Category Archives: Uncategorized

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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Episode 85: How Many Threads Lead Us Down The Rabbit Hole of Deception ? Author Mary Haverstick

September 26, 2024UncategorizedArtful periscope podcast, Assassination, Espionage, Jerrie Cobb, JFK, John F. Kennedy, Judy Cobb, Larry Davidson, Mary Haverstick, NASA, Rabbit Hole of Deception, Spies, The Woman I knowartfulperiscope

How many threads lead us down the rabbit hole of deception? On this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry invites biographer Mary Haverstick onto the show to discuss her latest book, A Woman I Know: Female Spies, Double Identities and the New Story of the Kennedy Assassination. Mary’s book focuses on Jerrie Cobb, a well-known aviator, NASA astronaut candidate, and women’s rights advocate who was the subject of a biopic Mary was creating. However, after being told by a government official some of her documents on Cobb were classified, Mary realized there was a much larger story to be uncovered. As Mary reveals over the course of the book, there is a high probability that Jerrie Cobb was also Judy Cobb, a spy with a potential link to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Larry and Mary discuss the evidence: Mary’s meticulous research in matching the schedules of both identities, the similarities in appearance between the two women and eyewitness identification. They also discuss Jerrie as a person and her cautious but cunning persona, including the character of Mary Cobb who was created in reference to her on the Apple TV show For All Mankind.

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Episode 84 – How Many Threads Allow Us To Address And Understand Tragedy And Grief? – Authors Marianne Leone and Henry Wise

September 14, 2024UncategorizedBichon Frise, Christopher Maltisante, Eddie Falco, Five Dog Epiphany, Henry Wise, Holy City, homicide, Knowing Jesse, Larry Davidson, Larry Davidson productions, Ma Speaks Up, Marianne Leone, religion, Sachem Library, Sopranos, The Booth at The Sachem Public Library, Virginiaartfulperiscope

How many threads allow us to address and understand tragedy and grief? On this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry sits down with author Marianne Leone to discuss her latest book Five Dog Epiphany. Marianne starts off by reading an excerpt from the book, showcasing a story about a dog named Titi, who came into her life at the start of the 2016 pandemic. After the reading, Larry and Marianne discuss their mutual friendship with Eddie Falco, Marian’s role on The Sopranos and the support she received from her fellow cast members after fainting on set. Then Marianne discusses her first book, Knowing Jesse, which chronicled the loss of her son after a battle with cerebral palsy, and her second book, Ma Speaks Up, which re-tells stories about her Italian immigrant mother. Her latest book, Five Dog Epiphany recounts how adopting a pack of Bichon Frise helped bring joy back into her life after the devastating loss of her son.

Marianne Leone

After the break, Larry invites author Henry Wise to discuss his latest book Holy City. Taking place in rural Southern Virginia, Holy City follows Sheriff Will Seems as he investigates a homicide along with a wild card private detective named Bennico. Larry and Henry discuss the role of religion in the narrative, the racial history of Viriginia that still affects the black community, and how settings can also be characters in stories.

Henry Wise | crime novelist

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Episode 83 – How any Threads Connect Us To Time and Place Through Music ? Musician and Author Robyn Hitchcock

August 29, 2024Uncategorized1967: How I Got There and Why I Never Left, Artful periscope podcast, Ballon Man, Biography, Greatest Year in Music, Larry Davidson, Larry Davidson storytelling, Love of Music, Robyn Hitchcock, Rock and Roll, Sachem Public Library, songwritingartfulperiscope

How many threads connectus to time and place through music? On this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry sits down with Robyn Hitchcock, author of 1967: How I Got There and Why I Never Left. The biography details Robyn’s childhood growing up in an English private school during 1967, which is a frequent contender for the title of Greatest Year in Music. Larry and Robin discuss The Beatles, Jimmy Hendrix and other early influences that shaped Robyn’s lifetime love of music. His love of rock and roll often conflicted with the strict conservative norms of boarding school and it’s hierarchal structure, which forced boys to endure bullying and mental health struggles. Yet, even in such a difficult environment, music still found it’s way into his life through records he and the other students played in the evenings. They also discuss Bob Dylan (as well as Robyn’s current friendship with Bob Dylan’s son), Robyn and his wife’s current passion for both song production and art, and his daily life living in Nashville.

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Episode 82 – How Many Threads Connect Firearms to All Modes of Our Society – Author Chris Grall

August 20, 2024UncategorizedArmy, Chris Grall, Correct description of firearms in books, Firearms, Firearms safety, firearms training, Greg Podolski, Larry Davidson, Scott Sigler, Special forces, Special operators, storytelling, Thriller Fest, Trigger Guard, writing firearms in fictionartfulperiscope

How many threads connect firearms in all modes of our society? On today’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry sits down with author Chris Grall to discuss his current book Trigger Guard: A Writer’s Guide to Firearms. Grall starts off by discussing his background in firearms and weaponry in the United States Army, the National Guard, and eventually Special Forces. He got into advising when he was reading an audiobook by author Scott Sigler, eventually kindling a friendship between the two writers (Scott even wrote the forward to his book!). In addition to privately consulting, Grall has also been a frequent panelist at Thriller Fest and recounts how a staged fight with his friend and fellow writer Greg Podolski helped illustrate the of importance of doing research to make fight scenes realistic. Then Larry welcomes Chris DeCristofaro, Larry’s producer and host of the podcast The Library Pros, onto the show. DeCristofaro and Grall delve into more specifics on firearms including the spelling of caliber, the history of the AR-15, and the accidental shooting on the set of the Alec Baldwin film Rust.

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Episode 81 – How Many Threads Lead Us Down the Rabbit Hole of Deception – Authors Bruce Borgos and Alma Katsu

August 1, 2024UncategorizedAlma Katsu, Area 51, Artful Periscope, Bruce Borgos, dead drops, Deuteragonist, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Intelligence community, James Bond, Kindle Edition, Larry Davidson, Larry Davidson productions, Lis Salander, Nevada, Porter Book Series, Shades of Mercy, Spy who vanished, The Booth at The Sachem Public Library, three-part Novella series, vetting information sourcesartfulperiscope

How many threads lead us down the rabbit hole of deception? On this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry sits down with author Bruce Borgos to discuss his latest book Shades of Mercy, the second book in the Porter Beck series. Together, Larry and Bruce analyze Mercy Vaughan, the teenage hacker deuteragonist who has been compared to Lis Salander from the famous The Girl with Dragon Tattoo, and his returning hero Porter Beck. They also explore the Nevada setting, the proximity to Area 51 and crafting character driven narratives.

After the break, Larry welcomes returning guest Alma Katsu back to the show to discuss The Spy Who Vanished, which has been released as a Kindle exclusive three-part novella series. Alma discusses the challenge of writing in a new format, her shift in mindset from the anonymity of the intelligence community vs the public persona of the author, and the improving production of audiobook adaptations. Larry and Alma also talk about vetting information sources, how spies used “dead drops” to exchange information, and why James Bond is actually a bad spy.

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

July 18, 2024UncategorizedArtful Periscope, Artful periscope podcast, Brian Hope, Delbert A. Roll, First Generation Vietnamese, K. T. Nguyen, Michael P Murphy, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, OCD, Ohio, Pat Tillman, Patty Collins, Robbie Miller, Service in Afghanistan, Transition to civilian life, US Intelligence Officer, US Military Operator, Vietnamese, You Know What You Didartfulperiscope

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.

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