Your Happy Hour - The Stack Series ~ "Chance Beginnings” ft. Roberts Essex

Episode Date: September 6, 2026

Welcome to The Stack Series! ✨The Stack Series features new books and emerging authors sharing their stories, inspirations, and journeys with us. In this special episode, we celebrate the launch of a new book into the world written by author Roberts Essex shares his inspiring journey of writing his debut memoir 'Chance Beginnings,' exploring faith, resilience, and the power of storytelling. Discover his creative process, the importance of faith in his life, and advice for aspiring authors.Check out more about Roberts’ and his book here.🎧 Stay tuned for stories that inspire, uplift, and spark your abundant life!The Stack Series is produced by swartkat.co - captured via riverside.fm & shared via rss.com.

And we're back with another field session on the Fields podcast. And we're talking about a new author and a new book today. And this is part of the Stack series, which is a mini series that runs in the podcast. And I've had the immense privilege of interviewing so many beautiful authors as part of the series and discovering new books. And today I have an honor to speak to a author. who has had an incredible journey. So a really, really big welcome to you, Robert Essex, to the Fields Podcast, the Fields Space,

and very specifically the Stack series with your new book. Thank you so very much. Very proud to be here. It's wonderful to have you here. And a big congratulations on Chance's beginnings. It's your debut memoir. Do you want to tell us a little bit about where this book came from? When did you start writing it? How long did it take?

Well, many years ago, when I went back to college, I wound up being a second major in creative writing, which was unusual because when I was in high school, basically the English slit teacher used to have the class stand up and applaud me when I showed up for class. So that was a bit unusual. Now, since I have been practicing, I'm a physician assistant in emergency. medicine. I've written professionally with case presentations. About six months ago, as I saw what Vice President Vance's book was doing and the movie that he made into that, got me thinking, boy, I've had a really full life. And then after years, of course, of reading things like Midnight in the Garden and Seeing Forrest Gump and things like that about Savannah, I thought,

you know, maybe people would just like to see a pleasant story about, a country fellow that's just had kind of a normal life in the 60s and 70s, living the beauty of Savannah, a country boy raising but brought up in the city during some turbulent times and what he went through, nothing to do with murder, nothing to do with illegal acquisition of funds or anything like that. This is just a simple story about a Christian boy, his faith, his resilience and his persistent optimism, as it were. And so that led me to believe that possibly I could sit down and write. This is a godsend, purely and simply, as when I sit down the right, I can actually

see the book unfolding before me, and that's just a pure blessing. So, yeah, that's what led me on and egg me on to do this. I also needed something to trickle in a little bit of income truthfully for retirement. And what the hate? We got people writing books about Togem. I have yet to read those. But thanks for reminding me of them. I love that.

It's true. And I think writing is such a passion. It's something that you do for yourself first and foremost. And I know that, you know, when the publishers put us in touch and they kind of sent your press kit over to me, something that really struck me was, you know, you said in there, I didn't write it to like relive your past, but to free others from theirs, you know, and for other people to kind of heal. So what, can you tell me a little bit more about that? Like, what has been your mission in writing the book and what you want other people to feel? I want people to,

realize that God is with us throughout everything we do in case we forget from time to time, and as humans we always do. And that the path you think you've chosen for yourself is not always going to be the path you're going to be led down. So you have to not only believe and practice your faith, You also have to testify for folks about the love of God and how he can look after you. My journey through life has been a blessing from day one. The character is a reflection of that.

This is a memoir of my life with some changes in some names of some folks. And the character, we modified him a little bit, a change of stories a little bit to be more entertaining. But the main crux of this entire thing is that if you want to live a fruitful life and a happy life as possible, you must trust in something. And in my case, I want folks to trust in God. Read his word, have faith that he'll carry you through, and he's always there for you. When you get knocked down, he's going to be the one that's going to pick you up. This book reflects that there is a bit of a sarcastic second voice in the book, which is actually the little angel that's sat on the chance's shoulder for all of his life.

It's his conscience talking to him in this one. But the next book that comes across, though, is a bit darker and deeper as the story continues. And Chance is reminded so many times of his faith. and that he can't falter in his mission. And we're looking for a lost child, an abducted child in the next book. You'll see that at the end of book number one. I'm giving away maybe too much now, but that's where we're going. And so as the story continues, you'll see that there are constant reminders in our life.

You have to listen. You have to pay attention. God loves you, and he's always going to be there for you. And once you turn your back, that's when things go sour. Those are the big message we need here. It's really beautiful. And I believe in that too. I believe that there's a path for us to walk on.

And sometimes we, as much as we have free will, we are sort of directed upon our past too. And so sometimes it's better just to get out of the way and trust, like you said. It makes life a lot easier along the journey. And each person has a unique story. And so I really appreciate that you were able to kind of bring that little voice in there because I think we all have that nudge and that little voice inside of ourselves that we often hear, but choose not to listen to this. It's funny because as I wrote this, I mean, I wouldn't have thought about a second voice,

but as I wrote this and I would write down a passage or two telling the story, suddenly I would think to myself, yeah, right. or boy, is that a message? And so that little voice is what I brought out in the book for you. He's kind of getting second thoughts from its conscience all the way along the way. That continues on through the series. Changes a bit the next book. It's interesting trying to put an audio book together that way too, because it makes it twice as long

and twice as complicated and twice as expensive. But it's for another audience that needs it. People that can't see, people that want to hear the book and drive to work or on trips or whatever. So we're trying to get this word out to everyone. Yeah, it's important to be able to be okay with the book, being able to translate into different mediums. And I know that's always challenging.

But tell me a little bit about so the book one is chance beginnings. Then book two. So we start off with a child that's born in trouble. He's born with a back problem. And he is delivered in such a rudimentary way during those times that he's injured. and he's got a broken nose. His mother doesn't see him for several days after he's born. This sticks with him for the first few months to years of life.

That's a question of whether he's actually going to make it. But he pulls out. Why? On the faith of his mother. Mom is the inspiration for the child learning about God, developing a relationship with Jesus. And this is a life. building experience for him through his entire childhood into a young adult.

This is a special time now in Savannah. Remember, in the 60s, during the time that they moved from the country into the city, we're dealing with a country that has a brand new president. We're in a new age of prosperity. A space race is taking place. Cars have tail fins back then. And rock and roll is young, and we got drive-in everything, driving restaurants, driving theaters, and a new lease on life for the country.

At the same time, we have a Cold War with Russia, we have the Civil Rights Movement, we have a president who has a brother for Attorney General, and their problems created with that. There's animosity between the brothers and the brothers. leaders with the civil rights movement and with our adversary, the Soviet Union at the time. The mob is involved. The Russians have taken over Cuba, and the mobs lost millions and millions of dollars on an island that previously was pretty much theirs.

So we have problems on our own, and we have a brand new war that has taken a bit of our attention away, Southeast Asia, talking about Vietnam. So among all of these things going on, the city of Savannah at that time is going through its own changes. We have a white supremacist governor, and then within half of that decade, we have another one take over that actually hands out axe handles during race riots. The city is trying to go through an evolution and through all of this in a little hamlet in the east savannah called Avondale is this child, Chance Brogden, and all his friends, and they live in their own isolated little world that's pretty happy and is a time to escape for everybody. So I lead the readers through those formidable years,

his family on both sides, moms and dads, and then into his life. as a young adult. He becomes involved in the city quite a bit. First as a paramedic and then as a police officer. You do odd jobs during your life. Sometimes things you wouldn't think of doing. He always wanted to be a company man and not a jack of all trades and a master of none like his dad. But you do what you have to to make a live it. And so he's even a even a radio announcer for a while. Tries to stay married. A couple of marriages go bad.

The one that is the highlight here, last 13 years, there are ups and downs and downs, more downs than ups. They finally have a child, and there's an ulterior motive to that from at least the wife's point of view. And you'll see that unfold, and that's a disastrous end.

That's where the book reaches its climax, kind of a cliffhanger because then you have a child that I have to look for and the next book out The Search picks up on that and that's like The book is called The Search

It's called Chance the Search Yes That'll be ready in probably a month or two and if you pick up book two and read it first won't make a lot of sense so please pick up book one first Okay, for anyone who's listening, there we go.

First beginnings and then the search. So what a journey, what a journey that you were writing about? And for me, what kind of sticks out is I hear that like you were mentioned, kind of resilience and faith. But also as you're talking, I also know that you being very vulnerable in sharing, you know, that journey. And I think that's something that is to be commended because it's something. that we, I think as generations, that's something that more and more is coming to light

the book. I don't know what it was like for you, but there's something about putting words on a paper that kind of helps you through any kind of process that you are going through. It's a bit of a cathartic, for lack of a better word, and I thought it was going to be, I thought it was going to be therapeutic. In ways it was, but it also, made me realize just what a special relationship I personally have always had with our master. And how easy it is if you're a believer and if you're a Christian to walk with him. He's been a friend. And chance reflects that. And you'll see that vividly throughout, throughout the book. Also, at the same time, though, the creative writing thing was there for me.

And I want you to be in the book when you're reading it. I want you to feel everything that I'm conveying to the point of in some places there, I think you can actually feel the wind blow and smell the rain on the corn in the country. I write in 3D. I've been told. So I hope the reader picks up on that and enjoys it. The reviews have been remarkable. I would never in my life ever have thought I would be here in this place. But thank God that I am. And this is my life's testimony in just a different way, you know?

Yeah. Well, that's amazing. Congratulations. And I agree because I really enjoyed the flow of your writing. And I think it's a very accurate description of saying, 3D because, you know, it's one thing to write something, but it's another to put someone there with you. And if you are seeing the story unfold and being able to write it in that way, and that's where movies and books are always quite different for me, you know, with a movie

or a series or whatever it is, it's quite, you already put the person inside that universe visually, but with books, you have to do so descriptively and using your words. So it's a different challenge. And what was that like for you writing? Like, did you have a rhythm? Did you you have a schedule or did you just kind of flow? That's interesting. You ask that. I appreciate that. Absolutely.

I have a dog, I have a dog, a two-year-old Aussie. Before him, I had a 14-year-old Aussie. And the older dog was still with us when I started this. The dog would actually lay right beside me as I would get up every morning around 6.30, turn on a pot of coffee, let the dog out. get a cup of coffee, come back to my man cave, which is where we are right now. It's the end of the house. And I just start writing.

And the dog would lay there the entire time as if egging me on. So every day, I would spend the first three hours of my day here at home writing. And then about at the end of the three hours, I'd find a way to stop and start the next time, the next day. And that was my routine throughout. We lost Murphy. That was the old little one. And now the young one is Creasy. We named him after the bear in Man on Fire with Denzel Washington.

The little girl called him Creasy Bear. And so the same thing happens with him every morning. In fact, on the mornings that I don't feel like getting up, he still wakes me, and I still have to get up, make that pot of coffee, and let that dog out. And then I still find my way back to my area and either write or I put together notes or whatever, but that's still a routine. So that's carried me through both of the books. And I'll keep that same routine because now he does it in the mornings that I'm not here. I work 24-hour shifts sometimes or I work mornings where I'm having to leave at 6.30 in the morning.

He tries to wake the wife up, but she doesn't have that routine. doesn't appreciate that much. So when I write, like I say, and as I sit down, I don't have to go back and review what I was reading before, what I was writing before. It just kind of starts again. That's got to be just a blessing. And as I'm writing, I'm watching it.

I'm watching my life go by. and then I think of other things and it's just been an amazing journey, absolutely amazing journey. That's amazing. I could do it all day long. I'm just not quite ready to do that financially right now. But it's coming. Manifest that. And, you know, like you're following the nudge to start writing because you had to start at some point.

And then things unfold from there. I really believe that, you know, when something's meant for you, it will. find you and it will keep nudging you, it will keep being there for you to tell the story and shared with the world. And I also wanted to know, since this is sort of a new process for you've been writing, but as you say, a very natural one, do you have any advice for people who want to write to want to become authors and write books that you've experienced along this journey? Don't hesitate. Do it. Among the people that would think about writing, say 100 people out of 100, maybe 25 of those would make an effort toward doing something about the project,

but only one out of that 100 will actually do it. I firmly believe that. And if you've got a calling, and we'll have listeners to this that maybe aren't Christian, but if you are Christian, or if you just have a voice inside of you that eggs you on or makes you feel like maybe it's time. It is. Just do it. Find a way.

Get a pen and paper. Don't, if you think about it, write it down. And when you get enough of those little notes, put your story together. Hey, I want to read it. Everybody wants to read it. Like you said, it's a thing. And it's time. We need to share each other's life story.

Everybody wants to read. Everybody looks a good memoir. I agree. I agree and I appreciate that. I'm taking those words of inspiration for me too now as I'm also edging along a writer's journey in my own way. I find that someone always said to me, like, you write for yourself first and you get it out. And when people resonate with it, then that's great. But in the end of the day, you write your book for you. And I agree that, you know, despite whoever might believe anything of who's listening, to the podcast. We all have this drive and this inner voice and this passion. And if you follow your

passion, you follow your joy, it might lead you to most beautiful places. And yeah, I know, you know, Roberts, you've had a really incredible and like challenging life in some ways. And being able to put that into these stories and take us on a journey as is really beautiful. So I appreciate that. Thank you for writing this story. Thank you for sharing your heart in that way with the world. This is what the Stack series is for is really just to celebrate all these beautiful books that are out there and lives, you know. And so I encourage everyone who's listening to pick it up and to give it a read and give me some feedback. And, yeah, is there anything that like a last message you'd love to share with the audience?

Well, the book is available on Amazon. It's all over the internet, Barnes and Nobles, books a million. It's on Spotify. I think we're on TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, everywhere. You can You can also get it on my website. That's www.orghumorobertsessix.com. We also have some blogs on there that you may be interested in reading or becoming involved in. We'd love to see some feedback and do some interaction with our potential readers and purchasers of the book. Like you said, book one is out right now. It's ready to go.

We have it available on e-book, hardcover, and paperback. And shortly, it'll be available as an audiobook for those that are sight impaired or would rather enjoy the book in that fashion. And don't forget, like I said earlier, the message that I have going out is the life path that you choose is not always going to be the one that you thought. God works in mysterious ways. Leave it in his hands. And ain't that the truth? I love it. I can testify to that in my own experience.

I'm curious whose voice is on the audiobook. It's going to be mine. Oh, I love that. The publisher encouraged that, and a couple of other actual couple of people that would do audiobooks encouraged me to try that. Well, there's two reasons. Number one, I know what the inflection should be.

I know what the message is and how I wanted to come across. And two, we still have some very large distributors that are not into AI. And that's very difficult to find a voice that's going to offer the same inflections that you want to. It's nearly impossible. So I'll let my radio voice lead me through this. And I am adding, I did use a couple of other instruments

to add that little voice of conscience because that's important. The real challenge is going to be book two. I don't know how, what an angel voice sounds like. We have to find that and create that. That'll be interesting. I'll send that to you and let you hear what I come up with. See if you like it.

To hear. Yeah. Somebody asked me to define that. And in about a paragraph, the wife said, I think that's it. But it involved fluttering of 10,000 wings, a voice that you don't hear, a voice that moves through you that you feel more than interpret. There's a hint. There's a little teaser for you.

Well, I'm very excited. Yeah, that's going to be really curious. I'm sure whoever's listening is going to be waiting for audiobook number two. Yeah, let's get in the book one. I think you've got a beautiful story to share, and I really feel honored that I could share in this moment with you and talking about it. I wish the book, all the success.

And yeah, just thank you for sharing it with me today on the Stack series. I was looking forward to our chemistry here today, and it's been exactly what I was hoping for. Thank you, Nicole, very much. I appreciate you allowing me to spend this time with you. It's such a pleasure. And for those listening, I hope that you are happy to and that you are still reading and that you are happily reading. and please stay tuned for more books on the Stack series and the Fields Podcast.

And I hope that everyone's just feeling all the fields out there as you engage with these beautiful authors like Roberts. Thanks, Roberts.