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The DTALKS Podcast

The DTALKS Podcast

By: Joe Shaw
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 The DTALKS Podcast is a parenting podcast where you can "detox" from the world and get a window into how other people live their lives. Our guests are parents and non-parents alike but each of them have a unique story and journey which will empower you to live your life to the fullest and help your children be better than we are. Come detox with DTALKS. Parenting & Families Personal Development Personal Success Relationships
Episodes
  • Episode 289 - Rodeo Hawkins (ft. John Claude Bemis)

    Episode 289 - Rodeo Hawkins (ft. John Claude Bemis)
    Oct 21 2025

    How do you write the story that only you can tell?

    How do you remain disciplined when you want to continue to create new and different pieces of art?

    Or, what if you find yourself on the run from multiversal agents of chaos!?

    All of these discussion topics and more are shared in the latest episode of The DTALKS Podcast!

    Today's guest, John Claude Bemis, shares his perspective writing, the highs and the lows, this is an episode you won't want to miss!

    About John Claude Bemis

    John Claude Bemis is the award-winning author of six middle-grade novels, a picture book, and the forthcoming Rodeo Hawkins graphic novel series. A former elementary school teacher, John earned his Master's of Education in Literacy from UNC Chapel Hill and taught fourth and fifth grades for thirteen years. He received the Excellence in Teaching Award from UNC-Chapel Hill for his work as an author-presenter in schools and served as North Carolina's Piedmont Laureate for Children's Literature, promoting literacy and the literary arts. A popular instructor and inspiring guide to writers of all ages—kids, teens, and adults— he teaches creative writing workshops and leads retreats around the world. Beyond the creative expression of writing, John is also a sculptural mask-maker, a songwriter, and musician. He lives with his wife and daughter in Hillsborough, North Carolina.


    About 'Rodeo Hawking & The Daughters of Mayhem

    Sidney Poblocki is thrilled to learn his destiny is to save the multiverse—until he discovers it's actually his destiny to destroy it—in this fantasy adventure graphic novel!

    When Sidney Poblocki runs away from his troubled home life, he winds up in a whole new world of trouble. Why are interdimensional assassins after him along with every other kid named Sidney Poblocki throughout the multiverse? Will he ever see his best bud Walt again now that Walt's memory of Sidney has been erased? And what the heck is the deal with Rodeo Hawkins and her ragtag gang of mischief-making girls the Daughters of Mayhem?!

    They claim they're trying to keep him safe, but Sidney isn't so certain "safe" is even in their vocabulary. As Sidney is swept into a series of misadventures that will change the multiverse forever, one thing is for certain: with Rodeo Hawkins around, his life is about to be filled with a lot more mayhem.

    Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

    Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

    Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70's, 80's, 90's, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at TheEmpireToys.com


    AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:

    Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at www.selfunbound.com
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    46 mins
  • Episode 288 - Grandmother Moon (ft. Wunneanatsu Lamb-Cason)

    Episode 288 - Grandmother Moon (ft. Wunneanatsu Lamb-Cason)
    Oct 14 2025

    How much do you think about the land you're living on?

    Have you taken the time to give your thanks/appreciation for who came before you?

    Today's guest Wunneanatsu Lamb-Cason discusses her latest book "Grandmother Moon", why it was important for her to share this story, and the significance of paying respect to the native land we live on.

    We chose to release this episode right on the heels of Indigenous People's Day as a way to pause, reflect, and appreciate the people who were here originally, enjoy!

    About Wunneanatsu Lamb-Cason

    Wunneanatsu Lamb-Cason (Schaghticoke/HoChunk) is an educator, advocate, traditional storyteller, and author who has been a voice for social, cultural, and educational equity for more than 20 years. She has led workshops and professional development in school districts and universities nationwide. At Brown, Wunneanatsu's role will include oversight of staff and administration of the NAISI office, including supporting the expanding undergraduate concentration in Critical Native American and Indigenous Studies (CNAIS), NAIS-focused programming, and collaborations with centers, institutes and departments across campus. She will also contribute to strengthening the University's relationships with tribes, both locally and beyond, and supporting the ongoing work led by the Vice President for Community Engagement and Practitioner in Residence for Tribal Engagement (endawnis Spears).


    About 'Grandmother Moon'

    "Nohhum, doesn't it look like the moon is following us?"

    During her weekly car ride with her grandmother from the city to the reservation, a young Native girl ponders the moon that seems to follow them. Each week, she looks forward to listening to her grandmother's warm, soothing voice as she sings and tells stories. Tonight, her grandmother teaches her about Grandmother Moon, her significance, and why we honor her.

    In her debut picture book, Wunneanatsu Lamb-Cason (Schaghticoke/HoChunk) captures a grandmother and grandchild's relationship through their shared wonder and admiration. Along with rich illustrations, Grandmother Moon preserves Indigenous histories and teachings within a modern setting, reminding us that Grandmother Moon is always watching over us, and wherever we are, we are safe and loved.

    Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

    Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

    Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70's, 80's, 90's, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at TheEmpireToys.com


    AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:

    Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at www.selfunbound.com
    Show More Show Less
    47 mins
  • Episode 287 - The Stuff of Dreams (ft. Leah Hager Cohen)

    Episode 287 - The Stuff of Dreams (ft. Leah Hager Cohen)
    Sep 2 2025
    Have you ever wondered about what goes on at your local community theatre? Or have you, yourself, participated in community theatre and wished someone covered it in a book? Today's guest of the podcast, Leah Hager Cohen, set out to do just that in her 2001 release "The Stuff of Dreams". This book covered a specific performance in a season of plays for her local community theatre, dubbed one of the oldest community theatres in the country. Despite having many other fantastic releases since her '01 release, she's on the show today because 'The Stuff of Dreams' was a formative book for Joe during his youth and he had her on the show to discuss all things community and theatre. Please note: Unfortunately, there were some audio issues with Leah's Zoom connection and the quality is not up to the usual standards, we've cleaned it up the best we could but we hope you enjoy it nonetheless. We'll have Leah back again soon to continue this discussion! Enjoy! About Leah Hager Cohen Leah Hager Cohen was born in Manhattan and raised at Lexington School for the Deaf in Queens (where her parents worked) and later in Nyack, New York. As a kid, she spent summers at Camp Kinderland, stiltdanced with the Bread and Puppet Theater, ran a follow spot at Elmwood Playhouse, and shelved books at Nyack Library. At age 16, Leah enrolled as a drama student at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, then transferred to Hampshire College a year later to study writing. She joined an arts brigade in Nicaragua, worked as a nanny in Berkeley, rode a Greyhound bus across the country, and freelanced as an ASL interpreter in NYC before attending Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. The best praise she ever received came in a letter of recommendation by Edmund W. Gordon, her first boss after college: "She is impatient with institutional stupidity." Her favorite quote about writing comes from the poet Joseph O. Legaspi: "My first memory of poetry was watching the rain on my windowsill when I was young, and touching the windowpane." Leah is the author of 7 novels, 5 nonfiction books, one pamphlet, and the blog Love As A Found Object, as well as various and sundry essays, articles and reviews. As of September 2025, she has gone back to school, enrolled in the Master of Social Work program at Simmons University. About 'The Stuff of Dreams' In this unique theatrical memoir, novelist Cohen chronicles the ups and downs of her suburban community theater's struggles over the staging of David Henry Hwang's M. Butterfly. The project is fraught with problems—the Arlington, Mass., theater and its conservative supporters are reluctant to stage a play that deals daringly with sexuality and race; meanwhile, it proves quite difficult to find an Asian man to play the transgendered lead (who also has a nude scene)—but the show must and does go on. Cohen, who loves working in theater, is a keen observer who never hesitates to pinpoint the problems and personality clashes endemic to the process of putting on a play. While she provides useful background, from the history of her theater (begun in 1913) to the importance of community theater in the U.S., she is best at describing the endlessly delicate negotiations between the small but award-winning theater's director, actors, designers and stagehands. Cohen is respectful of everyone's opinions and methods as they face M. Butterfly's considerable challenges to the theater's conventional approach to staging a production and moves us assuredly through her characters' process of political and artistic discovery. While never deeply probing the myriad social issues it raises, Cohen's backstage drama does give us a miniature yet nuanced glimpse into a world rarely explored. Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website! Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70's, 80's, 90's, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at TheEmpireToys.com AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at www.selfunbound.com
    Show More Show Less
    57 mins
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