Episode 95 – How Many Threads Take Us On An Unexpected Journey? – Authors Joseph Finder and Anthony Gedell

February 13, 2025Uncategorizedamerican politics, Anthony Gedell, Artful periscope podcast, CIA, FBI, Jazz as inspiration, John Steinbeck, Joseph Finder, lack of depth, Larry Davidson, Love Lies in the Throse of Rhetoric, modern literature, morally complex characters, The Oligarch's Daughter, writing as a spiritual actartfulperiscope

How many threads take us on an unexpected journey? In this week’s episode of The
Artful Periscope, Larry Davidson sits down with bestselling author Joseph Finder about
his latest thriller, The Oligarch’s Daughter. They explore the layered dynamics of power,
family, and deception, how to weave settings like luxurious yachts and shadowy forests
into a gripping narrative, and the current state of American politics. Joseph also shares
his insights on crafting morally complex characters and the interplay of CIA and FBI
rivalries.

Joseph Finder_67846

After the break, Larry welcomes debut author Anthony Gedell to discuss Love
Lies in the Throes of Rhetoric, a philosophical exploration of human struggles and
grace. Gedell shares his jazz-inspired approach to writing and critiques modern
literature for lacking depth, presenting storytelling as a profound, almost spiritual, act.
They also discuss John Steinbeck and Larry shares a brief announcement about the
future of the podcast.

Anthony Gedell | windingroadstories.com

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Episode 94 – How Many Threads Connect Us to Relationships? Author Carla Conti and Journalist Daniel de Vise

January 30, 2025Uncategorizedand the making of an American Film Classic, Blues Brothers: An Epic Friendship, Carla Conti, Chained Birds, Dan Aykroyd, Daniel de Vise, flaws in the justice system, John Belushi, Kevin Sanders, overcrowding, prison culture, Saturday Night Live, the Rise of Improv, USA Todayartfulperiscope

How many threads connect us to relationships? In this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry sits down with Carla Conti, author of Chained Birds, a true crime memoir that explores the systemic flaws in the justice system through the story of Kevin Sanders, a former gang member and inmate. Carla shares her personal journey of involvement in Kevin’s defense, sharing her critiques of prison culture, overcrowding, and the limitations of current reform efforts.

In the second half, Larry is joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Daniel de Visé, author of The Blues Brothers: An Epic Friendship, the Rise of Improv, and the Making of an American Film Classic. Daniel takes listeners behind the scenes of John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd’s rise to fame, their work on Saturday Night Live, and the making of the legendary film. With insights into the
production process, iconic musical performances, and Belushi’s struggles with addiction, de Visé captures the highs and lows of their famous partnership.

Daniel de Visé | USA TODAY

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Episode 93 How Many Threads Lead Us Down the Path of Duplicity? Author Jeffrey Archer and David McCloskey

January 17, 2025UncategorizedAn Eye for an Eye, Artful periscope podcast, CIA, David McCloskey, Declaration of Independence, Espionage, evolution of characters, Forgery, global audience, Hstorical intrigue, intelligence work, Jeffrey Archer, Larry Davidson, mole hunt, Rembrandt, Rembrant, Seventh Floor, William Warwick Series, Writing processartfulperiscope

How many threads lead us down the path of duplicity? On this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry welcomes international bestseller Jeffrey Archer to discuss An Eye for an Eye, the latest in the William Warwick series. Together, Larry and Jeffrey explore the novel’s themes of art forgery and historical intrigue, including a Rembrandt copy and Thomas Jefferson’s original copy of the Declaration of Independence. Jeffrey also shares his disciplined writing process, insights on translating stories for a global audience, and the evolution of Warwick’s character arc across the series.

After the break, Larry sits down with David McCloskey, a former CIA analyst and author of The Seventh Floor. David reflects on his real-life espionage experience, the challenges of crafting a modern mole hunt, and the moral complexities of intelligence work.

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Episode 92 – How Many Threads Need to be Exposed Inside a Puzzle Box? Authors Steve Urszenyi and Henry Wise

December 27, 2024UncategorizedAlex Martel Series, Artful periscope podcast, female protagtonist, Henry Wise, Holy City, Larry Davidson, mentorship in writing, Out in the Cold, Paramedict, photorgrapher, R.T. Smith, Resolute Desk, Sachem Public Library, scarttergood Throne, Steve Urszenyi, The Booth at The Sachem Public Libraryartfulperiscope

How many threads need to be exposed inside a puzzle box? On this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry welcomes author Steve Urszenyi onto the show to discuss his latest book Out in the Cold, the second book in the Alex Martel series. Together, Larry and Steve discuss Steve’s background as a paramedic and amateur photographer, the in-medias-res opening of the novel, and the female protagonist, Alex Marte l. They also discuss the larger geopolitical situation that frames the novel, which is peppered with real historical details like the Scattergood-Thorne Conference Center, The Resolute Desk and the unfortunate use of misinformation and propaganda by governments to manipulate public perception.

After the break, Larry welcomes Henry Wise, author of Holy City, to tell a story about his mentor R.T. Smith and the importance of mentorship in the writing community.

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Episode 91 – How Many Threads Connect Us to Understanding Suicide? Journalist Rachel Zimmerman and Ann Morrison from AFSP

December 12, 2024UncategorizedAdvocacy, AFSP, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, anger and grief, Ann Morrison Pacella, Artful periscope podcast, Larry Davidson, Long Island Chapter, mental health, MIT, Out of the Darkness Walk Jones beach, Rachel Zimmerman, Sachem Public Library's The Booth, societal prejudice, suicide, survivor outreach, Us Afterartfulperiscope

This episode includes discussions about suicide. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please consider reaching out for help. In the U.S., you can dial or text 988 or chat via988lifeline.org. For international resources, visit findahelpline.com.

How many threads connect us to understanding suicide? On this week’s episode of TheArtful Periscope, Larry welcomes journalist Rachel Zimmerman onto the show to discuss her memoir Us After: A Memoir of Love and Suicide. The book recounts her personal journey of grief and healing after her husband Seth, an MIT robotics professor and father of two, tragically died by suicide in 2014. Together, Larry and Rachel discuss societal prejudices about suicide and mental health, dealing with the feelings of guilt and anger int he aftermath, and the importance of coming together with family and friends in moving forward.

After the break, Larry also welcomes Ann Morrison Pacella, the executive director of the Long Island Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).AFSP is a national nonprofit focusing on suicide research, education, advocacy, and survivor outreach. Larry and Ann discuss the prevalence of suicide among middle-aged men, the importance of treating mental health as seriously as physical health and the annual Out of the Darkness Walk at Jones Beach.

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Episode 90 – How Many Threads Must Come Together to Create a Storyteller? Thomas Maier and Singer Songwriter Emma Swift

November 26, 2024UncategorizedArtful periscope podcast, Blond on the Tracks, Bob Dylan, Emma Swift, I contain multitudes, Larry Davidson, Mafia Spies, Montauk to Manhattan, Paramount +, Queen Jane, Screen writer, Showtime, Thomas Maier, TV Series, You're a Big Girl Nowartfulperiscope

How many threads must come together to create a storyteller? In this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry invites returning guest Thomas Maier back onto the show to discuss Mafia Spies, his series for Paramount + and Showtime. Thomas discusses his transition from behind the scenes to an on screen narrator of the production, guests he has had on the show (like notable gangster Salvatore Giancana’s daughter, and his extensive research on Cold War Espionage and U.S. involvement in Cuba. Larry and Thomas also discuss his most recent novel, Montauk to Manhattan: An American Novel, a historical fiction story set in 2016 which chronicles the unexpected rise of Donald Trump and MAGA.

After the break, Larry welcomes singer-songwriter Emma Swift onto the show to discuss her new album Blonde on the Tracks. They discuss her passion for Bob Dylan’s music, her musical influences and her happy home life with her partner and her cats. Clips are included from three tracks on the album: “I Contain Multitudes”, “You’re a Big Girl Now” and “Queen Jane Approximately”

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Episode 89 – How Many Threads Connect Us to Voices from the Past? Author Travis Davis and Audiobook Narrator Chris Ciulla

November 14, 2024UncategorizedArtful periscope podcast, Audiobook narrator, Chris Ciulla, Christopher Andrew Ciulla, ethical dilemmas, Larry Davidson, One of Four: World War One Through the Eyes of an Unknown Soldier, The Studio at the Sachem Public Library, Travis Davis, World War Iartfulperiscope

How many threads connect us to voices from the past? In this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry invites author Travis Davis onto the podcast to discuss his most recent book One of Four: World War One Through the Eyes of an Unknown Soldier. The book centers around the diary of an unnamed soldier, connecting his experiences in World War I with the modern story of a father and son. Larry and Travis discuss the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Travis’s research process, the brave animals involved in military combat, the horrors of World War I combat and the incorporation of historical figures like Harry Truman in the novel.

Travis Davis

After the break, Larry welcomes his first audiobook narrator guest, Chris Andrew Ciulla, on the show. As a veteran voice actor, Chris has over 500+ hours in audiobook narration. Together, Larry and Chris peak behind the curtain of audiobook production and Chris shares his insights on dialect coaching, ethical dilemmas in narration, and the emotional connection he feels with his work.

Chris Andrew Ciulla - IMDb

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Episode 88 – How Many Threads Lead to a World of Violence as a Life’s Work? Authors Gregg Podolski and Claire Isenthal

November 7, 2024UncategorizedArtful periscope podcast, Claire Isenthal, female protagonists, Gregg Podolski, Larry Davidson, protagonists, societal divisiveness, The Recruiter, The Rising Order, Thrillerfestartfulperiscope

How many threads lead to a world of violence as a life’s work? In this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry invites author Gregg Podolski onto the show to discuss his debut novel, The Recruiter. Larry and Gregg start with a lightning round, comparing Gregg to the protagonist of The Recruiter, Rick Carter. Then they move on to discuss Thrillerfest 2024, navigating the morally gre yworld of Rick’s profession, exploring the assassins Rick comes into contact with over the course of the novel, and writing action sequences as well as realistic dialogue.

Talking Thrillers with Gregg Podolski: The Recruiter

After the break, Larry welcomes Claire Isenthal onto the show to discuss her novel (also a debut!) The Rising Order. Claire starts off with her childhood moving from place to place, eventually moving back with her family to Indiana, where she began working on The Rising Order. Larry and Claire discuss the dystopian setting of the novel, the relationship between the protagonist Flynn and the dangerous antagonist Wolf and how the novel’s story serves as a warning about societal divisiveness leading to the rise of extremist groups.

Climbing the Publishing Ladder | Word Journeys: The Blog

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Episode 87- How Many threads Alter a Story? – Author Steve Stratton

October 26, 2024UncategorizedArtful Periscope, Aurora Colorado, Enemy from Within, green barets, Hamas, J D Vance, Larry Davidson, President Trump, Special Operations Warrior Foundation, Springfield Ohio, Stephen Stratton, Yahya Sinwarartfulperiscope

How many threads alter history? In this installment of the podcast, Larry has a chat with retired Green Baret and thriller author Steve Stratton. Larry begins by mentioning Steve’s foundation Special Operations Warrior Foundation supporting families of service members who did not return from the battlefield. The conversation then turns to the breaking news of the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and the ripple effects it will have through the entire middle east region. Steve and Larry also explore the news coming from the presidential campaign regarding former President Trump’s assertions of happenings in Springfield, Ohio and Aurora, Colorado and how this narrative is being expounded by his vice presidential running mate J. D. Vance. Steve discusses the meaning and understanding of “chain of command” and the efficacy of an order by a president to have political rivals assassinated in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling of absolute immunity by a sitting president. Larry brings the conversation to Trump’s “enemy within” comments and comparing it to the plight of Jewish people from the 1930s through the end of 1945. There is also a discussion of the assassination attempts on Trump, the effectiveness of the Secret Service and women in the Service.

Steve Stratton

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Episode 86 – How Many Threads Connect Real World Experiences to Storytellers? – Authors Jeff Circle and Jack Carr

October 4, 2024Uncategorized1983 bombing of the US Marine Corps barracks in Beirut, 9-11, Artful Periscope, Artful periscope podcast, Jack Carr, Jeff Circle, Larry Davidson, Middle East, non fiction writing, Operation Desert Storm, Targeted: Beirut, The Booth at The Sachem Public Library, The Writers Dossier, writing process terrorist attacksartfulperiscope

How many threads connect real world experiences to storytellers? On this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry welcomes Jeff Circle back to the show to discuss The Dossier, Jeff’s web archive and newsletter/website dedicated to featuring authors and their works. Larry and Jeff discuss 9/11 and Jeff’s military service during Operation Desert Storm. Then the discussion shifts to focusing on the creation of The Dossier, the recent inclusion of audio book narrators on the website and upcoming author spotlights.

After the break, Larry welcomes Jack Carr onto the show to discuss his first non-fiction book Targeted Beirut, which focuses on the 1983 bombing of the Marine Corps barracks in Beirut, Lebanon. The event was a turning point in relations between the United States and the Middle East. Jack discusses his research process, how the Beirut attacks set the stage for the terrorist attacks on The World Trade Center, Lebanon’s tumultuous history and how to tell a non-fiction story while treating the real-world participants with respect.

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