Ep 76: What Is Love?

In this special episode of For Love & Money, we celebrate the launch of What Is Love, an anthology of unconventional love stories from a global community of storytellers. Host Carolyn Butler-Madden is joined by Rumi Tsuchihashi, the book’s editor, along with contributors Leanne Fournier and Sabah Mirza, to explore the profound role of love in storytelling and life. Through heartfelt conversations and personal readings, this episode delves into the power of love as a force for connection, healing, and transformation.

 

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How What Is Love came to life through the Story Republic community.
• Rumi Tsuchihashi’s journey to becoming the book’s editor and her reflections on the power of personal storytelling.
• The role of love in business and the broader world, as explored by the guests.
• Deeply personal readings from contributors, sharing their unique perspectives on love.
• Insights into how storytelling can shift perspectives and open hearts.

Featured Guests:

• Rumi Tsuchihashi – Editor of What Is Love, author of three essay collections, and a contributor to The New York Times’ Tiny Love Stories column.
• Leanne Fournier – Canadian copywriter, journalist, and storyteller, who shares a deeply personal story of love, resilience, and family.
• Sabah Mirza – Writer and former corporate professional who rediscovered her love for storytelling and shares an emotionally resonant piece about love, loss, and advocacy.

Key Themes Discussed:

• The underestimated power of love as a motivator in life and business.
• How stories shape our identities and understanding of love.
• The importance of listening deeply and telling honest stories.
• The impact of community and creative expression in fostering human connection.

Guest Bios

Rumi Tsuchihashi - Editor

Rumi Tsuchihashi is an essayist who spreads the word about the life changing joys of all things tiny. Her first book I Want To Remember This: Recognising the Tiny Moments That Make Up a Life, led to her 100-word essay, 'Where Our Palms Touch', getting published the "Tiny Love Stories" column in the New York Times. As an editor and coach, Rumi helps emerging authors put potent stories and pocket-sized books out into the world. Her upcoming book, I Want This for Us: The Tiny Moments That Give Marriage A Chance, connects the dots from heartbreak to second marriage in a series of vignettes.

Learn more about Rumi here or visit her nudge newsletter on substack.

 

Leanne Fournier - contributing author

Leanne Fournier writes fiction, nonfiction, and poetry in the stunning wilderness of Northwestern Ontario, Canada. Her creative work is infused with vivid imagery and a profound sense of place, evident in her beautifully illustrated poetry collection. The collection explores the contradictions and parallels she sees around human connection and belonging—and is set to be released in 2025. Leanne founded MightyWrite—Write for Business, where she helps clients tell stories with clarity and impact and find their unique voice. A passionate writer and social justice advocate, Leanne publishes stories about the people most often unseen and unheard at migh