SoundBits podcast

Mental Health, Love, and Family

Episode Summary

The podcast episode is about Neil Fishman's novel and Kim, the host, sharing her own experience writing a novel. Neil Fishman's novel is a three-part series that follows the life of a priest named Esteban who has undiagnosed mental illness. The story explores Esteban's search for love and connection, all while dealing with the constraints of his priesthood and his own internal struggles. Kim's novel is about a nurse named Esther Baum who is going through a difficult time during COVID. She has migraines, spiritual conflicts, and relationship problems. Esther ends up going to a psychic and travels to the future where she sees the domino effect of COVID on the world. When she returns to the present, she is empowered and confronts the issues in her life.

Episode Notes

Neil Fishman's Novel

• Explores the life of a priest named Esteban who has undiagnosed mental illness.
• The story is told in three parts, each with a subtitle related to love:
  • Part 1: Love's Ordeal
  • Part 2: Love's Irony
  • Part 3: Love's Triumph
• Esteban's mental illness is unknown to himself and everyone around him.
• The reader is the only one aware of his condition.
• Esteban comes from a dysfunctional family.
  • His mother doted on him, but his father hated him.
  • He became a priest seeking love and connection.
• As a priest, he is trained not to remember confessions.
  • Ironically, this detachment prevents him from being burdened by the things people tell him.
• The novel explores various themes:
  • Love
  • Resilience
  • Mental illness
  • The human condition
  • How upbringing shapes a person

Kim's Novel (host)

• Took five years to write and went through multiple drafts.
• Follows a nurse named Esther Baum.
• The story takes place during COVID.
• Esther is dealing with:
  • COVID
  • Migraines
  • Spiritual conflicts
• She visits a psychic and travels to the future.
• In the future, she sees the negative consequences of humanity's actions during COVID.
• Upon returning to the present, she is empowered and confronts her problems.
• The story also includes a love interest for Esther.

Both Novels

• Deal with the importance of mental health.
• Explore the complexities of family relationships.