Dogs, Stories, and Connections | Meet Patricia McConnell

With host, Lisa Towles, this episode examines the intersection of science and storytelling through Patricia McConnell's internationally bestselling nonfiction and her acclaimed fiction debut, Away to Me. Together they discuss observation, empathy, healing, and why understanding behavior—whether human or canine—can transform the way we see the world. Essential listening for readers, writers, dog lovers, and anyone fascinated by the deeper connections between people, animals, and the natural world.

McConnell is one of the world's foremost authorities on animal behavior. Her internationally bestselling books—including The Other End of the Leash, For the Love of a Dog, and The Education of Will—have helped more than 1.2 million readers build stronger relationships with their dogs. In her debut novel, Away to Me, she brings that same rare perspective to fiction, creating a compelling mystery set against the rich backdrop of rural Wisconsin and the fascinating world of sheepdogs.

In this in-depth conversation, Lisa Towles and Patricia McConnell discuss:

• Patricia's lifelong journey into the study of canine behavior and the pivotal decision that changed her career. • Why The Other End of the Leash continues to resonate with readers around the world. • The inspiration behind her fiction debut, Away to Me, and discovering a passion for novel writing later in life. • Sheepdogs, sheepdog trials, and creating an authentic rural mystery rooted in the natural world. • What fear, trauma, healing, and trust reveal about both animals and ourselves.

This episode is ideal for dog lovers, mystery readers, writers, animal behavior enthusiasts, and anyone who enjoys thoughtful conversations about observation, compassion, resilience, and the enduring bond between humans and animals.

Watch the full YouTube video interview: https://youtu.be/GSy8fZmVz6w?si=FPdcBNKWuA7aZGt1

Learn more about Patricia McConnell: https://patriciamcconnell.com

Story Impact is hosted by Lisa Towles—award-winning crime novelist and founder of Story Impact Consulting. This literary podcast features visionary authors exploring books, creativity, storytelling, and the deeper purpose behind the stories that shape our lives.

Learn more about the Story Impact platform: https://storyimpactconsulting.com

Follow Story Impact on Podbean, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts to stay connected to conversations exploring books, meaning, purpose, and the ideas that shape our lives. Subscribe on YouTube for full-length video interviews with today's most compelling authors.

Stories hold the world together.

Lisa Towles, award-winning crime novelist and host of Story Impact, sits down with authors and entrepreneurs Carol Ann and Eric Wentworth to explore mindfulness, meaningful work, leadership, and finding purpose beyond conventional career success.

This episode examines the evolving definition of success—moving beyond promotions and titles toward lives grounded in purpose, alignment, and authentic human connection. Essential listening for professionals, entrepreneurs, authors, and lifelong learners seeking a more intentional path forward.

Carol Ann and Eric Wentworth are authors, mentors, and founders of Wentworth Executive Recruiting, where they have spent decades helping professionals build meaningful careers while developing leaders and strengthening organizations. Their work brings together executive recruiting, mindfulness, personal growth, and leadership development to help people create careers—and lives—that truly matter.

Together they are the authors of A Mindful Career, a thoughtful guide to aligning professional success with personal purpose. Eric's award-winning new book, A Mindful Teen, helps parents cultivate deeper conversations with teenagers through mindfulness, gratitude, and compassion, while Carol Ann prepares to launch Mindful Career Mastery, a six-week online course designed to help participants align their work with purpose, presence, and personal fulfillment.

In this in-depth conversation, Lisa Towles, Carol Ann, and Eric Wentworth discuss:

The difference between finding a job and discovering a calling

Why today's professionals are increasingly searching for purpose over prestige

The inspiration behind A Mindful Teen and A Mindful Career

What decades of executive recruiting reveal about leadership, fulfillment, and human potential

How success evolves from achievement to alignment

This episode is ideal for professionals navigating career transitions, entrepreneurs, leaders, parents, authors, and anyone seeking thoughtful conversations about purpose, meaningful work, and living with greater intention.

Watch the full YouTube video interview:

https://youtu.be/TMeuwn2iIks?si=zV4VBsy_jkLjQICT

Learn more about Carol Ann and Eric Wentworth:

https://wentworthexecutiverecruiting.com

Story Impact is hosted by Lisa Towles—award-winning crime novelist and founder of Story Impact Consulting. This literary podcast features visionary authors, entrepreneurs, and changemakers exploring creativity, leadership, meaningful work, and the deeper purpose behind powerful stories.

Learn more about books by Lisa Towles:

https://lisatowles.com/

Learn more about the Story Impact platform:

https://storyimpactconsulting.com

Follow Story Impact on Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio to stay connected to conversations that explore books, meaning, purpose, and the ideas that shape our lives. Subscribe on YouTube for full-length video interviews with today's most compelling authors.

Stories hold the world together.

Welcome to the Story Impact Author Interview Podcast. In some corners of the world, storytelling isn't just an art—it’s an act of courage and a vital record of survival.

Today, host Lisa Towles welcomes bestselling crime novelist Sarah Lovett and global changemaker Ron Schultz. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on their new international thriller, Metal Viper, a story where a 12-year-old boy and a father's poetry become a state-level threat. We explore how fiction grounded in the harrowing reality of Myanmar can challenge authoritarian power and set forces in motion that no one can control.

Lovett and Schultz bring a combined lifetime of expertise in criminal justice and social innovation to this project. This conversation dives deep into the moral imperative of writers to stand up for the vulnerable and the "warrior goddess" energy required to navigate a landscape of vast beauty and alarming oppression.

In this episode, we explore:

• Storytelling as Resistance: How a child’s quiet voice and a father’s poetry can ignite a chain of events that challenge authoritarian power and mobilize a movement.
• The Inspiration Behind the Fiction: The real-world catalyst of a newspaper clipping about a "poet baker" and the influence of International Bridges to Justice.
• The Fearless Investigator: Introducing Kae Zhang, a "warrior goddess" and hero of this new series, who navigates global crises with a moral imperative to lift others up.
• The Mechanics of Collaboration: A look behind the curtain at how two distinct voices—one rooted in psychological crime and the other in social innovation—merged to create a seamless narrative.
• Finding Your Author Voice: Ron and Sarah discuss the profound moment an author finds their authentic voice, moving past fear to let the heart lead the story.
• The Responsibility of the Witness: Why taking a stand through fiction is essential in a geopolitical climate of increasing control and censorship.
• Whether you are a thriller enthusiast or a storyteller looking to bridge the gap between fiction and social impact, this episode offers a masterclass in writing with purpose and heart.

Listen & Connect:

• Buy Metal Viper by Sarah Lovett and Ron Schultz: Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and your local independent bookstore.
• Learn more: com, sarahlovett.com, ronschultzauthor.com.
• Watch the video podcast episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zEsNlLtbhNY and subscribe to channel on YouTube to get notified of new episodes.

About Host Lisa Towles:

Hosted by Lisa Towles—award-winning crime novelist and Book Coach. This series highlights the visionaries who bring narratives to life, providing a platform for authors to connect their unique purpose directly with readers. Learn more about host Lisa Towles' 20-year journey at lisatowles.com.

Resources for Authors:

• Book Coaching: Move past the overwhelm of the digital world and launch your work with a strong, informed, and empowered presence. Access expert guidance to bridge the gaps in your process and connect with the readers who will become your biggest fans. Discover how to stand out at com.
• Story Impact Magazine: A digital publication dedicated to the intersection of storytelling and professional strategy. Explore the latest issues at com/magazine.

Follow & Subscribe: Follow the show on Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio.

Stories...hold the world together.

Welcome to the Story Impact Author Interview Podcast. High-octane fiction meets radical authenticity when a lifetime of philanthropy fuels a gripping search for justice.

Today, host Lisa Towles welcomes award-winning novelist and philanthropist Karen E. Osborne. In this episode, we go behind the scenes of her riveting murder mystery, Justice for Emerson, and explore how a passion for storytelling—sparked at age 12—evolved into a powerful platform for social advocacy and deep human connection.

Karen’s work is grounded in her decades of real-world experience in nonprofit leadership and service. This conversation is a profound exploration of how authors can weave personal history, national grief, and a commitment to the vulnerable into narratives of redemption.

In this episode, we explore:

• The Multi-Generational Search for Truth: A look at Justice for Emerson and how it bridges the fracture of 1968 with a present-day investigation, proving that the past is never truly behind us.
• Chasing the Muse: The "destabilizing" yet wonderful flow of being a channel for stories, and why Karen believes it is never too late to answer the persistent call of your creative spirit.
• Writing for the Hidden: The emotional weight and responsibility of giving a voice to those living in the margins—the hungry and the unhoused—and the power of fiction to make the invisible, seen.
• Historical Grief as a Catalyst: How the pivotal day of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination served as the emotional anchor for a story of personal and national redemption.
• Writing with Authenticity: A candid look at the courage required to infuse high-stakes thriller plotting with deep-seated human values and resonant psychological layers.

Whether you are a fan of intricate murder mysteries or a writer seeking the courage to align your vocation with your creative voice, this episode reveals the strategic thinking and deep purpose that can create a memorable experience for readers.

Listen & Connect:

• Buy Justice for Emerson by Karen E. Osborne: https://a.co/d/0bCyeuql
• Learn more about Karen E. Osborne and her books: https://www.kareneosborne.com/
• Watch the full video interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/E3NMuStlEQk

About Your Host: Hosted by Lisa Towles—award-winning crime novelist and Book Coach. This series highlights the visionaries who bring narratives to life, providing a platform for authors to connect their unique purpose directly with readers. Learn more about host Lisa Towles' 20-year journey at lisatowles.com.

Resources for Authors:

• Book Coaching: Move past the overwhelm of the digital world and launch your work with a strong, informed, and empowered presence. Access expert guidance to bridge the gaps in your process, refine your unique voice, and connect with the readers who will become your biggest fans. Discover how to stand out at storyimpactconsulting.com.
• Story Impact Magazine: A digital publication dedicated to the intersection of storytelling and professional strategy. Explore the April "Travel Issue," featuring insights on author visibility and the global literary landscape, at storyimpactconsulting.com/magazine.

Follow & Subscribe: Follow the show on Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio. Subscribe on YouTube for full-length video interviews with today’s most compelling authors and creative voices.

Stories...hold the world together.

Welcome to the Story Impact Podcast! What happens when a terrifying real-life encounter in the mountains of Mexico becomes the catalyst for a celebrated thriller series?

Today, host Lisa Towles welcomes back her second-ever guest, crime thriller author, editor, and writing instructor Ana Manwaring. In this milestone 50th episode, we go behind the scenes of Ana’s 2024 release, Mortal Revenge, and explore the "irrefutable promise of light and dark" that defines her work and the Mexican landscape.

Ana’s storytelling is born from bone-chilling experience—including being held at gunpoint by narcos in a VW bus. This conversation is a profound exploration of how authors can transform trauma, corruption, and systemic impunity into narratives of justice and human resilience.

In this episode, we explore:

• Collaborative Crime Fiction:The unique process of working with Fernando Leon Torrens to turn a true medical conspiracy and family tragedy into the gripping plot of Mortal Revenge.
• The Birth of JadeAnne Stone:The harrowing moment in Michoacán when a near-death experience birthed the voice of Ana's iconic series protagonist.
• Intrepid Intermediaries:Why Ana focuses on the ordinary people who step into the crosshairs to find balance within corrupt systems of power.
• Overcoming the "Squelchers":A candid look at the discouragement authors face and how to push past the critics to find your true calling as a writer.
• The Visionary’s "Bucket":How teaching and editing provide a vital sense of purpose by lifting other authors up and helping them find their unique voices.

Whether you are a fan of high-stakes international thrillers or a writer seeking the courage to tell your most authentic stories, this episode reveals the strategic thinking and deep purpose required to make a lasting story impact.

Listen & Connect:

• Buy Mortal Revenge by Ana Manwaring:https://a.co/d/08NxxQKT
• Learn more about Ana Manwaring:anamanwaring.com
• Watch the full video interview on YouTube:https://youtu.be/pAhbAqzkAtc?si=0SBzC81HIubr25YS
• Explore Story Impact Consulting:Build a memorable, authentic author brand at storyimpactconsulting.com
• Read Story Impact Magazine:Explore the April "Travel Issue" at storyimpactconsulting.com/magazine

About Your Host: The Story Impact Podcast is hosted by Lisa Towles—Communications Director, award-winning crime novelist, and Book Coach. This series highlights the visionaries who bring narratives to life, providing a platform for authors to connect their unique purpose directly with readers.

Follow & Subscribe: Follow Story Impact on Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio. Subscribe on YouTube for full-length video interviews with today’s most compelling authors and creative voices.

Stories...hold the world together.

Welcome to the Story Impact Podcast! How does the mind of a school principal—someone charged with leading a community and shaping its vision—approach the creation of an entirely new world?

Today, host Lisa Towles connects with Steve Guglich, a veteran educator, school principal, and the author of the expansive epic fantasy saga, Piercing the Veil. This conversation is a deep dive into creative discipline, author branding, and the entrepreneurial journey of launching an independent publishing house.

Steve’s work is grounded in "noble-bright" fantasy fiction, exploring a world where magic has been hidden for 4,000 years. He offers a refreshing, hopeful alternative to modern dark fantasy, proving that "clean fiction" can deliver high stakes and deep emotional resonance.

In this episode, we explore:

• The "Santa Claus" Gene: How Steve’s connection with his students inspired the "mysterious gift" possessed by his protagonist.

• Executive Discipline: Strategic advice on finding "quiet hours" to write a 600-page novel while leading a school as a full-time principal.

• The Business of Publishing: Why Steve chose the entrepreneurial route, founding his own publishing company to maintain creative control and brand integrity.

• Global World-Building: The research and vision required to ground a magical narrative across locations like New York City and Tokyo.

• Noble-Bright Fiction: Why the market is hungry for hopeful, clean storytelling that addresses contemporary themes like loss and wonder.

Whether you are a reader looking for your next epic escape or an aspiring author seeking market intelligence on platform building and visibility, this episode provides the roadmap for turning a creative vision into a published reality.

Listen & Connect:

• Learn more about Steve Guglich and The Veil Saga: https://stevenguglich.com/

• Watch the full video interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uliovexMKl8?si=5zJO0KsZ-lX7Uxrv

• Explore Story Impact Consulting for book coaching and brand strategy: https://storyimpactconsulting.com

• Read Story Impact Magazine: Discover our quarterly digital publication at https://storyimpactconsulting.com

About Your Host: The Story Impact Podcast is hosted by Lisa Towles—Communications Director, award-winning crime novelist, and Book Coach. This series highlights the visionaries who bring narratives to life, providing a platform for authors to connect their unique purpose directly with readers.

Follow & Subscribe: Follow Story Impact on Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio. Subscribe on YouTube for full-length video interviews with today’s most compelling authors and creative voices.

Stories...hold the world together.

Welcome to the Story Impact Podcast! Today, we're thrilled to feature Jim and Kathy Ocean — musicians, cultural activists, and co-authors of the genre-bending novel John Lennon's Glasses.

For more than three decades, Jim and Kathy have worked together as the creative force behind OceanWorks Productions, producing concerts, festivals, multimedia performances, and original music they describe as "Music for the MetaQuizzical" — a bold blend of rock, philosophy, satire, and environmental themes designed to challenge how we think about creativity, culture, and change.

Their latest project takes that mission into fiction. John Lennon's Glasses was born from a strange and electrifying creative moment: while writing music in the studio, Jim Ocean imagined John Lennon looking over his shoulder, urging him to keep going. That haunting spark eventually grew into a novel about a struggling songwriter who receives a mysterious pair of Lennon's glasses — and suddenly finds himself connected to the afterlife of rock legends. Blending rock history, spiritual science fiction, and musical mythology, it's a story about creativity, legacy, and the enduring power of artists who changed the world.

In this Story Impact conversation, host Lisa Towles explores how decades of songwriting collaboration translated into co-authoring a novel, the surprising origin story behind the book, what it means to write fiction after a lifetime of composing songs, and why creativity so often feels like the story is engineering the author.

For music lovers, speculative fiction fans, and writers fascinated by the intersection of art, spirituality, and creative obsession — this conversation is for you.

Watch the full YouTube video interview: https://youtu.be/ZErE85an8ks

Learn more about Jim & Kathy Ocean and OceanWorks Productions: https://www.oceanworksproductions.com

The Story Impact Podcast is hosted by Lisa Towles — award-winning crime thriller author, writing coach, and founder of Story Impact Consulting and Story Impact Magazine. Each episode features visionary authors and master storytellers exploring craft, creative courage, and the deeper purpose behind powerful books.

Learn more: https://storyimpactconsulting.com

Follow Story Impact on Podbean, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Subscribe on YouTube for full-length video interviews with today's most compelling authors and creative voices.

Stories…hold the world together.

Welcome to the Story Impact Podcast! Today, we're honored to feature Marie Judson—linguist, scholar, and acclaimed fantasy author whose world-building spans two extraordinary series and two entirely different mythologies.

Marie is the creator of the Braided Dimensions series, a time travel fantasy saga woven through with medieval magic and ancient languages, and the Lost Xentu series, where fantasy and science fiction collide in ways that will rewire how you think about both genres. Holding three master's degrees in linguistics and cognitive science, Marie brings rare scholarly depth to speculative fiction — and her prose and characters stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

In this Story Impact interview, host Lisa Towles explores Marie's extraordinary creative process: how she builds and sustains two complete fantasy mythologies simultaneously, how her background in linguistics and the mind shapes the authenticity of her world-building, the role of dream work as creative fuel, and what ancient and diverse languages unlock for her as a storyteller and fantasy author.

For fantasy readers, sci-fi devotees, and writers fascinated by the art of world-building — this conversation is for you.

Watch the full YouTube video interview: https://youtu.be/zd0hKBpnOhs

Learn more about Marie Judson and her books: https://mariejudson.com

The Story Impact Podcast is hosted by Lisa Towles — award-winning crime novelist, book coach, and founder of Story Impact Consulting. Each episode features visionary authors, world-builders, and master storytellers exploring the writing process, creative courage, and the deeper purpose behind powerful books.

Learn more: https://storyimpactconsulting.com

Follow Story Impact on Podbean, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Subscribe on YouTube for full-length video interviews with today's most compelling authors and creative voices.

Stories hold the world together.