True Fiction Project: S6 Ep 2 - "Your Heart's Voice" Summary
Release Date: March 4, 2025
Introduction
In the second episode of Season 6 of True Fiction Project, host Renita Hora welcomes Renee Green Murphy, an award-winning children’s book author, to discuss her poignant work titled "Your Heart's Voice." This episode delves into the heartfelt journey of transforming personal grief into a meaningful narrative that guides children in understanding and trusting their intuition.
Guest Introduction and Book Overview
Renita opens the conversation by introducing Renee as the author of one of the first children's picture books focused on intuition. She states:
"On today's episode we have a multi award-winning children's book author of 'Your Heart's Voice,' one of the first children's picture books on intuition." (01:26)
Renee shares the genesis of her book, highlighting the absence of children’s literature that addresses intuition. With a background as a New York State certified school counselor and holding three master’s degrees in education, she recognized the need for resources that empower children to make independent, confident decisions.
"In 2018 when I realized there were no other children's books on the market. Picture books about intuition... I have to write my own." (02:18)
Impact of Personal Tragedy
The conversation takes a poignant turn as Renee recounts the tragic passing of her younger brother in a car accident in 2022, an event that deeply affected her family and reshaped the narrative of her book.
"Grief is tremendously debilitating and I found that writing was therapeutic for me, especially in those initial stages of grief." (02:03)
She explains how this personal loss compelled her to revisit and revise her manuscript, transforming it into a tribute to her brother. This emotional infusion enriched the story, adding layers of sincerity and depth.
"I added my brother as a main character, and I dedicated it to him." (03:05)
Book Details and Creative Process
Renee delves into the creative elements of "Your Heart's Voice," revealing the spiritual and symbolic aspects woven into the story. She discusses the name change from Divine to Jade, symbolizing deeper spiritual meanings.
"Jade means the stone of the heart and heavens as well. There's a lot of spiritual subliminal messages in my book." (07:08)
The book features various symbols, such as a cardinal, dragonfly, and turtle, each representing different life lessons and reflecting her brother’s personal mottos and experiences. Renee emphasizes the importance of these elements in teaching children about intuition and making positive choices.
"There's a dragonfly on the COVID which means live life to the fullest. That was my brother's motto." (07:31)
Therapeutic Writing and Storytelling
Renee shares how writing served as a therapeutic outlet during her grieving process, enabling her to channel her emotions and honor her brother’s memory through storytelling.
"I remembered that my heart's voice told me to peel my book back from my closet and go back to writing." (03:05)
She recounts her daily routine of writing by the beach, a place that provides her calmness and a connection to her intuition. This setting became the foundation for completing her manuscript on her cell phone, symbolizing flexibility and resilience.
"That's the first step in listening to your intuition, is having a calm mind." (03:05)
Spiritual Symbolism and Life Lessons
The narrative of "Your Heart's Voice" is rich with spiritual symbolism, reflecting Renee's intent to make complex concepts accessible to children. She explains the significance of various symbols and characters in the book, each serving as metaphors for intuition and personal growth.
"The heart is in indigo, which is your sixth sense... There's a turtle at the beach. We found a turtle right after Robert passed away... it means keep moving forward." (07:31)
Renee also discusses the character development of Jade, the protagonist, and how her interactions with her uncle Robert illustrate the practical application of listening to one's intuition.
"Uncle Robert laughed. 'Your heart's voice. You mean your intuition?' 'Yes, Jade, we all have it.'" (17:10)
Reception and Distribution
"Your Heart's Voice" has garnered significant acclaim, winning three awards, including Family Choice Awards and Mom's Choice Awards shortly after its release. Renee highlights the book's availability across multiple platforms, ensuring accessibility for a broad audience.
"My book, 'Your Heart's Voice,' is available on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, ebook, as well as there's an audible version." (10:44)
She is actively working on expanding the book's reach to more schools and libraries, aiming for national and international distribution to help more children benefit from its message.
"I created the Audible version... It’s circulating quickly, but I would like to expand throughout the country and even internationally." (10:44)
Conclusion and Author’s Message
As the episode concludes, Renee expresses her gratitude for the platform to share her story and encourages listeners to embrace their intuition.
"I know he listened to his intuition because he was so confident. And he would love to be attached to a message like this, to be able to help other children tap into their inner compass and make good choices." (10:22)
Renita Hora thanks Renee for her heartfelt contribution, emphasizing the impact of her work in fostering emotional intelligence and self-trust among children.
How to Access "Your Heart's Voice"
Renee provides information on how listeners can obtain her book:
- Available on Amazon (hardcover, paperback, ebook, Audible)
- Available at Barnes and Noble, Walmart, Target
- Purchase directly from her website: reneegreenmurphy.com
- Currently featured in three schools in New York and 11 libraries, with plans for broader distribution
For more details, listeners can visit Renee’s website or explore the platforms where her book is available.
Final Thoughts
"Your Heart's Voice" exemplifies the True Fiction Project’s mission to transform non-fiction experiences into compelling fiction narratives. Renee Green Murphy’s story underscores the power of storytelling as a tool for healing, education, and inspiration.
Note: Timestamps correspond to the transcript provided and are indicated within parentheses throughout the summary.