Murder, Mystery, & Mayhem Laced with Morality is a gripping learning and networking hub for writers who dare to explore the shadows—without losing sight of the light.
Rooted in suspense, thriller, mystery, and crime, this podcast features powerful conversations with authors, publishing professionals, and experts in law enforcement, psychology, forensics, editing, marketing, and storytelling craft. Each episode pulls back the curtain on what it takes to write stories that are authentic, compelling, and unforgettable.
Whether you’re crafting a high-stakes thriller, a redemptive romance, a memoir born from lived experience, or faith-based nonfiction, you’ll gain practical insight on character development, research, storytelling structure, and navigating the publishing journey—where truth matters, justice has a voice, and light pierces through the darkness with the spoken and written word.
Advertise on Murder, Mystery and Mayhem Laced with Morality
Advertise on Murder, Mystery and Mayhem Laced with Morality to promote your brand to thousands of podcast listeners
Unlock Murder, Mystery and Mayhem Laced with Morality podcast Email contact info, Listeners & Audience details
Email contact information
Direct podcast contact details
Listeners
Audience numbers & engagement insights
Audience details
Podcast Insights
Podcast episodes
Check latest episodes from Murder, Mystery and Mayhem Laced with Morality podcast
Hank Schwaeble—From Criminal Investigations to Supernatural Nightmares
2026/11/08
What happens when a former Air Force special agent and award-winning horror novelist combines real-world investigations with the darkest corners of the human imagination?
On this episode of Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality, host Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes welcomes Bram Stoker Award-winning author Hank Schwaeble for a fascinating conversation about horror, suspense, criminal investigations, and the complex relationship between good and evil.
Hank is the acclaimed author of Damnable, winner of the Bram Stoker Award for Best First Novel, and its sequel, Diabolical. His other works include The Angel of the Abyss and the horror-noir collections American Nocturne and Moonless Nocturne.
But Hank's experiences extend far beyond the writing desk. A practicing attorney, former Air Force officer, and special agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, he brings an extraordinary perspective to creating believable danger, psychological tension, and morally complicated characters.
A graduate of the University of Florida and Vanderbilt Law School, Hank has distinguished himself in military investigations, law, and literature. His background offers a unique window into the darker side of human nature—and the stories that emerge when reality meets the supernatural.
In this intriguing conversation, we'll explore:
How Hank's military and investigative experiences shape his suspenseful storytelling.
The inspiration behind Damnable and his award-winning writing career.
What makes horror and supernatural suspense so compelling.
The moral dilemmas that challenge readers to examine good, evil, justice, and redemption.
The craft of creating unforgettable villains, chilling atmospheres, and unexpected twists.
What's next for Hank and his literary adventures.
Whether you're a fan of psychological thrillers, supernatural horror, crime fiction, or thought-provoking conversations about morality, this episode offers an unforgettable look behind the imagination of a master storyteller.
🎙️ Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality — New Episodes Every Sunday!
Listen, follow, and share! Subscribe on Spotify so you never miss an episode, and leave a five-star rating and review to help other mystery and suspense enthusiasts discover the show.
Presented by Dressed in Love Press, LLC — Spreading Light Through Story.
#MurderMysteryAndMayhem #HankSchwaeble #BramStokerAward #ThrillerAndSuspense #DressedInLovePress
Christopher Michael—WWII, Cosmic Horror & the Monsters Beyond the Battlefield
2026/11/01
🎙️ What happens when the horrors of World War II collide with ancient evils that defy human understanding?
History is terrifying enough—but what if the greatest threats were the ones humanity couldn't explain?
On this gripping episode of Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality, host Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes welcomes Christopher Michael, a former U.S. Army soldier, law enforcement professional, and author of the chilling Danforth: Eldritch Tales of WWII series, published by Crystal Lake Publishing.
Drawing on his military deployments, law enforcement experience, and passion for historical fiction, Christopher transports readers into a world where Nazi occult conspiracies, wartime espionage, and supernatural horrors collide.
Inspired by H. P. Lovecraft's legendary At the Mountains of Madness, his series follows Robert Danforth, a man haunted by unimaginable discoveries, as he confronts dangerous secrets and sinister forces during World War II.
But behind the fictional monsters lies a deeply human story.
Christopher shares how writing became an outlet for processing difficult experiences, exploring trauma, and transforming personal struggles into powerful storytelling.
In this fascinating conversation, we explore:
🪖 How military and law enforcement experiences shape Christopher's fiction.
📚 The research behind combining authentic WWII history with Lovecraftian horror.
👁️ Why the unknown can be more frightening than anything we can see.
✍️ How storytelling can help writers confront painful experiences.
⚖️ The moral dilemmas that arise when ordinary people face extraordinary evil.
🌑 What readers can expect from Tomb of the Black Pharaoh and The Horror in the Lamplights.
Can fictional monsters help us confront the real ones? And what happens when the battle for humanity becomes a battle for the human soul?
Whether you're fascinated by military history, supernatural suspense, psychological storytelling, or the creative minds behind unforgettable fiction, this conversation will challenge your imagination.
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7142700.Christopher_Michael
Ask Christopher a question on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/7142700.Christopher_Michael/questions
X (formerly Twitter): @Chris_M_Author
Explore his books through Crystal Lake Publishing: https://www.crystallakepub.com/new-signing-christopher-michael/
If you enjoy suspenseful fiction, compelling author interviews, and conversations that explore the deeper questions behind storytelling, follow Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality on Spotify.
⭐ Follow the show, leave a rating, and share this episode with a friend who loves history, horror, and mysteries that make you think.
Because sometimes the greatest mysteries aren't about what lurks in the darkness—but what the darkness reveals about us.
🎙️ Hosted by Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes
Presented by Dressed in Love Press, LLCSpreading Light Through Story🌐 www.dressedinlovepress.net
#ChristopherMichael #MurderMysteryAndMayhem #DanforthSeries #WWIIHistoricalFiction #CosmicHorror #LovecraftianHorror #AuthorInterview #DressedInLovePress
📖 Connect with Christopher Michael🎧 Join the Mystery!SYFY+2
Peter Pontsa — 🎙️ Thrills, twists, and moral choices—let’s talk!
2026/10/25
What happens when heart-pounding suspense meets thought-provoking storytelling?
Join me on Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality as I welcome talented author Peter Pontsa for an intriguing conversation where suspense meets substance, danger lurks around unexpected corners, and every choice has consequences.
Peter takes us into the fascinating world of mystery and adventure, where compelling characters, unexpected twists, and high-stakes situations keep readers turning pages long past bedtime. We'll explore his creative journey, the inspiration behind his stories, and the art of weaving suspense, moral dilemmas, and unforgettable characters into fiction that entertains while challenging readers to think.
What makes a great suspense novel impossible to put down? How does an author keep readers guessing while creating characters they genuinely care about? And can a thrilling adventure leave us with something meaningful long after we've turned the final page?
We're diving into these questions and more!
Whether you're a devoted mystery lover, an aspiring author, or someone who appreciates stories filled with intrigue, courage, and the complexities of human nature, this episode promises plenty of fascinating insights.
Love stories that keep you guessing, characters who challenge your expectations, and endings that leave you thinking? This one's for you!
🎙️ Tune in for another captivating episode of Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality, where the mysteries are compelling, the conversations are meaningful, and morality is always part of the story.
Listen, subscribe, and share with a fellow suspense lover!
#MurderMysteryAndMayhem #PeterPontsa #AuthorInterview #MysteryAndSuspense #ThrillerBooks #WilliamFoxAdventure #CrimeFiction #WritingCommunity #BooksWorthReading #PodcastForReaders
Peter James— Killer Twists, Dark Secrets, and the Mind Behind Roy Grace
2026/10/18
🎙️ The plot thickens—and Peter James is taking the mic!
I’m thrilled to welcome UK No. 1 bestselling author Peter James to Murder Mystery and Mayhem Laced with Morality!
With more than 24 million books sold worldwide, this master of suspense has captivated readers with unexpected twists, sinister characters, and the unforgettable Detective Superintendent Roy Grace.
Pull up a chair for suspense with substance—and an author who knows how to keep us turning pages long past bedtime. 🔍📚
What would YOU ask Peter? Submit your questions, and when we have him return, we'll have answers. And follow the podcast for this conversation!
Explore his books: www.peterjames.com
#PeterJames #RoyGrace #MurderMysteryAndMayhem #CrimeFiction #AuthorInterview
John Infortunio—When Memory Lies and Family Secrets Surface
2026/10/11
Family Secrets, Buried Truths & the Price of Remembering with John Infortunio
What if uncovering your family’s past changed everything you believed about yourself?
Join Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes on Murder Mystery and Mayhem Laced with Morality for a spotlight on author and longtime educator John Infortunio. His thrillers, Today Was Tomorrow and Destroyed by the Events of the Day, take readers into worlds where grief clouds memory, loyalty clashes with betrayal, and exposing secrets carries dangerous consequences.
From hidden family histories to scandal inside an elite prep school, discover stories that raise unsettling questions: Who can we trust? What do we owe the people we love? And how far would we go to protect the truth?
Follow the podcast and share this episode with someone who loves suspense with emotional depth.
Connect with John: Instagram.com/johninfortunio
#MurderMysteryAndMayhem #JohnInfortunio #AuthorInterview #PsychologicalThrillers #SuspenseWithSubstance
Diana Peterfreund—Secrets, Suspense & Stories That Refuse to Stay in One Genre
2026/10/04
What do secret societies, killer unicorns, Jane Austen, underground cities, classic board-game murder mysteries, and the ghostly legacy of Edgar Allan Poe have in common? Diana Peterfreund.
On this episode of Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality, Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes sits down with acclaimed author Diana Peterfreund for a fascinating conversation about writing across genres, creating unforgettable worlds, reimagining beloved stories, and crafting mysteries and adventures that keep readers turning pages.
Diana has written novels for adults, teens, and younger readers, including the four-book Secret Society Girl series; the killer-unicorn novels Rampant and Ascendant; For Darkness Shows the Stars, her post-apocalyptic reimagining of Jane Austen’s Persuasion; and Across a Star-Swept Sea, inspired by The Scarlet Pimpernel. Her Omega City trilogy sends middle-grade readers beneath modern Maryland into a mysterious hidden bunker city, while her CLUE mysteries, written in partnership with Hasbro, bring the iconic board game’s murder, motives, and suspects to life for a new generation.
Her newest series, Ellen Poe, ventures into paranormal mystery and adventure, following a contemporary heroine connected to the haunting legacy of Edgar Allan Poe—a perfect choice for readers who enjoy the clever sleuthing of Enola Holmes and the puzzle-filled adventure of National Treasure. Diana Peterfreund
Diana’s work has been translated into fourteen languages and recognized by the New York Public Library’s Books for the Teen Age list, Capitol Choices, the Texas Lone Star Reading List, the Sunshine State Young Readers Award list, and Amazon’s Best Books of the Year. She has also written dozens of critically acclaimed short stories and nonfiction essays exploring children’s and popular literature. Diana Peterfreund
Join us as we talk about where Diana finds her wonderfully unexpected ideas, what it takes to move successfully between age groups and genres, how familiar stories can inspire something entirely new, and why mystery, imagination, danger, and morality make such compelling companions.
Discover Diana’s books and learn more about her work:DianaPeterfreund.com
🎙️ Listen, subscribe, share the episode, and tell us: Which Diana Peterfreund world would you most like to step into—Secret Society Girl, Killer Unicorns, Omega City, CLUE, or Ellen Poe?
#DianaPeterfreund #MurderMysteryAndMayhem #LacedWithMorality #DrKatherineHutchinsonHayes #EllenPoe #MysteryBooks #YABooks #MiddleGradeBooks #BookPodcast #AuthorInterview #MysteryAuthors #ParanormalMystery #WritingCommunity #WritersOfInstagram #Bookstagram #AmReading #ReadersOfInstagram #PodcastInterview #BooksAndAuthors #Storytelling
TK BUSH—The Author of Unveiled Discusses Her Process of Developing a Pyschological Suspense
2026/09/27
T.K. Bush on Writing Unveiled While Working in Healthcare
What does it take to write a psychological thriller while working full-time in healthcare?
On this episode of Murder Mystery and Mayhem Laced with Morality, I talk with T.K. Bush, author of Unveiled, about her writing process. We discuss how she balances writing with her work as a radiographic and cardiovascular technologist, and how that experience shapes her stories.
In Unveiled, Tessa Brooks has rebuilt her life after an accident stole her memories. When a man from her past returns, buried truths threaten the life she has made.
Listen to our conversation, follow the podcast for more mystery and suspense with purpose, and visit T.K. Bush at tkbush.com.
#TKBush #Unveiled #AuthorInterview #WritingProcess #WritingLife #PsychologicalThriller #SuspenseBooks #BookPodcast
Duncan Ritchie— What happens when truth itself becomes a weapon?
2026/09/20
When technology can manipulate information faster than we can verify it, who—or what—do we trust to tell us the truth?
Join us for a thought-provoking conversation where murder, mystery, mayhem, technology, politics, and morality collide.
Duncan spent thirty years advising governments and companies on energy, infrastructure, transactions, and policy. He has also written nonfiction for international organizations, including the Asian Development Bank and the United Nations Environment Program, advocating for policy changes and investment related to climate change. Now, he has turned his experience with governments, policy, finance, and global affairs toward fiction.
The Truth Chamber began with a series of “what if?” questions Duncan started exploring in 2022. What might happen if outside forces attempted to exploit America’s political divisions? How could artificial intelligence change the battle over information? And what happens when people trying to protect democratic institutions begin questioning how far they themselves should go?
The resulting novel combines political intrigue, artificial intelligence, assassination attempts, foreign influence, disinformation, and moral dilemmas in a high-stakes story about the increasingly complicated relationship between truth and power.
At the center of the novel is Admiral Liam Driscoll, a grieving man drawn into presidential candidate Anna Hoffman’s campaign as political violence escalates. Their team recruits a Stanford Ph.D. student developing an AI technology known as the Truth Chamber, hoping it can help uncover who is behind the violence.
But the conspiracy extends far beyond one campaign.
As domestic turmoil collides with international ambitions, Liam and his team confront an unsettling question: How much can you compromise the principles you are trying to protect before you become part of the problem?
Dr. Katherine and Duncan explore:
Duncan’s journey from investment banking and international policy work to political thriller author
The real-world concerns and “what if?” questions that inspired The Truth Chamber
How he created a fictional American presidential race while separating speculation from reality
The Truth Chamber itself and the possibilities and dangers of AI in determining what is true
Disinformation, propaganda, foreign influence, and the manipulation of public perception
The global power struggles operating behind the novel’s domestic political conflict
Liam Driscoll’s central moral dilemma: how far can someone go to protect democratic institutions without compromising the principles behind them?
The challenges of writing politically charged fiction for readers who may bring very different perspectives to the story
How Duncan’s career and international experiences informed the novel’s geopolitical world
Why thriller fiction offers a compelling space for exploring uncomfortable questions about truth, technology, morality, and power
What Duncan is writing next
Duncan Ritchie is a former—he jokingly says “recovering”—investment banker who grew up on a plantation in North Borneo and graduated from the University of Western Australia.
During a thirty-year career, he advised governments and companies on major energy and infrastructure transactions and policy. He has also written persuasive nonfiction for multilateral organizations, including ADB and UNEP, focusing on climate-related policy and investment.
Concerned by international conflict, political extremism, and growing questions surrounding misinformation, Duncan began developing speculative “what if?” scenarios in 2022. Those ideas eventually became his political thriller, The Truth Chamber.
Duncan now lives in Tasmania with his Malinois pup, Aletheia—Alé for short—who, thinks he is slightly mad.
The Truth Chamber is a speculative political thriller examining AI, disinformation, foreign influence, political violence, power, morality, and the fragile boundary between protecting principles and violating them.
Lou Pugliese Returns— Author of "The Portal" takes us through the thrill of life after death in his latest suspense
2026/09/13
🎙️ What happens when the extraordinary enters an ordinary life—and certainty gives way to mystery?
We welcome back author Lou Pugliese, whose new thriller, The Portal, has just been released! 📖
From an international career with Toyota to teaching business in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, Lou brings a wealth of experience, extensive travel, and a love of obscure research to his fiction. His stories weave subtle paranormal elements into realistic relationships, exploring the emotional consequences of events that defy explanation.
Now settled in Green Cove Springs, Florida, with his wife Kathy and their dog Mitch, Lou also hosts the Florida Writers Association’s monthly Clay County chapter.Stay in touch with Lou: https://loupuglieseauthor.com/
✨ Tune in, follow the podcast so you never miss an episode, and share this post with a friend who loves a mystery!
#MurderMysteryAndMayhemLacedWithMorality #LouPugliese #ThePortal #AuthorInterview #MysteryReaders #ThrillerBooks #Bookstagram #WritingCommunity #FloridaAuthors #SuspenseMeetsSubstance
Kelly Borjas—The Author of High Exposure Discusses Love, Hope & Adventure
2026/09/06
HIGH EXPOSURE: Romance, Danger & Faith with Debut Author Kelly Borjas
What happens when a travel blogger running from her past—and from God—stumbles across a dead body in a snow-covered Colorado town?
On this episode of Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality, Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes welcomes debut romantic suspense author Kelly Borjas for a conversation about faith, fiction, danger, romance, and the journey from aspiring writer to published novelist.
Kelly’s debut novel, High Exposure, launches an adventure-driven romantic suspense series from Kregel Publications.
Travel blogger Julia Stevens arrives in snowy Silverberg, Colorado, determined to complete one final assignment before beginning a new career in journalism. But Silverberg forces Julia to confront more than she bargained for—including the sport connected to her sister’s death, the God she’s been running from, and a dead body that may be connected to something far more dangerous.
Enter Cade Haskins, a former DEA agent who has returned home after a failed mission to help care for his father. When Julia’s curiosity leads her dangerously close to a meth ring, Cade finds himself drawn back into the kind of danger he hoped he’d left behind—and increasingly drawn to Julia.
Kelly joins us to talk about the inspiration behind High Exposure, creating suspense and romance against the breathtaking—and unforgiving—backdrop of Colorado, writing characters wrestling with faith and loss, and the long road to becoming a traditionally published author.
We also explore Kelly’s own story. A love of inspirational fiction that began when an eighth-grade teacher handed her a Janette Oke novel eventually grew into a passion for writing stories filled with adventure, escape, unforgettable love, grace, and hope.
Kelly grew up in Southwest Colorado and earned her degree in Communication Studies from Biola University and a master’s degree in Leadership and Organizational Studies from Azusa Pacific University. She now lives on California’s Central Coast with her husband and three boys. When she isn’t writing romantic suspense, she enjoys boating, camping, running, spending time outdoors, and podcasting with The Lit Ladies Podcast.
Kelly is represented by Lynette Eason of The Steve Laube Agency.
High Exposure releases September 15, 2026, from Kregel Publications.
Learn more about Kelly, High Exposure, and her upcoming books at KellyBorjas.com.
Website: KellyBorjas.com
#KellyBorjas #HighExposure #RomanticSuspense #ChristianRomanticSuspense #ChristianFiction #InspirationalFiction #SuspenseBooks #FaithAndFiction #ChristianAuthors #DebutAuthor #KregelPublications #BookPodcast #AuthorInterview #MysteryAndSuspense #RomanceReaders #FaithHopeAndLove #BooksWithHope #TheLitLadies #MurderMysteryAndMayhem #MurderMysteryMayhemLacedWithMorality
Chad Boudreaux—National Security & What is Takes to Lead When The Stakes are High
2026/08/30
🎙️ Chad Boudreaux on Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality
What does it take to lead when the stakes could not be higher?
In this compelling episode, I speak with Chad Boudreaux about leadership, national security, resilience, public service, and navigating extraordinary responsibility.
Chad’s remarkable career includes serving in several high-ranking positions at the U.S. Department of Justice, where he was hired the night before the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He later served in as Deputy Chief of Staff for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, advising Secretary Michael Chertoff on significant matters confronting the newly established department.
Chad went on to become Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of the nation’s largest military shipbuilder, bringing together an extraordinary breadth of government, legal, and corporate experience.
In this episode, we discuss service, courage, decision-making, resilience, and the experiences that shape the stories we tell.
Learn more about Chad Boudreaux:Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/chadboudreauxWebsite: https://www.chadboudreaux.com/about/
Follow the podcast, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode. After listening, share the moment that made the greatest impression on you.
#ChadBoudreaux #PodcastGuest #MurderMysteryAndMayhem #LacedWithMorality #SuspenseWithSubstance #Leadership #NationalSecurity #HomelandSecurity #DepartmentOfJustice #ExecutiveLeadership #LegalLeadership #PublicService #Resilience #CourageousLeadership #AuthorPodcast #PodcastInterview #MustListenPodcast
Lauren Johnson— Author of The Soufflé Always Rises Discusses The Grit, Glory & Grind of Cozy Mystery Writing
2026/08/23
What happens when a 54-year-old woman loses her marriage, her job, and nearly everything she owns—and decides to start over in Paris?
In this episode of Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality, Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes welcomes debut author Lauren Johnson, author of The Soufflé Also Rises, a hilarious and fast-paced midlife reinvention mystery.
Lizi Cleverly is broke, unemployed, and determined to pursue her long-forgotten dream of becoming a novelist. But when she lands in Paris, an unexpected hotel stay puts her in the middle of the notorious Harry Winston jewel heist. Soon, Lizi and her much younger friend Frankie are running from the Serbian mafia while trying to stay ahead of a trail of dead bodies.
Lauren talks about midlife reinvention, second chances, fearless women, humor, mystery, friendship, and why it's never too late to become the person you're meant to be.
If you love witty mysteries, unforgettable women sleuths, Parisian adventures, and a healthy dose of mayhem, this is an episode you won't want to miss!
The Soufflé Also Rises by Lauren JohnsonBook 1 of the Lizi Cleverly Midlife Badass Detective Series
Buy *The Soufflé Also Rises* on Amazon
Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality features fascinating authors, compelling mysteries, unforgettable characters, and the moral questions hiding beneath the mayhem.
Because sometimes the best stories don't just entertain us—they make us think.
Listen. Subscribe. Share. And join the conversation!
#MurderMysteryAndMayhem #LacedWithMorality #LaurenJohnson #TheSouffleAlsoRises #LiziCleverly #MidlifeBadass #MidlifeReinvention #MysteryFiction #WomenSleuths #MysteryAuthor #BookPodcast #AuthorInterview #BookLovers #ParisFiction #WomensFiction #SecondChances #NeverTooLate #BookRecommendations
Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality: Lauren Johnson📖 Get Lauren's Book🎧 About the Podcast
Annette Griffin & Franella Smith—Who Is Hunting Whom? — The God Hunter and the Search That Changes Everything
2026/08/16
Who Is Hunting Whom? — The God Hunter and the Search That Changes Everything🎙️
What happens when a grieving child goes searching for God—only to discover that God was never lost in the first place?
In this heartfelt and thought-provoking episode of Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality, Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes sits down with award-winning authors Annette Marie Griffin and Franella Smith, co-authors of The God Hunter, an adventurous story about Simi, a young boy in Kenya who sets out on a courageous quest after losing his father.
As Simi searches for answers, he encounters danger, friendship, wonder, and unexpected discoveries that challenge everything he thought he knew about God. But his greatest discovery may be the most profound: sometimes the One we're searching for has been searching for us all along.
Join us as we explore the inspiration behind The God Hunter, the role of grief in children's stories, the importance of faith and representation, and how powerful storytelling can help young readers navigate life's biggest questions.
✨ In this episode, we talk about:
The inspiration behind The God Hunter
Simi's journey through grief and loss
Why the story is set in Kenya
Writing meaningful faith-based stories for children
Courage, friendship, and finding hope
The difference between searching for God and discovering that God has been present all along
The power of collaboration between two authors
How stories can open meaningful conversations between children, parents, and families
Annette Marie Griffin is an award-winning author, acquisitions editor, columnist, writing instructor, and speaker who creates timeless stories designed to help readers find home.
Franella Smith holds an MFA from Southern New Hampshire University and is an award-winning writer as well as a registered and licensed dietitian with more than 20 years of professional experience.
🎧 Listen, share, and join the conversation: What happens when we stop searching for God long enough to recognize that He has been with us all along?
The answer might surprise you.
Avellina Balestri: Where Faith, History, Mystery & Storytelling Collide
2026/08/09
What happens when faith, history, literature, music, and a love of the mysterious come together in one remarkable storyteller?
In this episode of Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality, Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes welcomes Avellina Balestri, a Catholic author, editor, historian, speaker, and musician whose creative work spans historical fiction, poetry, essays, literary scholarship, and music.
Avellina takes us on a fascinating journey through the stories and traditions that have shaped her imagination—from the Middle Ages and British history to Early America, the Long 18th Century, and Middle Eastern culture. We’ll explore her novels Saplings of Sherwood and All Ye That Pass By, her poetry collections Pendragon’s Shield and Torn by Grace, and her work as Editor-in-Chief of Fellowship & Fairydust.
But there is much more to Avellina's story.
She has participated in literary and interfaith conferences at Oxford and Cambridge Universities, hosted a Tolkien-themed literary conference at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, and contributed to more than forty publications. She is also a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist who plays penny whistle, bodhrán drum, and autoharp and has performed with the Celtic band Across the Pond.
Join us for a conversation about faith and fiction, history and imagination, the sacred feminine, literature, music, morality, and the stories that stay with us long after the final page.
Could the past hold clues for how we understand the present? Can stories illuminate truth? And what happens when a love of history meets a deeply rooted faith?
Press play and discover the fascinating world of Avellina Balestri.
🌐 Learn more about Avellina:
avellinabalestri.com
Murder. Mystery. Mayhem. Morality. And the stories behind the stories.
#AvellinaBalestri #MurderMysteryAndMayhem #LacedWithMorality #ChristianAuthors #CatholicAuthors #HistoricalFiction #FaithAndFiction #ChristianPodcast #LiteraryPodcast #CatholicLiterature #HistoricalFictionAuthor #FaithBasedStories #WomenWriters #ChristianWriting #Storytelling #HistoryAndFaith #DressedInLovePress
Sharissa Bradley—Discusses Health, Writing and This Thing Called Life
2026/08/02
🎙️ FEATURED GUEST: SHARISSA BRADLEY
Author • Podcaster • Speaker • Health Advocate
Author of Journey Back to Health
This Sunday on Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality, Sharissa Bradley joins Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes for an empowering conversation about the connection between mind, body, and emotional well-being.
Drawing on her background in experimental psychology, nutrition, and education, Sharissa shares practical insight into overcoming challenges, prioritizing self-care, and making small, sustainable changes that can lead to powerful transformation.
🎧 Listen this Sunday, August 2!
🌐 Discover more at sharissabradley.com.
👉 Follow, listen, and share this episode with someone who is ready to begin their own journey back to health.
#SharissaBradley #JourneyBackToHealth #FeaturedGuest #AuthorSpotlight #PodcastInterview #MurderMysteryAndMayhem #LacedWithMorality #HealthAdvocate #EmotionalIntelligence #HolisticWellness #MindBodyHealth #WellnessJourney #SmallChangesBigResults
Podcast reviews
Read Murder, Mystery and Mayhem Laced with Morality podcast reviews
5 out of 5
21 reviews
★★★★★
987H]O 2026/03/16
Fascinating and informative
Terrific discussion with authors about their trials and tribulations in authorship and creativity.
★★★★★
Lanie22 2025/05/04
Engaging, Informative
Given Dr. Hutchison-Hayes wide-reaching knowledge and warm ability to connect with an eclectic group of guests, this podcast covers lots of fascinatin...
★★★★★
GSG79 2024/10/08
Great podcast for writers!
If you’re an aspiring author or even a well-seasoned one, you can always get something from this podcast. Dr. Hutchinson-Hayes has an easy conversatio...
★★★★★
Godslittleblackdress 2024/08/13
Nonfiction Author
I’m a nonfiction author who loves reading fiction and listening to the behind the scenes interviews of fiction authors. This podcast has a great varie...
★★★★★
Zombie killa gurl 2024/04/22
Wonderful conversations!
Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes has a wonderful way of bringing out the best in her guests. She is smart and kind, and she picks entertaining guests. H...
★★★★★
Coffee & Convos with Liz 2024/01/30
Great Show
I love the questions and the insights from all the authors!
Liz
-eReads Podcast
★★★★★
Fiadamom 2023/11/11
Great conversation with a wonderful host
Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes might sound intimidating, especially if you know what she writes, but irl she is as heartwarming as a slice of fresh br...
★★★★★
PremNaresh 2023/10/28
Such a fun and insightful show!
I love the vast range of authors featured on this show — there’s so much to learn! Katherine is also a wonderful host and keeps things very light and ...
★★★★★
person1003 2023/09/07
Wonderful host!
This is one of my favorite podcasts to listen to! It’s so interesting to hear about different murder mysteries and from a bunch of different author pe...
★★★★★
Elenna Souders 2023/07/08
Great Conversation!
I loved the questions asked during this podcast! It made for some super fun conversation, and Katherine is an excellent host!