How many loose threads can alter the outcome? In this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry welcomes Steve Stratton, author of Caribbean Harvest, to discuss the origins of his Shadow Tier series, inspired by real- world cartel violence. Stratton explores themes of justice, revenge, and morality, weaving in his military experience and deep knowledge of intelligence operations. He shares insights on crafting multidimensional
characters, including protagonist Lance Bear Wolf, and balancing action with emotional depth. Larry and Steve also delve into some current events including the pardoning of the January 6th rioters, the increasingly removal of oversight in the Trump administration and the how to still make The United States welcome in immigrants in the face of Trump’s policies.

After the break, Larry sits down with K.T. Nguyen, author of You Know What You Did, who delivers a powerful reflection on the history and role of public libraries in democracy, literacy, and community-building. As this podcast nears the end of its tenure at its longtime recording home in the Sachem Public Library, Larry reflects on the impact of nearly 200 author interviews and the hope of finding a new space to continue shining a light on storytelling.