Category Archives: Uncategorized

Episode 9 – What Happens When One Thread in the American Tapestry is Mutated or Changed – Authors Peter Blauner and



Stop the world, I want to get off.

Yes Virginia, the emperor has no clothes.

Yes Virginia, facts are facts.

What happens when one thread in the American tapestry is mutated or changed?

Joining Larry on this episode, Peter Blauner, Novelist of such works as Sunrise Highway, Proving Ground,The Intruder, The Last Good Day, Man of the Hour, Slow Motion Riot, Casino Moon and Slipping into Darkness.  Peter was also a journalist for New York Magazine and a staff writer for Law and Order: SVU. He is also the recipient of the Edgar Award.  Peter describes what it is like to write for television versus novels versus being a journalist.  We also find out if he has ever met one of his characters after they have been developed for a book.

Also joining the episode is Novelist and Historian Kevin Baker.  Kevin has penned such works as America: The Story of Us, Paradise Alley, Dreamland, Striver’s Row, Becoming Mr. October, The Big Crowd, Sometimes You See it Coming, Luna Park and Dreamland.  Kevin talked about how during the turn of the 20th Century, there were 3 groups that were not wanted in America, Jews, African Americans and the Irish.  He describes those experiences as being similar to the movie Gangs of New York.  He also discusses experiences such as those who lived in Seneca Village, a predominantly African American area of Manhattan in the mid 1800’s which is now part of Central Park.


Episode 8 – Is There a Thread that Connects the Past, the Present & the Future – Authors Phil Keith and Tom Clavin



Is there a thread that connects the past, the present and the future?

Larry welcomes authors Phil Keith and Tom Clavin, authors of All Blood Runs Red: The Legendary Life of Eugene Bullard―Boxer, Pilot, Soldier, Spy.  The authors discuss the extraordinary life of Eugene Bullard, an African-American who led a dynamic life under extreme and difficult circumstances of war, both in France and at home.  Phil and Tom discuss the dynamics of this amazing life.

Larry also gives his thoughts on the state of the United States today, the pandemic, the premonition of Lenny Bruce after the Berlin Wall falls, and a unique comparison between Donald Trump and Michael Jordan.


Episode 7 – Is There a Thread that Gives Us a Connection to a Super Power Inside Us All – Singer Songwriter Pete Mancini



Is there a thread that gives us a connection to a super power inside us all?

Larry discusses the significance of the numbers 13, 41, 42 and 99 and laments the tragedy of Kobe Bryant and his daughter GiGi, Sachem North teacher and volleyball coach Matt DiStefano and “Aunt Ada”.  Larry also ponders the connection between a parent and a child, a father and a daughter.

Larry is also joined by singer/songwriter Pete Mancini.  Pete talks about the creative process, his beginnings with Butcher’s Blind, and the story behind the songs Old Wooden Cross, Patchwork, Back in Bakersfield and SLA Check that he shares in studio. You can hear Pete’s work on Spotify, at Diversion Records or on his webpage petemancini.com.


Epsiode 6 – What is the Thread that Connects Who You Were, to Who You Are – Angelo Fraboni from Madison Theater and Brian D. Caplan, Attorney and Author



What is the Thread that Connects Who You Were, to Who You Are?

Larry is joined by Angelo Fraboni, Artistic Director of the Madison Theater at Molloy College in Rockville Centre, New York.  Angelo talks about his beginnings as a child learning the art of Ballet in Minnesota and his journey that has taken him to the Madison Theater at Molloy College.

Also joining Larry is Brian D. Caplan, Esq. author of the book J.D. to J.D.: My Journey from Juvenile Delinquent to Doctor of Jurisprudence.  Brian shares his upbringing and the incredible amount of luck that has taken him from “taking stupid pills” to becoming an entertainment attorney.  He also talks about his book and shares stories about Keith Richards, Donald Trump & Mike Tyson and Rodney Dangerfield (just to name a few).


Episode 5 – What is the Thread that Connects a Story to a Storyteller – John Theissen from the John Theissen Children’s Foundation and Author Susan Isaacs



What is the thread that connects a story to a storyteller?

Larry is joined by John Theissen.  John is the founder of the John Theissen Children’s Foundation which came to be in 1992.  John tells the story of his diagnosis of brain cancer at 17, his recovery and the inspiration to start his foundation.  John also shares the story of a fellow cancer patient he shared his experience with Tasha a girl who he would very much like to meet again.  John’s story is inspirational and heart stirring. 

John’s son is also a movie maker and created a movie about the Covid pandemic.

Also Joining the program is author Susan Isaacs. Susan Isaacs is the author of fourteen novels, including Compromising Positions, Shining Through, After All These Years, and As Husbands Go. Her newest novel, Takes One to Know One, published in October 2019. She is a former editor of Seventeen and a freelance political speechwriter. Susan is chairman of the board of Poets & Writers and a past president of Mystery Writers of America. She shares her inspiration for her newest work, talks about character development and her love for writing.


Episode 4 – The Thread that Connects a Story to an Audience – Author Joseph Kanon and Film Maker Gerry Ferretti



What is the thread that connects a story to an audience?

Larry sits down with Joseph Kanon, New York Times best selling author of the works Defectors, Leaving Berlin, Los Alamos, Istanbul Passage, and his latest work The Accomplice.  Joseph talks about The Accomplice, relationships with families and the perspective of a child and how they deal with the realization of their father is a war criminal.

Also in studio, Gerry Ferretti, independent film maker and Founder/Director of the Long Island Film Festival.  Gerry talks about why he started the festival, the world wide response to it and the impact it has had on both the public and the film makers.  He also discusses his passion for film and film making.

 

 


Episode 3 – The Intersection Between Good & Evil, Right & Wrong – Author Reed Farrel Coleman and Independent Actor and Executive Producer Francis Leik



What is the thread that connects the intersection between good and evil, right and wrong and those in that orbit?

Today Larry speaks with New York Times bestselling author Reed Farrel Coleman.  Reed has been described as a hard boiled poet and noir poet laureate.  Reed chats with Larry about how he develops characters and their voices, organized crime, and being insightful about life.  Reed has written Robert Parker’s Bitter Sweet PillRobert Parker’s Colorblind, Robert Parker’s Hangman’s Sonnet, Robert Parker’s Debt to PayWhat You BreakWhere it HurtsWalking the Perfect Square, and They Don’t Play Stickball in Milwaukee, just to name a few.  You can find out more about Reed Coleman by visiting his website at reedcoleman.com.

Also in studio, independent film actor and executive producer Francis Leik.  Larry delves into the mind of an actor, the process and what its like being in the independent film industry.  Francis has been in Chasing the Green, Broken Hearted, Interview with the Hitman, and many other works.  You can find out more about Francis Leik by visiting his Internet Movie Database site.


Episode 2 – The Thread Between a Child & a Parent Alex DeMille and Caroline Doctorow



What is the thread that connects a parent to a child and a child to a parent?

Today Larry speaks to Alex DeMille, son of Nelson DeMille who co-authored the book The Deserter.  Alex speaks about when he first became cognizant of his father’s fame, what it was like collaborating on this project along with their process in preparing for and writing the book.  You can find The Deserter at nelsondemille.net or on Amazon

Also in studio, Caroline Doctorow, singer songwriter.  Caroline shares her experiences at home with her famous writer father E. L. Doctorow.  Caroline shares childhood secrets, shares some inspiration for her music (including her father’s Country Squire station wagon) and performs 2 of her original works.  You can learn more about Caroline on her website carolinedoctorow.com