On this episode of the Bookum Author Talks Podcast, we sit down with Emely Rumble, author of Bibliotherapy in the Bronx, to explore how books and poetry can heal your mind, boost confidence, and help you grow emotionally. Em shares insights on the transformative power of reading, re-reading, and bibliotherapy — plus practical ways literature can connect you to your past, present, and future.

We also talk about the books that shaped her life, the role of poetry in personal growth, and how reading can be a radical form of self-care.

Get your copy of Bibliotherapy in the Bronx: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Bibliotherapy-in-the-Bronx/Emely-Rumble-LCSW/9781955905879

Join the Bookum Book Club & Download the App: https://www.bookumapp.com

Books Mentioned:
Maya Angelou – I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Toni Morrison – Beloved, Jason Reynolds, Frederick Joseph, Mindset, Love by the Books, Sky Full of Elephants, The Cost of Healing, Afurvent, Something We Said, Conjuring America

Why Listen:

• Learn how reading can heal trauma
• Build confidence through literature
• Discover the power of bibliotherapy for personal and collective growth
• Practical tips to make reading a tool for self-care and emotional development

Timestamps:
1:15 - Bad Bunny SB Halftime Show
3:12 - The Power of Poetry
5:35 - The Power of Books
7:01 - What is Bibliotherapy?
7:35 - Getting into teaching Bibliotherapy
10:01 - How Books Help you Heal
10:54 - Why the Caged-Bird Sings?
13:01 - Gaining back your free time with reading
15:12 - The Power of Re-Reading
16:22 - Reading Beloved
18:12 - Your Past, Present, Future all live within the book
19:12 - Reading Children and Middle Grade Books for Healing Trauma
21:05 - Seeing yourself/your culture through books
24:01 - Sky Full of Elephants
25:53 - Seeing Progress through Bibliotherapy
28:55 - Using Reframing Language and Words
30:01 - Controlling Language
30:50 - How Different Genders Handle Bibliotherapy
33:01 - Handling and Naming Emotions
34:01 - Client Story on Growing through Bibliotherapy
37:20 - On Community
38:12 - Balancing Personal v. Work Reading
40:11 - On Book Clubs
41:03 - Writing Process
44:32 - Naming the book Bibliotherapy in the Bronx
48:22 - Last, Now, Next book
50:11 - Rapid-Fire Book Questions
52:55 - What Should Be In A Reader's Toolkit?

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

Join us on Bookum Author Talks Podcast with James Keyes, former CEO of 7-Eleven and Blockbuster, and author of Education is Freedom.

In this episode, James shares his journey from working at McDonald’s as a teen to leading billion-dollar companies, and how education and lifelong learning empower freedom and success. Discover:

• The lessons from his book Education is Freedom
• How cultural literacy and continuous learning shape leaders
• Insights from running 7-Eleven Japan and revitalizing Blockbuster
• The power of being multidisciplinary—music, painting, flying—and how it impacts leadership
• His perspective on student loans, reimagining education, and philanthropy

📚 Get James Keyes’ book: Education is Freedom

📱 Download the Bookum app: https://www.bookumapp.com

Whether you’re an aspiring leader, entrepreneur, or lifelong learner, this episode is packed with actionable lessons and career insights from one of the most accomplished business leaders today.

Subscribe to Bookum Author Talks Podcast for more interviews with inspiring authors, creators, and leaders.

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

Join the Author Talks Podcast as Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling shares his experiences from over 40 years in the United States Army, including combat in the Gulf War and reflections on leadership, courage, and character. Drawing from his book If I Don’t Return, Mark discusses the personal letters he wrote to his sons during wartime, the lessons he learned about faith, integrity, and leading under pressure, and what civilians need to understand about war in the Middle East.

Whether you’re interested in military and veteran stories, leadership lessons, or understanding the personal cost of combat, this episode delivers insights you won’t hear anywhere else.

Get your copy of "If I Don't Return" https://www.amazon.com/If-Dont-Return-Fathers-Wartime/dp/1966786727

Download the Bookum App to join the conversation, explore author notes, and connect with other readers: https://www.bookumapp.com

Optional Timestamps for Podcast Apps

• 1:06 ‑ Faith and Religion
• 3:48 ‑ Being in War
• 6:55 ‑ Writing Letters to His Son During War
• 9:02 ‑ Character & The Responsibility of Leadership
• 11:35 ‑ Revisiting Painful War Stories
• 13:19 ‑ Experiencing Survivor’s Guilt
• 14:10 ‑ Integrity & Leadership Values
• 17:43 ‑ Showing Emotions as a Leader
• 20:02 ‑ Fog of War // Making Decisions Under Pressure and Uncertainty
• 22:50 ‑ Wartime vs. Peacetime Leadership
• 26:19 ‑ Dealing With Fear During War

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

On this episode of Author Talks Podcast, PBS NewsHour’s Geoff Bennett breaks down the golden age of Black comedy and its impact on American culture.

We explore iconic shows like:

• The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
• Living Single
• Martin
• A Different World
• In Living Color
• Sanford and Son

…and legendary comedians including Dave Chappelle, Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, Bill Cosby, Moms Mabley, and Redd Foxx. Geoff shares insights on:

• How comedians became truth tellers and cultural critics
• The evolution from minstrel shows and the Chitlin’ Circuit to mainstream success
• Iconic 90s sitcom moments and their lasting impact on Black TV culture
• Behind-the-scenes influence of Quincy Jones, Barry Diller, and FOX
• What makes a great comedic bit and the essentials for a writer’s or comedian’s toolkit

Whether you grew up laughing at Carlton’s dance, Will’s antics, or watching Chappelle push the limits of comedy, this episode is packed with insights on why the 90s changed TV forever.

Timestamps

00:58 - Top 5 Comedians
2:11 - Comedians are Truth Tellers
4:32 - TOBA & Minstrel Shows
5:20 - Billy Kersands
6:33 - Hattie McDaniels
7:31 - Comedy Styles (Bill Cosby & Richard Pryor)
9:01 - The Cosby Show
10:15 - The Art vs The Artist (Bill Cosby)
10:58 - A Different World
12:20 - Living Single
13:08 - A Different World Impact on HBCUs
13:44 - In Living Color
14:34 - Unreleased Pilot of In Living Color
15:37 - In Living Color – The Super Bowl
16:52 - Quincy Jones Impact on TV Sitcoms
17:46 - The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
18:22 - Barry Diller & FOX
19:42 - Living Single Impact on TV
20:55 - Chappelle Show
21:18 - Who is the Joke for?
22:35 - 90s Impact on Culture
23:33 - Writing Process & Perfect Day of Writing
25:10 - Were the 90s the Best Decade?
28:18 - What Makes a Great Comedic Bit?
29:04 - What Should Be in a Writer’s Toolkit?
30:05 - What Should Be in a Comedian’s Toolkit?

📚 Geoff Bennett’s Book

Black Out Loud: The Revolutionary History of Black Comedy from Vaudeville to ’90s Sitcoms
https://www.harpercollins.com/products/black-out-loud-geoff-bennett

Join the Bookum Community

Discover books, join book clubs, and connect with readers:
https://www.bookumapp.com

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

Join us on the Author Talks Podcast with New York Times Bestselling Author Keith O’Brien as we dive into the untold story of Larry Bird. From his small-town beginnings in French Lick to becoming a national icon at Indiana State.

We cover everything: recruiting drama, legendary teammates, international basketball, the 33–1 season, and the moments that made Bird a basketball legend.

Grab Keith O’Brien’s new book Heartland
to get the full story.

Download the Bookum app for exclusive book content, podcasts, and notes: https://www.bookumapp.com

Timestamps:

1:02 - March Madness Predictions
2:06 - Jim Jones Coaching Larry Bird
4:50 - Larry Bird Senior Year in HS
6:30 - Bob Knight and Larry Bird
7:18 - Why Bob Knight Didn't Try to Bring Larry Bird Back to Indiana University?
10:02 - How Bill Hodges Got Larry Bird to Indiana State?
13:13 - Carl Nicks and Building the Team Around Bird
14:11 - Larry Bird's Dad's Role in His Life
17:43 - Harry and Larry Show at Indiana State
19:34 - Larry Bird International and European Basketball
22:12 - Larry Bird Fighting and Competitiveness
24:51 - Larry Bird as the Great White Hope
27:45 - Becoming a National Face
30:02 - Larry Bird vs Magic Johnson National Basketball Championship
33:50 - The Price of Fame on Larry Bird
35:24 - Writing Process and Perfect Day of Writing
38:10 - Advice on Journalism

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

Join us on the Bookum Creators Talk Podcast as we sit down with Amber Burns, a BookTube creator, vlogger, and content creator, to discuss her creative process, day-to-day life, and love for books. From starting her first blog to going in front of the camera, handling burnout, and building community, Amber shares the honest truth about life as a content creator.

Whether you are a reader, aspiring creator, or just curious about what it is like behind the camera, this conversation is packed with insights, storytelling tips, and inspiration for your own creative journey.

Episode Timestamps:

1:11 - Thank You For Asking
1:31 - Birthday Month and Plans
2:23 - Favorite Books Growing Up
4:14 - Getting Into Content Creation
5:32 - Building First Blog
6:33 - Getting in Front of the Camera (Vlog)
8:33 - Content Creation Process
10:20 - The Storytelling Through Vlogging
11:54 - Getting B-Roll for Vlogs
13:22 - Themes Setting vs Goals Setting
16:01 - Consistency as a Creator
17:10 - Staying Authentic as a Content Creator
19:02 - The Solitude of Content Creation
20:33 - Handling Burnout as a Content Creator
20:55 - Setting Boundaries as a Content Creator
23:33 - On Community
25:33 - Importance of Journaling
26:56 - Morning Pages (The Artist’s Way)
27:20 - The Artist’s Way
28:51 - Journaling for Beginners (It’s Not Intimidating)
30:02 - Journaling Helping with Writing
30:45 - Organization and Planners
32:55 - Going Back to Analog
34:12 - Last, Now, Next Books
36:03 - How You Find Your Next Book?
38:33 - Writing a Romance Novel
39:44 - Rapid Fire Book Questions
42:44 - What Would You Like To See More of in the Book World?
43:12 - What Would You Like To See Less of in the Book World?

Follow Amber Burns:

Instagram: @byamberburns

YouTube: Amber Burns

TikTok: @byamberburns

Join the Bookum Community:

Download our social book club app to track your reading, connect with creators, and join conversations: www.bookumapp.com

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

In this episode of the Bookum Founders Talk Podcast, Kyle Colley sits down with Franklin Leonard, the founder of The Black List, the industry-leading platform that discovers and showcases the best screenplays and now fiction novels.

Franklin shares his insights on Hollywood in 2026, the future of film, the Oscars, and what it really takes to break into the industry as a writer or filmmaker.

We discuss:

• How The Black List expanded from screenplays to fiction books
• Franklin’s unique approach to curation and discovering talent
• Major Hollywood shifts, including Paramount, Warner Bros., Disney Sora Deal, and Netflix podcasting
• Tips for writers navigating publishing and screenwriting
• What makes a great story and what should be in every writer’s or filmmaker’s toolkit

Whether you are a creator, writer, or just curious about the future of storytelling, this conversation is sure to inspire.

Connect with Franklin Leonard:

• Website – The Black List
• Instagram
• X / Twitter
• Substack
  
  

Get the Bookum App:
Host or join dynamic online book clubs and connect with fellow readers: https://www.bookumapp.com

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

Have you ever wondered what was going through the mind of the most powerful man in the ancient world? In this episode of Bookum Author Talks, we sit down with Dr. Aaron Poochigian, Classics scholar, poet, and translator, to talk about his brand new translation of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations.

What makes this conversation so special is that Dr. Poochigian brings both the precision of a scholar and the sensitivity of a poet to a text that has moved readers for nearly 2,000 years. We talk about why Marcus Aurelius wrote in Greek instead of Latin, whether the Meditations were ever meant to be read by anyone else, and what his morning practices can teach us about living a better life today.

Whether you're a longtime lover of Stoic philosophy, just getting started with Marcus Aurelius, or simply curious about what it takes to translate one of history's greatest books — this episode has something for you.

Here's some of what we cover in this episode:

• Why Marcus Aurelius wrote his private journals in Greek instead of Latin
• How the Meditations were preserved through centuries of history
• Whether the Meditations were ever meant to be read by others
• What Marcus Aurelius brought to Stoic philosophy
• The virtues he wrestled with most as Emperor
• How Dr. Poochigian's approach differs from Gregory Hays' beloved translation
• What the Meditations can teach us about changing our daily habits
• And so much more

If the Meditations have ever made you stop and think, this episode will make you see them in a whole new light.

📖 Get a copy of Dr. Aaron Poochigian's new translation of the Meditations:
https://www.amazon.com/Meditations-Marcus-Aurelius/dp/132409639X

📱 Download the Bookum App for more great author conversations:
https://www.bookumapp.com

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!