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The Molten Truth

The Molten Truth

by Zoey Michaels

Season 3

When Your First Language Is Sign Language: Growing Up as a CODA

What if your first language wasn't spoken—it was signed? In this inspiring episode of The Molten Truth, Zoey Michaels welcomes bestselling author Maria Gallucci, who grew up as a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) with American Sign Language (ASL) as her first language. Maria's story offers a rare glimpse into life between two worlds—the Deaf community and the hearing world. Raised by deaf parents, she learned early that communication is about far more than words. It's about presence, empathy, understanding, and making people feel like they belong. Drawing from the experiences that inspired her bestselling book, Raised in Silence, Maria shares how growing up in Deaf culture shaped her perspective on leadership, accessibility, inclusion, and authentic human connection. She also discusses the barriers the Deaf community continues to face, the role technology is playing in improving accessibility, and why her personal motto—"Just try."—has the power to transform relationships. Whether you're curious about Deaf culture, interested in American Sign Language, or simply want to become a better communicator, this conversation will leave you seeing connection in an entirely new way. In this episode, you'll discover: What it means to grow up as a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) Why American Sign Language became Maria's first language How Deaf culture teaches empathy, resilience, and connection The importance of accessibility in everyday life and business Why inclusion begins with making an effort How one simple act of kindness can make someone feel truly seen Sometimes the greatest lessons about listening come from those who experience the world differently.

He Refused to Let Rejection Win: The Lawyer Who Built a Home for Writers

How many dreams have been abandoned because someone heard "no" one too many times? Michael Isaac Shokrian knows that feeling better than most. After years of rejection as a writer, building a successful career as an attorney, and balancing family life, he made an unexpected decision—not to give up on writing, but to create opportunities for writers everywhere. In this inspiring conversation, Michael shares his remarkable journey from immigrating to America as a young boy, to becoming a lawyer, novelist, editor, and founder of The Thieving Magpie literary magazine. Along the way, he reveals why rejection isn't the end of the story, how journaling transformed his life, why so many lawyers secretly long to create art, and what it really takes to build a creative life in today's world. This episode is a powerful reminder that dreams don't have expiration dates. Sometimes the path isn't straight, success rarely happens overnight, and the greatest opportunities come when we stop waiting for permission and build the door ourselves. Whether you're a writer, artist, entrepreneur, or simply someone wondering if it's too late to chase the life you imagined, this conversation will leave you inspired to keep going. Because the process isn't the obstacle... It's the reward. #WritingCommunity #Authors #AuthorInterview #CreativeWriting #LiteraryMagazine #Publishing #IndependentAuthor #SelfPublishing #BookPodcast #WritingLife #AmWriting #BookLovers #Novelists #TheMoltenTruth #AmericanPlayground #TheThievingMagpie

From Wedding Island to Jekyll Island: Sandy Malone's Wildest Wedding Stories

What do hurricane evacuations, reality television, destination weddings, alligators, and mystery novels have in common? Author Sandy Malone. In this entertaining episode of The Molten Truth, Zoey Michaels sits down with Sandy Malone, former star of TLC's Wedding Island, journalist, editor, and author of the Gem of the Golden Isles series. Drawing from more than 500 destination weddings she planned in the Caribbean, Sandy shares the real-life experiences that inspired her novels, proving that truth is often stranger—and funnier—than fiction. Listeners will hear unforgettable stories about demanding brides, unusual wedding requests, family drama, and the challenges of life behind the scenes as a wedding planner. Sandy also discusses her move to historic Jekyll Island, Georgia, the fascinating history of the island, her experiences as the wife of a law enforcement officer, and how all of these elements have found their way into her fiction. The conversation takes a heartfelt turn as Sandy discusses her upcoming novel, Thicker Than Blood, inspired in part by her family's experiences with Alzheimer's disease and the complicated relationships that shape generations. Filled with laughter, storytelling, writing insights, and colorful island adventures, this episode is a must-listen for readers, writers, history lovers, and anyone who enjoys hearing how real life becomes fiction. Learn more about Sandy Malone and her books at sandymalone.com.

The Book She Never Planned to Write

When A-M Mawhiney retired after a 40-year career as a social worker and university professor, she never expected to become a novelist. During the COVID lockdown, what began as an attempt at journaling turned into a creative journey that produced three books and an entirely new chapter of life. In this episode, A-M Mawhiney shares how her characters often surprise her, why she chose to write hopeful science fiction and fantasy rather than dystopian futures, and how a pair of determined preteens inspired her second novel. She also reflects on growing up in Sudbury, Ontario, witnessing one of the world's most remarkable environmental recoveries, and why community collaboration remains one of her greatest sources of hope. It's a conversation about creativity, reinvention, resilience, and the transformative power of stories.

Walking Between Worlds: One Man’s Journey Through Culture, Crisis, and Connection

What does it mean to truly find home—not just in a place, but in a culture, a calling, and within yourself? In this powerful episode of The Molten Truth, Zoey sits down with Scott Wooster, a South Dakota native whose life journey weaves together family legacy, personal struggle, and deep connection to Lakota culture. What begins as a conversation about his books quickly unfolds into something much deeper: a story of transformation. Scott shares how decades of working with Native youth, marrying into a Lakota family, and navigating profound personal challenges—including addiction, anxiety, grief, and raising children with chronic illness—led him down an unexpected path of healing. Through ceremonies, storytelling, and relationships that reshaped his worldview, he discovered meaning in places he never anticipated. This episode dives into: The generational loss—and revival—of Indigenous culture The emotional weight of identity, belonging, and inherited trauma How storytelling can heal both individuals and communities The unexpected lessons found in hardship, faith, and human connection Raw, reflective, and deeply human, this conversation is a reminder that healing doesn’t come from a single moment—it’s a journey shaped by the people we meet, the stories we carry, and the courage to keep going.

The Power of Reinvention: Caramel Lucas on Creativity, Healing, and Hustle

In this deeply powerful episode of The Molten Truth, host Zoey Michaels sits down with serial entrepreneur and creative force Caramel Lucas. From a childhood shaped by trauma to building a life fueled by purpose, Caramel shares her journey through writing, comedy, podcasting, and entrepreneurship. She opens up about the importance of therapy, breaking generational cycles, and transforming pain into power. With honesty and heart, this conversation explores what it means to heal, grow, and inspire others—proving that your past doesn’t define you, but your purpose can. CaramelLucas.net

From Texas Ranch to Scottish Highlands: The Unexpected Journey of Ben Leman

In this episode of The Molten Truth, host Zoey Michaels sits down with first-time guest Ben Leman—an entrepreneur, former Texas county judge and state representative, rancher, and now debut novelist. Ben shares his remarkable path from building a successful manufacturing business from his mother’s garage to serving a decade in public office, all while raising a family and living the rugged ranch life in Central Texas. Now stepping into the literary world, Ben discusses his upcoming novel Between the Times, the first installment in his Forged in Blood trilogy. Set in 1640s Scotland, the story explores identity, loyalty, and transformation through the lens of a Highland clan facing a changing world. With rich historical themes and deeply human conflicts, Ben reveals how his own life experiences shaped the narrative. Despite some technical hiccups during the recording, this conversation offers an authentic and engaging introduction to a multifaceted guest whose life story is as compelling as the fiction he writes.

Building Worlds, Breaking Rules: The Real Story Behind Writing and Publishing

What does it really take to write and publish a book today? Zoey Michaels chats with author Brad Anderson about everything from sci-fi storytelling and creative inspiration to the realities of indie vs. traditional publishing. They explore how writers use fictional worlds to tackle real-life issues, why genres don’t have to box you in, and the unexpected challenges of getting your work seen. Along the way, expect humor, honesty, and a few surprising insights into the writing life.

From Story Seeds to Published Pages: Creativity, Coaching & the Writing Journey

After a lighthearted opening on names, pronunciation quirks, and the surprising histories behind them, Zoey Michaels reconnects with returning guest Liisa Kovala for a deeper conversation about the writing life. Liisa shares updates on her latest cozy mystery releases and offers an inside look at the fast-paced reality of publishing a series. The discussion expands into the often-overlooked side of being an author—book coaching, managing creative workloads, and navigating the complex path from manuscript to published book. Together, they unpack the realities of self-publishing versus traditional routes, the challenges of building visibility through reviews and algorithms, and the importance of understanding the full lifecycle of a book launch. The conversation also explores creativity more broadly—where ideas come from, how everyday experiences (like driving or walking in nature) spark inspiration, and why protecting personal time is essential for sustaining creative work. With practical insights and relatable experiences, this episode offers encouragement for writers at any stage, while highlighting a simple truth: creativity thrives when we make space for it—and when we’re willing to keep trying, even when the path isn’t clear.

From Texarkana to the Apocalypse: The Wild Worlds of D.C. Gomez

What do you get when you mix a talking cat, a reluctant “cat lady,” small-town Texas, and a million free books? A wildly entertaining conversation with author D.C. Gomez. In this episode, Zoey Michaels chats with D.C. about her quirky characters, urban fantasy worlds, and the hilarious inspiration behind her Cat Lady series. They swap stories about moving around, finding your voice, and how real life (even the weird parts) sneaks into fiction. D.C. also opens up about her writing journey, managing multiple book series, and learning to celebrate small wins—plus the truth behind that unforgettable million-book giveaway. Expect laughs, writing insights, and a whole lot of personality in this fun and honest episode.

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