Happy 2026! What a great episode for the new year! In this episode, I chat with Phaedra Patrick, the internationally bestselling author of THE CURIOUS CHARMS OF ARTHUR PEPPER. Phaedra discusses the novel, her writing process, charm bracelets, and how Arthur learns that it’s never too late and he isn’t too old!

Phaedra describes her writing shed, her fun new thing, and why she tends to write heartwarming novels about ordinary people who discover the extraordinary in their everyday lives. Phaedra’s stories are about curiosity, reinvention, and the courage to try new things—all themes close to my heart!

Phaedra's website, where she lists her ABC's of writing and her other novels

The Time Hop Coffee Shop, Phaedra's latest novel

A backup vocalist for a country music superstar

Bestselling author Fiona Davis

A dermatologist recommends inexpensive skincare products

Trying to determine what's next

Anne Byrn's cookbooks

A neuropsychologist discusses Alzheimer's

I am a big fan of Renee Rosen and her historical fiction novels that revolve around strong, glamorous women—Estée Lauder, Helen Gurley Brown, Alva Vanderbilt, Mrs. Marshall Fields. In this podcast episode, we discuss her latest book, LET’S CALL HER BARBIE. The woman behind the story? Ruth Handler, who co-founded the Mattel Toy Company with her husband, Elliott.

Renee and I discuss LET’S CALL HER BARBIE, the Mickey Mouse Club, Mattel Toys, the Sears Toy catalog, and Barbie conventions. We swoon over the Barbie wardrobe, her dress designers and dressmakers.

Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl

The Social Graces

Park Avenue Summer

Windy City Blues

What the Lady Wants

Dollface

White Collar Girl

Yoga with Kassandra

Remember Pan Am Airlines?

Bestselling author Fiona Davis

A dermatologist recommends inexpensive skincare products

Is Botox for you?

An author who writes some of my favorite books

A neuropsychologist discusses Alzheimer’s

Read the next new thing! Join me as Adele Myers, author of THE TOBACCO WIVES, and I discuss her wonderful historical fiction novel, the tobacco industry, the magnates and doctors who covered up the dangers of smoking, and much more. And, of course, she describes her next new thing!

We talk about her next book, Adele's Asheville, NC recommendations, and her inspiration for THE TOBACCO WIVES.

To view visuals from the 1940s, including cigarette advertising that helped inform the novel, please visit Adele's website.

Follow Adele on Instagram

Elizabeth Parman and her later-in-life debut

Camille Di Maio and Come Fly With Me

Tracey Lange and her excellent novels

Bestselling novelist Fiona Davis