The Engaging Life

Sally Vandeberghe is a lifetime reader and book lover. She's been part of the Roughreaders Book Club for over 24 years.A former marketing copywriter, then stay-home mom, Sally currently works for Integrated Windows as a Hunter Douglas window covering designer. She's always got at least a dozen books on her nightstand and a stack of sticky-flags to mark her favorite passages.  My favorite book is Life of Pi by Yann Martel How she connects through books:  Our mish-mash group of ladies has formed strong friendships through the monthly discussion of books. While the book club started with a group of friends, the Roughreaders quickly added co-workers, neighbors and other book lovers to the mix. You quickly get to know people on a deeper level when you discuss how a book moved your heart or how you identified with a courageous or broken character. We've discussed everything from faith to friendship through the years, by way of books. I also frequently connect with clients through books. While visiting in their home, I'll notice a book on a side table or bookshelf that I've read and it's an instant topic of conversation. Books simply bring people together!

Theodore Wheeler is the author of three novels, including the USA Today bestseller The War Begins in Paris (Little Brown, 2023) and the Amazon bestseller Kings of Broken Things (Little A, 2017). He has won fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, Nebraska Arts Council, and Akademie Schloss Solitude in Stuttgart, Germany. For fourteen years Theodore worked as a journalist who covered law and politics, including the last two presidential elections, and he now teaches creative writing in the English Department at Creighton University. He is also director of Omaha Lit Fest and, with his wife, operates Dundee Book Company, an independent neighborhood bookshop. Learn more about him at theodore-wheeler.com. My favorite book is Speculations About Jakob by Uwe Johnson. How he connects through books: For the last three summers my bookshop has hosted readings in the backyard behind our shop. It's a great time to hear other writers in the area read their work, but also has a social function. We started in May 2021, after a big Covid surge. For many people, it was their first time out in public, which gave the series a lot of meaning from the start.

Jacqelle Lane, M. Ed., a certified DEIB specialist, is a dedicated educator with endorsements in English and English as a Second Language. As the author of "From Bully to Bestie" and "Every Child Matters!", she guides students and educators on navigating bullying and fostering resilience. Jacqelle hosts "Education with an Edge," a podcast on youth and suicide prevention. Formerly a fellow at the Nebraska State Education Association, she advocates for diversity and inclusion. Jacqelle currently serves as Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity & Continuous Quality Improvement at the Omaha Children's Museum. What is your favorite book? One of my favorite books is "To Kill a Mockingbird". Can you give an example or two of times you've connected with others through books? Absolutely! When I introduced my sixth-grade students to "The Giver," the story's themes sparked thoughtful conversations and reflections. Exploring the dystopian world of the book together created a shared experience that deepened our classroom connections and allowed us to explore complex ideas and perspectives. Books have this incredible ability to bring people together and foster meaningful discussions.

Grace Newton works as a commercial real estate broker. She connected with Angela & her husband when they bought an industrial building last year. Over a couple wine nights, Grace and Angela discovered their shared passion for books. Her love of stories started as a kid and now she enjoys reading historical fiction and non-fiction, thrillers, and novels that can leave a lasting impact! Her favorite place to read is on the front porch, sipping a tea with her dogs cuddled up. Favorite book: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah Favorite memory of connecting with someone via a book: doing a book podcast might be my new favorite memory! I love how discussing and sharing books with family and friends can connect across generations and interests.

Angela and Brandon bring the Season of Fun to a close in the finale. They discuss everything they learned and how they will keep bringing new experiences and focus on the present to their future endeavors.

Ashley Quade joins Brandon and Angela to talk about getting involved in the glassblowing class, trying a new coffee drink, and everything else she experienced during this season.

In this episode, Angela and Brandon discuss the fine line between ensuring everyone has fun and being a burden on others who think they always need to have fun. Learn where they fall in the spectrum and how to strike the perfect balance.

Brandon and Angela welcome Fanatic of Fun Bette Case to the show! Listen or watch to learn how Bette’s introversion has transformed over the years and everything she learned while completing the challenges.

Brandon and Angela continue to discuss the Fun challenges in this episode. Tune in to hear about Brandon’s stint as The Great Brandoni and Angela talks about her baking masterpiece (or immense fail?).

The Engaging Life welcomes its second guest of the season, Fanatic of Fun Chris Bober. Listen to Chris talk about his time as an NFL football player, why fun is so important to him, and the challenge that has altered how he views our tech-heavy society.