Every Soul Has A Story

Is the 1990s officially considered historical fiction today? In this episode of Every Soul Has a Story, host Dara Levan sits down with debut novelist, former journalist, and communications specialist Jessica Rao to explore the gritty coming-of-age experience of 1990s youth. Jessica shares the real-life inspiration behind her debut novel, Nowhere to Go but Everywhere, stemming from a failed 1994 Western road trip and years spent waiting tables in Albany. Together, they unpack how writing fiction compares to journalism, the myth of rigid genre boundaries, and the practical challenges of overcoming rejection, handling negative online reviews, and juggling social media marketing as a debut author. Listeners will gain three key takeaways: how organic scene writing creates authentic character growth, why post-publication author duties demand strategic boundaries, and how 1990s untethered culture contrasts with modern digital living. Dive into this rich conversation on creative resilience, motherhood, and authentic storytelling.0:00 - Intro0:53 - 1990s setting and coming of age2:17 - The nineties as historical fiction3:57 - Untethered freedom of nineties youth6:52 - Navigating book genres and YA10:42 - Crafting a nineties music soundtrack13:26 - Character origins and failed roadtrips16:06 - Writing process and organic drafting21:38 - Dealing with rejection and fear24:28 - Handling negative reviews at night26:09 - Balancing authorship motherhood and expectations33:57 – OutroRESOURCES:https://jessicarao.com/https://www.instagram.com/jess.rao/https://yellowstudiony.com/rao/Dara Levan / Every Soul Has a Story:https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/Website: daralevan.comQUOTES:"It's remarkable, as you can speak to as well, how untethered the youth of the 90s were. We were not attached to our parents with cell phones."– Jessica Rao"I am keenly aware of what I am modeling for my children. Even now, it's so important to me. I always say to people, and when I used to work with parents, and I still believe this firmly, it's not just what we say, it's what we don't say."– Dara Levan

When a rabbi loses her own child while studying to become a spiritual leader, where does she turn for comfort? Rabbi Amy Pessah joins Dara Levan for a raw, unfiltered conversation about grieving her son Yossi while navigating her rabbinical journey. Drawing from her book "The Wholeness of a Broken Heart," Rabbi Pessah reveals three powerful takeaways: why spiritual bypassing harms grievers, how vulnerability and community support can carry us through unimaginable pain, and the astonishing dragonfly signs that convinced her our loved ones remain connected. Discover how to honor grief while still finding joy, purpose, and meaning.0:00 - Intro1:35 - Inspiration behind new book4:36 - Discussing grief and rabbinical role7:22 - Accepting vulnerability and community help10:03 - Role of presence over words11:05 - Words of comfort reexamined13:17 - Avoiding spiritual bypassing phrases17:48 - Living a soul-called path19:24 - Dragonfly signs from Yossi23:38 - Dragonflies and spiritual connection29:22 - Control, response, and asking for help34:12 - Advice for those in hard chapters36:13 - Where to find Rabbi Pessah36:36 - OutroLearn more about Rabbi Amy Pessah:Website: https://www.asoulfuljourney.com/Book: The Wholeness of a Broken Heart: Pathways to Resilience and Renewal (available wherever books are sold)  Dara Levan / Every Soul Has a Story: ·              https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/ ·               Website: daralevan.com

Novelist Brenda Janowitz joins Dara Levan for an honest, funny conversation about her leap from women’s fiction to young adult fiction, her new book The Introvert’s Guide to Kissing in Europe, and the grief, parenting, and midlife changes shaping her life and work. They talk about finding joy after loss, raising teenagers in an overwhelming world, and the pressure authors face to become their own marketers. A thoughtful conversation about creativity, connection, publishing, and the healing power of a good story.0:00 - Intro1:14 - Why Brenda pivoted genres4:52 - Parenting and emotional triggers7:46 - Grief behind a dedication10:30 - Becoming the family’s anchor13:40 - The story behind the title18:21 - Finding joy during hardship22:26 - Parenting reveals personal fears25:51 - Integrity in hard conversations30:03 - Authors carrying every role33:55 - Publishing’s changing landscape36:28 - OutroRESOURCES:  Brenda Janowitzhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brenda_Janowitzhttp://www.brendajanowitz.com/https://www.instagram.com/brendajanowitzwriter/    Dara Levan / Every Soul Has a Story:https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/Website: daralevan.com

         What if repetition isn't boring—but the secret to being remembered? In this episode, Dara Levan sits down with award-winning marketer, two-time author, and personal branding expert Aliza Licht, who is publishing her novel Off the Record: Secrets of a 90s Fashion Insider in New York as a live, unfinished manuscript on Substack—one chapter a week.    Licht shares why "repetition is reputation," how to build brand equity in your own name instead of relying on your employer, and why authors must build an email database before launching a book. She also reveals the mindset shift that separates those who get noticed from those who stay invisible.    Whether you're an author, creative, or entrepreneur, this conversation will change how you think about visibility, authenticity, and owning your narrative. Learn why personal branding isn't bragging—it's positioning.TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Intro  0:22 - Aliza Licht's background and Substack  0:55 - Repetition is reputation  3:16 - Gut and intuition in branding 4:05 - Off the Record manuscript origins  6:05 - Taking risks and copyrighting work  8:03 - Visibility vs. being seen  9:10 - What do people come to you for?  10:31 - What people say when you're not there  12:23 - Packaging truth for different audiences  15:44 - Branding is not bragging  18:54 - Build your email database  23:05 - Content creation and consistency  27:39 - Off the Record chapter update  38:02 - What brings joy  39:55 - Outro     Aliza Licht:Substack: Off the RecordInstagram: @alizalichtxoWebsite: alizalicht.comBook: On Brand: Shape Your Narrative, Share Your Vision, Shift Their PerspectiveBook: Leave Your MarkSubstack: Off the Record: Secrets of a 90s Fashion Insider in New York  Dara Levan / Every Soul Has a Story:●  https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/●  Website: daralevan.com

      What if the most iconic death in Hollywood history was a lie? In this captivating episode, Dara Levan talks with journalist, novelist, and founder of the Palm Beach and Cape Cod Book Festivals, Lois Cahall. Cahall reveals the incredible 26-year journey of her new novel, Maybe Marilyn, a story born from a screenplay and resurrected with a push from literary giant James Patterson.       This episode is a must-listen for aspiring writers and avid readers, offering a raw and honest look at the modern publishing industry. Hear firsthand the challenges of self-promotion, the struggle to balance art with business, and the shocking, real-life autopsy details that fuel Cahall's fascinating "happy conspiracy." Discover why real readers will always find real writers and how to keep your creative spark alive.  TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Intro1:26 - Why Marilyn and why now?5:11 - James Patterson's pivotal role7:42 - The path to Simon & Schuster9:03 - The myth of "just writing a book"13:33 - The all-consuming reality of promotion16:27 - How she feels when not writing17:41 - The unspoken truth among authors19:42 - What writing Marilyn taught her20:30 - The suspicious details of Marilyn's death23:40 - The people who saw her dead26:29 - Where to find Lois online27:26 - OutroRESOURCES:https://loiscahall.com/@lois.cahallDara Levan / Every Soul Has a Story:https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/Website: daralevan.com

What happens when a 90-year-old World War II veteran confesses his deepest regret and sends you on a journey to find the love of his life? In this powerful episode, host Dara Levan sits down with communication consultant and author Kara Kavensky to discuss her transformative memoir, Tell Me About Joy. Kara shares how interviewing veteran Bob Albright led her on an unexpected path to healing from her own narcissistic marriage, discovering the power of energy healing, and ultimately finding her own joy.This conversation explores how trauma can be transformed through storytelling, the importance of accessible healing modalities like tapping and meditation, and what it means to truly heal. If you've ever wondered how to break free from toxic patterns or find hope after heartbreak, Kara's journey will inspire you.Keywords: memoir, healing journey, narcissistic abuse recovery, WWII veteran love story, energy healing, tapping EFT, trauma recovery, storytelling, finding joy, divorce recovery, emotional healing, book memoir, Tell Me About Joy, Kara Kavensky, Dara Levan, Every Soul Has a Story podcastTIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Intro1:29 - Kara's gratitude for the conversation2:14 - Kara's IU athlete children & hats2:29 - Kara's childhood & grandmother the librarian6:08 - Meeting Bob & the journey begins7:04 - Transformative power of Bob's story10:15 - Grandma's dementia & family humor12:16 - Quote on narcissism13:16 - Energy healing & trauma recovery22:39 - How Kara met Bob Albright24:44 - When the book idea formed25:42 - Relief & terror of publishing31:27 - What healed most in writing36:52 - Hope for readers40:29 - OutroRESOURCES:karakavensky.com@karakavenskyDara Levan / Every Soul Has a Story:https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/Website: daralevan.com

In this raw and radiant episode, host Dara Levan sits down with yoga teacher, author, and Strala Yoga founder Tara Stiles. Tara opens up about being sexually assaulted at her dance school, how she never reported it, and how yoga became her blueprint for healing. She shares why she stopped dancing professionally at 22, the pushback she received for not using Sanskrit and for putting yoga on YouTube, and the Harvard Business School case study that compared her approach to Bikram. You’ll learn three key takeaways: why “softness is not weakness” and how mobilization builds real strength, how to avoid burnout by not taking credit for others’ transformations, and the simple practice of “never suffer a bad position.” Tara also reveals the somatic symptoms Dara experienced while writing her first novel, the back-to-back exercise that changes everything, and why her upcoming book Living Softly took six years to complete. This is a conversation about presence, protection, and the power of being movable.TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Intro11:28 - Sexual assault disclosure at dance school15:24 - Drawn to yoga for healing18:33 - Don’t take credit for transformations22:42 - Be movable so you can be moved27:15 - Somatic symptoms while writing29:45 - Never suffer a bad position33:39 - Good enough vs perfectionism40:50 - Pushback from traditional yoga48:56 - Softness connects diverse people52:07 - Softness is not weakness54:57 - OutroRESOURCES:•    Tara Stiles Website: tarastiles.com•    Tara Stiles on Instagram: @tarastiles•    Tara Stiles on Substack: Tara StilesDara Levan / Every Soul Has a Story:•    https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/•    Website: daralevan.com

Why do we save our favorite things for “someday” that never comes? In this episode, host Dara Levan sits down with author and former magazine editor Susan Kleinman to explore how we can stop playing it safe and start building a life filled with everyday joy. From the decision to paint her home office purple to the deeper lesson learned from her mother-in-law’s unworn sweaters, Susan shares her philosophy on choosing color, authenticity, and presence over the dull safety of “beige.”Susan also discusses her debut novel, All Afternoon, and its themes of self-deception and the price of staying stagnant. Together, they tackle the messy realities of midlife, finding gratitude during times of war, and why being honest with yourself is the key to a truly authentic life. If you’ve ever felt stuck in a rut, this conversation is the wake-up call you need to start wearing the good jewelry today.TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Intro1:00 - Painting walls purple for joy3:44 - Dara’s red bathroom story4:40 - Susan’s collection of 35 glasses6:18 - The lesson of saved sweaters9:40 - The story of MJ Rose & jewelry12:07 - Susan’s father’s Parkinson’s gratitude17:22 - Life is all the things at once25:24 - The origin of “All Afternoon”29:18 - The price of growth vs. stagnation33:53 - Being honest with yourself40:35 - The truth about motherhood45:42 - Where to find Susan Kleinman46:09 - OutroRESOURCES:Susan's Website: SusanKleinman.comSusan on Instagram: @susan_kleinmanSusan on Facebook: Susan Kleinman (look for the banner with her book)Dara Levan / Every Soul Has a Story:•    https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/•    Website: daralevan.com

What if physical symptoms and gut feelings can guide you on your life's path? In this episode, host Dara Levan sits down with multi-published author Annie Cathryn to discuss her upcoming novel Now Eat the Cake, why she started her own indie press Moon Ray Books at 50, and how eczema disappeared the moment she made an aligned decision. Annie shares her marketing secrets for authors who hate self-promotion, why a cat is called a "familiar," and how writing grief helped her heal. You’ll learn three key takeaways: how to differentiate growth-oriented obstacles from energetic blocks, why turning 50 is a privilege to be celebrated, and mindset shifts. Tune in for an unfiltered conversation about midlife breakthroughs, intuition, and eating the cake.TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Intro0:52 - Annie’s excitement for the episode1:03 - Early read of *Now Eat the Cake*2:30 - Husbands who don’t read fiction3:45 - Letting go of book babies4:19 - Turning 50 and starting an imprint5:22 - Eczema disappears after aligned decision7:19 - Obstacles vs. energetic blocks9:28 - Why turning 50 is a privilege11:38 - Writing grief from real loss13:51 - Healing through writing friendship breakup14:21 - Dogs as healers in fiction16:11 - Cats as “familiars”18:06 - Indie publishing vs. traditional19:18 - Marketing background and social media tips23:51 - Promoting without feeling gross25:24 - Impact of publishing on parenting28:26 - Focusing on one book at a time31:25 - Listening when it “doesn’t feel right”32:33 - Where to find Annie Cathryn32:54 - OutroRESOURCES:https://www.instagram.com/msanniecathrynhttps://anniecathryn.com/Dara Levan / Every Soul Has a Story:•    https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/•    Website: daralevan.com

What happens when a Hollywood matchmaker’s own love story begins with her client? In this episode, host Dara Levan sits down with Jaydi Samuels Kuba, a matchmaker, dating coach, and author of Your Last First Date. Jaydi shares the surprising story of how she met her husband—after setting him up with other women—and why throwing away the superficial checklist was key to their success. She pulls back the curtain on the high-end matchmaking industry, revealing why expensive guarantees often come with hidden risks. Jaydi also opens up about her personal journey through IVF, the vital statistics that changed her course, and how that experience deepened her empathy as a coach. If you’re tired of swiping and ready for a real connection, this conversation about wants versus needs is for you.TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Intro1:09 - Meeting her husband (a former client)5:40 - Deal breakers vs. preferences9:10 - Starting the business & early days17:45 - Affordable matchmaking & industry ethics22:25 - Vetting clients & confidentiality25:44 - Men, women & superficial wants29:42 - Connecting matchmaking with infertility32:38 - The CDC data that changed her IVF journey38:32 - How IVF informed her matchmaking40:09 - Age ranges & diverse client demographics43:14 - The link between writing and matchmaking46:30 - Where to find Jaydi47:07 - OutroRESOURCES:Website: ljmatchmaking.comBook: Your Last First Date: Secrets from a Hollywood MatchmakerPodcast: Match Made in Hollywood (with her husband)Social Media: @MatchMadeInHollywoodFertility Resource: SART (Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology) – Website to check clinic success rates.Dara Levan / Every Soul Has a Story:•    https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/•    Website: daralevan.com