The Podcast Chronicles

by Kathryn Dodson

Sue Cleary has reached the end. Her kids are off to college, her husband travels more than he’s home, and she’s resigned to the boring decades to come. But when a greedy developer decides to build a tacky resort and theme park near her idyllic Colorado home, Sue must act. When her efforts to start a podcast and build a team to rally the community are met with developer money, political opposition, and a troll, her battle to save her home seems lost and her family starts to crumble under the strain. Will she save her town, and perhaps discover a new passion for life? The Podcast Chronicles is a humorous and inspiring women’s fiction novel.

Genres: Fiction, Amazon, Womens Fiction

208 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 12, 2023

Reviews

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading Kathryn’s Tequila Midnight and was excited to see what The Podcast Chronicles held. What I found was a great read.
This fast-paced women’s fiction story finds one woman who is determined to save her community from those who want to bring about unwanted change. The characters are well developed and fully realised making them easily relatable. You will like some and others not so much but either way they are well written.
Sue is at a stage in her life where she doesn’t have to focus on family. Feeling a bit adrift she pours her heart and soul into her beloved town to stop developers trying to rip it apart. She decides to take the bull by the horns and show others that she means business.
Kathryn has cleverly woven twisty threads together to give us a tale that I was so invested in and wanted to lend a helping hand to the MC. She has added elements that make it hard to put down with challenges, greed, drama, family and frustration just to name a few. Her writing skills kept the pages turning because I had to know what was going to happen next.
If you like a tale with a bit of humour, backbone, grit and determination then this is a book for you.
I must say I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and eagerly look forward to reading more from this author.

[Inez S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

More, more, more! When I reached the end I wished there was more to read to follow the journey of the book’s heroine, Sue Cleary, as she tries to save her beloved valley and its beautiful landscape from it’s potential destruction. Through Sue and the people she befriends, this book addresses so many issues facing women today from identity to career-changes, to being a wife and mother and empty-nesting, to finding one’s purpose and ultimately reinventing oneself. Using her own life and career experiences, the author, Kathryn Dodson, weaves together many relevant issues through compelling storytelling including civic engagement, advocacy, grassroots organizing, leveraging current technology to spread one’s message, chauvinism, staying true to one’s convictions and finding one’s meaningful path forward. I personally gained insight and guidance from this book that I can immediately apply to my life, which is an unusual outcome for me from reading a novel. I can’t wait for a sequel to this book so I can continue on this journey with Sue and her friends/comrades!

[Lorralei Hoerner · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I really enjoyed this story. The friendships that are built and the fight you have within....Sue Cleary is finding her way. Being a stay at home mom, being an empty nester is soon coming. When a big shot believes building a big tourist attraction, Sue does not want her beautiful community to be roped in the fast lane. Finding strength to fight this idea coming...her mission is to make things right.

Wonderful story and I loved Sue's character...she is totally relatable and I love the fight and spirit in her and the challenges she faced...

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think may women can identify with Sue Cleary. She's a wife, mom, raising 4 boys (2 are away at college, 2 are still at home), and trying to find where she belongs in this world. She's trying to soak up all the precious minutes she has left with her two youngest boys before they leave the nest and that brings a new perspective to Sue's life. What point does her life serve once her boys are gone? She's been a successful CPA before she and the hubby decided to settle down and start a family.

A magazine article catches Sue eye and lights a fire in her belly when she learns about a developer wanting to turn the beautiful land of Durango, Colorado, into an amusement style park. So many things just don't set right with her about this but she's really not sure what to do about it. Her son mentions that she should start a podcast about her thoughts and, while she has no experience in that area, she decides to give it a try. Along the way, she forms friendships with 2 very strong willed women who stand with her in their plight to take down this developer and save the land that they care so much about.

This was very well written and focuses on the powers of strong women and friendship. I found this book to be very inspiring and empowering. There are several issues that are overcome through the bonds formed in this trio of women.

[TaniaRina · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Fight City Hall” is not merely a catch phrase…
…it means something to our MC. Sue picks herself up by her bootstraps after a melancholy morning of coffee and college-for-her-sons reflections. She finds a project, nay, a mission that calls to her soul.


The author uses the term ‘Mountain Disneyland’, which brought back many childhood memories of growing up in a small city just east of the original Disneyland. Many folk from my school days still live there and gather for baseball, concerts, and picnics. That’s the life, I tell you!
On the other hand, my current city is ramping up construction in our foothills for new homes and businesses. At some point (hopefully soon), the land taxes will help us pay for a much-needed regional hospital.

What’s one to do when both sides have value?


Some other life questions to ask:
How far am I willing to go to win?
How well do I communicate with my loved ones?
How well am I balancing self-care with caring for others?
How would I describe my dream career? Free time? Retirement?


May we all find a passion project and enjoy the little side trips along the journey.
#ThinkDifferentlyAboutYourself

[Robin Rankin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Podcast Chronicles

I felt a kinship with Sue from the beginning. She and I are the same age and trying to figure out the next steps in life now that the kids no longer need us like they used to. The prospect of having to figure the next path to take is not only hard but also scary.

Sue evolved and developed her own identity and learned so much about herself as well as others. She is no longer Gabe's wife and the boys mom but she is now Sue and I loved every minute of it.

I enjoyed the book and hope to see Sue again.

[Jessie Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

We need a second book!!
I am so invested in what is going on in Sue’s life and am eager to see it continue on.
Everything that goes on and through women’s minds as they journey through life is here: working Mom vs. Stay at home Mom, what to do when your kids grow up, not following the same path as divorced parents, not jumping into new relationships, making adult friends, chauvinists, working in male dominated fields.
It’s ALL here and discussed.

A great reminder that life is what YOU make it, to stand up for what you believe in, to never stop growing/learning and always tell your loved ones how you feel.

I am hoping for a sequel for sure!

[Rayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

One inspirational lady
The Podcast Chronicles is an inspirational story. It addresses issues faced by women regarding careers and returning to work after being a stay at home mum. Sue is a great character, she is steadfast and motivated to achieve her goal. The author covers so many topics but delivers them in an engaging and entertaining way. Recommend.

[Daryian · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5
This book was so good! I read it one day. This was my first read by this author and I will be reading more.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a heartwarming and inspiring read which had me captivated throughout. Set in Durango, Colorado, fifty year old Sue Cleary worries that she’s lost her mojo having left behind her career as a high powered forensic accountant to raise her four boys. Now her sons have left home and with a touch of ‘empty nest syndrome’, Sue is bored. When she discovers that her beautiful town and its idyllic community is about to be destroyed by the plans of a New York developer, she is determined to defend her picturesque hometown. In order to stop it from becoming a tasteless tourist trap Sue goes about recruiting an environmental attorney and even gets her tech-savvy son to help with podcasting.
However, it turns into the fight of her life as she confronts corrupt politicians and a conniving businessman, whilst contending with online trolls and unexpected betrayals. As Sue regains her passion and her mojo she becomes her hometowns champion as she stands up for a good cause, and realises the strength of her friendships. This was a wonderfully written novel with a great main character who is both likeable and relatable, the smart and feisty Sue with her inspirational personality, and I love that she’s a ‘later in life’ heroine as this is rare in novels. The descriptive narrative brought the setting vividly to life and I felt fully immersed in the storyline. This was an enjoyable and engaging read, and one which I definitely recommend.

[Kerry carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really enjoyable women's Fiction read. This story had me captivated from the beginning. I really felt for our leading lady Sue. With her children growing up and leaving home she is left with "empty nest syndrome " she finds herself questioning her worth and wondering what she has left now her children have left. She is so used to playing the role of mother and wife that without being a mother she now feels lost and without purpose.
That is until she sees that a developer is wanting to build a theme park in her little village. Sue has now found something that she is passionate about again and that is stopping the theme park being built. As we follow this story we see Sue regain her passion and drive as she starts a podcast to get the community to come together against the developer. However it's not that simple, with political opposition, the developers money and a troll, how can Sue stand against such forces who are determined to ruin her village.
Does Sue stand any chance of stopping the theme park being built? With all her energy and effort being focused on this mission what is the effect going to be on her family?

This story really spoke to me as my own child is getting older and I know I will find myself in a similar position that Sue is in and will need to find something to fill the gap that being a mum makes. I was inspired by her fight and determination to stand up for something she believes in and not to back down no matter the odds against her.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great book and was so easy to read. In this book we meet Sue, a mother of 4 boys who had previously been an extremely successful accountant, but who had been out of the workforce raising her sons for the past 20+ years. Now that the boys are pretty well grown, Sue realizes that it's time for her to decide what her next endeavor should be. When she discovers the plans to build an extremely oversized resort and theme park in her quiet and beautifully serene town, she realizes that the solitude she currently enjoys is being threatened by this impending monstrosity. With the help of family and friends, Sue launches an initiative to prevent these newcomers from moving in. However, there are many different things going on in Sue's life that she must deal with. She is having marital problems with her husband Gabe, who spends more time in Denver than he does with his wife and children. She's had a rough past with her mom and has strived to live her life in a way her mother hadn't so that she doesn't end up like her mom did. She also faces opposition on the fight against this new theme park. She launches a podcast chronicling this new proposed theme park, which slowly gains momentum. But will it be enough to sway the city council from approving this new theme park? And can she work out the relationships with her husband and mother?

[La Toya · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Podcast Chronicles by Kathryn Dobson is a really inspiring story. Sue Cleary is a 50-year-old married mom of four, who is trying to figure out her next steps in life. Her last two children are leaving home soon and she is trying to figure out in what direction she wants her life to head. When she gets wind of an out-of-town developer who is planning to build a resort in Durango, her hometown, she decides she can’t let that happen. Sue was a very relatable character. Listening to her struggle with finding her place after motherhood and trying to reconcile who she was then to who is now is something so many women and mothers struggle with. It was nice to see that despite her flaws, Sue benefited from major character development. It was frustrating to listen as she ran away from her issues and projected a lot of judgment and blame. However, by the end of the story she had resolved these things and learned a great deal. Sue proved that you don’t have to have all the answers, even later in life. She also gave a lot of inspiration for how to follow your dreams and start something new at any stage.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Podcast Chronicles
By: Kathryn Dodson

This is a fantastic story about friendship. The main character is Sue Cleary - she has been a wife and mother for a long time and she is unsure of where she fits now. She is wondering what meaning her life will have once all her kids are grown. She gave up her career to stay home and raise her family. When Sue reads an article about a land developer who wants to build a new amusement park. This really ignites something in Sue, and her son suggests that she start a podcast about her feelings. Through this venture she meets two more women and they form a fantastic friendship as they bond over a common mission.
This book was absolutely wonderful. I know many people can relate to the point where Sue is in the beginning. Looking at her life and wondering what happens next. I know I have been there. I also love that she takes something that is bothering her and turns it into a mission going forward. Her friendships she creates through this are absolutely wonderful. I definitely love this trio of women. I definitely recommend this story as it will leave you inspired and just feeling warm and fuzzy about the world.

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fascinating piece of work. She was finding herself at an intersection in her life. Her last two boys at home were growing up and getting ready to leave the nest. Her husband was always gone and distracted with his business. Some big developer wanted to come in and tear up the beautiful valley of Durango, where she lived and raised her boys. Oh, the challenges she faced. I could so relate to this story. I don't really know what my job is now that I'm raising my grandson. I was an empty nester for 1-2 years. I don't live in Durango but I've actually been to the town since I live a couple of hours from it and Silverton. They are so beautiful and don't need stinky developers in there. We fight that all the time. They have invaded Montrose and Grand Junction. Ruined the beauty of the mountains. I loved watching her develop her podcast. I've often thought of that but fear gets me. She is a strong character and watching her fight for what she loves is inspiring and makes you believe in things again. As far as women's fiction goes, this is one of the best I've read this year. I hope there is more from this author on this character.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

The Podcast Chronicles by Kathryn Dodson is a fantastic women’s fiction story, with inspirational elements, family dynamics, a case of empty-nest syndrome, challenges, high stakes, politics, corporate greed, family dynamics, determination, staying true to yourself, standing up for what you believe in, community, perseverance, and finding purpose.
Sue Cleary has a case of ‘empty-nest syndrome’ and is at a bit of a loss of what to do with herself. We follow along as she finds new purpose, as she endeavours to save her idyllic town/community from greedy corporate developer.
One of my favourite movies is a bit of an Australia ‘cult’ classic called ‘The Castle’ – and this book/story reminds me of that, having the same kind of vibe happening. I can see this making a great movie too.
This is different from the other book of Ms. Dodson’s that I have read, ‘Tequila Midnight’- but proved to be just as enjoyable. It definitely showcases Ms. Dodson’s versatility as an author.
Looking forward to more from Ms. Dodson.
Happy Reading…

Thank you, Kathryn Dodson!

[Sydney Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Women Wonder What's Next
At last, a book that addresses what all women “of a certain age” fear! What am I supposed to do once my kids have left home and the career I sacrificed to raise them is no longer an option? There’s only so much baking and cleaning a person can do. How can I remain relevant? How can I give my life meaning? How can I remain interesting and attractive to my husband whose career is soaring?

Kathryn Dodson addresses these everywoman concerns in her latest book The Podcast Chronicles.

We “get” Sue Cleary. We understand her insecurities and her frustrations, and we admire her passion for her gorgeous mountain community that is at risk of becoming commercialized in the tackiest way imaginable. We root for her and want her to triumph over the unscrupulous developers. And we cheer when she learns that she has value, that she is worthy of attention and she can make a significant difference to her world.
If you love vivid descriptions of alpine settings, page-turning suspense, and down-to-earth characters you can relate to, The Podcast Chronicles is for you.

[Tausha Treadway · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Podcast Chronicles by Kathryn Dodson. I loved this book. Its the story of Sue Cleary who is the mom to 4 kids, 2 in college and 2 still at home. She had come to believe that her life is at the end. The kids don't need her as much and her husband is always gone, what is there for her to do. When a greedy developer comes to town and tries to turn her pretty little Colorado town into a tourist trap she finally speaks up. Having found something meaningful to tackle she's on the developers quickly. While trying to save her town from the touristy theme park she meets all kinds of new people and figures out that her life is far from over and is really just beginning in a new and exciting way. Will Sue and her new friends win over the big bad corporation trying to ruin their town? Read this fun Women's fiction to find out!

[Katie Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Podcast Chronicles tells the story of Sue Cleary, wife and mother who is really trying to find herself a new purpose as her children are all reaching adulthood and her husband is often away on business. When Sue learns that a developer has come to their town of Durango with plans to construct a resort near her home. She springs to action, with a fiery passion, to keep this development from taking place. But can she convince others to see her view of how harmful the resort would be? I loved Sue's character very much and admired her strength and courage to fight for what she truly believed was right for her community. The story was beautifully written, characters were well-developed and by the end, I wanted more! And I will be looking for more. Such a delightful read. Thank you, Kathryn Dodson.

[Stephanie Claypool · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winning female protagonist for Kathryn Dodson
The Podcast Chronicles is one of those stories that has you rooting for a protagonist in pursuit of a worthy goal. It also proves that when we want something badly enough, we have almost everything we need inside ourselves. Add a little help from friends and loved ones, we can be unstoppable.
I also identified with Sue because I’m a former corporate type, turned mom, and now an empty-nester, also making my second career.
Put all together, The Podcast Chronicles is an engaging story with a worthy cause, and beautiful location, and a great ensemble of characters.
I look forward to more books by Kathryn Dodson. If you haven’t read her other book, Tequila Midnight, I highly recommend it too.

[Kerry Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an engaging and uplifting story, focusing on a character a later in her years than most stories. It was great to watch the character develop as she discovered more about who she is now. I think this book caught my attention more for having kids. This future is the one that many women will face and to see someone face it with such vigor is great, even if it is just a character.
This author is still relatively new to me but I like the writing style that applies across her books. Just like with this one, they are enjoyable yet easy to read, the kind of book you can easily while away an afternoon with. This was a great story with a brilliant character. I would definitely recommend this book.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really refreshing book to read and something a little different than I normally would choose to read. The way in which the book is written really did make me connect with the main character Sue. She was such an uplifting and positive character; it showed her embracing new times in her life and the things that were important to her. I loved the connection she had and friendships she had with the other characters that appeared in the book. I think there are probably themes in this book that people can definitely relate to. The author made the characters in this book really accessible and likeable, some more than other though to be fair!
I am really looking forward to reding more from this author in the future.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

When her beautiful mountain community is threatened by a tasteless resort/theme park, Sue springs into action. She has time on her hands with her children leaving the nest and her husband away on business more often than not. Sue is on a mission to save her bucolic town and reinvent her life. This well-written novel takes us through the highs and lows of Sue’s campaign challenging city hall with its misogyny and good ole boy politics. She makes friends with smart, savvy women who help launch her influential podcast. So much to love from the uplifting message about female empowerment, the intrigue with Sue’s marriage, and the evocative descriptions of the Colorado landscape. I also recommend Kathryn Dodson’s suspenseful novel, Tequilla Midnight.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Tequila Sunrise, I knew I wanted to read more from Kathryn Dodson. The audio version of Podcast Chronicles is read by Katie Hagaman, and I felt she read the part of Sue Cleary spot on- a determined woman, with a human side as she tries to save her town. I felt Katie captured the "can-do" attitude (with some hiccups) and growth mindset and resilience Sue's character showed. The narration was also stellar and capturing the wide range of emotions Sue goes through, from her marriage to politicians to fellow town citizens. I would recommend the audiobook to anyone interested in standing up for what is right, for believing in a cause, and I personally enjoyed how the cause was environmental and saving hometown values.

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story that I enjoyed reading from beginning to end. A story that is well written and hard to put down. A story about standing for a cause and friendship. The passion is missing, will the passion that is missing be found? You don’t want to miss this story. This is a story that is written with a lot of heart and soul. A story where the characters pull you into their world with ease and keep me engaged to the end. There is great growth of the characters as well as the plot throughout. This is a fast paced, easy and entertaining story. It is a great story that I highly recommend.

[Dawn Daughenbaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars
The Podcast Chronicles by Kathryn Dodson

The Podcast Chronicles is an Inspirational Women’s Fiction that I absolutely loved reading. This was the perfect book to curl up on the couch and I found myself lost in the pages I found myself relating to Sue and the empty ness syndrome as when my daughter left for college I was lost and felt like I had no purpose so I got a pet pig. Sue is a determined women once she catches wind of what is being planned to go down in her town. Follow along as she finds her new purpose in this fast-paced story I highly recommend reading this book to find out what happens next. I’m looking forward to reading more from this Author.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this is outside of my usual genre choice, I was not disappointed! This was a great "coming-of-age" story…for a woman who's children are on the cusp of becoming grown and now she is left wondering where she fits in in the world. Sue is such a relatable character that I think many, many readers will be able to understand and empathize with her on some level. This is a clean, refreshing read where you root for the main character the entire time...because you see some of yourself in her. I thoroughly enjoyed Dodson's character development of Sue and how well her plot was paced and planned out. This book has a more modern Erin Brockovich vibe and I'm here for it.

[Manda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything I'd hoped it would be, and so much more. When I read what this was going to be about, I was excited, mostly because, I was there. When I read this book, it was like she was mirroring my feelings, about life, about kids, about marriage, about it all. and I was just THERE... Through the tears, the anger, all of it. Let me just say, this book was so much more than just what it was written about. The Podcast Chronicles opened eyes. It shows you that you can do more than you believe, even when you thought that you couldn't... And for that, and so much more, Kathryn Dodson has done a PHENOMENAL job with this book. I can't wait to read more of her work.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished reading this book last night and then saw an obituary in the Denver Post this morning for Klee Benally, a Navajo activist and steward of the land. Luckily, there are real people fighting for preservation of natural beauty, just like the characters in this story. Being from Colorado, I appreciated the Durango setting and enjoyed getting to know the characters. My favorite by far was Amanda.

Now for my political comment — please elect politicians who are honest and really care about the people and areas they represent, not ones who just want the power of the positions.

[Chapters_with_VDKeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sue Cleary, former business professional and current soccer mom, takes on city hall when big business threatens to turn her beloved hometown into a theme park. Through a series of provoking podcasts and with the help of like-minded friends, Sue wages war against the powers that be. A war that has taken a surprising turn when secrets are unveiled and relationships are pushed to the brink. These characters are women you can cheer for. Kathryn Dodson serves up a story that is full of determination and strength leaving you with a satisfying feeling of fulfillment.