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As the Record Scratch team preps Season 5, we are excited to share a discussion between Kara and Zibby Owens about Kara’s memoir, TELL ME ABOUT JOY, which was included on Zibby’s Fall 2026 Most Anticipated Books List. In addition to hosting an award-winning podcast, Zibby is a tireless advocate for writers and the founder of Zibby Media. She is also the best-selling author of acclaimed books, including her latest, BETWEEN CHAPTERS, a collection of essays. This conversation originally aired on September 10, 2026. TELL ME ABOUT JOY and BETWEEN CHAPTERS are now available wherever you buy books. You can find Zibby’s podcast here and follow her on Instagram and Substack @zibbyowens. KARA KAVENSKY Website: Kara Kavensky Visit Kara’s website to receive updates and order her new memoir, TELL ME ABOUT JOY. Find Kara on Substack, Instagram, and Facebook: @kara.kavensky, @recordscratchwithkara, and @tellmeaboutjoy_official Record Scratch with Kara Kavensky is sponsored by Adam Gibson Design and Remain Relevant, a corporate storytelling masterclass Produced by Marilou Marosz Original music written and performed by Adam W. Gibson

We have completed Season 4 of Record Scratch with Kara Kavensky. While the crew is taking a break, primarily due to my book tour for my memoir, TELL ME ABOUT JOY, we will replay interviews from Record Scratch and other podcasts. So please stay tuned for some surprises here and there until we start Season 5 in January 2027. I've been overwhelmed by the positive response that my memoir has been receiving, and I am so grateful for all of you who have purchased my book, attended events, and supported me. Thank you so much! KARA KAVENSKY Website: Kara Kavensky Visit Kara’s website to receive updates and order her new memoir, TELL ME ABOUT JOY. Find Kara on Substack, Instagram, and Facebook: @kara.kavensky @recordscratchwithkara @tellmeaboutjoy_official Record Scratch with Kara Kavensky is sponsored by Adam Gibson Design and Remain Relevant, a corporate storytelling masterclass Produced by Marilou Marosz Original music written and performed by Adam W. Gibson

Lead blues guitarist Beki Brindle-Scala, a New York Blues Hall of Fame inductee and Indianapolis native who grew up playing with blues legend Yank Rachell as a teenager, later worked with Rick Danko, Richard Manuel, John Sebastian, and Jerry Lee Lewis. She is married to Ralph Scala of the Blues Magoos. We explore Beki’s life playing the blues, and discuss her mom, Joy. Joy is the “Joy” of the title of my memoir, TELL ME ABOUT JOY, the long-lost love of WWII Veteran, Bob Albright. BEKI BRINDLE-SCALA Instagram, Facebook & X: @bekibrindle YouTube: @BekiBrindleScalaGUITARIST Song credits: New Shoelaces © Beki Brindle and James "Gizmo" Fullin from the "All Kinds of Beki" album on Random Chance Records. Still Got It Bad © John Herald KARA KAVENSKY Website: Kara Kavensky Visit Kara’s website to receive updates and pre-order her new memoir, TELL ME ABOUT JOY. Record Scratch with Kara is sponsored by Adam Gibson Design and Remain Relevant, a corporate storytelling masterclass Produced by Marilou Marosz Original music written and performed by Adam W. Gibson TIMESTAMPS [02:11] Introduction: Beki Brindle Scala [04:45] Supportive parents [05:48] Playing with and learning from Yank Rachell [08:20] From Indiana University to Woodstock, NY [09:44] Parental pride [11:28] A career in blues [13:42] Being a woman playing the blues [15:56] Ralph Scala of The Blues Magoos

Gail Shalan is the award-winning voice artist who narrates the audiobook version of TELL ME ABOUT JOY, written by Kara Kavensky. Gail is passionate about stories that center generational healing and mental health, which makes her the perfect narrator for Kara’s debut memoir. As a voice artist, Gail has worked with top publishers and brands. She is listed among “Voices to Know” and has won multiple awards from prestigious industry organizations, including the Audio Publishers Association, the Independent Publisher Book Awards, Kirkus, AudioFile Magazine, and others. Originally from Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Gail has worked as a puppeteer and puppet-builder/designer since 2011. She has performed with acclaimed theater companies in the U.S. and abroad and holds an MFA in Acting from the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in England. GAIL SHALAN Website Audible Instagram IMDb KARA KAVENSKY Website: Kara Kavensky Visit Kara’s website to receive updates and pre-order her new memoir, TELL ME ABOUT JOY. Record Scratch with Kara is sponsored by Adam Gibson Design and Remain Relevant, a corporate storytelling masterclass Produced by Marilou Marosz Original music written and performed by Adam W. Gibson TIMESTAMPS [01:09] Introduction: Gail Shalan [05:17] Theater education [08:12] Finding direction and connections [10:03] Advice for theater kids [12:00] Narrating audiobooks [14:35] Audiobook awards [18:26] Puppets and puppeteering

Both of Dr. Alex Kor's parents are Holocaust survivors. His mother, Eva Mozes Kor, along with her twin sister, are survivors of Dr. Mengele at Auschwitz. Eva's story is well documented; she founded CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center, in Terre Haute, Indiana. But it was Alex's father, Michael "Mickey" Kor's story that Alex felt strongly about sharing, so he did—with the help of co-author Graham Honaker. They recently released A BLESSING, NOT A BURDEN: MY PARENTS’ REMARKABLE HOLOCAUST STORY AND MY FIGHT TO KEEP THEIR LEGACY ALIVE (2024, Pediment Publishing). A BLESSING, NOT A BURDEN shares not only Alex's parents' stories, but also his own. DR. ALEX KOR Website Facebook - My Holocaust Legacy X (formerly Twitter): @akisok15 CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center GRAHAM HONAKER LinkedIn KARA KAVENSKY Website: Kara Kavensky Visit Kara’s website to receive updates and pre-order her new memoir, TELL ME ABOUT JOY. Record Scratch with Kara is sponsored by Adam Gibson Design and Remain Relevant, a corporate storytelling masterclass Produced by Marilou Marosz Original music written and performed by Adam W. Gibson TIMESTAMPS [01:10] Introduction: Dr. Alex Kor with Graham Honaker [02:29] Dr. Kor's father, Mickey [06:52] Eva Mozes Kor [12:20] Coping with anti-semitism [14:22] Collaborating on the story [16:24] Responding to October 7th [18:23] Courage, fortitude, and inspiration [20:09] Lt. Col. Andrew Neff [22:38] CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center [24:41] Forgiving the Unforgivable [28:42] Healing from forgiveness [35:22] Funding CANDLES and the Eva Mozes Kor Scholarship

Bill Hampton was a member of the legendary 1955 basketball team from Crispus Attucks High School that made history by becoming the first all-Black team in the nation to win a state championship. Mr. Hampton’s memoir, GUARDED, is about survival, identity, and the quiet cost of living under constant pressure. He calls us to remember not only what was overcome, but what must never be forgotten. Thanks to Betsy Blankenbaker Murphy for introducing us! Betsy created the documentary on the legendary 1955 Crispus Attucks team, SOMETHING TO CHEER ABOUT. GUARDED by William "Bill" Hampton is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble online. KARA KAVENSKY Website: Kara Kavensky Visit Kara’s website to receive updates and pre-order her new memoir, TELL ME ABOUT JOY. Record Scratch with Kara is sponsored by Adam Gibson Design and Remain Relevant, a corporate storytelling masterclass Produced by Marilou Marosz Original music written and performed by Adam W. Gibson TIMESTAMPS [01:09] Introduction: William "Bill" Hampton [03:39] A basketball first in a racially divided era [05:30] Crispus Attucks and Coach Ray Crowe [06:31] From high school to college [07:48] Semi-pro basketball [09:17] Lessons to be learned [10:18] Lifelong bonds [11:27] Pride in family, championship [13:30] Things that need to be said

Leisse Wilcox is an award-winning keynote speaker, executive coach, and bestselling author specializing in future-proof leadership, communication, and emotional intelligence. She joins Kara Kavensky to discuss how her high-performing clients learn to turn their expertise into “stages and pages.” As a sought-after executive coach, Leisse emphasizes authenticity and structure to transform ideas into compelling books, signature keynotes, and thought-leadership platforms that grow visibility, credibility, and revenue. Leisse's books include THE COURAGE CODE, ALONE, and TO CALL MYSELF BELOVED. LEISSE WILCOX Website: https://www.leissewilcox.com/ Instagram: @leissewilcox KARA KAVENSKY Website: Kara Kavensky Visit Kara’s website to receive updates and pre-order her new memoir, TELL ME ABOUT JOY. Record Scratch with Kara is sponsored by Adam Gibson Design and Remain Relevant, a corporate storytelling masterclass Produced by Marilou Marosz Original music written and performed by Adam W. Gibson TIMESTAMPS [01:10] Introduction: Leisse Wilcox [04:36] TO CALL MYSELF BELOVED [05:49] Single parenting [07:28] Breaking bad patterns [10:05] Evolution to "stages and pages" [12:15] Authenticity and structure [14:23] Executive coach for speaking and writing [16:12] Work in progress

The premature death of Academy Award winning-actress, Natalie Wood, in 1981 off the coast of Catalina Island, California, has become one of Hollywood’s most controversial unsolved mysteries. Sam Perroni, the author of BRAINSTORM: AN INVESTIGATION OF THE MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF FILM STAR NATALIE WOOD, continues to call for justice. Mr. Perroni is a former trial lawyer and Adjunct Professor of White-Collar Crime and Trial Advocacy, William H. Bowen School of Law, Little Rock, Arkansas. He served for five years as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas. BRAINSTORM, by Sam Perroni, is available wherever you shop for books. Mr. Perroni is also the founder of the "Patricia Ann Perroni Field of Dreams Foundation," whose mission is to raise at least $1M dollars every year for Alzheimer's research. KARA KAVENSKY Website: Kara Kavensky Visit Kara’s website to receive updates and pre-order her new memoir, TELL ME ABOUT JOY. Record Scratch with Kara is sponsored by Adam Gibson Design and Remain Relevant, a corporate storytelling masterclass Produced by Marilou Marosz Original music written and performed by Adam W. Gibson TIMESTAMPS [01:10] Introduction: Sam Perroni [03:21] Suspicions around Natalie Wood's death [04:43] Obstacles to investigation [06:04] Lawsuits [07:20] Surprising evidence [08:51] The men on the yacht [09:37] Prosecutorial experience [10:58] The investigator's notes [13:21] Lies and corroboration [18:34] Misinformation [20:58] The Banging Dinghy Theory [23:24] The Field of Dreams Foundation for Alzheimer's research [25:08] A new book in progress

A VOICE OF HOPE: THE MYRLIE EVERS-WILLIAMS STORY, by award-winning author Nadia Salomon, is the first picture book biography ever written about the iconic civil rights activist. GOODNIGHT GANESHA, Nadia’s bedtime picture book, was named a Bank Street Best Book and a Notable Children’s Recording/DIA Selection by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC). Nadia’s books are beautifully illustrated, celebratory, and educational. Nadia writes on themes of South Asian and Caribbean culture, STEM, nonfiction, and humor. NADIA SALOMON Website: https://www.nadiasalomon.com/ Substack: https://nadiasalomon.substack.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nadiasalomon.author/ KARA KAVENSKY Website: Kara Kavensky Visit Kara’s website to receive updates and pre-order her new memoir, TELL ME ABOUT JOY. Record Scratch with Kara is sponsored by Adam Gibson Design and Remain Relevant, a corporate storytelling masterclass Produced by Marilou Marosz Original music written and performed by Adam W. Gibson TIMESTAMPS [01:09] Nadia Salomon and GOODNIGHT GANESHA [02:53] A VOICE OF HOPE [04:10] Meeting Myrlie Evers-Williams [08:33] Educational books and school curricula [10:30] Promoting creative work [13:04] Drawing on journalism experience [14:43] Podcasting and works in progress

Artist, curator, and author Cathy Haynes shares her exploration of the forgotten ways humans once experienced time long before digital clocks and endless notifications. In her beautiful new book, THE FULLNESS OF TIME: MARKING THE DAY BY BIRDSONG, BLOOMS, SHADOWS, AND STARS, Cathy shares how nature offers a richer, more meaningful rhythm for daily life. What if the best way to tell time isn't by looking at a clock but by listening to birds, watching flowers bloom, or noticing the changing shape of your cat's pupils? CATHY HAYNES Website: https://cathyhaynes.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cathy.haynes.uk/ KARA KAVENSKY Website: Kara Kavensky Visit Kara’s website to receive updates and pre-order her new memoir, TELL ME ABOUT JOY. Record Scratch with Kara is sponsored by Adam Gibson Design and Remain Relevant, a corporate storytelling masterclass Produced by Marilou Marosz Original music written and performed by Adam W. Gibson TIMESTAMPS [01:09] Introduction - Cathy Haynes [02:40] Curator, artist, timekeeper [04:50] Mapping time [06:08] Reestablishing connections with the rhythms of nature [09:14] The evening primrose [11:23] Telling time without clocks [14:05] Medieval sundials and landmarks [17:43] Using animals' eyes for timekeeping [18:57] Mindfulness and intention

The Record Scratch team is taking a break this week, and we are excited to share a conversation that Kara and her agent, Katharine Sands, with the Sarah Jane Freymann Agency, had with Ariel Curry and Liz Morrow, co-hosts of HUNGRY AUTHORS. Through the Hungry Authors podcast (and Substack), Ariel & Liz share insights and tools to plan and write your book, navigate the publishing industry, and bring your ideas to life. Kara’s memoir, TELL ME ABOUT JOY, is on Zibby’s Fall 2026 Most Anticipated Books list! HUNGRY AUTHORS Substack: https://hungryauthors.substack.com @ArielKCurry @Liz_Morrow KARA KAVENSKY Website: Kara Kavensky Visit Kara’s website to receive updates and pre-order her new memoir, TELL ME ABOUT JOY. Record Scratch with Kara is sponsored by Adam Gibson Design and Remain Relevant, a corporate storytelling masterclass Produced by Marilou Marosz Original music written and performed by Adam W. Gibson

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, author, and former Washington Post dance critic Sarah L. Kaufman joins Kara Kavensky for a fascinating conversation about the hidden power of language and why the verbs we choose shape not only our writing, but the way readers experience our stories. Sarah's latest book, VERB YOUR ENTHUSIASM: HOW TO MASTER THE ART OF THE VERB AND TRANSFORM YOUR WRITING, isn't a grammar book. It's an invitation to think differently about storytelling. SARAH L. KAUFMAN Website: https://sarahlkaufman.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahlkaufmanwriter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahlkaufman/ KARA KAVENSKY Website: Kara Kavensky Visit Kara’s website to receive updates and pre-order her new memoir, TELL ME ABOUT JOY. Record Scratch with Kara is sponsored by Adam Gibson Design and Remain Relevant, a corporate storytelling masterclass Produced by Marilou Marosz Original music written and performed by Adam W. Gibson TIMESTAMPS [01:09] Intro - Sarah Kaufman [02:54] Verbs in great writing [04:38] Overused verbs [06:31] VERB YOUR ENTHUSIASM origin story [07:47] Transformative writing techniques [08:22] Teaching and writing [10:36] Workshops and writing groups [11:43] The expressive potential in verbs [15:59] Becoming and developing a writer [18:24] The typewriter as assistive technology [19:49] Learning from parents [21:01] Learning from authors [23:06] A message for writers

Jessica Doyle-Mekkes is a nationally recognized keynote speaker, author, educator, and communication expert whose work focuses on confidence, vocal presence, storytelling, and helping people communicate with greater clarity, authority, and impact. Her bestselling book, "I’M SPEAKING: EVERY WOMAN’S GUIDE TO FINDING YOUR VOICE & USING IT FEARLESSLY," is now available in paperback and as an audiobook. Listen to Kara’s first discussion with Jessica from Season 2 of Record Scratch. JESSICA DOYLE-MEKKES Website: https://www.jessicadoylemekkes.com/ Instagram: @jessicadoylemekkes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicadoyle-mekkes/ KARA KAVENSKY Website: Kara Kavensky Visit Kara’s website to receive updates and pre-order her new memoir, TELL ME ABOUT JOY. Record Scratch with Kara is sponsored by Adam Gibson Design and Remain Relevant, a corporate storytelling masterclass Produced by Marilou Marosz Original music written and performed by Adam W. Gibson TIMESTAMPS [01:10] Intro: Jessica Doyle-Mekkes [02:53] Radio frequencies advantage men [05:20] The inspiration for I'M SPEAKING [08:47] Recording the audiobook [10:27] When voices go underground [11:52] Coaching and speaking engagements

For nearly four decades, Andrew Neiderman has been one of the most widely read authors you've probably never seen on a book cover. As the writer who continued the legendary V.C. Andrews franchise after Andrews' death, Neiderman has written 100 novels under one of publishing's most recognizable names, helping grow the series into an international phenomenon with more than 30 million copies of FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC sold worldwide. But that's only one chapter of his remarkable career. Neiderman is also the bestselling author of THE DEVIL’S ADVOCATE, the novel that became the hit film starring Al Pacino and Keanu Reeves, along with dozens of psychological thrillers adapted for film and television. In this episode, Andrew is joined by his daughter, Melissa Neiderman, for a candid conversation about storytelling, teaching, family, ghostwriting, Hollywood, and why—after spending decades telling other people's stories—he's finally telling a bit of his own and how he became V.C. Andrews. ANDREW NEIDERMAN V.C. Andrews: Fan Page on Facebook Andrew Neiderman: Website KARA KAVENSKY Website: Kara Kavensky Visit Kara’s website to receive updates and pre-order her new memoir, TELL ME ABOUT JOY. Record Scratch with Kara is sponsored by Adam Gibson Design and Remain Relevant, a corporate storytelling masterclass Produced by Marilou Marosz Original music written and performed by Adam W. Gibson TIMESTAMPS [01:10] Andrew Neiderman and daughter, Melissa Neiderman [03:21] Taking over for V.C. Andrews [04:55] Retiring from teaching [06:28] V.C. Andrews’ family [08:01] Neiderman's memoir [09:57] One man, two authors [12:15] Growing up with a writer [13:51] Looking to the news for stories [15:35] The V.C. Andrews' biography and fans [18:24] New work ahead

What happens when grief arrives without warning—and how do we find our way back to hope? Without giving too much away, Dara Levan shares the themes in her new novel. Author of the acclaimed novels, IT COULD BE WORSE and SHAKEN TO THE CORE, Dara explores the extraordinary strength found in ordinary people facing life's most difficult moments. DARA LEVAN Website: https://daralevan.com/ Instagram: @dara.levan KARA KAVENSKY Website: Kara Kavensky Visit Kara’s website to receive updates and pre-order her new memoir, TELL ME ABOUT JOY. Record Scratch with Kara is sponsored by Adam Gibson Design and Remain Relevant, a corporate storytelling masterclass Produced by Marilou Marosz Original music written and performed by Adam W. Gibson TIMESTAMPS [01:09] Intro - Dara Levan and SHAKEN TO THE CORE [03:11] Joy's letters to her mom [05:45] Cadence, structure & challenging oneself as a writer [07:26] Chosen family and the complexity of grief [09:06] Kristy Woodson Harvey recommends SHAKEN TO THE CORE [10:46] Indiana University football & QB Fernando Mendoza [12:10] Representation of speech and language challenges [14:16] The origin of themes [15:48] The reader's takeaway