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“YOU DON’T SAY”
How We Get Communication Wrong…and How to Get It Right.
Demetria M. McNeal, Ph.D., Shares Her Book and Her Expertise!
SHOW NOTES with LINKS:
- Dr. McNeal’s Bio (from her book cover): “Dr. Demetria McNeal is a communication scientist, academic researcher, popular speaker, corporate trainer, and communication coach. She helps individuals, executives, entrepreneurs, health care institutions, and health care clinicians dismantle communication pitfalls that stifle relationships, create disparities in health outcomes, derail health interventions, and impede organizational progress.”
- Demetria tells us who she really is (in addition to her impressive bio!)
- We met at Jerry Fabyanic‘s Book Nook in December 2024 where everyone flocked to her table to purchase her book!
- I ask her about her earliest memory of communication gone wrong.
- TITLE (YOU DON’T SAY) can be read in different ways depending on which word gets emphasized (very clever)!
- We talk about taboos: “”Usually we say the wrong thing or we say nothing.” I ask what’s wrong with saying nothing.
- In our communication, we’re stigmatized (especially when it comes to taboo topics) by culture, by ourselves, by our families…and we talk about family dynamics and the roles we play in our families, sometimes unwillingly.
- Our inferences and judgments can be WRONG! (we are a judgy people). Demetria provides guidance on how to deal with our judgments.
- We talk about honesty, and I ask if some secrets good to keep.
- Demetria explains how habits influence our communication styles.
- Does she have an opinion on small-talk? Listen to her answer!
- She provides advice on how to deal with defensive responses.
- What’s next? YOU DON’T SAY is available now on audiobook, narrated by the author herself with her velvety voice!
- She offers thanks to those who helped her launch this book, including her publisher: Munn Avenue Press.
- Like and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more great interviews!
Follow Dr. Demetria M. McNeal Here:
demetriamcneal.com
youdontsayblog.com
demetriamcnealauthor.com
FB: youdontsay
IG: youdontsaybook
. . . and links to previous interviews with Demetria:
How We Get Communication Wrong… and How to Get It Right. Munn Press Podcast. Available at: Dr. Demetria M. McNeal, Ph.D., MBA – by Charles Levin (munnavenuemuse.com)
You Don’t Say? How to Phrase Boundaries in Relationships. Color of Success Podcast. Available at: Dr. Demetria McNeal: You Don’t Say? How to Phrase Boundaries in Relationships (colorofsuccesspodcast.com)
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Laurel Stuff:
Have a new book? Want me to help you market it? Let me know!
Find my other work here!
Carla Seyler Presents: “A Place Unmade”!
Show Notes with Links:
- Carla Seyler, multiple-award-winning author of A Place Unmade, tells us a bit about herself.
- We get an elevator pitch for the novel, and learn how she was inspired to write this thriller/romance/bioterrorism story.
- We talk about the research she did, and how she decided she’d done enough.
- The classroom scenes made me feel like I was sitting there with the students. I ask about her educational experience.
- A lot of people are big on NON-GMO products now. I ask if everything is genetically modified now, and how to protect ourselves.
- The way Carla insert the villain’s nefarious activity adds greatly to the suspense. I ask how the idea come to her.
- She talks about the love triangle/romance aspects of her writing.
- We find out if she’s a planner or a pantser.
- Her inclusion of Cajun food, music, and dance all add to the flavor of the story.
- She tells us a bit about her next novel.
- We each have advice to those who haven’t yet published.
- Carla acknowledges people who have helped her.
- She is a member of Central Colorado Writers and its critique group.
- Follow Carla here:
website: carlaseyler.net
Instagram: @carlaseyler_author
linkedin.com/in/carla-seyler-23a85637/
facebook: www.facebook.com/carla.difulcoseyler
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Laurel Stuff:
Have a new book? Want me to help you market it? Let me know!
Find my other work here!
How Rock Hudson Befriended Gunther Allen
Gunther’s Memoir: Pushed Out of the Closet Without a Parachute
Show Notes with Links:
- Author Gunther Allen‘s background is filled with diverse activities: He taught aerobics in the ‘80s, (partially) painted the round World Arena for the 1984 Olympic Games, was a big deal on TV in Australia demonstrating the new Nautilus 20-minute workout, toured with the Long Beach University Chorus, took 1st place Water Polo trophy, steer wrestled, worked in photography and graphic arts, and is still a compassionate supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community.
- And, according to the legendary Rock Hudson, Gunther was pretty cute!
- He tells us how he met Rock Hudson at the Silver Fox in Long Beach.
- Gunther plays guitar, and Rock asked him to play a party he was hosting at Dean Dittman’s place. (At 2 a.m., he finally played “the Whales,” astonishing everyone at the party).
- He invited Hudson to his parent’s home on the BIG Island, where he visited and found solace in Gunther’s friendship. I ask him about the kiss.
- I ask him about how the “fake news” threatened and ultimately outed him.
- Gunther had many impromptu performances and chance meetings with stars.
- The book is filled with intricate details and moments of suspense.
- He talks about how–with stage fright and dyslexia–he still managed to perform for an audience.
- Gunther received a telegram from Elizabeth Taylor to attend Hudson’s memorial service.
- In 1989, Gunther had intimate relations with Mark Christian, who lied about being AIDS free.
- Gunther is telling his story now to tell world about Mark Christian’s many lies and the court battle over Hudson’s estate.
- I ask Gunther about how Rock said goodbye to him.
- Gunther’s book is a testament to a man who “wanted to please everyone…” He was a genuine person who made people aware of the AIDS crisis.
- In his epilogue, Gunther calls himself an “ordinary person.” I would beg to differ.
- Gunther Allen brings Rock Hudson to life in a way no other biographer could.
- Follow him here:
https://guntherallen.com/ - Find the Book here: Pushed Out of the Closet Without a Parachute
- Follow on Amazon: Gunther Allen
Watch for Gunther’s new book . . . coming soon!
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Laurel Stuff:
Have a new book? Want me to help you market it? Let me know!
Find my other work here!
RoBEAR Isenberg Talks About Why Men are Suspicious of Yoga!
Show Notes with Links:
- I ask about his name: Robert “RoBEAR” Isenberg, and he tells the story of its genesis.
- We’re talking about his latest book: Why Men are Suspicious of Yoga: Some Funny Stories & Some Not So Funny
- But first, I ask him when he first realized he could make people laugh. His answer will surprise you!
- He talks about the troubles he had at school because of learning disabilities, and his early jobs selling encyclopedias and “fairly good” roast beef sandwiches! He attended Boston Latin School.
- One of his chapters is about his interesting face. In FACE IT—for no apparent reason, people tell him how much $$$ they have . . . and swear they’ve seen him on TV! (I’m frequently told I look like someone’s aunt or grandmother…)
- He talks about his character Mr. Fridge.
- In his chapter about hugging (he was not hugged as a child), he talks about how not everyone is a “good hugger.” He praises his very loving wife, Esther, for her affectionate nature.
- He talks about what a difficult life it is for comedians, having to try to make people laugh night after night, because humor is so very subjective.
- RoBEAR confesses to his habit of buying gadgets advertised on TV. His chapter A Collection of Nothing might strike a chord!
- RoBEAR warns listeners to beware of SCAMMERS!
- Check out the website Writers Beware.
- He discusses the not-so-funny chapter Where has Humor Gone, which brings up the current political environment.
- His book WHAM BAM! will take readers to NYC in the roaring ’60s.
- His title chapter–Why Men are Suspicious of Yoga–is a hoot! It would seem that men and women do, indeed, think differently!
- I ask if he is still performing live, and suggested he should not perform dead!
- He has some advice for those who want to do stand-up . . . or write a book!
- We get a surprise visit from his wife, Esther!
- Follow and find RoBEAR’s work here:
https://authorrobertrobearisenberg.com/
info@robertrobearisenberg.com - Find his books on Amazon!
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Laurel Stuff:
Have a new book? Want me to help you market it? Let me know!
Find my other work here!
“Dyani’s Adventures” with Award-Winning Author Kitty Arceneaux
Follow Author Kitty Arceneaux on her website: Kittysbookshelf.com
Show Notes with Links:
- Kitty Arceneaux is a wife, mother, author, minister, life coach, book coach, MUSE for other writers, non-profit leader . . . I ask her what has she NOT yet been?
- I mention her interview on the Douglas Coleman Show about her novel RUTH READY and the message that every day we can CHOOSE to love.
- Dyani’s Adventures is about a 9-year-old girl. I ask Kitty how much of the main character is autobiographical.
- Dyani wants to learn and experience outside her comfort zone . . . so many don’t! We talk about why people are hesitant to explore new traditions, foods, and languages.
- Dyani visits people from Brazil, China, Mexico, Asia, Egypt, Africa, Italy, Iran, and Japan, and learns an important message from an artist, who tells her to embrace the unexpected.
- I ask if Kitty was surprised by anything as she wrote this book.
- Most of her books are Christian themed, but her messages in “Dyani’s Adventures” are universal: Patience, understanding, willingness to listen, and love.
- Find her books on Amazon and follow her on her website at https://kittysbookshelf.com/
- Kitty shares advice for those with stories they want to tell.
- Follow Kitty Arceneaux and find all of her books on Amazon!
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Laurel Stuff:
Have a new book? Want me to help you market it? Let me know!
Find my other work here!
IWO JIMA
“Give Me Fifty Marines Not Afraid to Die” by (the late) John Keith Wells
Order the audiobook: Iwo Jima: Give Me Fifty Marines Not Afraid to Die [click the link]
Show Notes with Links:
My first interview of 2025 is with Wes Wells, son of (the late) author John Keith Wells, US Marine Corps. Wes shares his father’s life and stunning story.
I read from the Prologue to give readers a sense for what is to come in this first-person account of the atmosphere just before battle:
“Dim outlines began taking shape near the base of Mount Suribachi. I threw the white wool Japanese Navy blanket off my shoulders and laid my Tommy gun on top of it. The captured warm blanket that our platoon runner had literally risked his life for would be of no use in today’s battle; it would be left behind. Nothing, I mean absolutely nothing, had a meaning. Not home, not mother, not wife, not children, not girlfriend, not hometown, not cold, hot, or hungry-nothing mattered except today’s forthcoming battle, and it would commence very soon.”
- His description of basic training and getting gear thrown at him…he uses figurative language his English teacher would have rewarded!
- Why did he write this stunning history? Wes discusses his father’s goal for the book.
- I mention the “Short arm” inspection, which my dad told me about years ago! The author doesn’t hold back any details.
- Iwo Jima was one of the bloodiest battles in WW2 Marine Corps history, and Wells has graphic depictions of battle. He was 23 years old.
- I ask about his father’s embedded shrapnel and other wounds, and if they influenced him in any way.
- Wes talks about the iconic “Flag raising” photo and surrounding controversy.
- Wes describes his father as having tremendous confidence and an honorable bearing that drew people to him. His was a great storyteller. I ask if he was “squeaky clean,” and Wes reads a humorous passage about an incident at a USO show!
Description by Wes Wells of photo above: “Me and Jimmy Chappell… Interesting story. He served in the Marines and became a school art teacher. Many years ago dad would go to Midland, Tx to do business and mom would go to craft shows. She ran across an artist that had that pic he drew of the flag raising. Did you notice it only had 48 stars????? Jimmy told me this story after dad died. Mom made the comment that her husband commanded that platoon. She did not buy the pic, but he always remembered her. When dad passed he contacted me and told me this story. He came out to dads funeral where the ex-commandant of the Marine Corp and Governor Perry performed the service. Dad got a a Marine Corp Fly-over and a 21 gun salute. His motorcade was over a mile and surrounded by the Patriot Guard Motorcycle group. In the picture frame, there is a picture of the funeral and 14 shell casings. Jimmy went after everyone left with a metal detector and found all the 14 casings. The other 7 are with the flag. He gave that picture to me and the family to have… Great guy, Great Patriot.”
- The book includes historic photos, one with Pvt Robeson, who is shirtless, with Charles Lindberg . . . identical photos taken 32 years apart.
- John Keith Wells died days short of his 94th bday. We talk about people from “The Greatest Generation” and why we think they lived such long lives.
- I ask Wes what he will remember most about his father.
- To learn more about John Keith Wells and the battle of Iwo Jima, buy his book HERE and consider purchasing the audio book when it comes out soon.
- I thank Wes for sharing his father’s life and story.
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Laurel Stuff:
Have a new book? Want me to help you market it? Let me know!
Find my other work here!
Meet BEVERLY JENKINS!
Bestselling and Highly Acclaimed Author of Romance and Women’s Fiction!
Show Notes with Links:
- Chosen USA TODAY’s best-selling author of Romance and Women’s Fiction, today’s guest is the highly acclaimed author Beverly Jenkins.
- We met at this year’s RMFW Colorado Gold Writers Conference, where Beverly was the keynote speaker. I brag about her accomplishments and kudos.
- She was one of the Black Readers Conference’s keynote speakers in 2021at which time she was THE most read author in the Canon with 6 books, followed by Toni Morrison, Octavia Butler, and Tiffany D. Jackson, with 4 books each.
- She talks about being the editor of her elementary school’s newspaper in the 4th grade – The Myra Jones Elementary School COMET – but had no dreams of being a writer. Her dream job was to work in a library, which she eventually did. I ask how her library work inspired her storytelling, and she talks about her family of readers…and how her parents weren’t even allowed to check out books from their segregated library.
- I ask when she first developed confidence in her ability to tell a story.
- Avon Books called in June 1993 to say they wanted to buy her first book—Night Song. After it was published in the summer of 1994, Avon kept sending her contracts and she kept sending back books.
- Al Roker says Beverly’s storytelling is “uplifting and engaging and proves it really does take a village.” Beverly discusses adopted and foster children (she adopted her son when he was five).
- In a Goodreads interview December 2020, she talked about her author platform and said, “there’s enough light for everybody, and if I can shine my light on somebody who’s just coming out, or somebody who’s struggling, or somebody who just needs a little slight push to the center of the stage, why wouldn’t I do that? It doesn’t take anything away from me. I still got the light, I’ve still got my platform, so it’s much better to be kind than be a bitch.”
- Speaking of being a bitch, I ask her to tell the story about the “Literary Fiction” author on the bus.
- Many of her books are about African-American life in the 19th Century.
- We talk about To Catch a Raven: Amazon Editor’s Pick for Best Romance! With historical details, espionage, a heist, suspense, a prophetic child, multiple cons, fabulous characters, FUN, a strong, smart woman lead and the steamy Braxton Steele . . . OOOOH!
- It’s 3rd in the Women Who Dare series, and each book is a stand-alone read.
- p. 271: Raven wonders “if the country would ever value the men of the race the way their loved ones did.” We discuss this, and Beverly talks about how her writing is also a tribute to Black men.
- What’s in the works? Beverly is a fantasy reader and plans to write a story with a black woman riding a dragon!
- She provides wonderful advice to authors and those who hope to be authors.
- Where to follow Beverly:
– https://www.beverlyjenkins.net/
– https://www.amazon.com/stores/Beverly-Jenkins/author/B000APIFDO
– https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBeverlyJenkins
– https://www.facebook.com/groups/63081476277 (fans of Beverly Jenkins Facebook group)
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Laurel Stuff:
Have a new book? Want me to help you market it? Let me know!
Find my other work here!
Jeff Giles Explores the Afterlife…
in his debut novel Langley Powell and the Society for the Defense of the Mundane
Show Notes with Links:
- Jeff tells us a bit about himself.
- He talks about the title of his debut novel and provides an elevator pitch.
- He tells us how he decided to write fiction after being a nonfiction author.
- We discuss our thoughts about what lies beyond this mortal realm .
- Reviewers across the board have indicated their delight in Jeff’s unique perspective on the afterlife.
- His character Frank is wonderful, so we talk about him.
- I ask about some fun allusions [Cyrus tells Langley, “We’re all counting on you,” an Airplane reference? And secret decoder ring, Christmas Story? Jeff includes many cultural tidbits from the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s.
- I ask about the idea of the SPINE of the universe.
- Meat pudding, Steven the mockingbird, a literal windbag. “With the sound of a fart…” Jeff peppers his narrative with delightfully humorous phrases and characters.
- We discuss looking at formative experiences from a different perspective when we’re grown.
- His characters address the Yin/yang balance in everything.
- We get a little political about Cyrus’s perspective.
- I ask what he has learned about himself now that he has completed and launched this novel.
- Jeff provides some great advice to those contemplating trying their hand at novel writing.
- Follow Jeff Giles here:
https://www.jefitoblog.com/about/
https://langleypowell.com
Amazon page
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Laurel Stuff:
Have a new book? Want me to help you market it? Let me know!
Find my other work here!
Rising Literary Star Kollin Kennedy Presents “As Time Goes By”
A collection of poetry and prose
Show Notes with Links:
- I met at the 2024 RMFW Colorado Gold Writers Conference. I ask why he came from Texas to attend.
- His new book: As Time Goes by: A Collection of Poetry and Prose presents 93 poems (sonnets with a 21st Century flair) and 9 letters (with satirical wit).
- For people creating their own collections, Kollin explains how he chose these pieces.
- He explains why he issues a heads-up about his uncharacteristic style.
- Kollin creates new words to express his unique voice.
- I ask about Kollin’s education, how he came to love the sonnet, and the first poem he wrote.
- The book is filled with literary and pop allusions: Kate and Petruchio, Tartuffe, Lucy and Desi … He talks about his knowledge base.
- I ask him to read The Portrait of A Nice Guy, First Perspective, and we talk about the autobiographic nature of many of his pieces.
- His letters stun, amuse, and evoke emotion.
- Letter V to a friend requesting an introduction to pop star Tito . . .
- Letter VIII about the mixtape . . .
- Much to do about money, greed, and cleanliness, or lack thereof in Letter XV in which stank foot is an issue! (I love his letters!)
- I ask who he hopes will read his work.
- Kollin discusses what he’s working on now, and how to reach him. His website:
https://kollinkennedy.com - His Insta:
https://www.instagram.com/kollink1?igsh=MXNhNXN3MGdyY3hlZQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr - His podcast, Apollo’s Muse:
https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/apollos-muse-kollin-kennedy-DeEqU-Ckjdr/
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Laurel Stuff:
Have a new book? Want me to help you market it? Let me know!