Tag

podcast

Jul 30
Love21

Beth Castrodale

By Author, Podcast No Comments

This week on Here’s What We Know, join us for a captivating conversation with author Beth Castrodale to explore the creative life. Beth shares how her roots in journalism shaped her storytelling style, why ghost stories have always fascinated her, and what it really takes to finish a book.

Listen in as we go down the rabbit hole from haunted houses, World War I soldier journals, and audiobooks to cemetery lore and the bittersweet feeling of saying goodbye to beloved characters. Tune in now; you’re gonna love it!

This episode is sponsored by:

In this Episode:

  • The Path to Writing
  • The Relationship Between Reading and Writing
  • Running, Audiobooks, and Podcasts: Creative Consumption
  • Beth Castrodale’s Books and the Audiobook Experience
  • Crafting Character Voices: Writing and Narrating Multiple Points of View
  • The Writing Process: Plotting, Pantsing, and Outlining
  • Finding Endings and Letting Go
  • Receiving Critique and the Role of Ego
  • The Solitary Nature of Novel Writing
  • Literary Influences and Early Reading Memories
  • The Allure of Standalone Novels and Avoiding Sequels
  • Research in Writing: Bringing Authenticity to Fiction
  • Ghost Stories, the Paranormal, and the Challenge of Creepy
  • The Process of Writing “The Inhabitants”
  • The Winchester Mystery House
  • Publicity, Promotion, and the Writer’s Life

Quotations:

”One of the magical, wonderful things of writing is that you get into a story and, oh, it kind of goes off in a way that you don’t expect.” ~ Beth Castrodale

“And I feel like something with a little bit of plotting and outlining makes sure that you’re getting to those bits and pulling the story along. But I think that it’s a matter of striking the balance between having the plot points but not overplanning, giving yourself enough leeway to discover.”  ~ Beth Castrodale

“Have that joy of discovery, but also making sure that you’re not gonna let readers down with something that just zags and drags for the reader.”  ~ Beth Castrodale

“No novel is ever really done, but it feels like, okay, I feel like I’ve taken this as far as I can take it, and I need to let it go.”  ~ Beth Castrodale

“Just as you’re coming up in the world as a writer, you really have to be able to learn to listen to criticism and integrate it somehow.”  ~ Beth Castrodale

“I think there are times, especially when you’re a child, when you feel isolated or alone, and you feel like sometimes books are your companions and the characters in books become your companions.”  ~ Beth Castrodale

“I like to keep myself entertained as a writer. So I feel like moving on to a new topic is kind of, it’s like going on a new adventure,”  ~ Beth Castrodale

“I have new ideas all the time that I want to pursue because it’s part of the adventure of writing.”  ~ Beth Castrodale

Bio:

Beth Castrodale worked as a newspaper reporter until her love of books led her to the publishing field. She was a senior editor at Bedford/St. Martin’s and is the founding editor of the book-review website Small Press Picks. Her most recent novel, The Inhabitants, won the Horror categories of the Independent Publisher Book Awards, the National Indie Excellence Awards, and the Best Book Awards. It was a finalist in the Horror category of the Next Generation Indie Book Awards.

An excerpt from her second novel, In This Ground, was a shortlist finalist for a William Faulkner – William Wisdom Creative Writing Award. Her début novel, Marion Hatley, was a finalist for a Nilsen Prize for a First Novel from Southeast Missouri State University Press. Castrodale also received an artist grant from the Mass Cultural Council. Her stories and essays have appeared in multiple publications, including CrimeReads, Ars Medica, The Writing Disorder, and Writing and Wellness.

If you sign up for Beth’s monthly email newsletter, you’ll get a free copy of her novel Gold River.

Guest Contact Info:

Website: https://www.bethcastrodale.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-castrodale-a667b81/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethcastrodale/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beth.castrodale

Jul 23
Love26

Cullen Jones

By Music, Podcast, Professional Athlete, Sports No Comments

This week on Here’s What We Know, our host, Gary Scott Thomas, sits down with Cullen Jones, Olympic gold medalist swimmer, world record holder, and passionate water safety advocate.

Cullen shares the extraordinary story of how a near-drowning at age five ignited his purpose, ultimately driving him to become one of the fastest swimmers in history and a leader in the movement to make swimming accessible to every child.

This episode is sponsored by:

 (Effortless solution to your junk removal needs!)

In this episode:

  • How Cullen’s upbringing influenced his path to greatness
  • The mindset and training that fueled Cullen’s record-breaking career
  • The surprising way boredom can be a powerful tool for growth
  • Personal stories of overcoming setbacks and staying motivated through the highs and lows
  • Behind-the-scenes moments from the Olympics, from relay teamwork to celebrations
  • Cullen’s mission to reduce drowning rates through initiatives like Make a Splash and Goldfish Swim School
  • Insights into the cultural and historical barriers that keep many from learning to swim

Quotations:

”I’d rather be busy than bored.” ~ Cullen Jones

“You have to live the goal. So I would have to set up things in my life and systems in my life that keep me excited about the fact of trying to get 0.01.” ~ Cullen Jones

“If I work as hard as I believe I can, I can do anything.” ~ Cullen Jones

“It doesn’t mean just because you can push yourself further doesn’t mean that you always should.” ~ Cullen Jones

“When you turn around and see that one and an AR or a WR next to your name, you feel no pain. You are just so excited that you did it. That when I set up that American record, I did something to my finger. It wasn’t fully dislocated. I literally popped it back and was like, Slap in the water, I would have no pain. Adrenaline was just too high. Didn’t feel it.” ~ Cullen Jones

“I’m a little jealous. I wish I had this opportunity to race with 6,000 people watching, breaking records. Man, that would have just lit me up.” ~ Cullen Jones

“I’m a firm advocate. You’ve got to learn to swim. It’s a life skill.” ~ Cullen Jones

“I think a lot of parents need to know, too. It’s let the coach coach. I mean, if you’re not getting it from the coach, maybe think about a different avenue, but you need to coach the attitude and the thought process behind them being present in whatever sport it is, because that’s the part where the coach can’t get through. That’s a parent’s need to be in charge of that piece.” ~ Cullen Jones

“We are stronger together.” ~ Cullen Jones

Bio:

Cullen Andrew Jones is a four-time Olympic medalist and the first African American male swimmer to hold a world record. At the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Jones swam on the legendary world-record-setting 4×100  freestyle relay team.

 In 2012, Jones won gold as Team USA’s anchor in the 4×100 medley relay, silver in the 4×100 freestyle relay, and individual silver in the 50m freestyle. In total, Cullen accounts for 13 U.S. medals (seven gold) at major international competitions.

Jones married his wife, Rupi, in 2007, and she gave birth to their son, Ayvn, in 2019.

Guest Contact Info:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cullenjones41/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cullenjones/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CullenJones41/

X: https://x.com/cullenjones

Website: https://goldfishswimschool.com/

https://www.usaswimming.org/parents/learn-to-swim

Jul 16
Love22

Jeremy Wolf

By Podcast, Professional Athlete, Sports No Comments

This week on Here’s What We Know, join us for an inspiring conversation with Jeremy Wolf, a former professional baseball player who grew up with a bat in his hands and a dream in his heart. From college ball to professional leagues and eventually playing for Team Israel, Jeremy’s story is full of grit and grace.

Today, he’s making an even bigger impact through More Than Baseball, working to improve the lives of minor league players. Listen now!

This episode is sponsored by:

In this Episode:

  • How Jeremy handled the pressure of professional sports
  • The story behind co-founding More Than Baseball to improve players’ lives
  • His insights on mental health and why it matters more than ever
  • Lessons on turning setbacks into stepping stones

Quotations:

“So I’ll always be grateful for just, like, all of the doors, like dominoes lined up for me to have these amazing experiences.” ~ Jeremy Wolf

“Create opportunities, work really hard, have the discipline to continue pushing forward, and good things are going to happen.” ~ Jeremy Wolf

“When your child fails, do not yell at them. Do not scream at them. Do not punish them. Don’t treat it as if it’s just a normal day, because it is.” ~ Jeremy Wolf

“​​When we create an environment where athletes don’t feel the pressure to perform but feel obligated to support each other and their teammates, you’re just creating a better culture, and that’s going to create better outcomes.” ~ Jeremy Wolf

“You can do more than you think.” ~ Jeremy Wolf

Bio:

Jeremy Wolf is a former professional baseball player who spent time in the New York Mets organization after a standout college career at Trinity University in Texas. As an outfielder and first baseman, he represented Team Israel in international competitions, including the World Baseball Classic qualifiers. After stepping away from playing professionally, Jeremy co-founded More Than Baseball, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of minor league players through better pay, housing, and mental health resources. His journey reflects a deep commitment to the game and to making it better for the next generation of athletes.

Guest Contact Info:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremywolf123/

Website: https://www.morethanbaseball.org/

Jul 09
Love34

Mary Crocker Cook

By Author, Podcast No Comments

This week on Here’s What We Know, join us for a warm and eye-opening episode with Mary Crocker Cook, a licensed therapist and the author of Bad Taste: Self-Care and Financial Planning When You Have Bad Taste in Men and You Don’t Want To Leave, to talk about what it really means to love someone whose life is in chaos. From addiction and criminal behavior to the tangled roots of attachment, Mary offers practical advice and heartfelt stories that feel both reassuring and unflinchingly honest. Listen now!

This episode is sponsored by:

(Be sure to tell them Gary sent you!)

In this episode:

  • A Therapist’s Journey
  • The Generational Impact of Addiction
  • When Love Isn’t Enough
  • Practical Tools for Staying in Difficult Relationships
  • The Psychology of Attachment and Attraction
  • Patterns and Awareness: Even Experts Aren’t Immune
  • Relationship Red Flags and Lessons Learned
  • Protecting Yourself in Relationships and Divorce
  • Everyday Relationship Maintenance
  • Communication and Being Seen
  • Dating, Disappointments, and Letting Go
  • Attachment Challenges and Quick Connections
  • Humor, Hope, and Continued Growth

Quotations:

“Some of us are gonna keep choosing difficult people.” ~ Mary Crocker Cook

“People live their lives for a variety of reasons. And one of the things I talk about in the book is the way we form attachments with other people. And some of us are set up from early experience to attach to unavailable people. And unavailable people come in a lot of forms.” ~ Mary Crocker Cook

“Be realistic about people instead of hopeful is important if you want to take care of yourself.” ~ Mary Crocker Cook

“Positive intent can get you through a lot of hard things. Because relationships are hard. Particularly when you introduce children, money, time constraints, in-laws, and medical issues, there’s a lot for two people to manage.” ~ Mary Crocker Cook

Bio:

Mary Crocker Cook is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and addictions counselor who has been helping individuals and families heal since 1988. She serves as Program Coordinator and full-time faculty for the Alcohol and Drug Studies program at San Jose City College, which she launched in 1990.

An accomplished author, Mary has written several books grounded in both her professional expertise and her personal experience with over 25 years in Al-Anon. Her work resonates with counselors and anyone affected by a loved one’s addiction.

Guest Contact Info:

Website: https://www.marycrockercookbooks.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recoverykittyart/