Tag Archives: The Booth at The Sachem Public Library

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

April 22, 2023UncategorizedA Spy in Plain Sight, FBI, Federal Proscutor, Larry Davidson, Larry Davidson productions, Lis Wiehl, Robert Hanssen, spying for the Russians, The Booth at The Sachem Public Libraryartfulperiscope

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe Spotify | Email | More

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

April 8, 2023UncategorizedHereafter: The Telling Life of Ellen O'Hara, Larry Davidson, Larry Davidson productions, Peter Blauner, Picture in the Sand, Sachem Public Library, The Booth at The Sachem Public Library, Vona groarkeartfulperiscope

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe Spotify | Email | More

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

March 25, 2023UncategorizedAlma Katsu, Artful periscope podcast, CIA, Intelligence Analyst, Larry Davidson, Larry Davidson productions, Red London, Sachem Library, The Booth at The Sachem Public Library, United States Intelligenceartfulperiscope

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

Facebook

Instagram

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 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 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

Episode 33 – What is the thread that connects us to complex characters? Authors Julian Rubenstein and Ellen Meister

September 30, 2022UncategorizedAfrican American experience, African American violance, African american violence, Ellen Meister, female protagonists, gang violence, Julian Rubinstein, Larry Davidson, Larry Davidson productions, Larrydavidsonproductions.com, marketing stories, murder mystery, Sachem Library, Terrance Roberts, The Booth at The Sachem Public Library, The Holly, The Rooftop Partyartfulperiscope

What is the thread that connects us to complex characters? It’s an “alumni” episode! Larry chats with previous guests Julian Rubenstein and Ellen Meister.

Julian discusses his non-fiction work, The Holly: Five Bullets, One Gun and the Struggle to Save an American Neighborhood. and what it is like as an outsider to the community he focuses on, and the importance of making community connections. Larry has Julian expand his thoughts on how the impact of gang violence affects African American communities and the complex personality of Terrance Roberts, the anti-gang activist at the heart of the book.

Fellow alumni, Ellen Meister drops by to speak about her book The Rooftop Party, which features a puzzling, murder, a glitzy shopping channel, and a witty female protagonist trying to clear her name. Meister discusses the difficulty of marketing stories that don’t quite fit in a specific genre, the impact of the “Me Too” movement and her process for naming characters.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe Spotify | Email | More