I did it! I recorded a podcast episode!

I know, I know, it’s been over a half year. Where have I been? READING AROUND THE WORLD.

At the end of 2023, I started a quest to read a book by an author from every country around the world in alphabetical order and I embarked on that journey with lots of trepidation, hesitation, and reluctance. My muse had been nagging me for over two years to start this quest, but I had excuses and concerns. (For example, there are too many countries. Also, the books would probably be boring. p.s. Did I mention how many countries there are? 197!)

But my muse would not relent, and as my new quest built momentum, I stopped podcasting and instead shared my journey on TikTok. That was a new endeavor and it took a lot of bandwidth to get used to filming and editing videos. I didn’t have the time or inclination to podcast while I was doing that. Besides,I was already talking a lot on Tiktok–what more could I possibly say during a podcast episode? How much talk from Courtney Henning Novak does the world actually need?

Yet I missed podcasting, and once my Read Around the World quest had sufficient momentum, my muse nagged me to resurrect Adventures With My Forties. I told my muse I needed to clean the bathroom. She told me to hire cleaners. I told my muse that the people who enjoy my TikToks would not be interested in my podcast episodes. My muse rolled her eyes and told me to stop whining and record an episode already.

So here I am.

Why did I start my Read Around the World quest? Because my muse would not leave me alone.

And now why I am podcasting again? Same damn reason.

My muse is a relentless diva who gives zero figs about back to school nights and errands and cluttered countertops, but she was right about the Read Around the World quest. DID I MENTION I’M GOING TO BRAZIL IN TWO WEEKS??? Since my muse knows how to generate some interesting adventures, I’m going to lean in again and answer the call to podcast.

Hello. How’ve you been??