Talena Winters 12/4/25 Talena Winters 12/4/25

The Season of Darkness and Light

Navigating the holidays can feel like standing in the tension between darkness and light. In this post, I reflect honestly on the irony of December—how twinkly lights, parties, and celebrations can magnify our grief, loneliness, and losses and invite you to find small, intentional ways to make the season merry and bright—for yourself and for someone who needs your light.

Talena Winters 10/16/25 Talena Winters 10/16/25

The Power of No: How Boundaries Create a Better Yes

Learn how the power of no can bring peace, balance, and purpose by helping you say yes to the things—and people—that matter most.

Talena Winters 9/4/25 Talena Winters 9/4/25

The Power of Perseverance

The daily work of achieving our dreams may not be sexy, but it’s the only way to get it done. A pep talk for anyone struggling to stay the course right now.

Talena Winters 6/30/25 Talena Winters 6/30/25

14 Clean YA Fantasy Reads for Teens and Adults by Canadian Authors

Celebrate Canada Day with these clean YA fantasy books by Canadian authors! From mermaids and magical portals to dream-walking vigilantes and ancient secrets, these highly rated reads deliver adventure, heart, and imagination—perfect for teen and adult fantasy fans alike.

Talena Winters 6/16/25 Talena Winters 6/16/25

Become the Hero: How to Rewrite the Stories We Tell Ourselves

I’ve been thinking a lot about the lies we tell ourselves—the stories that shape our lives, often without us realizing it. In this post, I’m exploring how these stories work in fiction (and real life), how to spot the ones holding us back, and how we can choose to rewrite them. It’s about becoming the hero of your own story—on purpose.

Talena Winters 6/2/25 Talena Winters 6/2/25

Suspending Disbelief: How Writers Ruin Fictional Stories

I’m a pretty forgiving audience and have no problem suspending disbelief to enter into the story, but there are a few things that ruin that experience. Here are my top three.

Talena Winters 4/21/25 Talena Winters 4/21/25

Flight to Neverland: Why We Love Peter Pan

I’ve loved Peter Pan in all his forms for as long as I can remember, and my kids have caught the Neverland bug too. This post is a celebration of the story’s enduring magic, the lessons it teaches us, and why growing up doesn’t have to mean letting go of wonder.

Talena Winters 3/3/25 Talena Winters 3/3/25

The Secret to Being More Human

How reading lots of different kinds of books can make us better humans and better as a culture and race. Plus a new short story.

Talena Winters 2/7/25 Talena Winters 2/7/25

Of Beauties and Beasts: How Damaged Heroes Point to Redemptive Love

My obsession with the Tale as Old as Time in all its iterations, and why I believe it resonates with us so deeply.

Talena Winters 1/17/25 Talena Winters 1/17/25

The Good, the Bad, and the Wicked

In which I explore the Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (both the book, the Wicked musical, and the history of this story), and what Elphaba and Batman have in common.