📘 Episode Synopsis In this episode of Classroom Narratives: Healing and Education , Dr. Joey Weisler sits down with author and educator Lincoln James , whose work spans decades, genres, and emotional terrain. Known for his haunting thrillers and his compassionate presence in the classroom, Lincoln shares how his novels— We Are Human , Written Just for You , The Vanishing Eight , and more—explore the unspoken corners of grief, love, and identity. Together, they unpack how storytelling can be both a survival instinct and an act of healing, and why the same empathy that drives a good novel can transform how we teach, connect, and lead. 🗝️ Show Notes Guest: Lincoln James — author of We Are Human , Written Just for You , The Vanishing Eight , Devils Like Us , and All the Time ; Communication professor in New York City. Host: Dr. Joey Weisler, creator of Classroom Narratives: Healing and Education. Key Topics: Humanity in Horror: How We Are Human reframes Frankenstein-like themes to explore trauma, identity, and survival in a fractured world. Thrillers as Emotional Architecture: Why thrillers allow readers to confront fear, loss, and shame in “safe” emotional spaces—and why catharsis matters. Teaching Through Storytelling: Lincoln’s reflections on how his classroom work mirrors his fiction: guiding students to find voice, confidence, and meaning through narrative. From Fourth Grade to Fiction: A childhood teacher who said “yes” to his stories sparked a lifetime of creative courage—and shaped his teaching philosophy today. The Writer’s Craft: Lincoln’s meticulous research process—character sheets, historical detail, and authenticity that brings each era to life. Sustaining Creativity Without Burnout: Why writing “for himself” keeps him balanced while juggling teaching, editing, and nationwide book signings. Connection and Continuity: How all of Lincoln’s books exist within a shared universe of emotional echoes and Easter eggs, inviting readers to look deeper. Looking Ahead: Sneak peek into The Ninth Layer , his upcoming thriller set in 2002, where a college class finds itself trapped beneath the earth—both literally and psychologically. Emotion as the Goal: “If my words can make someone feel something—that’s all I could ever hope for.” Bridging Story and Humanity: Both the classroom and the written page become spaces where courage meets empathy, and where tension meets tenderness. 🔗 Connect with Lincoln James 🌐 Website: thelincolnjames.com 📸 Instagram: @lincolnjjames 📖 New Book : We Are Human (released Tuesday, 11/11/2025!)
