A Spot of Story brings you books, history, and the writing life over a steaming cup of tea. Tune in on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays for author conversations and quick history dives. Find out more at daniellegrandinetti.com/podcast. <br/><br/><a href="https://danielleswritingspot.substack.com/s/a-spot-of-story?utm_medium=podcast">danielleswritingspot.substack.com</a>
A Spot of Story
Claim This Podcastby Danielle Grandinetti
23 episodes
Updated Daily
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Podcast Overview
A Spot of Story brings you books, history, and the writing life over a steaming cup of tea. Tune in on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays for author conversations and quick history dives. Find out more at daniellegrandinetti.com/podcast. <br/><br/><a href="https://danielleswritingspot.substack.com/s/a-spot-of-story?utm_medium=podcast">danielleswritingspot.substack.com</a>
Language
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Publishing Since
7/19/2025
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Recent Episodes
July 18, 2026
Episode 22 | Echoes of History: Beach Reads vs. Cozy Cabin Reads
<p>Set your dial to A Spot of Story, where books, history, and the writing life come alive over a steaming cup of tea.</p><p>On this episode of the podcast, we are exploring the difference between a beach read and a cabin read. While summer is the pinnacle season for light reads and sun-drenched vacations, not all books create that feeling—nor do we always want it.</p><p>In this episode, we dive into the unique emotional architecture of a cozy cabin read. That sense of nostalgia and slower pace that invites you to hunker down by a roaring fire on a chilly afternoon, wrapped in a blanket with a warm mug in hand. Whether it’s blistering hot outside or the seasons are turning, a cabin read delivers a distinct, comforting sense of rest.</p><p>Grab your favorite mug and tune in as we discuss:</p><p>* <strong>The Emotional Landscape of Escape:</strong> How a beach read transports you to wide-open horizons, while a cozy cabin read offers the slow-living focus of a winter refuge.</p><p>* <strong>The Power of Immersive Writing:</strong> A look at how rich sensory details and historically grounded settings build an evocative story world readers want to return to again and again.</p><p>* <strong>Nostalgia and Cozy Suspense:</strong> Why the background of the 1930s—and classic mystery structures reminiscent of Agatha Christie—naturally align with the “cabin read” mentality.</p><p>Read the full episode transcript: <a target="_blank" href="https://daniellegrandinetti.com/post/episode-22-echoes-of-history-beach-reads-vs-cozy-cabin-reads/">Listen and Read the Full Post Here</a>.</p><p>Further Reading or Listening</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://daniellegrandinetti.com/podcast"><strong>More on the Podcast</strong></a><strong>:</strong> View all the episodes, read the transcripts, and explore more about each featured book.</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://daniellegrandinetti.com/book-blog/"><strong>Danielle’s Writing Spot</strong></a><strong>:</strong> My book blog with weekly psalms, hand-picked book recommendations, and exclusive author interviews.</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://danielleswritingspot.substack.com/p/meet-ali-di-stasio"><strong>Dispatch Flash Fiction</strong></a><strong>:</strong> This paid subscription level opens a private collection of exclusive vignette flash fiction (400–900 words) tracking the hidden cases and character scenes you won’t find anywhere else.</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://daniellegrandinetti.com/books/"><strong>The Author Shop</strong></a><strong>:</strong> If you love ebooks and signed paperbacks browse my website storefront to buy direction from the author.</p><p><p>Thanks for reading The Fireside Wire! This post is public so feel free to share it.</p></p> <br/><br/>Get full access to The Fireside Wire at <a href="https://danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4">danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe</a>
July 4, 2026
Episode 21 | Behind the Book: To Crown with Liberty with Karen Ullo
<p>“Set your dial to A Spot of Story, where books, history, and the writing life come alive over a steaming cup of tea.”</p><p>On this episode of the podcast, we are exploring the dramatic history of the French Revolution—an era inspired by the birth of the United States 250 years ago. I’m sitting down with award-winning author and editor Karen Ullo to discuss her historical novel, To Crown with Liberty.</p><p>We dive into the fictional story of an 18th-century French court lady-in-waiting and talented harpist to Marie Antoinette who survives the blood-soaked streets of Paris, only to build a new life on a flatboat in the untamed Louisiana swamps of 1795.</p><p><strong>Grab your favorite mug and tune in as we discuss:</strong></p><p>* <strong>The Power of Contrast:</strong> How a refined noblewoman copes with the radical transition from the opulent halls of Versailles to the alligator-infested wilderness of the frontier.</p><p>* <strong>The September Massacres:</strong> A look behind the scenes at the pivotal 1792 historical event that marked the true beginning of the Reign of Terror.</p><p>* <strong>Separating Fact from Folklore:</strong> The truth behind George Washington Cable’s Strange True Stories of Louisiana and how Karen spent over four years navigating genealogical records and on-site research in France to bring this tale of resilience to life.</p><p><strong>Read the full episode transcript:</strong> <a target="_blank" href="https://daniellegrandinetti.com/post/episode-21-behind-the-book-to-crown-with-liberty-with-karen-ullo/">Listen and Read the Full Post Here</a>.</p><p>Further Reading or Listening</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://daniellegrandinetti.com/podcast"><strong>More on the Podcast</strong></a><strong>:</strong> View all the episodes, read the transcripts, and explore more about each featured book.</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://daniellegrandinetti.com/book-blog/"><strong>Danielle’s Writing Spot</strong></a><strong>:</strong> My book blog with weekly psalms, hand-picked book recommendations, and exclusive author interviews.</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://danielleswritingspot.substack.com/p/meet-ali-di-stasio"><strong>Dispatch Flash Fiction</strong></a><strong>:</strong> This paid subscription level opens a private collection of exclusive vignette flash fiction (400–900 words) tracking the hidden cases and character scenes you won’t find anywhere else.</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://daniellegrandinetti.com/books/"><strong>The Author Shop</strong></a><strong>:</strong> If you love ebooks and signed paperbacks browse my website storefront to buy direction from the author.</p><p><p>Thanks for reading The Fireside Wire! This post is public so feel free to share it.</p></p> <br/><br/>Get full access to The Fireside Wire at <a href="https://danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4">danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe</a>
June 20, 2026
Episode 20 | Echoes of History: Crow's Nest Real-World Inspirations
<p>In this episode of A Spot of Story, we look at the real-world historical research behind the town of Crow's Nest from Confessions to a Stranger.</p><p><strong>In this episode:</strong></p><p>* <strong>Commercial Fishing:</strong> The history of the industry on the Lake Michigan coast during the 1930s.</p><p>* <strong>Sheboygan Boardwalk:</strong> The riverfront elements that inspired the town’s architecture.</p><p>* <strong>Two Rivers:</strong> Incorporating local coastal charm and ice cream history.</p><p>* <strong>Story World Building:</strong> Creating the geographic boundaries for the series.</p><p><strong>Show Notes & Resources:</strong></p><p>* Read the complete episode transcript on the blog: <a target="_blank" href="https://daniellegrandinetti.com/post/episode-20-echoes-of-history-crows-nest-real-world-inspirations/">https://daniellegrandinetti.com/post/episode-20-echoes-of-history-crows-nest-real-world-inspirations/</a></p><p>* Discover the <a target="_blank" href="https://daniellegrandinetti.com/harbored-in-crows-nest/">Harbored and Crow’s Nest</a> series.</p><p>Further Reading or Listening</p><p>* <strong>A Spot of Story Podcast:</strong> Grab a steaming cup of tea and set your dial to our podcast, where 1930s history, research, and deep-dive author interviews come alive.</p><p>* <strong>Ali’s Dispatch Notes:</strong> This paid subscription level opens a private drawer of exclusive vignette flash fiction (400–900 words) tracking the hidden cases and character scenes you won’t find anywhere else.</p><p>* <strong>The Author Shop:</strong> If you love signed paperbacks, special editions, or direct-to-reader ebook bundles where you save big, you can browse my complete, library directly on my website storefront.</p> <br/><br/>Get full access to The Fireside Wire at <a href="https://danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4">danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe</a>
23 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is A Spot of Story?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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