When you listen to today’s episode, you’ll get fresh, honest insight into how storytelling connects families and opens up real conversations about disability, empathy, and identity. I’m talking with Mila Maxwell, an Atlantic Canadian author whose debut novel is inspired by growing up with her sister, Sarah, who has cerebral palsy. You’ll hear how she transformed personal experience and family truths into fiction — and why that choice became a creative and healing process in itself. Join us as Mila talks about finding the courage to go deeper, have hard conversations, and use writing as a way to heal old wounds and build empathy.
If you’re a podcaster, writer, or creator, you’ll learn:
Why writing fiction can help process complex family stories, especially when memoir feels “too flat.”
How real-life empathy can shape truly authentic creative work.
Ideas for turning your own pain or layered personal stories into safe, purposeful storytelling.
Take a listen — especially if you’re thinking about how to approach sensitive or deeply personal topics in your own creative journey.
Connect With Mila Maxwell
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/milamaxwellauthor
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Chapters
00:00 Welcome and Introducing Mila Maxwell
00:23 Mila’s Novel Title Origin Story
00:26 Inspiration Behind “Finding Lady Baltimore”
00:43 How Fiction Helped Explore Family Truths
00:54 The Moment the Story Idea Hit
01:08 Writing Process and Opening Sentence
01:54 Memoir Versus Fiction — Creative Choices
02:49 Deciding Where Fact Ends, Fiction Begins
03:45 Childhood Memories and Book’s Opening Scene
04:42 Misconceptions About Disability
05:00 Family Walls and Healing Through Writing
06:12 Healing Moments While Writing
07:27 Advice for Writers on Telling Personal Truths
08:02 How Life Roles Shape Creative Perspective
08:29 Surprising Responses from Readers
08:48 Hopes for Conversations on Empathy and Inclusion
09:49 Lightning Round: Getting to Know Mila
10:41 Where to Connect With Mila
11:11 Wrapping Up and Newsletter Invitation