I sat down with Rob Hart, the critically acclaimed author of The Warehouse and The Medusa Protocol for a fast-paced and thought-provoking conversation about villains, twists, and how to create characters who are both deeply flawed and utterly compelling.
We also discuss whether or not you can benefit from reading your reviews (both good and bad) and what kung fu movies and musicals have in common—and what storytellers can learn from them.
Listen now on your favorite podcast platform.
S.A. BARNES works in a high school library by day, recommending reads, talking with students, and removing the occasional forgotten cheese-stick-as-bookmark. The author has published numerous novels across different genres, but Dead Silence is the first published as S. A. Barnes. Barnes lives in Illinois with more dogs and books than is advisable and a very patient spouse.
This week, Belgium author and screenwriter Sandra J. Paul joins me to talk about crafting suspense, plot twists, and the art of keeping readers guessing. Known as “the queen of twists,” Sandra has written more than 30 novels, including several innovative flip books. Her novels are available all over the world. Tune in for an insightful and inspiring conversation. Listen now:
This week on The Story Blender, we’re diving into myth, adventure, and the power of storytelling with Robert A. Walker, author of the Seven Gods series. We explore his process of listening to characters—and what that even means—and responding to the story as it unfolds, providing an intimate look at their struggles and journeys. He also shares inside info about his latest book Two Crowns, Three Blades and a word of advice he would give to his younger self that might be good for all of us to listen to today. Give it a listen!
This week’s guest, Susan Walter, moved to Los Angeles after flubbing an interview to be a newscaster, hoping to work in film and television production. Upon realizing writers were having all the fun, Susan became a screenwriter, then a director. She made her directorial debut on "All I Wish" starring Sharon Stone, which she also wrote. Susan transitioned to writing novels during the pandemic so she could murder people without consequences. She has a new book called LETTERS FROM STRANGERS and lots of great advice for novelists and screenwriters. Check it out!
This week I talk with novelist Meg Serino about her new novel, ANNAPURNA. We explore the issues that fiction allows us to evaluate, the crossroads that we face, and the new insights that stories can bring us. We chat about the importance of forgiveness and grace, extending them toward yourself, and shaping stories that really enrich people on an emotional level. Check it out!
This week I chat with the bestselling authors from the popular podcast, Friends & Fiction. We dive into their advice on what writers should focus and what to avoid, the advantages and drawbacks of stepping out on a limb, and lessons learned from unexpected places. We also talk about their books, their podcast, and how to connect with a community of 250,000 committed readers and writers. Check it out!
Have you ever heard of the infamous pirates Captain Kidd and Blackbeard? Have you ever been interested in the golden age of pirates, privateers, and the truth behind the legends? This week, I interview Samuel Marquis, the author of the new book “Captain Kidd: A True Story of Treasure and Betrayal.” Marquis shares fascinating insights on pirates, storytelling, the way fiction wears with truth in legendary stories, and what it means to be “a villain all nations.”
Check it out.
This week I catch up with Michael Carson, the president of the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough, Tennessee—the site of the contemporary storytelling revival. We discuss the power of stories to bring joy, to bring healing, and to bring people together. We talk about the dance of audience and teller, how important it is to respond to your listeners even as you tell your story, and why there is no one right way to tell a story. Check it out and learn more about the International Storytelling Center and the amazing programs they offer year round.
This week I chat with suspense author Jaclyn Goldis about her writing process, the importance of curiosity, plunging into reality through fiction, writing advice you’ve heard but should never follow, whether or not to write every day, what success as an author truly looks like (it might surprise you) and more. We also discuss her latest book, The Safari. Check it out!
Don’t miss this week’s episode of The Story Blender as I interview gothic novelist Paulette Kennedy. We talk about everything from cemetery rubbings to creating a sense of dread, to how much we love it when characters question their own sanity and travel on a journey of self-awareness through the narrative. What is it that makes a story gothic? How does isolation and self-questioning fit into that genre? You’ll also love her advice on what to do in regard to chasing your dreams.
This week on The Story Blender I sit down with award-winning sports journalist David Newton to talk about when the rubber meets the fans at a NASCAR race, his work at ESPN, writing about Tiger Woods’ early career, and even Cam Newton’s outlandish style choices. From his decades of experience, David shares the importance of tapping into the human drama—including struggles and obstacles—no matter what type of story you might be writing or telling. Listen in for his unique advice on finding the story behind the story when telling your own tales.
My guest this week is an award-winning translator author and folklorist who's written extensively on Japanese ghost stories and supernatural stories from and has translated many tales from Japanese into English for the first time. He has also lectured on folklore and manga throughout the United States and Europe.
This week I caught up with Latina author C.I. Jerez whose new book AT THE ISLAND’S EDGE releases in March. We discuss leaning into the interiority of your characters, getting to know them over time, finding your voice, and letting the story tell itself to you. Give it a listen!
This week, acclaimed science thriller author Mark Alpert joins me for a wide-ranging conversation about how not to say everything all at once in your story, creating enough mystery and intrigue to keep readers flipping pages, why you should apply for a writer residency, how to use a flare to keep polar bears at bay in the Arctic, the best way for aliens to invade earth (it’s not what you think!), whether AI will become our overlord and more. Check it out!
This week I catch up with acclaimed storyteller Adam Booth. We talk about reading the room, creating space in your story, and dancing with the audience. We also chat about whether or not to script out content and the importance of establishing normalcy at the start of a storytelling program to presentation. Adam tours throughout the country, performing his stories for young and old alike and I’m sure you’ll love his insights and perspective.
This week I speak with novelist, storyteller, and world-renowned speech writer Tom Morrisey on the keys to storytelling for leaders. Learn why people have a short attention span these days (it’s not the reason you might think), why stories work so well for building trust, and three reasons you should be telling stories in your work to inspire and motivate those you lead. We also chat about our upcomingStorytellingkeys.com Summit in Tennessee in April. Give it a listen, and join us April 8-10 for our first, live, in-person Storytelling Keys Leadership Summit!
Listen to a fascinating conversation with filmmaker and screenwriter Nicholas Tomnay as we talk about whether stories reflect culture or alter it, why you should avoid Toxic Carrots, and the difference between twists and reveals. We also discuss his latest film, “What You Wish For.” Give the episode a listen and then check out the movie after you hear Nicholas’s insights into the writing process!
Have you ever wanted to write a script for Hollywood? If so, then you’re going to love this week’s episode of The Story Blender. Screenwriter and script consultant Mike Thompson joins me. He has sold projects to Columbia Pictures, New Line Cinema, Universal, Paramount, NBC, CBS, and many others. We talk about fusing character and concept, coming up with pitches and loglines, the engine that propels every story forward, the secrets to writing scripts that sell, and more. Check it out!
This week I talk with Rowan Gibson, an international business consultant, keynote speaker, and innovator who has told stories in over 60 countries. According to Forbes, Rowan Gibson is “one of the most recognized thought leaders in business innovation.” We talk about everything from telling stories in the corporate world to what it takes to make a James Bond story work to thinking outside the box (and redefining what the box is), and more. Give it a listen. Check it out!
