This week's episode features a guest that is very special to me. Claire Isenthal, a mom of two and one of my best friends from college. Oh, the stories she could tell!But lucky for me, we're not talking about those... yet? Instead, she's here to talk about a story she wrote. A few years back, Claire decided to just go for it, leaving her career and focusing on making this book happen, all while raising two babies at home.Episode highlights:The journey going from full-time to part-time to home-all-the-timeThe struggle in asking for help, and/or the guilt that followsHer inspiration and process behind her debut novelAdvice for other aspiring authorsClaire Isenthal graduated from Purdue University and went on to live in Chicago where she worked in Digital Marketing and Ad Sales for more than ten years. She has since relocated her family back to her Indiana hometown, but is still an avid traveler and loves nothing more than to lose herself in a good book.  Her debut novel, The Rising Order, comes out October 3rd, 2023.You can find out more, as well as pre-order your copy on her website OR:https://www.amazon.com/Rising-Order-Claire-Isenthal/dp/B0C1RDNXWHhttps://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-rising-order-claire-isenthal/1143582003You can also follow along on her Instagram, @ClaireIsenthal.Join Mary everyday for a real look into life with 3 crazy ass kids, surviving, thriving, and whatever the F else you might consider over at www.instagram.com/theverymarylife. Or if you're a Tik Tok fan, find me at https://www.tiktok.com/@theverymarylife. And of course, explore more on Theverymarylife.com