In this candid, wide-ranging conversation, Kara sits down with internationally renowned pianist, composer, author, and educator Sara Davis Buechner for a deeply personal discussion about music, identity, aging, politics, and what it means to stay creatively alive in an increasingly hostile cultural climate.

From growing up in a Baltimore suburb to entering Juilliard on her 17th birthday, Sara reflects on the mentors who shaped her, the musicians who taught her how not to grow old, and why great artists never truly retire — they simply keep discovering.

The conversation moves seamlessly between humor and gravity, touching on trans visibility in the arts, political disillusionment in the United States, and why Beethoven’s Ninth might just become a sing-along event in Hiroshima.

** Special thanks to the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for its lovely rendition of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9: Ode to Joy Excerpt 1

SARA DAVIS BUECHNER

Sara’s upcoming performances: https://saradavisbuechner.com/

Instagram: @sdbfan1959

Substack, Facebook, and YouTube: @saradavisbuechner

BlueSky: @sdbue.bsky.social

KARA KAVENSKY

Website: Kara Kavensky

@karakavensky on Substack, FB, IG, LinkedIn and Threads

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, TELL ME ABOUT JOY

Sponsored by: Adam Gibson Design and Remain Relevant, a corporate storytelling masterclass

Produced by: Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by: Adam W. Gibson

CHAPTERS

[01:00] Introduction: Sara Davis Buechner

[03:28] Great musicians don't retire

[05:51] Nurturing a child prodigy

[07:44] Pianos and pig farming

[09:16] Reynaldo Reyes, more than a mentor

[11:19] Teaching others

[12:44] Upcoming projects, no trans biography

[15:40] Doing all the same things, just in a new key

[16:51] Anti-trans sentiment

[19:20] Living and traveling around the world

[20:56] Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in Hiroshima

Kara sits down with psychologist and resilience researcher Dr. Sherry Hamby, author of the forthcoming book, STRONGER THAN YOU THINK: BUILDING LIFELONG RESILIENCE.

Dr. Hamby shares what decades of research — and lived experience — reveal about healing after trauma, why resilience is not about perfection or “toughing it out,” and how people can truly flourish after hardship.

Together, Kara and Sherry explore the disconnect between academic trauma research and real-life recovery, the role of purpose, relationships, and emotional regulation, and why resilience is best understood as a portfolio of strengths — not a single trait.

This conversation blends science, storytelling, and honesty, offering listeners a grounded and hopeful reframe of what it means to be resilient.

STRONGER THAN YOU THINK is available for pre-order now and releases May 26, 2026.

SHERRY HAMBY, PhD

LinkedIn

BlueSky

KARA KAVENSKY

Website: Kara Kavensky

@karakavensky on Substack, FB, IG, LinkedIn and Threads

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, TELL ME ABOUT JOY

Sponsored by: Adam Gibson Design and Remain Relevant, a corporate storytelling masterclass

Produced by: Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by: Adam W. Gibson

CHAPTERS

[01:05] Introduction: Sherry Hamby PhD

[02:47] Background for writing STRONGER THAN YOU THINK

[05:57] Related academic work

[07:32] The challenge of sharing your own story

[10:02] Gaps in research on trauma and healing

[11:03] Research and the current political climate

[12:04] Parenting and potty training

[13:51] Academic writing vs. writing for the general public

It’s inspiration week with Eliz Taylor! The insanely creative and legendary marketing exec joins me to share the down & dirty of her shopping mall maven career in a very male-dominated culture.

Eliz was at the forefront of the rise of the shopping malls during the 80s, where she coined the name “Mall of America” and other historic marketing feats (creating the largest EVER NBA All-Star game audience, and one of the most successful Monday Night Football games — on Halloween — both in Indianapolis).

Eliz’s memoir, THREE JEWS WALK INTO A SHOPPING CENTER, is one of my favorites!

KARA KAVENSKY

Website: Kara Kavensky

@karakavensky on Substack, FB, IG, LinkedIn and Threads

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, TELL ME ABOUT JOY

Sponsored by: Adam Gibson Design and Remain Relevant, a corporate storytelling masterclass

Produced by: Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by: Adam W. Gibson

CHAPTERS

[01:03] Introduction: Elizabeth "Eliz" Kraft Taylor

[01:52] Three Jews Walk into a Shopping Center

[03:16] Innate creativity

[05:02] The Indianapolis 500 Festival

[06:31] The NBA and Simon's great marketing "guy"

[08:03] All talent, no respect

[09:19] The Mall of America and the 1st Race for the Cure

[10:51] The NBA All-Star Game and Monday Night Football

[12:52] Bringing Nordstrom to downtown Indy

[15:16] One of a kind

[19:10] Eliz's advice to women

[21:44] Women in the workplace

[23:36] A memorable memoir

Dr. Sarah Hart-Unger lives a double life. She’s a pediatric endocrinologist and also a podcaster, blogger, and author. Her podcasts are Best of Both Worlds with co-host Laura Vanderkam, and Best Laid Plans.

Her first book, BEST LAID PLANS, is now available with Sourcebooks.

We affirm during our conversation that not everything goes according to plan.

SARAH HART-UNGER

Website: The Shu Box

Podcast: Best Laid Plans

Podcast: Best of Both Worlds

KARA KAVENSKY

Website: Kara Kavensky

@karakavensky on Substack, FB, IG, LinkedIn and Threads

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, TELL ME ABOUT JOY

Sponsored by: Adam Gibson Design and Remain Relevant, a corporate storytelling masterclass

Produced by: Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by: Adam W. Gibson

CHAPTERS

[01:01] Why pediatric endocrinology?

[04:31] A hybrid work life

[08:02] About the book, BEST LAID PLANS

[10:25] Being a runner and qualifying for the Boston Marathon

[12:30] Medical crisis: arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy

[16:47] The loss of a lifestyle and adjusting to limitations

[22:11] Fitness, menopause, and aging

[24:19] Pilates and yoga as alternatives to running

[25:36] What is next?

Some decisions can be the easiest to acknowledge and the hardest to implement. Matt Bays’ first memoir, LEATHER & LACE: A GAY MAN, LOST LOVE, AND A ROAD TRIP WITH HIS DEAD SISTER, chronicles his coming out story.

His latest book utilizes his coaching expertise: HOW TO FIND AND KEEP A GAY MAN: 69 SPICY TIPS FOR LASTING LOVE (Sourcebooks, April 2026).

Matt shares his journey of becoming.

MATT BAYS

Website: https://mattbays.me/

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

Podcast

KARA KAVENSKY

Website: Kara Kavensky

@karakavensky on Substack, FB, IG, LinkedIn and Threads

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, TELL ME ABOUT JOY

Sponsored by: Adam Gibson Design and Remain Relevant, a corporate storytelling masterclass

Produced by: Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by: Adam W. Gibson

CHAPTERS

[01:10] Introduction - Matt Bays, author of HOW TO FIND AND KEEP A GAY MAN

[03:52] LEATHER AND LACE and getting a "do-over" after divorce

[08:03] Losing his sister and finding the courage to come out

[11:06] But wait, there's more!

[14:46] Helping others, working as a life coach

[15:55] Tips for coaching people to live fully

[18:44] What is next for you?

Kara talks with writer and narrative alchemist Robin Finn, MPH, MA, the author of HEART. SOUL. PEN.® She is also the creator of HeartiFacts,® a writing mentorship community.

Robin opens up about her unconventional path to becoming a writer, how spiritual psychology shaped her creative purpose, and why she believes women have “magic” in their words.

The conversation dives into the power of community, why women often doubt the value of their stories, and how consistency—not inspiration—is the real key to a writing practice.

With humor and vulnerability, Robin discusses motherhood, menopause, viral essays, and her passion for helping women finish their heartfelt writing projects.

ROBIN FINN, MPH, MA

Website: Robin Finn

@robinfinnauthor on IG and FB

KARA KAVENSKY

Website: Kara Kavensky

@karakavensky on Substack, FB, IG, LinkedIn and Threads

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, TELL ME ABOUT JOY

Sponsored by: Adam Gibson Design and Remain Relevant, a corporate storytelling masterclass

Produced by: Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by: Adam W. Gibson

CHAPTERS

[01:06] Introduction - Robin Finn

[02:57] What was your journey into writing?

[04:34] What drew you to spiritual psychology?

[07:29] What's your advice for women who want to share their stories?

[08:41] Did you experience a writing community early on?

[10:26] Supportive writing environments and mentors

[11:28] Consistency and the motivation to write

[12:59] Managing comments and feedback

[14:14] Parenting a child with ADHD and hyperactivity

[16:11] Writing about menopause

[18:35] What else are you working on?

David L. Robbins is the best-selling author of The War of the Rats, The Last Citadel, and Liberation Road—all focused on WWII events. Both of David’s parents were WWII Veterans. His mother was a WAC and his father survived the attack on Pearl Harbor.

David is also the creator of The Mighty Pen Project, an intensive writing program for military veterans and their families, in partnership with the Virginia War Memorial.

DAVID L. ROBBINS

Wikipedia

The Mighty Pen Project

The Mighty Pen Podcast is available on YouTube, Apple, and other popular platforms.

KARA KAVENSKY

Website: Kara Kavensky

@karakavensky on Substack, FB, IG, LinkedIn and Threads

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, TELL ME ABOUT JOY

Sponsored by: Adam Gibson Design and Remain Relevant, a corporate storytelling masterclass

Produced by: Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by: Adam W. Gibson

CHAPTERS

[01:10] Introduction - David L. Robbins

[01:36] A budding interest in World War II

[07:46] Enemy at the Gates (a love story)

[09:30] Mom, Dad, and Pearl Harbor

[14:02] A family of military service members

[15:12] A lawyer, a grad student, and a copywriter

[17:58] Pride, bragging, and understanding

[21:29] The Mighty Pen Project

[25:07] Veterans find catharsis while recording history

[28:13] The future of therapeutic writing

[29:19] Kara on healing through writing

Dheepa R. Maturi is an Indian-American writer who explores ecology, culture, identity, and how they intersect. Her essays, poetry, and fiction have appeared in a variety of literary journals and anthologies, including Literary Hub, PANK, The Fourth River, Writer’s Digest, Sequestrum, Tiferet, and How to Write a Form Poem. Her work has been nominated twice for the Pushcart Prize, and she is the author of 108: AN ECO-THRILLER (GFB Press, 2025).

DHEEPA R. MATURI

Website: Dheepa R. Maturi

@DheepaRMaturi on FB, IG, LinkedIn, YouTube

KARA KAVENSKY

Website: Kara Kavensky

@karakavensky on Substack, FB, IG, LinkedIn and Threads

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, TELL ME ABOUT JOY

Sponsored by: Adam Gibson Design and Remain Relevant, a corporate storytelling masterclass

Produced by: Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by: Adam W. Gibson

CHAPTERS

[01:05] Dheepa Maturi - writer and poet

[02:30] What sparked your interest in writing an eco-thriller?

[04:21] Personifying global climate change

[05:45] The meaning of characters' names

[08:48] How did you start writing poetry?

[09:51] How did you approach writing the novel?

[11:30] What was most surprising about putting your book out into the world?

[13:45] Do not despair over ecological grief, landscape loss, and species loss