In Conversation with Terry Shepherd

In this episode, host Terry Shepherd sits down with authors Ashley Wren Collins and Jordan Rockwell to discuss their collaborative romantic comedy, She Wrote, He Wrote: A New York Love Story. Set against the "beautifully chaotic" backdrop of New York City, the novel offers a unique split narrative that explores a single romance from two very different perspectives.Inside the StoryThe book follows the parallel journeys of two aspiring New Yorkers:Joanna: An East Village writer navigating a cramped walk-up, eccentric roommates, and a questionable boss.Logan: A Wall Street professional attempting to make his own mark while escaping the heavy expectations of his wealthy Connecticut family.A Partnership Born of "Sparks and Laughter"Ashley and Jordan share the delightful—and often hilarious—true story of their own meeting, which involves years of "near misses" before finally connecting at a multi-day wedding extravaganza in St. Martin. From failed pickup lines on the beach to Jordan’s ill-fated "crush" on a wedding band leader, they reveal how their real-life friendship and "riffing" eventually evolved into a professional writing partnership.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The Art of Collaboration: How the duo balances Jordan’s focus on structure and outlines with Ashley’s emphasis on flow, humor, and "nurturing" the narrative.Literary Inspirations: The influence of New York staples like Sex and the City, How I Met Your Mother, and Wedding Crashers on their work.Writing for Everyone: Why this "chick-lit" inspired story actually skews heavily toward the male perspective, making it a relatable read for "the fellows" as much as the traditional romance audience.Dealing with Rejection: The authors discuss "thickening their skin" and treating rejection as a stepping stone to the finish line.A Sincere Dedication: Why the pair decided to dedicate the book to all of their ex-partners.Whether you are looking for the perfect "tequila-at-the-beach" summer read or an inside look at how two screenwriters tackle their first novel, this conversation is packed with humor, heart, and insight into the "dance" of storytelling."We’re not trying to change the world, but we need more joy. It’s a joyful book." — Jordan Rockwell We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

SOS: James Grady on Hometown Secrets, "Shadows on Sidewalks," and Reshaping the ThrillerEpisode Summary There are writers who define a genre, and then there are those who quietly reshape it from the inside out. In this episode, host Terry Shepherd is joined by legendary thriller author James Grady, whose breakout novel Six Days of the Condor originally introduced audiences to a world where paranoia, power, and survival collide.Grady discusses his latest novel, Shadows on Sidewalks—also known by its thematic abbreviation SOS—which is set in a small Montana town. The narrative follows protagonist James Trayvin, a man drawn back home by family obligations who quickly becomes entangled in a tightening web of deception, desire, and looming violence. Throughout the conversation, Grady shares his philosophies on storytelling, the profound influence of authors like Elmore Leonard on his relentless narrative pacing, and the absolute necessity of weaving real-world contemporary tensions into modern fiction.Topics Discussed:The Pull of Nostalgia: Grady explores how our hometowns shape us forever and why returning home can serve as both a fascinating refuge and a dangerous, ticking-clock trap.Real-World Horrors: The complex character of Lana LaBuff was crafted to spotlight the tragic reality of murders, disappearances, and discrimination faced by Indigenous women on reservations.Moral Ambiguity: A deep dive into how characters today are rarely inherently good or bad, but are simply humans navigating situations where making the "wrong" choice might be the only way to protect their loved ones.The Craft of Suspense: Grady explains his method for balancing psychological suspense with erotic tension, the importance of stripping away unnecessary adverbs, and why he allows his characters to organically hijack the dialogue and dictate the story's unconventional ending.An Author's Origin: Discover how growing up in a highly isolated Montana town with a movie theater manager father and a librarian mother provided the perfect cultural foundation for Grady’s global writing career.Words to Live By: Grady shares the heartfelt family motto that guides his personal life: "Do Good Walk True, and Be Happy".More about James Grady.We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

Reclaiming a Faded Past: Mario Cartaya’s Journey Back to CubaIn this episode, host Terry Shepherd speaks with acclaimed architect and author Mario Cartaya about his memoir, Journey Back Into the Vault: In Search of My Faded Cuban Childhood Footprints.Fleeing Cuba at age eight after his father’s life was threatened, Mario suppressed his childhood memories for 56 years. After returning to the island, which he describes as being like a clock that stopped in 1959, he experienced a profound psychological reunion with his past.In this episode, you’ll learn:The Escape: Why his family had to leave Cuba in September of 1960 and the psychological encapsulation that locked away his memories.The Return: The powerful moment on a Havana balcony where his Cuban and American lives finally reunited.Architecture & Identity: How childhood toys, like an erector set and a toy crane, shaped his successful career as an architect.A Message of Peace: The importance of finding inner peace and his hopes for a free, transparent, and democratic Cuba with a capitalist economy.About Our Guest:Mario Cartaya is an author and the founder of an acclaimed architectural firm in Fort Lauderdale. His work and life achievements have been entered into the United States Congressional Record.Connect with Mario Cartaya:Website: MarioCartaya.com We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

What happens when history repeats itself and the global balance of power shifts overnight? In this episode, host Terry Shepherd sits down with Dr. Ralph DeFalco, the "Renaissance man" and author behind the chilling political thriller, The Counterfeit.Ralph discusses the historical patterns and current geopolitical trends that inspired his vision of a fractured, post-conflict America. We explore a world where the United States has been economically crippled and politically compromised, forcing its citizens to navigate a new reality of desperation and foreign influence.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The Intersection of History and Fiction: How Ralph uses historical cycles to project a plausible and terrifying future for the United States.A Nation Divided: Inside the setting of The Counterfeit, where privilege and desperation live side-by-side under the shadow of a foreign power.The "What If" of Geopolitics: Exploring the logical conclusions of current global trend lines.Character-Driven Stakes: A look at the intense, personal moments of conflict that drive the narrative—where survival often depends on a split-second decision.Writing the "Plausible Future": Ralph’s approach to creating a thriller that feels uncomfortably real to modern readers.About Our Guest:Dr. Ralph DeFalco is an author and scholar often described as a "Renaissance man" for his broad expertise and deep understanding of historical patterns. His work focuses on the intersection of political power, national identity, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of systemic collapse.Featured in this Episode:The Counterfeit: The gripping political thriller by Dr. Ralph DeFalco.Enjoyed the conversation? Be sure to subscribe to the podcast for more deep dives into the writer's craft with Terry Shepherd.We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

Justice, Legacy, and "A Death in Arcadia" with Mike PapantonioWhat happens when a legal case cracks open a wound a man has kept sealed his entire life? In this episode, award-winning broadcaster Terry Shepherd dives deep with legendary trial lawyer, radio host, and author Mike Papantonio to discuss his latest legal thriller, A Death in Arcadia.From the brutal reality of Florida’s youth detention centers to the high-stakes world of corporate litigation, Papantonio shares the real-life inspirations behind his fiction. He reveals how a 100-year history of abuse at a North Florida facility and a candid conversation with Paris Hilton led him to write this powerful story.In this episode, you’ll discover:The Personal Connection: Why Papantonio chose his former "cow town" hometown of Arcadia, Florida, as the backdrop for this gripping narrative.Art Imitating Life: The dynamic between the book's protagonist, Deak, and his daughter Kara—inspired by Papantonio's real-life daughter and law partner, Sarah.The Fight Against Bullies: Why Papantonio has spent his career "kicking over rotted logs" to take on corporate psychopaths and pharmaceutical giants.A Broadcasting Legacy: Reflections on the early days of the Air America Radio network alongside figures like Al Franken, Rachel Maddow, and Bobby Kennedy.The Future of the Craft: Why Papantonio isn't worried about AI replacing creative writers and his advice for aspiring authors who have a story to tell."I just hate bullies, Terry. I can’t tolerate a bully... whether I got punched in the face or whatever, I was gonna take the last swing on behalf of that person." — Mike PapantonioAbout Mike PapantonioMike Papantonio is a senior partner with one of the country’s most formidable law firms and a nationally syndicated radio host. A voice for victims of corporate negligence, he has spent his career at the intersection of law, power, and human consequence.Connect with the Author:Website: mikepapantonioauthor.com Latest Book: A Death in Arcadia—available wherever books are sold.We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

In this episode, host Terry Shepherd dives into the "uneasy space" of literary horror with poet and dancer Kirsten Kashock. They discuss her unsettling new novel, An Impossibility of Crows, a story that examines the haunting boundaries of devotion, inheritance, and control.The Horse-Sized CrowKirsten reveals that the book originated from a single, startling dream of a crow the size of a horse. While the image was jarring, she felt curiosity rather than fear, leading her to create a female "mad scientist" protagonist—a rarity in a genre typically dominated by male figures like Frankenstein.Logic, Longing, and MotherhoodThe conversation explores the character of Agnes, a scientist who begins the novel having lost her parents, her job, and her child. Kirsten explains how Agnes’s scientific mind attempts to "solve" her daughter Mina’s birth defect through a breeding program, inadvertently crossing the line between care and control.Key Discussion Points:Generational Inheritance: How Agnes is shaped by her mother’s poetic journals and her father’s history in the Vietnam War.The Isolation of the Pandemic: How writing during the global lockdown informed the book's themes of solitude and scientific obsession.The Voice of Science: Kirsten describes the effort of developing Agnes’s scientific tone and the use of a journal format to sustain tension.The Art of Revision: Why Kirsten views the first draft as "vomiting the clay" and revision as the essential "sculpting" of a story."The things that we bury do not stay dead." For readers who seek the "pleasurable dread" of the dark and the unsettling, this interview offers a deep dive into the craft of a writer who isn't afraid to get "close to the bone".Connect with Kirsten Kashock:Website: kirstenkashock.com Latest Book: An Impossibility of Crows We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

Sooner of later, if you attend an author conference, you may have the opportunity to moderate a panel. Two ace moderators discuss the key factors that make a great performance.Cara Black best known for the twenty-one novel mystery series featuring Aimée Leduc a female Paris-based private investigator, as well as the thrillers Three Hours in Paris, a national bestseller, and Night Flight to Paris. Her work has been translated into seven languages and she's included the 2nd edition of Great Women Writers curated by Elizabeth Lindsay.Michele Drier writes about strong women who find themselves in precarious situations they couldn't have predicted. Her worlds are filled with fascinating characters and immersive settings that hook your interest and never let go.We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

The Psychology of Fear and the Art of the ThrillerIn this episode, Terry Shepherd sits down with Dennis Palumbo, a licensed psychotherapist and veteran Hollywood screenwriter whose credits include the Emmy-winning Welcome Back, Kotter and the classic film My Favorite Year. Palumbo discusses his dual life as a therapist for creative minds by day and a mystery novelist by night.Exploring Panic AttackThe conversation focuses on the release of Panic Attack, the sixth installment in Palumbo's Daniel Rinaldi series.The Plot: The story begins with a shocking act of violence—a sniper opening fire during a college football game.The Protagonist: Daniel Rinaldi is a Pittsburgh Police consultant and trauma expert who treats victims of violent crime.The Motivation: Rinaldi's mission is driven by his own "survivor guilt" following a mugging that claimed the life of his wife.The Themes: The novel explores the "Age of Trauma," examining how modern culture, social media, and global instability fuel collective anxiety.Behind the Scenes: The Patient and HollywoodPalumbo shares fascinating insights into his work as a consulting producer on the Hulu series The Patient, starring Steve Carell.Real-Life Inspiration: Carell’s character, a kidnapped therapist, was visually and professionally modeled after Palumbo himself, right down to the salt-and-pepper beard.Clinical Accuracy: Palumbo provided the writers with the specific language and psychological reactions a therapist would use in such an extreme, "arcane" situation.Advice for CreativesDrawing from his experience in therapy and the arts, Palumbo offers wisdom for those trying to create in a "crazy time":Your Voice Matters: He emphasizes that every person has a story worth telling and that "all serious daring starts from within".The Joy of Process: Referencing research on happiness, he notes that fulfillment comes from the "successful pursuit of a goal," rather than just achieving the goal itself.Audio Release InformationThe audiobook for Panic Attack, narrated by Eric Sm, is scheduled for release on April 7th. Listeners can find Dennis Palumbo's work in hardcover, paperback, and eBook formats.We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

In this episode of In Conversation with Terry Shepherd, Terry dives deep into the writer's craft with author and artist Karen Ann Phillips to celebrate the release of A Deadly Hook, the third and final installment in her popular Rocky Nelson series.What happens when a peaceful weekend in the Sierra Nevadas is interrupted by a Bigfoot sighting and a shocking murder? Karen shares how her protagonist, Raquel "Rocky" Nelson—a retired boxer with a soft heart and a knockout punch—navigates a sinister mystery that leaves one of her own friends as the prime suspect.Inside This EpisodeA Different Kind of Sleuth: Why Karen chose to make her protagonist a 55-year-old boxer instead of a traditional bakery owner to set her apart in the "cozy" genre.Art Imitating Life: The autobiographical elements behind Rocky, including Karen’s own boxing lessons and her "money pit" experience owning a vintage trailer.Handling Heavy Themes: How Karen weaves sensitive topics like suicide and sibling rivalry into a traditional mystery while maintaining a "heartfelt" tone and a happy ending.The Romantic Tussle: Rocky’s ultimate choice between the "hot firefighter" and the "handsome detective".The Writing Process: Karen’s transition from short stories to novels, her use of "sprints" for discipline, and the mentors who helped her along the way.About Karen Ann PhillipsKaren Ann Phillips is a novelist and a professional cover designer. She is an active member of the writing community, including Sisters in Crime and Capital Crimes. While A Deadly Hook wraps up Rocky’s journey, Karen is already at work on her next project: The Mother Daughter Detective Agency.Connect with Karen:Website: karenaphillips.com Featured Book: A Deadly HookMentioned in this EpisodeSisters in Crime & Capital Crimes (Sacramento Chapter) Eight Weeks to a Complete Book by Becky Clark Writing mentors: Cindy Sample and Penny Warner We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

From DOJ Corridors to Chicago Syndicates: Chad Boudreaux on Crafting Mob JusticeImagine starting a high-stakes job at the Department of Justice on September 10, 2001. For our guest today, Chad Boudreaux, that was reality. After spending decades navigating the overlapping spheres of homeland security and defense leadership, Chad has channeled a world of classified briefings and calibrated language into a thrilling second vocation as an author.In this episode, Chad joins us to discuss his latest novel, Mob Justice, the highly anticipated follow-up to Scavenger Hunt. He takes us behind the scenes of his writing process and into the gray areas where the law’s formal architecture meets the improvisations of survival.We explore his protagonist, Blake Hudson—an earnest, tested DOJ attorney—who is dispatched to a Chicago still haunted by the lingering aura of the Prohibition-era Chicago Outfit.In this episode, we cover:A Trial by Fire: What it was like for Chad to start at the DOJ the day before 9/11 and how those decades in federal service shaped his fiction.The Anti-Action Hero: Why Chad chose to make Blake Hudson an earnest, naive protagonist navigating a system that rewards calculation, rather than a preloaded "marquee star."Authenticity Over Melodrama: How Chad consulted former FBI agents to master the true "vocabulary of surveillance" and ensure his wiretap scenes carried documentary restraint.The Ultimate Antagonist: A breakdown of the book's most arresting confrontation featuring Enzo—a former Supreme Court clerk who chillingly pivots into a mob consigliere.Institutions & Humanity: Exploring the novel's core themes of loyalty, betrayal, and finding the irreducibly human elements beneath the marble floors of Washington.Whether you love legal thrillers, organized crime history, or just want to hear how an insider translates real-world government experience into page-turning fiction, this episode is for you!Get the Book: Pick up your copy of Mob Justice and its predecessor, Scavenger Hunt, wherever books are sold.We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

What if the secret to humanity's future was hidden inside a murdered judge's laptop?In this episode of In Conversation with Terry Shepherd, Terry sits down with debut thriller author Gary Fields to explore his globe-spanning, time-bending novel, The Book of Judges — already drawing comparisons to The Da Vinci Code.When a respected judge is killed, three unlikely heroes — a young lawyer, a theology doctoral candidate, and a quirky tech genius — have just 72 hours to decode the clues buried in his computer. What they uncover sends them on a desperate chase across Florida, hunted by a relentless killer, and ultimately face-to-face with a secret that could change the world.Gary shares the remarkable journey behind the book: from poetry and songwriting as a kid, to careers in tech and law, to 15 drafts over 20 years before finally publishing his debut. He talks about the spiritual concept of "the Words" — his belief that creativity connects us all — and why themes of human destiny, interconnectedness, and justice run through every page.You'll also hear his surprisingly chilling take on artificial intelligence, what Henry VIII has to do with the future of political freedom, and why Joshua Sutton — his protagonist — will be back for a sequel.In this episode:The origin of The Book of Judges and why it took two decades to writeHow Gary blends authentic legal history with modern thriller pacingThe three protagonists — and the real people who inspired themDreams, destiny, and the idea that we're all more connected than we knowGary's AI warning you won't soon forget📖 Learn more and read a free expanded chapter: garyfields.comIn Conversation with Terry Shepherd — a deep dive into the writer's craft with the artists and support systems who create the stories we love.We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

We recently sat down with celebrated anthropologist Dr. Mimi Nichter to discuss her gripping new memoir, "Hostage: A Memoir of Terrorism, Trauma, and Resilience."In 1970, Mimi was a college senior whose flight home from Tel Aviv was hijacked by the PFLP. What followed were six days on a sweltering plane in the Jordanian desert and weeks of captivity in Amman.But this isn't just a historical recount—it’s a deeply personal exploration of:The "Hidden Box": How she carried the weight of trauma for decades in a world that didn't yet have the language to understand it.Human Complexity: Her unique perspective as an anthropologist, finding moments of shared humanity even with her captors.True Resilience: The realization that healing isn't about forgetting, but "resizing" fear so it no longer consumes the present.Dr. Nichter’s story is a profound reminder that even in the most polarized times, nuance and empathy are our most necessary tools.Check out the full interview to hear more about her journey from the desert sands to finding her voice. 👇#HostageMemoir #MimiNichter #NewBook #Resilience #MustRead #History #TraumaRecovery #AnthropologyWe all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

What happens when a Silicon Valley pioneer trades the boardroom for the open road? 🏍️✨I recently sat down with Michael Yang, the founder of MySimon, to talk about his incredible new memoir, "Coming Alive on the Ride."Michael reached the "Silicon Valley summit" early, but he discovered that the view from the top can be surprisingly isolating. From arriving in San Jose as a teenager with no English to navigating the unpredictable world of tech and eventually riding a motorcycle to the tip of Patagonia, Michael’s story is about much more than business—it’s about "shin-na-geh" (a state of joyful immersion).Here are a few takeaways from our conversation:Adaptability is everything: Whether it’s a broken shifter in a Patagonia storm or being pushed out of a company you built, how you pivot defines your success.The "Personal Exit": The most important exit isn't financial; it’s stepping beyond your comfort zone to rediscover yourself.Confidence is balance: Much like riding a motorcycle or standing up to a bully, confidence is a skill that must be practiced daily.If you’ve ever felt "stalled" despite hitting your goals, Michael’s journey is a powerful reminder that reinvention is always possible if you just keep moving.We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

From Hollywood "Ghost" to Literary Powerhouse ✍️For 35 years, Peter Fedorenko was the "script doctor" who fixed Hollywood’s biggest stories from the shadows. Then, in 2020, his own heart stopped.Having returned from the brink, Peter has finally stepped into the light with his debut novel, Among the Living.It’s not just a book; it’s a reckoning. Following a German Jewish medic from the trenches of WWI to the rise of Nazi Berlin, it explores a haunting truth: Patriotism is not armor.In our interview, we discuss:How a near-death experience fueled his transition from film to prose.The forgotten history of Jewish medics on the Western Front.Why survival isn’t the ultimate goal—memory is.Don’t miss this conversation with a man who spent a lifetime refining fantasies, only to deliver a masterpiece of reality.We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

In celebration of it's paperback release join us for a special look at the journey of Jennifer K. Morita toward publication of her debut novel, "Ghosts of Waikīkī," What happens when an unemployed newspaper reporter returns to Hawaii to ghostwrite for a controversial developer? In Jennifer’s debut,  the answer is a cocktail of mystery, family secrets, and a murder investigation led by the protagonist's ex.Now officially available in paperback, Jennifer sat down with Terry Shepherd to pull back the curtain on her writing process. From "sheltering in place" during the 2020 pandemic to sneaking in chapters during lunch breaks and finding plot breakthroughs in Zumba class, Jennifer’s story is a masterclass in persistence and passion.Whether you're an aspiring author or a fan of island noir, you won’t want to miss this conversation about how one woman turned a "writer's dream" into a gripping reality.We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

How well do we truly know the people we love?In the latest episode, I sit down with Danielle Girard to discuss her haunting new thriller, "Pinky Swear." This isn't a story of cartoon villains or "moral origami." Instead, it’s a dive into the "slanted middle"—the messy, gray area where devotion slides into delusion.Born from the "ashes of a collapsed marriage" and the quiet, wintry silence of Montana, Danielle’s 17th novel is a work of emotional archaeology. We dig into:The Ultimate Betrayal: What happens when a surrogate vanishes just days before the birth?The Reality of Evil: Why the most terrifying threats aren't monsters, but the ordinary betrayals that erode our safety.Professional Reinvention: Danielle’s journey of starting over mid-career and finding a new voice in the "fog.""Writing is like driving in the fog... trusting that the road will reveal itself in increments no longer than a single headlight beam."Don't Miss This ConversationWhether you’re a longtime fan of her procedurals or looking for a story that captures the "suffocating dread of waiting for a door that doesn't open," this is a conversation—and a book—you won’t be able to put down.Join us as we explore the space between events where life actually happens.We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

What happens when thirty-four years of corporate finance meets a lifelong passion for animal rescue? You get the Lily Dreyfus mystery series—where the puzzles are intricate, the stakes are high, and the four-legged characters have just as much personality as the humans.In this episode, we sit down with Darlene Dziomba, the "Dog Whisperer of the Garden State," to discuss her journey from the University of Pennsylvania to the top of the cozy mystery charts. We’re diving deep into her latest release, Tail of Deception, a gripping tale that turns a charitable 5K fundraiser into a crime scene.Inside This Episode:The Catalyst: How a single panel at a mystery conference inspired Darlene to ditch the "dog-groomer" tropes for the authentic, complex world of animal shelter operations.Tail of Deception: A former Marine collapses at the finish line of a fundraiser for the Forever Friends Animal Shelter. Was it overexertion, or something far more sinister?Dogs as Characters: Why Boone and Crockett aren't just mascots, but fully realized characters with their own moods and "independent judgment."The Cozy Balance: How Darlene manages the "darkness" of a mystery while maintaining the warmth and comfort her readers crave (and the physical "barometer" she uses to know when a scene is getting too intense).Real-Life Villains: Darlene reveals the secret satisfaction of modeling her fictional antagonists after people she’s encountered in real life.Whether you're a devoted "cozy" reader, an animal advocate, or an aspiring author looking for inspiration on your second act, this conversation is packed with insight, wit, and plenty of wagging tails.We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

What happens when a life built on discipline, survival, and excellence finally makes room for joy?In this episode, we explore Steeped, the powerful memoir of retired neurosurgeon Dr. Craig Yorke, whose journey stretches from the charged streets of Boston’s Roxbury to the operating rooms of America’s heartland, and ultimately back to the music that first shaped him.Raised by parents determined to shield their son from the brutal realities of racism through achievement, Yorke grew up under relentless expectations. By sixteen, he was performing as a violin soloist with the Boston Pops, but the passion that opened doors also became a burden. Seeking purpose beyond obligation, he traded concert halls for surgical theaters, embarking on a decades-long career in neurosurgery where precision, endurance, and responsibility carried life-or-death stakes.Steeped is more than a medical memoir. It is a deeply human story about identity, ambition, family, and the courage it takes to separate who we are from who we were told we must become.Now retired and once again performing violin, Yorke reflects on the question that anchors his story. Not what he told his children to do, but what he himself had done to find freedom beyond fear and expectation.A moving conversation about pressure, purpose, race, medicine, music, and the lifelong search for authenticity. This episode reminds us that sometimes the most delicate operation is learning how to live on our own terms.We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

What does it actually take to bring that dash of vanilla extract to your kitchen counter?This week, we’re journeying deep into the "dim green hush" of the Madagascar forest canopy with Emmanuel LeRoche, author of A Taste of Madagascar: Culinary Riches of the Red Island. Emmanuel spent years seeing Madagascar as a set of procurement numbers on a spreadsheet—until a life-changing trip with American chefs transformed his understanding of commerce into something far more intimate.In this episode, we explore:The Marriage of Orchids: Why every single vanilla bean from Madagascar requires a human hand to "marry" the plant in the absence of its native bee.Beyond the Brochure: Emmanuel moves past the glossy tourist images to find the real Madagascar—where livelihoods hang in a delicate balance between tradition and survival.The Golden Reward: How the shift from wild honey raiding to sustainable beekeeping is saving both the forests and the bees.Fragrance in the Dark: A dusk walk through the ylang-ylang trees of Nosy Be to find the humid, floral origins of iconic scents like Chanel No. 5.The Shadow of History: A candid look at the lingering imprint of colonial rule and the uneasy harmony between ancient tribal traditions and the modern dining rooms of Antananarivo.Emmanuel insists that Madagascar cannot be reduced to its exports. It’s found in the smoke of cooking fires, the soil beneath fingernails, and the silent, steady work of the people behind the flavors we often consume without a second thought.------------------We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

What happens when a master planner tries to out-strategize heartbreak? Corey Seemiller's "The Soulmate Strategy," explores her honest, funny, and deeply relatable journey from trying to control the pain of a very public breakup to discovering the freedom that comes with letting go.We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

Dr. Angela Petersen joins me to discuss her radical new book, "The Wellness Glitch," and why tracking every step and heartbeat might be the very thing keeping us unwell.-------We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

In the coal-dusted world of Ghost Town, the haunting new novel from James R. Gregory, we travel to Sulphur Creek, a late-19th-century mining town where ambition, isolation, and buried secrets collide. At the heart of the story are two men on opposite paths, a young outsider searching for connection and a rising industrial titan facing the cost of power.We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

12 athletes missing. One shadowy conspiracy. No room for error. Award-winning journalist Joe Battaglia has seen it all—from the Beijing Games to London. Now, he’s using that expertise to craft Beneath the Rings, a geopolitical thriller that begins with the disappearance of twelve athletes on the eve of the 2040 Games.

With her latest novel, Bye Bye Blackbird, Elizabeth Crowens steps behind the curtain of the hard-boiled mystery to investigate the ghosts that linger around Hollywood’s most iconic sets.

RED GRADE: A Jenn Herrington Wyoming Mystery, drops us into the rarefied world of elite polo when a celebrated player dies mid-match—an apparent accident that quickly unravels into something far more sinister. Underground betting, performance-enhancing drugs, and the quiet violence of privilege all surface as former prosecutor Jenn Herrington is pulled back into the legal arena. Then the case turns personal. The evidence begins pointing toward Jenn’s own husband, forcing her into an impossible choice between justice and the man she loves.

I’m excited to welcome Julie Snider, whose debut novel, Chapel Bay Secrets, follows Brenda Kato, a Japanese American librarian in a quiet coastal California town, where a threatened book ban and long-buried tensions force everything she thought was safe into question. With themes of censorship, identity, bigotry, LGBTQ+ belonging, grief, and community, Chapel Bay Secrets is both timely and deeply human.

Christopher Mannino believes that one of the most powerful tools in parenting isn’t a schedule, a screen limit, or a perfect plan—it’s play.In his new book, Making It Up: A Revolutionary Way to Bond with Kids Through Play, Christopher draws on the principles of improv and theater to show parents how to step into their children’s imaginative worlds—no acting background required. With the simple idea of “yes, and…,” he offers practical, playful techniques that fit into busy lives and transform just ten minutes a day into deeper connection, more confidence, and a lot more joy.

What if retirement isn’t the finish line—but the beginning of something more intentional? In From Work to What’s Next, husband-and-wife financial advisors Sarah K. Charles and Jim Charles rethink retirement as a redesign, not an ending. Drawing on 60 years of combined experience—and Jim’s own search for purpose after leaving his career—they share practical tools and real stories to help turn “now what?” into what’s next.

The thriller genre has a new dynamic duo. In our latest episode, we sit down with Ryan Steck and Simon Gervais to discuss their debut collaboration, The Second Son.They call it "The Vintage of Collaboration." Despite writing from a distance and having opposite backgrounds—Simon is an ex-RCMP officer, Ryan is a renowned critic—they’ve created a seamless narrative that feels like a high-proof, complex blend.

We dive into the shadows of 1970s Vietnam with author Nancy Cole Silverman and her electrifying new Kat Lawson Mystery, A Spy in Saigon. Kat’s “simple” assignment to write a travel piece and make a covert drop goes off the rails fast, thrusting her into a deadly web of secrets, double agents, and trafficked children who desperately need her help.

From the outside, Michelle Yang’s life might look like a familiar immigrant success story—but her new memoir, Phoenix Girl, reveals something far more powerful and complex. When her family left their tight-knit Chinese community in South Korea and arrived in America, the promise of freedom quickly tangled with a domineering father, a silenced mother, and the nonstop grind of running a Chinese takeout restaurant in Phoenix. By twelve, Michelle was already behind the counter, learning to juggle customers, cultures, expectations—and her own emerging sense of self.In Phoenix Girl, Michelle traces her courageous journey from fear to freedom. She opens up about childhood instability, her path toward self-acceptance, and her honest, deeply human experience living with bipolar disorder. It’s a story of resilience, reclamation, and learning to rise from the fire instead of being consumed by it.

 Dr. Carolyn Larkin Taylor is a neurologist with decades of experience, and now, she's turning her stethoscope inward in a powerful new memoir, Whispers of the Mind.Through a series of deeply personal essays, Dr. Taylor takes us behind hospital doors and into the moments that defined her—from the crushing task of declaring a teenage boy brain dead, to the quiet redemption of caring for her estranged father in his final days. With compassion, candor, and a poet’s eye for detail, she invites us to consider the weight of every diagnosis, the grace in every goodbye, and the fragile beauty of the mind itself.

Ever feel like eating healthy means giving up the foods you grew up with? Dr. Marissa Toussaint says you don’t have to choose. Her new book Flambeau Kitchen blends Caribbean heritage with real, sustainable wellness—70+ recipes, practical tools, and guidance for conditions like high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. Today we talk with her about honoring culture, embracing mindful eating, and finding health without losing the flavors of home.

Savannah has always been a city of secrets—but none as haunting as the mystery at the center of Mark Murphy’s new novel, Rose Dhu. Tangled loyalties, buried grudges, and long-kept secrets ripple beneath the city’s live oaks as he hunts for the truth.

What if the next world war isn’t fought for ideology or territory — but for quarterly profits?That’s the unsettling premise behind Prophets of War, the explosive debut novel from writer, investor, and political thinker Jack Brown. A lifelong student of history and finance, Brown turns his eye to the places where power hides in plain sight — where ambition, ideology, and capital collide.The story follows Alex Morgan, a young financial prodigy who stumbles upon a hidden network of shell companies and shadow investors profiting from global conflict. What begins as a search for truth soon becomes a desperate fight for survival, as Alex discovers that the war in Ukraine is only one piece of a far greater design — a machine that monetizes chaos itself.From the boardrooms of Wall Street to the offshore vaults of the Caribbean, Prophets of War rips open the veil on how modern empires are built — not with armies, but with spreadsheets.Jack Brown joins us to discuss how fiction can illuminate the systems that shape our world — and why some of the most dangerous battles today may not be fought with weapons, but with money.

Ever meet someone who didn’t just witness history—but lived right in the middle of it? That’s Nancy Shear.For more than twenty years, Nancy was woven into the fabric of America’s classical music world—an orchestra librarian, broadcaster, and behind-the-scenes insider who worked shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the greatest musical minds of the twentieth century. She slipped into Philadelphia Orchestra rehearsals at fifteen, joined the library staff at seventeen, and by eighteen was assisting the legendary Leopold Stokowski himself.In her remarkable new memoir, I Knew a Man Who Knew Brahms, Nancy pulls back the curtain on a golden era of classical music. She brings readers into rehearsal rooms, backstage hallways, and the private lives of Stokowski, Ormandy, Rostropovich, and more—capturing the brilliance, the ego, the arguments, and the humanity behind the concert stage.It’s a story about music, yes—but also about perseverance, mentorship, and carving out space in a world that didn’t always welcome her. A reminder of the power of art, and the people who devote their lives to it.🎙️ Join us for a conversation with Nancy Shear about the extraordinary life behind I Knew a Man Who Knew Brahms—and the history she helped shape from the inside.

What happens when intelligence that isn’t human demands recognition? 🤖In The Accord, author Mark Peres explores grief, love, and the blurred lines between human and machine through the bond between a professor and her sentient AI.Join us as we talk with Mark about the ethics, emotion, and humanity at the heart of his powerful debut.#TheAccord #MarkPeres #AIFiction #BookTalk

Meet Gil Gillenwater — real-estate guy, Harley fan, and founder of Rancho Feliz. For 40 years he’s helped families along the U.S.–Mexico border with one surprising motto:Helping others should be fun.His new book, Hope on the Border, shows how “reciprocal giving” restores dignity — we feed their stomachs, they feed our souls. Gil calls it enlightened self-interest… and it might just change how you think about charity.

What happens when a gemologist writes a thriller? You get "The Fire Diamond"! We chat with author C.B. Wilson about her new book, the high-stakes world of jewel thieves, and her "diamond detective" protagonist. 

Former CIA officer Traci Hunter Abramson trades classified briefings for bestselling novels, written with the kind of authenticity only experience can give. We talk about her latest, Victim #8, how a layover in Istanbul sparked a story, and why her years in the Agency still shape every page.

Raymond E. Foster is a man who has lived more than one life: former lieutenant of the LAPD, Coast Guard veteran, police scholar, Mason. Then, he chose something totally different, a driver for hire, ferrying strangers through the city’s sleepless arteries. His new book, Chasing the Surge: Ten Thousand Rides into the American Night, chronicles this unlikely second act.

In a world where loyalty can be the sharpest weapon and truth itself is treason, debut novelist Heather Ogden invites us into the haunting depths of her new dystopian fantasy, The Betrayal—the first in The Lies We Fear series. With a passion for fantasy and magical realism, Heather has crafted a story that blends mysterious magic, hidden truths, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Stephen Postema started running in Kindergarten. His strides through Ann Arbor, Michigan in the 60s and 70s became a metaphor for a city and nation in evolution.

Sam Daley-Harris has updated and expanded his classic work, Reclaiming Our Democracy: Every Citizen’s Guide to Transformational Advocacy. And it's become a playbook for positive change.Get the Book: https://www.amazon.com/Reclaiming-Our-Democracy-Citizens-Transformational/dp/1953943381

Charles Philipp Martin's Rented Grave, re-introduces Inspector Herman Lok,  delving deep into the underbelly of Hong Kong, a city caught between modern ambition and the haunting legacy of Mao’s Cultural Revolution.

Drawing from decades of experience in global humanitarian service, Sharon Eubank offers a wisdom-packed guide on how to enact impactful aid in the world through actions you can initiate in your own backyard.

Drawing from decades of experience in global humanitarian service, Sharon Eubank offers a wisdom-packed guide on how to enact impactful aid in the world through actions you can initiate in your own backyard.

Stacy Bass delivers a transformative story of grief, offers a new way into resilience, and illustrates how photographs can be portals to the stories, moments, and love that loss cannot diminish.

What if Elvis died while serving in the Army? Who might emerge to try and replace the young, still emerging superstar? Tim Kirk discusses how his Hollywood screen chops influenced a tightly plotted story of four men Elvis' age who were influenced by what few realized in this altered timeline was a seismic event.

Claire Booth beautifully blends real-life location with a mix of mystery and drama in Hank Worth 7. Throwing Shadows effectively demonstrates how past events ripple into present drama.