Author Interview

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.

Health & Wellness, Nature, Non Fiction, Science

AUG 05: The Well-Gardened Mind with Dr. Sue Stuart-Smith

August 5, 2020

Mental health issues in America are at an all time high, and with everything that’s going on right now, it’s not surprising that many people are struggling.

Studies show that connecting with nature can lift our spirits and provide long-term health benefits. Dr. Sue Stuart-Smith shares insights, neuroscience, and anecdotes to help us understand why. We discuss what a well-gardened mind means. Why so many famous artists are inspired by nature. What happens to our brain when we see beauty. And how nature can heal mind, body, spirit.

Dr. Sue Stuart-Smith is an accomplished psychiatrist and psychotherapist. She currently teaches at the Tavistock Clinic in London and is a consultant to the UK DocHealth Service. Her new book is THE WELL-GARDENED MIND: The Restorative Power of Nature.

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.

Conservation, Environment, Non Fiction, Social Issues, Sustainability

JUL 22: Facing the Climate Emergency with Dr. Margaret Klein Salamon

July 22, 2020

“You can create transformative change only by facing the truth.” So much of the battle to save the climate is psychological and Dr. Margaret Klein Salamon’s new book, Facing the Climate Emergency: How to Transform Yourself with Climate Truth, gives you the tools to face your negative emotions, accept your fears, and channel them into protecting humanity and the natural world.

So what is the Climate Truth we need to face? Simply put, Dr. Margaret Klein Salamon believes the scientific consensus that our current ecological crisis threatens every life on our planet.

Margaret Klein Salamon, PhD, is a clinical psychologist turned climate warrior and founder of The Climate Mobilization, which pioneered the internationally recognized Climate Emergency.

Health & Wellness, Non Fiction, Personal Development, Self-help

JUL 08: The 12 Rules of Attention with Dr. Joseph Cardillo

July 8, 2020

We often use the words mindfulness and attention interchangeably, yet they have quite different meanings says Dr. Joseph Cardillo. He returns to Conversations Live to explain how recognizing that difference can make a big impact on your happiness, at work, and with life in general. We also discuss how to talk to your brain using visualization as a powerful method of communication, and what we can learn from nature.

Dr. Cardillo covers all of this and more in his new book The 12 Rules of Attention: How to Avoid Screw-Ups, Free Up Headspace, Do More & Be More At Work.

Dr. Joseph Cardillo is an inspirational speaker and sought after expert on energy teaching, as well as best-selling author of several books in the fields of health, mind-body-spirit; and psychology. He holds a PhD in holistic psychology and mind-body-medicine and is a regular contributor to Psychology Today, Live Happy magazine, and The Huffington Post.

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.

Arts, Fiction, Writers on Writing

JUN 10: Alka Joshi with The Henna Artist

June 10, 2020

Today Vicki chats with author Alka Joshi about her new book The Henna Artist. Alka shares some of the intimate details of her relationship with her mother that led her to develop the main character in the book, and reveals the cultural traditions and legacies of India in the process. She also shares her own personal story of what it’s like to be a nine year old immigrant in a strange and new culture.

Born in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India, Alka has lived in the U.S. since the age of nine. She graduated from Stanford University and worked in the fields of advertising and PR before starting her own marketing consultancy. In 2011, she obtained her MFA in Creative Writing from the California College of Arts in San Francisco, California. The Henna Artist is her first novel.

Alka shares her writing and publishing process on her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqNLMIc32Z-y4hzkiE3o6rQ

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.

AUG 19: Olive the Lionheart with Brad Ricca

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

AUG 05: The Well-Gardened Mind with Dr. Sue Stuart-Smith

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

JUL 08: The 12 Rules of Attention with Dr. Joseph Cardillo

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

JUN 10: Alka Joshi with The Henna Artist

JUN 03: The Last Trial with Scott Turow

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

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