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

March 11, 2023UncategorizedFoster care, Jenni Fagan, Larry Davidson, Larry Davidson productions, Luckenbooth, Orphanages, perspective on people, Sachem Library, Sachem Public Library's The Booth, scotland, skills of observationartfulperiscope

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe Spotify | Email | More

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

February 25, 2023UncategorizedErnest Hemingway, Hemingway's Widow, John F. Kennedy, Larry Davidson, Larry Davidson productions, Long Island, mafia movies, Sachem Public Library, Sachem Public Library's The Booth, The Godfather, Thomas Maier, Timothy Christian, World War Iartfulperiscope

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe Spotify | Email | More

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

February 11, 2023UncategorizedArtful periscope podcast, Birth of modern EMS, CPR, Emergency medical service, Freedom House, John Moon, Kevin Hazzard, Larry Davidson, Larry Davidson productions, Orphanages, Peter Safar, Sachem Library, The Booth at The Sachem Public Libraryartfulperiscope

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe Spotify | Email | More

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

February 1, 2023Uncategorized@biowriter61, Artful Periscope, Don Rickles, Don Rickles: The Merchant of Venom, Larry Davidson, Larry Davidson productions, Merchant of Venom, Michael Seth Starr, Michael Starr, Mr Warmth, Sachem Public Library, The Booth at The Sachem Public Libraryartfulperiscope

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe Spotify | Email | More

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

January 6, 2023Uncategorized1960s, East Berlin, East Germany, Espionage, HBO, Joseph Kanon, Kevin Baker, Larry Davidson, Larry Davidson productions, Larrydavidsonproductions.com, Sachem Public Library, Spies, The Berin Exchange, The Booth at The Sachem Public Library, The Gilded Ageartfulperiscope

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe Spotify | Email | More

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

December 23, 2022Uncategorizedand the Voyage that Changed the World, Artful Periscope, Burning Rome to the Ground, Darwin, Larry Davidson, Larry Davidson productions, Larrydavidsonproductions.com, Nico Padden, Odyssey: Young Charles Darwin, Origin of species, Sachem Library, Sachem Public Library, singer, songwriter, The Beagle, The Booth at The Sachem Public Library, Tom Chaffinartfulperiscope

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe Spotify | Email | More

Episode 37 – How Many Threads Connect Us Through the Generations – Author Neal Wooten and Singer Songwriter Audrey Jones

November 25, 2022UncategorizedAudrey Jones, family relations, genius, Mental Illness, multigenerational dysfunction, Neal Wooten, potato homicide, rural alabama, Singer songwriter, With the Devil's Helpartfulperiscope

How many threads connect us through the generations. This episode brings us two talented individuals who both are storytellers. First Larry speaks with Neal Wooten, author of the book With the Devil’s Help, a book that Larry can foresee as a 3 act play. Larry speaks to Neal about his early life growing up, how he was not allowed to talk about what happens at home or even have friends over to play and the multigenerational struggles with mental illness, being a genius and a family slaying involving potatoes.After the break, Larry is joined by singer/songwriter Audrey Jones. Audrey is the youngest guest yet to appear on the podcast. Audrey plays 3 songs live in studio, talks about her influences, inspiration for writing songs, why writing is easier than playing or singing and explains her hopes and dreams, gives credit to Frank Toscano Music School, and her teacher Kevin Allen.

Song 1: Forgive

Song 2: Your Mom

Song 3: Rainfall

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe Spotify | Email | More

Episode 36 – What Are the Threads that Connect us to a True Path? Authors John Searles and Michael Branch

November 11, 2022Uncategorizedamerican culture, Bullying, Her Last Affair, horned rabbits, John Searles, Larry Davidson, Larry Davidson productions, LGBTQ+ rights, libraries, Love of libraries, Michael Branch, On the Trail of the Jackalope, Sachem Library, Sachem Public Library, summer truck rides, tall tales, The Booth at The Sachem Public Libraryartfulperiscope

What are the threads that connect us to a true path? In this installment of the podcast, Larry is joined by author John Searles to discuss his new book, Her Last Affair. Searles recounts his childhood being bullied for being gay, his love of the library and the books he read while going on long summer truck rides with his father. After recounting stories about his own life, Larry and John discuss the “public, private and secret” lives of his characters and the way that seemingly unconnected stories intersect in powerful ways.

Larry and author Michael Branch go down the rabbit-hole to discuss Michael’s latest non-fiction work On the Trail of the Jackalope. Michael recounts to origins of the jackalope as a taxidermy hoax, the surprising cancer research related to real life “horned rabbits” and the importance of tall-tales in American culture.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe Spotify | Email | More

Episode 35 – How Many Threads Lead Us to Discovery? Author S.D. Sykes, Deborah Spector and Rory’s Island

October 28, 2022Uncategorizedcomedy, Deborah Spector, dietitian, disordered eating, eating disorders, humans and diet, Middle Ages England, Nutritionist, Rory Vecsey, Rory's Island, S. D. Sykes, The Good Death, The Plague, The Things I've Seen People Do with and Without Food, Writing protagonistsartfulperiscope

How many threads lead us to discovery? In this episode Larry chats with S.D. Sykes, author of The Good Death, a mystery novel which takes place in Middle Ages England. S.D. Sykes brings us behind the scenes to paint a picture of discussing the challenges of writing protagonists living in different times, what was considered a “good death” in a society facing the plague and the difficulty of balancing two different time periods in a novel.

After the break, Larry sits down with Deborah Spector, a registered and certified dietitian and nutritionist, discussing her book The Things I’ve Seen People Do With And Without Food. She discusses the difference between eating disorders and disordered eating, as well as the complex relationship between humans and our diet.

We wrap the episode with Rory’s Island, in which Rory Vecsey delivers her thoughts regarding the importance of preserving creativity in comedy.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe Spotify | Email | More

Episode 34 – How Many Threads Connect to Challenges and Obstacles? Author Jim Kempton and Para-Athelete Todd Schaffhauser

October 14, 2022UncategorizedArtful Periscope, James Kempton, Jim Kempton, Larry Davidson, Larry Davidson productions, para-atheletes, Para-olympics, Sachem Library, Soul Surfer, surfing, The Booth at The Sachem Public Library, Todd Schaffhauser, women in surfing, Women on wavesartfulperiscope

How many threads connect to challenges and obstacles? In this episode Larry sits down with author Jim Kempton to discuss his new book Women on Waves. Jim delves into the long history of women in surfing, the great Bethany Hamilton and the film Soul Surfer. Jim also reveals some unexpected surfing celebrities such as Agatha Christie and Marilyn Monroe.

Larry harkens back to his running days to speak Paralympic athlete Todd Schaffhauser. Todd recounts the trauma of losing his leg during high school after a cancer diagnosis, the inspiring community of amputee athletes that motivated him during recovery, and the challenges of his running career. Todd also re-enforces how important mentorship programs are to people who either would like to or are already para-athletes.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe Spotify | Email | More