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In this episode
Anne-Marie Cannon is joined by author Barbara Stark-Nemon, whose novels span centuries and borders. They dive into Barbara’s newest historical novel, Isabela’s Way, set in Inquisition-era Portugal, Spain, France, and Germany, and explore how history lives on through family memory, travel, and storytelling.

Topics we cover

• Isabela’s Way and the history behind it
• The Inquisition and why it’s still misunderstood
• Embroidery as coded communication and safe passage
• Refugee histories and inherited resilience
• “Unexpected allies” and resisting black-and-white narratives
• Emotional truth vs. historical accuracy
• How genealogy and DNA uncover hidden pasts
• Writing as an encore career and the path to publication

About Barbara Stark-Nemon
Barbara Stark-Nemon is the author of Isabela’s Way, Even in Darkness, and Hard Cider. A self-taught historian and traveler, her work explores resilience, identity, and survival across turbulent historical moments.

Connect with Barbara

• Website: https://www.barbarastarknemon.com
  
  
• Substack: https://barbarastarknemon.substack.com
  
  
• Barbara is also available for book clubs (via Zoom or in person when local).

More from Armchair Historians

• Show notes include links to everything discussed, ways to support the show, and a free short story downloadintroducing Bedlam, from Anne-Marie Cannon’s forthcoming historical fiction series.
• Website: https://www.amcannon.com
  
  

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