Podcast
In Conversation with Terry Shepherd
Hosted by Terry Shepherd · EN
In Conversation with Terry Shepherd, award-winning broadcaster and author of the Jessica Ramirez Thrillers. A deep dive into the people and support systems behind the stories we love.
46episodes
Episodes
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Judith Starkston - Achilles Wife
Yesterday00:24:24Tap to summarizeIn this episode of "In Conversation," host Terry Shepherd sits down with historical fantasy author Judith Starkston to explore the captivating intersection of history, archaeology, and myth. Judith discusses her latest novel, Achilles' s Wife, and her passion for placing women at the center of ancient Bronze Age narratives. They also dive into a thoughtful review of Christopher Nolan's contemporary film adaptation of The Odyssey, unpacking its modern themes, character portrayals, and departures from Homer's original epic.Key HighlightsReimagining Achilles: Judith explains how Achilles' sWife explores a hidden chapter of the hero's life on the island of Scyros, giving voice to the often-overlooked princess Deidameia.Nolan's The Odyssey: A lively critique of Christopher Nolan's action-packed thriller adaptation, including thoughts on Anne Hathaway's performance, the removal of the original myth's sexual elements (like the Calypso storyline), and the film's focus on modern themes such as migration and the ancient concept of xenia (guest-host relationship).Women in Antiquity: A discussion on how ancient women often held more rights and ruling power than typically assumed, and how legendary writers like Homer subtly highlighted their intelligence despite the patriarchal norm.Translating Homer: Judith shares her favorite translations of The Iliad and The Odyssey, specifically praising the oral quality of Lombardo's work and the less repressive, more accurate language of Emily Wilson's modern translation.What's Next: A sneak peek into Judith's current work-in-progress—a humorous, contemporary novel following a modern classicist who experiences mythological visions featuring the goddess Athena.About the GuestJudith Starkston is a classicist and author who writes historical fantasy and mythic retellings set in the worlds of the Greeks and Hittites. Her storytelling is grounded in serious scholarship, holding classics degrees from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and Cornell. Prior to writing full-time, she taught high school students and shared her deep love for ancient history and mythology. Her published works include Hand of Fire, the four-book Tesha series, and her latest release, Achilles' Wife.Links & ResourcesVisit Judith's Website: judithstarkston.comBooks Mentioned: Achilles' s Wife and Hand of Fire (available wherever cool books are sold)We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo
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Elliot Blake - Into the Great
4d ago00:24:26Tap to summarizeDive into the limitless universe of storytelling with executive producer, director, and author Elliot Blake. From directing A-list talent in Audible's hit Moriarty trilogy to crafting Emmy-winning animation, Elliot is now exploring the written word with his debut sci-fi novella, Into The Great. Join host Terry Shepherd as they discuss the transition from screen to page, the power of personal choice, and what happens when an alien invasion simply stares back at you.In This Episode, We Discuss👽 A New Kind of Invasion: Discover how Into The Great uses silent, observing aliens as a profound metaphor for real-world instability and rapid societal change.✍️ Script to Prose: Hear about Elliot's creative transition from the present-tense world of television and audio dramas to mastering the intimate, past-tense interiority of prose fiction.🌌 Love in the Void: Explore how the novella balances a sprawling space backdrop with an intimate, character-driven romance about personal freedom and taking control of your destiny.🎙️ Directing Legends: Get behind-the-scenes insights on collaborating with voiceover powerhouses like Sir Ben Kingsley and Dominic Monaghan on the Moriarty audio series.About the Guest Elliot Blake is an Emmy-winning storyteller whose dynamic career spans animation, comic books, and audio dramas. He serves as the executive producer and director of Audible’s acclaimed Moriarty trilogy and as an executive producer for Apple TV’s The Sisters Grimm. His new sci-fi novella, Into The Great, marks his highly anticipated return to prose fiction.About Terry Shepherd Terry Shepherd is an award-winning broadcaster, narrator, and author dedicated to exploring the creative process. Through "In Conversation," Terry brings listeners deep into the writer's craft, shining a spotlight on the artists and support systems that bring our favorite stories to life. Links & Resources📖 Get your limited edition copy of Into The Great at Little Factory: lilfac.com/shop🌐 Visit Elliot Blake's official website: elliottblake.com🎙️ Listen to Moriarty: The Great Chaos on Audible🎧 Terry Shepherd Official Website: TerryShepherd.comWe all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo
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Laura Jensen Walker - The Postmistress of Puddlington
5d ago00:22:58Tap to summarize"A single letter can carry a declaration of love, the promise of a new beginning, or news that changes a family forever."Join host Terry Shepherd for an inspiring episode of "In Conversation" featuring Agatha and Lefty Award-nominated author Laura Jensen Walker. In this episode, Laura discusses her heart-warming historical novel, The Postmistress of Puddlington, set in a quiet Dorset village during the tumultuous years of World War II.Laura shares the deeply personal journey of writing the novel, explaining how the story served as a safe haven from pandemic-induced PTSD, and how her early days as a young Air Force clerk typist stationed in England planted the seeds for the book nearly 50 years ago. Episode HighlightsThe Power of Letters: The emotional weight wartime postal workers carried when delivering devastating telegrams from the war department to their own neighbors.Unforgettable Characters: An exploration of the novel's fierce women, from Hester Smith, a timid spinster who comes into her own, to Lady Minerva Winterbottom, a bohemian former suffragette.Suffrajitsu: A fascinating look into the real history of suffragettes learning jujitsu to defend themselves, and how this martial art makes its way into the novel.The "Genre Butterfly": How Laura successfully transitions between nonfiction humor, cozy mysteries, and historical fiction by remaining strictly character-driven.Neurodivergence & New Beginnings: Laura opens up about discovering she is neurodivergent later in life, and how this freeing revelation inspired her forthcoming novel, The Pilgrimage of Primrose Honeychurch.Books Mentioned in This EpisodeThe Postmistress of Puddlington: A gentle, atmospheric read perfect for fans of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.The Pilgrimage of Primrose Honeychurch: Follow a 70-year-old woman with a love for words and sensory challenges on a transformative journey to Hay-on-Wye, the Welsh town of books. This title is available for pre-order now wherever cool books are sold.Learn more about Laura and her work by visiting her website at laurajensenwalker.com.We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo
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Elizabeth Crowens - Round Up the Unusual Suspects
1w ago00:29:32Tap to summarizeIn this episode, host Terry Shepherd welcomes award-winning author Elizabeth Crowens to discuss her latest novel, Round Up the Unusual Suspects. This exciting release is the third book in her classic Hollywood mystery series. The story transports readers back to 1942, where a stagehand is murdered on a Warner Brothers soundstage during the filming of the iconic movie Casablanca. Studio chief Jack L. Warner enlists the help of private investigators Babs Norman and Guy Brandt to solve the case and keep the cameras rolling.What to Expect in This EpisodeElizabeth dives deep into the fascinating blend of fiction and real-life history that shapes her books. Here are some of the highlights from their conversation:The Origins of the Detectives: Crowens explains the backstory of her fictional private investigators, Babs Norman and Guy Brandt.A Unique Meet-Cute: The sleuthing duo originally met as out-of-work actors. They bonded while eating stolen, discarded food during a picnic in a Hollywood cemetery.Wartime Hollywood History: The interview explores the very real underground Nazi movements that threatened studio heads in Los Angeles.Real-Life Heroes: Listeners will learn about Leon Lewis. He was a real-life attorney who built an underground spy network to fight fascist organizations.Movie Magic Secrets: Listeners will discover how wartime rationing led to recycled movie sets. Crowens also explains why the famous foggy airplane scene used a cheap balsa wood plane, little people as mechanics, and forced perspective.The Writing Process: Elizabeth shares her unique "plotzing" method. She reveals how she chose the novel's killer by tossing character index cards into the air.Relevant Social Themes: The episode touches on how the book addresses the 1942 Japanese internment mandate. Crowens notes the parallels between this historical event and modern social issues regarding immigration.About the GuestElizabeth Crowens boasts a career spanning over twenty-five years in the New York and Los Angeles entertainment industries. In addition to her Hollywood mysteries, she is also highly regarded for her Time Travel Professor sci-fi series.To learn more about Elizabeth and her books, visit her website at elizabethcrowens.com.We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo
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Nathan Jorgenson - Otto's Portal
4w ago00:22:55Tap to summarizeIf the soul leaves the body when we die, what holds it here while we live? Host and fellow fiction author Terry Shepherd sits down with award-winning novelist Nathan Jorgenson to explore this profound question, which sits at the very center of his new book, Otto's Portal.In this episode of In-Conversation, Jorgenson shares his fascinating and unexpected journey from a career in dentistry to becoming an acclaimed storyteller. He reveals how his writing began as a deeply personal way to find closure while reading to his dying father, eventually leading to a self-published debut that won a National Book Award and a Ben Franklin Award for Best New Voice in Fiction.From the mysteries at the edge of science to the rural landscapes of the Midwest, this interview delves into the mechanics of writing a sweeping tale that blends fact, faith, myth, and conjecture.In This Episode, We Discuss:The premise of Otto's Portal and its protagonist, a 91-year-old theoretical physicist who is confronting his own mortality.How the novel's timeline sweeps across history, moving seamlessly from 1946 post-war London to Lyndon Johnson's ranch in 1964 and a quiet Catholic church in northern Minnesota.The fascinating integration of string physics, Albert Einstein, and Isaac Newton into a fictional narrative.True historical oddities from World War II, including mysterious yellow orbs and German "wonder weapons," that inspired the plot.The deep influence of the rural Northwoods landscape on Jorgenson's life and the atmosphere of his fiction.The universal human search for redemption and why every character must be flawed to embark on the hero's journey.The practical realities of the writing process, including the invaluable editorial feedback Jorgenson receives from his wife and first reader, Terry.Guest Links & ResourcesDiscover more about Nathan's literary work and grab your copy of Otto's Portal at his official website: nathanjorgenson.com.We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo
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R. John Dingle - Before the Devil Knows
Jul 1400:21:18Tap to summarizeJoin host Terry Shepherd for a thrilling conversation with author R. John Dingle as they delve into the dark, isolated world of his newest mystery, Before the Devil Knows. This third installment in the critically acclaimed Gus Wheeler FBI thriller series takes readers deep into the off-the-grid communities of northern Maine, where dark secrets and archaic religious practices collide.When the disfigured bodies of missing teenagers begin appearing in unmarked graves—each bearing the disturbing signature of a lead cross laid across the chest—FBI agent Gus Wheeler must connect the ancient scriptural breadcrumbs to catch a killer.Episode HighlightsThe Unlikely Protagonist: Discover how Dingle modeled his protagonist, Gus Wheeler, after his own son, Sam. Wheeler is a severely dyslexic, professional jazz musician whose unique way of connecting disparate dots makes him a naturally brilliant FBI profiler.Setting the Scene: Learn why the isolated, foggy, and rugged landscape of Aroostook County, Maine, serves as the perfect, eerie backdrop for a secretive church governed by rigid Old Testament views.The Writing Process: Dingle reveals his intensive outlining strategy and explains why he almost always knows the ending of his books before he starts writing. He also shares why he actually changed the ending of Before the Devil Knows at the eleventh hour based on a suggestion from his son.The Publishing Slog: Aspiring authors will find inspiration in Dingle’s grueling path to publication, which included sending out 283 queries over a year and a half to land his agent, Kathy Greene. After another year and a half of searching, he finally secured a three-book deal that has since expanded to a six-book series.Advice for Writers: Dingle shares his ultimate, hard-earned advice for aspiring authors: "Sit your butt in the chair and write."Discover more about R. John Dingle and his work: To learn more about the Gus Wheeler series and pick up your copy of Before the Devil Knows, visit the author's official website at rjohndingle.com.We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo
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Steven L. Conley - False Flag
Jul 800:34:48Tap to summarizeWhat happens when an FBI insider turns his real-world counterintelligence experience into gripping espionage fiction? In this episode of In Conversation, Terry Shepherd sits down with former attorney and investigator Steven L. Conley to explore his thrilling new novel, False Flag. Inspired by the actual twenty-year hunt for a Chinese mole inside the Bureau, this discussion pulls back the curtain on the grueling psychological and bureaucratic realities of national security work.In This Episode, We Discuss:🕵️♂️ The Anatomy of a Mole Hunt: How a real-world double-agent operation inspired a fictional narrative about institutional trust fossilizing into catastrophic betrayal.⚖️ The Labyrinth of Process: The frustrating gap between what an investigator knows and what the law permits them to prove, including the legal hurdles of FISA warrants and the threat of "graymail".👀 The Cost of High Alertness: How counterintelligence training fundamentally alters an agent's perception, transforming everyday encounters into potential threats and making ordinary life feel staged.✍️ The Operative as Storyteller: The cathartic process of deconstructing plot and motive to write a book that examines the heavy toll of keeping secrets from spouses, children, and friends.About the GuestSteven L. Conley entered the FBI by way of law school, international law, and a formative internship handling ship registries in Malta. Having lived inside the deep bureaucracy of secrecy, he brings unmatched institutional memory to his writing. False Flag is his gripping debut in espionage fiction, balancing the mechanics of classic spy thrillers with profound psychological depth.About Terry ShepherdTerry Shepherd is an author and the host of the In Conversation podcast series. Through deep-dive interviews with leading creators, Terry explores the shared commonalities of craft, motive, and storytelling that connect authors with their readers.Links & ResourcesBuy the Book: [Insert Purchase Link for False Flag]Author Website: [Insert Steven L. Conley's Website Link]Connect with the Host: [Insert Terry Shepherd's Official Website Link]Listen & Subscribe: [Insert Podcast Platform/Buzzsprout Links]We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo
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Margaret Mizushima - Dying Cry
Jul 700:16:51Tap to summarizeJoin host Terry Shepherd for an engaging conversation with award-winning mystery author Margaret Mizushima. In this episode, they dive deep into Dying Cry, the thrilling 10th installment of the internationally published Timber Creek Canine Mysteries. Margaret shares her creative process, the real-world research behind her authentic K-9 characters, and what is next for Deputy Maddie Walker and her canine partner, Robo.What You'll Hear in This EpisodeThe World of Dying Cry: Discover how a snowy family snowshoe outing for newlyweds Maddie and Cole Walker turns deadly. A scream cuts through the canyon, leading Maddie and Robo to witness a shadowy figure vanish beneath a deadly rockslide.Real-World Inspiration: Margaret explains how her retired veterinarian husband helps her brainstorm plotlines. Together, they developed a storyline centered around a veterinary drug known as "tranq," which is abused by addicts and drug experimenters.Building Robo: Learn how Margaret's lifelong observation of dogs and her shadowing of a retired K-9 handler helped bring her beloved German shepherd character to life. Robo was purchased by the Timber Creek community to detect drugs and serve as a well-socialized partner in local schools.Hands-On Research: Hear about Margaret's fascinating trip to a Las Vegas police dog trial to observe K-9 behaviors, such as how officers command their dogs to release a bite sleeve.Future Projects: Get a sneak peek into her upcoming fall release, Fighting Edge, which tackles the serious issue of teenage labor trafficking. Margaret also shares that she is currently writing book 12, which focuses on vulnerable elderly people.About the GuestMargaret Mizushima is a retired speech therapist who grew up on a Colorado cattle ranch. She spent 15 years working toward publication, writing five manuscripts before her debut novel, Killing Trail, was finally picked up by Crooked Lane Books. Today, her work has earned honors from the Colorado Authors League, the Independent Book Publishers Association, and Women Writing the West.Fans love her series because of the lovable K-9 Robo, the fairly clean language, and her depiction of a supportive, competent police department.Books DiscussedBook Title | Release Info | Plot HighlightsDying Cry | Book 10, released October 2025 | A deadly rockslide, greed, and the abuse of a veterinary drug called "tranq"Fighting Edge | Upcoming fall release | Focuses on the domestic and international labor trafficking of vulnerable teenagersKilling Trail | Book 1, released 2015 | The debut novel that launched the Timber Creek seriesConnect with Margaret: Visit her official website at margaretmizushima.com to explore her work.We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo
Transcribe →Dara Levan - Shaken to the Core
Jul 300:22:50Tap to summarizeWhen the stable foundation of your life suddenly shifts, what do you do with the time you have left? Join host Terry Shepherd on In Conversation as he sits down with Dara Levan, the award-winning author, podcaster, and speech-language pathologist, to discuss her beautifully poignant new novel, Shaken to the Core. Together, they dive into a deeply moving story about grief, transformation, and the profound ways love and "framily" can reshape our worldview when we least expect it.In This Episode, We Discuss:📸 Finding a Voice Behind the Lens: How the protagonist, Joy, uses photography as a protective comfort zone until life’s sudden detours force her to step out from behind the camera and reclaim her voice.📖 The Legacy of a Camp Diary: The evocative role of a 1980s sleepaway camp journal as a portal to understanding a mother's youth, sparking an unexpected professional metamorphosis.🌈 Choosing Joy Through Grief: Dara shares her personal experiences with otherworldly "visits," symbols like rainbows and ladybugs, and the conscious decision to choose hope in the wake of profound loss.🎙️ The Art of Listening: How hosting her own podcast, Every Soul Has a Story, and her background in speech pathology have deepened her empathy and expanded her worldview.About the GuestDara Levan is an author, speaker, speech-language pathologist, and the founder of Every Soul Has a Story, a global platform dedicated to sharing the experiences that shape us. She is the author of It Could Be Worse, a contributor to the USA Today best-selling anthology On Being Jewish Now, and her latest novel, Shaken to the Core, has been recognized as a Zibby’s Summer Read and recommended in People Magazine.About Terry ShepherdTerry Shepherd is the author of the Jessica Ramirez thriller series and the host of In Conversation, where he welcomes world-class authors, creatives, and cultural figures for deep, insightful discussions about their craft and life journeys.Links & ResourcesVisit the Author’s Website: DaraLevan.comBuy the Book: [Shaken to the Core on Amazon/Bookshop]Listen to Dara's Podcast: [Every Soul Has a Story]Connect with the Host: [TerryShepherd.com]We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo
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Steven Rubin - The Unraveling of Michael Galler
Jul 200:25:41Tap to summarizeWhat happens when healthy self-discipline morphs into a consuming, unseen obsession? Today, host Terry Shepherd sits down with author Steven M. Rubin to explore his gripping new novel, The Unraveling of Michael Galler, a slow-build psychological family drama that walks the fragile line between protection and psychological unraveling. Together, they dive into how personal trauma can redefine our deepest fears, and how the grueling 26.2-mile journey of a marathon serves as the ultimate crucible for the human spirit.In This Episode, We Discuss:🧠 The Mechanics of Obsession: How childhood loss can cause a young mind to completely redefine the concept of illness and malevolent forces.🏃♂️ The Marathon as a Crucible: Steven shares his harrowing real-life experience of surviving a heart attack during the Marine Corps Marathon—and why he chose to retrain and finish it five years later.🎭 Twist vs. Reveal: A look behind the curtain at the craft of writing a psychological drama, and why the book’s shocking ending is a natural resolution rather than a traditional thriller twist.✍️ The Writer’s Marathon: Creative advice for aspiring authors on finding your voice, entering short fiction contests, and committing to the long-haul journey of writing a book.About the GuestSteven M. Rubin is a former collegiate football player, marathon runner, and corporate employee benefits strategist who brings a uniquely analytical and deeply personal perspective to his fiction. Raised outside of Boston, his own experiences with family loss and endurance running heavily inspired the framework of his celebrated debut novel, which earned him a "Best in Show" award for short fiction at the Marblehead Festival of Arts.About Terry ShepherdTerry Shepherd is the host of the In Conversation podcast series, where he interviews leading and emerging authors, diving deep into the craft of writing, character development, and the human stories behind the pages.Links & ResourcesVisit the Author’s Website: Steven M. Rubin Official Website Get the Book: Buy The Unraveling of Michael Galler on Amazon (Placeholder)Connect with the Host: Terry Shepherd Official Website (Placeholder)Follow the Podcast: In Conversation on Buzzsprout (Placeholder)We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo
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