Outstanding Authors Nicholas Sweedo

Author:Vicki Mayk is the author of Growing Up on the Gridiron, a book about Owen Thomas, a student and football player at the University of Pennsylvania who committed suicide.  Owen was also my next-door neighbor. Matt, Morgan, Owen, Kathy, and Tom Thomas Conversation:Total run time: 38:24 3:59 - Why Vicki wrote this book 8:35 - My relationship with Matt15:35 - My memories of Owen, including when he broke our window with a bb gun21:38 - Penn professor Adam Grant on how Owen was special25:28 - Football as a brotherhood, and if any changes to football should be made32:05 - Impressions of Parkland School District Your browser does not support this audio The embedded player works best in Google Chrome.  You can download the mp3 by clicking here, and the podcast is available in iTunes.

Author: Dr. Andrew Selee is the president of the Migration Policy Institute and the author of Vanishing Frontiers: The Forces Driving Mexico and the United States Together.  Conversation: Total run time: 26:21   2:38 - US and Mexico as highly integrated neighbors   7:26 - The "Mexican Dream": Americans moving to Mexico   9:32 - Current state of immigration, including caravans and the border wall 18:51 - Impact of anti-immigrant rhetoric 21:24 - Mexican president Obrador 23:05 - Best places in Mexico to visit Your browser does not support this audio The embedded player works best in Google Chrome.  You can download the mp3 by clicking here, and the podcast is available in iTunes.

Author: George Vecsey is an author and former columnist for the New York Times. We talk about his experience covering soccer detailed in his book Eight World Cups.  Visit George online at georgevecsey.com, and follow him on twitter @georgevecsey.  Conversation: Total run time: 55:13   2:29 - The state of soccer coverage in America in 1982   6:41 - Turning his experiences into a book 10:07 - The great fans from Trinidad and Tobago 12:53 - US vs. Brazil: July 4, 1994 14:49 - The joy of traveling 20:12 - Best player, team, and national anthem 28:11 - Alternatives (or lack thereof) to penalty kick shootouts 31:39 - The state of American soccer 38:35 - Baseball talk, including best players and Hall of Fame voting 46:01 - The future of American football 48:14 - Crossing paths with Donald Trump Your browser does not support this audio The embedded player works best in Google Chrome.  You can download the mp3 by clicking here, and the podcast is available in iTunes. Additional Links: Leonardo's elbow on Tab Ramos in USA vs. Brazil Zinedine Zidane's masterful '98 World Cup Final The New Zealand national anthem

Screenwriter: Pen Densham is a screenwriter, author, director, and producer. We talk mostly about Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, which he co-wrote and produced and which I recently profiled. He also wrote the book Riding the Alligator: Strategies for a Career in Screenplay Writing. Conversation: Total run time: 41:02   1:41 - How he got started on Robin Hood 10:36 - The Robin Hood soundtrack 14:13 - Starting the movie with the Crusades 18:30 - Alan Rickman as the Sheriff of Nottingham 23:25 - Kevin Costner's performance 25:41 - Sean Connery's cameo 27:56 - His work on Rocky II Your browser does not support this audio The embedded player works best in Google Chrome.  You can download the mp3 by clicking here, and the podcast is available in iTunes.

Author: J.W. Rinzler is a former editor at Lucasfilm where he wrote several books including the one we'll be discussing on this podcast, The Complete Making of Indiana Jones.  You can purchase the book on Amazon and can visit J.W. on his website. Special Guest: Joseph Passman is an Iraq War Veteran, a PhD candidate, a childhood friend, and a seeker of fortune and glory. Conversation: Total run time: 53:15   2:20 - How J.W. got started at Lucasfilm 10:31 - CGI and its effect on quality 14:58 - Temple of Doom and Last Crusade 18:33 - Crystal Skull 23:10 - Indy 5 25:35 - George Lucas 33:06 - J.W.'s current projects 35:12 - Joined by special guest Joe Passman to talk all things Indiana Jones Your browser does not support this audio The embedded player works best in Google Chrome.  You can also download the mp3 by clicking here, and the podcast is available in iTunes.

Author: Erik Kirschbaum is a correspondent for Reuters based in Germany.  His latest book is Soccer Without Borders: Jürgen Klinsmann, Coaching the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team and the Quest for the World Cup, on sale at Amazon.  Conversation: Total run time: 41:10   0:47 - How Erik met Jürgen Klinsmann and how the book came about.  12:17 - Klinsmann's competitive side and how he deals with criticism. 17:21 - The time Klinsmann asked the ref not to give his opponent a red card. 21:42 - Klinsmann's job security and future. 26:03 - Ways to improve the U.S. men's national team. 33:13 - The atmosphere at a European soccer match. 38:18 - What Germans think about the U.S. Presidential election. Your browser does not support this audio The embedded player works best in Google Chrome.  You can also download the mp3 by clicking here, and the podcast is available in iTunes.