Monthly Archives: July 2024

Episode 80 – How Many Threads Pull On Our Own Identity and Existence? – Author K.T. Nguyen and Military Intelligence Officer Delbert A Roll



How many threads pull on our own identity and existence? On this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry sits down with author K.T. Nguyen to discuss her debut novel You Know What You Did. Nguyen details her childhood growing up in a small Ohio town as a first-generation child to Vietnamese refugees, her Ivy league education and her eventual move to New York City to become a magazine editor. Her life experiences inspired the protagonist of her novel, Annie, who is also Vietnamese and struggles with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, a condition which Nguyen had developed as a teen. Larry and Nguyen explore how OCD and the word “obsessive” is often overused, Annie’s complicated relationship with her mother and friend Danielle, and the flashback sequences in Saigon.

After the break, Larry welcomes retired US Army soldier and former intelligence officer Delbert A Roll to the show. Delbert shares stories of brave men and women who served in the U.S. military, including Robbie Miller, Pat Tillman, Michael P. Murphy, Patty Collins and his best friend Brian Hope. Larry and Delbert also discuss the transition into civilian life, Delbert’s novel-in-progress and the welcoming nature of the writing community.


Episode 79 – How Many Threads are Connected with Some of Our Former Guests – Authors John Copenhaver and James Hibbard



How many threads are connected with some of our former guests? On this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry catches up with previous guests of the podcast. The first returning guest is John Copenhaver, co-host of The House of Mystery Radio, 2021 Lambda Literary Award Winner and author of The Savage Kind and it’s sequel Hall of Mirrors. Larry and John discuss his multifaceted characters, including the complexity of villains, references to real historical figures and the exploration of gender, sexuality and racial identity in 1950s America. Throughout the conversation, John also discusses the role of grief in his writing process and how processing loss has a transformative effect of the development of plot and character.

After the break, Larry welcomes James Hibbard back onto the show to discuss his previous book The Art of Cycling: Philosophy, Meaning, and a Life on Two Wheels and his upcoming project. Hibbard,, a longtime cyclist, delves into effect the sport has on athlete’s physical and mental health. He also spotlights a few titles that explore the art of cycling such as The Flying Scotsman by Graeme Obree, The Beautiful Race by Colin O’Brien, and Higher Calling by Max Leonard. James also discusses his struggles with keratoconus and his periodic corneal transplants, and how he has adapted his fitness routine to balance healing with his passion for movement and exercise.