What happens when talent isn't the only thing determining whether you get your shot?

On today's episode of The DTALKS Podcast, author Angelica Cheng joins Joe to talk about her debut novel, The Fast Track, a YA rom-com set in the high-pressure world of Formula racing.

Angelica shares how discovering Formula One during the pandemic — and quickly noticing how few women were represented in the sport — inspired the story of Justine Kwong, a young driver chasing her dream of reaching F1 while navigating competition, sponsorships, expectations, and the constant question of whether she truly belongs.

Joe and Angelica also discuss the difference between being good enough and being allowed the opportunity to prove it, the imposter syndrome that can come with being the only one in the room, why ambition and romance make such an interesting combination, and the importance of writing messy, ambitious girls who are allowed to make mistakes without losing their worth.

It's a conversation about racing, representation, identity, competition, and how we can encourage young people to chase big dreams without letting those dreams become the sole definition of who they are.

Enjoy!

What makes somewhere — or someone — feel like home?

On today's episode of The DTALKS Podcast, award-winning author and illustrator Shaun Tan returns to the show to talk about his latest book, Hometown.

Joe and Shaun explore the story's wonderfully strange premise: a girl who feels completely at home among a family and community that look nothing like her, until someone who looks like her arrives and insists she belongs somewhere else.

From there, the conversation opens into questions of identity, belonging, belief, first contact, and why human beings can become so certain that their way of seeing the world is the correct one. Shaun also discusses the value of leaving room for doubt, the importance of questioning what we inherit, and how Hometown ultimately became a story about making thoughtful decisions rather than simply accepting what someone else tells us is true.

Joe and Shaun also talk about parenting, giving kids enough guidance to feel supported without making their decisions for them, and why home may ultimately be less about where we come from and more about familiarity, love, and having the freedom to change.

Enjoy!

How much of our lives should actually exist outside the frame?

On today's episode of The DTALKS Podcast, Joe sits down with his friend A.J. Hernandez, a Boston-based lifestyle, food, and fashion creator, for a conversation about what it means to build a life online without turning your entire life into content.

A.J. talks about finding the balance between beautiful, curated experiences and not taking himself too seriously, why authenticity can quickly become just another social media strategy, and how he decides which brands, opportunities, and pieces of his personal life actually belong on his feed.

Joe and A.J. also discuss navigating marriage and boundaries in the age of content creation, the importance of keeping some things sacred, the increasingly blurry line between real and manufactured content, and why social media can sometimes make us feel connected to people without actually maintaining the relationship.

It's a conversation about storytelling, friendship, identity, boundaries, and remembering that you can invite people into your life without necessarily giving them the key.

Enjoy!

What happens when you take control of your own story?

For the 300th episode of The DTALKS Podcast, Joe welcomes back two previous guests for two very different conversations about identity, storytelling, survival, and the stories we tell about ourselves.

First, actor Nicole Pacent joins the show to talk about stepping into the role of Mystique in Marvel's Wolverine. Nicole discusses making an iconic character her own, the freedom of performance capture, bringing pieces of herself into Raven, representation, vulnerability, and what it means to reach a career-defining role after nearly two decades of work.

Then, Survivor alum, writer, and podcaster Stephen Fishbach returns to discuss his debut novel, Escape! Stephen takes us behind the curtain of reality television to explore fame, the strange desire to stay relevant after appearing on TV, the relationship between contestants and producers, and what happens when someone else is helping shape the story you're telling about yourself.

Two conversations. Two very different worlds. And a fitting celebration of 300 episodes spent trying to better understand how other people experience theirs.

Enjoy!

How much of the roadmap we follow through life is one we actually chose — and how much of it was handed to us?

On today's episode of the podcast, Audra Phelps (aka Mama Audra) joins Joe to discuss her journey from growing up in the Mormon faith to eventually choosing to leave after a decade-long process of questioning, discovery, and change. Audra shares how motherhood, friendships outside the church, returning to school, and living around the world helped her begin separating who she was expected to be from who she actually wanted to become.

Joe and Audra also discuss letting go of other people's expectations, rebuilding family values without a prescribed blueprint, giving our kids the freedom to discover what they believe for themselves, and the work Audra now does helping ex-Mormon moms navigate identity, grief, guilt, and life after leaving the church.

Enjoy!

About Audra Phelps

Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:

On this episode of the podcast Preeti Chhibber shares her experience taking different characters/nerdom and putting her own spin on them!

In her latest book, "House of Harkness", Preeti tackles the Scarlet Witch's story -- told through the lense of a boarding school. What would a Magical Marvel boarding school look like and how would Wanda navigate it?

Enjoy!

About Preeti Chhibber

Preeti Chhibber is an author, speaker, and freelance writer. She worked as a publishing professional. She has written for SYFY, Polygon, Elle, BookRiot, The Nerds of Color, and The Mary Sue, among others. Her debut young adult romantic comedy, Payal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot is out in 2024. She also co-hosts the podcasts Women of Marvel, Desi Geek Girls, and Tar Valon or Bust. She's appeared on several panels at New York Comic Con, San Diego Comic Con, and on screen on the SYFY Network. Honestly, you probably recognize her from one of several BuzzFeed "look at these tweets" twitter lists. She usually spends her time reading a ridiculous amount of Young Adult but is also ready to jump into most fandoms at a moment's notice.

About 'House of Harkness'

Calling all witches! Join Marvel fan-favorites Wanda Maximoff, aka Scarlet Witch, and Agatha Harkness in this spell-binding graphic novel adventure!

Sixteen-year-old Wanda Maximoff is eager for her first day at the highly coveted magic school, the House of Harkness. A place bursting with spellbinding secrets, misfits, and mayhem, Wanda, aka Scarlet Witch, finds herself at odds with the head student and heir to the school, Agatha Harkness. When evil threatens the school, Wanda and Agatha are challenged to put their differences aside to save the day.

Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: