In this episode of the Bookum Founders Talk Podcast, Kyle Colley sits down with Franklin Leonard, the founder of The Black List, the industry-leading platform that discovers and showcases the best screenplays and now fiction novels.

Franklin shares his insights on Hollywood in 2026, the future of film, the Oscars, and what it really takes to break into the industry as a writer or filmmaker.

We discuss:

• How The Black List expanded from screenplays to fiction books
• Franklin’s unique approach to curation and discovering talent
• Major Hollywood shifts, including Paramount, Warner Bros., Disney Sora Deal, and Netflix podcasting
• Tips for writers navigating publishing and screenwriting
• What makes a great story and what should be in every writer’s or filmmaker’s toolkit

Whether you are a creator, writer, or just curious about the future of storytelling, this conversation is sure to inspire.

Connect with Franklin Leonard:

• Website – The Black List
• Instagram
• X / Twitter
• Substack
  
  

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Host or join dynamic online book clubs and connect with fellow readers: https://www.bookumapp.com

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

Have you ever wondered what was going through the mind of the most powerful man in the ancient world? In this episode of Bookum Author Talks, we sit down with Dr. Aaron Poochigian, Classics scholar, poet, and translator, to talk about his brand new translation of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations.

What makes this conversation so special is that Dr. Poochigian brings both the precision of a scholar and the sensitivity of a poet to a text that has moved readers for nearly 2,000 years. We talk about why Marcus Aurelius wrote in Greek instead of Latin, whether the Meditations were ever meant to be read by anyone else, and what his morning practices can teach us about living a better life today.

Whether you're a longtime lover of Stoic philosophy, just getting started with Marcus Aurelius, or simply curious about what it takes to translate one of history's greatest books — this episode has something for you.

Here's some of what we cover in this episode:

• Why Marcus Aurelius wrote his private journals in Greek instead of Latin
• How the Meditations were preserved through centuries of history
• Whether the Meditations were ever meant to be read by others
• What Marcus Aurelius brought to Stoic philosophy
• The virtues he wrestled with most as Emperor
• How Dr. Poochigian's approach differs from Gregory Hays' beloved translation
• What the Meditations can teach us about changing our daily habits
• And so much more

If the Meditations have ever made you stop and think, this episode will make you see them in a whole new light.

📖 Get a copy of Dr. Aaron Poochigian's new translation of the Meditations:
https://www.amazon.com/Meditations-Marcus-Aurelius/dp/132409639X

📱 Download the Bookum App for more great author conversations:
https://www.bookumapp.com

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

Traci Thomas of The Stacks joins us to share her 2026 book predictions, must-read authors, and the books everyone will be talking about next year.

We kick things off with pop culture highlights Grammys, Oscars, Kendrick Lamar, Justin Bieber, and the rise of video podcasting before diving into our literary forecast. Traci shares her picks for breakout authors, literary comebacks, classic revivals, and the most anticipated books of 2026.

Whether you’re a dedicated reader, a book club member, or just curious about the future of publishing and culture, this episode is your guide to what’s next in books and reading for 2026.

Books & Authors Mentioned:

• Canon by Paige Lewis
• Kin by Tayari Jones
• Vigil by George Saunders
• The Count of Monte Cristo
• Wuthering Heights
• The Odyssey
• Fear and Fury by Heather Ann Thompson
• Pool House by Mary HK Choi
• London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe
  …plus many more!

Join the conversation and download the Bookum app to track your reading, share notes, and connect with fellow book lovers: https://www.bookumapp.com

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

In 1949, Jackie Robinson, baseball's barrier-breaking hero, was asked to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee against Paul Robeson, one of the most famous Black men in the world. They never met. They never shook hands. But America placed them in opposition to each other during the Second Red Scare.

Award-winning ESPN journalist and author Howard Bryant joins us to discuss his powerful new book "Kings and Pawns: Jackie Robinson and Paul Robeson in America." This conversation explores one of the most overlooked chapters in Black history the 1945-1953 era when the Cold War and the fight for civil rights collided.

Bryant reveals how Paul Robeson, an All-American football player, Columbia Law graduate, internationally acclaimed singer, actor, and civil rights activist was systematically erased from American history. His passport was revoked, his income destroyed, and the Black establishment turned against him.

At the center of this story is Jackie Robinson, thrust into becoming a political spokesperson simply because he was great at baseball. Branch Rickey used Robinson to publicly denounce Robeson, a testimony Robinson would later regret. By the end of his life, Robinson said he could no longer stand for the flag.

In this episode:

• Who was Paul Robeson and why was he erased from history?
• The 1949 HUAC testimony that pitted Jackie Robinson against Paul Robeson
• How the FBI, Second Red Scare, and Cold War destroyed Robeson's career
• Why the NAACP, Thurgood Marshall, and Black leadership abandoned Robeson
• Branch Rickey's role in manipulating Jackie Robinson
• W.E.B. Du Bois's unwavering support of Paul Robeson
• The Peekskill riots and passport revocation
• Parallels between 1949 and 2026
• Jackie Robinson's political evolution and regrets
• Howard Bryant's research and writing process

Get the book: "Kings and Pawns: Jackie Robinson and Paul Robeson in America" by Howard Bryant https://www.harpercollins.com/products/kings-and-pawns-howard-bryant

Follow Howard Bryant: Website: https://howardbryantbooks.com/ Instagram: @howardbryantbooks Facebook: Howard Bryant Official

Download the Bookum App: https://www.bookumapp.com

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

From the NFL to Coaching Student-Athletes | Oregon Ducks & Atlanta Falcons’ Drew Jay Davis

What happens after the NFL?

Former Oregon Ducks standout and Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drew Jay Davis joins Creators Talk Podcast to break down life after football, the discipline behind elite performance, and how he’s now coaching, speaking, and creating with purpose.

In this episode, Drew shares:

• How reading reshaped his mindset during and after his NFL career
• The surprising overlap between athletics and podcasting
• What actually makes a great coach and a coachable player
• How to build community instead of chasing attention
• Why solo podcasting is one of the hardest (and most rewarding) formats

This conversation is for athletes navigating transition, creators building with intention, and leaders focused on long-term growth.

Episode Highlights

• National Championship & Super Bowl predictions
• Life as a student-athlete and staying ready in the NFL
• Getting into content creation and podcasting
• The philosophy behind Too Good to Be Drew
• Coaching the next generation on and off the field
• Rapid-fire book recommendations and book-world hot takes

Books Mentioned

The Power of Habit — Charles Duhigg
When Crack Was King — Donovan X. Ramsey
Wealthy Speaker 3.0 — Jane Atkinson
Game of Edges — Bruce Schoenfeld
Referable Speaker — Andrew Davis

Connect with Drew Jay Davis

Website: drewjaydavis.com
Podcast: Too Good to Be Drew
Instagram: @drewjaydavis

Join the Book Community

Download the Bookum App: bookumapp.com

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

Amazon Self-Publishing in 2026 with Dave Chesson (Kindlepreneur)

In this episode, we sit down with Dave Chesson, founder of Kindlepreneur.com and Publisher Rocket, to break down what authors and writers need to know to succeed with Amazon self-publishing, book marketing, and Amazon KDP heading into 2026.

Dave Chesson is one of the most trusted voices in the self-publishing world. Through Kindlepreneur, he has helped hundreds of thousands of authors understand Amazon keywords, book discoverability, category selection, and long-term marketing strategies for independent authors. Publisher Rocket is one of the most widely used tools for Amazon keyword research and category optimization.

In this conversation, Dave shares:

• How Amazon’s algorithm actually works for authors
• The role of keywords, categories, and metadata in selling books
• How AI is changing self-publishing and book marketing
• Trending genres and categories in self-publishing
• Why authors should think about marketing from day one
• Writing craft vs strategy and finding the right balance
• Starting over with new pen names and avoiding the “overnight success” myth

Beyond publishing, Dave also talks about his background as a U.S. Navy veteran, nuclear engineer, entrepreneur, and writer, and how those experiences shaped his approach to building sustainable author careers.

Perfect for:
Authors, writers, self-publishers, Amazon KDP users, indie authors, and anyone interested in book marketing, publishing trends, and building a long-term writing career.

This episode is brought to you by Bookum
Bookum is the new and best way to host dynamic online book clubs and build real book communities.
Download the app and start your book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with authors, creators, and publishing experts.

Timestamps

1:03 – Memorial Day
1:37 – Serving in the Navy
3:08 – Entrepreneurship and Indiana Jones
5:23 – Getting your first customers
9:00 – Amazon keyword strategy
10:38 – Converting sales on Amazon
12:04 – Amazon’s algorithm
14:30 – AI and Amazon publishing
18:03 – Strategy vs writing craft
22:10 – Publisher Rocket
25:08 – Trending self-publishing categories
31:10 – Dave on writing
36:00 – Marketing from day one
42:00 – New pen names and starting over
43:28 – The “overnight success” myth
47:30 – More of in the book world
48:00 – Less of in the book world

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

George Johnson: Building the $75M Afro Sheen Empire & Funding Soul Train

At 97 years old, George E. Johnson Sr. is a living legend. In this extraordinary conversation, the founder of Johnson Products Company—the first Black-owned business to trade on the American Stock Exchange—shares his remarkable journey from humble beginnings to revolutionizing the beauty industry.

Joined by his co-author, award-winning writer Hilary Beard, Mr. Johnson discusses their new memoir "Afro Sheen: How I Revolutionized an Industry with the Golden Rule, from Soul Train to Wall Street."

IN THIS EPISODE:

• How George started Johnson Products Company with just $500
• Creating Afro Sheen and Ultra Sheen during the natural hair movement
• His mentor S.B. Fuller and the principles that guided his success
• Meeting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Operation Breadbasket
• The untold story of how he funded and saved Soul Train
• Becoming the first Black-owned company on a major stock exchange
• Why he profit-shared with employees and started his own bank
• Advice for young entrepreneurs from a 97-year-old business pioneer
• Hilary Beard on preserving this crucial piece of American history

This is more than a business story, it's a masterclass in entrepreneurship, perseverance, and living by the Golden Rule.

GUEST: George E. Johnson Sr. - Founder, Johnson Products Company | Author, "Afro Sheen" Hilary Beard - Award-winning writer, speaker, and co-author

GET THE BOOK: "Afro Sheen" by George E. Johnson Sr. and Hilary Beard https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/george-e-johnson/afro-sheen/9780316577366/?lens=little-brown

DOWNLOAD BOOKUM APP: Join book clubs and discover more conversations with legendary authors https://www.bookumapp.com

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

In this holiday special of the Bookum Founders Talk Podcast, we sit down with special guest, Co-Founder, and brother, the brilliant Kris Colley II.

We talk through Kris Colley’s role at Bookum, how the idea for the platform first came together, and the journey that took Bookum from an idea to a billboard in Times Square. We also reflect on standout moments from 2025, including conversations with Hollywood Producers like Will Packer, the evolution of community features like Nooks, and the podcast episodes and books that defined our year.

To close things out, we jump into Bookends, a rapid-fire look at what we’re currently loving across books, film, television, and culture.

This episode is a year-end reflection on building in public, honoring the stories that move us, and looking ahead to what’s next for Bookum.

Join the Bookum community
Download the Bookum app to discover books, join conversations, and connect with readers and creators:

https://www.bookumapp.com

Timestamps:

0:00 – Intro
1:23 – Kris’ role at Bookum
3:45 – The origins of Bookum
6:23 – How we got a Bookum billboard in Times Square
14:48 – Standout moments from 2025
16:46 – Will Packer
17:50 – Nooks on Bookum
22:12 – Favorite books of the year
28:54 – Favorite Bookum podcast of the year
29:58 – Bookends (Crave Outs)
30:33 – Plur1bus
30:53 – Sex in the City
31:24 – Billie Joel Documentary
33:00 – Mr. Scorsese

Bookends:

• Plur1bus
• Sex in the City
• Billie Joel Documentary
• Weapons
• Elway
• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
• Mr. Scorsese

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!