This week on The Story Blender I talk with award-winning author Carol VanDenHende about the extraordinary and unexpected power of letter writing. We dive into how stories can bridge differences, the freedom that comes from accepting that you are enough, what 5-year-olds can teach us about narrative theory, and how to use stories as a force for good. Give it a listen, and check out her Orchid trilogy for some powerful, poignant novels.
Transcription available on request.
This week on The Story Blender podcast I had the pleasure of sitting down with Brent Weeks—New York Times bestselling author of The Night Angel Trilogy and The Lightbringer Series.
We talked about building complex worlds that feel alive, the discipline it takes to write sweeping multi-book sagas, and how he balances the demands of storytelling with the surprises his characters throw at him along the way. We also discussed the importance of being a whole person while still giving your all to the stories you tell.
If you’ve ever wondered how to weave together epic-scope storytelling with intimate character moments—or what it takes to sustain a fantasy series over years—this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Tune in wherever you get your podcasts.
Just curious what’s your favorite epic fantasy world you’ve gotten lost in?
Transcription available on request.
This week on The Story Blender, I caught up with bestselling authors Kathleen Antrim & D.P. Lyle at Killer Nashville, one of the country’s premier crime-writing conferences.
We chat about crime writing, mysteries, thrillers, and twists. Both of them have taught writing seminars throughout the country and founded Outliers University, an online school for anyone serious about improving their writing craft. Check it out.
Transcription available on request.
Join me this week to listen to an interview I did a few years ago with legendary thriller author, Dean Koontz. With hundreds of millions of books in print and a loyal following around the world, Dean is one of the most influential authors of our generation. Enjoy!
Transcription available on request.
author, and storyteller who also serves as the Executive Director of the Joseph Campbell Foundation. John Bucher is a master at exploring the profound connections between myth, culture, and personal identity.
He’s been featured on platforms such as the BBC, the History Channel, the LA Times, and The Hollywood Reporter, among many others and has collaborated with everyone from Academy Award nominees and Emmy winners to magicians and YouTube influencers. Listen in as we discuss pursuit, desire, what a story really is, and the power of myth to change culture and change our lives. Don’t miss it!
Transcription available on request.
This week on The Story Blender, I spoke with award-winning, bestselling author Joe Hart about what drives a story forward—especially if it tapes into mystery or suspense. What are the dynamics that shape those two things? How are they related to each other? We explored the dark corners of psychological suspense and how to craft twists that truly land as we chatted about his latest novel, I BECOME HER.
If you enjoy stories that challenge your assumptions and keep you guessing, you won’t want to miss this one.
Listen now wherever you get your podcasts—and let us know: what’s a twist that genuinely surprised you?
Transcription available on request.
This week I had the chance to chat with author Kerry Nietz—yes, the mind behind the novel Amish Vampires in Space. We talked about where the idea came from, what it means to write organically, and why the slow-and-steady approach can be just as powerful as writing in bursts of inspiration.
We also explored a few creatures we wish were real, and the joy of discovering a story as it unfolds. Kerry’s creative journey is unique, thoughtful, and a reminder that there’s no one “right” way to tell a great story.
Listen in wherever you get your podcasts. I think you’ll enjoy this one.
Transcription available on request.
This week on The Story Blender, I’m joined by literary agent and bestselling author Donald Maass, recorded live at the Advanced Fiction Intensive in Jonesborough, Tennessee. Donald co-hosted the event with me, and we captured a special Q&A with questions from the writers in attendance.
We talked about how to build powerful stories without getting in your own way, how to write with authority, why tension drives everything, and what it takes to create fiction that truly resonates.
If you’ve ever wanted to sit in on a candid conversation with one of the most insightful voices in publishing, this is your chance.
Tune in wherever you get your podcasts, and let us know—what’s one thing that helps you stay out of your own way when you write?
Transcription available on request.
This week I was thrilled to welcome Katia Lief—acclaimed author and fiction instructor at The New School in Manhattan—onto The Story Blender. We discuss the strengths of the upcoming generation of storytellers (it might surprise you), the power of imagination, telling (and writing) authentic stories, writing activities that will help you improve your writing today, and her latest book WOMEN LIKE US.
Ever wondered how to blend heart, suspense, and authenticity into a single storyline? Don’t miss this episode—Katia shares the secrets behind her storytelling success.
Tune in wherever you get your podcasts—and let us know:
What’s the one element you think makes a story unforgettable?
Transcription available on request.
On this week’s episode of The Story Blender, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Julie Clark, New York Times bestselling author of The Ones We Choose and The Ghostwriter.
We talked about the importance of perseverance and resilience as you pursue your storytelling dreams, weaving secrets and reveals into your fiction, and her writing journey.
If you’re a fan of thrillers with heart, or you’re curious about how Julie creates such compelling characters and impossible-to-put-down plots, this is one conversation you won’t want to miss.
Tune in wherever you get your podcasts!
Transcription available on request.