In this episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, Avik sits down with author Lee Ann Walling to unpack The Salt and Light Express, a late life debut novel about grief, guilt, faith, and reinvention. Through the story of Chris, a woman in her sixties driving an RV across the United States to scatter her partner’s ashes, Lee Ann explores mindfulness, spiritual deconstruction, religious judgment, and the courage to love again. This is a grounded conversation for listeners navigating loss, questioning Christianity, rebuilding belonging, or considering indie publishing for their own story. If you are wondering whether it is too late to reinvent your life, this episode gives you a clear, honest reality check plus practical hope.
About The Guest:
Lee Ann Walling is a writer, former journalist, political and government strategist, land use planner, consultant, and now an indie author. At 69, she released her debut novel The Salt and Light Express, already earning praise from BookLife, Kirkus and Forward Reviews for its honest look at grief, spirituality, and late life transformation. Her own journey includes leaving, questioning, and reimagining Christianity across Methodist, Baptist, Episcopal and progressive faith spaces while continuously reinventing her career and identity.
Key Takeaways :
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Grief is not something to outrun. Chris’s RV journey shows how staying in motion can create space to sit with pain, guilt and love instead of spiritually bypassing it.
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Mindfulness is not a buzzword. Chris’s guilt after the accident comes from distraction at the wheel, which becomes a wake up call about presence, attention and how easily life changes in seconds.
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Faith can evolve without becoming fake. Lee Ann’s path through Methodist, Baptist, Episcopal and back to a questioning Methodist community mirrors Chris’s shift to a simpler, more honest form of Christianity.
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Honest dialogue breaks stereotypes. Chris’s ongoing conversations with a Southern Baptist pastor challenge both of them to rethink judgment, prayer, salvation and what following Jesus actually looks like in everyday life.
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Reinvention has no age limit. Lee Ann wrote her debut novel in an MFA program in her late sixties, skipped a broken traditional publishing system, and built an indie path that keeps full creative control.
How To Connect With The Guest :
You can connect with Lee Ann Walling and learn more about The Salt and Light Express here.Website: https://www.LeeAnnWalling.com
She personally monitors messages coming through her site and replies directly.
How To Connect With Healthy Mind, Healthy Life And Be A Guest
Want to be a guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life? DM on PM. Send me a message on PodMatch
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DM Me Here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/avik
Disclaimer
This video is for educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed are the personal opinions of the guest and do not reflect the views of the host or Healthy Mind By Avik™️. We do not intend to harm, defame, or discredit any person, organization, brand, product, country, or profession mentioned. All third party media used remain the property of their respective owners and are used under fair use for informational purposes. By watching, you acknowledge and accept this disclaimer.
About Healthy Mind By Avik™️
Healthy Mind By Avik™️ is a global platform redefining mental health as a necessity, not a luxury. Born during the pandemic, it has become a sanctuary for healing, growth and mindful living. Hosted by Avik Chakraborty, storyteller, survivor and wellness advocate, this channel shares powerful podcasts and grounded conversations on.
• Mental Health and Emotional Well being• Mindfulness and Spiritual Growth• Holistic Healing and Conscious Living• Trauma Recovery and Self Empowerment
With over 4,400 plus episodes and 168.4K plus global listeners, we unite voices, break stigma and work toward a world where every story matters.
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