Down Under Author Interviews with Paul Rushworth-Brown

What happens when reality becomes unbearable?In this episode of Down Under Interviews, host Paul Rushworth-Brown speaks with author Dee Marley about the powerful role of myth, storytelling, and time in shaping how we survive the world around us.Dee’s work explores a deeply human instinct—the need to step outside reality when it becomes too heavy to carry. Through her novels Kingfisher and Antipode, she reveals how women, in particular, turn to myth not as fantasy, but as a form of refuge… and sometimes, resistance.This is not a conversation about escapism.It’s about what drives people to leave reality behind—and what they bring back with them when they return."Fairy tales to some… history to others."

In this episode of Down Under Interviews, Paul Rushworth-Brown explores the deeper story behind Outback Odyssey — a historical novel shaped by memory, migration, and the lives often left out of official history.This is not a story about power or politics. It is about ordinary people navigating a world that has already decided their place within it.From post-war migration to the Australian outback, this conversation reflects on identity, survival, and the weight of silence carried across generations.

Catherine Hughes joins Paul Rushworth-Brown on Down Under Interviews to explore the historical world surrounding the Norman Conquest and the women whose lives unfolded in the shadow of power, intrigue, and political strategy.Drawing on the research behind her novel Therein Lies the Pearl, Catherine discusses the complex roles women played in courtly life, religious institutions, and royal politics during one of the most transformative periods in English history. From espionage and loyalty to survival in a dangerous political landscape, this conversation reveals how historical fiction can illuminate the human stories behind great historical events.Listen, watch, and explore more:YouTube Interviewhttps://www.youtube.com/@DownUnderInterviewsAuthor interviews and articleshttps://www.paulrushworthbrown.com

History does not simply sit in the background of a story. Sometimes it presses directly on the lives of ordinary people, shaping their choices, identities, and futures.In this conversation from Moments with Marianne, Australian author and host of Down Under Interviews, Paul Rushworth-Brown, discusses the historical inspiration behind his novel Outback Odyssey. The story follows a young migrant arriving in Australia after the Second World War, confronting the realities of frontier life, cultural encounter, and the search for belonging in a land both beautiful and unforgiving.Drawing on family history and archival research, Paul reflects on how the lives of ordinary individuals are often transformed by the forces of history — migration, landscape, survival, and the enduring question of identity.This episode explores the deeper themes behind Outback Odyssey and the real experiences that shaped the novel.PSI TV Interviewhttps://youtu.be/DxV3hSXT5EQ?si=unBh1d02miRHg_X0Outback Odyssey and other books by Paul Rushworth-Brownhttps://www.paulrushworthbrown.com/booksDown Under InterviewsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DownUnderInterviewsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cOq1k9ai1m3WtnYWUXS5VApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/down-under-author-interviews-with-paul-rushworth-brown/id1859124722iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1333-down-under-author-intervi-315241158/Watch the original television interviewLearn more about the novelListen to more conversations with authors

What happens when family, war, and destiny collide in medieval Ireland?In this episode of Down Under Interviews, host Paul Rushworth-Brown speaks with author John B. Wren about his sweeping historical novel An Trodai, an epic saga set during one of Ireland’s most turbulent eras.Spanning from the Viking invasion of Connaught in 893 AD to the rise of Clann MacLaoghaire in 1042, the novel follows generations of warriors whose lives unfold against the shifting power struggles of early Ireland. Through characters such as Scolai, Daigh, Laoghaire, and Conall, Wren explores the burdens of loyalty, clan survival, and the human cost of history.The story moves through legendary moments including Viking raids, the political rise of Brian Boru, and the dramatic lead-up to the Battle of Clontarf, one of the defining conflicts of medieval Ireland.Originally published as a trilogy and now combined into a single volume, An Trodai blends historical research with immersive storytelling, bringing readers into a world where family legacy, prophecy, and warfare shaped the future of a nation.In this conversation, John B. Wren discusses:Writing historical fiction grounded in real eventsReconstructing medieval Ireland and Viking influenceThe rise of Ireland’s warrior clansHow personal stories intersect with the larger sweep of historyNote: Irish readers have strongly supported homegrown authors in recent years, with 13 of the top 20 bestselling books in 2024 written by Irish-born or Ireland-based authors, highlighting a renewed global interest in stories rooted in Irish history and culture.

In this episode of Down Under Interviews, Australian author and interviewer Paul Rushworth-Brown speaks with author Ryan Hale about the journey behind his writing, the research that shapes storytelling, and the personal experiences that influence the stories authors choose to tell.Down Under Interviews is a long-form conversation series featuring published authors from around the world. Each conversation explores the craft of writing, creative process, historical research, and the lived experiences that shape powerful storytelling.Interviews are recorded for Down Under Interviews (AUS/US) and are also distributed on the History Bards Podcast (US). Selected interviews and highlights also appear on Meet the Author (US) and Down Under Interviews-UK, part of Eloise Ferguson Literary Conversations, which works with authors and interview platforms to support thoughtful, research-led literary conversations.🎧 Watch the full video interview on the Down Under Interviews YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@DownUnderInterviews

In this episode of Down Under Interviews, Paul Rushworth-Brown speaks with Ralph E. Jarells, author of Jesus and Judas: Best Friends Forever, about one of history’s most contested figures.Was Judas Iscariot a traitor driven by greed — or a man caught in a divine design larger than himself?For two thousand years, Judas has carried the weight of betrayal. But what if history required a villain? What if the story we inherited was shaped not only by faith, but by power, politics, and the need for moral certainty?This conversation explores loyalty, prophecy, free will, and the burden of being cast as history’s scapegoat. Ralph challenges the traditional narrative, asking whether Judas was acting in defiance — or in obedience.Together, they examine the tension between destiny and choice, and the cost of being remembered through a single act.Because history does not end.People carry it.📚 Jesus and Judas: Best Friends Forever by Ralph E. Jarells🎙 Hosted by Paul Rushworth-Brown📺 Down Under Interviews🎧 Also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

In this episode of Down Under Interviews, Australian author and host Paul Rushworth-Brown speaks with Linea Tanner, author of Apollo’s Raven.Set in Roman-occupied Britannia, Tanner’s work uses myth and history to explore how belief systems shape power, justify violence, and sustain empire. Rather than offering simple heroes or moral resolution, the conversation examines myth as a tool of control, resistance, and survival.This long-form discussion looks at writing historical fantasy grounded in research, the role of legend in normalising conquest, and how ancient stories reflect real historical pressures.Recorded for Down Under Interviews.Also airing via History Bards Podcast and Meet the Author (US).

In this episode of Down Under Interviews, author Gary Kidney discusses The Eagle Scout Picture, a World War II espionage thriller inspired by real intelligence operations.Set inside Nazi Germany before the United States formally entered the war, the novel follows a young American Eagle Scout sent on a near-suicidal mission: to live undercover in the heart of the Third Reich, blend in completely, and survive long enough to pass critical intelligence back home.In conversation with Paul Rushworth-Brown, Gary explores themes of identity, moral compromise, and psychological endurance — asking what happens when survival requires becoming someone you despise. The discussion moves beyond plot to examine conscience under pressure, the cost of deception, and the long shadows cast by wartime choices.A thoughtful, historically grounded conversation about espionage, ethics, and the human toll of living a double life.

This conversation originally aired on PSI TV and is shared here with permission.PSI TV is hosted and produced by Dr Trudy.In this episode, Paul Rushworth-Brown discusses Outback Odyssey — a post-war Australian novel exploring land, memory, identity, and belonging. The conversation reflects on migration, moral choice, First Nations knowledge, and how the outback reshapes those who live and work within it.This episode forms part of Down Under Interviews with Paul Rushworth-Brown, a long-form series examining history, power, and the human cost of survival.📘 Read Outback Odyssey: https://www.amazon.com/Outback-Odyssey-Paul-Rushworth-Brown/dp/1964700140🌏 Official site: https://www.paulrushworthbrown.com📚 Read for free on BookSirens: https://booksirens.com/book/CQXYG3S/S5DTJ40

Author Owen Pataki joins Down Under Interviews with Paul Rushworth-Brown to discuss his historical thriller Smoke in the Cypress, a sweeping novel set against the volatile backdrop of the War of 1812 and the contested world of early nineteenth-century Louisiana.The conversation explores Pataki’s portrayal of New Orleans on the brink of invasion, where soldiers, plantation owners, maroon communities, and pirates collide in a city shaped by fear, ambition, and violence. Central to the discussion is Marcel Moreau, a veteran of Napoleon’s Grand Armée, whose journey from post-war France to the Louisiana swamps draws him into a dangerous web of intrigue, moral choice, and survival.This episode looks closely at historical research, character motivation, and the challenges of writing large-scale conflict through intimate human stakes — from the cypress swamps beyond the city to the looming British fleet offshore, and the fragile alliances that defined the era.Down Under Interviews is a long-form author conversation series dedicated to thoughtful, reader-led discussion across historical fiction, thriller, and literary storytelling.

Author Carol Amorosi joins Down Under Interviews with Paul Rushworth-Brown to discuss her novel Death on the Line, a colonial-era mystery set against the dangers and uncertainties of early American life.The conversation explores the historical backdrop of the American colonies, from perilous Atlantic crossings to the untamed wilderness of Colonial Pennsylvania, where a young surveyor’s dream assignment turns into a fight to clear his name after a shocking discovery. Carol reflects on how real historical tensions, isolation, and frontier life create natural suspense, and how mystery emerges organically within a colonial setting.This episode focuses on historical context, research, character motivation, and the craft of building intrigue in early America, offering listeners insight into how colonial mysteries balance authenticity with narrative momentum.Down Under Interviews is a long-form author interview series dedicated to thoughtful, reader-led conversations with writers across historical fiction, mystery, and literary genres.

In this episode of Down Under Interviews with Paul Rushworth-Brown, Paul speaks with Myriana Merkovic, author of The Healer’s Daughter — a conversation about storytelling, healing, and the personal experiences that shape a writer’s voice.📺 Watch the full interview on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/C9rHR1nrNY4?si=ADZqA8HnBPjxkkOj📘 The Healer’s Daughter — available on Amazonhttps://www.amazon.com/Healers-Daughter-historical-tale-magic-ebook/dp/B0FNKPKX7J✍️ Learn more about Myriana Merkovichttps://myriana-merkovic.com/unexpected/🎧 Follow Down Under Interviews with Paul Rushworth-Brown on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3cOq1k9ai1m3WtnYWUXS5V🌏 Down Under Interviews — official sitehttps://www.paulrushworthbrown.com#MyrianaMerkovic #TheHealersDaughter #DownUnderInterviews #AuthorInterview #WritingLife #Storytelling

In this conversation, author Mike Nemeth joins Paul Rushworth-Brown to discuss Tissue of Lies, a tense political thriller that pulls back the curtain on power, secrecy, and the personal cost of truth.Mike talks about the real-world influences behind the novel, the moral grey zones his characters inhabit, and why stories about misinformation and control feel especially urgent today.🎧 Down Under Interviews with Paul Rushworth-BrownConversations with authors exploring history, politics, culture, and the stories that challenge the official version.📘 Tissue of Lies — Mike Nemeth👉 https://www.amazon.com/author/mikenemeth🎥 Watch the full interview on YouTubeDown Under Interviews with Paul Rushworth-Brown👉 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpv-0hqQA1zWotpof7dUIHU40l6E2VqU7🌏 Visit: https://www.paulrushworthbrown.com🎙 Spotify Show: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cOq1k9ai1m3WtnYWUXS5V

In this episode of Down Under Interviews with Paul Rushworth-Brown, Paul speaks with Catherine Hughes, author of In Silence Cries the Heart — a sweeping dual-timeline historical romance set between 1665 Scotland and the modern day.Catherine discusses the inspiration behind Donal Donn and Mary McElroy, the research into Scottish history and folklore, and the emotional themes of forbidden love, loyalty, and sacrifice that shape the novel. The conversation explores how history, memory, and storytelling echo across centuries, and why some stories refuse to stay silent.

Paul Rushworth-Brown speaks with Dave Mason about Between the Clouds and the River, discussing storytelling, character, and the quiet tensions that shape personal journeys in fiction.

Author Interview | Down Under Interviews with Paul Rushworth-BrownHistory Bards Podcast (US) & Down Under Interviews (AUS)In association with Meet the Author – Indie Book Source (US), Sue Fisher Events (UK), Join Australian author and interviewer Paul Rushworth-Brown for a thoughtful, long-form conversation with Denise Cline, author of The Resettlement of Vesta Blonnik.This interview explores the human cost of displacement, identity, and survival during the Great Depression, examining how lives are reshaped not by sudden disaster, but by quiet decisions made under economic and social pressure.About the BookThe Resettlement of Vesta Blonnik is a character-driven historical novel set in Depression-era America. When thirty-year-old Vesta Blonnik is left behind after her family farm is sold, she must forge a new future alone. Through an unexpected and deeply flawed marriage arrangement, Vesta’s path crosses with Gordon Crenshaw — a grieving man institutionalised after devastating loss.Bound by necessity and deception not of their own making, Vesta and Gordon attempt to rebuild their lives in rural North Carolina, navigating trust, resilience, and the slow possibility of love.Where to Watch & Listen🎥 Watch on YouTube: Down Under Interviews🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6kK1XKpII34DdBPdWC3xuJ?si=n96cxR70QGq3e06vF7kz6A🌐 Official site: https://www.paulrushworthbrown.comAbout the SeriesHistory Bards and Down Under Interviews with Paul Rushworth-Brown is a long-form author interview series reaching audiences across Australia, the US, and the UK. The series focuses on creative process, historical research, and the deeper human stories behind fiction — prioritising depth over promotion.Author interviews and PromoAds are featured on:History Bards Podcast (US)Down Under Interviews (AUS/US)Meet the Author – Indie Book Source (US)Event platforms including AllEvents and Eventbrite

Paul Rushworth-Brown speaks with Malve von Hassell about The Price of Loyalty, exploring power, allegiance, and moral choice in the aftermath of conquest. The conversation examines how personal loyalty collides with political ambition in historical fiction.

Paul Rushworth-Brown speaks with Michele Torrey about Fox Creek, exploring power, resilience, and the voices history often sidelines. The conversation looks at how women’s stories are shaped, constrained, and reclaimed in historical fiction.

In this audio conversation, Paul Rushworth-Brown speaks with Vince Rockston about Greet Suzon for Me, a historical novel shaped by memory, family ties, and the quiet aftermath of survival. Vince reflects on the personal history behind the story and the emotional weight carried across generations.

Audio edition of Paul Rushworth-Brown’s conversation with Randy Rauh, author of A Letter Unwritten. The discussion explores silence, memory, and the long road toward healing, and why some stories take a lifetime to be told.