Hi! I’m Lisa, a Family Nurse Practitioner and an author based in Philadelphia, PA.

Writing has always been a passion, but as I built a career in healthcare, I felt pressured to set it aside—to live a life that looked good. One that checked the right boxes. But eventually, it wasn’t enough.

Not for me.

In 2022, overwhelmed by the demands of parenting, patient care, and the pandemic, the dormant writer in me refused to stay quiet. I needed an outlet for the grief and messiness of simply being human.

I needed to turn my inner brokenness into something meaningful.

That’s how Things That Break Us was born. It’s a story about love, grief and the courage it takes to break free from the expectations that no longer serve us. Set in part in Botswana, Africa, the novel draws on inspiration from my time spent there as a nursing student.

In my writing, I explore the complexities of human behavior—the invisible wounds we all carry and the twisted, winding journey towards discovering who we truly are. 

At its heart, my work is about embracing the paradox: we are all broken and we are all fine. We can hold all of it at once.

I’m fascinated by the cultural illusion of “perfection”—how we craft lives that look polished on the outside while struggling silently on the inside. 

Through my stories, I hope to challenge what truly defines a meaningful life and question the messages we’re told about how we should spend our time—especially when so little of it brings genuine joy or fulfillment.

When I’m not writing, I’m usually strength training (I recently turned 40 and got serious about preventing bone loss), going on weekend adventures with my husband and two kids, or walking outside while listening to any audiobook narrated by Julia Whelan (I’m completely in awe of her talent). 

I read widely—everything from romance to book club fiction to memoir—and find most of my recommendations through Renee’s Reading Group on Facebook.

Thank you for being here. I’m so grateful to share my stories with readers navigating their own path toward healing, growth, and the freedom to live their truth.