Welcome to the Story Impact Author Interview Podcast. In some corners of the world, storytelling isn't just an art—it’s an act of courage and a vital record of survival.

Today, host Lisa Towles welcomes bestselling crime novelist Sarah Lovett and global changemaker Ron Schultz. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on their new international thriller, Metal Viper, a story where a 12-year-old boy and a father's poetry become a state-level threat. We explore how fiction grounded in the harrowing reality of Myanmar can challenge authoritarian power and set forces in motion that no one can control.

Lovett and Schultz bring a combined lifetime of expertise in criminal justice and social innovation to this project. This conversation dives deep into the moral imperative of writers to stand up for the vulnerable and the "warrior goddess" energy required to navigate a landscape of vast beauty and alarming oppression.

In this episode, we explore:

• Storytelling as Resistance: How a child’s quiet voice and a father’s poetry can ignite a chain of events that challenge authoritarian power and mobilize a movement.
• The Inspiration Behind the Fiction: The real-world catalyst of a newspaper clipping about a "poet baker" and the influence of International Bridges to Justice.
• The Fearless Investigator: Introducing Kae Zhang, a "warrior goddess" and hero of this new series, who navigates global crises with a moral imperative to lift others up.
• The Mechanics of Collaboration: A look behind the curtain at how two distinct voices—one rooted in psychological crime and the other in social innovation—merged to create a seamless narrative.
• Finding Your Author Voice: Ron and Sarah discuss the profound moment an author finds their authentic voice, moving past fear to let the heart lead the story.
• The Responsibility of the Witness: Why taking a stand through fiction is essential in a geopolitical climate of increasing control and censorship.
• Whether you are a thriller enthusiast or a storyteller looking to bridge the gap between fiction and social impact, this episode offers a masterclass in writing with purpose and heart.

Listen & Connect:

• Buy Metal Viper by Sarah Lovett and Ron Schultz: Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and your local independent bookstore.
• Learn more: com, sarahlovett.com, ronschultzauthor.com.
• Watch the video podcast episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zEsNlLtbhNY and subscribe to channel on YouTube to get notified of new episodes.

About Host Lisa Towles:

Hosted by Lisa Towles—award-winning crime novelist and Book Coach. This series highlights the visionaries who bring narratives to life, providing a platform for authors to connect their unique purpose directly with readers. Learn more about host Lisa Towles' 20-year journey at lisatowles.com.

Resources for Authors:

• Book Coaching: Move past the overwhelm of the digital world and launch your work with a strong, informed, and empowered presence. Access expert guidance to bridge the gaps in your process and connect with the readers who will become your biggest fans. Discover how to stand out at com.
• Story Impact Magazine: A digital publication dedicated to the intersection of storytelling and professional strategy. Explore the latest issues at com/magazine.

Follow & Subscribe: Follow the show on Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio.

Stories...hold the world together.

Welcome to the Story Impact Author Interview Podcast. High-octane fiction meets radical authenticity when a lifetime of philanthropy fuels a gripping search for justice.

Today, host Lisa Towles welcomes award-winning novelist and philanthropist Karen E. Osborne. In this episode, we go behind the scenes of her riveting murder mystery, Justice for Emerson, and explore how a passion for storytelling—sparked at age 12—evolved into a powerful platform for social advocacy and deep human connection.

Karen’s work is grounded in her decades of real-world experience in nonprofit leadership and service. This conversation is a profound exploration of how authors can weave personal history, national grief, and a commitment to the vulnerable into narratives of redemption.

In this episode, we explore:

• The Multi-Generational Search for Truth: A look at Justice for Emerson and how it bridges the fracture of 1968 with a present-day investigation, proving that the past is never truly behind us.
• Chasing the Muse: The "destabilizing" yet wonderful flow of being a channel for stories, and why Karen believes it is never too late to answer the persistent call of your creative spirit.
• Writing for the Hidden: The emotional weight and responsibility of giving a voice to those living in the margins—the hungry and the unhoused—and the power of fiction to make the invisible, seen.
• Historical Grief as a Catalyst: How the pivotal day of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination served as the emotional anchor for a story of personal and national redemption.
• Writing with Authenticity: A candid look at the courage required to infuse high-stakes thriller plotting with deep-seated human values and resonant psychological layers.

Whether you are a fan of intricate murder mysteries or a writer seeking the courage to align your vocation with your creative voice, this episode reveals the strategic thinking and deep purpose that can create a memorable experience for readers.

Listen & Connect:

• Buy Justice for Emerson by Karen E. Osborne: https://a.co/d/0bCyeuql
• Learn more about Karen E. Osborne and her books: https://www.kareneosborne.com/
• Watch the full video interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/E3NMuStlEQk

About Your Host: Hosted by Lisa Towles—award-winning crime novelist and Book Coach. This series highlights the visionaries who bring narratives to life, providing a platform for authors to connect their unique purpose directly with readers. Learn more about host Lisa Towles' 20-year journey at lisatowles.com.

Resources for Authors:

• Book Coaching: Move past the overwhelm of the digital world and launch your work with a strong, informed, and empowered presence. Access expert guidance to bridge the gaps in your process, refine your unique voice, and connect with the readers who will become your biggest fans. Discover how to stand out at storyimpactconsulting.com.
• Story Impact Magazine: A digital publication dedicated to the intersection of storytelling and professional strategy. Explore the April "Travel Issue," featuring insights on author visibility and the global literary landscape, at storyimpactconsulting.com/magazine.

Follow & Subscribe: Follow the show on Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio. Subscribe on YouTube for full-length video interviews with today’s most compelling authors and creative voices.

Stories...hold the world together.

Welcome to the Story Impact Podcast! What happens when a terrifying real-life encounter in the mountains of Mexico becomes the catalyst for a celebrated thriller series?

Today, host Lisa Towles welcomes back her second-ever guest, crime thriller author, editor, and writing instructor Ana Manwaring. In this milestone 50th episode, we go behind the scenes of Ana’s 2024 release, Mortal Revenge, and explore the "irrefutable promise of light and dark" that defines her work and the Mexican landscape.

Ana’s storytelling is born from bone-chilling experience—including being held at gunpoint by narcos in a VW bus. This conversation is a profound exploration of how authors can transform trauma, corruption, and systemic impunity into narratives of justice and human resilience.

In this episode, we explore:

• Collaborative Crime Fiction:The unique process of working with Fernando Leon Torrens to turn a true medical conspiracy and family tragedy into the gripping plot of Mortal Revenge.
• The Birth of JadeAnne Stone:The harrowing moment in Michoacán when a near-death experience birthed the voice of Ana's iconic series protagonist.
• Intrepid Intermediaries:Why Ana focuses on the ordinary people who step into the crosshairs to find balance within corrupt systems of power.
• Overcoming the "Squelchers":A candid look at the discouragement authors face and how to push past the critics to find your true calling as a writer.
• The Visionary’s "Bucket":How teaching and editing provide a vital sense of purpose by lifting other authors up and helping them find their unique voices.

Whether you are a fan of high-stakes international thrillers or a writer seeking the courage to tell your most authentic stories, this episode reveals the strategic thinking and deep purpose required to make a lasting story impact.

Listen & Connect:

• Buy Mortal Revenge by Ana Manwaring:https://a.co/d/08NxxQKT
• Learn more about Ana Manwaring:anamanwaring.com
• Watch the full video interview on YouTube:https://youtu.be/pAhbAqzkAtc?si=0SBzC81HIubr25YS
• Explore Story Impact Consulting:Build a memorable, authentic author brand at storyimpactconsulting.com
• Read Story Impact Magazine:Explore the April "Travel Issue" at storyimpactconsulting.com/magazine

About Your Host: The Story Impact Podcast is hosted by Lisa Towles—Communications Director, award-winning crime novelist, and Book Coach. This series highlights the visionaries who bring narratives to life, providing a platform for authors to connect their unique purpose directly with readers.

Follow & Subscribe: Follow Story Impact on Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio. Subscribe on YouTube for full-length video interviews with today’s most compelling authors and creative voices.

Stories...hold the world together.