Join Burke Allen at the American Library Association’s annual conference in Philadelphia as he talks with award-winning author Gracie Lynne. From Texas to Philly, Gracie shares her journey from nurse and single mother to bestselling Christian author, her unique approach to spiritual and children’s fiction, and how her new series inspires readers to transform life’s hardships into strength. Discover her insights on faith, storytelling, and the power of overcoming evil with good.

In this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast with host Burke Allen, we sit down with R.L. Akers, author of Prometheus Rebound and two vastly different book series that blend creativity, discipline, and imagination. Akers shares how he transformed his lifelong love of stories into a writing career — from his early inspiration through Star Wars author Timothy Zahn, to his participation in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), and how that challenge pushed him to complete his first full manuscript. You’ll hear insights on:

• How to balance multiple book projects at once
• Why storyboarding and structure are vital for novel writing
• The lessons learned from writing sci-fi for adults and YA fiction
• How today’s fast-paced world influences storytelling

Whether you’re a writer, a reader, or a dreamer with a story waiting to be told, this conversation is packed with inspiration and practical advice. Listen now and get inspired to write your own story!

Live from the American Library Association’s annual conference in Philadelphia, host Burke Allen sits down with author and attorney Marc Ross to talk about his new political thriller Attacking the Dragon. Already earning honors at the Beach Book Festival and San Francisco Book Festival, the novel explores global terrorism, China’s rise, and the Americans caught in the crossfire. Ross shares how his years of experience working in China shaped the book’s authentic settings and characters, the research that went into the story, and his perspective on U.S.–China relations today. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation about writing, world politics, and the making of an international thriller.

Join host Burke Allen live from the American Library Association’s annual conference in Philadelphia as he sits down with award-winning author Johnny Tan. Johnny shares the inspiring journey behind his 15th anniversary edition of From My Mama’s Kitchen: Food for the Soul, Recipes for Living. Discover how his nine moms shaped his life, the lessons they passed down, and why unconditional love, integrity, and resilience are the true recipes for living.

In this episode of The Big Time Talker Podcast, host Burke Allen sits down with international best-selling author, attorney, pilot, and astro photographer Glenn Sturm. From his early days in small-town Montana to a remarkable career spanning the military, law, and literature, Glenn shares inspiring stories of resilience, purpose, and passion. Discover how his life experiences shaped his writing and world view. Learn more about Glenn and explore his work at glennsturm.com.

At the American Library Association’s summer conference in Philadelphia, host Burke Allen sits down with debut author Krista Beggan to talk about her new romantic suspense novel A Life Saving Bullet. Krista shares the five-year journey of bringing her story to life, her love of thrillers and spy movies, and how she weaves action, mystery, and heartfelt romance into her writing. She also opens up about balancing a full-time career with her passion for storytelling, the inspiration behind her characters, and what’s next on her creative journey.

Award-winning mystery author Nancy A. Hughes joins host Burke Allen live from the American Library Association conference in Philadelphia. They discuss her newest novel The Point of the Bodkin, her love of puzzles and storytelling, and her journey from journalism and business writing to becoming a celebrated novelist. Discover how Nancy builds unforgettable characters and compelling plots that keep readers turning pages. Learn more about Nancy and her books at hughscribe.com.

In this special episode of the Big Time Talker live from the American Library Association conference in Philadelphia, host Burke Allen sits down with attorney-turned-author Howard Langer. At 70, Howard traded a remarkable legal career for a new journey as a novelist. He shares the inspiration behind his debut book The Last Dekrepitzer, how a single short story evolved into a powerful novel, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. Discover his fascinating path, his insights on writing later in life, and how his legal career shaped his storytelling.

 Get your copy of The Last Dekrepitzer at howardlanger.com

In this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, Burke Allen sits down with author Andy Ross to discuss his gripping new thriller, Attacking the Dragon. Drawing from years of legal work and firsthand experiences in China, Ross weaves a story of espionage, power, and survival where China is not the aggressor but the target. Listeners will gain insight into China’s Belt and Road Initiative, the delicate balance of global politics, and Ross’s unique writing process.

Discover more about Andy Ross and order Attacking the Dragon at www.amarcross.com

Live from the American Library Association’s summer conference in Philadelphia, Burke Allen sits down with Scott Feld — international bestselling children’s book author and Mom’s Choice Award winner. Scott shares the story behind Dax to the Max, a fun and empowering book series that helps kids turn negative “stink think” into positive “power pods.” Drawing from over 30 years of experience coaching and teaching children, Scott reveals how personal development principles can be taught in a playful way to build confidence and resilience. Learn more about Scott’s books, courses, and mission at https://www.scottfeld.com/#page4.

Live from the American Library Association’s annual summer conference in Philadelphia, the Big Time Talker podcast welcomes Tammy Gerhard, award-winning author of Coco Hugs and Coffee Mugs. Tammy shares her journey from 22 years as a school counselor to inspiring readers of all ages with her picture books about kindness, empathy, and community. Discover how her stories — and companion activity book — are making a real difference in schools, homes, and beyond. Learn more and grab her books at https://tammygerhard.com/published-books/.

Southern rock legend Greg T Walker shares his journey—from playing with Blackfoot and early Lynyrd Skynyrd to leading his latest band, Two Wolf. He opens up about what drives him to keep creating music after all these years, the powerful chemistry behind Two Wolf’s lineup, and the passion poured into their debut album on Cleopatra Records. Greg also reflects on his Native American roots, the importance of preserving cultural traditions, and the truth behind how Hollywood shaped the public’s view of Native history. If you're into authentic, swampy, no-holds-barred southern rock—and stories that go deeper than the music—this conversation hits hard. New episodes drop weekly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

In this heartfelt episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, host Burke Allen sits down with singer-songwriter and pianist John McAndrews, a true artist whose journey through addiction, mental health struggles, and musical perseverance is as powerful as his songs. Broadcasting from Washington, DC, Burke explores John's beginnings in a deeply musical family, his brush with self-destruction, and his road to recovery — all of which shaped his soulful new album, Better Side of Me. With stories of recording with producer Denny Seiwell (of Paul McCartney’s Wings), insights into life as a working musician in 2025, and raw honesty about the cost and beauty of redemption, this episode is a must-listen.

tune in now. New episodes drop every Tuesday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your audio.

In this lively episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, award-winning children's author and illustrator Ashley Belote joins us live from the American Library Association's annual summer conference in Philadelphia. Ashley shares her creative journey from being the “designated art kid” to becoming a successful author-illustrator with a passion for humor and heart in children’s books. She dives into the balance of writing and illustrating, the value of finding your creative voice, and how persistence pays off.

Discover more of Ashley’s work and browse her books at: https://www.ashleybelote.com/books Perfect for parents, educators, aspiring authors, and young-at-heart readers!

Award-winning author Dan Hendrickson returns to the Big Time Talker Podcast, live from the American Library Association’s conference in Philadelphia, to unveil his latest action-packed historical novel, "Brandy: Dame of the Caribbean." Host Burke Allen dives into Dan’s inspiration behind this thrilling saga, rooted in the real-life abolitionist movement in the Caribbean during the 1830s–1860s. Hendrickson shares how Brandy, a pirate-turned-heroine, joins forces with abolitionists, faces off against the deadly Jade Empress, and fights to rescue her kidnapped children—all while mastering Shaolin martial arts. With sword fights, slave rescues, and deep historical roots, this novel fuses swashbuckling adventure, powerful themes, and cinematic action in a uniquely unforgettable tale. Don’t miss this behind-the-scenes conversation about history, writing, martial arts choreography, and the unexpected layers of a powerful female protagonist.

 🔗 Learn more about Dan Hendrickson and his books: Dan Hendrickson on Amazon

Live from the American Library Association Conference in Philadelphia, Burke Allen sits down with author and lifelong educator Hazell Thomas to talk about her powerful children’s book Money Moves a Nation: A Civil Rights Lesson for Children. Inspired by the tragic story of Emmett Till and told through the eyes of her own family, Hazell’s book offers young readers a meaningful look at America’s civil rights history — rooted in her hometown of Money, Mississippi. With illustrations by her husband, Wayne Thomas, this heartfelt story brings the past to life for today’s generation.

Explore Hazell's work and more at HazewayStudios.com and get your copy of Money Moves a Nation today.

In this special episode of the Big Time Talker, recorded live at the American Library Association Conference in Philadelphia, Burke Allen sits down with Patricia Miller—Headline Books author and master of middle-grade mysteries. Patricia shares how her love for Agatha Christie inspired her to create spooky, twist-filled tales for young readers. From collaborating with student illustrators to turning everyday moments into chilling storylines, she reveals the magic behind her latest release, Mysterious Tales of the Unexplained Vol. 4: Murder on Blood Red Island. Plus, she discusses her upcoming mindfulness picture book series inspired by her decades-long work as a mental health therapist.

Explore Patricia Miller’s books here:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B082S4K78F Let me know if you need this formatted for YouTube, podcast platforms, or social media.

Want to turn your clutter into cold hard cash? In this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, we’re joined by Aaron LaPedis, author of The Garage Sale Millionaire. With over four decades of experience, a PBS show, and a column in The Denver Post, Aaron reveals how to make thousands from the stuff you already own—and how one childhood mistake turned into a multimillion-dollar journey. From yard sale dos and don’ts to spotting hidden gems and using eBay + AI to price smarter, this episode is full of real-world advice, hilarious stories, and garage sale gold. 📚 Grab Aaron’s book The Garage Sale Millionaire here:

https://www.amazon.com/Garage-Sale-Millionaire-Auctions-Everything/dp/1118370546 New episodes every Tuesday—stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your audio fix.

In this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, host Burke Allen welcomes humorist and former media executive Bill Williams, author of 20 Years of Internet Humor. Bill shares his fascinating journey from a successful career in media and government work in Washington, DC, to becoming one of the first to use email as a tool to spread humor and inspiration in the early days of the internet. What started as a simple way to get his sales team to read their emails turned into a 30-year project that now reaches inboxes across the globe. Bill talks about the evolution of digital communication, the power of laughter in business and life, and how his daily “thoughts of the day” became a beloved part of thousands of people’s routines. Tune in for a heartfelt, funny, and insightful conversation about creativity, reinvention, and finding joy in unexpected places.