The SkySurfer Podcast, Episode 6
June 24, 2026: Discussing the Release of Sapphic Thriller “You’re Safe Here, Ella”
Hosted by SkyLine Airways flight attendant and author Callie Schneider
Callie: Hello, my lovely adventurers! I’m thrilled to introduce you to this episode’s guest, Trey Camprensey. Thanks for joining me today, Trey. Your roommate, Ella Gearson, recently released a book detailing her treacherous—and, dare I say, scandalous—journey over the last year. Can you explain to our audience what Ella means to you personally, and why this book is so important?
Trey: Absolutely. I’m happy to be here, filling in for Ella while she’s vacation maxxing with her girlfriend. When Ella initially told me that they were going on a trip, she glossed over the part about how they’d be spending a week in Key West and then another five days in Cozumel. Not that I’m salty or anything. But I digress! Let me introduce myself—I’m Trey. For the last eight years, I’ve been Ella’s roommate and also, at times, her personal stylist. She’s a sweet girl but her style is frumpy dumpy. Can I say that? I mean, she’s mastered the lazy look. Which would be totally fine if she spent every waking moment curled up on the couch with a bag of chips. Or if she was really into cosplaying someone who’s three hundred years old. So, that’s why I have to intervene sometimes. It’s tough work, but someone’s gotta do it.
Callie: Um, okay then, you’re Ella Gearson’s roommate and stylist?
Trey: Yes. Officially and unofficially, in that order. If not for me, she’d have fraying sweatpants basically stitched into her skin by now. Sorry, what was your other question?
Callie: Ah, yes—I was wondering why this brand-new book is important. Feel free to share anything that will inspire, interest, or just plain dazzle our listeners.
Trey: Bet. Honestly, “You’re Safe Here, Ella” should be required reading. It tells the gritty, real-life tale of a bunch of assholes who harassed Ella at work for months. This was next-level psycho stalker shit. Retaliation at its worst. They destroyed her property, slammed her into a brick wall one time, left dead insects inside her suitcase, sent menacing texts basically every day, and more. All because Ella did the right thing when she witnessed an assault on a fellow flight attendant, a wonderful girl named Dana. After Ella spoke up against that violence, an entire army of lumpy dildos launched a twisted self-righteous crusade to take her down. These people are hardcore jabronis. Absolute soulless fuckers, trust me. Shit, can I say that?
Callie: Which part?
Trey: Never mind, I’m sure it’s fine. Isn’t this, like, the third most popular podcast in the country?
Callie: Sort of, yes. In the “Society and Culture” category, “Places and Travel” subcategory, organized by region, of course.
Trey: Phew. Pop off, Queen. No filters needed when you’re famous.
Callie: More like up and coming! But thank you.
Trey: Anytime. Okay, back to the story behind “You’re Safe Here, Ella:” the guys who targeted Ella are authentic supervillains. Bigots and bullies. The original assault that my roommate witnessed was a hate crime, by the way. After Ella voiced her concerns, these people went apeshit. Their vicious stunts affected us all. They dragged me, Ella’s best friend, our longtime pals Jocelyn and Miguel, Ella’s girlfriend, and even Ella’s aunt Taylor into their sinister games. Things were pretty dark for a while. We knew there was a chance we wouldn’t all survive this mess.
Callie: Yikes. Some of their stunts were deadly, then?
Trey: Unfortunately, yes. With the investigation still ongoing, I’m not legally allowed to discuss those details. But I will say that, for many months, we couldn’t tell who was orchestrating the violence. We had no clue who was pulling the strings, let alone when they’d make their next move. And that is a scary way to live. Which is why I hope everyone gets a chance to read—and really learn from—the creepy, twisty, heart-pounding events that finally ended that ongoing hell.
Callie: It’s over, then? No more violence and sabotage? My fellow flight attendants at SkyLine vouched for Ella. We’d met Dana in the past when she commuted on our airline, and she was a total sweetheart. She definitely didn’t deserve anything that happened to her, and Ella was brave enough to speak that truth. My SkyLine pals and I tried to get the company involved, but we kept hitting dead ends. There wasn’t much we could do since Ella worked for an entirely different airline. Which is why I’m relieved to hear everything was resolved, finally.
Trey: Well, it isn’t one-hundred-percent over. The haters are still out there. As you’re aware, this is a contentious and vicious moment in our nation’s history. But the basement trolls have backed off a lot in recent weeks. There’s been significant improvement. As an added bonus, I’ve seen a bunch of budding romances in the aftermath of a really freaking difficult year. Including my own.
Callie: Oooh, wonderful. Want to tell us about your new man?
Trey: Man? Did you just assume I’m gay?
Callie: Uh, gosh. I’m an idiot. Please don’t listen to me.
Trey: Just kidding, of course I’m gay. Is water wet? Do bears poop in the woods? And, since you asked, my man could melt ice in Alaska. Super freaking hot. He’s also clever and driven. The trifecta.
Callie: That’s fantastic. Congrats, Trey.
Trey: Thanks! What can I say? I’m a sucker for a happily-ever-after.
Callie: Ah, a fairytale ending. I’m a big fan, too. Is that what readers will get with this new book, “You’re Safe Here, Ella?”
Trey: Guess they’ll just have to read it to find out, wink wink.
Callie: I see what you did there. So, any final thoughts?
Trey: Yes, actually. Half the profits from this book will directly fund scholarships for queer college students. Ella made it clear that this wasn’t just a fast-paced tale of sapphic romance and standing up to hostile forces; she also wanted this novel to make a difference in society.
Callie: Love that.
Trey: Me, too. The simple truth is this: everyone deserves acceptance and validation, but LGBTQ+ students don’t always receive that. Through this new book, Ella intends to bridge that gap so queer kids have an opportunity to achieve their dreams.
Callie: Wow, that’s amazing.
Trey: Facts.
Callie: Again, thanks for spending time with us today, Trey. For those who want to purchase this brand-new thriller, the order link can be found on www.lisamichellewilkes.com. Again, HALF of all profits are donated to student scholarships. You can enjoy a riveting psychological thriller, with the added benefit of supporting a very worthy cause. It’s a win-win! And that’s a wrap, friends. I’m flight attendant Callie Schneider. Thanks for sharing part of your day with us. Always remember, my lovely adventurers: dream big, fly high.
About the Author:
Lisa Wilkes (www.lisamichellewilkes.com) is a licensed social worker (LMSW) and flight attendant who draws on firsthand experience to craft high-stakes, emotionally resonant fiction. She began writing as a teenager, first publishing editorials on compelling local issues before transitioning into copywriting for nonprofits and, ultimately, suspense-driven novels.
Her previous novels, Flight Path (2020) and Mid-Flight (2023), were published by small presses, with Mid-Flight praised by readers for its inspiring queer heroine. Lisa is also the author of two children’s books featuring celebrity rescue cat Wisp, with proceeds supporting animal welfare organizations.
As a bisexual woman and fierce advocate for human rights, Lisa writes the kind of stories she once searched for—propulsive thrillers where queer characters survive, fight back, and take up space unapologetically.
A Glimpse into “You’re Safe Here, Ella:”
BoldCoast Airlines flight attendant Ella Gearson never signed up for a death match. But when she uncovers video evidence of crew members drugging and assaulting a trans colleague, she refuses to stay silent.
After reporting the crime, BoldCoast quietly signals open season on its whistleblower. Threats escalate into mid-flight sabotage. Coworkers turn hostile. “Accidents” multiply at thirty thousand feet. And when colleagues begin turning up dead, Ella realizes this isn’t damage control—it’s elimination.
Enter Zoe Madsen, a disgraced tech mogul with elite connections and a personal vendetta against institutional abuse. With Zoe at her side, Ella begins exposing a chain of corruption stretching from the cabin aisle to the executive suite. But as old feelings reignite and the body count climbs, Ella must confront a terrifying possibility: is Zoe her greatest ally—or a player in a much more dangerous game?
In a system designed to protect the powerful, how far will Ella go to bring the truth to light—and will she survive long enough to see it?
GIVEAWAY: Since this gripping sapphic thriller features an adventurous flight attendant, please email lisamichellewilkes@gmail.com with your favorite travel destination! Two winners will be chosen at random on July 8, 2026, and will receive a free copy of “You’re Safe Here, Ella.”
Leave a Reply