Monthly Archives: October 2024

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



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


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



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.

Jack Carr