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Roundy's Rants, Raves and Reviews

Roundy's Rants, Raves and Reviews

By: Tanya Harris Roundy
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As an English, Theatre, and Speech and Debate Teacher, I've got issues and thoughts on issues. My students call them my "rants". Everyone has their soapboxes, their certainties/beliefs, and each voice is important and should be heard! So, let's Rant together!

I also firmly believe that literature of all forms makes up a part of who we are, our beliefs/thoughts, and what we do with them to create.

In this podcast we discuss:

1) Rants: What's your certainty/soapbox? Let's have a respectful discussion about it.

2) Raves: The Literature/authors who have inspired you, your life, and your work.

3) Reviews: A discussion and review of your work (whatever you do), or what you believe others should be reading/watching/listening to and why.

© 2026 Roundy's Rants, Raves and Reviews
Art Literary History & Criticism Social Sciences Spirituality
Episodes
  • Live with Author BarbieVan Cott
    Jun 26 2026

    Barbie Van Cott’s Miraculous Journey: From Jewish Upbringing to Faith, Service, and a New Book

    Live on Facebook and Zoom, Roundy interviews newly published author Barbie Van Cott, who shares her Jewish upbringing in California, lifelong questions about God and purpose, and a commitment to service. She recounts painful bullying in high school, her search for belonging, and a pivotal prayer that led to a prompted trip to Hawaii, where she learned about the LDS gospel, friendship, and conversion. Barbie explains how her memoir includes candid, humorous, and difficult experiences, plus Jewish traditions, scripture connections, and recipes, and how she wrote it over 16 years with spiritual guidance. She describes miracles leading her to BYU, meeting her first husband, raising six children, later remarrying, and preparing for a mission, and invites viewers to seek Christ through prayer, temple worship, service, and faith.

    00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
    00:37 Roots and Big Questions
    02:56 Service Driven Childhood
    03:51 High School Outsider
    06:33 College Shift and Dating
    07:24 Prayer and Hawaii Prompting
    10:04 Mormon Roommates Life Change
    10:56 Book Themes and Heart Talent
    14:03 Service Stories and Judaism
    20:19 Why She Wrote the Book
    23:49 Seminary Mission and Writing
    24:42 Fruit Business and Publishing Help
    28:08 Amazon Reformatting Fixes
    29:42 Reading Influences and Favorites
    31:51 Raw Stories and Bullying Lessons
    35:30 Miracle Path to BYU
    42:08 Marriage and Next Book Plans
    43:04 Mission Call Hopes
    45:05 Where to Follow and Articles
    47:54 Painful High School Memories
    49:46 Final Message and Sendoff

    In a world full of uncertainty, how does one cope with unbearable loss and pain? A Christmas tragedy finds Steve and Maria struggling to find hope. With the love and support of family and friends, will they find peace as they walk through the fire of Uncertainty?

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    55 mins
  • Embracing Love's Virtues with author Heather Lyn Davis
    Jun 7 2026

    This is a video about Embracing Love's Virtues with author Heather Lyn Davis

    Host Tanya Roundy interviews author Heather Lynn Davis, a mother of eight (six adopted), about her path from publishing a family oral-heritage story as an “accidental author” to writing children’s books that teach through stories, including Into Justin’s World about her adopted son with autism and four traumatic brain injuries and Jake the Ape Makes a Lot of Mistakes about learning through failure. Heather shares her experience living with the rare genetic disease DIRA and how, after being bedridden and considering stopping life-sustaining medication, she studied the “rabbit effect,” focused for a year on 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 virtues, and saw dramatic drops in inflammation markers along with improved energy and pain levels. This led to her adult book Embracing Love (Cedar Fort, March), and she emphasizes self-compassion, persistence, and God’s love.

    00:00 Meet Heather Lynn Davis
    00:30 Accidental Author Origin
    03:05 Writing for Justin
    04:06 Facing a Rare Disease
    05:26 Virtues That Heal
    09:09 Why Love Lowers Stress
    12:05 Favorite Kids Books
    14:51 Mistakes and Growth Mindset
    19:43 Books That Shaped Her
    22:43 Writing for Adults
    25:05 Grace While Improving
    29:44 Where to Find Her Books
    32:05 Final Encouragement

    In a world full of uncertainty, how does one cope with unbearable loss and pain? A Christmas tragedy finds Steve and Maria struggling to find hope. With the love and support of family and friends, will they find peace as they walk through the fire of Uncertainty?

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    33 mins
  • Coincidences &Miracles: Dale S Robbins on Faith, Writing and his New LDS YA Adventure
    May 31 2026

    Coincidences & Miracles: Dale S. Robbins on Faith, Writing, and a New LDS YA Adventure

    Host Tanya Roundy interviews author and educator Dale S. Robbins about his faith journey through multiple Christian traditions, his conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after missionaries echoed words he had written in a journal, and the lasting impact of mentors like Dr. Stephen Robinson. Robbins discusses his life in sales and marketing, later returning to finish college and earn a master’s in history, teaching on Indian reservations and in inner-city Phoenix, and serving as a houseparent for 12 teenage boys at Milton Hershey School. He previews his upcoming LDS-targeted young adult novel, retitled "Coincidences and Miracles: When God Remains Anonymous," a coming-of-age adventure tied to a decades-old boat show intrigue story involving Castro diaries, witness protection, and intertwined families, emphasizing organic fellowship, “tender mercies,” and reaching teens through platforms like TikTok.

    00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
    00:45 Growing Up in Many Churches
    03:18 A Question About Life’s Purpose
    03:51 Meeting Missionaries and Converting
    06:40 Marriage Family and Healing
    07:34 Boat Show Story Becomes a Novel
    09:01 The Gap Years Mystery Hook
    11:34 Coincidences Miracles and New Love
    15:50 Witness Protection World Tour
    19:23 Missionary Work Meet People Where They Are
    21:22 New Zealand Temple Turning Point
    27:23 Reaching LDS Teens and Promoting the Book
    29:43 Hershey Temple Buzz
    31:01 Back to School at 35
    31:59 Teaching on Reservations
    33:44 Milton Hershey School Life
    36:12 Testimony Without Words
    36:54 Writing Malchus
    39:24 Forgotten Voices and Judas
    44:11 Tender Mercies and Alton
    46:32 LDS Authors Marketing
    50:02 Networking and Audiobooks
    52:00 Faithful Closing Message

    In a world full of uncertainty, how does one cope with unbearable loss and pain? A Christmas tragedy finds Steve and Maria struggling to find hope. With the love and support of family and friends, will they find peace as they walk through the fire of Uncertainty?

    momandpopsnaturals.com. Natural Ingredients for a Healthy Life!

    Support the show

    Show More Show Less
    57 mins
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