Citywide Blackout

Classically-trained musician/harpist Jessica Victoria joins me to talk about how the legends of King Arthur have influenced her music, particularly her upcoming new album, set to be released in early May. Jessica has performed all over the world, including for Pope John Paul II, and gives a look at some places she'd love to add to her travel checklist. She also teaches and shares insight into her teaching style and some of the lessons she's learned over the years.

Following this interview, enjoy two of her songs, “Love Charm,” and “Some Songs Are For Crying.”

In this episode, we learn what it means to lose someone to suicide. My guest, Nancy Caissie, lost her husband Larry on May 28, 2011 to suicide and she talks about the events leading up to this and the aftermath. She talks about the reaction from family and friends and the challenge of speaking about it with other people. She also looks at her life now: remarried, with her young children now grown up, and how she was able to take that step forward.

 

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of self-harm, know that help is available. The links below will take you to organizations that can offer support and counseling.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

 

Suicide Prevention Services of America

 

Suicide Prevention Services

 

Crisis Text Line

 

Suicide Prevention Resource Center

Alicia “Reese” Reisman, the songwriter behind Reese Collective, joins me to talk about her debut album, “The Journey.” This collection of Christian music has a very unique aspect—although she is the writer and creative force behind the project, every track features a different singer.

Alicia introduced us to the different artist and how she met them, as well as what they brought to the project in terms of skills and suggestions. We also talk about the stories behind each song.

After this, kick back and enjoy one of the tracks from the album, “My Everything (featuring Amy Little).”

Stuart Babcock and Drew Zieff of the Americana/folk duo Jake Swamp and the Pine join me to talk about the folk scene in Boston and some of their favorite venues, including Toad and Club Passim. They've also got a new album in the works and they dive into some of the stories behind the songs.

Following this, enjoy one of their newest tunes, “My Sister's Old Guitar.”

In this episode, EDM artist SARiKAiDEN (pronounced as Sara-Kaden) takes us through his career, which has seen the release of three albums, two EPs, and over six singles, all using only an iPhone and a MacBook. He talks about the production process and some of the programs he uses, as well as how music has helped him to deal with issues like anxiety and depression. 

In addition to his work in EDM music, SARiKAiDEN also produces a podcast called Mumble the Owl, focused on horror movies and books, which he relaunched earlier this year.

 

In this episode, Eli Escobar talks about her career as an actress, which only began a few years ago, but has seen an impressive array of projects. She's worked on a number of indie films, including "In My Mother's Eyes" "Renegade Darlings" "Higher Methods," and "The Island Between Our Love."

Eli talks about how to prep for an audition and some of the more common mistakes people make. She also shares how her son inspired her to try acting when she wasn't sure of herself and later made it into a full-time career.

Author/musician Jim Infantino joins me to talk about his experience at the recent Boskone book expo. It was his first time there and we talk panels, Jim's fellow writers, and how the event compares to others. We take a long look at Jim's first book, “ The Wakeful Wanderer’s Guide to New New England & Beyond.” The book shows a climate-changed future seen from two starkly different cultural perspectives.

Following this, check out two songs from Jim's band, Jim's Big Ego—“In My Cult,” followed by “The Ballad of Barry Allen.”

Here it is, the second episode of my coverage of the 2020 Boskone book expo. Thanks go out to the folks behind this great event for having me back this year.

Up first it's Anabel Graetz, who led workshops on vocal training. Along with her years spent as a singing teacher, she has an acting resume a mile long! We talk about the movies she's been in and the Who's Who of talent she's worked with.

E.C Ambrose recently released “Bone Guard Two: The Nazi Skull,” and “The Singer's Crown: The Author's Cut.” The latter is a re-release which has 35,000 more words and she talks about how this changed the story and the research part of the Bone Guard series.

Rob Greene and I chatted about his debut book, “The Light Years,” which deals with an arranged marriage and the discovery of long-held secrets. Rob talks about the world-building process and how it feels to have his first novel out for the world to enjoy.

The final interview is with Sarah Smith for her upcoming book, “Crimes and Survivors,” available April 15. This Titanic-based story is a mystery about not only icebergs, wrecks, and murder, but crimes against the human spirit and how to survive them. Sarah and I dive into the time period and what it meant then when the main character learns that she may have a relative of African descent.

 

Feb. 14 marked the 2020 Boskone book expo and I had a great time, as usual. I got the chance to speak to a lot of great writers, and the interviews are collected in the first of two episodes.

 

In the first, Michael McAfee of the Post Meridian Radio Players talks about the show they did at Boskone “The Silver Shade: Help From The Shadows.” Michael tells me about the casting process and how they plan for the worst to happen.

 

Author Tabitha Lord and I haven't spoken in years and there is a lot to recap! She's completed her sci-fi “Horizon” series and tells me about the urban fantasy story she's working on now, which includes a lot of research.

 

Last in this episode is Vincent O'Neil, who has been hard at work shopping around the script for his “Handler Hank” short story. He goes into the transition from short story to script and what other of his works he'd like to see on the screen.

Authors David and Julie Bulitt joined me on Valentine's Day to talk about their new book “The 5 Core Conversations For Couples.” We take a look at things like communication, a work/life balance, and a healthy sex life and how each plays a role in creating a strong relationship. The Bulitts also look at their professional lives in family therapy and divorce and family law and how it informed the writing process.

Thanks go out to Ellen Whitfield of JKS Communications/Books Forward PR for her help in arranging this interview.