What if your favorite suspense novel could help you rebalance your entire life?

In this episode of A Joyful Rebellion, host James Walters talks with bestselling author, business strategist, and resilience coach Rhonda Parker Taylor. Her debut novel Crossroads is more than a legal thriller—it’s a mirror for self-reflection. Rhonda shares how each of her flawed-yet-relatable characters embodies a different dimension of imbalance, from workaholism and grief to loyalty and burnout. The plot may be fiction, but the emotional truths are very real.

Together, James and Rhonda explore the invisible tug-of-war so many of us feel between responsibility and self-worth—and why joy often takes a back seat. They unpack Rhonda’s powerful “13 Dimensions of Life Balance” framework, the quiet rebellion of saying yes to what lights you up, and how seemingly small daily choices—like cutting up fruit—can become acts of self-love.

Rhonda also opens up about her decades-long journey to publishing Crossroads, how her sister’s blunt wisdom reignited her dream, and why she believes legacy is built in everyday moments. Her next project? A sequel and a series of personal development books rooted in the lives of her characters.

Whether you're craving change, feeling out of sync, or just love a good story with soul, this episode will help you see your own life through a new lens.

• [00:00:00] Welcome and Rhonda’s Daily Joy Practice

• [00:01:00] Introducing Crossroads—a Suspense Novel with a Purpose

• [00:04:00] Finding Joy in the Midst of Struggle

• [00:07:00] Why Fiction Can Be a Mirror for Your Own Life

• [00:11:00] The 13 Dimensions of Life Balance

• [00:17:00] Vulnerability, Success, and the Fear of Rewriting Your Story

• [00:25:00] Small Practices That Create Big Shifts

• [00:29:00] Balancing Joy with Real Life

• [00:35:00] What’s Next: Life Balance Workbook, Resilience Guide & Sequel

• [00:38:00] Rhonda’s Final Wisdom: Extend the Moments That Make You Smile

• Rhonda’s website: Suspense Thriller Crossroads by Rhonda Parker Taylor -

• Crossroads by Rhonda Parker Taylor – Available on Amazon

• Follow Rhonda on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn