Tag Archives: Artful periscope podcast

Episode 91 – How Many Threads Connect Us to Understanding Suicide? Journalist Rachel Zimmerman and Ann Morrison from AFSP

December 12, 2024UncategorizedAdvocacy, AFSP, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, anger and grief, Ann Morrison Pacella, Artful periscope podcast, Larry Davidson, Long Island Chapter, mental health, MIT, Out of the Darkness Walk Jones beach, Rachel Zimmerman, Sachem Public Library's The Booth, societal prejudice, suicide, survivor outreach, Us Afterartfulperiscope

This episode includes discussions about suicide. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please consider reaching out for help. In the U.S., you can dial or text 988 or chat via988lifeline.org. For international resources, visit findahelpline.com.

How many threads connect us to understanding suicide? On this week’s episode of TheArtful Periscope, Larry welcomes journalist Rachel Zimmerman onto the show to discuss her memoir Us After: A Memoir of Love and Suicide. The book recounts her personal journey of grief and healing after her husband Seth, an MIT robotics professor and father of two, tragically died by suicide in 2014. Together, Larry and Rachel discuss societal prejudices about suicide and mental health, dealing with the feelings of guilt and anger int he aftermath, and the importance of coming together with family and friends in moving forward.

After the break, Larry also welcomes Ann Morrison Pacella, the executive director of the Long Island Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).AFSP is a national nonprofit focusing on suicide research, education, advocacy, and survivor outreach. Larry and Ann discuss the prevalence of suicide among middle-aged men, the importance of treating mental health as seriously as physical health and the annual Out of the Darkness Walk at Jones Beach.

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Episode 90 – How Many Threads Must Come Together to Create a Storyteller? Thomas Maier and Singer Songwriter Emma Swift

November 26, 2024UncategorizedArtful periscope podcast, Blond on the Tracks, Bob Dylan, Emma Swift, I contain multitudes, Larry Davidson, Mafia Spies, Montauk to Manhattan, Paramount +, Queen Jane, Screen writer, Showtime, Thomas Maier, TV Series, You're a Big Girl Nowartfulperiscope

How many threads must come together to create a storyteller? In this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry invites returning guest Thomas Maier back onto the show to discuss Mafia Spies, his series for Paramount + and Showtime. Thomas discusses his transition from behind the scenes to an on screen narrator of the production, guests he has had on the show (like notable gangster Salvatore Giancana’s daughter, and his extensive research on Cold War Espionage and U.S. involvement in Cuba. Larry and Thomas also discuss his most recent novel, Montauk to Manhattan: An American Novel, a historical fiction story set in 2016 which chronicles the unexpected rise of Donald Trump and MAGA.

After the break, Larry welcomes singer-songwriter Emma Swift onto the show to discuss her new album Blonde on the Tracks. They discuss her passion for Bob Dylan’s music, her musical influences and her happy home life with her partner and her cats. Clips are included from three tracks on the album: “I Contain Multitudes”, “You’re a Big Girl Now” and “Queen Jane Approximately”

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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 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 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 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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Episode 79 – How Many Threads are Connected with Some of Our Former Guests – Authors John Copenhaver and James Hibbard

July 4, 2024UncategorizedArt of Cycling, Artful Periscope, Artful periscope podcast, beautiful race, Colin O'Brien, corneal transplants, flying scotsman, hall of mirrors, higher calling, house of mystery radio, James Hibbard, John Copenhaver, keratonconus, Lambda literary award, Larry Davidson, Larry Davidson productions, Max Leonard, racial identity, return guests, Savage Kind, sexualityartfulperiscope

How many threads are connected with some of our former guests? On this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry catches up with previous guests of the podcast. The first returning guest is John Copenhaver, co-host of The House of Mystery Radio, 2021 Lambda Literary Award Winner and author of The Savage Kind and it’s sequel Hall of Mirrors. Larry and John discuss his multifaceted characters, including the complexity of villains, references to real historical figures and the exploration of gender, sexuality and racial identity in 1950s America. Throughout the conversation, John also discusses the role of grief in his writing process and how processing loss has a transformative effect of the development of plot and character.

After the break, Larry welcomes James Hibbard back onto the show to discuss his previous book The Art of Cycling: Philosophy, Meaning, and a Life on Two Wheels and his upcoming project. Hibbard,, a longtime cyclist, delves into effect the sport has on athlete’s physical and mental health. He also spotlights a few titles that explore the art of cycling such as The Flying Scotsman by Graeme Obree, The Beautiful Race by Colin O’Brien, and Higher Calling by Max Leonard. James also discusses his struggles with keratoconus and his periodic corneal transplants, and how he has adapted his fitness routine to balance healing with his passion for movement and exercise.

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Episode 76 – How Many Threads Connect Us to the Past and the Present? Authors Kevin Baker & J. M. Adams

May 23, 2024UncategorizedArtful periscope podcast, authoritarianism, Babe Ruth, Brooklyn Dodgers, Cautionary tale, Cora Walker, foundations of democracy, J. M. Adams, January 6th insurrection, Kevin Baker, Larry Davidson, Mets, Mickey Mantle, New York Giants, New York Mutuals, Sachem Public Library, Second Term, The Booth at The Sachem Public Library, The New York Game, Wall Street, Willie Mays, Yankeesartfulperiscope

How many threads connect us to the past and the present? On this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry is joined by his old friend and returning guest Kevin Baker, author of The New York Game: Baseball and the Rise of a New City. Larry and Kevin discuss Kevin’s childhood memories of Yankee Stadium and seeing legendary players like Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays in-person. Then the discussion then shifts to the history of baseball in New York, tracing its influence back to the early 1900’s and one of the earliest New York professional teams, The New York Mutuals. Then Kevin delves into the fierce rivalry between the New York Yankees, the New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers, and the division between Manhattan and Brooklyn. After the departure of the Dodgers and the Giants from New York, the discussion turns to the remaining team, the Yankees, and their most famous player Babe Ruth.

After the break, Larry welcomes J.M.Adams, a journalist with experience reporting for CBS and NBC news affiliates and the author of the thriller novel Second Term. Larry and Adams discuss his love of language and the dedication in his book to the police officers that defended The Capitol during the January 6th insurrection. Then they discuss the protagonist, Cora Walker, and how her ability to survive a male-dominated profession is informed by the experience of his wife, working as a Wall Street executive. Returning to the events of January 6th, Adams frames his novel as a cautionary tale regarding the dangers of authoritarianism in government as the story presents a terrifying future in which politics continues to become extreme and the foundations of democracy are threatened. Finally, they explore strong characters and how they can shape narratives in unexpected way.

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