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SEP 02: How Animals Help Improve Spiritual, Mental, Physical Well-Being with Richard Louv

September 2, 2020

Bringing you an interview today that was recorded with Richard Louv shortly before COVID 19, but is timely because study after study shows how spending more time in nature, and with animals, can help us manage stressful times.

Richard shares how connecting with animals can improve our spiritual, mental, and physical well-being. Why a coyote riding public transportation could become the new norm. How dogs can teach children ethical behavior. And … what Richard means when he compares raccoons to Silicone Valley and Seattle technophiles.

Richard Louv is the author of ten books, and the co-founder and Chair Emeritus of The Children & Nature Network. In good company with icons like Sir David Attenborough and Rachel Carson, Richard Louv earned the prestigious Audubon Medal in 2008. Today we look at his new book Our Wild Calling: How Connecting with Animals Can Transform our Lives — and Save Theirs.

Non Fiction, Social Issues, Women's Issues

AUG 26: Julie Suk with We The Women & Why the Equal Rights Amendment Matters

August 26, 2020

Julie Suk joins us to discuss stories from her new book WE THE WOMEN: The Unstoppable Mothers of the Equal Rights Amendment.

We explore why the ERA still hasn’t made it into the U.S. Constitution — and who’s blocking it. What that means to women today, and what to do about it. Julie also highlights some of the brilliant women suffragists who’ve kept pushing the ERA forward despite fierce opposition and subterfuge.

Julie C. Suk is a frequent media commentator on legal issues affecting women. She’s a professor of Sociology, Political Science, and Liberal Studies at the the Graduate Center of the City University of New York where she serves as Dean for Master’s Programs.

History, Non Fiction, Women's Issues

AUG 19: Olive the Lionheart with Brad Ricca

August 19, 2020

It’s 1910 when 30-year-old redhead and Scottish socialite Olive MacLeod defies all wisdom, packs her bags, and travels to Africa to find her missing fiance. Author Brad Ricca tells the true story of Olive the Lionheart based on her own journals and photographs, the lost journals of her fiance — naturalist Boyd Alexander — and the many letters that crossed continents between them.

Olive’s adventure of the heart sweeps her across deserts, cities, swamps, and jungles. We discuss what was at the heart of the journey, and what drove her. Because while some define her as a hero, Olive realizes in Africa that her journey’s not just about finding her fiance. It’s also about facing her demons and finding herself.

Brad Ricca is an award-winning writer and the Edgar-nominated author of the bestselling Mrs. Sherlock Holmes. He has appeared in documentaries on the History Channel and AMC. And has been a guest on shows such as Criminal, All Things Considered, and BBC Radio. More about Brad Ricca’s work and Olive the Lionheart: Lost Love, Imperial Spies, and Woman’s Journey into the Heart of Africa.

Non Fiction, Personal Development, Psychology

AUG 12: Thriving During COVID-19 & Other Crises with Dr. Jim Taylor

August 12, 2020

While we can’t control a crisis, we can control how we respond. Today, Dr. Jim Taylor shares a little science and a lot of practical solutions to help you transform from crisis mentality to opportunity mindset.

We discuss why anger can be good at the start of a crisis but then work against us. What Dr. Jim means by negative emotion chain. How to make better decisions when everything around us is crazed. And how our values may help, or hinder, us during bad times.

Dr. Jim Taylor is the author of How to Survive & Thrive When Bad Things Happen: 9 Steps to Cultivating and Opportunity Mindset in a Crisis. He’s internationally recognized for his work in the psychology of critical performance. And has authored 17 books, published over 700 articles, and appeared on major news networks.

Career, Non Fiction, Personal Development

JUL 29: Navigating Change & Things Outside Our Control with Maggie Craddock

July 29, 2020

How are you coping with America’s pandemic, politics, cultural wars, and job losses? Has your life or career been impacted? If not, chances are, it will be – and wouldn’t you rather be ready?

Maggie Craddock uses the experiences of Titanic survivors to share lessons learned in Lifeboat: Navigating Unexpected Career Change and Disruption – lessons that apply to our business and personal life.

We discuss Big Ship Mindset and the benefits of Lifeboat Mindset. Why we should pay attention to ‘group energy’. How lack of trust in friends and colleagues often leads to isolation and distancing from our authentic selves.

Maggie Craddock is a veteran executive coach who works with Fortune 500 senior management. She’s also authored The Authentic Career and Power Genes.

Fiction, Writers on Writing

JUN 24: #1 NYT Bestselling Thriller Author on The Last Odyssey

June 24, 2020

James Rollins blends science, history, and thrills in The Last Odyssey — the 15th of his books in the Sigma series.

We share how James’ travels and some of the history he discovered inspired the story. And separate fact from fiction by exploring where and why he took creative license. We also take a quick look at what’s coming later in 2020 in a book of short fiction stories.

James Rollins is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of international thrillers, translated into more than forty languages, with more than 25 million copies sold.

Fiction, Writers on Writing

JUN 03: The Last Trial with Scott Turow

June 3, 2020

#1 New York Times bestselling author of Presumed Innocent joins Conversations Live with his new explosive legal thriller, The Last Trial.

We discuss why, as an already established writer, Scott Turow became a lawyer. How he’s evolved his favorite recurring character, Alejandro “Sandy” Stern — now 85 years old. And we explore two of the big questions at the heart of the book: What’s the value of a life? And what do we do, when our strongly held beliefs are pushed to the limit?

Scott Turow is the author of 11 bestselling works of fiction and two nonfiction. His books have sold more than 30 million copies, and have been adapted into movies and television projects. He’s frequently contributed to the New York Times, Washington Post, Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, and The Atlantic.

Lifestyle, Non Fiction, Sustainability

MAY 27: Attainable Sustainable–The Lost Art of Self-Reliant Living by Kris Bordessa

May 27, 2020

Kris Bordessa says the past few decades have “done a number” on what we consider normal. Now, COVID-19 has disrupted that normal, and many are trying to create their own new-normal, by becoming more self-reliant. So how can we create a sustainable, more natural way of living regardless of where we live? One small step at a time, from wherever we begin, says Kris.

We discuss her #1 success tip. How to create a greener lifestyle when time and money is limited. Microgreens, the easiest vegetables to grow, and easy ways to ferment foods like sauerkraut. Why your bunny’s poop makes great fertilizer. And why her natural living blog made National Geographic come calling.

Kris Bordessa is an eco-expert, freelance writer, and author. She created the blog Attainable-Sustainable in 2011. Her new book is Attainable Sustainable: The Lost Art of Self-Reliant Living.

History, Non Fiction

MAY 20: The Lincoln Conspiracy with Brad Meltzer

May 20, 2020

“ … a story few people know, one that’s set in a time of deep political division in America … It shows us what good leaders can do in times of strife – perfectly on point for where our country is today.” Brad Meltzer

Brad Meltzer returns to Conversations Live to share some of the stories from The Lincoln Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill America’s 16th President and Why it Failed. While most Americans know Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, few know of the first attempt on his life. It happened on the way to his inauguration, setting his presidency off to a rocky start. We discuss the challenges he faced as an underdog and how, even during times of civil war, Lincoln’s primary aim was to unite the country.

Brad Meltzer is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Escape Artist and many other bestselling thrillers, as well as the Ordinary People Change the World series. He is also the host of the History Channel TV shows Brad Meltzer’s Decoded and Brad Meltzer’s Lost History. Meltzer coauthored The Lincoln Conspiracy with Josh Mensch, a New York Times bestselling author and documentary television producer, with a focus on American history.

Fiction, Writers on Writing

MAY 13: Love, Death, and Rare Books by Robert Hellenga

May 13, 2020

Award winning writer, Robert Hellenga, joins us with his eighth novel, Love, Death, and Rare Books. BOOKLIST describes the story as “... an ode to physical books, their smell and feel, but also to the idea of both living life and reading about it, not choosing one over the other.”

Robert’s been writing for 40 years about love and loss, so what does he know now that he wishes he’d known when he first began his writing journey? How did the Italian men who worked for his father influence him as a child? And what did he learn about the rare book business during his story research? He’ll answer these questions and more today.

Robert Helenga’s many accolades range from The Pen Syndicated Fiction Award, to the Washington Post “Best Novels of 2010″, and the Society of Midland Authors 2015 fiction award. Hellenga is professor emeritus at Knox College in Galesburg, where he taught for many years.

SEP 02: How Animals Help Improve Spiritual, Mental, Physical Well-Being with Richard Louv

AUG 19: Olive the Lionheart with Brad Ricca

AUG 12: Thriving During COVID-19 & Other Crises with Dr. Jim Taylor

JUL 29: Navigating Change & Things Outside Our Control with Maggie Craddock

JUN 24: #1 NYT Bestselling Thriller Author on The Last Odyssey

JUN 03: The Last Trial with Scott Turow

MAY 27: Attainable Sustainable–The Lost Art of Self-Reliant Living by Kris Bordessa

MAY 20: The Lincoln Conspiracy with Brad Meltzer

MAY 13: Love, Death, and Rare Books by Robert Hellenga

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