Three weeks after burying a man, former FBI agent Emma Noble receives a text from him that simply says, "Find Nadia." With no badge and no backup, Emma finds herself targeted by people hunting a teenage girl in Florence who holds the key to finding a missing terrorist.

This is the gripping premise of Noble Reckoning, the latest international thriller from author Andrew Bridgeman. In this episode of "In Conversation," host Terry Shepherd sits down with Bridgeman—an internationally published author, former jazz singer, rugby player, and entrepreneur.

In this episode, Terry and Andrew discuss:

• How the character of Emma Noble was born out of a need for a foil to a grizzled, veteran FBI agent named Briar Metcalf in Bridgeman's first draft of Fortunate Son.
• The delicate tightrope walk of writing a female protagonist as a male author, and how Bridgeman draws inspiration from his own daughter.
• Where Bridgeman finds his ideas, including how a childhood fantasy of being in the wrong house sparked the plot for an earlier work.
• The realities of researching federal agencies, from consulting an FBI agent friend to attending a US Marshal task force training.
• Bridgeman's journey to writing in his fifties, prompted by his wife telling him to "Write me a damn book," and his advice for aspiring authors navigating the publishing world.
• The cinematic influence of authors like Ken Follett and John Jakes on Bridgeman's writing style, and the importance of balancing action, dialogue, description, and interiority.

Visit Andrew Bridgeman's website at andrewbridgeman.com to sign up for his weekly newsletter and learn more about Noble Reckoning.

We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

In this episode, host Terry Shepherd sits down with internationally recognized psychiatrist and author Dr. Jess Wright to discuss his historical psychological thriller, Dance in a Mad House. As detailed in the provided "Jess Wright - Dance in a Madhouse - Transcript.docx", Dr. Wright brings his extensive medical expertise to the world of fiction, exploring the frighteningly thin boundaries between psychiatric illness and imprisonment at the dawn of modern mental health treatment.

Listeners will learn about:

• The real-life historical inspirations behind the novel, including the tragic institutionalization of Peter Taft and extreme examples of historical stigma.
• How Dr. Wright balances his clinical knowledge of conditions like postpartum psychosis and paranoia with the creative freedom of writing suspenseful characters like Owen, Inspector Brumbaugh, and Celeste.
• Practical insights from cognitive behavior therapy and "wellbeing therapy" to help listeners build empathy, reframe negative automatic thoughts, and navigate today's polarized culture by focusing on positive daily moments.
• A sneak peek into Dr. Wright's next project: a medical memoir masking patient identities, inspired by Henry Marsh's Do No Harm.

Guest Links Learn more about Dr. Wright's books, including Dance in a Mad House and A Stream to Follow, by visiting his website at jesswrightmd.com.

We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

In the jungle, an order can arrive in an instant, but living with the consequences can take a lifetime. In this episode of In Conversation, host Terry Shepherd sits down with award-winning author, former Army field medic, and forensic psychiatrist Mark Rubinstein to discuss his gripping new novel, Costa's War.

The conversation dives deep into the extreme psychological pressures of combat and the devastating conflict between military authority and personal morality. Rubinstein draws on his own diverse background to unpack what happens to the human mind when survival demands choices no classroom could ever prepare you for.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• From Medic to Psychiatrist to Author: Rubinstein shares his journey from tending to 82nd Airborne paratroopers to exploring human relations in psychiatry and the courtroom. He explains how treating the unseen burdens of patients informed his profound understanding of human nature.
• The Origins of Costa's War: The novel evolved from Rubinstein's 10,000-word, silver award-winning novella, The Foot Soldier. He expanded the story nearly ten years later to satisfy readers who wanted to know how the Vietnam experience ultimately affected the protagonist.
• The Shock of Vietnam: Rubinstein describes the jarring transition of his 21-year-old protagonist, a working-class college graduate from Buffalo, New York. Costa is abruptly thrust into a disorienting jungle environment filled with extreme sleeplessness, leeches, and the constant threat of death.
• The Ultimate Moral Dilemma: The discussion highlights the impossible choices soldiers face when acting under terror and duress. Costa is forced by a vindictive second lieutenant to commit what amounts to a war crime, testing his military obedience against his very soul.
• The Universal Human Condition: Drawing from his psychiatric career, Rubinstein reflects on how everyone carries unseen burdens and deep-seated insecurities. He notes that nobody gets out of this life without enduring intrapsychic problems, mistakes, and regrets.

Links & Resources:

• Explore Mark Rubinstein's work and his 26 books at his official website: markrubenstein-author.com.

We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

In this episode, host Terry Shepherd sits down with gemologist and mystery author C.B. Wilson to discuss her latest novel, The Ice Diamond. The book follows gem recovery specialist Taylor Hunter and her diamond-sniffing dachshund, Glimmer, as they investigate a stolen jewel, murder, and an Olympic ice princess at a glittering gala inside a locked room made of ice. Wilson shares the chilling real-life research behind the setting, recounting her rushed March trip to a melting ice hotel in Quebec City where she slept on a block of ice in a minus-30-degree mummy bag. The conversation also delves into Taylor Hunter's complex character arc, exploring her kidnaping in Africa, her struggles with her past, and the lingering shadow of her notorious jewel-thief father.

Episode Highlights

• Canine Detectives: Wilson explains how real-world "diamond dogs" in Africa inspired Glimmer's scent-tracking abilities. She also shares that a dachshund makes the perfect fictional sidekick because the breed is small enough to fit safely under an aircraft seat.
• Gemological Secrets: Drawing from her education at the Gemological Institute of America, Wilson reveals her fascination with the origins, history, and "inner fire" of diamonds rather than just their surface sparkle.
• Writing on the Fly: Wilson discusses balancing her day job in the pet food packaging industry with her life as an author. She shares how she utilizes her business travel, writing her chapters on airplanes and in hotel rooms.
• Future Adventures: Listeners get a sneak peek at upcoming projects, including The Desert Diamond, a Las Vegas mystery inspired by the SuperZoo trade show. She also previews The Christmas Diamond, a collaborative novella set during the immersive Christmas Traditions event in St. Charles, Missouri.

Connect with C.B. Wilson Discover more about the Gem Hunter series and connect with the author at cbwilsonauthor.com.

We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

What happens when the life you were supposed to want falls apart, and the life you never dared to imagine starts calling? In this episode of In Conversation, host Terry Shepherd sits down with debut novelist Kathleen Reidy to discuss her compelling book, Engineering: A Love Story. Set against the backdrop of the year 2000 dot-com boom, the conversation explores ambition, independence, the realities of being a woman in tech, and what it takes to start a brand-new creative chapter later in life.

Episode Highlights

• A Late-in-Life Literary Debut: Kathleen shares her personal pivot from working in tech and raising a family to returning to her love of writing, working as an adult reference librarian, and publishing her first novel at age 55.
• Navigating Women in Tech: Drawing from her own background in the tech industry, Kathleen discusses the corporate engineering environments, traditional misogyny, and the ongoing challenges faced by women in STEM fields.
• Redefining Success and Security: An exploration of the novel's protagonist, Chelsea LaFave, as she breaks away from a safe marriage and societal expectations to figure out what a truly fulfilling life looks like.
• The Creative Process: Insights into Kathleen's multi-year journey from ideation and rigorous revision to traditional publication with Sibylline Press, alongside her sharp perspective on AI as both a former tech worker and a librarian.
• Looking Ahead: A sneak peek into Kathleen's writing future, including her second standalone novel slated for publication in fall 2028.

Connect with Kathleen Reidy & Order the Book

• Website: kathleenreidy.com
• Book: Find Engineering: A Love Story online or at your favorite local bookstore.

We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

In this episode of "In Conversation," host Terry Shepherd sits down with author, filmmaker, and former Air Force intelligence officer J. Brian Turk to discuss his novel Boston Psychiatric. They explore the redemptive journey of Raj, a disgraced former pharmaceutical CEO working at a struggling Boston free clinic, and Turk's eclectic personal and professional background.

Key Discussion Points

• The Premise of Boston Psychiatric: Raj transitions from a high-flying pharmaceutical executive and a prison cell to a chaotic, eccentric Boston free clinic. The story originally evolved from an independent film project Turk created in 2009.
• The Nature of Redemption: Turk explores whether people are defined by the worst things they have done. He draws a distinct line between passive forgiveness, which can be given, and active redemption, which requires genuine work and restitution.
• The "Yes, And" Philosophy: Drawing from his experience with improv comedy at Boston's Improv Asylum, Turk applies the theatrical "Yes, and" concept to how Raj connects with and understands his patients beyond basic medication.
• An Uncommon Background: Turk shares highlights from his winding life path, which spans an Air Force intelligence career, security consulting, stand-up comedy, filmmaking, and growing up around his father's human-interest storytelling.
• Balancing Humor and Heavy Themes: Turk explains why incorporating situational humor is critical to maintaining dignity and keeping stories about mental health, guilt, and suffering from becoming overly depressing.

Connect with J. Brian Turk

• Website: backbaystories.com
• Featured Book: Boston Psychiatric

We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

In this episode of "In Conversation," host Terry Shepherd sits down with author Parker Garrett to discuss his debut medical thriller, Adverse Events. Drawing from over two decades of experience in healthcare compliance, research ethics, and institutional oversight—alongside a doctorate in bioethics—Garrett explores the dark intersections of institutional power, grief, and medical ethics.

Key Discussion Points

• The Premise of Adverse Events: Grieving widower and healthcare compliance professional Ethan Maris leaves New York to start over at a prestigious Washington hospital, where he uncovers cryptic clues and dangerous secrets left by his predecessor.
• Real-World Foundations: Garrett shares how his career dealing with institutional oversight failures, unconsented device implantations, and federal violations inspired the core of the story.
• A Post-Oversight America: The novel explores a fictional America struggling to rebuild its healthcare system following the dismantling of federal oversight, combined with the pressures of private equity and closing rural hospitals.
• Artificial Intelligence and Ethics: Discussion centers on "George," an AI regional hub in the book's universe designed to assist physicians and provide a neutral, binary check and balance for ethical decision-making.
• Unapologetically Queer Storytelling: Garrett emphasizes the importance of authentic queer representation in media, where a character's sexuality is incidental to telling a fully human story.
• The Writing and Editing Process: Insights into balancing dry medical complexity with fast thriller pacing, utilizing editing software like Autocrit, and achieving publication after 191 agent rejections.

Connect with Parker Garrett

• Website: parkergarrett.net
• Featured Book: Adverse Events (Book 1 in the Ethan Maris series)

We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

Desire, Consequences, and the Art of Listening: Babette Fraser Hale on Narcissi

What happens when a man’s greatest gift is making women feel truly seen—even when being seen isn't the same as being safe?

In this episode, host Terry Shepherd sits down with author Babette Fraser Hale to discuss her interconnected novel in stories, Narcissi. Set across the sprawling Texas landscape during the pivotal early 1980s, the book follows Cole Burnett—a dangerously magnetic writer whose lanky Western charm, restless movement, and rare ability to listen draw women into an orbit fraught with unintended harm, self-love, and midlife vulnerability.

Babette opens up about:

• The Architecture of Narcissi: Why telling Cole’s trajectory through interconnected short stories allowed her to explore the perspective of the women in his wake.
• Listening as Seduction: Whether Cole’s attentive ear is sincere, manipulative, or a novelist's natural compulsion.
• The 1980s Backdrop: How a transitional era of sexual freedom, evolving feminism, and midlife reckonings shaped the characters' choices and relationships.
• Crafting Texas Dialogue & Landscape: Eavesdropping as a writer’s tool, overcoming early creative blocks, and how the vast Texas backroads mirror the freedom and escapes of "Slow Travel."
• The Core Takeaway: Why the book ultimately asks readers for tolerance and empathy toward deeply flawed, self-involved human beings.

About the Guest:

Babette Fraser Hale is a fiction writer, former journalist, and author of Narcissi and This Familiar Heart. To learn more about her work and pick up your copy of Narcissi, visit Winedale Books.

We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo