Miley Speaks: A True Story of Love, Loss, Grief, and Reconnection was the winner in the Inspirational/Spiritual (Non-Fiction) category of the 2025 IndieReader Discovery Awards, where undiscovered talent meets people with the power to make a difference.
Following find an interview with authors Lisa Peachey and Carol Elizabeth Long.
Elizabeth and I are honored that Miley Speaks has been selected as the winner in the Inspirational/Spiritual category of the 2025 IndieReader Discovery Awards. What began as a personal experience of grief and loss, became something far more powerful, and we knew that we needed to share it. We are deeply grateful to IndieReader for recognizing this story, which will now reach even more readers who are seeking comfort, connection, or hope.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
Miley Speaks: A True Story of Love, Loss, Grief, and Reconnection was published January 15th, 2025.
What’s the book’s first line?
This morning, my husband Dene and I rushed our dog Sprout to the vet, fearing he’d had a stroke during the night.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
When Lisa’s beloved dog Miley passed, the world became a cold and dark place overnight – not just for her, but for her husband Dene and their dog Sprout. That all changed when animal communicator Carol Elizabeth Long entered their lives and opened the door to something extraordinary. In Miley Speaks, Lisa shares her conversations with Miley and reveals how the bond between them expands in completely unexpected ways. Sprout has his own unique voice and perspective as he, too, navigates the loss of Miley. This memoir is not just about grief – it’s a window into the rich emotional lives of our animals, and the deep, ongoing connection we share across time, space, and spirit.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
Lisa: The idea first took hold while I was sitting in the waiting room at an animal hospital. Our dog Sprout had just had a medical emergency, and I struck up a conversation with a woman who had recently lost her own dog. Her grief was so raw, and I felt an overwhelming urge to comfort her, not just with words, but with what I knew to be true from my own experience.
For the last few years, I had already shared pieces of my story with anyone who would listen, even when I could see in their eyes that they thought I was crazy. I needed people to know that animals are conscious, thinking beings. They feel, they know, and they have a lot to say. Writing Miley Speaks became a way for Elizabeth and me to honor that truth and offer it to others who might be searching for the same connection.
Elizabeth: I talk to extraordinary animals almost every day, and I had longed for a way to share what I hear from them, but I was always so busy helping them that writing a book seemed like a faraway dream. Then Lisa approached me with her passion for sharing Miley’s wisdom and her own experience of opening up through these conversations. Lisa and Miley were what I needed to be able to turn that dream into a reality.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
Lisa: Miley’s presence is unforgettable. Even in spirit, she’s the commander – direct, clear, and absolutely in charge. But what makes her so distinctive is the way that strength is paired with unwavering love. When she’s guiding or teaching, her energy is sharp and precise. But when comforting me, I often imagine her voice sounding like Oprah’s – warm, wise, and soul-deep. She’s not here to coddle, she is here to heal, AND she has a mission to complete. That combination of fierce clarity and deep compassion defines her. Miley with a capital M, always, and one word, like Oprah, Cher, or Beyoncé. She is Miley.
Also, while not the main character, let’s not forget Sprout. He brings a unique energy to the story. I draw inspiration from The Lord of the Rings for him. He carries the ancient wisdom of Elrond and the childlike wonder and joy of Pippin, with just a splash of mischief.
Elizabeth: Every animal is unique. It’s hard to imagine if you’ve never witnessed it, but it’s something that Miley and Sprout reveal beautifully through the differences in their personalities and the wisdom they each have to offer. That said, Miley absolutely embodies the strength and love that Lisa references in such a powerful manner. It’s a true, complete integration of masculine and feminine energy. I see this balance as one of the gifts she brings to all humans.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
Lisa: Miley Speaks reawakens something we’ve forgotten – that the beings we walk beside every day aren’t lesser. They’re not just pets, or animals, or companions. They’re conscious, wise, loving presences who have something to say, if we’re willing to listen.
This book is not just about grief or even spiritual reconnection. It’s about reframing the entire way we relate to animals, to death, to relationships with them and each other. It gives permission to trust the “crazy” moments, to believe in what can’t be seen, and to heal in a way that’s shared, not just from human to human but soul to soul.
I think someone should read this book because once they do, they’ll never look at an animal or a goodbye the same way again.
This book is a door, cracked open for others to walk through. And on the other side… is love. And truth. And Miley.
Elizabeth: Adding from my perspective as someone who walks with many humans through the loss of their best friend, there is peace available for you and your animal in spirit. Whether you speak to an animal communicator or not, however you find it, they will guide you to share that peace with them. Lean on it. It may feel risky, but there’s no better bet.
If they made your book into a movie, who would you like to see play the main character(s)?
Lisa: If Miley Speaks were made into a movie, I would love to be played by Sandra Bullock. I’ve always admired how she brings relatable heart, intelligence, and authenticity to every role. Julia Roberts would be the perfect Elizabeth: warm, grounded, and radiating the kind of intuitive presence the story calls for. For Miley’s voice, there’s no question – it has to be Oprah. All day long. And as long as we’re putting together a dream team, I’d cast Martin Freeman as the voice of Sprout. He could bring just the right mix of gentleness, soul, and perfectly-timed comedic mischief.
Elizabeth: I’m deferring to Lisa as casting agent…unless we decide to consult with Miley. I’m sure she will have opinions – she always does!
When did you first decide to become an author?
Lisa: I’ve always loved to read. As a child, I’d stay up late with a flashlight, reading under the covers long after I was supposed to be asleep. I was in awe of how authors could transport readers to entirely different worlds. Even then, I imagined I’d love to do that one day myself, but I never had the time or the confidence to pursue it.
I wanted to share the material in Miley Speaks almost from the beginning, but the timing never worked with Elizabeth and me. I tested the waters of self-publishing first with a puzzle book, followed by a guided journal co-created with Elizabeth and Miley. Both were creative, meaningful projects, but not full-length narratives.
It was actually Everything is NOT Peachey, which became my first true book. I felt an urgent need to get that information out into the world – to speak to people struggling with environmental illness the way I had. That book opened the door, and I realized I knew how to do this; I could write and publish books! Miley Speaks came next, and it felt like coming home to a story I had carried in my heart for a long time.
Elizabeth: Writing has always been important to me. I have a background as an installation sculptor, and I used to write about what I was creating – how it came to be. I wrote poems that inspired the pieces, and sometimes I made the writings part of the artwork itself.
When I began to work professionally as an animal communicator, I knew that writing was going to be a key part of the translation process. I’ve always written to describe what I see, and visual telepathy is a large part of how animals communicate.
Is this the first book that you’ve written?
Lisa: The first book I published was Bobarino’s Word Search Puzzle Book. It’s the story of my dad’s life, distilled into 100 word search puzzles. I published and created it for him as a Father’s Day gift, never imagining it would be the beginning of my life as an author. That silly puzzle book made me realize I could write and publish books as an indie author.
The success of Bobarino’s Word Search Puzzle Book gave me the confidence to approach Elizabeth about a collaboration, and 369 Manifestation Journal: A Beginner’s Guide to Manifesting Your Dreams was born.
After that, I wrote Everything is NOT Peachey, which was published in October 2024 and is also a memoir. Miley and Sprout both appear in that book, but the primary focus is on how I became environmentally ill and the struggle of living with it, treating it, and ultimately beginning to heal, especially from an emotional standpoint.
Miley Speaks occasionally references my chronic illness, particularly through the lens of how Miley and Sprout supported me. Everything is NOT Peachey also includes some of the insights I gained from my journey with Miley. While each book stands on its own, there is a natural overlap. My experience with chronic illness shaped my connection with Miley and Sprout, and that connection deeply influenced how I faced my illness. Together, the books offer two perspectives on one evolving life.
Elizabeth: Miley Speaks is the second book we’ve published together. The first was a more abstract, creative, and metaphysical exercise that Miley, Lisa, and I created to help humans practice getting out of neuronal ruts with their thinking processes. That journal/workbook was 369 Manifestation Journal: A Beginner’s Guide to Manifesting Your Dreams.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
Lisa: I always have ideas for my next book (or books) swirling around, but right now I’m focused intently on my website, PeacheyReport.com, which supports my book Everything is NOT Peachey. I created the site as a resource for people with allergies and sensitivities. It’s a place to find support for traveling, shopping, or simply trying to live a fragrance-free lifestyle.
One of the unexpected parts of being environmentally ill isn’t just the chronic symptoms. It’s the isolation that comes from not being able to travel, go out locally, or participate in everyday life like everyone else. Peachey Report is still in its early stages, but my vision is to grow it into something truly influential. I want it to become a platform that helps shift how the hospitality industry and product manufacturers think about accessibility, health, and the environment.
Approximately 30% of people are adversely affected by fragrance exposure, yet it’s nearly impossible to go anywhere and avoid it. I intend to change that.
Elizabeth: In addition to talking to animals and working on other books, I continue to work as an artist, painting and making sculpture.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
Lisa: Writing is always present in my life, even when I’m not actively working on a book. I’m constantly making notes, saving ideas, and mentally cataloging things for future projects. Right now, my main focus is on building and expanding PeacheyReport.com, which involves a different kind of writing, but just as much creativity and intention. I’m in the middle of a full overhaul, so much of my energy is going toward shaping how the site communicates and connects with others. My writing there is just as important to me as anything I’ve put in a book.
Elizabeth: I average about 5,000 to 10,000 words on the days I translate from animals for clients, which takes about two hours. I also journal for around half an hour daily and write blog posts and articles. It feels like I’m always writing, but my average would be about 12 to 14 hours per week.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
Lisa: Marketing. Marketing. Marketing. Did I say marketing yet?
I could write books all day long. I have so much to say, and the writing part is never the problem. But being my own publisher and handling everything that comes with that is challenging. It would be easy if I didn’t care whether anyone ever saw or read the book. But getting it into the hands of readers? That’s the hard part.
What makes it worthwhile is hearing from someone who truly connected with the work. When a reader tells me the story helped them feel understood or inspired, it reminds me why I put up with things like hashtags, algorithms, and social media platforms that seem designed to torture me. The best thing is knowing I have something worth sharing; being an indie allows me to share it.
Elizabeth: Marketing and starting out with little support on the business end of the process was difficult, but I think that is changing for both of us.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
Lisa: Maybe…probably…have I mentioned that I hate marketing? If a traditional publisher could help get the book into more hands and assist in promoting it, I’d absolutely consider it. I love the creative side of writing and connecting with readers. What I don’t love is trying to become a marketing expert overnight. So yes, if the right opportunity came along and the partnership felt aligned, I’d be open to it.
Elizabeth: Definitely yes! I’d love to develop that relationship at some point because there’s so much I don’t know. That’s something I’ve learned from animals. They will always show you how much you don’t know if you watch them closely.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
Lisa: Fortune? Yes, absolutely. As I commented on in Everything is NOT Peachey, the more resources you have, the easier it is to manage a chronic illness like chemical sensitivity. If I could afford multiple homes and fly private, it would go a long way toward easing the isolation that comes with environmental illness and managing my special needs.
Fame, on the other hand, makes me cringe. I value my privacy deeply. But I also have a mission, and not just with Peachey Report, but with Miley as well. Miley has her own ideas, and it’s my job to move her agenda forward, whether I have other plans or not.
Miley has an agenda? You bet she does. But you might need to read Miley Speaks or pick up her 369 Manifestation Journal: A Beginner’s Guide to Manifesting Your Dreams to find out what it is.
Elizabeth: Sharing and connecting with other humans. I witness how many of us don’t feel as connected in our relationships with our animals as we could be, and I think that’s something Miley Speaks can change.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
Lisa: Tolkien – I’ve read The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit countless times, starting with a flashlight under the covers in fourth grade. To this day, I’m fairly certain Middle-earth really does exist in a parallel universe.
Elizabeth: Susan Sontag made me feel like it was ok to be me when I discovered her works as a student.
Which book do you wish you could have written?
Lisa: Game of Thrones. I knew this writer was for me when a main character got killed right out of the gate, and suddenly no one was safe! I’m all in when I can’t predict what will happen in a story. I would love to have written that, even though it’s a little dark for me these days. But it’s been so wildly successful. Let’s be honest, that kind of reach and impact would open a lot of doors for Miley and the Peachey Report. And probably fund a fragrance-free island retreat or two.
Also, funny coincidence: Both writers I chose for these last two questions have a double R for a middle initial. Maybe I should change my middle name from Marie to R.R. because obviously, that’s the key to literary success.
Elizabeth: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. Robert Pirsig, who by the way has 3 Rs in his name (note to Lisa!) – is another writer who takes you to the edge of reality and back again…and also on a road trip, which is my favorite combination.