remember when I started. I wrote for school, of course, and won several essay contests. I wrote for my various jobs and volunteer positions. However, the writing I value most is the private writing in my journals, where I write to figure things out. When I put my thoughts on paper, the whirling clutter that is flying around in my overactive brain magically goes out of my mind and onto the page, where I can see those thoughts separately, grapple with them, and attempt to find structure, focus, or a glimmer of understanding and message for going forward.

These journals provided fodder for my two books. As Toni Morrison once said, “If there’s a book you want to read but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” So I did! Twice!

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I have so many favorite authors. Some of them: (in no particular order) Anne Lamott. Michael Malone. John O’Donohue. David Whyte. Leo Tolstoy. Mark Twain. Barbara Kingsolver. Ann Patchett. Mary Oliver. Mark Nepo. Robert Frost. Brian Doyle. Abraham Verghese. David Brooks. Doris Kearns Goodwin. Elizabeth Strout. Bill Bryson. Ivan Doig. Amor Towles.

I read everything except science fiction and dystopian literature, because I think life is scary enough without delving into those genres. I lean toward literary novels, poetry, spirituality, and current affairs, as well as books from any genre which illuminate human behavior because I am fascinated about what makes people do what they do.

I have been especially inspired by writers like Anne Lamott and Mark Nepo.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is Notes from Planet Widow: Finding My Way After Loss.
Planet Widow is a story of rebirth. With the sudden death of my beloved husband, I landed without warning on Planet Widow, an utterly barren landscape with nothing in sight – only total desolation with mind-bending disorientation and soul-piercing heartache as my sole companions. I had no vision of what life could look like in such a place.
My book describes the trail of insights that knit themselves together to restore my sense of wholeness as a newly single person. While I couldn’t eradicate grief, I could learn profound lessons from it. Finding the courage to be open to it as a fierce teacher, I slowly lived my way into a new realization of self that includes grief, transforming disorientation into grounding and a measure of peace within the altered context of living on my own.

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Gwen Suesse’s Website

Featured Interview With Shamree Lynn Williams

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’m Shamree! I was born and raised in Texas and currently reside in Texas. I’m a mom of five and we have a pet bearded dragon, Eliza. I work as a mental health therapist with a specialty in trauma. I love nature, listening to music, and tea. My favorite flowers are roses and orchids. My favorite color is black and I love Mexican cuisine.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
To be honest, I’ve just written my first book. What inspired me to write that book connects to my work as a therapist and my own traumatic upbringing. I realized just how much my childhood trauma dictated what my adult life consisted of. I identified a cycle that I desired to change and I did that. Once I did that for myself, I wanted to share my story with the world. My story is raw and very touching but I what I intend for others to get from it is that healing is possible and we all heal in our own way. I desired to share my story so others could adopt tips to assist them on their own healing journey.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love reading books on spirituality and I absolutely love Bessel van der Kolk’s The Body Keeps the Score! I inspired my own writing! I wanted my story to reach millions in hopes to change the lives of millions!

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My book provides insight to my life as a child and into my adult years. It provides a very detailed description of my experiences from childhood sexual abuse to toxic relationships that I’ve experienced as a result. Many of us have had traumatic upbringings and as a result, we may lead unfulfilling lives without having any understanding of how our past traumas may have influenced this. I lived many years of my life repeating a cycle I had no idea I was in. I had no insight to how my childhood trauma was the foundation to my experiences. I encountered many hurtful relationships and often blamed others for my experience. What I realized was I was the one who was responsible for the cycle I was in, and I will share in this book how I came to understand and overcome that.

Rather than allowing my trauma to hold me back, I made the decision to heal and see things from a more positive perspective. I realized my power and used my trauma to ignite me in the direction of prosperity and to influence and motivate me to help others who feel as if there is no hope.

I have chosen to be vulnerable enough to share my story with the world in hopes that it will reach and inspire individuals all over to pursue their own healing.

I have included a bonus chapter where you will get to review many of my diary entries from my personal diary and witness the emotional roller coaster I rode as I started to heal. You will also get to see how my perspective shifted over the passing months as I got deeper into my healing and started to make remarkable progress. I’m positive that my diary entries will help you gain a new perspective and you will be able to adopt tips to assist you on your own healing journey.

Featured Interview With Anne McClard

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania but lived in many different places growing up. My dad was a surgeon in the Navy, and my mother was a housewife. After seventeen years of marriage and having had six children with my father, my mother divorced him, something rare in the early 1960s. So, we moved a lot and, for a time, were what people nowadays call “unhoused.” We lived in Virginia (Norfolk, Virginia Beach), Colorado (Breckenridge, Empire, Georgetown, Denver, Boulder), Billings (Montana), and Santa Fe (New Mexico), where I came of age attending St. John’s College. I think of myself as coming from the “Rocky Mountain Corridor.” As an adult, I have lived in Rhode Island, Denver, Boulder, and the Bay Area. I am married and have two children, one living at home, and the other in Los Angeles, where he is starting his fledgling career in the film industry. Last but not least, we have two adorable senior Tibetan Terriers.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have been writing for my entire life. The first time I thought of writing a book was after reading ‘Little House in the Big Woods’ by Laura Ingalls Wilder. A couple of years later, I read ‘Harriet the Spy’ by Louise Fitzhugh and went right out and bought my first journal. I have kept a journal in one form or another ever since then. It is no accident that I ended up being a cultural anthropologist—notebook , pen, and observational skills are the main tools of the trade, as is documenting every day life.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I gravitate to literary fiction, regardless of genre elements. Magic, romance, mystery, culture, history and good world-building are all part of what I look for. I really love well researched novels with developed characters who have complex back stories. Intricate plots also fascinate me. As an adult reader, I have been most influenced by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Barbara Kingsolver, and mystery writers like Tana French and Donna Tartt. I also love good ethnographic fiction. The books I enjoy reading the most teach me something but also entertain. And, that is the kind of books I try to write.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Margaux and the Vicious Circle is the book I most recently finished writing. It will be released on September 30, 2024. It tells the story of Margaux, a young writer in 1985 Manhattan, who has penned a semi-autobiographical novel that includes the unresolved disappearance of a childhood friend. She faces the usual impediments that all authors do—difficulties finding an agent, and pushback from family members who feel that her book reveals too many secrets they have worked hard to hide.

Margaux, like me, has four siblings, and her backstory is scaffolded on many events that took place in my own family and childhood, but she is definitely not me, and the novel she has written is only tangentially related to my life. The characters are wholly fabricated. Character building is one of the most fun parts of writing for me. I spend almost as much time writing backstories as I do writing the book. I was able to produce a complete draft of this book in approximately six months.

This book was particularly tricky because it weaves two timelines. The story is really two complete novels that mingle details of Margaux’s childhood with her current life. Multiple mysteries are opened and closed in each timeline. Thematically, I was inspired to write the book because my mother kept fretting about how dangerous the world had become. I argued that the world has always been dangerous, recounting the dangers she faced in her childhood and the dangers my siblings and I faced in ours. Childhood might actually be safer now! Another important theme, present in both of my novels, is the power of magical thinking and imagination for overcoming adversity.

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Featured Interview With Thích Quang Trí

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am an American Buddhist monk living at the Phuoc Hue Buddhist Temple of San Antonio (Texas). Though I have a love/hate relationship with Texas, it is still home. I’ve written a few books, most notably “The Buddha Journey: Questions & Answers for the Awakening Mind” and “Meditations: Aspirations & Reflections for a Happier Life.”

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve loved reading and writing for as long as I can remember! I’ve always had several bookshelves in my room my entire life. Actually, for most of my adult life, I’ve always made space somewhere in my home that acted as a library. In either my bedroom or in my office, I would have three bookshelves: one shelf of books I’ve read and really enjoyed, one shelf of books I’ve read but want to read again, and a shelf of books I haven’t read yet. The last shelf is currently overflowing…

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I don’t really have a “favorite” anything, honestly. My taste is very eclectic. Of course, as a monk, all my reading is specifically in the genre of religion and spirituality.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
The Buddha Journey: Questions & Answers for the Awakening Mind (2nd edition), is an invaluable book full of wisdom for those curious or new to Buddhism, or even if you’re a seasoned practitioner and want to learn something from a new perspective and point of view. Part one of the book covers all your most important basics: the history of the Buddha’s life and enlightenment, the Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path, Dependent Origination, Karma, and Meditation. Part two includes over 100 questions on various topics like: compassion, meditation, enlightenment, lists and numbers, and more!

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Featured Interview With Dr Jasmine

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am a practicing family doctor. My career spans almost 30 years; I worked in Europe, the USA and finally, over the last 20 years, in the UK. All in all, I had supported and treated about a third of a million people of all ages, races and religious backgrounds, and from every walk of life.

I feel privileged that this vast experience had offered me some valuable insights into the joys and struggles of us, humans. I also feel, that all too often, the kind of help/guidance that my patients need, is either not available within the mainstream healthcare system, or worse still, that societal make-up is a large factor in my patients’ troubles.

I am passionate about sharing what I have learned on a greater scale – via my books. But my writing is daring, thought-provoking and controversial, so I write under a pseudonym.
Having embarked on writing 11 volumes of Human Condition series, I am delighted that the first volume- Love, demystified- has just been published.

When not working or writing, I enjoy cooking, gardening, painting, singing and playing piano.
My husband is a doctor, too, and we have two children.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I always loved reading, ever since I was a little girl, but had no plans to become a writer, until…

About ten years ago I had a very surreal experience. It felt like “the Universe had placed large amounts of information” into my mind; I realize this sounds “mad”, but it really is how it felt.

I wrote a huge and complex book there and then- “The point of it”, which related to everything that exists. However is was a heavy and complex read, and did not get published.
Since then I have completely changed my writing style, and broke the above work into 11 volumes. I am currently writing ” Mental Health, demystified”- the book that I hope will help millions of mental illness sufferers who just cannot get better despite taking medications for decades. The book unveils a number of societal taboos and signposts to a real cure.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love reading classical fiction! Lighter books too, I enjoy them sometimes.
But you know this saying: all books in the world could be divided into “the book of the hour” and ” the book of all times”..?

In terms of genre, my favorite pleasure reads are romance and psychological detectives- I adore Agatha Christie :o).

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Love Demystified by Dr Jasmine (who writes under a pseudonym) astounds readers as she sets out her intriguing beliefs around the seamless continuity between sex, love, God and the energy pool of the universe, which she demonstrates with clarity and simplicity, using school level physics.

This is an idiosyncratic book that combines science and fiction, philosophy, poetry and some original art, to answer all your questions about love; the meaning of life; the design and the purpose of the universe.

Why do we love sex so much? Who is God and where is he? How to maintain passion in a long-term relationship and experience the highest levels of pleasure? What is the structure, function, and the meaning of every entity in the Universe, and what is your place amongst them? These, and many other questions, are answered.

Sharing four chapters entitled Universe made easy; The anatomy of love; The colours of love; In love with the Universe, this book is the first in Dr Jasmine’s planned series – Human Condition.

Using the rainbow as a metaphor, this unique book shares that the only way to foster a lifelong love relationship requires that romantic love should be tasted in all its multitude of colors and hues. Not only the red color of passion and the yellow of joy, but also the greens of envy and jealousy, the blues of depression, and the purples of betrayal.

And if you are pulled apart between wanting to keep a stable family for your children, and craving the tearing excitement of sexual chemistry that you seem to have lost, read on! You will discover the ‘formula of passion’, and become irresistible to your lover, all over again.

Love, demystified, also details how your health, and the unquenchable thirst to find and fulfil your life purpose, are intrinsically interwoven and are both dependent on you having the foundation of lasting romantic love.

Love, demystified (Human Condition) – Kindle edition by Dr Jasmine. Self-Help Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.
Love, demystified (Human Condition): Dr Jasmine: 9781068656606: Amazon.com: Books

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Dr Jasmine’s Website

Featured Interview With Khadijat Quadri

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Well I grew up in Lagos, Nigeria and migrated to the United States at the age of twenty-two. Today I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) based in Texas with decades of experience in clinical mental health which led me to write my first book.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
Well I started writing around 2018 but I have always been an avid reader.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I am greatly influenced by the works of great minds like Rudolf Steiner, Michael Newton, Alan Watts, and Abd-Ru-Shin

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is called “Indigen: Journeys of A Wounded Healer.” Through this book, I tell my story of being a spiritually gifted child from Nigeria who emerged from a life of physical, mental, and sexual abuse to become a successful psychotherapist in the US. Indigen is inspired by a desire to support the healing and restoration of others. Through this book, I hope to raise awareness about the role that spirituality plays in psychology. Indigen sheds more light on the complexities of trauma, and how holistic approaches and alternative medical treatments can be helpful on the journey towards healing.

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Khadijat Quadri’s Website

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Featured Interview With Jeremy S. Adams

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I have lived in Bakersfield, California my whole life. My roots there are proudly deep. I teach at Bakersfield High School, home of “The Drillers,” which is 131 years old. It is the only school where I have ever taught—26 years and counting. My four siblings and I attended the high school. My father taught there for 30 years. I met my future wife there. My children are Drillers. The wonderful thing about Bakersfield High School is it is a microcosm of America—we have a little bit of everything. Rich and poor, a lot of ethnic, religious, and class diversity. If there is a trend happening in America writ large, I guarantee it can be seen on the campus where I teach.

This is why my students are my inspiration. They are the signposts of a society in deep and woeful distress—their addiction to technology, their myopic view of the nation and its history, their loneliness and worrisome mental health, their often chaotic family living arrangements. My writing career has been devoted to sounding alarm bells as loudly as possible and offering realistic solutions so that they can make the most of their lives and the blessing of human liberty that has been bequeathed to them.

I have three children, two dogs and just proudly celebrated my 25th Anniversary with my wife and high school sweetheart, Jennifer.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I know it is odd, but I loved writing stories as a child more than reading them. I was not a particularly bookish child, even though I had two parents who were avid readers. I really fell in love with books early in college when I made the most important discovery of my life—words from long ago somehow entomb eternal truths that can live on forever. There I was as a college freshman, being asked life’s big questions, having nothing but inclinations and shallow shibboleths from my youth. And yet, by reading Plato and Aristotle, learning about the Gospel and the Four Noble Truths, and absorbing ideas from men and women who had died long ago, I could find some answers and solve some riddles of how to live a better life today. That seemed utterly magical to me. It left me with the impression that books, ideas, and words allow us to create a community of learners that can stretch across the centuries. I think anyone who has ever been inspired to live differently because of a book or author believes there is a grand nobility in writing that is different than any other human ambition.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I am always reading two books simultaneously—one fiction and one non-fiction. Some of my favorite non-fiction writers are historians and political commentators. I really revere the works of David McCullough, Gordon Wood, Joseph Ellis, and Ron Chernow. I have a deep love of ancient philosophy, so the works of Seneca, Aristotle, and Boethius have deeply affected me, as well as the inventor of the essay, Michel de Montaigne. Tolstoy is my favorite writer of all time, and while I love his fiction, especially The Death of Ivan Ilych, his autobiographical writing about his struggles with religious faith is some of the most underappreciated prose in the western canon. My favorite modern novelists are Ian McEwan, Julian Barnes, Donna Tartt, and Elizabeth Strout. I think American fiction writing is as strong as it has ever been.

I genuinely believe all writing and all genres are an attempt to explore the central problem of being a human being. We are intelligent enough to know questions but not intelligent enough to know the answers we want. We live in the finitude of time, but we want eternal and infinite wisdom in its durability and vitality. We have these limited brains, sensitive hearts, and severely limited bodies for a length of time we do not know while encountering new troubles and fresh tribulations daily. Being alive is hard, but we also have a sense that it is spectacularly special, that it is a gift, and that there are paths available to us that are higher, better, and more meaningful. I love any genre, any author, and any project that helps us to make sense of the messiness and promise of life.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Last month, HarperCollins published the book I have wanted to write and publish my whole life. It is entitled Lessons in Liberty: Thirty Rules for Living from Ten Extraordinary Americans, and to be blunt, it is my magnum opus. It is a book of patriotic self-help: think George Washington meets Atomic Habits.

I found both inspiration and sadness in the reality that many contemporary Americans lead unhappy lives. A staggering 30% express broad dissatisfaction, while a quarter of 18–24-year-olds have contemplated suicide. Our nation grapples with civic and personal misery. Despite our freedom, we face a great conundrum: how to use liberty meaningfully and productively. As a teacher, I firmly believe that we learn best through examples, especially stories. In my book, I delve into the lives of ten extraordinary Americans spanning different walks of life and time periods—from George Washington and Thomas Jefferson to Ben Nighthorse Campbell and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. From their wisdom and habits, we can extract three practical and actionable rules for successful and happy living. By looking to the past, we can shape our future. The book is not only informative but also practical, offering guidance to modern Americans who seek assistance. I truly believe it can play a powerful role in improving our personal and political lives.

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