Author

David Vandver

Non Fiction, Science

Jul 17: Jaime Green Explores The Possibility of Life Beyond Earth

July 18, 2024

Science, Imagination, and Our Quest for Kinship in the Cosmos

The Possibility of Life with author Jaime Green

One of the most frequently asked – yet unanswered – questions we humans ask about the cosmos, is: Are we alone?

Author Jaime Green says, while the science behind this is fascinating, it doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s a reflection of our values and aspirations, our fears and anxieties. And most importantly, our enduring sense of hope.

Jaime shares why the question we should really ask is, not “Is there life out there?“, but “What if … ?” We explore how science has influenced our history and culture, and the role that science fiction plays – think Star Trek and Avatar. Jaime also reveals if she’s answered the big question for herself … the question of what it means to human.  

Meet Jaime Green: Award-winning Science Author

Jaime Green is a freelance writer, editor, and writing teacher. The Possibility of Life was an NPR Science Friday Book Club Pick, a Wired Book to Read for Spring, and a TODAY Show Summer Pick. The series editor for The Best American Science and Nature Writing, Jaime Green is a lecturer at Smith College and at the Johns Hopkins Science Writing Master’s Program.

Continue reading
Health & Wellness, Lifestyle, Non Fiction, Psychology

Jul 03: Sue Van Raes Defines Food & Freedom

July 3, 2024

Discover Your Personal Recipe to Eat, Think, and Live Well

Food and Freedom with author Sue Van Raes

Sue Van Raes helps break through some of the misinformation and disinformation around our biochemistry, metabolism, and what that really means to us and our health – emotional, mental, and physical.

She says while most people blame food for their weight issues, food is actually a symptom. We discuss why embodied eating is important, and what that means. How aligned action benefits us. Where resistance shows up. How eating with your soul improves your life, and the best ways to overcome food coping skills such as comfort eating, food restriction, and food perfectionism.

Meet Sue Van Raes

The author of Food and Freedom: Discover Your Recipe to Eat, Think, and Live Well, Sue Van Raes is a functional nutritionist, food psychology specialist, and psycho-spiritual practitioner dedicated to helping women (and men) transform the way they eat, think, and live. Her work is featured in numerous publications including People magazine, Chopra, Livestrong, and Reader’s Digest. More about Sue at Boulder Nutrition.

Continue reading
Environment, Journalism, Non Fiction, Science, Social Issues

Jun 26: The Parrot & The Igloo with NYT Bestselling Author David Lipsky

June 26, 2024

Climate and the Science of Denial

The Parrot and the Igloo with author David Lipsky

“Lipsky spins top-flight climate literature into cliffhanger entertainment.” ~ The New York Times

He’s known as a writer who finds the stories behind the stories. In The Parrot And The Igloo: Climate And The Science Of Denial, David Lipsky explores how the virulent “anti-science” movement in America was no accident. It was planned, programmed, and paid for.

Today, David Lipsky shares why he describes his book as a story about ingenuity and folly. We look at some of the inventors who created our world. Scientists who sounded warning bells. Why Mark Mills is one of David’s favorite people in this story. How we went from being a country that supported science, to a population divided into science supporters versus science deniers, hucksters, and propagandists.

We learn when, how, and why planned “denial” movements began (think Christmas 1953 and cigarette companies). And who won the casting call to become the first Celebrity Doubter and “paid voice” behind the massive Climate Denial Campaign.

Meet Bestselling Author David Lipsky

David Lipsky is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Absolutely American and Although Of Course You End Up Becoming Yourself, the basis for the movie The End of the Tour. He’s written for The New York Times, The New Yorker, Rolling Stone, Harper’s Magazine, and is a recipient of the National Magazine Award and the GLAAD Media Award. His work has appeared in The Best American Short Stories and The Best American Magazine Writing anthologies. Lipsky teaches writing and literature at NYU and lives in New York City. The Parrot And The Igloo is a NYT Editors’ Choice, a New Yorker and Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2023, and a USA Today Must Read.

Continue reading
Health & Wellness, Inspirational, Memoir, Non Fiction, Self-help

May 08: Can Love Survive the Onslaught of Chronic Illness? On My Way Back to You with Sarah Cart

May 8, 2024

One Couple’s Journey Through Catastrophic Illness to Healing & Hope

On My Way Back to You with author Sarah Cart

Suddenly becoming a caregiver for a loved often means massive life changes, steep learning curves, and long draining hours where normal life – let alone selfcare – seems impossible.

When Sarah Cart was thrown into the role of caregiver to her ailing husband, she assumed the life she loved was behind her.

Today we discuss life before and after her husband’s unexpected diagnosis. How Sarah and Ben coped with the news of life-threatening medical issues. Some of their biggest challenges, and how caregiving affected their relationship as husband and wife.

We also highlight key takeaways from Sarah and Ben’s journey, including the importance of finding new passions, new opportunities. The need to construct a plan for worst-case scenarios. Signs to pay attention to. How to embrace selfcare – and what that looks like. Sarah also shares one of the best questions that friends and family can ask the caregiver to provide support.

Meet Sarah Cart

Journalist Sarah Cart was raised and educated in New York and New England, and wrote for multiple local publications while she and her husband, Ben, raised four sons in northeastern Ohio. When they became empty-nesters, the Carts moved to the Florida Keys, returning every summer to the Pennsylvania Poconos, where each had lifelong family connections. On My Way Back to You is Sarah Cart’s debut book and was written with Glenn Paskin.

Glenn Plaskin: Celebrity Interviewer and columnist Glenn Plaskin is the New York Times bestselling author of twenty-five books, specializing in memoir, business, self-help, leadership, and inspiration. 

Continue reading
Fiction, Nature, Writers on Writing

May 01: Bestselling Author of The Music of Bees Returns with a Story of Hope, Healing, & Unexpected Friendship

May 1, 2024

Crow Talk – A Novel Set in the Beautiful Pacific Northwest

Crow Talk with author Eileen Garvin

When three lost souls are thrown together in Eileen Garvin’s, Crow Talk, a journey begins for each protagonist in a story of love, grief, healing, and friendship. As each character struggles to reclaim their voice, they learn about the importance of family of choice, and the healing power of nature, in the darkest of times.

Eileen Garvin shares her inspiration for Crow Talk and her lead three key characters. Why she chose Mt Adams, Oregon, as the story location – and a baby crow as a catalyst to healing. We also discuss the writer’s-life, including the joys, challenges, and craft of writing. And why this author is now a committed bee-keeper.

Meet Eileen Garvin

Eileen Garvin is the national bestselling author of the Music of Bees, and has just released her second novel, Crow Talk. Born and raised in eastern Washington, Eileen lives in Hood River, Oregon. She and her husband share their home with a calico cat, a passionate Baja-mutt, four chickens, and about one hundred and twenty thousand honeybees.

Continue reading
Health & Wellness, Inspirational, Memoir, Nature, Non Fiction, Self-help

Apr 24: Blazing a Trail to Self-Love with Sydney Williams

April 24, 2024

Hiking Your Feelings

Hiking Your Feelings with author Sydney Williams

Unpack your trauma with wellness and wilderness enthusiast Sydney Williams, who went from eating and drinking away her feelings, to learning to embrace new possibilities while reclaiming her body, mind, and spirit.

But what if hiking isn’t your thing? Sydney explains in today’s conversation what she means by this and how you can adapt to suit your likes and lifestyle.

We discuss Sydney’s journey from a decade of heartache, self-loathing, anxiety, and stifled trauma to finding self-love and healing. Overcoming blame and shame. Finding healthy coping mechanisms. And the healing power of nature – rural and urban.

Meet Sydney Williams

Sydney Williams is the founder of Hiking My Feelings, a nonprofit dedicated to the healing power of nature. Her 15-year career in corporate communications included everything from working with Fortune 500 brands, to educating the public about the importance of stewardship and equitable access to recreational opportunities. Sydney has been featured in Huff Post, Psychology Today, U.S. News & World Report, and on the SXSW stage. A certified Wilderness First Responder, Sydney is an instructor at the Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park, an instructor at the Field Institute at Sequoia National Park, and a founding member of the Outdoorist Oath. Sydney Williams has been nominated for Woman of the Year by San Diego Magazine and Hiking Your Feelings: Blazing a Trail to Self-Love is her debut book.

Continue reading
Health & Wellness, Non Fiction, Personal Development, Women's Issues

Apr 17: Caroline Paul’s Quest to Discover How Adventure Improves Longevity & Emotional Wellbeing

April 17, 2024

Tough Broad: From Boogie Boarding to Wing Walking – How Outdoor Adventure Improves Our Lives as We Age

Tough Broad with author Caroline Paul

Caroline Paul is no stranger to adventure. But she’d often wondered why women are rarely encouraged to adventure into old age. That question drove her quest to understand the science, psychology, and health benefits of adventure in our lives.

We discuss the five pillars of adventure and how they lead to a more fulfilling life. What adventure really means. Some of the many amazing women around the country who are boogie boarding in their 80s, learning to skateboard in their 50s, and stretching beyond their comfort zones even from a wheelchair. How to cultivate awe in small moments and everyday things, and why that’s important. Caroline also shares her key takeaways from the experts she talked with and the research she conducted to improve longevity, and encourage physical and emotional wellbeing into old age.

Meet Caroline Paul, New York Times Bestselling Author

A former journalist turned firefighter, turned bestselling author, Caroline Paul graduated from Stanford in Communications. Gutsy Girl was a New York Times bestselling book, and Lost Cat was named Bestselling Book of the Year by Jezebel. Caroline Paul conducted scores of interviews and deeply researched the science and psychology of aging for her latest book, Tough Broad: From Boogie Boarding to Wing Walking – How Outdoor Adventure Improves Our Lives as We Age. More about Caroline Paul and her work.

Continue reading
Fiction, Suspense, Thriller, Writers on Writing

Apr 10: Lisa Gardner #1 NYT Bestselling Novelist on the Craft of Writing, Why She Took a Sabbatical, Her Latest Thriller

April 10, 2024

She Called Herself Death, But People Called Her The Devil  

Still See You Everywhere with author Lisa Gardner

Lisa Gardner joins us with her latest novel and third book in the Frankie Elkin series, Still See You Everywhere. Frankie Elkin is an expert at finding missing persons that the rest of the world has forgotten. But even she couldn’t have anticipated this latest request—to locate the long-lost sister of The Beautiful Butcher, a female serial killer facing execution in just three weeks.

We discuss everything from story concept to character development and how Lisa gets into the mind of a serial killer. How she keeps Frankie Elkin’s character evolving throughout a series. The difference between male and female serial killers, and some of the research Lisa dove into for this story. What it was like to return ‘to the chair’ after a year-long sabbatical. The easy bits, the not so so easy bits, of writing for this author. And, of course, craft … from a master storyteller.

Meet Lisa Gardner #1 NYT Bestselling Thriller Author

A self-described research junkie, Lisa Gardner has transformed her interest in police procedure and criminal minds into a streak of internationally acclaimed novels, published across 30 countries. She’s had four books become TV movies (At the Midnight Hour; The Perfect Husband; The Survivors Club; Hide) and has made personal appearances on TruTV and CNN. Lisa’s books have received awards from across the globe. Her novel, The Neighbor, won Best Hardcover Novel from the International Thriller Writers, and the Grand Prix des Lectrices de Elle in France. More about Lisa Gardner.

Continue reading
Fiction, Historical, Writers on Writing

Apr 03: Jennifer Rosner Discusses Once We Were Home

April 3, 2024

National Jewish Book Award Finalist

Once We Were Home with author Jennifer Rosner

Based on true stories of children stolen in the wake of World War II, Jennifer Rosner joins us with her latest historical novel, Once We Were Home.

She raises questions around complicity versus responsibility, the struggle to find identity and belonging, how good intentions often create unforeseen consequences., And what home and family really means.

We also discuss the little-known, true-events that inspired Jennifer’s story including the Germanization of stolen children (Jews and Christians) under Nazi reign. How she kept track of her four key characters, with multiple changing timelines, and name changes. And what presented the author with the most challenge while writing Once We Were Home.

Meet Jennifer Rosner

Jennifer Rosner is the author of the novels Once We Were Home and The Yellow Bird Sings, both finalists for the National Jewish Book Award. She also wrote a memoir If a Tree Falls, and the children’s book, The Mitten String, a Sydney Taylor Book Award Notable. Jennifer’s short writing has appeared in the New York Times, The Times of Israel, The Massachusetts Review, The Forward, and elsewhere. In addition to writing, Jennifer has taught philosophy, and earned her Ph.D. from Stanford University.

Continue reading
Fiction, Thriller, Writers on Writing

Mar 27: A Killing On The Hill with Robert Dugoni

March 27, 2024

Inspired by a True Story Set in 1930s Seattle

A Killing on the Hill with author Robert Dugoni

Known for his crime mystery thrillers, Robert Dugoni joins us with an exciting genre shift. A Killing On The Hill is Robert’s long-awaited foray into historical fiction. Set in Seattle during the 1930’s Great Depression, think high-level corruption, prohibition, glamorous nightlife, and a real-life murder mystery.

We discuss what Seattle was like in the 1930s. How Robert discovered the story of the real-life murder of prizefighter, Frankie Ray, and accused murderer George Moore. How Robert adapted the true story for his thriller. Why he changed his original protagonist from lawyer to journalist, and how that drove the story. The challenges of staying true to the culture and vocabulary of the 1930s, while being sensitive to today’s cultural expectations … and more.

Meet Robert Dugoni

A critically acclaimed New York Times, Wall St. Journal, Washington Post, and Amazon Charts bestselling author, Robert Dugoni is the recipient of the Nancy Pearl Book Award for fiction, and a four-time winner of the Friends of Mystery Spotted Owl Award. Dugoni is best known for the Tracy Crosswhite police procedural series. He is also the author of the Charles Jenkins espionage series, the David Sloane legal thrillers, the Keera Duggan legal thriller series, and several standalone novels.

Continue reading

  • Categories

  • Past Shows