AK25-06. Wendy Horwitz’s Milkweed and Honey Cake


Authors Kiss with Sara Troy and her guest Wendy Horwitz, on air from February 11th

In Milkweed and Honey Cake: A Memoir in Ritual Moments, Wendy A. Horwitz shares essays about ritual can exalt ordinary moments and the best way to open a pomegranate.

Holidays delight – and disappoint. A couple marrying during the pandemic finds a surprise after a rainstorm and a topsy-turvy search for a gravestone that honors her ancestors. Horwitz serves pomp and circumstance on the front porch when a graduation is canceled. Through the shifting seasons of life, amid the scramble of pet guinea pigs and birthday parties, her children add wonder and comedy to tradition.

Horwitz explores how ritual can exalt ordinary moments and frame the extraordinary – a blue heron, an old cupboard’s scent, and the lingering feel of an engagement ring long gone prompt reflections laced with yearning and humor. Guiding us along a wooded path, to the kitchen table, in a messy garden, and under a tent reverberating with song, she traces the boundaries of ritual, considering what we do when ritual falls short, and how we might adapt to each other’s practices. And when the wider world seems broken, new rituals provide hope.

Lyrical and funny, thought-provoking and deeply moving, Milkweed and Honey Cake is at once a meditation on our desire for meaning and the story of a woman’s lifelong efforts to create it.



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 Wendy A. Horwitz’s essays have been published in The Philadelphia Inquirer, Afterimage, Neurology (Humanities Section), Jewish Literary Journal, Intrepid Times, and McClatchy-Tribune News Service, among others. Originally trained as a pediatric psychologist, she lives in Philadelphia, where she teaches writing and health, and humanities. 


 https://www.wendyhorwitzauthor.com

https://www.instagram.com/wendy.a.horwitz

https://www.facebook.com/wendyahorwitz


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AK25-06. Sara Winokur’s Ivory Bones


Authors Kiss with Sara Troy and her guest Sara Winokur, on air from February 11th

Acclaimed geneticist-turned-author Sara Winokur returns with her highly anticipated novel Ivory Bones: The Lewis Chessmen Murders. This mystery-thriller transports its readers into a world where DNA science unravels ancient secrets, and the hunt for a missing treasure turns deadly.  

Set against the landscapes of Iceland, Africa, and the Americas, Ivory Bones follows forensic scientist Brynja Pálsdóttir as she races to recover the iconic Lewis Chessmen—among the most celebrated medieval artifacts—before time runs out. A centuries-old diary holds the clues, revealing a brutal tale of survival and secrets buried for generations. Brynja’s investigation not only uncovers the chess pieces’ shocking past but also forces her to confront the truth about her own genetic heritage. 

Sara Winokur, whose groundbreaking scientific research helped identify key mutations in muscular dystrophy and Huntington’s disease, combines her professional expertise with a passion for storytelling. As a descendant of Barbary pirate Jans Janszoon, Winokur was inspired by her personal ancestry for the plot of Ivory Bones. Her enthusiasm for accessible science and authentic historical research delivers a page-turner that is sure to please fans of her first novel, Double-Blind: The Icelandic Manuscript Murders, as well as new readers. 

“History, DNA, and mystery are puzzles waiting to be solved,” says Winokur. Ivory Bones challenges us to consider how much of our past defines who we are, and how far we’ll go to uncover the truth.”



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Sara Winokur is a geneticist, researcher, and author whose cultural thrillers combine DNA science with gripping historical fiction. With a Ph.D. in molecular genetics, Winokur’s groundbreaking research has contributed to identifying mutations responsible for diseases such as muscular dystrophy and Huntington’s disease. 

In her novels Double Blind: The Icelandic Manuscript Murders and Ivory Bones: The Lewis Chessmen Murders, Winokur transports readers to vivid Nordic landscapes and ancient adventures, crafting intricate mysteries that blend science, history, and cultural intrigue. A descendant of the Barbary pirate Jans Janszoon, her work explores themes of identity, heritage, and resilience. As an ovarian cancer thriver, Winokur’s storytelling reflects her belief in turning life’s challenges into opportunities for growth. Sara Winokur resides in Southern California with her family and is often found exploring the globe in search of new stories.



 https://www.sarawinokur.com

https://www.facebook.com/sarawinokurauthor
https://www.instagram.com/sara_winokur


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C25-05. D.C. Copeland. A Millennium Manifesto.


Choose Positive Living with Sara Troy and her guest D.C Copeland, on air from February 4th

I’m a millennial speaker/dramatist/disruptor who’s written a book entitled Societal Dropout: A Cultural Manifesto. Each chapter is a standalone essay, inspired and informed by my experience answering questions on Quora (888,800 readers). The book gives voice to truths many of us feel but don’t know how to articulate. Topics I explore include mental health and happiness, critical thinking, creativity, gender, sex, suicide, drugs, art, etc.

I am writing for those who need a witness to testify that we do live in a dark time and that the hackneyed methods used to motivate us out of it are not working.  I  write for readers who want to listen to a story about overcoming the conventions of contemporary culture and the psychological and spiritual illnesses fostered by it.  My manifesto is for college-age students who are looking for fodder to feed their own inner rebellions and revolutions, artists and those who love art and academics, those who love and are immersed in academia, mental health who feel their voice is underrepresented in contemporary culture.  My work is for the normal, everyday person who experiences society not giving a rat’s tail about themselves as individuals and for the individual who is simply unsatisfied with the care that society provides.



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D.C. Copeland, a Yale graduate, began her literary journey as Harold Bloom’s assistant, working on notable works like The Best Poems of the English Language and Where Shall Wisdom Be Found. Bloom praised her as a voice of her generation, lauding her originality in Kafkaesque parables and avant-garde plays influenced by Beckett and Ionesco.

An accomplished playwright, Copeland’s works have been showcased in prestigious venues like Manhattan Repertory’s One Act Festival and Alex Timbers’ The Tank. Her plays have premiered across New York and Portland, with notable titles including Forget-Me-Not, These Foolish Things, and The Truth According to Rose. Her screenplay Angie has garnered interest as a potential Netflix pilot.

Copeland’s poetic collaborations with Joronne Jeter have been featured in publications like The Gravity of the Thing and Aaduna. William E. Very Jr., publisher of Aaduna, described her as a “gem” whose diverse works resonate deeply with readers.

Copeland has appeared on podcasts, television, and panels as a speaker, including her recent feature on Hard Girl, Soft Life, with over 1.5 million subscribers. On Quora, she engages 732,300 readers on topics like mental health, Jungian archetypes, and embracing the shadow self.

Her early achievements include winning national contests, directing high school plays, and acting at the prestigious Williamstown Theatre Festival alongside Chris Pine and Jeremy Strong. At Yale, she directed productions like Angels in America and Die Fledermaus while excelling academically with a thesis on Gertrude Stein.

Copeland’s manifesto An Artist’s Manifesto and its evolved version, Societal Dropout: A Culture Manifesto for the New Millennium, articulate the struggles and truths of modern life, resonating with millennials, artists, and those seeking cultural critique. With over 50 five-star ratings, her works inspire readers to defy societal conventions and embrace individuality.

Through her writing, plays, poetry, and public engagements, Copeland continues to establish herself as a powerful voice addressing contemporary culture, mental health, and the millennial experience.


https://dccopeland.com

https://www.quora.com/profile/D-C-Direct-Channel-Copeland

dcc714@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/profile

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

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dc-copeland

Click below to listen to D.C. Copeland on the podcast entitled

“The Grown Up Millennial” SPOTIFY


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25-05. Feed Joy instead of Fear


Sara’s View of Life with Sara Troy, on air from February 4th

How to Stay Positive in Today’s World

Staying positive in today’s world starts with intentional choices. Begin by limiting your exposure to negativity—switch off social media and TV, if they overwhelm you. Focus on positivity, as what you engage with shapes your mindset. Stay informed, but don’t let the weight of the world consume you.

Gratitude and joy are powerful tools. Start each day by saying, “Thank you for this new day.” Speak affirmations like, “I can, I will, I am capable,” to set a positive tone. Engage in uplifting activities, surround yourself with things that inspire you, and approach challenges with resilience and optimism.

Joy grows through connection and kindness. Take small steps—greet strangers with a smile, help a neighbor, or support a cause. Acts of compassion, no matter how small, create a ripple effect of positivity.

Choose joy over fear. Focus on what you can contribute rather than what you cannot control. We strengthen each other and create lasting change when we come together with love, hope, and a purpose. Be the light that inspires others, and let joy lead the way.

Staying positive in today’s atmosphere can be challenging, but it starts with intentional practices that help maintain balance. First, limit your intake of negativity by switching off social media and TV. Social media operate on algorithms, feeding you what you engage with. Focus on the positive; the platform will reflect that back to you. However, don’t completely ignore what’s happening around you. Awareness is crucial because neglecting the problems allows negativity to win. Instead, strike a balance by limiting how much you absorb while staying informed.

We live in a world in transition, and though it’s being shaken up, this is a chance to ask yourself: Do you want to repeat the past, or do you want to shape your future actively? The answer should be no to passivity and yes to taking charge of your life. Start each day with affirmations, gratitude, and optimism. Whether writing something uplifting, speaking affirmations aloud, or watching something inspiring, this positive energy can set the tone for the day.

Gratitude is transformative. Begin each morning with, “Thank you for this new day,” and embrace challenges with a mindset of resilience. Remind yourself, “I can, I will, I am capable.” Even when the day throws difficulties your way, remember to breathe, trust, and allow solutions to emerge naturally.

Despite the chaos in the world, including political strife and economic pressures, we must not let despair consume us. Instead, focus on what you can control and contribute to solutions, whether by being a voice for change, supporting others, or simply showing compassion and love. This unity is our strength, starting with small, consistent acts of kindness.

When life feels overwhelming, don’t spiral into anxiety or despair. Take proactive steps to resolve issues and ask the universe for guidance: “Show me how, show me whom, show me where.” Staying calm and optimistic prevents you from sinking into hopelessness and allows you to take empowered actions.

Engaging in meaningful activities brings joy and purpose. Whether it’s volunteering, helping a neighbor, or supporting a cause, giving to others fills your heart with joy and creates a ripple effect of positivity. Prioritize self-care, but remember that your self-fulfillment enables you to serve others. Acts of kindness—small or grand—uplift both the giver and the receiver.

Connection is vital. Look others in the eye, greet them warmly, and create moments of human interaction. Especially in challenging times, we must resist isolation and foster community. We combat negativity and bring light into the world by feeding joy, kindness, compassion, and solutions.

Ultimately, staying positive requires balancing awareness of the world’s problems with an intentional focus on solutions, love, and hope. Embrace life’s beauty, engage in acts of kindness, and find ways to contribute to your community. We can create a powerful force for good together, arm in arm.

So, start today with gratitude and a smile. Spread joy and love, and remember that even small actions can make a big difference. Let’s be the change we want to see and inspire hope in others along the way.



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C25-05. Warren Farrell & Lifelong Love


Choose Positive Living with Sara Troy and her guest, Dr. Warren Farrell, on air from February 4th

As Valentine’s Day approaches, romance is in the air. Falling in love is a biological, natural experience, releasing high levels of feel-good dopamine. Staying in love? That’s not in Cupid’s job description. We, mortals, are left struggling with what to do after the initial love-struck euphoria fades and reality hits. No wonder so many blissful marriages end in bitter divorces.  

New York Times bestselling author and internationally recognized expert on couples’ communication, Dr. Warren Farrell has repeatedly observed a heartbreaking fact for many couples: sustaining love is biologically unnatural. In his latest book, Role Mate to Soul Mate: The Seven Secrets to Lifelong Love, Dr. Farrell reveals his solutions to breaking through our natural defenses against making love last. As he has found, real couples can live happily ever after if they learn how to handle personal criticism from each other without becoming defensive.

Dr. Farrell has discovered seven core secrets to keeping the early spark of love burning strong in a relationship through decades and life’s inevitable challenges. Yet, as he impresses on couples, sustaining love takes commitment and practice. Drawing on his 30 years of experience teaching couples’ communication workshops, Dr. Warren Farrell can share his trusted secrets and tested practices with your audience. For starters, he can discuss how to:

  • Appreciate your partner creatively, consistently, and specifically
  • Transform the “Four Depleters of Love”—Criticisms, Complaining, Complacency, and Controlling—into ways to deepen love
  • Master the eleven “Soul Mate Wisdoms.”
  • Play together, keeping the fun and passion alive, to stay together
  • Create win-win solutions to even the stickiest problems


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WARREN FARRELL, PhD, a New York Times and internationally bestselling author, has coached couples and psychologists nationwide in couples’ communication for the past 30 years. Recognized by the Financial Times of London as one of the world’s top 100 thought leaders, he has been a pioneer in both the women’s movement (elected three times to the Board of the National Organization for Women) and the men’s movement (called the “Martin Luther King of the men’s movement” by GQ). He advocates for a “Gender Liberation Movement, freeing both sexes from rigid roles of the past.” His books have been published in 19 languages and include Why Men Are the Way They Are (1986), The Myth of Male Power (1993), and The Boy Crisis (2018). His most recent book, Role Mate to Soul Mate (2024), grew out of his popular course on the art and discipline of sustaining loving, intimate relationships. He and his wife Liz have been together for more than 30 years.


https://warrenfarrell.com

https://www.facebook.com/drwarrenfarrell

https://www.youtube.com/user/drwarrenfarrell

https://www.instagram.com/drwarrenfarrell


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