Show Schedule | CONVERSATIONS LIVE with VICKI ST. CLAIR | Talk Radio to Inspire, Inform, Ignite.

APR 06: Author Michelle Black Exposes Military Cover Up in Sacrifice

April 6, 2022

A Gold Star Widow’s Fight for the Truth

Michelle Black went from wife and mom to investigative journalist when her Green Beret husband Bryan Black was ambushed and killed in Niger. She was met with a flood of military disinformation, where they blamed and shamed Black and his team for going rogue. The media blindly repeated the military’s version of the ambush, and that ignited widow Michelle Black‘s search for the truth — no matter what.

We discuss the Black’s life before the military, before the fatal mission. How leadership ignored the advice to abort, and the many challenges Michelle faced interviewing survivors to get to the heart of the truth. But she never gave up trying to restore Bryan’s reputation, and eventually exposed the military cover up that left her children fatherless.

About Michelle Black

Michelle Black is mom to two boys, a Gold Star widow, and author. She has a degree in environmental sciences and horticulture. She’s been published in the New York Times, The Daily Beast, and Task & Purpose. Sacrifice: A Gold Star Widow’s Fight for the Truth is her debut book.

Fiction, Suspense, Writers on Writing

Mar 30: Heather Gudenkauf with Overnight Guest

March 30, 2022

“Fully realized, wholly absorbing & almost painfully suspenseful…” ~ The New York Times

Thrilled to talk again with Heather Gudenkauf about her latest page turner, The Overnight Guest.

Heather shares the true story that sparked an idea for The Overnight Guest. Why she chose a true-crime writer as her protagonist. How she managed different timelines and multiple points of view – and how she did all that while setting a pace that fully engages readers and brings the stories together. Heather also reveals how she takes an ugly first draft and polishes it to become a riveting story and New York Times bestseller.

About Heather Gudenkauf

Heather Gudenkauf is an Edgar Award nominated, New York Times & USA Today bestselling author, and The Overnight Guest is her ninth novel. Heather lives in Iowa and in her free time enjoys having fun with family, reading, swimming, and hiking (with her very spoiled German Shorthaired Pointer, Lolo).

Fiction, Suspense, Writers on Writing

MAR 23: Girl in Ice with Erica Ferencik

March 23, 2022

The ice caps of Greenland, a suspicious death, a frozen child who speaks a language no one’s heard of …

When linguist Val Chesterfield receives an urgent email asking for help, she reluctantly leaves the shelter of her books and studies, to head north.

Award-winning author Erica Ferencik spent a month in Greenland developing the backdrop for Girl In Ice. Today she shares highlights from the exciting boots on the ground, butt-in-the-kayak research expedition that informed her story. We also discuss character development, why she wrote the first draft before traveling to Greenland, and the inspiration behind Girl in Ice.

About Erica Ferencik

Erica Ferencik considers her MA in Creative Writing from Boston University just the beginning of her literary education. Her 35 years of writing — novels, short stories, essays, ghostwriting, 10 years of standup and sketch comedy, as well as dozens of screenplays, and a brief filmmaking stint — was her boots-on-the-ground training. Erica’s work has appeared in Salon and the Boston Globe, as well as on National Public Radio. Other novels include Into the Jungle and The River at Night.

Fiction, Writers on Writing

Mar 16: Dinitia Smith with The Prince

March 16, 2022

A modern retelling of The Golden Bowl by Henry James

Inspired by Henry James’ story from 1904, England, The Prince is set in contemporary pre-pandemic times, from a grand mansion on the Upper East Side of Manhattan to a magical private island in Long Island Sound. Everything suggests that the wealthy Woodford family lives an idyllic life. But the reality is quite different.

How did author Dinitia Smith recreate James’ classic novel to make the story and characters her own? She shares what inspired her to reimagine The Golden Bowl, interesting facts about the golden bowl itself; and why she writes about relationships.

About Dinitia Smith

For 11 years, Dinitia Smith was a reporter at the New York Times where she wrote on literary topics and intellectual trends. She is the author of four previous novels, including The Illusionist, a New York Times Notable Book of the Year. Dinitia’s won numerous awards for her writing, including fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts. She’s also written many short stories published in a wide range of magazines. Dinitia Smith’s Emmy Award winning film, Passing Quietly Through, was chosen for the New York Film Festival, and shown at the Whitney Museum and the Museum of Modern Art.

Fiction, Writers on Writing, Young Adult Fiction

Mar 08: Sabaa Tahir with deeply personal novel – All My Rage

March 9, 2022

#1 NYT bestselling author of the Ember in the Ashes series

Sabaa Tahir describes All My Rage as the book of her heart. It’s a story that was 15 years in the making, and we find out why during our conversation.

Beginning in Lahore Pakistan, and moving to Juniper California, All My Rage is inspired by Sabba’s childhood growing up in California’s Mojave Desert at her family’s 18-room motel.

Sabaa shares what she means by being an honest writer and how that informs her work. Why she writes young adult fiction. How a playground friendship saved her. What challenges her most as writer. Why hope is important and failure is part of the journey. And why her new novel is called All My Rage.

About Sabaa Tahir

Sabaa Tahir has been an author since 2015 . Before that, she was a journalist, and wrote her first book while working nights as a a copyeditor. All My Rage has received great reviews from writers such as Jodi Picoult and Nicola Yoon, and a TV adaptation of the story is currently in the works with Picturestart.

Business, Creativity, Non Fiction, Personal Development, Professional Development

Mar 02: Amy Herman with Fixed – How to Perfect the Fine Art of Problem-Solving

March 2, 2022

How art can help you overcome challenges, make decisions, & sharpen critical thinking skills

Wayne Dyer said “Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change.” And that concept inspired today’s guest to launch a whole new career as the president of The Art of Perception, Inc., based in New York.

Sometimes, all it takes to solve a problem is a paradigm shift. In Fixed, Amy E Herman shares how we can facilitate that shift and hone our powers of perception by looking at art – from paintings and sculptures to mixed media and photography. She shows how learning to see art more astutely, helps uncover deep-seated truths that often obstruct optimal decision-making.

About Amy E Herman – Author of Fixed: How to Perfect the Fine Art of Problem Solving.

Amy E Herman is the founder and president of The Art of Perception, Inc., an organization that conducts professional development courses for leaders around the world – from Secret Service agents, the FBI, the Department of Defense, Doctors Without Borders, and NATO. Herman is a lawyer and art historian. She was Head of Education at The Frick Collection, where she oversaw the museum’s educational collaborations and community initiatives.

Health & Wellness, Personal Development, Self-help

Feb 23: Realign Your Energy & Prioritize Wellbeing in the Digital Age with Christina Crook

February 23, 2022

Good Burdens: How to Live Joyfully in the Digital Age

Forget #FOMO and aim for #JOMO with the Marie Kondo of Digital. Christina Crook offers concrete solutions for thriving with tech. She shares why the internet was making her lazy as a thinker, writer, and friend – and why seeing a priest bless an old Blackberry was her tipping point.

From her book Good Burdens we discuss the elements of joy, the importance of commitment, the immense power of being brave. And what it takes to realign your energy and prioritize your wellbeing so that tech works for you versus the other way around.

About Christina Crook

Christina Crook is a pioneer and leading voice in the field of digital wellbeing. As the author of the award-winning book The Joy of Missing Out: Finding Balance in a Wired World and the leader of a global #JOMO movement, she regularly shares her insights in outlets including The New York Times, Harper’s Bazaar and the BBC. Christina Crook’s latest book is Good Burdens: How to Live Joyfully in the Digital Age.

Journalism, Non Fiction

Feb 16: Stephen Kurczy’s quest to understand The Quiet Zone

February 16, 2022

Unpacking the Mysteries of a Town Suspended in Silence

Imagine a place completely disconnected from everyday tech. Where you’re not supposed to use cell phones; where the peaceful solitude of forest hikes is never invaded by ringtones or one-way conversations. Where getting lost means unfolding a map because GPS won’t work?

When Stephen Kurczy embarked on his three-year journey to understand The Quiet Zone, he figured a community based in quiet would be idyllic. He hadn’t owned a cell phone for 10 years, so he’d fit right in … right?

Among the hippies, mountain men, and electrosensitives, he also uncovered a darker side of this Appalachian region — unsolved murders, Nazis, a government spy facility. Can you say conspiracy theories?

About Stephen Kurczy

From the Cambodia’s muddy jungles to the dense rain forests of Brazil, award-winning investigative journalist Stephen Kurczy, reported stories from around the globe for The Christian Science Monitor, The Economist, The New York Times, and other publications. The Quiet Zone is Stephen Kurczy’s debut nonfiction book.

Fiction, Thriller, Writers on Writing

Feb 09: Brad Taylor with End of Days

February 9, 2022

Book 16 in the NYT Bestselling Pike Logan Series

Listener favorite Brad Taylor returns with his latest Pike Logan thriller, End of Days. While working to solve a brutal murder, taskforce operators Pike Logan and Jennifer Cahill stumble upon the trail of a serial killer loose on the streets of Rome, and follow evidence leading to the exalted Knights of Malta.

We discuss Brad’s biggest challenge in writing End of Days. How – known for his active boots on the ground approach to research – Brad gathered details for End of Days during a pandemic. Why he included Covid. Where and why he took creative license. How Brad’s daughter inspired one of the scenes … and more.

About Brad Taylor

Brad Taylor retired as a Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel after serving 21 years, including including eight years in 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment – popularly known as Delta Force. He’s the author of 16 New York Times bestselling books including American Traitor, Hunter Killer, and his latest, End of Days.

Health & Wellness, Non Fiction, Science

Feb 02: Use the New Science of Body Movement to Set Your Mind Free with Caroline Williams

February 2, 2022

Move! by the author of My Plastic Brain

Studies say sitting is the new smoking — and the average American adult spends 70% of their time sitting or lying down. Imagine what that does to your body over time. And now, we know, it also affects your mind and mental health.

In Move! journalist Caroline Williams explores the emerging science of how movement opens up a hotline to our minds. Interviewing Nobel prize winning scientists, yoga gurus, and practitioners of all kinds of movement, she reveals that while going to the gym is great, it’s not necessarily the best or only solution.

Today we discuss how core strength is linked to stress and anxiety control. Why stretching can override the mood-sapping effects of an overactive immune system. What dance can do for our emotional literacy. Why physical strength translates into emotional resilience … and more.

About Caroline Williams

Science journalist Caroline Williams says “I like talking almost as much as I like writing”, and over the years she has produced and presented radio programs and reports for the BBC, across Science, Natural History, and Children’s Radio. She has more than 20 years of experience in science journalism and writes regularly for New Scientist magazine, Her work’s been featured in the Boston Globe, BBC Earth, the Guardian, and more. She was also co-presenter of the New Scientist podcast. Move! How the Science of Body Movement Can Set Your Mind Free is Caroline’s second book.

APR 06: Author Michelle Black Exposes Military Cover Up in Sacrifice

A Gold Star Widow’s Fight for the Truth

About Michelle Black

Mar 30: Heather Gudenkauf with Overnight Guest

“Fully realized, wholly absorbing & almost painfully suspenseful…” ~ The New York Times

About Heather Gudenkauf

MAR 23: Girl in Ice with Erica Ferencik

The ice caps of Greenland, a suspicious death, a frozen child who speaks a language no one’s heard of …

About Erica Ferencik

Mar 16: Dinitia Smith with The Prince

A modern retelling of The Golden Bowl by Henry James

About Dinitia Smith

Mar 08: Sabaa Tahir with deeply personal novel – All My Rage

#1 NYT bestselling author of the Ember in the Ashes series

Mar 02: Amy Herman with Fixed – How to Perfect the Fine Art of Problem-Solving

How art can help you overcome challenges, make decisions, & sharpen critical thinking skills

About Amy E Herman – Author of Fixed: How to Perfect the Fine Art of Problem Solving.

Feb 23: Realign Your Energy & Prioritize Wellbeing in the Digital Age with Christina Crook

Good Burdens: How to Live Joyfully in the Digital Age

About Christina Crook

Feb 16: Stephen Kurczy’s quest to understand The Quiet Zone

Unpacking the Mysteries of a Town Suspended in Silence

About Stephen Kurczy

Feb 09: Brad Taylor with End of Days

Book 16 in the NYT Bestselling Pike Logan Series

About Brad Taylor

Feb 02: Use the New Science of Body Movement to Set Your Mind Free with Caroline Williams

Move! by the author of My Plastic Brain

About Caroline Williams

Categories

Past Shows

Popular posts

Feb 11: Return of the Osprey with NYT Bestselling Author David Gessner

Oct 02: #1 NYT Bestselling Author J.A. Jance with Den of Iniquity

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

Mar 05: Itching to Love with Award-winning Author Shelley Fraser Mickle

Feb 04: Money, Ambition, Succession, Power, & Dark Family Secrets

Feb 26: #1 International Bestselling Author Steve Berry with The Devil's Bible