spirit
March 2026: Reconnect with our classmate Jane Hendron, a civil servant and wildlife conservationist
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Ep6 Chris Chambers Noir: This month we shine a light on two new hot novelists — P.M. Raymond and NYC firefighter Jason Powell
Riffs on a Noir Theme: Horror & Psychological Suspense to Thrillers
February 1, 2026: Ep10 Tim’s Travails — School safety is the theme of this month’s interview with Luis D. Aponte, author of “A Safe Place”
The Real Story Behind School Safety — How to Prevent the Next School Shooting
February 2026: Proud mom and grandma Kimberly Coletta Davino catches us up on her life!
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January 2026: What has Jeff Fox been doing since high school?
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Ep10 Tim’s Travails: School safety is the theme of this month’s interview with Luis D. Aponte, author of “A Safe Place”
The Real Story Behind School Safety — How to Prevent the Next School Shooting
Ep5 Chris Chambers Noir: Start 2026 off right with this interview with 4 authors who are celebrating “Southern Noir? Hick Hardboiled? Or the next evolutionary step of one of crime fiction’s original forms.” You are in for a treat!
Chris Chambers introduces us to four esteemed panelists: Scott Von Doviak (top left), Bobby Matthews (top right), Wes Browne (bottom left), James D.F. Hannah (bottom right)
Dec. 8, 2025 — “Lawlessness: The Headlong Dive,” by IP attorney and author Timothy Trainer”
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Ep9 Tim’s Travails: Today we invite you to listen to two attorney turned authors talk about their journeys, art and craft as Tim welcomes award-winning noir author Christopher Chambers
Author to Author • Attorney to Attorney
Fall 2025: Catch up with Craig Tupper who grew up to be a masterful electrician, married his soul mate and is Dad to 4 and a grandfather, too!
Enter NameAn ode to Veterans Day, “Wondering, Waiting, Worrying,” by Army brat and veteran Timothy Trainer, author, “The Fortunate Son”
There’s a home to be kept. And beds to be made. There’s an empty space in the bed. And a minute of worrying and a quickening pulse.
Ep24: Author Marta Sanz and translator Katie King take us on a satirical detective adventure in their poetic memoir, “My Clavicle: And Other Massive Misalignments”
On an international flight to a conference, the author Marta Sanz notices a tiny bump beneath her skin, just below her clavicle, near her breastbone. So begins an inquiry that is at turns a satirical detective story, a philosophical inquiry, a memoir, and pure poetry.
Ep1: Courage to Thrive — Meet Rev. Dr. Robert Flanagan and learn about his journey to find joy and hope, and help others do the same
An esteemed Episcopal priest and author, Father Bob has dedicated his life to spiritual transformation and caring for others.
Ep2: This montn on Chris Chambers Noir you’ll learn what it’s like to “Made in Hardboiled LA” with guest award-wing writer Gary Philips
Gary's latest book is a One-Shot Harry novel, "Ask Dark As Night." Meet earless crime photographer and occasional private eye Harry Ingram, who finds himself in the LAPD's crosshairs after capturing damning evidence of police brutality. An atmospheric dive into a city on the brink that's brimming with remarkable historical detail, Ash Dark as Night is perfect for fans of Walter Mosley and James Ellroy.
Ep21: Bestselling author Reed Farrel Coleman — who has penned 31 novels including the new Nick Ryan series and six in Robert B. Parker’s Jesse Stone series — is featured at Elaine’s!
Let's step into "Sleepless City," Reed Farrel Coleman's newest novel
Season 2: Ep15 Today we talk about Alina’s two new books — “12 Selves” and “Lessons from my Birkin”
The power of creativity
Ep7 Tim’s Travails: Meet dystopian author Joe Relk talking about how fiction imitates reality in his book series, “Sins of our Saviors”
Podcast Special — If you are tracking the news, you'll be fascinated by this interview with IP attorney and author Timothy Trainer's podcast/video show and fellow author Joe Relk.
Sept. 20, 2025: Congratulations to Amy Cheung, winner of the September 2025 Concrete Rose Scholarship
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“Department of War or Defense: Beyond the Name,” by IP attorney Timothy Trainer, author “The Fortunate Son”
There’s nothing surprising to read or hear that the Trump Administration wants a name change to the Department of Defense. The administration wants a Department of War. It needs to project masculinity, strength and power. The talk, the chatter, the words all seem to do something else: expose Trump and Hegseth as being examples of frail male egos.
Ep18: Explore the mind of a spy in James Stejskal’s new book, “Berlin: A Spy’s Guide to its Cold War History in Story and Image”
Discover Berlin: A Spy's Guide to its Cold War History in Story and Image
Opening Sept. 6 — Alla Rogers is included in a new 60-painter exhibition, “Women of the DMV” at American University Museum’s Katzen Center. Curator, Lenny Campello’s historic overview is the most comprehensive of its kind to date in the US
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“Women of the Maidan,” a documentary film by Olha Onyshko
"Welcome everyone. We are here as part of a call to action to Hold The Light for Ukraine and for one another as individuals living together as a shared humanity on this Earth," says curator Alla Rogers.
When Trump’s troops walk the streets of DC — “The Dumbing Down: FBI,” by IP attorney and author Timothy Trainer
Tim believes: "More disturbing about the FBI’s increased role in street crime prevention is the report that the FBI will lower standards for future FBI agents."
“The Money, the Guard, The Black Hole,” by IP attorney and author Timothy Trainer
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Unlocking Opportunities: How Scholarships Empower Student Journeys
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Ep16: Today at Elaine’s Literary Salon take flight with “The Mapmaker” by author Thomas Young
Resistance operative Charlotte Denneau has critical targeting information for the Allies, and the Gestapo knows it.
Ep1: Chris Chambers Noir — Get ready for a little noir magic! Don’t miss our Q&A with the mastermind behind Washington, DC’s most notorious fictional detective — former street denizen Dickie Cornish, who faces off with bloodthirsty cops and the justice department
Ready for a little StreetWhys grit to get you going today?
“From Authoritarian to Democracy” by author and IP attorney Timothy Trainer
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Looking “American” by Timothy Trainer
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Season 2: Ep13 Artist and Activist Cynthia de Lorenzi answers our 3 big questions this week on The Questions Bar
This week, Alina and Hope begin Season 2, where they open the Questions Bar to guests. Today's star is Cynthia de Lorenzi, an artist and activist who on November 5, 2024 co-founded the Empowered Together Network with our hosts.
Season 2: E11 “Stun Gun Jen” is our guest on this week’s episode of The Questions Bar where she teaches us about personal defense
Alina and Hope begin Season 2 where they turn the Questions Bar to guests. Don't miss this important discussion about women's self-defense with stunning Stun Gun Jen!
Ep11 Empowered Together show: Get LinkedIn — Meet strategic marketing consultant, content creator, and data analyst Kylene Ye
What has been your journey with Kylene's YouTube channel as a video game influencer?
Season 2: Ep10 This season we bring guests to the show and ask 3 big questions! How does host Hope Katz Gibbs answer them? Check it out!
Journalist, author, entrepreneur Hope Katz Gibbs is on an adventure!
Ep8 Empowered Together Show: Meet masterful coach and entrepreneurial leader Rúna Bouius, founder of the TRUE Power Institute
As founder of the True Power Institute and host of the TruePower Executive Roundtable, Rúna Bouius leverages her experience as a former CEO and serial entrepreneur from Iceland to unlock clients’ potential for conscious leadership. Rúna specializes in navigating shifting power dynamics and accelerating personal and professional growth.
Season 2: Ep9 This season we bring guests to the show and ask 3 big questions! How does host AlinaZ answer them? Check it out!
Share a meal with "Single and Hungry" author AlinaZ
Ep8 “Finding Peace” is the theme of this week’s episode of The Questions Bar — What’s on your mind, girlfriend? Hosts AlinaZ and Hope Katz Gibbs want to know!
The hosts finish up Season 1 of The Question Bar with a conversation about how to find peace in your inner world despite what is happening in the world around you.
Ep7 “Riding the Roller Coaster” is the theme of this week’s episode of The Questions Bar — What’s on your mind, girlfriend? Hosts AlinaZ and Hope Katz Gibbs want to know!
Do you enjoy roller coasters? Hop on. It might be a bumpy ride!
Ep1 The Truly Amazing Women series brings you a new show: Empowered Together — Calm, Cool, Compassionate, Changemakers
What are you PINEing for?
Ep6 “Tapping into the Universal support system” is the theme of this week’s episode of The Questions Bar — What’s on your mind, girlfriend? Hosts AlinaZ and Hope Katz Gibbs want to know!
Deep dive into how women around the world can support each other, starting with how they are learning to cope at home, and be there for each other.
Ep13: Today at Elaine’s Literary Salon, discover “The Year of Sarah,” a memoir of transformation by yogi, author, and entrepreneur Sarah DeBlock
"The Year of Sarah" is a memoir of transformation, where Sarah DeBlock invites readers to join her for the year that redefined her understanding of love and self.
Ep5 “Staying grounded, come what may” is the theme of this week’s episode of The Questions Bar — What’s on your mind, girlfriend? Hosts AlinaZ and Hope Katz Gibbs want to know!
This week, Alina and Hope focus on staying grounded and discuss the power of love, the importance of wellness, and the impact of societal challenges on your physical and mental health.
Ep4 “Coping when you feel out of control” is the theme of this week’s episode of The Questions Bar — What’s on your mind, girlfriend? Hosts AlinaZ and Hope Katz Gibbs want to know!
This week, Alina and Hope are both feeling on edge and share their thoughts on how to cope when the world feels so out of control that it impacts their daily sanity.
Ep10: Today at Elaine’s Literary Salon, you’ll be amazed by the work of journalist and photographer Glenn Cook, author of “Keep Your Distance: Walking Through the First Year of COVID”
This photography book examines events in four cities — Alexandria and Richmond, Va., Washington, D.C., and New York City — the photojournalist walked almost 4,000 miles from March 2020 to March 2021, shooting images of day-to-day life, protests and their aftermath during this historic and tumultuous period in U.S. history.
Ep9: Today at Elaine’s Literary Salon, meet Award-winning historical young adult fiction author Christine Kessides shares the power of “Magda, Standing” and her new picture book, “A Tail Tale”
"Magda, Standing" and "A Tail Tale" are two books by Christine Kessides that every child should read!
Ep3: “Maintaining Humor Amidst the Chaos” is the theme of this week’s episode of The Questions Bar — What’s on your mind, girlfriend? Hosts AlinaZ and Hope Katz Gibbs want to know!
Finding ways to maintain your sense of humor in a world that seems to have gone mad!
Ep2: Joy is the theme of this week’s episode of The Questions Bar — What’s on your mind, girlfriend? Hosts AlinaZ and Hope Katz Gibbs want to know!
On today's episode you'll find practical tools for managing stress and promoting joy, not just as hypothetical advice.
Ep1: The Questions Bar — What’s on your mind, girlfriend? Hosts AlinaZ and Hope Katz Gibbs want to know!
Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Questions Bar
“Memorial Day: Thoughts of the Past and Present,” by IP attorney and author Timothy Trainer
Tim writes: "Was it late 1966 or 1967? I don’t remember the precise year or month. I had just entered my teens. What I do remember is opening a letter from my father."
Summer 2025: Lori Sylvester Carlin shares, “My ministry in work and life is to come alongside others so they feel heard and loved, and assist them in making their wants/needs/dreams come true.”
What advice would you give to your high school self? Lori says, "It’s all about relationships. Cherish them, nurture them, but also have boundaries. Most importantly, don’t take today for granted, as tomorrow isn’t promised."
Life Coach Eva Ross teaches us about “Empowering Women in Uncertain Times Through Language Learning”
While learning a new language, Eva also learns: Adapting to a New Environment, Personal Empowerment, Mindfulness and Healing, and more!