My First Writing Podcast Is Live on Steps To Story
Last week, I taped my first writing podcast with Nicole Meier, and it was surreal to say the least. If you’ve ever wanted something so much, for so long, and worked yourself to the bone to get it, then you know this feeling. It’s a mixture of disbelief, shock, and pride. You remember all the times you wanted to give up along the way. But you didn’t. You pushed through when the rejection felt unbearable and the dream of becoming a published author (or whatever your creative dream is) felt so out of reach.
The Steps To Story podcast is now live, and it’s such a pinch-me moment as a debut author. I think partly because it’s been a five-year journey that almost broke me. It’s also because reading, learning, and writing were difficult for me growing up. They said I had “processing issues,” and back then, they didn’t diagnose children like they do now. It was most likely a combination of surface dyslexia and dysgraphia, which I still struggle with today. After listening to the podcast, all I wanted to do was give that little girl, who thought she wasn’t good enough because her brain worked differently, a great, BIG hug!
The thing I love about podcasts is that you learn so much about a person, way more than a short interview, blog, or social media video. This podcast with Steps To Story is no different. I share things I’ve never shared before and my BIG AH-HA moment. I hope you’ll hop over and take a listen. It’s not long (20 min or so) and you can speed it up. So if you’re going for a walk, a quick car ride, or making dinner, you can Listen on Substack, Listen on Apple, Listen on Spotify.
You can read more about my debut novel, The Summer I Found You, HERE. It’s Nancy Meyers meets HGTV. The Publishers Marketplace announcement reads, “Home design influencer Jennifer O’Brien’s THE SUMMER I FOUND YOU, in which a woman returns to her late great-aunt’s fixer-upper home on Long Island (North Fork), discovers long-buried secrets, and catches inconvenient feelings for the local HGTV-esque reality TV star.” It will publish on April 7, 2026!
Have a happy day, friend. All the love, Jen
