Nicole Meier is a multi-published author and&nbsp;book coach living in the Pacific Northwest.&nbsp;Her debut novel, THE HOUSE OF BRADBURY, was chosen as a Best Book of 2016 by Refinery29. Her second book, THE GIRL MADE OF CLAY, was named a Top Book according to Bookbub readers. Her newest novel, THE SECOND CHANCE SUPPER CLUB, is out now. &nbsp; Nicole has taught writing workshops in schools, libraries, wellness retreats, and writers' conferences. She currently works as a book coach for fiction writers, helping them bring their stories to life. &nbsp; Her works have been published in The Oregonian, Cascade Journal, Southern Oregon Magazine, Women Writers Women’s Books, Brazen Woman, and more. Find her online at&nbsp;&nbsp;on Instagram.    https://www.nicolemeierauthor.com/books ****************** REMARKS Hi Everyone. What do you like to read? Are you a fan of fiction? What kinds of stories grip you or transport you? Have you wanted to write your own? My guest, Nicole Meier, has published three novels and didn’t get started writing seriously until she turned 40.&nbsp; &nbsp; In our conversation she talks about the self doubt that held her back at first and how she overcame it. She was helped along the way by a generous community of fellow writers.&nbsp; &nbsp; That struck me in particular because I’ve been hearing that a lot from guests and seeing it myself. There are friendly and helpful colleagues in just about every field available to help newbies who are serious about learning. I’m emphasizing this point because I know I tend to default to thinking no one wants to answer my dumb question or that experienced person won’t have time for little old me. But I don’t think that’s the case anymore and holding on to that mistaken belief can really limit us.&nbsp; &nbsp; As Nicole says, you need to do your homework and put in your effort but trust that you will find the mentors and resources you need to help you along the way. If writing fiction is your path, this episode could be one of them. &nbsp; Here’s the interview. Full transcript available at http://ialwayswantedto.net ******************** Theme song written by Michael Cohen  and performed by Complicated People  Additional music by  ********************* Please fill out a 5-question survey at . Let me know when you're done and I'll send you a coupon code for my online course, 8 Steps to Launch Your Dream Life. (launchyourdreamlife.com) ********************* Listen on your favorite app -  Support I Always Wanted To on Patreon -  Leave a review on Podchaser -  Thanks for listening.

Write A Novel

In late 2017, with no previous experience in audio-making or storytelling, Lori Mortimer simply decided it would be a good idea to start a podcast. Then she learned how hard it was. "Since then, I've studied the art and craft of podcasting, audio editing, interviewing, nonfiction storytelling, sound design, and podcast marketing. Through more classes and workshops than I can count, and the support found in online and in-person audio communities, I've stitched together the basic set of skills needed to get a show off the ground. It's taken a village to get me to the point where I consider myself a creator and podcaster. It's been a life-changing and affirming experience for me, which I am thankful to have had the privilege of experiencing."  Twitter &amp; Instagram @mementospodcast&nbsp; &nbsp; REMARKS I have met some wise, wonderful, and generous people in the podcasting space and today’s guest is a delightful example. &nbsp; Regular listeners will notice how often the topic of a supportive community comes up in my conversations with guests. Just about everyone mentions that when they were ready to take a step toward their dream others were there to help them along the way. &nbsp; Lori and I get together regularly to chat about our love of audio, our goals and frustrations, and share the highs and lows that only a fellow podcaster can appreciate.&nbsp; &nbsp; Our shows have very different styles. I Always Wanted To is a straight interview while Lori’s podcast, Mementos, is a first-person narrative with rich sound design to set the scene.&nbsp; &nbsp; We really like each other’s work and suspect that our listeners will as well,&nbsp; so we decided to showcase one another. Lori created an episode about a keepsake of mine entitled Liz’s Nonni that talks about my move to Italy. The link is in the show notes. And I interviewed Lori to find out her backstory and how she became a podcaster. Here’s the interview.&nbsp; Full transcript available at http://ialwayswantedto.net ******************** Theme song written by Michael Cohen  and performed by Complicated People  Additional music by  ********************* Please fill out a 5-question survey at . Let me know when you're done and I'll send you a coupon code for my online course, 8 Steps to Launch Your Dream Life. (launchyourdreamlife.com) ********************* Listen on your favorite app -  Support I Always Wanted To on Patreon -  Leave a review on Podchaser -  Thanks for listening.

Be A Podcaster

Josh Young is an athlete, leader, and follower of Jesus. He graduated from F&amp;M with honors while playing two NCAA sports, D1 wrestling and football. Since then, Josh has worked in investment banking, non-profit, and helped run a successful political campaign. &nbsp; Now, Josh is Chief of Staff at New Story, with a mission to pioneer solutions to end global homelessness. He declined acceptance to Harvard grad school to lead and love within his role at New Story. &nbsp; New Story is one of the first non-profits to go through Y Combinator and has since built over 3,500 homes in Haiti, El Salvador, and Mexico. They led the construction of the world's first 3-D printed community. Their accolades include being listed four times as one of the World's Most Innovative Companies. Being featured in an Apple TV+ Documentary. And appearing on the front of the New York Times. &nbsp;  @newstorycharity on Instagram and Twitter &nbsp; Videos Josh mentions:  &nbsp;  &nbsp; REMARKS  Hi everyone. I have to admit that I was a little skeptical before my conversation with Josh Young. I didn’t want to be naive and just accept some do-gooder’s hype about their non-profit at face value. But that didn’t last long after listening to Josh and learning the story of New Story Charity.  I am impressed with their mission and their operation. It’s refreshing to hear about novel solutions being worked on by organizations that really want to make a difference in the world AND understand its realities. And it seems clear to me that New Story partners with local communities and gets buyin and doesn’t try to ride in on a white horse and say “we know best.”  Josh was outdoors when we were talking so you’ll hear some environmental noise. I hope it’s not too distracting.  Listen and see if you agree that New Story has an approach that makes you hopeful. I’d love to hear what you think. Here’s the interview. Full transcript available at http://ialwayswantedto.net ******************** Theme song written by Michael Cohen  and performed by Complicated People  Additional music by  ********************* Please fill out a 5-question survey at . Let me know when you're done and I'll send you a coupon code for my online course, 8 Steps to Launch Your Dream Life. (launchyourdreamlife.com) ********************* Listen on your favorite app -  Support I Always Wanted To on Patreon -  Leave a review on Podchaser -  Thanks for listening.

House the Homeless

Allison’s interest in becoming a performing artist began when she joined FSU’s Flying High Circus in 2004 where she was able utilize her background in gymnastics training as well as other athletic sports. In 2007, she embarked on a professional career in the circus arts when she joined a 7-person flying trapeze act. Shortly after joining the troupe, Allison trained with the internationally recognized flying trapeze artist, Ivan Espana, and together developed a dynamic solo swinging trapeze act which utilizes the timing of the swing to accomplish several powerful release maneuvers creating an unbelievable and thrilling routine. Persistent in pursuing her passion, Allison continued to train several other aerial disciplines and is an accomplished aerialist on The Cyclone Cycle, Aerial Silks, Motorcycle on a High Wire and The Bungee Trapeze. Her performances have taken her across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Australia. &nbsp; Allison has expanded her interests into not just performing but Producing. In 2014, Allison and her husband, Ivan Espana, co-founded Salto Entertainment, LLC. Together, Ivan and Allison produced several live shows including MOTO MANIACS®, MOTO PSYCHO CIRCUS®, FLIPPIN’ and The Great Mr. Swindle’s Traveling Peculairium and Drink-Ory Garden®. &nbsp; Ivan and Allison are trailblazers of the live entertainment industry and believers in the importance of excitement, laughter and kindness which they aspire to spread through their innovative and original live productions. Here are some links of an act and shows.    Video of my single trapeze act –  Video - Mr. Swindle’s Traveling Peculiarium -  Video – FLIPPIN -  Video – Moto Maniacs -  Facebook Pages – Mr. Swindle’s Traveling Peculiarium- Facebook Page – Salto Entertainment -  Facebook – Moto Maniacs -  Facebook – FLIPPIN -  Company websites– Salto Entertainment, LLC -     The Great Mr. Swindle’s Traveling Peculiarium® - Facebook - FLIPPIN -  MOTO Maniacs® -         Specialty Tent Rentals -  REMARKS It’s hard to think about circus without memories of childhood . My mind goes to the Russian circus I saw when I was about 8 years old and watching Cecile B. DeMille’s The Greatest Show on Earth on TV.&nbsp; &nbsp; I’ve seen a couple of Cirque du Soleil performances and love the direction that circus has taken since I was a child. I watch from afar and I’m amazed by the magical world being presented to me. &nbsp; Possibly my favorite part of doing this podcast is meeting people who live in a world I know nothing about and hearing how they got there and what inspires them. Allison makes her living flying through the air and dreaming up productions with intriguing titles like The Great Mr Swindle’s Traveling Peculiarium. Her husband and son ride a motorcycle up a tightrope toward her. Who wouldn’t want to know more about that? Here’s the interview. Full transcript available at http://ialwayswantedto.net ******************** Theme song written by Michael Cohen  and performed by Complicated People  Additional music by  ********************* Please fill out a 5-question survey at . Let me know when you're done and I'll send you a coupon code for my online course, 8 Steps to Launch Your Dream Life. (launchyourdreamlife.com) ********************* Listen on your favorite app -  Support I Always Wanted To on Patreon -  Leave a review on Podchaser -  Thanks for listening.

Join the Circus

Hi everyone. While I’m taking a break from this podcast I’m working on another one called Unpacking Peanuts, where 3 cartoonists take an in-depth look at the greatest comic strip of all time-- Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz. &nbsp; This is a labor of love from three smart, funny, comic artists, one of whom is my husband Michael. Regular listeners might remember my episode titled I Always Wanted to Create A Graphic Novel with Michael and Jimmy Gownley. The third member of the triumvirate is Harold Buchholz. They’ve all been friends for decades and all are lifelong fans of Schulz and Peanuts. Three years ago or so they had the idea to do a podcast looking at every year of the strip and discuss the development, the influences, and the genius of Schulz from a cartoonist’s point of view. &nbsp; They got through the first 5 years of strips but the project stalled. It’s harder than you think to get a podcast out into the world. That’s where I came in. I volunteered to edit the existing recordings. Unfortunately all but the first one was lost. But I could tell, despite the poor recording quality, that this was worth listening to and re-creating. So that’s what we’re doing. &nbsp; As I’m sure you’ve heard me say time and time again, I love listening to smart people talk about what they are passionate about. I think Unpacking Peanuts is a brilliant concept and I’m thrilled to be part of the team. Here’s the first episode - 1950 Part One - Good Ol’ Charlie Brown. Full transcript available at http://unpackingpeanuts.com ******************** Theme song written by Michael Cohen  and performed by Complicated People  Additional music by  ********************* Please fill out a 5-question survey at . Let me know when you're done and I'll send you a coupon code for my online course, 8 Steps to Launch Your Dream Life. (launchyourdreamlife.com) ********************* Listen on your favorite app -  Support I Always Wanted To on Patreon -  Leave a review on Podchaser -  Thanks for listening.

I Always Wanted To podcast