• From Grief to Grace: Bill Hulseman on Loss, Reinvention & the Sacred in Everyday Life
    Jun 26 2025

    In this episode of Literary Lines, GiGi Meier sits down with Bill Hulseman—former Catholic educator, seminary student, and middle school principal—whose journey through unimaginable loss birthed the exquisite essay collection Six to Carry the Casket and One to Say the Mass. After a year that claimed his mother, sister, and father, Bill stepped away from education to grieve, write, and ultimately craft a new life centered on ritual, queer spirituality, and the quiet magic of ordinary moments.

    What began as a weekly newsletter evolved into a book that dances between hilarity and heartbreak, exploring everything from how advice columnist Dan Savage unexpectedly reshaped his life to why weddings (and funerals, and even film screenings) deserve to be reimagined as radical acts of connection. Bill opens up about shedding the guilt of self-prioritization, the freedom in releasing perfectionism, and his next project: rethinking social rituals in a disconnected world.

    For anyone who’s faced loss, questioned their path, or longed to find the sacred in the mundane, this conversation is a balm—and an invitation to carry your own grief (and joy) with equal tenderness.

    Find Peter here:

    Website:

    https://petergribble.com/

    Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/petergribble3/

    How to find GiGi:

    Website:

    https://www.gigimeier.com/

    Free Bonus and Deleted Scenes:

    https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies

    Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/authorgigimeier

    Substack:

    https://gigimeier.substack.com

    The Cougar Den Facebook Reader Group:

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorgigimeier

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    https://www.youtube.com/@gigimeier

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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • Anxiety, Afterglow & Atomic Productivity: How Stacey LP Writes Epic Sagas in Record Time
    Jun 5 2025

    Brace yourself for a whirlwind conversation with fantasy/sci-fi dynamo Stacey LP as Afterglow: Defiance Ignited rockets toward release! In this electrifying Literary Lines episode, GiGi Meier sits down with the author who drafted nearly 100,000 words in under three months—all while balancing a full-time job, family life, and a growing six-book saga (plus a holiday novella already in progress).

    Stacey pulls back the curtain on how her own journey with anxiety and depression shapes the emotional core of her characters, why therapy sessions double as writing research, and how collaborating with her husband fuels her creative fire. She breaks down The Afterglow Rising trilogy’s expansion into a sprawling universe, complete with morally gray choices, parallel storylines, and upcoming prequels—all meticulously organized between edge-sprayed books and Comicpalooza prep.

    From her counterintuitive secret (tight deadlines boost her productivity) to the healing power of writing mental health authentically, this interview is a masterclass in creating boldly while navigating life’s complexities. Don’t miss Stacey’s vision for where she’d be if granted one magical year—you’ll walk away desperate to dive into her cosmos.

    Find Stacey here:

    Website:

    https://authorstaceylp.com/

    Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/authorstaceylp/

    How to find GiGi:

    Website:

    https://www.gigimeier.com/

    Free Bonus and Deleted Scenes:

    https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies

    Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/authorgigimeier

    Substack:

    https://gigimeier.substack.com

    The Cougar Den Facebook Reader Group:

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorgigimeier

    YouTube:

    https://www.youtube.com/@gigimeier

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    58 mins
  • When Love Writes the Story: Peter Gribble’s 21-Year Journey with City of the Magicians
    May 25 2025

    In this moving Literary Lines episode, GiGi Meier sits down with historical fantasy author Peter Gribble, whose City of the Magicians trilogy is a testament to creative endurance and devotion. Over 21 years—through 1,500 pages of writing, five years of editing, and a decade of full-time caregiving for his partner Robert—Peter crafted a world where history and fantasy collide, all while honoring the love story at the heart of his own life.

    Peter opens up about how Robert, his muse and developmental editor of 43 years, shaped every page of the trilogy, even as their shared journey grew more challenging. He reveals the discipline behind writing 5–8 hours daily amid caregiving, and why this story of pacifism versus power demanded such meticulous attention to historical detail. Now, with the trilogy complete, Peter is already weaving the next arc (Books 4–6), aiming to finish in under six years.

    This conversation is a lesson in perseverance, partnership, and the magic that emerges when life and art intertwine. Don’t miss this conversation, a celebration of legacy, love, and the stories worth waiting for.

    Find Peter here:

    Website:

    https://petergribble.com/

    Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/petergribble3/

    How to find GiGi:

    Website:

    https://www.gigimeier.com/

    Free Bonus and Deleted Scenes:

    https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies

    Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/authorgigimeier

    Substack:

    https://gigimeier.substack.com

    The Cougar Den Facebook Reader Group:

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorgigimeier

    YouTube:

    https://www.youtube.com/@gigimeier

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    58 mins
  • Channeling Fiction Through Tarot: Kelly on Past Lives, Soul Contracts & The Arcanum Series
    May 15 2025

    In this mesmerizing episode of Literary Lines, GiGi Meier sits down with Kelly—author, tarot channeler, and spiritual guide—to explore the mystical origins of her groundbreaking Arcanum Series, the first fiction collection entirely channeled through Tarot. What began as a life-altering past life regression in 2017 has since unfolded into a genre-defying blend of love story and spiritual awakening, all rooted in the idea that our lives are guided by soul contracts and energetic blueprints.

    Kelly pulls back the curtain on her creative process, revealing how she translates "past-life downloads" and energy healing into fiction—and how she uses those same intuitive gifts to help clients worldwide uncover their own soul stories. From her deeply visual meditations to the "worthiness wounds" nearly all humans share, she shares tangible tools for breaking through emotional blocks and accessing inner wisdom.

    Listeners will get an inside look at her tarot readings, where she creates sacred space for clients to receive clarity, plus a sneak peek at where her Arcanum Series is headed next. Whether you’re a fiction lover, a spiritual seeker, or simply curious about the unseen forces shaping our lives, this conversation will leave you questioning—and perhaps remembering—the deeper story beneath your own.

    Find Kelly here:

    Website:

    https://www.arcanumtheseries.com/

    Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/kellyohearnauthor

    How to find GiGi:

    Website:

    https://www.gigimeier.com/

    Free Bonus and Deleted Scenes:

    https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies

    Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/authorgigimeier

    Substack:

    https://gigimeier.substack.com

    The Cougar Den Facebook Reader Group:

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorgigimeier

    YouTube:

    https://www.youtube.com/@gigimeier

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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Healing the Mind & Body: Dr. Paul Corona on America's Mental Health Crisis & His Holistic Protocol
    May 1 2025

    In this urgent and enlightening episode of Literary Lines, GiGi Meier sits down with Dr. Paul Corona—a trailblazing physician, author, and mental health advocate—to unpack the growing epidemic of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and hormone-related disorders plaguing America. With decades of experience in family medicine and a holistic "Mind and Body Healing" approach, Dr. Corona reveals why traditional treatments often fall short—and how his patient-centered methods deliver transformative results, sometimes in just one or two sessions.

    From his early days as a family doctor in the 1990s to writing six groundbreaking books, Dr. Corona shares his journey of bridging the gap between conventional medicine and whole-person care. He walks listeners through The Corona Protocol, his science-backed system for treating everything from addiction to hormonal imbalances, and explains why socioeconomic factors and genetics play a critical role in mental health.

    The conversation also dives into his media presence, including The Dr. Paul Show (streaming on Roku, Amazon Fire, and YouTube), where he breaks down complex medical topics for everyday audiences. Whether discussing SSRIs, non-pharmaceutical therapies, or the top five mental health crises facing patients today, Dr. Corona offers hope and actionable solutions—especially for underserved communities relying on his telemedicine services.

    For anyone seeking a compassionate, evidence-based path to wellness—or simply curious about the future of mental healthcare—this episode is a must-listen.

    Find Dr Paul Corona here:

    Website:

    https://drpaulcoronamd.com/

    LinkedIn:

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-paul-l-corona-5a01682/

    How to find GiGi:

    Website:

    https://www.gigimeier.com/

    Free Bonus and Deleted Scenes:

    https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies

    Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/authorgigimeier

    Substack:

    https://gigimeier.substack.com

    The Cougar Den Facebook Reader Group:

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorgigimeier

    YouTube:

    https://www.youtube.com/@gigimeier

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    1 hr and 1 min
  • From Classroom to Jazz Age Romance: Elaine Strawn on Love, Legacy & Literary Reinvention
    Apr 24 2025

    Step into the glittering world of 1920s New York and the intimate corners of a first-grade classroom in this deeply personal Literary Lines episode. Host GiGi Meier sits down with Elaine Sprawn, whose extraordinary journey from 40-year teacher to historical novelist will leave you inspired.

    Elaine's writing career blossomed unexpectedly when she transformed her grandparents' real-life Jazz Age romance—including her grandfather Bill Corum, the sports journalist who coined the phrase "Run for the Roses"—into the sweeping love story Kiddie & the Major. But her literary path took a poignant turn with Strokewaves, her raw memoir of resilience after personal tragedy.

    Between tales of tracking down speakeasies for research and her upcoming spring bookfair circuit, Elaine reflects on how forty years of teaching first-graders prepared her to write across genres. Listeners will be captivated by her insights on bridging generations through story, the bittersweet process of fictionalizing family history, and where she’d time-travel if given one magical year.

    For anyone who believes it’s too late to start a new chapter, Elaine’s story—like the enduring love between Kitty and the Major—proves the most compelling narratives often unfold when we least expect them.

    Find Elaine here:

    Website:

    https://www.offandrunningpublications.com/

    Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/strawnec/

    How to find GiGi:

    Website:

    https://www.gigimeier.com/

    Free Bonus and Deleted Scenes:

    https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies

    Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/authorgigimeier

    Substack:

    https://gigimeier.substack.com

    The Cougar Den Facebook Reader Group:

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorgigimeier

    YouTube:

    https://www.youtube.com/@gigimeier

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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Stress-Free Wealth: Mick Heyman on Mellow Investing, Russian Lit & Financial Zen
    Apr 17 2025

    Money meets mindfulness in this illuminating Literary Lines episode featuring financial guru Mick Heyman, author of Mellow Your Money: How to Surf the Market and Build Wealth without Stressing Yourself Out. With forty years of wealth management wisdom as founder of Heyman Investment Counseling, Mick reveals how to grow your portfolio while shrinking your anxiety.

    Discover why this devotee of Tolstoy and Dostoevsky writes about dollars with a novelist's flair, how to identify your investor personality type, and which historical market patterns everyone should know. Mick shares his surprisingly literary approach to finance, including an impromptu book idea sparked live during our conversation!

    From practical advice for college students to why he genuinely enjoys portfolio management (yes, really!), this discussion proves financial wellness isn't about getting rich quick—it's about staying sane while building lasting security. Don't miss Mick's visionary answer to where he'd be if granted one stress-free year of magic—it might just change how you view your own financial journey.

    Find Mick here:

    Website:

    https://mellowyourmoney.com/

    Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/mellowyourmoney/

    How to find GiGi:

    Website:

    https://www.gigimeier.com/

    Free Bonus and Deleted Scenes:

    https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies

    Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/authorgigimeier

    Substack:

    https://gigimeier.substack.com

    The Cougar Den Facebook Reader Group:

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorgigimeier

    YouTube:

    https://www.youtube.com/@gigimeier

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    56 mins
  • Warp Speed Productivity: Sci-Fi Author John Newton on Writing Between Farm Chores & YouTube Lives
    Apr 11 2025

    Prepare for liftoff as Literary Lines host GiGi Meier beams into the fascinating universe of John Newton - electrical engineer by day, sci-fi author by night, and farmer, father of five, and YouTube creator in between. This April 10th episode delivers an interstellar conversation with the mind behind Avar-Trek Short Stories and The Shadows of Time series, whose unique blend of history, theology, and futuristic speculation has earned him a devoted following.

    Discover how John transforms farm life in rural America into cosmic adventures, why he deliberately plants Easter eggs throughout his work, and what electrical engineering teaches him about story structure. He'll share the secrets behind his thriving YouTube channel, where he hosts live discussions dissecting sci-fi's biggest philosophical questions with viewers around the globe.

    From traditional publishing insights to his ambitious audiobook plans, from parenting to programming, John reveals how he manages this staggering creative output while staying grounded in family and faith. Aspiring authors won't want to miss his practical advice, nor his visionary answer to where he'd transport himself if granted one sci-fi-style wish for 2026.

    Whether you're a die-hard sci-fi fan, a busy creator seeking productivity hacks, or simply curious how someone writes space operas between milking cows, this episode proves ordinary lives can generate extraordinary stories.

    Find John here:

    Website:

    https://newtonscifi.com/

    YouTube:

    https://www.youtube.com/@NewtonSciFi

    How to find GiGi:

    Website:

    https://www.gigimeier.com/

    Free Bonus and Deleted Scenes:

    https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies

    Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/authorgigimeier

    Substack:

    https://gigimeier.substack.com

    The Cougar Den Facebook Reader Group:

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorgigimeier

    YouTube:

    https://www.youtube.com/@gigimeier

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    1 hr