PODCAST · arts
The Story Blender
by The Story Blender
WHERE GREAT STORYTELLERS SHARE THE SECRETS TO GREAT STORYTELLING.Hosted by Steven James.
Episodes
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Season 10 - Episode 43: Elise Hart Kipness
Novelist and former TV reporter Elise Hart Kipniss shares how her journalism background helped equip her to tell stories and write novels. We discuss the differences between fiction and nonfiction, as well as between a report and a story. We also talk about how to create more irresistible...
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Season 10 - Episode 42: Laurie Dove
Bestselling author and award-winning journalist Laurie Dove joins me this week to talk about following your characters, weaving the unexpected into your stories, and being honest in your storytelling. She also shares her two paramount rules of writing: write until you surpass your doubt, and...
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Season 10 Episode 41: Jack Smith
This week, I sat down at the Storytelling Resource Place in Jonesborough, Tennessee, to chat with award-winning poet and storyteller Jack Smith. He shares his passion for writing poetry and telling tales, gives us a glimpse into his creative process, and reminds us how important it is to leave…
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Season 10 - Episode 40: Chris Mullen
Award-winning author Chris Mullen talks with me about everything from writing Westerns to teaching Kindergarten to encouraging creativity and risk-taking—and how to move past the obstacles that so many adults put in their own way. Chris is an award-winning teacher and the acclaimed author of...
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Season 10 - Episode 39: Deborah Raney
Acclaimed novelist Deborah Raney joins me to talk about writing women’s fiction and romance, how she crafts stories without using an outline, what she does when her characters surprise her, and how important it is—or isn’t—to keep stories believable. We also talk about her latest novel, WHO NAMES...
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Season 10 - Episode 38: Mark Gottlieb
This week, I'm thrilled to speak with literary agent Mark Gottlieb. He has represented many award-winning and bestselling authors and offers a look under the hood of the publishing industry, sharing what literary agents are looking for, what turns them off, and why it's important to have a strong...
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Season 10 - Episode 37: Rachel Howzell Hall
Acclaimed and bestselling mystery writer Rachel Howzell Hall joins me to talk about how to craft a great mystery, the importance of receptivity rather than rigidity when writing, why main characters should be both vulnerable and admirable (without being perfect), and her latest book, MIST AND...
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Season 10 - Episode 36: Anderson Boyd
Veteran screenwriter and author Anderson Boyd joins me to talk about his advice for writing a novel, what he learned from screenwriting that transferred into writing fiction, some of his favorite authors, and specific thoughts on shaping and telling the stories you have within you. We also chat...
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Season 10 - Episode 35: Josh Goforth
Josh Goforth
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Season 10 - Episode 34: Liv Constantine
Bestselling author Liv Constantine comes on the show to share thoughts about writing domestic suspense, the keys to characterization, and how to (and why to) keep your stories believable. We also talk about our newest thriller PROMISE ME NEVER. Check it out!
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Season 10 - Episode 33: J.T. Ellison
This week, New York Times bestselling author J.T. Ellison joins me to talk about ghost cats, why she’s a gardener rather than an architect as a writer, the differences (and surprising similarities) between mystery and suspense, serendipity, believability, and more. We also discuss her latest…
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Season 10 - Episode 32: Eriq La Salle
In this week’s conversation with actor, director, and producer Eriq La Salle, you'll learn why your characters are only as fascinating as the problems they face, why it’s more important to be interested in your story than to be interesting, why you should never judge your characters, and why you...
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Season 10 - Episode 31: Alex Finlay
International bestselling author Alex Finlay joins me to talk about trusting your readers, letting them fill in the gaps, how much planning to do (or not do) before writing your book, and how to handle clichés in a way that lets you get away with using them. We also discuss his latest thriller…
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Season 10 - Episode 30: J. D. Barker
With books sold in 150 countries, author J.D. Barker has become a name synonymous with suspense. He joins me to talk about his writing process, the economy of language, how to start scenes (and how not to), and why the emotional impact of stories matters so much. We also talk about Bram Stoker’s...
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Season 10 - Episode 29: Douglas & Aletheia Preston
This week on The Story Blender, international bestselling author Douglas Preston and his coauthor (and daughter), Aletheia Preston, join me to discuss their latest novel, PARADOX. We explore what makes characters truly resonate, why believability matters—even when you're writing stories with...
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Season 10 - Episode 28: Carla Hoch
Martial arts expert and author Carla Hoch joins me to talk about writing fight scenes that actually work. How do you write a knife fight scene? What do you need to remember? What would (or should) your character do? Is it better to fight on the ground or standing up? Does adrenaline cloud or...
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Season 10 - Episode 27: Zena Dell Lowe
This week on The Story Blender, I’m joined by screenwriter and storytelling consultant Zena Dell Lowe for a provocative conversation about writing redemptive stories that aren’t agenda-driven, why consequences matter and how they reveal character, the importance of a story’s moral fabric, the...
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Season 10 - Episode 26: Mark Phillips
In a special Father’s Day episode, author and essayist Mark Phillips joins me to talk about telling personal stories, writing memoirs, and how much truth lives in the “true” stories we tell. We also chat about his book MY FATHER’S CABIN, which explores the complexities of a father-son…
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Season 10 - Episode 25: Gregory Poirier
This week, screenwriter and novelist Gregory Poirier joins me to discuss how to create characters that readers and viewers are immediately drawn to, identify with, and care about. We explore the differences between writing a novel and writing a screenplay, how important structure is (or isn't)…
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Season 10 - Episode 24: T.J. Payne
This week, horror author T.J. Payne joins me to discuss what makes us frightened, the role of horror in art, and the moral fabric of scary stories—and what (if anything) they have in common with romance stories. We explore why they appeal to us, the importance of facing our fears, and how scary...
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Season 10 - Episode 23: Bethany Jett
Author and literary agent Bethany Jett joins me for a lively discussion about what agents look for and what turns them off. She explains how to approach an agent, the different ways to pitch a novel and a nonfiction book, and secrets to getting discovered. Listen in for a rare glimpse into an...
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Season 10 - Episode 22: Carol Snow
Author Carol Snow joins me to chat about her process of writing, how to write in different genres, how much you should try to be cool when you write for teens, and how much planning is helpful before you start to write a book. We also talk about her latest thriller THE GIRL ON THE BEACH and the...
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Season 10 - Episode 21: Tori Eldridge
Author Tori Eldridge hops on this week to chat about her latest book HAWAI’I RAGE. We talk about writing ninja fight scenes, making pizzas on volcanos, the origin of Hawaiian ranchers, the importance of musicality in stories, and how to create authentic characters in your writing.
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Season 10 - Episode 20: Donald Maass
On this episode of The Story Blender Podcast, I sit down with legendary literary agent Donald Maass during my time at ThrillerFest in New York City. With more than 40 years in the publishing industry, Donald shares invaluable insights on storytelling, publishing, and what truly makes fiction...
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Season 10 - Episode 19: Josh Mancuso
This week, viral comedy sensation Josh Mancuso joins me to talk about football mascots, why you shouldn’t make ambition an idol, what makes something funny, insider secrets on emceeing, and two comedians you haven’t heard of that you need to check out.
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Season 10 - Episode 18: Cleo Ballard
This week, multi-genre author Cleo Ballard joins me to talk about storytelling principles that apply to whatever story you might tell—whether it’s true or not. We dive into characterization and the importance of being able to pivot into new directions as your career develops rather than always...
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Season 10 - Episode 17: Emily Carpenter
Emily Carpenter, who is known as the master of southern gothic suspense, joins me to chat about why we like scary stories, what a gothic story is, how setting and atmosphere contribute to her stories, and what motivated her to write her latest book, A SPELL FOR SAINTS AND SINNERS. (We somehow…
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Season 10 - Episode 16: Dr. John Paul Abner
This week, internationally known psychologist Dr. John-Paul Abner joins me to talk about the psychology of story, its power to draw people together, and how stories help us share our values and build bridges between people. If you’ve ever wondered about the impact of your stories on others or how...
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Season 10 - Episode 15: Clay Stafford
My guest this week is bestselling, award-winning author, poet, screenwriter, and playwright Clay Stafford. With millions of books sold, he’s also the founder of the annual Killer Nashville International Writers’ Conference. We talk crime writing, how improv can help authors, and how I almost…
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Season 10 - Episode 14: Nat Cassidy
This week, horror author, actor, and playwright Nat Cassidy joins me to talk all things horror. You may have seen him playing a villain on the TV shows Quantico, FBI, or Law & Order: SVU, or read one of his acclaimed novels. Listen as he shares insights into why people love scary stories, what...
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Season 10 - Episode 13: Jon Lindstrom
This week, I catch up with veteran Hollywood actor Jon Lindstrom, who has appeared in thousands of hours of television over the last three decades. He’s also a bestselling author with a new book out, a Los Angeles crime novel, Hollywood Payback. Join us as we talk about what actors can teach...
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Season 10 - Episode 12: Jane Friedman
For decades, Jane Friedman has been keeping her finger on the pulse of the writing industry. Each month she shares her insights with tens of thousands of writers through her newsletter The Bottom Line. This week she joins me to talk about some of the most prickly topics in publishing: whether or...
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Season 10 - Episode 11: Nick Petrie
Critically acclaimed, bestselling novelist Nick Petrie, who is known for his propulsive action stories and suspenseful plots, joins me this week. He shares how to create suspense, what lies at the heart of a great story, the importance of surprise, insights into the writing process, and more. We...
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Season 10 - Episode 10: Jayne Ann Krentz
New York Times bestselling novelist Jayne Ann Krentz joins me to talk about what romantic suspense actually is (and is not), how to identify your strengths in the stories you tell, true heroism, how a love story is different from a romance story, and the most interesting character in PARADISE…
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Season 10 - Episode 9: Bede Blake
This week, I caught up with screenwriter Bede Blake, one of my favorite instructors on the craft of writing and story, and the host of the YouTube channel PillarBoxer. On the channel, Bede shares ideas and insights into screenwriting—what works, what doesn’t, and why. He’s an expert at breaking...
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Season 10 - Episode 8: C.J. Box
C.J. Box, the #1 New York Times bestselling author, joins me this week to talk about his iconic character, Joe Pickett, and his latest novel, THE CROSSROADS. Learn why he’s named “Joe,” what makes him so appealing, and how he has grown over the years. C.J. shares his thoughts about believability,...
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Season 10 Episode 7: Wendy Walker
With the Olympics here this month, there’s no better time to check out a chilling, ice skating thriller. This week, bestselling author Wendy Walker, author of the critically acclaimed new novel BLADE, joins me to talk about her approach, how details matter, adding authenticity to stories, and…
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Season 10 - Episode 6: Robin Cook
Legendary medical thriller author Robin Cook joins me this week. Author of more than forty books, he shares his origin story of how he wrote his first book while he was underwater for 75 days on a submarine, and once interviewed a Russian scientist who defected and whose team had hoarded enough...
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Season 10 - Episode 5: Karen Morgan
This week I caught up with comedian Karen Morgan to talk about humor, comedy, and how to be funny. Listen in for tips and advice on why you should never try to be funny and why only you can do comedy like you can do. Give it a listen and don’t forget to check out her latest special on Dry Bar...
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Season 10 - Episode 4: Matthew Quirk
Matthew Quirk—New York Times bestselling author of The Night Agent, Hour of the Assassin, and Inside Threat—joins the show. The Night Agent hit #1 in 77 countries and returns to Netflix for Season 3 in February. We talk his latest novel The Method, writing believable thrillers, avoiding...
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Season 10 - Episode 3: Ryan Steck & Simon Gervais
In this episode of The Story Blender, host Steven James sits down with thriller heavyweights Ryan Steck and Simon Gervais to talk about their new collaborative novel, The Second Son. The trio digs into what it takes to write as a duo, how high-concept thriller ideas are built and refined, and why...
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Season 10 - Episode 2: Tony Marr
This week, acclaimed storyteller Tony Marr returns to talk about techniques to tell personal stories. We discuss the three key questions to ask yourself about any personal story you wish to share, how to end your stories, how to be vulnerable without oversharing, and how to retain the trust of…
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Season 10 - Episode 1: Carter Wilson
As we kick off the 2026 year, I sit down with my good friend and our first guest, Carter Wilson. His work has received starred reviews from every major trade publication, has won multiple awards, and has been optioned for television and film. His 2025 release, Tell Me What You Did, was selected…
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Season 9 - Episode 47: John R. Carlos
Science fiction author John R. Carlos joins me to talk about world building and how emergent trends in technology might affect our lives in the future. We touch on context and trajectory—both in culture and in storytelling—and how stories can equip us with the courage to face oppression in…
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Season 9 - Episode 46: Mia Sheridan
This week, bestselling author Mia Sheridan joins me to talk about how monsters can be made, whether it’s important to include the background on a villain in your story, how much believability stories need, longing for justice to occur in the stories that we read, and what’s more important—a…
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Season 9 - Episode 45: Melinda Leigh
Melinda Leigh, the bestselling author of 40 novels, talks about how her background in the martial arts informs how she writes fight scenes (and why you need vaguely specific details to make them believable). We also talk plot twists, why it’s so much fun to write villains, working through...
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Season 9 - Episode 44: David Morrell
This week on The Story Blender I talk with legendary action thriller writer David Morrell. As the author of First Blood, he is known as the father of the modern action thriller. In this wide-ranging conversation, he shares his inspiration, words of advice for aspiring authors, and hard-won…
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Season 9 - Episode 43: John Branyan
Join me as I chat with acclaimed comedian John Branyan. We talk about secrets to comedy, how to gain confidence, how to tap into the truths of life and your own experiences to find humorous stories to tell. He also explains the history behind his famous Shakespearean “Three Little Pigs” rendition...
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Season 9 - Episode 42: Traci Hunter Abramson
This week I sit down with former CIA officer, Traci Hunter Abramson to talk about writing political and spy thrillers. We cover what spies are (and what they are not), what to include in your novels and what to leave out, advice she would give to aspiring authors, and the story behind her latest...
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Season 9 - Episode 41: Terry Whalin
My guest this week is an author, editor, and publishing professional who has written more than 50 books and coached hundreds of authors on how to put together book proposals. Terry Whalin and I talk about the importance of details, gripping openings, showing instead of telling, looking at the...
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Story Blender have?
The Story Blender currently has 347 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Story Blender about?
WHERE GREAT STORYTELLERS SHARE THE SECRETS TO GREAT STORYTELLING.Hosted by Steven James.
How often does The Story Blender release new episodes?
The Story Blender publishes regularly with 347 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The Story Blender?
You can listen to The Story Blender 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 The Story Blender?
The Story Blender is created and hosted by The Story Blender.
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