Category Archives: Uncategorized

Episode 47 – How Many Threads are Woven to Create and Execute a Play: “Eleanor and Alice”



How many threads are woven to created and execute a Play.  After attending the play Eleanor and Alice, Larry is joined by the playwright Ellen Abrams, Director Frances Hill, Actress Trezana Beverly (who plays Eleanor Roosevelt), and Mary Bacon (who plays Alice Roosevelt).  The play is in 8 acts and follows these two iconic wives through the 20th century.

Larry discusses what it is like to see a person’s written word come to life on the stage, the thought process of the actors, whether there is a rhythm to both writing and acting and why  this play is rather unique (which is based in fact but is written in the spirit of history).

If you are interested in attending this amazing play by visiting https://urbanstages.org/eleanorandalice/.


Episode 46 – How Many Threads Connect Puffs of Smoke? Author and Federal Prosecutor Lis Wiehl



How many threads connect puffs of smoke? In this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry interviews legal analyst and federal prosecutor Lis Wiehl, who sheds light on the shadowy life of FBI spy Robert Hanssen while discussing her new book A Spy in Plain Sight. Wiehl discusses the experience of growing up as the daughter of an FBI agent and how her career as a lawyer influenced her style as an author.

Then the conversation shifts to Robert Hanssen, who is often referred to as “The Unabomber of the FBI” due to the twenty-year hunt to find him. Wiehl analyzes Hanssen’s convincing cover as a devout Catholic, his relationship with his wife Bonnie, his ability to effectively compartmentalize different facets of his duplicitous life, his narcissistic pursuit for accolades that drove him to sell information to Russia and the ultimate reveal of his spy activity. 

 

 


Episode 45 – How does the writer weave the threads to tell their story? Authors Peter Blauner and Vona Groarke



How does the writer weave the threads to tell their story? In this installment of the podcast, Larry sits down with author and friend of the podcast, Peter Blauner.  Peter and Larry discusses his latest book Picture in the Sand. Blauner discusses his research into the political situation of 1950s Egypt (and the surprising connection to the filming of The Ten Commandments), his interview with the remaining relatives of legendary director Cecil B. DeMille and his decision to frame the narrative as a grandfather telling his recollections of his immigration to America to dissuade his grandson from joining an anti-American group. 

After the break, Larry conducts a virtual interview with Irish author Vona Groarke about her book Hereafter: The Telling Life of Ellen O’Hara  , a fictionalized biography of her great grandmother. Groarke goes into detail about the disappointing lack of information about her grandmother and the process of reconstructing her story based on the breadcrumbs of data she did find as well as her research into lives of Irish immigrants in 1880s New York. 


Episode 44 – How Many Threads Are Hidden in the World of Intelligence – Alma Katsu Red London



How many threads are hidden in the world of intelligence.  In this installment of the podcast, Larry has an insightful conversation with the author of Red London, Alma Katsu.  Larry inquires about Alma’s past employment working in the shadow world of United States intelligence gathering, how the war in Ukraine effected her creative process mid stream and the challenge of “self isolation” when writing.  Larry ponders whether there will be further works entitled “Red Moscow” or “Red Square” and if the character Lindsey Duncan could be an interesting character in a movie or television adaptation.  Taking the topic of the book and speculating about current events, Alma and Larry discuss oligarchs and who really controls modern Russa and what role is China attempting to play in the mix.  Larry explores the world of NDAs and how Alma’s role in her previous profession effects  the publishing of her fictional works.

Alma Kastu on Twitter

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Episode 43: How many threads connect the residents to a building? Author Jenni Fagan



How many threads connect the residents to a building? In this episode, Larry chats with author Jenni Fagan to discuss her latest book Luckenbooth. Jenny describes her life growing up in the Scottish foster care system, the empowerment writing gave her when she didn’t have a voice and how switching between homes gave her a unique perspective on people. Then she delves into Luckenbooth, illustrating how physical buildings stand witness to the stories of the people who live in them. Afterwards, Larry shares his thoughts about how issues like wearing or not wearing masks hints to a larger, more dangerous, political divide.

Jenni Fagan on Twitter


Episode 42: How Many Threads Connect us to Iconic Figures? Author Timothy Christian & Thomas Maier



How many threads connect us to iconic figures? On this installment of the podcast, Larry ponders Hemingway with author Timothy Christian to discuss his new book Hemingway’s Widow. Hemingway’s Widow sheds light on the fascinating life of Hemingway’s fourth wife Mary Walsh, who had often been maligned by historians. Timothy and Larry discuss Mary’s influence on Hemingway’s writing process, her work as a wartime journalist and her tense conversation with John F. Kennedy.

Timothy Christian on Twitter

After the break, Larry interviews returning guest and Newsday writer Thomas Maier, author of Mafia Spies about the iconic film The Godfather and surprising multiple Long Island connections. Thomas talks about modern opinions on The Godfather, Francis Ford Coppola’s fight to cast Al Pacino and the impact of The Godfather on Italian American culture.  Thomas Maier on Twitter


Episode 41: How Many Threads Connect a Community to their Own Paramedics? Author Kevin Hazzard and Paramedic John Moon



How many threads connect a doctor to the development of CPR and how many threads connect a community to their own paramedics?  Larry is joined by author Kevin Hazzard and paramedic John Moon to discuss American Sirens: The Incredible Story of the Black Men Who Became America’s First Paramedics to delve into this incredible story of an African American community in Pittsburgh, and the connection to doctor Peter Safar who pioneered CPR and how John’s path led to the birth of modern emergency medical service.  Larry has John expand on his experiences growing up during segregation, his childhood living in an orphanage and his journey to Pittsburgh in the 1960’s, and Freedom House and its importance toward the founding of emergency medical service as we know it today.  Larry also ponders what would have happened if CPR was not developed and what the medical profession would look like today.

Kevin Hazzard on Twitter

John Moon on LinkedIn


Episode 40: How Many Threads are at the Intersection of Comedy that Binds Us Michael Seth Starr & The Biography of Don Rickles



How many threads are at the intersection of comedy that binds us?  Larry is joined by Michael Seth Starr, the author of Don Rickles: Merchant of Venom.  Michael and Larry explore the life of Don, from his humble beginnings growing up in Queens, New York, his service in the Navy during World War II and his subsequent rise to stardom.  Michael delves into the connection to Frank Sinatra, Don’s studies as a serious actor and the various influences on Rickles’ career.  Larry also talks about the thread between Don and Groucho Marx.  As a writer for the New York Post, there is a spirited discussion on the state of broadcast television vs streaming and how the quality of both have evolved.


Episode 39: How Many Threads Intersect the Lives of Many? Author Joseph Kanon and Writer Kevin Baker



How many threads intersect the lives of many? In this episode, Larry sits down with author Joseph Kanon to discuss his latest book The Berlin Exchange. Joseph shares his experience switching from working in the publishing industry to becoming a published author, spy swaps in fiction and the harrowing reality of those living in East Berlin during the 1960s. His protagonist willingly crosses into East Berlin to reunite with his family- but can he truly find the freedom and safety he’s looking for while tangled in a political nightmare?

After the break, Larry discusses the HBO series The Gilded Age with journalist and historical fiction author Kevin Baker, who illuminates the interest of New York in the 1880s as a setting, and shares with Larry why this era is so fascinating to the modern day viewer.


Episode 38 How Many Threads Connect Us to a Voyage of Exploration and Discovery: Author Thomas Chaffin and Singer Songwriter Nico Padden



How many threads connect us to a voyage of exploration and discovery? In this installment, Larry chats  with author Tom Chaffin to discuss his latest biography Odyssey: Young Charles Darwin, The Beagle, and the Voyage that Changed the World. They discuss the strange path Charles Darwin walked from dropping out of medical school to becoming the father of evolution and publishing the groundbreaking Origin of Species. While pursuing Darwin’s story, Tom also recounts his research, travel, and growing connection to the characters.

Joining Larry for a musical interlude is singer/songwriter Nico Padden, who shares several of her songs and the real-life influences behind them. Weaving together stories featuring difficult issues such as domestic abuse, sexual harassment and systemic racism into her music, Nico discusses the power of songwriting and the stories that fuel creativity.