Hiatus Replay S4 EP204: Risa August, Author of The Road Unpaved: Border to Border with a Brain Tumor and a Bike Artwork

Book Banter with Dianne Burckhardt - Book Talk Podcast

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Dianne and her guests shed light on what it takes to be a successful author in today's markets whether as an indie author or traditionally published. Dianne's guests share their insights on their personal journeys to creating a successful writing career. They discuss everything from their writing process, common obstacles in publishing today, marketing, customer engagement, and resources to help create engaging content, and so much more!

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BIO: Dianne Burckhardt is a podcaster and award-winning designer and author (writing as Stephen Burckhardt). Her historical fiction series, The Into the West Saga Serial is complete and she is currently writing her medical memoir Free Bad Haircut With Each Craniotomy. Dianne is an American from Wichita, Kansas, but currently resides in Germany with her Chilean husband, and their Russian rescue dog, Shaggy. She is also a proud bonus mom to twin adult daughters in Chile.

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Book Banter with Dianne Burckhardt - Book Talk Podcast

Hiatus Replay S4 EP204: Risa August, Author of The Road Unpaved: Border to Border with a Brain Tumor and a Bike

January 07, 2026 • Dianne Burckhardt • Season 4 • Episode 204

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Happy New Year People,

We have finally crossed over into 2026 and are getting closer to the start of Season 5! But for today, we have got an incredible replay from Season 4! In this inspiring episode of Book Banter with Dianne Burckhardt – Book Talk Podcast, Dianne chats with the effervescent Risa August, award-winning author, speaker, Gestalt practitioner, and rare disease warrior with sparkles in her hair and a tutu in her bag. Diagnosed with a pituitary tumor over a decade ago, Risa could have let life slow her down. Instead, she chose to pedal harder, live louder, and advocate fiercely for herself and others.

Risa brings her signature blend of wisdom and whimsy to the conversation as we discuss her book, The Road Unpaved: Border to Border with a Brain Tumor and a Bike. She shares how she transformed her journey through illness into a mission of inspiration. With a heart for healing and a flair for fun, she now helps others break through life’s roadblocks by shifting their perspectives and embracing life, fully, fearlessly, and with glitter when necessary.

A former Ironman athlete with a passion for barbells and bikes, Risa continues to thrive on movement, creativity, and joyful exploration. Whether she’s dancing Bollywood, flying on aerial silks, or leading workshops with tiaras and glitter, she reminds us that healing doesn’t have to be heavy. It can be playful, profound, and incredibly empowering.

This episode is a celebration of resilience, authenticity, and living a life unleashed. Tune in and get ready to be inspired.

Subscribe now to the podcast now so you don't miss out on Season 5 beginning Feb. 4. Podcast Guest Applications are now open.

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