Critically acclaimed, bestselling novelist Nick Petrie, who is known for his propulsive action stories and suspenseful plots, joins me this week. He shares how to create suspense, what lies at the heart of a great story, the importance of surprise, insights into the writing process, and more. We also talk about his latest book in the popular Peter Ash series, THE DARK TIME. Don’t miss it!
Season 10 - Episode 10: Jayne Ann Krentz
New York Times bestselling novelist Jayne Ann Krentz joins me to talk about what romantic suspense actually is (and is not), how to identify your strengths in the stories you tell, true heroism, how a love story is different from a romance story, and the most interesting character in PARADISE LOST. We also chat about her latest romantic suspense novel THE SHOP ON HIDDEN LANE. Check it out!
Season 10 - Episode 9: Bede Blake
This week, I caught up with screenwriter Bede Blake, one of my favorite instructors on the craft of writing and story, and the host of the YouTube channel PillarBoxer. On the channel, Bede shares ideas and insights into screenwriting—what works, what doesn’t, and why. He’s an expert at breaking down stories and has a fresh perspective you’re not going to get anywhere else. Listen in and be sure to subscribe to PillarBoxer on YouTube.
Season 10 - Episode 8: C.J. Box
C.J. Box, the #1 New York Times bestselling author, joins me this week to talk about his iconic character, Joe Pickett, and his latest novel, THE CROSSROADS. Learn why he’s named “Joe,” what makes him so appealing, and how he has grown over the years. C.J. shares his thoughts about believability, authenticity, the importance of the West in his stories, and his personal advice to all aspiring authors. Check it out!
Season 10 - Episode 7: Wendy Walker
With the Olympics here this month, there’s no better time to check out a chilling, ice skating thriller. This week, bestselling author Wendy Walker, author of the critically acclaimed new novel BLADE, joins me to talk about her approach, how details matter, adding authenticity to stories, and what is more important—plotting or receptivity. As a former competitive ice skater, she tells a gripping story you won’t soon forget.
Season 10 - Episode 6: Robin Cook
Legendary medical thriller author Robin Cook joins me this week. Author of more than forty books, he shares his origin story of how he wrote his first book while he was underwater for 75 days on a submarine, and once interviewed a Russian scientist who defected and whose team had hoarded enough anthrax to kill everyone on the planet. In addition, Robin shares his advice on writing and the inside scoop on his latest novel, SPASM. Check it out!
Season 10 - Episode 5: Karen Morgan
This week I caught up with comedian Karen Morgan to talk about humor, comedy, and how to be funny. Listen in for tips and advice on why you should never try to be funny and why only you can do comedy like you can do. Give it a listen and don’t forget to check out her latest special on Dry Bar Comedy!
Season 10 - Episode 4: Matthew Quirk
My guest today is Matthew Quirk, the New York Times bestselling author of Inside Threat, Hour of the Assassin, and The Night Agent—Netflix’s runaway hit that’s reached #1 in 77 countries and ranks among the platform’s most-watched English-language series ever. Season 3 premieres next month.
Matthew also joins us to talk about his latest novel, The Method, and what it’s like to see a story grow from the page into a global TV phenomenon.
We dig into:
🕵️♂️ Why believability matters—and making sure your story always makes sense
✍️ The importance of writing what you know
🧠 How to write with momentum without over-plotting
🎬 And how characters evolve when they move from novel to screen
If you’re a fan of spy fiction, intrigue, and smart thrillers, you won’t want to miss this one.
🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.
Season 10 - Episode 3: Ryan Steck & Simon Gervais
In this episode of The Story Blender, host Steven James sits down with thriller heavyweights Ryan Steck and Simon Gervais to talk about their new collaborative novel, The Second Son. The trio digs into what it takes to write as a duo, how high-concept thriller ideas are built and refined, and why today’s authors must think beyond the page and treat writing as a business. It’s a wide-ranging conversation about craft, collaboration, and the realities of building a career in modern publishing.
Season 10 - Episode 2: Tony Marr
This week, acclaimed storyteller Tony Marr returns to talk about techniques to tell personal stories. We discuss the three key questions to ask yourself about any personal story you wish to share, how to end your stories, how to be vulnerable without oversharing, and how to retain the trust of your listeners as you tell your stories. If you have a personal story to share, this is the episode for you.