{"author_name":"Notes from the Edge","author_url":"https://art19.com/shows/notes-from-the-edge/episodes/d70a34af-09f1-449a-be4c-fa06a567299c","description":"<p>Some of the most important conversations happen in the gray areas.</p><p>In this episode of <strong>Notes From the Edge</strong>, Lisa Lacy sits down with author and former military officer <strong>Richard Spegal</strong> for an honest conversation about leadership, identity, creativity, mental health, and the stories we build around ourselves to survive.</p><p>Richard shares his journey from serving in the military to becoming an award-winning fantasy and paranormal author, explaining how writing became more than a career. It became a lifeline.</p><p>Together, they explore:</p><ul>\n<li>Why creativity can become a survival strategy</li>\n<li>The difference between media myths and the reality of living with bipolar disorder</li>\n<li>Why morality is rarely black and white</li>\n<li>How fiction can reveal deeper truths about the human experience</li>\n<li>The importance of talking openly about mental health instead of relying on stereotypes</li>\n<li>The question at the heart of <em>Notes From the Edge</em>: <strong>What did you perform in order to survive?</strong>\n</li>\n</ul><p>Whether you’re interested in psychology, leadership, trauma, storytelling, or simply understanding people a little better, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at the complexities that make us human.</p><p><strong>Find Richard Spegal and his work:</strong><br> <strong>Website:</strong> <a href=\"https://richardspegal.com/\" target=\"_blank\">https://richardspegal.com</a><br> Explore his novels, including <strong>Eternal Nights</strong> and the <strong>Wolves &amp; Ravens Trilogy</strong>, along with book trailers, updates, and upcoming releases.</p><p>If this conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.</p><p><strong>I’m Lisa Lacy, Writer, Trauma Educator, Executive Advisor, and author of the upcoming memoir Notes From a Certified Madwoman.</strong></p><p><strong>Learn more at:</strong> <a href=\"http://www.lisalacy.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>www.lisalacy.com</strong></a></p><p><strong>Welcome to the Edge.</strong></p><p></p>\n<p></p><p><strong>Notes from the Edge with Lisa Lacy</strong></p><p>Human conversations about trauma, identity, recovery, reinvention, relationships, leadership, and the lives we build after survival. </p><br> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href=\"https://pcm.adswizz.com\" target=\"_blank\">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>","html":"<iframe src=\"https://art19.com/shows/notes-from-the-edge/episodes/d70a34af-09f1-449a-be4c-fa06a567299c/embed\" style=\"width: 720px; height: 200px; border: 0 none;\" width=\"720\" height=\"200\" scrolling=\"no\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"></iframe>","provider_name":"ART19","provider_url":"https://art19.com","title":"Truth in the Shadows: Mental Health, Identity & the Stories We Tell Ourselves","type":"rich","version":"1.0","width":720,"height":200}