The Writer's Story

Episode 71: Natasha Joukovsky

Kristin and Meredith talk with Natasha Joukovsky about her book, Medium Rare, her invention of the recursive estimation algorithm, and how she juggles her writing with a busy corporate career.

Episode 70: Zen in the Art of Writing

Meredith and Kristin talk about moderating panels at the recent Virginia Festival of the Book, and then discuss Ray Bradbury's entertaining book ZEN IN THE ART OF WRITING as their writing "book club" continues.

Episode 69: Valerie Perreault

Valerie Perreault, a Florida Keys resident whose visual artwork has appeared in all sorts of illustrious places, shares with Meredith and Kristin her journey of returning to her long-time creative love, poetry. Valerie's first book-length collection, Neon Pastoral has already garnered two awards and much acclaim. How she got there - lots of walking, literally! - captivates the podcast hosts and is sure to inspire listeners as well.  

Episode 68: The Artist's Way

It's a new year, and Kristin and Meredith have decided to use half their episodes in 2026 for a writing "book club". They'll be reading books about writing and sharing their thoughts. This month, they discuss the classic The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron.

Episode 67: Susan Munson

Kristin and Meredith talk about their writing projects and then get inspired by chatting with songwriter Susan Munson about her creative process.

Episode 66: Howl of the Golden Jackal

Kristin and Meredith get together to celebrate the first novel release of Kristin Swenson's new four book historical series set in Babylon/Persia,  Howl of the Golden Jackal, on Amazon Kindle. Since recording the podcast, A Falcon Takes Flight and Beat the Kettledrum have also been released.

Episode 65: Nin Andrews

Meredith and Kristin talk about mixing genres, and then chat with Charlottesville poet Nin Andrews about her memoir in prose poems, Son of a Bird.

Episode 64: Jay Kauffmann

Kristin and Meredith talk about writing while traveling (or not), and then chat with author Jay Kauffmann about his book, The Mexican Messiah, inspired by his international travels when he worked as a model and travel writer.

Episode 63: Quite Literally Books

Kristin and Meredith talk to two friends, Lisa and Bremond, who have started their own publishing company: Quite Literally Books. Their focus is "discovering and reissuing ought-to-be-in-print books by American women authors" that they love and feel deserve to be back in people's hands--and one their shelves--today.

Episode 62: Kristina Riggle

Meredith and Kristin talk about their new multimedia projects, and then chat with Meredith's former blogging partner from the Debutante Ball, Kristina Riggle about her writing journey and her latest book, VIVIAN IN RED.