Author Express podcast

Author Express

This is your place to hear the voice behind the pages of your favorite books. Here you’ll get a feel for the person who spent hours, weeks, months, and even years to fill the pages and build a world where you can not only use yourself but possibly find yourself as well. Our gift is a glance at the human side of writing; perhaps a morsel from the author’s childhood, insight on the character to which they are most attached, or a little on the passion that fueled the topics in the book. It’s your chance to get to know some of your favorite writers in a new light. We’ll give you a quick glimpse into their latest work and pique your interest in your next read, but we’ll also let you get to know a little about the authors themselves. As you’ll see in our episodes, we end up in some great conversations, whether they are about the historical significance of a topic, a laugh around chasing cows in the mud, or a few moments musing on travel and the best parts about visiting France. It is our goal to connect you with authors from varying genres and styles of writing and to keep in concert with our title by keeping them “Express” so you can easily work them into your weekly routine. This show is co-hosted by Kathleen Basi, Kristi Leonard, and Shawna Rodrigues. Kathleen Basi is a musical composer and songwriter, feature writer, essayist, nonfiction author, and of course, storyteller. Kristi Leonard is the owner and host of Writers in the Wild Retreats, nonfiction voice over artist, and president of the Women's Fiction Writers Association (WFWA). Shawna Rodrigues is a Podcast Strategist, Founder of Authentic Connections Podcast Network, Host of The Grit Show www.thegritshow.com, and Internationally Best-Selling Author.

This is your place to hear the voice behind the pages of your favorite books. Here you’ll get a feel for the person who spent hours, weeks, months, and even years to fill the pages and build a world where you can not only use yourself but possibly find yourself as well. Our gift is a glance at the human side of writing; perhaps a morsel from the author’s childhood, insight on the character to which they are most attached, or a little on the passion that fueled the topics in the book. It’s your chance to get to know some of your favorite writers in a new light. We’ll give you a quick glimpse into their latest work and pique your interest in your next read, but we’ll also let you get to know a little about the authors themselves. As you’ll see in our episodes, we end up in some great conversations, whether they are about the historical significance of a topic, a laugh around chasing cows in the mud, or a few moments musing on travel and the best parts about visiting France. It is our goal to connect you with authors from varying genres and styles of writing and to keep in concert with our title by keeping them “Express” so you can easily work them into your weekly routine. This show is co-hosted by Kathleen Basi, Kristi Leonard, and Shawna Rodrigues. Kathleen Basi is a musical composer and songwriter, feature writer, essayist, nonfiction author, and of course, storyteller. Kristi Leonard is the owner and host of Writers in the Wild Retreats, nonfiction voice over artist, and president of the Women's Fiction Writers Association (WFWA). Shawna Rodrigues is a Podcast Strategist, Founder of Authentic Connections Podcast Network, Host of The Grit Show www.thegritshow.com, and Internationally Best-Selling Author.

 

#140

The Inspiration of Barbara Pronin in Crafting Courageous Women's Stories -137

Step into the world of Author Express with an episode that bridges Brooklyn nostalgia and ... more

26 Nov 2025

13 MINS

13:25

26 Nov 2025


#139

How Risk and Spontaneity Shape Geeta Schrayter’s Heartfelt Holiday Romances -136

Join Author Express for a heartwarming chat with Geeta Schrayter, author of uplifting New ... more

19 Nov 2025

18 MINS

18:10

19 Nov 2025


#138

Where Life Inspires Fiction: Rebecca Hodge on Creativity and Career Pivots -135

Curious what happens when a retired veterinarian and clinical research scientist turns to ... more

12 Nov 2025

14 MINS

14:50

12 Nov 2025


#137

The Last Page; A Farewell & Celebrating Three Years of Author Express -134

In this special episode of Author Express, hosts Shawna Rodrigues, Kristi Leonard, and Kat... more

05 Nov 2025

18 MINS

18:11

05 Nov 2025


#136

Crafting Stories of Healing: Virginia McCullough’s Brand of Hope and Second Chances -133

Curious about the real stories behind the writers you love? In this inspiring Author Expre... more

29 Oct 2025

15 MINS

15:47

29 Oct 2025


#135

How Nashville Shaped an Author's Life and Her Novel, The False Flat -132

On this engaging episode of Author Express, host Kathleen Basi welcomes Melissa R. Colling... more

15 Oct 2025

15 MINS

15:31

15 Oct 2025


#134

Strong Women, Faithful Hounds, and Finding Courage: Catherine Matthews -131

Ready for a heartfelt author interview with a twist of sisterhood and adventure? In this e... more

01 Oct 2025

15 MINS

15:51

01 Oct 2025


#133

Author Suzanne Woods Fisher Reveals the Only Question a Writer Ever Needs -130

Meet Suzanne Woods Fisher, best-selling author of more than 40 books, as she chats with Ka... more

17 Sep 2025

15 MINS

15:01

17 Sep 2025


#132

Jennifer Jabaley Reveals Her Secrets and Inspiration in Writing Domestic Suspense Novels -129

Looking for your next read or some creative inspiration? This episode of Author Express fe... more

03 Sep 2025

17 MINS

17:37

03 Sep 2025


#131

How Farm Life and Family Shape Sara Brunsvold’s Literary Worlds -128

Explore the creative heartbeat of the Midwest in this Author Express episode featuring Sar... more

20 Aug 2025

14 MINS

14:21

20 Aug 2025


#130

Explore One Writer’s Fascinating Journey From Legal Eagle to Literary Fiction -127

In this episode of Author Express, host Kristi Leonard sits down with Croatian novelist an... more

06 Aug 2025

16 MINS

16:43

06 Aug 2025


#129

Family, Mental Health, and Inspiration: Cathelina Duvert on "The Box" -126

Curious about what inspires a debut author? In this episode of Author Express, meet Cathel... more

23 Jul 2025

12 MINS

12:35

23 Jul 2025


#128

From Family Secrets to Historical Fiction: Real-Life Inspiration -125

Journey with us on this episode of Author Express as Kristi Leonard interviews Lindsay Mar... more

09 Jul 2025

14 MINS

14:17

09 Jul 2025


#127

It Took Me Twenty Years to Become an Overnight Success -124

Step into sunny Los Angeles with author Janie Emaus as she brings humor and heart to this ... more

25 Jun 2025

13 MINS

13:50

25 Jun 2025


#126

Astonishing Stories: Rosa Kwon Easton on the Power of Generational Memory -123

Curious about how family history transforms into page-turning fiction? Listen in as Rosa K... more

11 Jun 2025

16 MINS

16:12

11 Jun 2025


#125

How Barbara Johsselsohn Weaves History and Heart into Her Novels -122

Explore powerful storytelling and rich history in the latest Author Express episode with g... more

28 May 2025

15 MINS

15:21

28 May 2025


#124

Defining Success, Embracing the Messy Middle, and Writing What Moves You -121

Meet bestselling author Rochelle Weinstein in this episode of Author Express as she shares... more

14 May 2025

16 MINS

16:40

14 May 2025


#123

Trading Trials for Tales: Elisabeth Dini’s Path from International Law to Uplifting Fiction -120

Ready to meet an author who’s lived a story as gripping as the ones she writes? On this ep... more

30 Apr 2025

14 MINS

14:46

30 Apr 2025


#122

Girl Meets Boy Again Plus Floral Fun: A Look at Orly Konig’s Love Story - 119

Ever wondered how an author weaves real-life inspirations into their fictional worlds? In ... more

16 Apr 2025

14 MINS

14:35

16 Apr 2025


#121

Why Being an Author Is Like Running a Tech Startup, with Jennifer Klepper -118

Step into the world of Jennifer Klepper, the USA Today bestselling author, as she joins Ka... more

02 Apr 2025

14 MINS

14:38

02 Apr 2025