The Things That Bind Us: Mike Brown's Journey to Publishing Books That Inspire Us

Rooted and Reaching

This week host Marty Mechtenberg and Susan Ford talk with Mike Brown, Founder of SOULSTIR Publishing. Mike shares his remarkable journey from personal reflection during 2020’s challenges to the establishment of his publishing company. In sharing his family’s impactful story and his deep-rooted connections with Notre Dame, Mike reveals how he found his purpose and began to inspire others through empowering stories.

Listen this week as we explore the publishing industry, creative control, and the South Bend-Elkhart community’s schools and organizations.

QUOTES

• “I tried to figure out what I could do. What I learned through that process is that I'm an invigorating force. I bring a lot of energy to any room that I enter. I inspire people. I motivate people. So I decided to take what that meant, and it became something that stirs your soul.” -Mike Brown [02:18]

• “Publishing, to me, still feels old-fashioned in a sense. I think it's easy to romanticize publishing. There's something about the craft of holding a book in your hands, the artwork, the design, and even the choices of the font in the book and the thickness of the pages.” -Mike Brown [19:08]

TIMESTAMPS

(00:12) Mike Brown's Journey to Founding SOULSTIR Publishing

(04:51) Honoring A Grandmother's Legacy Through Community Service And Storytelling

(16:02) The Journey of Self-Publishing and Building a Publishing Company

(31:57) Using Voices and Engagement to Enhance Children's Storytime

(34:23) Community Engagement and Collaboration in South Bend

RESOURCES

Mike Brown: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mb7231979/

CONTACT

Martin Mechtenberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-mechtenberg-515a648/

Susan Ford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-howard-ford-8446441/