What does it take to break barriers in medicine—and keep going when the odds are stacked against you?

In this episode, we sit down with Craig Yorke, author of Steep: A Black Neurosurgeon’s Journey, for a powerful and deeply personal conversation about resilience, identity, and perseverance. From navigating the pressures of a demanding medical career to confronting systemic challenges head-on, Craig shares the moments that shaped his journey—and the lessons that continue to guide him.

This is an honest, inspiring discussion about ambition, purpose, and what it truly means to climb when the path is steep.

✨ Perfect for readers, writers, medical professionals, and anyone looking for a dose of Monday motivation.

We’re welcoming Ian Domowitz to Author Talk—a veteran of the military, academia, and Wall Street, with 12 fintech patents and a passion for exploring intelligence, existence, and identity without generative AI in his fiction.In Initial Condition, Domowitz introduces readers to The Mechanic—a being caught between centuries, realities, and definitions of life itself.

Our conversation explores the philosophy behind the story, the moral questions it raises, and the craft of writing speculative fiction with depth and restraint.

Thoughtful, relaxed, and full of insight—just the way Author Talk likes it.

#AuthorTalkPodcast #AuthorInterview #IndieAuthors #SpeculativeLiterature #WritingCommunity

We have officially survived the holidays! 🎄 Aimee is exhausted from the Christmas chaos, Russell is diving deeper into his fascination with the "Dark Romance" genre (and space operas), and we are thrilled to welcome Canadian author Liisa Kovala.

Liisa joins us from snowy Northern Ontario to discuss her historical fiction novel, Water for Weary Souls. Set in the 1930s, the book explores the lives of Finnish immigrants, the grit required to survive the Great Depression, and the family secrets buried in a local boarding house.

In this episode, we discuss:

• 🇫🇮 The Power of Sisu: Liisa explains the untranslatable Finnish concept of "Sisu"—a mixture of grit, guts, and determination—and how it defines her characters (and her tattoo choice!).

• 🏚️ History & Fiction: The real-life inspiration behind the boarding houses, bootleggers, and immigrant struggles in Sudbury, Ontario.

• ✍️ The Writing Journey: Liisa shares her transition from writing non-fiction to historical fiction and the challenge of balancing accurate research with a compelling narrative.

• ❄️ Winter Woes: The team bonds (and complains) about winter driving, from Texas ice scares to Canadian blizzards.

• 🕵️‍♀️ What’s Next: A sneak peek at Liisa’s upcoming "Hygge House" cozy mystery series.

Tune in for a mix of history, humor, and a lesson on how to channel your inner Sisu when life gets tough.

📚 Check out Liisa’s Work:

• Water for Weary Souls

• [Link to Liisa's website/socials if available]

We want to hear from you! Do you have a favorite historical fiction novel that taught you about a specific culture? Let us know on our socials!

#AuthorTalk #LiisaKovala #HistoricalFiction #Sisu #FinnishCanadian #Podcast #WritingCommunity #BookChat #AmReading