Everybody's got a Story

Host John Tynan explores the fascinating connection between flash fiction and music, demonstrating how beloved songs function as complete short stories set to melody. Through analysis of classic tracks from Icehouse, Jim Croce, Peter Gabriel, and others, listeners discover the essential elements of effective flash fiction writing, including strong imagery, character development, and narrative surprise.Host John Tynan explores the fascinating connection between flash fiction and music, demonstrating how beloved songs function as complete short stories set to melody. Through analysis of classic tracks from Icehouse, Jim Croce, Peter Gabriel, and others, listeners discover the essential elements of effective flash fiction writing including strong imagery, character development, and narrative surprise.

Artist, illustrator, and author Shane Pollard takes us on a journey through his fantastical mind and his first novel, Show Yourself, a quirky mystery thriller that blends dark humor with deeper questions about life and meaning. In this episode we hear how Shane originally dreamed of being a rocket scientist (or at least working for NASA) before a near-tragic accident provided the opportunity to pivot to the arts and the world of illustration (make sure to check these out as well on his site).Shane has an ardent belief that "...We create our future, it can be anything we want it to be. This is our power. To forge the future and the life we choose. And this is done by what we have experienced in the past. Every second of our confused, lost lives, is a gift. We cannot change the terrible things which have already happened, but we can keep them in our mind, heart, and soul to discover their purpose and not let our pain be our end—while living our lives more beautifully than what anyone thought possible."As you listen to Shane speak and read, Show Yourself, I believe you will feel the power of these beliefs for yourself.

Andrew Tonkovich, longtime editor of the West Coast literary arts journal the Santa Monica Review and founding editor of the online Orange County quarterly Citric Acid, joins Amy Dechary and me to preview the inaugural Laguna Beach LitFest. Andrew will moderate a lunchtime panel, Telling the California Story, and will lead a workshop entitled, Small Press Journals: Their Role in the Writer's Journey. Lisa Alvarez, Andrew's long-time publishing partner and wife (who could not make todays' show) will give the conference Key Note - Being a Literary Citizen. Throughout this episode, Amy and Andrew dispense invaluable writing advise, highlight numerous online resources and journals, breakdown the key points of the Laguna Beach LitFest, and give a well-deserved shoutout to Chapman professor and author, Richard Bauch, who will be presented with a literary award at the a reception on January 9, 2026.  A co-founder and lead of the Laguna Beach-based nonprofit, the Third Street Writers, Amy Dechary spent most of her childhood in Connecticut until her dad's new job took her to four states in 8 years where books became constant friends. ​A graduate of the University of Virginia, she was staff writer for the Cavalier Daily, and went on to study publishing at the Radcliffe Publishing Course in Cambridge, MA. After a career including assistant to a literary agent in Washington, D.C., ​and a middle school English teacher, Amy returned to writing with her work appearing in OC Kids Magazine, the Laguna Beach Independent, Juste Milieu, and the Beach Reads anthology series.In edition to his editiorial duties, Andrew hosts a weekly books show, Bibliocracy Radio, on Pacifica’s KPFK 90.7 FM in Southern California.  He co-edited the landmark anthology Orange County: A Literary Field Guide with Lisa Alvarez and is the author of two collections, The Dairy of Anne Frank and More Wish Fulfillment in the Noughties and Keeping Tahoe Blue and Other Provocations. His short stories, book reviews, essays, and journalism have appeared in Ecotone, ZYZZYVA, Faultline, Solstice, Journal of the Plague Years, the Los Angeles Times, the Orange County Register, the Los Angeles Review of Books, and The Best American Nonrequired Reading. For many years he was a regular contributor to the OC Weekly.

Poet Ellen Girardeau Kempler and I get into a very robust discussion about the differences between lyrics and poetry, and related topics, during this episode. Our conversation's point of departure is the controversy around Bob Dylan's 2016 Nobel Peace Prize for Literature. Ellen expounds her views on this very interesting topic in her essay, Tangled Up In Words.Ellen also provides some fantastic advice for anyone who wants to enhance their ability to appreciate poetry or just advance in their writing journey by listening to the spoken word. Ellen includes among her recommendations Libro FM, Poetry Unbound, and The Slow Down.

Former journalist & communications strategist, now book reviewer and lecturer, Randy Kraft is the author of three novels and two story collections in print, ebooks and audio. Randy holds an MAW [Masters in Writing] MBA & BA, Lit.Raised in NYC, writing in So. California. You can check out her on-line book reviews at OCbookblog.substack.comA great friend to the show and a leading light in the Laguna Beach writing community, Randy joins us in this episode to talk about her latest work, Where You Are, a collection of ten short stories that asks the question: Is where you are the last stop or the next step? The stories in this new collection reflect the setbacks and second chances we encounter as we age. Loss and longing. Displacement and disenchantment. Surprising desire. New aspirations or latent ambitions. The transitions from where we have been to where we might yet be.Randy also gives a couple of well-deserved shout-outs in this episode to the fabulous photographer artist Jacques Garnier, who generously donated the art work for the cover of Where You Are and Diane's Books of Greenwich (CT), perhaps the greatest Independent Book Store in the US.

Darrell Denny is the author of "Of Light & Lies", a heart thumping tale set on an isolated island with nowhere to hide. Helen and Juanita must decide—who can they trust? And what happens when the past won’t stay buried?Darrell writes pulse-pounding thrillers packed with intrigue, deception, and high-stakes suspense. A former newspaper journalist, Darrell spent years uncovering real-world truths, reporting on breaking news, conducting in-depth investigations, and telling stories that shaped public discourse—now, he uses his storytelling prowess to weave tales of page-turning fiction.The son of a military family, Darrell spent his early years moving between the U.S. and abroad, including time in Germany and Okinawa, Japan, eventually settling in Texas, where he attended high school in Copperas Cove. He has called Southern California home for the past 30 years, currently residing in Santa Ana with his wife, Mika, a graphic designer and fine artist. A proud father of four grown children and a doting grandpa to his granddaughter, he enjoys writing, reading, staying active at the gym, playing board games, and exploring new places and cultures through travel.

Scott T. Barnes has published oral histories, a fourth grade reader, and works of young adult fiction, including the novel "Memories of Lucinda Eco", which BookLife called “a spellbinding blend of magic and mystery.” Scott’s science fiction story, “Insect Sculptor”, won the L. Ron Hubbard presents Writers of the Future Award.Scott most recent project was as editor of "Living Memories - a Memoir by Nellie Gail Moulton" which unfolds the flamboyant life of Orange County’s ranching philanthropist, plein air painter, and founder of the Laguna Playhouse and Laguna College of Art and Design. Copies of the book can be purchased directly from the Moulton Museum in Laguna Hills.Scott's fantasy and science fiction has been praised as lyrical and original by publications such as Publisher’s Weekly. His passions range from kenjutsu to flamenco guitar to the Old West. Scott currently lives in Southern California with his wife and two daughters who inspire him more than they know.

Local author and artist Nancy Klann-Moren joins us to discuss her writing journey, advice for writers, and her three publications - "The Clock of Life" (a novel), "Like the Flies on the Patio" (a collection of short-stories), and "Love and Protest" (a novel).Nancy is the wife of a retired architect who now creates beautiful "architectural" ceramic art pieces, and the mother of two sons, both rock stars in their own fields. Oh, and two Tuxedo cats who don't give a damn about anything. I am a native California girl raised in North Hollywood and now live a stone's throw from the beach, if you can throw five miles, in Laguna Woods, California.  

Newly-appointed Education Program Director (and long-time Festival Orchestra violinist) Dr. Lindsey Strand-Polyak  shares all the innovative details of "Coloring with Corelli", a collaboration between theBaroque Music Festival Corona del Mar and St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church. The event,scheduled October 12, 2025 at 3:00PM, is a free, informal, and sensory-friendly baroque chamber music concert for young people and families, featuring music by Italian Baroque composer Arcangelo Corelli, along with musical storytelling, themed coloring activities, an instrument petting zoo, and snacks.Lindsey holds a PhD in Musicology and a Master of Music in Violin Performance from UCLA, and is a regularly-performing Baroque concert artist on violin and viola, and an inspirational music-education leader. She is a passionate educator and arts advocate, who has worked with organizations including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Young Musicians Foundation, Education through Music—Los Angeles, Elemental Music Santa Monica, and the UCLA Mentor Outreach Program. In two decades in education and outreach, Dr. Strand-Polyak has taught in nearly every corner of Southern California, witnessing the immense impact that arts education makes across the economic spectrum.Please be sure to listen to the section of this episode that runs between minutes 48:00 and 49:05 for some of the best advice writers, and artisits in general, could ever hope to receive!

Nuka Hart, CEO of Free Wheelchair Mission, joins us in this episode to discuss the importance of mobility and the central role storytelling plays in her organization's mission to serve the estimated 80 million people across the world who need a wheelchair. Nuka has the overall operational responsibility for Free Wheelchair Mission programs and management of its team, leading the strategic planning process and implementation of programmatic strategic initiatives for the growth of the organization. Nuka graduated from Dartmouth College with a degree in studio art and has two young adult children.Free Wheelchair Mission is a humanitarian organization that designs and manufactures cost-efficient, durable wheelchairs for individuals living with disabilities in developing countries. Since 2001, Free Wheelchair Mission has distributed 1.5 million wheelchairs in 95 countries around the world, providing renewed dignity, independence, and hope through the gift of mobility, all at no cost to the recipient.The Orange County Miracle of Mobility event is scheduled to take place on Thursday, September 4, 2025 beginning at 5:30PM PT at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Candace Sameron Bure (DJ of the TV show Full House) will host and attendees will have a chance to see Free Wheelchair Mission's newest wheelchair model, GEN 4 JOY, in person!

As a child, today's guest Becky Ryan enrolled in art classes, which sparked an affinity for painting and established for her the value of practice. After painting casually for many years, Becky adopted a more intentional, dedicated approach, going on to earn an associate degree in fine art, enter contests, and sell work in local galleries. Becky experiences nature as grounding and motivating, finding it a source of tranquility, drama, and splendor and seeks to immerse the viewer into a scene through confident value contrast and robust color saturation to create bold liveliness.In today's show we hope to provide listeners with some thought provoking ideas that they can apply to their own writing as we discuss Becky's approach to watercolor painting, both en plein air and in studio, and how she turns inspiration from the local hiking trails, canyons, south county coastline, and nearby destinations such as the Coachella Valley into the award winning art work that has merited her inclusion among the Festival of Arts the last two years.Please also check out the art work that Becky donated to the Festival of the Arts to benefit The Artists Fund.

George Gilliam, Executive Director of Creative Identity, a non-profit dedicated to strengthening the voice of the intellectual disability community, joins the show to share the story of how this incredible organization began and continues to flourish. By utilizing music, ceramics, silk painting and other art forms to grow the fine arts skills and foundations for prevocational skill development, clients learn how to express themselves creatively, make personal choices, develop their attention span and ability to follow through with directions.Founded in 1996, Creative Identity creates opportunities to meaningfully engage their clients to improve upon their abilities to work collaboratively, assume personal responsibility, and cultivate independence. Creative Identity currently serves clients in Anaheim and closer to home here in Laguna Beach in partnership with St. Mary's Episcopal Church. They also host an Etsy site where client art work can be viewed and purhased.

Emily Hine is a social entrepreneur with a national reputation for forging successful partnerships that result in significant social change. Over the course of her career in fundraising, philanthropy, marketing, public relations, and as a founding member of three successful start-up companies, she has helped raise over $150 million for nonprofit organizations and formed companies that contribute to the awakening of humanity and the reduction of suffering. More than the "credentials you can put on paper", Emily is "(T)he one who writes. The one who let's life work through her" to work with businesses, nonprofits, and individuals that share the goal of increasing mindfulness, compassion, and peace on the planet.Emily's work has been published in several anthologies that are part of the Common Sentience Series by Sacred Stories Publishing:Meditation, by Sister Dr. Jenna — My story “My Quest for World Peace”. Signs, by Simran — My story “When God Showed Up at Rodeo Beach”. GodTalk, by Neale Donald Walsch — My story “God’s Last Call”.Emily is documenting her spiritual journey and the mystical experiences that have guided her calling and helped her heal from stage II cancer naturally, in a forthcoming book, Holy Sit: Learning to Sit, Stay, Heal, and Serve.

Erick Garske entered early retirement from a career as a software engineer. Now he spends his days focused on composing poems and prose instead of debugging source code. In this episode, Erick and I continue a really fun conversation that started over coffee when delivering Pageant of the Masters tix!Erick published his first chapbook, Terms and Conditions of Endearment, in 2022. In the spring, the Anaheim Poetry Review published one poem. In November, Eccentric Orbits - Volume 5: An Anthology of Science Fiction Poetry published two notable works. The new year saw Poetic Reveries, In the Depths of Winter, include two of his works. He was among five Pushcart nominees submitted by the editor of the Anaheim Poetry Review, volume 2.Erick recommends the Brighter Ukraine Foundation.

Patricia Pepper Truman has always had a passion for writing, including poetry! Today she shares her history with the founders of Designing Women, her plunge into poetry, and even her experience running her first marathon! Patricia has been an active businesswoman for more than 40 years, first in banking then becoming a certified Escrow Officer and eventually originating and running the escrow company for Laguna Niguel Corporation. Patricia (Patty) was a professional model for many years before returning to the business world where she obtained her Real Estate license and became a top producer and Realtor of the Year. Never one to rest on her laurels, she later obtained her ministerial license becoming a staff minister where she performed spiritual counseling as a prayer practitioner, and was a well-received teacher of numerous classes through Centers for Spiritual Living. She was ordained in 2012 and is still active as a facilitator.Patricia is currently active in philanthropic endeavors and has explored many countries around our diverse and beautiful planet from which reflections are often caught in her poetry, essays, and prose pieces. Her work has been published in Creative Thought Magazine, and other print publications. She has published two books of poetry - Roses in the Lemon Tree and earth walk, both of which can be found here.

Members of the 2025-26 Laguna Beach Arts Alliance (LBAA) Board & Advisors hang out with us on this episode to talk about the tremendous advocacy, collaboration, and impact the LBAA has on the Laguna Beach arts scene. Michael Ervin (President), Jay Kramer (Vice President), Amy Dechary (Advisor), and Nancy Villere (Advisor) join me (newly appointed Treasurer) to talk about the organization's history, benefits of membership, and incredible work to keep the arts foremost among the culture of Laguna Beach.Along the way we discuss a number of the programs, networking, and serendipitous partnerships the LBAA has helped bring to life; take a deep dive into the annual Art Stars awards gala; wax poetic about the Stu News Arts Calendar; give thanks for the strong collaboration with the city; and share appreciation for the hotels who help support the arts through the occupany tax.Our guests also share a bit about their LBAA member organizations (Laguna Beach Arts Commission, Laguna Beach Community Band, Third Street Writers, the Sawdust Arts Festival), the not-so-hidden gems of the Laguna Art Museum and LCAD, and share some of the exciting events coming up in the near future.

Third Street Writers members Claire Purcell and Norma Sadler, winners of the two top prizes in the 2025 John Gardiner Poetry Contest, are joined by Laguna Beach poet extraordinaire Ellen Girardeau Kempler. In this episode, the trio discuss the history of the John Gardiner Contest, his legacy, and their experiences taking part in and winning prizes in this year's competition.The theme of the 27th Annual John Gardiner Poetry contest, sponsored by the Laguna Beach Public Library, was "Worlds of Wonder". Claire's poem, "New Mexico Blue Corn" took first prize; Norma's work, "Too Many Tomatoes" was awarded second prize. Both poets read their prize winning poems at a special public event on June 7 and again on today's show!

Our good friend Ellen Girardeau Kempler returns to the show with her recently publihed book of poetry, Fire in My Head / Flame in My Heart - Poems for the Pyrocene. A fiting release in the midst of Earth Month, this collection of evocative, thought provoking works challenges the reader to think about their impact on this blue orb we all call home.

If Escher's drawing were turned into novels you would enter the world and mind of Tim Wombly. Author of two novels, A Bonafide Detective and Road To Eden, Tim writes "with a pen dipped in the vibrant ink of magical realism and historical intrigue...In Twombly’s universe, the mundane deftly intertwines with the miraculous. What would seem harrowing, suddenly morphs into the hilarious."In edition to his novels, Tim and I discuss fourth grade girlfriends, being signed by Capitol Records at the age of fifteen, playing bass guitar on tour with Ike and Tina Turner and a whole lot of other subjects that you just have to hear to believe!

Cecile Sarruf is an Arab-American author originally from Southern California. Born to a mother of Syro-Lebanese ancestry from Cairo and a Midwestern father, Cecile is the eldest of five. She holds a BA in Creative Writing from CSULB and an MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University, Los Angeles. Educated in the high arts: opera, piano, painting and literature, Cecile explores all means of self-expression in order to make her voice heard. Cecile is author of Kitchen in Beirut: a Memoir. Her other work can be found online in literary journals, as well as in print within anthologies. She is fluid in walking between East and West as a feminist, and is keen on the socio-political when standing at the edge of cultural crossroads. She also enjoys writing the occasional anecdotal essay from her personal life.

Sara Winokur introduces listeners to the worlds of genetic forensics, the people of Iceland, and a series of murders! In her Nordic noir novel “Double Blind: The Icelandic Manuscript Murders,” a young boy disappears from a fjord in Iceland. Years later, his twin sister Brynja, a DNA scientist, searches for him but lands in a world of trouble. Sara's second novel, the historical thriller “Ivory Bones: The Lewis Chessmen Murders,” finds Brynja racing against time to find the valuable medieval chess pieces before she herself becomes the target.Sara Winokur is a geneticist, researcher, and author. Her historical fiction and cultural thrillers embody elements of DNA and forensic science, as she has a Ph.D. in molecular genetics. Her research helped identify mutations underlying muscular dystrophy, and Huntington’s disease.As an ovarian cancer thriver, Sara has a sense of gratitude, strength, and perspective that she extends to family, friends, work, and her writing. On her journey from science to writing, she says “Let go of who you are and become what you might be. Do what scares you.” A mother of three, Sara resides with her husband and writes in Southern California. That is, when she is not traveling the world in search of unique stories.

Randy Kraft returns to the studio during Women's History Month to discuss three ground-breaking women writers: Willa Cather, Emma Wharton and Virginia Woolf.An American writer and designer, Wharton realistically portrayed in her works the lives and morals of the Gilded Age. In 1921, she became the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for her novel The Age of Innocence. Her other well-known works are The House of Mirth, the novella Ethan Frome, and several notable ghost stories.In contrast to Wharton, Cather's novels featured life on the Great Plains, including O Pioneers!, The Song of the Lark, and My Ántonia. She became the second woman to be awarded the Pulitzer Prize for One of Ours, a novel set during World War I.Virginia Woolf was an English writer and one of the most influential 20th century modernist authors. She pioneered the use of stream of consciousness narration as a literary device. Her works include The Voyage Out, To the Lighthouse, Orlando: A Biography, and Between Acts.

Katy Motiey joins the show today to discuss her writing journey that led to the publication of her book, Imperfect, the story of one woman’s loss, courage, love, and perseverance before and during the Iranian Revolution. Based on the experiences of the author’s mother, the story is old as a fictionalized account of true events as Vida Shamsa’s life takes an unexpected and dramatic turn with the sudden death of her young husband in 1971.Katy is an attorney, the Chief Legal, Administrative and Sustainability Officer at a US publicly traded company. She graduated from Georgetown University, undergraduate and law school. Born in Iran, she immigrated to the US from Iran at age ten with her mother and brother during the Iranian Revolution. Katy enjoys spending time with family, including her remarkable mother, the subject of her first novel, her loving significant other, Robert, a childhood classmate from Iran, and their adorable dog Molly (aka “Killer”). During her free time, she enjoys playing tennis, skiing, working out, and spending time with amazing friends and neighbors.

Author, high school teacher, and graphics design artisit David Block joins us this week to discuss how he combined his passion for graphic design and storytelling to create "The Dragon Codex: Quest for the Relics of Design," a captivating middle-grade fantasy adventure that weaves together the principles of graphic design with an enchanting narrative. Inspired by his daughter, whose artistic creativity and beautiful spirit are immortalized in the story through Aqureil's Ring, David seeks to educate and inspire young readers through the tale of three young dragons who must learn magic and graphic design in order to save their realm from creative destruction.David's introduction to the basics of graphic design and application of its principles provides writers with a set of additional tools and practical tips through which to think about perspective, imagery, scene setting, and designing their stories to achieve maximum impact.David Block is a seasoned graphic designer and educator with over 30 years of experience in the field. As a Graphic Design and Logo Designer, he has dedicated his career to both professional design and teaching the next generation of creative minds. David's commitment to excellence is evident in his role with North Orange County ROP at El Dorado High School, where he runs a work-based learning program for advanced and honors students, preparing them for real-world success.In addition to his teaching and writing, David is the host of "The Design Rescue Show," a YouTube series that explores the journeys of creative professionals across various fields. His ability to connect with and celebrate the stories of others has made the show a valuable resource for aspiring designers.

Award-winning author and screenwriter Herb Williams-Dalgart joins us in this podcast to discuss his writing journey, thoughts on UCI's writing program and the commmunity of writers he found there, and his two novels - The French Girl's War and Jingle Boys (see more at HerbTheWriter.com).Herb's work has been recognized by national and regional writing competitions for developing rich, memorable stories, layered characters, and fresh dialogue across many genres. His debut novel, The French Girl’s War, was a quarter-finalist in Amazon’s Breakthrough Novel Award contest. His latest novel, Jingle Boys was awarded five stars from Readers’ Favorite and was named Finalist for the Page Turner Award for Writing.The son of immigrants and the grandson of a World War II veteran after whom he was named, Herb maintains a great respect for and fascination with “the greatest generation” and with the period. He holds a degree in English and an emphasis in creative writing from UC Santa Barbara and a certificate in screenwriting from UCLA’s Writer’s Program. When not writing fiction or screenplays, he spends time with his wife, their children and grandchildren, and the family dog in Southern California.

Social Media genius and The Best of Laguna Beach maven Diane Armitage offers writers advice and "how to" tips on the subject of promoting their writing. Diane discusses the importance of "leverage" and why writers owe it to themselves and their readers to make sure they "don't paddle around the harbor" but get their work out there! Diane also reveals that it's OK for writers to make money and provides practical insights on how to build readership and potential income streams through joint ventures with others (click here to learn more about her masterclass).Diane, Bob Proctor's writing partner for 27 years, has leveraged the learnings of her experiences to create an awesome magical life. Through a series of blogs and websites as well as her radio show here on KXFM she provides her perspective on follies, foibles, "Best of Laguna Beach" discoveries and constant reminders that you, too, can fly as high as you dare to go.

We experienced a bit of a plot twist when today's guest came down with the flu so we pivoted to a new feature - selected readings of first chapters from books by authors who have previously appeared on the show!This episode features Becoming Modigliani, by Henri Colt; Signs of Life, by Randy Kraft, and The Dream Stitcher, by Deborah Gaal. Click on the title of each work for more information. I also threw in a quick review of the Laguna Beach Writers' Calendar where I highlight upcoming literary events occuring in the coming month. One notable event I failed to mention is Love Out Loud, an open mic reading event put on by Third Street Writers hosted at Laguna Beach Books on February 13, 2025 starting at 6:00PM. These reading events are always an extremely fun and engaging night out as well as a great opportunity to meet and network with local authors. Hope to see you there!Please feel free to email me at [email protected] with any suggestions for guest, topics, ideas or just general questions and chit chat. I look forward to hearing from you and thank you for listening to the show!

Producer, writer, director in film and television, and professor Christine Fugate takes us behind the camera to give writers insights into how to use perspective, story telling, and the well crafted lie in dialogue to enhance our tales. Along the way we discuss talent meeting opportunity, advice on travel, an interlude with the rock band KISS and thoughts on the power of one-act plays.Although we didn't chat about it in this episode, I encourage listeners to check out Christine's film, Queen Moorea and learn more about the silent disability Williams Syndrome (EDS), with which Christine herself has been diagnosed.Christine is an award-winning producer and director whose work has been screened in theaters and broadcast on channels around the world. She has produced pilots and programming for networks including Discovery, VH1, Disney, A&E, Sundance, Travel Channel, PBS, and HBO. She has also spent time interviewing celebrities such as Johnny Depp, Tom Hanks, Julie Andrews, and Anne Hathaway. For her unscripted work, she was named one of Showbiz's Top 100 Directors. Before working in unscripted, she spent years working in feature films as a Senior VP of Creative Affairs at Pacific Rim Productions and Schroeder & Hoffman Productions at Sony Pictures, and as a 2nd Unit Director at Five Star Productions in Bangkok, Thailand. She has also spent time filming in Fiji, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Malawi, and Thailand. She is currently an Assistant Professor in Documentary and Narrative Film at Chapman University.

KXFM's own Jason Feddy joins the show this week but not for the reason you think! A Laguna Beach icon and music legend, Jason takes us in a different direction - he shares his thoughts on Apologies - how to do it well and why you need to do it more now than ever.Jason discusses his youth and coming of age in England, early years with rock bands and music, his discent into the dark night of the soul and subsequent resurrection here in Laguna Beach. Along the way Jason learned some things about himself and his relationships with others that became the seed of a book (working title - Cringe).

In this week's episode we mind our Ps & Qs and leave no participle dangled as guest author Rebecca Lyles joins us to humorously explore communication stumbling blocks, reveal common errors in the use of the English language, and provide time-tested advice on how to write and speak effectively. We also discuss the importance of finding a good editor and -- SPOILER ALERT -- reading the best writers in whatever genre you prefer in order to become a better writer!Rebecca shares her observations and advice from her book, From the Errors of Others, a collection of crisp, witty and slyly informative essays on the subject of communication - good, bad and patently bizarre, which Richard Nordquist, PhD. describes as a "...refreshing alternative to those heavy hand-books we never opened in school. It is not only far more entertaining than those dreary tomes,...it's also much more enlightening. Imagine that, a smart book about writing and speaking effectively that people will actually enjoy reading."As an added fun bonus, I encourage you to listen to the song, Thank You for Your Time by Gotye that strikes a similar chord with a passage found on p.31 of From the Errors of OthersRebecca worked for thirty years as a technical writer, editor, and manager for companies including AT&T, FileNet, and IBM and has helped numerous business improve their communication and training procedures. She has also contributed paradoy songs for more than a decade for No Square Theater.

Deborah Gaal has published two novels: Synchronicities on the Avenue of the Saints and The Dream Stitcher. Deborah enjoys crafting novels that bring darkness into the light, touch on societal issues, and make our personal trials seem relevant and manageable through the allegory of relatable characters.In today's episode, Deborah stitches us a picture of her mothers's and father's respective histories provided the inspiration for her two novels, each weaving tales grounded in history with a sense of wonder, mysticism, and an endearing charm for readers. Deborah shares her process, which involves listening mindfully to the muses who speak with her as well as the importance of feedback and editing as we learn the fantastic backgound to her journey from business owner and corporate success to fulfilling her own artistic dreams.

Host John Tynan rings in the New Year by paying homage to Holiday Digest 2024, a collaboration with the Laguna Beach Independent and Third Street Writers that appears during the holiday season. For the past seven years, selected writers have shared holiday-themed stories with readers of the Indy.In the first episode of Season 2, John reads ten original stories written by members of Third Street Writers and printed in The Indy's Holiday Digest between November 22 and December 20th: The first story printed in the 2024 edition can be found here - Home is Where the Heart Is at Thanksgiving.The additional nine stories featured in this episode can be found by searching The Independent's archives: https://www.lagunabeachindy.com/.

Whether your new to Flash Fiction or a seasoned pro, this episode looks to bring a new perspective to the genre by looking at select songs and their lyrics as a form of flash fiction. In particular, we feature the songs "Jericho Bay" and "Charlie's Sky" (Icehouse), "You Don't Mess Around with Jim" (Jim Croce), "The Night That the Lights Went Out in Georgia" (Vicki Lawrence), and "Family Snapshot" (Peter Gabriel) to illustrate various tips and tricks on how to write fast fiction.   

Norma Sadler reads from her book of poetry (Chasing the Past and Other Poems) and discusses how she has evolved since writing her two novels (Krystal's Notebook and Flight of the Swan). Along the way we discuss how her writing was influenced from her experience growing up in Pittsburgh and the midwest, coming of age in the 1960s, and her eventual move to California. Norma also shares some keen insights on her process, including the importance of shredding paper, and her experiences with Third Street Writers.

Writer, editor, Arts columnist for Stu News, and in-coming Third Street Writers President Theresa Keegan joins this episode of Everybody's Got A Story - and she has some opinions on the art & craft of writing! Along the way, we talk about growing up in an Irish Catholic family, the importance of local news, her views on the next chapter for Laguna Beach's preeminent writing group, Third Street Writers, and Holiday Digest, now appearing in the Indy.

Michael Ray and Monica Martin delve beneath the covers with Trump's Hot Bot, a unique and humorous work of creative non-fiction. This visual feast, described as "a cross between an adult comic book, Mad Magazine, and vintage Playboy" presents a biographical take on the 45th and 47th President of the United States in graphic detail. Explore the story of how "Donny's" grandfather escaped the Kaiser's Germany to seek his fortune in the Yukon, establishing a legacy that would span the next three generations and extend to the five burroughs of NYC, into New Jersey and ultimately the White House.If after listening to this podcast you would like to obtain a copy for yourself, or learn more about the Spanish illustrator who crafted the eye-popping illustrations, send an email to [email protected]. He knows a guy, who know a guy, who knows a bot...

Author Randy Kraft is a former journalist/communications strategist who has three novels (Colors of the Wheel, Signs of Life, and Off Season) and one story collection (Rational Women) in print. Randy is also a book reviewer and occasional lecturer. She holds an MAW, Masters in Writing; MBA; and BA, Literature. Raised in NYC, Randy migrated to Laguna Beach in 2006 where she is now happily writing and reading and enjoying the sea breezes in Southern California.On this episode of Everbody's Got A Story Randy discusses her "orphan book", philosophy behind the non-use of quotation marks or chapter numbers (if you don't have a good reason to do something, don't do it), and the benefits of short-story writing for longer fictional works. We even get into some silliness with consonants, thus the title!More information about Randy and her works can be found at Randy Kraft Writer - Novels, Short Stories, Book Reviews | Randy Kraft Writer

Dr. Henri Colt joins Everybody's Got A Story to discuss his book, Becoming Modigliani, "a myth-busting biography of Italian-Jewish artist Amedeo Modigliani." Along the way Henri answers such existential questions as “do we need another book on Modigliani? and Why write about Modigliani at all? We also receive a significant insight on the critcalness to writers of proper research, especially the planning phase.Dr. Colt, who was raised in the US and France, is a medical doctor, writer, philosopher, award-winning medical educator and an Eagle Scout. His other activities include mountaineering, rock climbing, and adventure travel.In addition to Becoming Modigliani, Henri has also produced An Anthology of Flash Fiction: 30 Short Stories about Life & Death, The Picture of Health: Medical Ethics and the Movies (Oxford University Press), Bronchoscopy and Central Airways Disorders: A Patient-Centered Approach (Elsevier Press), Flex-Rigid Pleuroscopy Step by Step (PMG Press), A Manual of Pleural Diseases (Raven Press), and the popular Essential Bronchoscopist Series (translated into seventeen languages).Henri has worked, lectured, or traveled around the world, visiting more than 130 countries and all continents. His current writing projects include short stories and a textbook on ethics for Interventional Pulmonologists.

Author Kaira Rouda and her husband, former Congress Person Harley Rouda, take over Everybody's Got a Story as part of KXFM's annual fundraising drive. This dynamic couple shares love, laughs, and their mutual passion for the art of writing, dedication to serving others, and the importance of local community radio! On today's episode, Kaira announces the release of her twenty-second book, "What the Nanny Saw" (Amazon.com: What the Nanny Saw: A totally gripping psychological thriller with a killer twist (Family Secrets) eBook : Rouda , Kaira: Books) and alerts listeners to the reveal of the cover art for her next release, "Jill Is Not Happy" See the Cover of Kaira Rouda's Thriller 'Jill Is Not Happy' (Exclusive). In between, the Roudas share their playlist of songs with meaning and discuss everything from politics, service, charitable works, and the nature of SEC and Big Ten rivalry. Oh, and some really important tips for writers about perseverance and creating compelling characters.

Colorado transplant Diane Armitage came to "...this little vortex town in 2000...and decided to get out and explore...and...the “Best of Laguna Beach™” blog (Best of Laguna Beach | Diane Armitage | Substack) and books were inadvertently born." Over 17 years, Diana has shared her “best of” findings for everything from breakfast burritos to live music and Laguna Beach's rockin’ chefs. Diane also owns a marketing agency that has specialized in marketing strategy for restaurants and resorts all over the world. Restaurateurs hire Diane and her team to talk through the physical design and development as well as the concept’s brand development.On today's episode, Diane shares her views on writing, thoughts on creatively promoting ourselves as artists, and the importance of bringing our creativity and intentions into reality. 

Laguna Beach poet, world traveler and climate change activist Ellen Girardeau Kempler takes us on a poetic jouney that includes how she emerged from the chrysalis of a significant life setback to become a poet, her love for Laguna and her views on climate change through the lens of her poetry. Ellen also reads from her forthcoming publication, expected in April 2025, a collection of 32 poems exploring the effects of climate change.

Third Street Writers President Amy Dechary and LCAD Gallery Manager Bryan Heggie team up to talk about writing workshops, visual arts, and the symbiotic relationship between the two art forms in action here in Laguna Beach. Amy and Bryan also discuss the history of Secrets & Sins, an open mic reading event focused on the scary, macabe, and sublime scheduled to take place at the LCAD Gallery on the night of Thursday October 24 at 7:00PM. Consider yourself summoned! 

Linda Shelton Marshal spent twenty-five years writing scripts for Fortune 500 Companies including Dow and Dow-Corning as well as multinational organizations like the Boy Scouts. Embued with a keen sense of how human beings are wired for story, Linda admonished her client to avoid being a Talking Head and seek instead to communincate on a more listener oriented plane.Linda takes listeners through a journey of how the human mind processes story, discuss the triad of the mind, body, and spirit and provides essential tips and advice for all writers to consider as they craft any form of written communication.

Phil Daigle, Laguna Beach resident and author of three independently published novels, provides listeners with a step-by-step guide on how to successfully navigate the world of independent publishing to bring your writing project to life. From e-readers to Amazon sales to published hard copies, Phil shares his experience along with tips and tricks for writers seeking alternatives to the Big 5 Publishing houses.Phil Daigle is a mystery and historical fiction author with three published novels - The Acadian, Tides of Acadia, and his most recent release, Canvas of Secrets, a murder mystery set in 1969 Laguna Beach.

Author and political lobbyist Judie Mancuso discusses her first publication, Because They Need Us, a tale of how to make meaningful change for our furry friends through legislative action in Sacramento.

Local personality and polymath Billy Fried, Chairman and Grand Poobah of KXFM kicks off our first season of podcast by sharing his thoughts and insights on the art & craft of writing. Billie has spent his career in media and marketing, most recently as an opinion columnist at the Laguna Beach Independent and radio talk show host of “Laguna Talks” on KXFM.In his own words, Billy has "...learned the importance of listening, because everyone has a story, and listening to people tell theirs is frankly the most interesting thing in the world to me. And if we all just listened more, we would discover that we more alike than different – and get along a whole lot better."We couldn't agree more! Tune In and Turn On to hear Billy's story.