PODCAST · arts
Southern Reads
by Noah May
A show where I talk about books and only books and everything book related.
Episodes
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Is AI Killing the Book, or Saving It? The Debate Every Writer Needs to Hear (feat. Mykyta Chernenko)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Mykyta Chernenko. | Guest Highlight | Mykyta is the co-founder and head of engineering at AIWriteBook, an AI tool that helps people go from an idea to a finished book, and the author of two books himself. More than 14,000 people have started a book…
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The Story Behind the Story: A Lifetime of Chasing Imagination (feat. Chad Martin)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Chad Martin. | Guest Highlight | Chad an author, podcast host, entrepreneur, certified personal trainer, internet radio station owner, and professional wrestler, and while those careers may seem unrelated at first glance, they've all been driven by…
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The Truth About Being a Sci-fi Author (feat. Caleb Strul)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Caleb Strul. | Guest Highlight | Caleb is author of such novels as The Ancient Ones, CONNECTIVITY, and Papillon IV as well as the founder of Odom’s Library. Additionally, he has in print the short story The Last Trucker and three novellas: Spinners,...
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Fitness Over 50, 60, 70 & Beyond (feat. Michael Guadagnino)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Michael Gaudagnino. | Guest Highlight | Michael is a chiropractic physician, lifelong health advocate, and author of the bestselling book Fitness Over 50, 60, 70 & Beyond. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and has trained in martial arts…
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Author Tips (feat. Garrett Sutton)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Garrett Sutton. | Guest Highlight | Garrett is the Corporate Director Founder, Sutton Law Founder, Award-Winning Author of 11 books, Asset Protection Attorney and Rich Dad's 25-Year Legal Architect of Business Protection and trusted advisor to Robert...
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If You Haven’t Written Your Book Yet, You’d Better Start Now (feat. Larry F. Sommers)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Larry Summers. | Guest Highlight | Larry is the author of THE PRICE OF PASSAGE, a historical novel about Norwegian immigrants and fugitive slaves in the years leading into the American Civil War. He has also written a middle-grade book, IZZY STRIKES...
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The Transformative Power of Imagination (feat. Christopher Kaufman)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Christopher Kaufman. | Guest Highlight | Christopher is a creative artist and a storyteller. He creates books with vivid audio albums filled with cinematic/symphonic music, narration and sound design. He believes in the transformative power of...
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The American Revolution Started Earlier Than You Think (feat. Joe Wearmouth)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Joe Wearmouth. | Guest Highlight | Joe is a recovering trial attorney turned historical novelist. After spending almost two decades in the courtroom, he decided to commit the rest of his life to doing what he loves. He's now finishing a master's…
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Confronting Spiritual Abuse Through Christian Fiction (feat. Tyler Watson)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Tyler Watson. | Guest Highlight | Tyler is a writer, former pastor, and full-time dad doing the heavy lifting at home. Through his fiction, Tyler tackles the messier side of faith, leaning right into the complexity of doubt, suffering, and spiritual...
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Unfiltered Stories of Motherhood, Business, and Finding Yourself (feat. Jessica Danel)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Jessica Danel. | Guest Highlight | Through her no-filter memoir "Bucket List from a Redneck Girl" and podcast Jess Saying, Jessica shares raw, hilarious, and heartfelt stories about motherhood, marriage, and starting over—reminding us that life’s...
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Can America Ever be Great Again? (feat. Henryk A Kowalczyk)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Henryk A Kowalczyk. | Guest Highlight | Born in Poland and shaped by life under socialism before immigrating to the United States, Henryk brings a perspective few political writers possess. Experience under centralized government, followed by decades...
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How Writing Poetry Can Reduce Anxiety and Depression (feat. Margaret Bryden)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Margaret Bryden. | Guest Highlight | Margaret is a licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, author, and founder of Sage Insight Therapy. She works with individuals and couples navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction and life transitions....
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Weaving Multiple Cultural Folklores Into Story (feat. Torry Rose)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Torry Rose. | Guest Highlight | Torry knew from a young age that she wanted to be a writer. Growing up in New York, her mother often led her on winding nature walks and whispered tales of her ancestors, the Mississippi Choctaw and African people who...
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The Black Cup (feat. Reese Wilson)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Reese Wilson. | Guest Highlight | Reese is a keynote speaker and author of the forthcoming memoir The Black Cup, which she jokingly describes as a psychological thriller disguised as a memoir because readers uncover the truth right alongside her. |...
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From Hobby to Enterprise: Authoring as a Vocation (feat. Aaron Ryan)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Aaron Ryan. | Guest Highlight | Aaron is the prolific Christian IMDb-listed author of the bestselling Dissonance 6-book post-apocalyptic alien invasion saga, the dystopian end times fiction sagas The End and Carbon, the epic space opera Talisman...
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The Tech Executive Who Became a Ghostwriter (feat. Richard Lowe)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Richard Lowe. | Guest Highlight | Richard is a professional ghostwriter and bestselling author with 113+ books authored and 54+ ghostwritten for executives, founders, coaches, and public figures. His clients have used their books to raise $30M+ in...
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The Secret Cost of Indie Publishing (feat. Rich Inman)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Rich Inman. | Guest Highlight | Rich is the author and creator of The Records of Eleshar, an independently published epic fantasy series. As an indie author, Rich personally handles every stage of bringing the series to life, from writing, revising,...
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Beyond the Screen: The Art of Storytelling (feat. Kay A. Oliver)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Kay A. Oliver. | Guest Highlight | Kay is a dynamic storyteller holding degrees in Radio/TV/Film from California State University, Fullerton, and an MBA in Business. With over 3 decades in entertainment, spanning studios and TV stations, she…
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The Fire Prophecies (feat. Brittany Ranew)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Brittany Ranew. | Guest Highlight | Brittany is the author of the New Adult Romantasy series, The Fire Prophecies. She enjoys building complex worlds where her relatable characters learn to become the heroes of their own stories and inspire us all to...
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How Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Inspired My New Book (feat. Robert Doti)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Robert Doti. | Guest Highlight | Robert is the author of Layers of Complicity, a groundbreaking investigation into the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drawing on newly released government documents and a forensic, science‑driven method,...
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Getting Published (feat. John Bond)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with John Bend. | Guest Highlight | John has been immersed in books and the expression of ideas for over 35 years. His new novel was just released in 2026. "To the End of Reckoning" is high-concept speculative thriller that asks what happens when history...
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From Restoring Furniture to Writing Historical Romance: Finding the Courage to Start a New Chapter (feat. Linda Kennedy)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Linda Kennedy. | Guest Highlight | After spending more than 40 years as a talented upholsterer, Linda turned her lifelong love of storytelling into a successful writing career. Her historical romance novels are filled with heart, resilience, and rich...
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It's Never Too Late: 70-year-old Pastor Writes a Riveting Spy Novel (feat. Drew Mcholm)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Drew Mcholm. | Guest Highlight | Drew is an author, musician and the pastor of the famous Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. He has recently published his first book, "Minister of Justice". | Where to Connect | Go to https://drewmcholm.com/ to…
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Keeping the Dream Alive (feat. Greig Watts)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Greig Watts. | Guest Highlight | Greig shares his journey in his first book, Keeping the Dream Alive. This book isn’t just about his story—it’s about YOURS. His mission is clear: to help songwriters not only find success, but to embrace the joy of…
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The B Myth (feat. Louis Swart)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Louis Swart. | Guest Highlight | With over 35 years of experience building and selling companies, managing more than 450 staff, and training coaches worldwide, Louis specializes in teaching effective delegation and growth strategies. | Where to…
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The Reflex Series (feat. Maria Denison)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Maria Denison. | Guest Highlight | Maria writes as a hobby, embracing her passion for creative writing. She is the author of The Reflex Series, with two books out so far, The Reflex and The Reaction. The genres are categorized as romantasy and...
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Omega (feat. David Story)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with David Story. | Guest Highlight | David is a passionate writer known for exploring complex themes of justice, morality, and the limits of the legal system. His novels focus on the moral dilemmas faced by those who fight for justice when the law fails.…
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Jeff Zentner Exclusive
In this special episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Jeff Zentner. | Guest Highlight | Jeff is the author of The Serpent King, which Kirkus Reviews named one of the best books of the 21st Century, as well as In the Wild Light, Goodbye Days, Rayne & Delilah’s Midnite Matinee, Colton Gentry’s…
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When Words Spark Conversations (feat. John Graham)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with John Graham. | Guest Highlight | John currently has books in print on peace-related topics of international business, multigenerational families, drug policy. He has also written a major historical novel involving three wars – WWII, Korea, and…
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Why Sci-Fi Is Really About Today’s Fears (feat. Don Schechter)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Don Schechter. | Guest Highlight | Don is the author of Ascendants, an international best selling science fiction technothriller about a future where proof of an afterlife collides with corporate power, scientific ambition, authoritarianism, and the...
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How to Deal with Critics and Rejections (feat. Angela Page)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Angela Page. | Guest Highlight | Angela is a award winning Latina and Italian American writer and producer with lengthy experience in multinationals such as Microsoft and Honeywell. Spanish native speaker and fluent in Italian and Portuguese.…
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Wired For Magic (feat. Janet Roberts)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Janet Roberts. | Guest Highlight | Janet is a former global leader in cybersecurity education and award winning novelist. Her books are set partially in Western PA, where her roots run deep. Her readers know to expect a female character who awakens…
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The Sweeping Power of Stories (feat. Russell Anders)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Russell Anders. | Guest Highlight | Russell discusses his lifelong writing journey — from childhood storytelling to creating a new subgenre called SoulPunk. The conversation covered his creative philosophy, publishing experience, and practical advice...
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How to Survive Self-Publishing a Book (feat. Ruth Douthitt)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Ruth Douthitt. | Guest Highlight | Ruth is an award-winning Christian fiction writer based out of Phoenix, AZ. She currently writes suspense fiction, women's inspirational fiction, and fantasy fiction. | Where to Connect | To learn more about Ruth…
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Writing For Jesus (feat. Jessica Morris)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Jessica Morris. | Guest Highlight | After working for over 30 years in higher education fund-raising and event planning, Jessica walked away from the security of a full-time paycheck to follow God's call. Today, she "works for God" as an author…
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40 Years and Wandering No More - Loving Life Being Transgender (feat. Karen Kendra Homes)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Karen Kendra Homes. | Guest Highlight | Karen is a transgender advocate, author, TEDx speaker, and dedicated public servant whose life story is a testament to the power of authenticity, courage, and self-belief. | Where to Connect | To learn more…
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Behind the Scenes of Audiobooks (feat. Kris Keppeler)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Kris Keppeler. | Guest Highlight | Kris is a narrator, actor, voice actor, and writer. She’s impersonated a cat, a prince, a princess, a witch, a dragon, and a president with her voice and narrated/produced over 50 audiobooks. | Where to Connect | To...
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Choosing to Die (feat. Theresa Evans)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Theresa Evans. | Guest Highlight | Theresa is an author and recently published her first book Choosing to Die: A Daughter's Story of Supporting Her Mother's End of Life Through Assisted Death. | Where to Connect | To learn more about Theresa, go to...
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Ginny Myers Sain Exclusive
In this very special episode of Southern Reads, I sit down with highly acclaimed best selling author Ginny Myers Sain. | Guest Highlight | Ginny is the author of Dark and Shallow Lies (2021), Secrets So Deep (2022), One Last Breath (2024), When the Bones Sing (2025), and These Twisted Hearts...
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From Writing Articles to Full-Length Novels (feat. David Gibson)
In the season 2 premiere of Southern Reads, I chat with David Gibson. | Guest Highlight | David is a Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Plant Biology at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He is interested in all aspects of plant population and community ecology, seeking to understand the…
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Convergence (feat. Gregg Owen)
For the season 1 finale of Southern Reads, I chat with Gregg Owen. | Guest Highlight | Gregg has lived two completely different lives. In the late 1960s he was a touring rock musician, performing with major bands including The American Breed, whose hit “Bend Me, Shape Me” climbed the Billboard...
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Choosing Emotions (feat. Doug Johnston)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Doug Johnston. | Guest Highlight | Doug is a former corporate executive, testifying expert, and world champion sailor. Over a multi-decade career spanning banking, private equity, and litigation consulting, he developed a sustained interest in...
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The Forest of Stolen Girls | June Hur
In this episode of Southern Reads, I do a deep discussion and cover The Forest of Stolen Girls by June Hur. Genre: Young Adult, Mystery Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 361 pages CW: blood, death TW: violence | Brief Summary | Set in 1426 Joseon (Korea) that book follows Hwani, a young woman whose life was...
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Turning Real Research into a Global Adventure Novel (feat. Maxim Langstaff)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Maxim Langstaff. | Guest Highlight | Maxim is a Grammy-and Emmy-nominated writer, producer, and author whose creative and editorial work has reached millions of people worldwide. He is recognized for his innovative vision and exceptional versatility...
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Meredith Lyons Exclusive
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Meredith Lyons. | Guest Highlight | Meredith is the award-winning author of the paranormal suspense novel Ghost Tamer. She spent seventeen years as an actor in Chicago, and has competed in boxing and kickboxing at both the national and international...
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The Bystander (feat. John David)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with John David. | Guest Highlight | John is a long-time public relations and crisis communications consultant, author of a non-fiction business book, and a corporate ghostwriter. His debut novel, The Bystander, has received numerous awards and was…
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The Truth About Poetry (feat. Matt Thomas)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Matt Thomas. | Guest Highlight | Matt built a thirty year, award winning executive career in software engineering on a Liberal Arts degree in critical literary theory. An avid outdoorsman and conservationist, Matt’s poetry explores the power of...
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Don’t Be an Athena (feat. Kayla Branstetter)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Kayla Branstetter. | Guest Highlight | Kayla is a published writer, an award-winning artist, and TEDx speaker from Missouri. She has a passion for breaking through barriers to achieve gender equality and amplifying marginalized voices. Her…
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Turning Politics into Poetry and Prose (feat. Andrea Ledew)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Andrea Ledew. | Guest Highlight | Andrea is the author of Polemics: Political Poetry & Prose. This collection is designed to resurrect Americans' love for their country, even during this chaotic and tumultuous era. | Where to Connect | To learn more...
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Going From Writing Scripts to Writing Novels (feat. Travis Johns)
In this episode of Southern Reads, I chat with Travis Johns. | Guest Highlight | Travis is a writer, director, producer, and actor, from the Appalachian Mountains of East Tennessee, whose work centers on intimate, performance‑driven stories about race, family, and desire. He has appeared in over…
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Southern Reads have?
Southern Reads currently has 50 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Southern Reads about?
A show where I talk about books and only books and everything book related.
How often does Southern Reads release new episodes?
Southern Reads has 50 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Southern Reads?
You can listen to Southern Reads on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Southern Reads?
Southern Reads is created and hosted by Noah May.
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