Monthly Archives: September 2022

Episode 33 – What is the thread that connects us to complex characters? Authors Julian Rubenstein and Ellen Meister



What is the thread that connects us to complex characters? It’s an “alumni” episode!  Larry chats with previous guests Julian Rubenstein and Ellen Meister.

Julian discusses his non-fiction work, The Holly: Five Bullets, One Gun and the Struggle to Save an American Neighborhood. and what it is like as an outsider to the community he focuses on, and the importance of making community connections. Larry has Julian expand his thoughts on how the impact of gang violence affects African American communities and the complex personality of Terrance Roberts, the anti-gang activist at the heart of the book.

Fellow alumni, Ellen Meister drops by to speak about her book The Rooftop Party, which features a puzzling, murder, a glitzy shopping channel, and a witty female protagonist trying to clear her name. Meister discusses the difficulty of marketing stories that don’t quite fit in a specific genre, the impact of the “Me Too” movement and her process for naming characters.

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Episode 32 – How Many Threads Lead Us to Understand Men in Power? – Author Mark Arsenault & rReporter S.J. Peddie



How many threads lead us to understand men in power? This week, Larry sits with author and Boston Globe journalist Mark Arsenault about his new book The Imposter’s War: The Press, Propaganda, and the Newsman Who Battled for the Minds of America. The book centers on John Rathom, a journalist known for his World War I propaganda, his riveting press coverage on current events, and the web of lies he weaved in his personal life.

Also joining the discussion is Newsday investigative reporter S.J. Peddie to discuss her book Sonny: The Last of the Old Time Mafia Bosses, John Sonny Franzese. Like Rathom, Sonny lived a double life as a dedicated family man with a passion for music but was also one of the most feared Mafia bosses in history. With his guests, Larry explores the complex identities of these men and how individual ambition can create political, social, and global change.


Episode 31 – How Many Threads Connect Us to Lies and Deception? – Author Paul Vidich



How many threads connect us to lies and deception? In this episode, Larry sits down with author Paul Vidich to discuss his new book The Matchmaker: A Spy in Berlin. Larry and Paul discuss the difficulties and intrigue of the spy biz along with the allure of setting thrillers in Cold War Berlin along with the agency of the female protagonist.  Afterwards, Larry shares some random thoughts and observation  on the private lives of recently departed celebrities along with (spoiler alert!), the series ending of Dexter and the myriad of ways humanity continues to break down barriers.