Coffee Fueled Stories

Coffee Fueled Stories

Positive Change Award Winner in Society and Culture as CoffeeFitnessUnicorn! Welcome to my Virtual Coffee Spot(c). I’m your pocket DJ and this podcast is where storytelling and coffee hang out. As a super-survivor I have turned my trauma and grief into a powerful, creative force for good. And I learned, it’s never too late to start a podcast—at 51. My podcast is both informative and entertaining, but mostly, I hope we connect. I believe we connect through the power of storytelling. For me, drinking coffee and sharing stories feels very comforting and relaxing. My hope, my mission, is that you’ll join the virtual table and stay for some inspirational tales. I’ve learned it’s never too late to follow your dreams. Hosted by Michelle Schmer

Episodes

December 17, 2024 40 mins

Rocking and rolling into the holiday season with Gwynne Garfinkle. Music, the 70s, and pushing the limits on writing. Take a journey as we stroll down a musical memory lane, while learning the best writing lessons, and all the while with a message of hope. 

Website: https://www.aqueductpress.com/authors/GwynneGarfinkle.php

Mark as Played
Meet Joe Mynhardt, CEO and Founder of Crystal Lake Publishing.  In this episode, we talk about his humble beginnings from a small desk in his living room (2012) to finally having his first office (2024).  We discuss how a Tweet from Bob Dylan spawned a media blitz, to how the music of Iron Maiden still rocks his life. When we weren’t chatting about music, monsters, horror, and writing, I asked Joe to share a few Afrikaans swear wor...
Mark as Played

Meet author S. Alessandro Martinez. He joins us from his spooky new home that is waiting to host horror themed events, writer's retreats or provide new spooky material for upcoming stories. We talk about the beauty of the PNW as a great writing location, what happens when you ride in an elevator backwards, and his newest feature: being in the Vol 3 of The Little Coffee Shop of Horrors Anthology which comes out on Nov. 12th. You can...

Mark as Played
October 25, 2024 47 mins

In this bonus episode, meet Debra K. Every, opera singer, violin player, and her latest title: author. We deep dive into familial guilt, the catharsis of writing, and of course coffee! We could have talked for ten more hours. Join us on this debut author's word journey. She hits all the right notes!

Debra's Website: https://debrakevery.com/

Mark as Played

In this bonus episode, Matthew Mercier, author of Poe and I, shares the love of Edgar on his Death Day. Matthew shares some more stories from his time as the caretaker of Poe Cottage in the Bronx. And we wax nostalgic about Poe, his mysterious death, and why he was a master of his craft. Join us on a weird, spooky, goth journey with the master of the macabre.

Matthew Mercier: https://www.matthewmercier.com

Poe and I: https://getboo...

Mark as Played
Meet Anita Stewart (writing under A. F. Stewart), mild-mannered podcast host who is full of surprises. Stewart is a Nova Scotian who loves spicy food, but not seafood, loves all things chocolate, and has an extensive sword and knife collection. In this episode, we delve into her writing background, the writing resources on her YouTube channel, and she admits to having a massive TBR pile.   You can find her and her books on her web...
Mark as Played
Meet Jamal Hodge: storyteller, traveler, dream maker. Add poet and director to that list as well.   In this episode, we chat about his poetry book: Dark Between the Twilight and the new anthology coming, Bestiary of Blood: Modern Fables and Dark Tales.   With his poems he wants the “darkness to show the light.” And with his work in general he asks, “what good would I want to leave behind in the world?”    We get deep and heavy with...
Mark as Played
August 30, 2024 38 mins

Meet Brianna Malotke, self-proclaimed "Chaos Gremlin," but I'll call her, dancer, poet and author.  We talk about her new book, Lost Cherry, horror and romance writing, and what happens when you fall in love with a demon.

You can find her and her books on her Instagram page and author page: 

https://brimalotke.wixsite.com/malotkewrites

https://www.instagram.com/briannamalotke

Other Links:

https://hwaseattle.wixsite.com/hwaseattle/e...

Mark as Played
August 23, 2024 42 mins
In C.L. Kelley’s debut novel Corpus, the city's night transforms into a realm of terror. We deep dive into how this story came about and discover why Southern Gothic stories are so creepy. Kelley says this of short stories: “they are awesome because you get in and disturb someone and then get out.”  No puppies were hurt in this novel, thank goodness, even with the trigger warning at the very beginning.   Apologies for the spotty au...
Mark as Played
Meet the epic guest for the 100th episode milestone: Victoria Price! Victoria shares her writing process and is working on her first novel. She shares some details, but can only say that the book is about: love, friendship, healing, and pancakes! She thanks https://www.thenovelry.com/ for helping her write this story. We did a deep dive into her book: The Way of Getting Lost and how writing is powerful, magical and cathartic and ho...
Mark as Played
Meet R.K. Higgins, author of Stolen Days. Your next summer beach read. This is his, “Love Letter to Comedy Horror.” If Monty Python and Good Omens made a drunken deal with a Reaper, this is the story they would tell. An entertaining and wild tale from an author who takes his villain and hero to a whole new level.   https://www.instagram.com/authorrkhiggins/       https://www.crystallakepub.com/shop/  
Mark as Played
August 2, 2024 37 mins
Meet Stacy Peterson, author of The Lovely and Dangerous Launch of Lucy Cavanagh.  In this episode we discuss her strong female main character and how “the wild’ll make you wild.”  There’s a little horror and there’s a little Bridget Jones, but mostly it’s about finding yourself.  Stacy is working on the screenplay. Stay tuned for more action and adventure; follow Stacy to learn more about when the movie is coming and who will play ...
Mark as Played
July 26, 2024 46 mins
Meet Mathew Mercier, author of Poe and I; his debut novel is inspired by his time as the live-in caretaker of Poe Cottage. We deep dive into how it felt living in the space where Poe lived and how Poe brings people together.    https://www.matthewmercier.com/ https://www.crystallakepub.com/product/poe-i-by-matthew-mercier/ https://www.instagram.com/matthew.mercier.poem/  
Mark as Played
July 19, 2024 54 mins
Meet The Unsaintly Queen: Lisa Vasquez.  In this episode, we deep dive into her books, poetry (we did a live reading of "I Am"), her publishing background, and her newest venture: Memento Mori Ink Magazine.    https://www.unsaintly.com/ https://www.memento-mori.ink/
Mark as Played
Meet Blake Edward Andrew: Haunted Houses, Horror, and Hockey, oh my!   Blake loves to surprise his readers and use art as tragedy, while giving them a little spice. His debut novel, The Haunting of Chateau De Mornay, is book one in his Haunted planned trilogy. Jump on his TikTok lives and say hi!   https://www.authorblakeandrew.com/   https://www.instagram.com/author_blake_edward_andrew/   https://www.tiktok.com/@bamdrew66
Mark as Played

What do you get when you create a “sleazy, slimy, goopy, drippy, gory” story? An “entertaining and disgusting” fun chat with Ryan C. Thomas and Anthony Trevino.  Two guys who know how to have fun with horror. Their story “Love is a Monstrous Death” out now in PsychoActive from Crystal Lake in the Dark Tide book series. A must read for fans of transformative horror. 

Ryan: https://www.ryancthomas.com/

Anthony: https://www.amazon.com...

Mark as Played
June 28, 2024 48 mins
In this episode we deep dive into book 2 of Paisley Mott’s world (In the Grave Where the Bones Are Still Wet), and turn the trauma up to 11. But we also balance the darkness with the silliness of Bugs Bunny, Super Chicken, and other pop culture references. Kalvin is a wealth of information about the writing process, the horror community, and his superhero heart lights the way during the blackest of times. Join us as we chat about m...
Mark as Played

Come meet John Palisano and Lisa Morton, authors extraordinaire and Bram Stoker award winners, as they discuss their new book, Placerita, and chat about horror and writing.

https://lisamorton.com/

https://johnpalisano.wordpress.com/

 

Mark as Played

Send us a Text Message.

Meet Bill Mullen: professor, traveler, and author. We deep dive into his new book The Thing in the Wind and we discuss Nature, isolation, and his punk rock approach to the writing process. Find out what happens when blasting Rammstein. https://www.crystallakepub.com/product/the-thing-in-the-wind-by-bill-mullen/ https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0187LZ2Q0 https://www.facebook.com/people/Bill-Mullen/1...

Mark as Played
May 17, 2024 57 mins

Send us a Text Message.

Meet Winnie Tataw: author and publisher.  Her company is "a small black-owned business offering novel publishing, author and book marketing, and support services." Join us as we deep dive into how a small independent publisher helps lift up other voices and builds a community of writers. She and her team will take care of your writing needs. Check out her page and services: https://winsbooks.blog/ https:/...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

    Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

    Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.

    Crime Junkie

    Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

    The Bobby Bones Show

    Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.