S5-EP22: The Warrior Who Knelt: A Thanksgiving Conversation with Pat Welsh

What happens when genealogy uncovers not just names, but voices calling out from centuries past? In this episode of Spirit Talk Show, Doyle sits down with author DH (Deborah) Morris, whose debut novel The Girl of Many Crowns resurrects the forgotten story of Princess Judith of France and Baldwin Iron Arm—the knight who risked everything for love.Morris shares how a family ancestry chart led her into decades of research, unearthing the political intrigue, cultural sophistication, and personal sacrifices of ninth-century Europe. From discovering how women were educated during the Carolingian Renaissance to exploring the weight of royal duty, her storytelling blends historical record with imaginative reconstruction to bring Judith’s world vividly to life.Together, Doyle and Morris dive into the themes of courage, faith, and resilience that still resonate today—touching on Morris’s personal journey through loss, the importance of legacy, and why real heroes from history deserve their place alongside the myths of Superman and Spider-Man.Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a lover of epic tales, or simply someone curious about how personal ancestry can transform into timeless narrative, this episode reveals how the past continues to shape our present—and inspire our future.Explore DH Morris’s work and her publishing company at newclassicspublishing.com, and find The Girl of Many Crowns on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Spirit Talk Show – Bedtime Stories for Grown-UpsHosted by Doyle Follow Spirit Talk Show on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spirittalkshowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/doylespirittalkshow/X: https://x.com/doylespirittalk Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/spirittalkshow www.spirittalkshow.info  If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and share it with someone who might need it.

On this episode of Spirit Talk Show – Bedtime Stories for Grownups, Doyle welcomes Shanti Hershenson, a 17-year-old literary powerhouse who has already written 30 books — 17 of them published. Shanti’s work spans science fiction, fantasy, dystopian adventure, and deeply personal poetry, including her acclaimed novel-in-verse You Won’t Know Her Name, which confronts the painful realities of middle-school bullying.Her story began in sixth grade with what she calls an “accidental” self-publishing experiment, but that early leap gave her the skills to grow into a prolific author and fearless advocate for young writers. Alongside her novels — including BioLock, The Accidental Insurgency, The Chronicles of Zyle Delane, and the forthcoming Good Kids Bad Choices — Shanti uses her 67,000-strong TikTok following to connect with readers, share her process, and amplify anti-bullying advocacy.In this inspiring and refreshingly candid conversation, Shanti opens up about:Writing 1,000 words every day since age 12Balancing high school, friendships, and a relentless creative driveWhy poetry gave her the freedom to tell her most vulnerable storyHow social media has transformed her career and communityThe message she wants readers of all ages to hear: you’re never too young—or too old—to chase your dreamAt once inspiring and deeply grounded, Shanti Hershenson proves that stories have no age limit—only courage and conviction.Connect with Shanti Hershenson:Website: ⁠shantihershenson.com⁠Amazon Author Page: ⁠amazon.com/Shanti-Hershenson⁠Instagram: ⁠@shantihershenson⁠TikTok: ⁠@shantiwhowrites⁠
Spirit Talk Show – Bedtime Stories for Grown-UpsHosted by Doyle Follow Spirit Talk Show on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spirittalkshowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/doylespirittalkshow/X: https://x.com/doylespirittalk Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/spirittalkshow www.spirittalkshow.info  If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and share it with someone who might need it.

Join Doyle on this thrilling episode of Spirit Talk Show as he welcomes Neil Laird—a multi-Emmy‑nominated TV producer turned novelist whose real-world experience filming lost tombs, shipwrecks, and ruins morphs into wild, genre-defying fiction.Neil’s debut novel, Prime Time Travelers, sends a hapless TV director through a rainbow-colored time machine into ancient Egypt, where he must navigate the twelve gates of the underworld, dodge vengeful pharaohs, and film the “greatest documentary” ever—if the past doesn’t kill him first Facebook+13Neil Laird+13Neil Laird+13.Its follow-up, Prime Time Pompeii, hurls our time-traveling crew into the tragic eruption of Mount Vesuvius, where they uncover an epic, forbidden love frozen beneath the ash—and one character risks everything by breaking fate’s prime directive NetGalley.As we explore Neil’s journey from producing for Discovery, BBC, PBS, and National Geographic to writing boldly queer historical fantasy, we dive into how his on-location storytelling shaped his novels—and how he channels humor, romance, and unorthodox time travel into worlds both ancient and richly reimagined.Listen in as he discusses:The wild genesis of Jared Plummer, narrator and reluctant action heroBlurring documentary realism with fantasy mischiefRepresenting queer joy and visibility in periods that history often erasesFor fans of Neil Gaiman meets Outlander, with the gentle heart of The House in the Cerulean Sea, this is an episode packed with laughs, adventure, and cerebral delight.Discover more about Neil and his books at: https://www.neillaird.com/books
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What if artificial intelligence could decode prophecy—and what if it already has? In this thought-provoking conversation, Doyle welcomes Guy Morris, a technologist turned award-winning thriller author whose work pushes the boundaries of what we believe possible. Drawing on four decades at the forefront of global business and advanced computing, Morris reveals how his Snow Chronicles series (Swarm, The Last Ark, and The Image) blends cutting-edge science, geopolitics, and timeless questions of human destiny.From the startling true account of an NSA spy program that escaped into the wild, to the mathematics of biblical prophecy, Morris challenges us to consider whether we are already living through the end times—or simply standing at the edge of unprecedented transformation. With clarity, urgency, and a touch of dark humor, he invites us to reflect on the risks of AI, the fragility of human nature, and the enduring hope that we can still choose compassion over chaos.Discover more of Guy Morris’s work, research, and behind-the-scenes explorations at www.GuyMorrisBooks.com.
Spirit Talk Show – Bedtime Stories for Grown-UpsHosted by Doyle Follow Spirit Talk Show on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spirittalkshowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/doylespirittalkshow/X: https://x.com/doylespirittalk Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/spirittalkshow www.spirittalkshow.info  If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and share it with someone who might need it.

In this episode, Doyle welcomes publishing veteran Michelle DeFilippo, founder of 1106 Design, for a candid conversation about how authors can publish like pros—without signing away their rights, royalties, or creative control.With over 50 years in the book world and more than 4,000 author projects under her belt, Michelle pulls back the curtain on the myths, scams, and marketing half-truths that plague new authors. She explains the three main publishing paths—traditional, hybrid, and true indie—revealing why owning your ISBN, understanding royalties, and keeping control of your files can make the difference between profit and heartbreak.We talk about the joy of great book design, the real cost of producing a professional-quality book, and how the most successful authors often use their books as powerful business tools rather than relying on retail sales alone. Michelle also shares the red flags to watch for, the genres to approach wisely, and why transparency and kindness are her company’s North Star.Whether you’re a first-time writer with a manuscript in hand, a coach looking to extend your reach, or just curious about how the industry really works, this episode is packed with clear-eyed advice and inspiration to help you tell your story—on your terms.Learn more about Michelle and 1106 Design:Website: https://1106design.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1106design/Twitter: https://twitter.com/1106DesignPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/1106design/1106-design-book-covers/Listen now and discover how to protect your vision, your income, and your voice.
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In this captivating episode of Spirit Talk Show, Doyle and producer Howie welcome fantasy author J.F. Monroe, the creative force behind The Legacy of Four trilogy—a sweeping saga where humans, angels, and demons live under a fragile peace guarded by the Four Horsemen. Monroe’s worlds are rich with myth and magic, but it’s her emotional honesty and deeply human characters that keep readers turning pages long after midnight.We talk about the emotional core of epic fantasy, the power of resilience, and why the truest magic lies in connection. Monroe shares how a spark of inspiration during maternity leave grew into an epic trilogy, why moral ambiguity fascinates her, and the role Christopher Nolan plays in her storytelling DNA.Listeners will also hear original tribute pieces, AI-generated reinterpretations of her work, and Monroe’s reflections on vulnerability, sacrifice, and love that whispers rather than shouts. Whether you’re a fantasy lover, a writer chasing your own universes, or someone who believes in the courage to keep going, this episode will leave you inspired—and maybe ready to pick up a sword (or at least a pen).Books by J.F. Monroe:Legacy of the Four (Book One) – Available on Amazon, Kindle Unlimited, and AudibleDescent into the Void Heart (Book Two) – Available now on Amazon & Kindle UnlimitedConnect with J.F. Monroe:Website: jfmonroebookshelf.comInstagram & TikTok: @jf.munroe
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Doyle sits down with Jaycee Cames—poet, visionary, and the creative force behind The Ghost Singers. From his acclaimed poetry collection Urban Rhythm and Rhyme: Poetry for the Next Generation to his genre-bending debut album All Mixed Up, Jaycee transforms grief, resilience, and joy into art that refuses to be confined.In this episode, Jaycee opens up about:Growing up in North Hollywood amid challenges that shaped his creative pathHow poetry became both survival and liberationThe birth of The Ghost Singers after the loss of his sister Joanna, and the healing power of songwritingBlurring genres—from heartfelt ballads like Daddy, My Dear Daddy to club anthems like Boom Boom BootyFinding inspiration in his children, and building a legacy of resilience and joy through musicFrom ghostly encounters to glittering club beats, Jaycee reminds us that art is where sorrow and laughter, silence and sound, all collide. This conversation is raw, uplifting, and proof that creativity can be both survival and celebration.Stream All Mixed Up on Spotify, Amazon Music, and iTunes, explore Jaycee’s poetry on Amazon, and watch his music videos on YouTube by searching “The Ghost Singers.”
Spirit Talk Show – Bedtime Stories for Grown-UpsHosted by Doyle Follow Spirit Talk Show on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spirittalkshowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/doylespirittalkshow/X: https://x.com/doylespirittalk Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/spirittalkshow www.spirittalkshow.info  If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and share it with someone who might need it.

In this compelling episode of Spirit Talk Show, we sit down with R.L. Carpentier—a former law enforcement officer turned mystery author—whose life has taken him from the gritty truths of crime scenes to the poetic silence of the Catskill Mountains.Rodney shares how nearly two decades in policing shaped his voice as a writer, imbuing his debut novel, Our Lady of the Overlook, with a realism that can only come from lived experience. We talk about his writing process, the influence of true crime podcasts, and the grief that lit the spark behind his story. As a seasoned hiker, Rodney also reflects on how trekking the remote 3,500-foot peaks of the Catskills inspired the rugged terrain of his fictional world—and how solitude can unlock storytelling.Together, we explore what happens when truth meets fiction, how cold cases stay warm in memory, and why small towns might just hold the most haunting secrets.This episode is a thoughtful journey through loss, creativity, and the enduring power of storytellingRL's Website: https://www.rlcarpentierwriter.com/books
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