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James and Ashley Stay at Home

James McKenzie Watson and Ashley Kalagian Blunt

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Through discussions and interviews with writers, artists and health professionals, author friends James McKenzie Watson and Ashley Kalagian Blunt explore the big questions: how do books get written? How do people navigate life with chronic illness? And just what ARE you reading? Hosted by James McKenzie Watson, winner of the 2021 Penguin Literary Prize, and Ashley Kalagian Blunt, author of 'Dark Mode.'
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Social Media is hard. But it's also wildly important for the growth of your business. So, you're in between a rock and a hard place. The Social Media Mindset Podcast exists for you. If you struggle with social media for any reason, this podcast will change your business (and maybe even your life) for the better! There are plenty of great people out there that can teach you how to post and what to post. But what about the mindset it takes to do the right things for the right reasons over an e ...
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In this Series, we explore the pivotal moments that shape our lives—those transformative moments where everything changed. Maybe it was a conscious choice or perhaps a cruel twist of fate. Here, host Jessica McGann ( Coach and Reality TV Producer) delves into the inspiring stories of ordinary people who faced extraordinary circumstances that changed their life forever. Stories help connect us, and this channel hopes to do just that. Through storytelling, my goal is to inspire, connect, and m ...
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We want to hear from you! The 100th episode of 'James and Ashley Stay at Home' is fast approaching, and it’s going to be a very special one. To celebrate this milestone, we want you to send us a voice memo with your thoughts, comments and memories about the show, to be included in episode 100. This is open to anyone, whether you're an old listener,…
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We've made it to episode 98! Author Imbi Neeme joins James and Ashley to discuss life with misophonia, a hypersensitivity to sounds that she describes as 'like a cheese grater against the brain'. Imbi speaks both about how she discovered that her personal experiences are shared by others, and how she's explored the condition in her latest novel, 'K…
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Throughout their careers, James and Ashley have each picked up some excellent writing tricks, plus developed a few of their own. Now, they’re each sharing a few of their most effective writing techniques (starting with episode 94 - James’ shortcut to compelling characters). In this episode, Ashley gives a mini-masterclass on narrative drive and sha…
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'The doctors were telling me, "We’re going to take your greater omentum out" … I had no idea what these terms meant.' In episode 96, author Tracy Sorensen joins us to discuss her remarkable novel/cancer memoir, The Vitals, narrated by her internal organs. After her original cancer diagnosis, a desire to better understand her body led Tracy to croch…
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‘I had thought I was going to be like Harper Lee. I was going to write one book, it was going to be a massive global success, and then I would go into hiding.’ Hear from award-winning Irish author Liz Nugent, whose novel Strange Sally Diamond may have turned Ashley into a total fangirl. Liz discusses her journey from a childhood accident leading to…
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Throughout their writing careers, James and Ashley have each picked up some excellent writing tricks, plus developed a few of their own. In the coming months, they’ll each share a few of their most effective writing techniques, starting with James’ shortcut to compelling characters. British science-fiction author Karen Traviss writes remarkably nua…
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’I kept this condition very, very secret from everybody.’ Adele Dumont's remarkable new memoir, The Pulling, details her life with trichotillomania — a mental health condition that, at times, has consumed her life. In this episode, she discusses the unique writing process that enabled her to put long-held secrets first on the page and then into the…
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'The whole concept of transplantation still blows me away. There is something a bit magical about it. But as with most things people do, it can also find ways to blow up in people’s faces.' Author and neuropsychologist Kylie Ladd joins us to speak about her latest book, 'I'll Leave You with This.' She shares her research into the incredible science…
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Have you ever wondered what it takes to trade a secure but stale career for the high-risk, high-reward life of entrepreneurship? Naomi Rose, marathon runner turned baking magnate, joins me on The Pivot Point to share her extraordinary leap of faith from the confines of an office cubicle into the heat of the bakery kitchen. Discover how she transfor…
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When the scales of life tipped toward adversity, Leah Mitchell, a soulmate success coach, didn't just recalibrate; she transformed her journey into a beacon of hope. Today, she sits with us to weave a powerful narrative of resilience, self-love, and the quest for authentic connection. Our conversation spans Leah's tumultuous high school years marke…
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If you listen to James and Ashley Stay at Home, you know that both Ashley and James credit much of their skill development to their writers group. And they're not the only ones! You can hear rom com author Jonathon Shannon talk about what he learned from the group, as well as literary fiction author Amy Lovat. Like Ashley and James, they joined as …
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As the fireworks settle and the confetti is swept away, we step into 2024 with the compelling story of Ellen Patricia, whose life pivoted on a single, innocent question from her son. Ellen's narrative isn't just about change; it's a deep dive into the heart of resilience and the power of redefining success. On this episode of Pivot Point, we peel b…
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The tables are turned! Recorded live at the Inaugural Boorowa Literary Festival, festival director, book lover, and all-round excellent human Jeremy Clarke interviews James and Ashley. Learn more about the Absolutely Superb Bibliothèque and Occasional Wine Bar and its upcoming literary events here! Hear the James and Ashley Stay at Home origin stor…
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Have you ever sat at your desk, daydreaming about turning your wanderlust into a way of life? Lora Pope made that leap, and on The Pivot Point, she takes us through the shift from a secure government job to the unpredictable, yet liberating world of travel blogging. This conversation is a candid look at the emotional whirlwinds and the trials of fo…
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It's books wrap-up season! James and Ashley are getting on the bandwagon and discussing their favourite reads from 2023 in the first annual 'Bed on a Plinth Awards.' Books and authors discussed in this episode (warning: spoilers!): Dark Mode by Ashley Kalagian Blunt Crushing by Genevieve Novak The Sun Walks Down by Fiona McFarlane Desire by Jessie …
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Can you imagine going from a university athlete to a bedridden chronic illness patient in the span of a year? That's precisely the journey our guest, Jason Herterich, had to navigate when he was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and POTS. Jason talks about his life-altering experiences, the challenges of living with an invisible illness, and the importan…
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Our most popular episode of the year is back! James has gathered the best 'What Are You Reading?' segments from 2023 into a comprehensive summary of book recommendations from our guests. We discuss a huge variety of books, including thriller, mystery, memoir, rom com, literature, essays, poetry, nonfiction, plays and audiobooks. We also delve into …
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‘I wanted to find compassion for me and for any writer out there who’s doing the best they can but it’s not working out the way they planned.’ Author Laurie Steed shares how crippling anxiety affected both his literary career and his experience of fatherhood. Before he could address the anxiety, he first had to unlearn the lessons around masculinit…
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We're about to get real with Alana van der Sluys, a courageous warrior who battled body dysmorphia and disordered eating and emerged victorious. Now a certified intuitive eating counsellor, Alana has a tale to tell that's both heart-wrenching and deeply inspiring. Her journey, from being fixated on weight to transforming her relationship with food …
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Have you ever wondered what it's like to walk in the shoes of a neurodistinct person? My guest today, Will Wheeler, lives with dyslexia and ADHD and he is here to tell us about his journey - from his childhood struggles to his quest for personal change, and how he turned his life around to become a champion for neurodiverse individuals. His tale is…
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Have you ever wondered how your life would transform if you found your true voice and purpose? Join us in an intriguing conversation with Leigh Lincoln, a poverty and homelessness advocate turned author, who did just that. After years of being on autopilot as a single mother and volunteer, Leigh had an awakening moment which led her onto an inspiri…
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‘When I was a lawyer, I knew what was good enough, because if you did the job properly, you were paid, and if you didn’t do the job properly, you were sued. It was very clear-cut. With writing, you never know. There’s a lot of subjectivity.’ James speaks with Penguin Literary Prize winning author Annette Higgs about her debut novel, On a Bright Hil…
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Have you ever felt like becoming a parent was the most life-altering experience you've ever had? You're not alone. Our guest today, Mia Dixon, a baby and toddler sleep coach and creator of Celebrate Sleep with Mia, shares her touching and inspiring journey of self-discovery through motherhood. Mia opens up about how the COVID-19 pandemic challenged…
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Ever been blindsided by someone you trust? Betrayal hits hard, leaving us mentally, emotionally and physically drained. In my conversation with Dr. Debi Silber, founder of the Post-Betrayal Transformation Institute, we explore the phenomenon of betrayal. Sharing her own story and insights from her groundbreaking PhD study, Dr. Debi uncovers how bet…
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Have you ever wondered how a seemingly tragic event can end up being a catalyst for change? Join me as I sit down with Reiki practitioner and founder of Earth and Ether Wellness, Sydney Low, who offers a heartening perspective on this very idea. After being hit by a car, Sydney embarked on a transformative journey of healing and self-discovery, arm…
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Ashley reveals the inspiration behind the twists and turns in her bestselling psychological thriller, Dark Mode. Together with return guest Jacinta Dietrich and self-described enthusiastic reader Ali Thomas, Ashley and James delve into every scintillating Dark Mode detail they normally can’t discuss, including the novel's real-life inspirations. Ja…
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Have you ever found yourself in a relationship where you were constantly striving to meet high standards, losing your sense of self-worth in the process? That was the reality for our guest, Felicity Steiner, a relationship expert who experienced such a relationship that left her feeling inadequate and physically drained. Felicity takes us through h…
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Have you ever been told that your pain was just in your head? That the debilitating headaches you're experiencing are normal? Imagine being Jenna Dunlay, whose persistent discomfort was dismissed time and again until she was finally diagnosed with a rare congenital disease. Jenna sat down with me to share her remarkable journey of self-advocacy wit…
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In today's episode I speak with Michael R Herst who, once upon a time, was a well respected Police Sergent (something he had been working towards and dreaming of since he was a young kid!) until one evening, on an early morning call, something terrible happens leaving him physicaly disabled and no longer able to fulfill his work in policing. So wha…
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'I was still in that really optimistic, sort of naive, wonderful space as an early writer, where you think everything you write is just publishable.' Debut author Jonathon Shannon shares his journey from aspiring writer to published author – including the decision to join James and Ashley's writers' group. We discuss how he took his debut romcom fr…
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** Trigger Warning, todays episode includes conversations about suicide, Self harm and eating disorders so viewer discretion is advised. In Todays episode I speak with Kelly Helmick who takes us through her years of working in a highly toxic work environment that took a major toll on her mental wellbeing and eventually led her to a 74hr hold at her…
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In this episode, I speak with Corbie Mitleid who has survived breast cancer not once, not twice but three times. Corbie grew with the message that her appearance was equivalent to her worth, and that she needed to look a certain way. The societal pressures and messages led her to feeling very uncomfortable in her body. In this interview we explore …
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In this episode, I speak with Angela Gentile who shares with us the sudden loss of her father and how that moment sparked a whole new perspective on life for her. Angela was in her early 30s, working as a teacher, doing everything that society told her she "SHOULD" be and do in order to live a happy and fulfilling life. When out of nowhere, she rec…
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‘I conflate so many experiences throughout my life with the level of pain I was in at the time.’ Amy Lovat, debut author of Mistakes and Other Lovers and founder of Secret Book Stuff, gets real with us about the challenges of maintaining a creative practice with endometriosis. She also discusses writing about the dark side of modern evangelical Chr…
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** Trigger Warnings : This episode includes conversations about rape, child molestation, and gang violence. Listener discretion is advised ** Sonny resigned himself to a life of incarceration and gang violence until a pivotal moment changed his life. In his late 20s, he was sent to solitary confinement, and while there, he met a Muslim man who chan…
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Teresa was living the picture perfect life. A husband who was well regarded in their community, a couple kids, a house, and a thriving career herself as a Licensed Professional Counsellor and Certified Professional Life Coach. All seemed well, until a little voice inside her told her something wasn't right. When she became suspicious that her then …
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I think everyone has multiple pivotal moments in their life. Here I discuss one of mine. From an early age, I dedicated my life to being an actress, but after enduring a couple traumatic events, I no longer had the capacity or self awareness to tackle the harsh realities of being a freelance actress. After years of struggling with depression, a one…
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The Pivot Point premiers Saturday, September 2, 2023 Episode 1 | My Personal Pivot - a story of choosing happiness I think everyone has multiple pivotal moments in their life. Here I discuss one of mine. I had dedicated my entire life to being an actress, but after enduring a couple traumatic events, I no longer had the capacity or self awareness t…
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Welcome to a brand new episode of The Social Media Mindset! In this exciting installment, we have a special guest joining us, someone truly extraordinary. I had the pleasure of meeting this remarkable individual, Karla Davis, a realtor hailing from Sherman, Texas, just a few months ago. It's astonishing how much of a devoted fan she is! They say sh…
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After Indira Naidoo lost her sister to suicide during the pandemic lockdowns, she unexpectedly found herself turning to nature to help her heal. Speaking with Ashley, Indira shares the journey through grief that led to her memoir 'The Space Between the Stars,' including her relationship with an especially consoling Moreton Bay fig. She describes th…
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Step into an episode brimming with anticipation as our exceptional guests, Shawn and Lacey, share their infectious excitement with our listeners. This highly anticipated duo, both esteemed doctors, is set to break records as the first-ever dual doctors to grace the stage of the Social Media Mindset podcast. Join us as we delve into the riveting exp…
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Get ready for an exhilarating episode of "The Social Media Mindset"! Today, we have a sensational guest gracing our show. Brace yourself, because she's not just a top-performing realtor in one, but two states! But that's not all—she's a visionary coach, an accomplished author, and a supermom to five incredible children. Ladies and gentlemen, put yo…
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Welcome to another exciting episode of the Social Media Mindset! In this special edition, Kyle takes a unique twist as he becomes the interviewee on his own podcast. Join us as we dive into an insightful conversation, where our guest-turned-host promises to drop knowledge bombs and share valuable nuggets of wisdom. Today's special guest is none oth…
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Mark Brandi is the author of four novels, including his latest, Southern Aurora. He joins us to discuss how a short story he began in 2015 became his newest novel, his choice to set the story in rural Australia in the 1980s, and how he writes so convincingly from a child's point of view. We also talk about sustaining yourself creatively over multip…
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Welcome back to another exciting episode of the Social Media Mindset! In today's episode, we have a special guest who will enlighten us on the true impact of social media in the realm of real estate. Join us as we dive into the fascinating journey of Ed Stulak, a remarkable real estate agent based in New Jersey. Prepare to be inspired and gain valu…
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Get ready to dive into an incredible success story on this episode of Social Media Mindset! Join us as we sit down with Chris Felton, a fellow author and a seasoned professional with an impressive 24-year background in the financial services industry and entrepreneurship. In his captivating book, "Think and Grow You," Chris reveals the remarkable j…
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Today is a day brimming with excitement because there's nothing quite like being someone's first. It's an unforgettable moment that leaves an indelible mark. And guess what? Today, I have the immense honor of being the one who opens the door for James, granting him his inaugural guest appearance on a podcast. Brace yourselves, folks! In this electr…
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It wasn’t until a year into working on her novel 'Madukka the River Serpent' that Julie Janson decided to make it a crime novel. At once a story of corporate greed, environmental destruction and government inaction, 'Madukka the River Serpent' also celebrates older women who hold their families together in the face of extreme challenges. In this ep…
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Well, well, well, look who decided to show up for another episode of Social Media Mindset! Today, we've got the one and only Mortgage Meteorologist, Kayla Kallander, joining us. I must say, I was lucky enough to have a chat with her at Social Con and boy, does she know how to spice things up! And did I mention, she's from the land of freezing tempe…
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Hey there, folks! Welcome back to the Social Media Mindset. Today, I've got an absolute rockstar with me. When you attend a conference and hear a speaker drop some serious knowledge bombs, you know you've hit the jackpot, right? Well, that's exactly what happened when I met our guest today --- Keenya Kelly. She is a TikTok marketing strategist (and…
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