In this heartfelt episode, debut picture book author Farial English shares the deeply personal inspiration behind her upcoming release, The Boy Who Wanted to Fly, based on her cousin Amna, who contracted polio as a child but never stopped dreaming of running, climbing, and soaring through the sky.
Set in a screen-free world of books, handmade kites, and imagination, Farial’s story is a celebration of resilience, unplugged play, and the joy of creating with your hands.
She also discusses her writing journey, life on a farm in upstate New York, and how she turned years of tucked-away stories into two beautiful picture books, The Boy Who Wanted to Fly and Charlie & Sophie’s Great Escape.
If you’ve ever believed in the power of storytelling to honor real lives and inspire children, this episode will lift your heart and spark your imagination.
🪁 The Boy Who Wanted to Fly launches September 3, 2025.
www.joannmdickinsonauthor.com
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On Purpose with Jay Shetty
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!
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