I so appreciate the open and honest conversations about writing and the writing life. This podcast regularly reminds me of the value of creativity in my life and the lives of those around me. It encourages me to keep learning, keep writing, and keep dreaming.

As a writer, listening to this podcast always helps me feel motivated to keep writing. People talk about the importance of the people you hang out with, in regards to pursuing your dreams—well the same is true about who you listen to. In this show, Maile & Shawn are both real about the struggles of the creative journey but also are like friends who choose to keep going and by doing so, help you see you can keep going too.

Excellent podcast for any writer at any part in their journey. The hosts feature great interviews and topics, but also transparently reveal their own struggles and successes as writers. The fact that Shawn is a published novelist while Maile continues to submit makes for interest and tension in their story—like any good book. I highly recommend their meaty discussions.

Shawn and Maile are reality based, humble, kind writers I just love to listen to and experience live with - highly recommended!

Listening to The Stories Between Us feels like laughing and visiting with friends over an easy cup of coffee. Shawn and Maile’s gentle voices and easy rapport is soothing, and the content is pure gold. Whether they are interviewing authors or talking about their own writing life challenges, each episode encourages me to keep pursuing a life where creativity can thrive.

I love listening to Shawn and Maile because their conversations don’t just relate to authors who are already published or in certain stages of the writing journey. Since they are in different places with their own writing, they are able to reach ANY writer, even those who are just getting started. Their episodes are also super relevant, which I really appreciate. I’ve only just discovered this show, but I’m planning to go back through old episodes and enjoy more writing encouragement! Thank you for this great podcast, Shawn and Maile!

I’m not necessarily a writer, but I always feel encouraged and empowered to create after listening to Shawn & Maile & their various guests. Thankful to all those who have contributed to this podcast by sharing their voice, their experiences and their stories.

I love this podcast so much. Shawn and Maile talked candidly about their writing and publishing experiences. They also interview fantastic guests. Every episode is a gem!

A wonderful podcast that delves into all parts of writing—the good and the bad. I enjoy listening to this.

Shawn and Maile’e easy banter and vulnerable discussions provide encouragement for a writer on any part of their journey.

In their honesty + respect, Shawn + Maile make a spacious place to dwell with both the weariness + wonder of being a writer. This show is a delight.

I enjoy Maile and Shawn’s conversations with each other and with their guests. As a mom and small business owner cultivating a writing life in the nooks and crannies, I can squeeze episodes into my days and take away practical encouragements and ideas. (And as the oldest of six from a homeschool family of the 80s/90s, I get a kick out of the relatable big family stories.) Thanks for producing the show, you two!

I love hearing your stories on marriage, parenting, writing and creativity! ❤️One of my new favorite podcasts to listen to! Keep them coming!

I am not a writer, but I have listened to every single episode. I have so enjoyed their conversations, stories, the honesty of balancing one another’s dreams in marriage. They also discuss “the work” of creativity being the reward, which translates to any creative outlet or aspiration.

I am not generally a podcast listener. I’m a visual learner, so all that talking is overwhelming for my brain, and I generally avoid it. But I absolutely adore this one. Shawn and Maile are so easy to listen to and so relatable, that it really does feel like sitting down with friends over coffee and being reminded that you aren’t the only one slogging through these experiences and realities. As someone who was never a writer growing up, it’s easy to succumb to the voices in my head that tell me I have no idea what I’m doing and I should just stop trying. Then I listen to Shawn and Maile talk about their highs and lows, struggles and triumphs and ordinary in-betweens, and their imperfect attempts to do the work and love their family, and it really is like someone is breathing life back into that embryonic dream in me to be a writer—in other words to write and to keep writing, regardless of what the terrain of that writing life may look like. I always look forward to these conversations, and I can not recommend more highly that folks spend their precious time listening to THIS one.

Listening to these conversations feels like being handed a gift. Shawn and Maile are candid, vulnerable, and incredibly relatable as they share their experiences with writing and creativity. I’ve laughed and cried, been inspired and challenged. I look forward to new episodes every Tuesday and can’t wait to hear more!

No matter where you are in your writing life, you will benefit from the combined candid wisdom of Shawn and Maile Smucker. I deeply appreciate how honest they are with each other about their successes, their failures, their conflict, and their resolutions. The Stories Between Us is a must-listen for writers—and especially for writers married to each other.

I’m not the most consistent podcast listener but I have listened to all of these episodes. I love the honesty and vulnerability that Shawn and Maile share about their writing journeys. I look forward to every new episode!

I love this podcast--as a writer, a wife and mother, and as a person. It's great.

Though I’m not a writer, I identify so closely with Maile’s struggle to hold being a mom and being creative in the same hand. It seems like an impossible task to be honest, but hearing them speak frankly about the struggles is encouraging and spurs me on to keep trying!

I relate so much with Maile and her struggles as a mom and unpublished writer living with a published writer. I love the authenticity and vulnerability as Shawn and Maile share their experiences and encourage their listeners to write no matter what level of writers they are.

Felt like I was sitting in their living room having a casual, friendly chat about writing. A warmth and honesty comes through as Shawn and Maile openly share their journeys in writing.

Such a warm and genuine interaction between these two writers. I felt encouraged that someday my book will be finished and published. I just need to press on. Thank you for sharing your journey.

As a wannabe writer this podcast is off to such a good start for me. Loved the first episode. I value this couple’s ideas and it’s so refreshing to hear their genuine responses to the world of writing within the husband and wife dynamics. I’m a fan.

When you’re juggling writing with work, homeschool, and parenting, you don’t need podcasts about technique or platform-building as much as you need in-the-trenches writers to just be REAL. You need to hear how they fight for writing time, grapple with doubts, and nurture the creative spark that just won’t die, regardless of the cold water life throws at it. It’s early days, but I think this just might be the writing podcast I’ve been waiting for, the one I want to listen to in the highs and the lows of my writing journey.

Down-to-earth and relatable, the hosts who are husband and wife share their writing journeys. I leave the podcast feeling encouraged and feeling like I’m not alone on my own journey to publishing. I’m looking forward to more episodes!

I don’t listen to podcasts much (rarely, to be honest), but this one is going to have me hooked like This Is Us...anxiously anticipating the next as soon as I finish an episode. Maile’s journey as a mom trying to become something besides a mom echoes my recent life changes so much I just want to reach out and give her a big hug. The Smuckers sound like the kind of people you want to be friends with and have your kids be friends with their kids. Great encouragement for anyone at any stage in becoming a writer AND also for spouses who work together to chase their dreams.

Such a great encouragement for writers! Love the honesty about the various challenges and joys about the writing life.

I am not a writer, but I found this to provide interesting and fun glimpses into the writing journeys of these two writers.