Love is the Thread traces the way one spiritual friendship can change all our relationshps. Sustained by the metaphor of knitting, the memoir centers on the friendship between two women, one snared in a life-long struggle with bipolar disorder and the other reweaving her life after an abusive relationship. The book is available in original trade paperback and ebook from the Pearlsong Press retail store, Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Powells.com, the Book Depository (with free shipping worldwide) and elsewhere.

For more information on and links to archived recordings of the Pearlsong Conversations series of teleconference calls featuring authors, publisher and readers, click here.

Mary discussed how she came to write her multi-century novel rife with magical realism and feminine spirituality. She talks about the Black Madonna, which appears throughout The Singing of Swans, and Her roots in pre-Christian traditions; Lake Pergusa, a Sicilian lake whose waters for millennia periodically turned red and thus were associated with feminine mysteries; and even a spiritual meaning of the focus on 2012 “end times.”

In addition to her work as a writer, Mary teaches creative writing classes and workshops on the Divine Feminine, which she has studied as an independent scholar for more than 20 years. During the Conversation she reports on workshops planned in Colorado and New Mexico.

The Singing of Swans is available in original trade paperback & ebook from Pearlsong Press. The novel tells the story of Madalene Ross, a thirty-year-old American who “lives in her head,” cut off from her body, her heart, and her sense of purpose in the world. En route to and from her job as a computer programmer in Minneapolis, Madalene is hounded on the downtown streets by a homeless woman who asks “Got a match?” At night bizarre dreams haunt her sleep. Women fly through rooftops, chant in ancient temples, paint tongues of fire on vivid white canvases.

Madalene’s story is interwoven with the lives of three women: Rosalina, a priestess of Persephone in 70 B.C.E. Sicily; Ziza, a strega (Italian witch) in 16th century northeastern Italy, and Ibla, an herbalist and painter in 18th century southern Italy. Sicily’s Lake Pergusa and the Black Madonna also act as a portal to the rich tradition of pre-Christian spirituality that lies beneath Church dogma.

The Singing of Swans takes readers on a multi-century journey to uncover long-silenced traditions, crack Madalene’s spiritual code and reclaim her soul. Elements of magical realism dovetail with historical storytelling as this compelling tale of redemption unfolds.

She is joined in the 50-min teleconference call by Pat Ballard, Lynne Murray, Tracey Thompson, Bonnie Shapbell, Leslie Moïse, Ph.D. & Linda C. Wisniewski.

Pat Ballard is the Queen of Rubenesque Romances & author of 10 Steps to Loving Your Body (No Matter What Size You Are), Lynne Murray is the author of The Falstaff Vampire Files, Bride of the Living Dead & the Josephine Fuller mystery series.  Leslie Moïse, Ph.D. is author of Love is the Thread: A Knitting Friendship (just published by Pearlsong Press). Tracey Thompson is the author of the novel Fatropolis, which will be published by Pearlsong Press in 2012. Bonnie Shapbell is author of the bereavement guide Hiking the Pack Line, which will also be published by Pearlsong Press in 2012. Linda C. Wisnewski is the author of Off Kilter: A Woman’s Journey to Peace with Scoliosis, Her Mother, & Her Polish Heritage.

For more information about the Pearlsong Conversations series of teleconference calls, links to recordings of previous calls, and information on how you can participate in calls, go to the Pearlsong Conversations page on the Pearlsong Press website.

Lynne talks about the genesis of her newest novel, her works in progress, and the humor and life-sized characters that connect all her writing.

The Falstaff Vampire Files, as well as Lynne’s romantic comedy novel Bride of the Living Dead & Larger Than Death, the first volume in the Josephine Fuller mystery series being republished by Pearlsong Press, are all available in trade paperback & ebook format from your favorite retailers as well as directly from Pearlsong Press’s online store.

Read an excerpt from The Falstaff Vampire Files by clicking on the BookBuzzr widget below.

This episode is the last of the Radio Free Nashville HAES shows, as Dr. Elam (a.k.a. PegE) & the Queen (a.k.a Pat Ballard) take a break from weekly broadcasting. You can still listen to the archived shows online at www.healthateverysize.info, www.pearlsong.com/audio.htm & via the Podbean Player.

Music includes “Freedom” by Suchi Waters Benjamin, “Happy Being Fat” by Big Dee Irwin, “Women’s Bodies” by Rebecca Riots, “Even Free” (Kristi Martel), “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What A Wonderful World” (Israel Kamakawiwo’ole), “Choose Love” (Fortunate Sons), “The Flame” (Beth Neilsen Chapman) & “Phenomenal Woman” (Ruthie Foster).

Bonus points if you recognize the source of the farewell above. We’re not planning on leaving the planet yet, though.

This episode features the recording of the September 2011 Pearlsong Conversation with Lauri J Owen, author of the paranormal romance saga The Embers Series. Fallen Embers & Blowing Embers, Books One & Two of the series, were published by Pearlsong Press in 2010 & 2011.

Music includes “Freedom” by Suchi Waters Benjamin & “Hottie” by Jana Stanfield.

This episode began with PegE (a.k.a. Dr. Elam) & Pat (a.k.a. the Queen) sharing the news that October 10, 2011 will be the last Health At Every Size show on Radio Free Nashville.

The show may continue as an occasional podcast, and the Pearlsong Conversations teleconference series (recordings of which have often been played on the HAES show) will continue as usual on a monthly basis  & podcast. (For more about the Pearlsong Conversations series in which authors and publisher chat with readers, fans and each other, click here.)

In the rest of the show, Pat & PegE talked about TV shows, recently reported research on restaurant menu labeling, & an odious billboard campaign aimed at fat kids in Georgia.

Music includes “Freedom” (Suchi Waters Benjamin), “The Boob Fairy” (Deirdre Flint), “Big Fat Mamas Are Back in Style” (Candye Kane), “Chubby Man Blues” (Les Kerr) & “Fat Boys” (Uncle Bonsai).

This episode features PegE (a.k.a. Dr. Elam) & Pat (a.k.a. the Queen) discussing research finding that many fat bodies have healthy cardiovascular systems — and many slimmer bodies don’t.

Recommended books include Big Fat Lies: The Truth about Your Weight and Your Health by Glenn Gaesser, Ph.D., Health At Every Size: The Surprising Truth About Your Weight by Linda Bacon, Ph.D., Fat Politics: The Real Story Behind America’s Obesity Epidemic by J. Eric Oliver, Ph.D., The Obesity Myth (revised edition retitled The Diet Myth: Why America’s Obsession with Weight is Hazardous to Your Health) by Paul Campos, & Rethinking Thin: The New Science of Weight Loss — and the Myths and Realities of Dieting by Gina Kolata.

This episode’s music: “Freedom” by Suchi Waters Benjamin, “Phenomenal Woman” by Ruthie Foster & “Fit, Fat & Fine” by Whole Lotta Love.

No actual snails were discussed during this episode.

PegE ( a.k.a. Dr. Elam) & Pat (a.k.a. the Queen) discuss Pat’s adventures in puppydom & news that Allergan may stop manufacturing the Lap-Band bariatric (”weight loss”) surgery device decide because of deaths and injuries associated with it. (Or, as the Business Insider headline says, “because it keeps killing people.”) Read the article here.

Music for this episode includes “Freedom” by Suchi Waters Benjamin, “Women’s Bodies” by Rebecca Riots, “Even Free” (Kristi Martel) & “Introduction to Belly Dancing” (Deirdre Flint).

Pat (a.k.a. The Queen) & PegE (a.k.a. Dr. Elam) took the Labor Day holiday off, and scheduled a prerecorded interview with Karen Blomain, author of The Season of Lost Children, to run as that day’s HAES show broadcast. There were some glitches with the recording that aired on 9/5/2011 — some blank periods and a double show ID/intro — which have been edited out of this podcast/archived version.

The interview was part of the Pearlsong Conversations teleconference series, in which Dr. Elam wears her publisher’s hat and talks with one or more Pearlsong Press authors, readers and fans. To learn more about the Conversations — how to participate in one — visit the Pearlsong Conversations page on the Pearlsong Press website. You’ll also find links to other Conversation recordings there.

Music includes “Freedom” by Suchi Waters Benjamin & “Introduction to Belly Dancing” by Deirdre Flint.

To read an excerpt from The Season of Lost Children, click on the BookBuzzr widget below.

Dr. Elam (a.k.a. PegE) flew solo for this episode while The Queen (a.k.a. Pat) babysat a new puppy. She discussed recently published research examining the heart health of Dutch women who were between 10 & 17 years old during the famine at the end of World War II, and how the findings could be applied to people subjected to adolescent (or earlier) weight loss diets.

As published in the European Heart Journal, researchers in The Netherlands found that women who had lived on 400-800 calories a day during the 1944-45 famine had a 27% higher risk of heart disease in later life. How many heart — and other — problems in fat adults that are blamed on their weight are actually caused by early life semi-starvation for weight loss?

Music includes “Freedom” (Suchi Waters Benjamin),  “Big Fat Blonde” (The Rainmakers), “Fat Bottomed Girls” (Queen), “Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)” (Mika), “Suit Yourself” (Kate Campbell), “300 Pounds of Joy” (Howlin’ Wolf), “Mister Five by Five” (Ella Mae Morse), “Fit, Fat & Fine” (Candye Kane), “Built for Luxury” (Abby Burke featuring the Manly Band), “Start the Commotion” (The Wiseguys) & “Hottie” (Jana Stansfield).

This episode features Dr. Elam (a.k.a. PegE) & the Queen (a.k.a. Pat) discussing the vested interests behind “obesity” diseasemongering & fearmongering.

Music includes “Freedom” by Suchi Waters Benjamin, “Iphigenia” by Cosy Sheridan & “Fat Cat Keeps Getting Fatter” by the Squirrel Nut Zippers.

Note: There’s about a minute of dead air at the beginning of the recording due to the previous hour’s show ending abruptly and taking Dr. Elam by surprise.

After PegE (a.k.a. Dr. Elam) & Pat (a.k.a. the Queen) praise Australian chef Julie Goodwin’s turning down a lucrative dieting business contract, they discuss how some parents’ fat fears fuel emotional abuse of their children. The conversation was sparked by Jean Anspaugh’s blog post at Psychology Today.

Music includes “Freedom” by Suchi Waters Benjamin, “Baby Got Back” by Jonathan Coulton & “Big, Beautiful & Sexy” by Casey Donovan.

Pat (a.k.a The Queen of Rubenesque Romances) was back to join PegE (a.k.a. Dr. Elam) to discuss living a long happy life, Dances with Fat’s post on Long Healthy Life, & the new documentary America the Beautiful 2: The Thin Commandments, among other topics.

If you’re near San Francisco Saturday August 13, see a Director’s Cut of the sequel to the documentary America the Beautiful at the Sofitel San Franciso Bay at 8 p.m. The screening is part of the annual conference of the Association for Size Diversity & Health (ASDAH), but you don’t have to be an ASDAH member or conference participant to attend. Director Darryl Roberts will be at the screening. Get the details and purchase advance tickets here. Tickets will also be available at the door.

America the Beautiful 2 is being distributed by Warner Brothers and will open nationwide in theatres & via on-demand in October.

This show’s music includes “Freedom” by Suchi Waters Benjamin, ” “Women’s Bodies” by Rebecca Riots, & “More to Love” by Robin Mink.

This episode features a Pearlsong Conversation (teleconference call) with Charlie Lovett, author of the new fat-friendly Young Adult book The Fat Lady Sings, as well as the thriller The Program, both published by Pearlsong Press.

Music includes “Freedom” by Suchi Waters Benjamin & “Phenomenal Woman” by Ruthie Foster.

Click on the BookBuzzr widgets below to read the first chapters of The Fat Lady Sings & The Program. Both are available in original trade paperback & ebook format.

Note: Amazon.com links to books & music are affliate links. We get a little chunk of change whenever you click on a link and buy something.

This episode featured Dr. Elam (aka PegE) & Pat (aka the Queen) further discussing the Journal of the American Medical Association commentary suggesting state intervention for very fat children, as well as a Columbus Dispatch report by Amy Saunders on the increase in “alarmingly thin” children & child hospitalizations for eating disorders in the wake of heightened cultural focus on weight. (Per the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality as cited in the Dispatch article, from 1999 to 2006 eating disorders hospitalizations for children younger than 12 increased by 119 percent.)

Music includes “Freedom” by Suchi Waters Benjamin, “You’re the One for Me, Fatty” by Morrissey , “The Fear” by Lily Allen & “You Need a Great Big Woman” by Candye Kane.

Amazon.com links to books & music are affiliate links. We get a little chunk of change if you click on a link & buy something.

PegE (a.k.a. Dr. Elam) & Pat (a.k.a. the Queen of Rubenesque Romances) discuss the Journal of the American Medical Association commentary in which Harvard pediatrician David Ludwig & Harvard School of Public Health attorney Lindsey Murtagh opined that “super obese” children should be taken into state custody in order to help them lose weight. The piece triggered a backlash (the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance issued a press release headlined “Kidnapping: Next New Diet Fad!”) & Ludwig attempted to assuage “angry and terrified parents.”

Music includes “Freedom” & “When I Was A Child” by Suchi Waters Benjamin & “Roly Poly” by Bob Wills.

Amazon.com links to books & music are affiliate links. We get a little chunk of change if you click on a link & buy something.

Dr. Elam ( a.k.a. PegE) flew solo today, as the Queen (a.k.a. Pat Ballard, Queen of Rubenesque Romances) was at court with her granddaughter.  She discussed recent articles and research reports about impossible (and unhealthy) appearance ideals in men’s “fitness” magazines, a study indicating a gene linked with low body fat and unhealthy levels of cholesterol and blood glucose, and fearmongering about “skinny fat.”

This episode’s music includes “Freedom” by Suchi Waters Benjamin, “Even Free” by Kristi Martel, “Mister Five by Five” by Ella Mae Morse, “300 Pounds of Joy” by Howlin’ Wolf, “I Like ‘em Fat Like That” by Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five, “I Like I Whole Lotta Woman” by Josh Max’s Outfit, & “Well-Rounded Woman” by Kent Blazy.

Links to Amazon.com books & music are affiliate links. We get a little chunk of change if you click on a link and buy something.

This show began with PegE (aka Dr. Elam) & Pat (aka the Queen) celebrating the publication of Pat Ballard’s new romantic suspense novel Dangerous Love, then segued to discussion of recent research on fat stigma in media &  the media guidelines by Yale University’s Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity.

Music includes “Freedom” by Suchi Waters Benjamin, “Built for Luxury” by Abby Burke & “Hottie” by Jana Stanfield.

Quote for Today: “You cannot simultaneously prevent and prepare for war.” Albert Einstein

This show featured a precorded conversation in which Pearlsong Press publisher (and Health At Every Size show host) Peggy Elam, Ph.D. & several authors talked with feminist literary historian Susan Koppelman about making history through size diversity & fat activism in literature.

Participating authors included Lynne Murray, Ellen Frankel, Leslie Moise & Lauri J Owen.

Susan Koppelman is the editor of The Strange History of Suzanne LaFleshe: And Other Stories of Women and Fatness, which is published by Feminist Press. Lynne Murray is the author of the romantic comedy Bride of the Living Dead & the upcoming The Falstaff Vampire Files, as well as the award-winning Josephine Fuller mystery series, which Pearlsong Press is reprinting & publishing in ebook form starting this year. Lauri J Owen is the author of the paranormal romance novels Fallen Embers & Blowing Embers, Books One & Two of The Embers Series. Leslie Moise is the author of the forthcoming memoir Love is the Thread. Ellen Frankel is the author of the new novel Syd Arthur as well as the memoir Beyond Measure.

Pearlsong Conversations are monthly teleconference calls featuring Peggy Elam chatting with various Pearlsong authors (often including Health At Every Size show co-host Pat Ballard) about their works and books and writing. The public is welcome to participate in the live calls and join the conversation. For more information about the calls and how to participate, click here. There is no charge to participate, other than any long-distance tolls that might apply.

Featured music on this show was “Freedom” by Suchi Waters Benjamin.

Amazon.com links to books and music are affiliate links. We get a little chunk of change if you click on a link and buy something.