Em Mamabear McGowan on Grief & Growth | Book Ravers Author in Residence interview Pt. 1

In her first Book Ravers author-in-residence episode, Carl welcomes Rev Em “Mama Bear” McGowan, an ex-bodyguard turned transition guide and care doula living off-grid in rural Castelo Branco, central Portugal. Em shares how a past stroke and a later cancer journey reshaped her life and led her to publish accessible, bite-sized books designed for readers with limited concentration, including neurodivergent people and those recovering from illness or injury. She discusses publishing 'Meeting Your Grief' and 'Rebirthing a Revolution' in 2023 and introduces her 'Now What' series - “Words for the Hardest Moments” - offering guidance through grief, loss, uncertainty, and end-of-life situations, including practical topics like what to do when someone dies in Portugal. Em also describes her organic writing process and how real life rarely follows a linear path. 00:00 Meet Rev Em 00:45 Life in Rural Portugal 02:49 Why She Writes 04:17 Publishing and Accessibility 06:14 Now What Series Focus 10:58 Transferable and Local Guides 12:51 Writing Off Grid Reality 14:33 Organic Process and Wrap Up 16:41 Where to Find the Books