The Story Blender

The Story Blender
  • 4.7 (34)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

WHERE GREAT STORYTELLERS SHARE THE SECRETS TO GREAT STORYTELLING. Hosted by Steven James.

  1. Season 10 - Episode 8: C.J. Box

    5D AGO

    Season 10 - Episode 8: C.J. Box

    C.J. Box, the #1 New York Times bestselling author, joins me this week to talk about his iconic character, Joe Pickett, and his latest novel, THE CROSSROADS. Learn why he’s named “Joe,” what makes him so appealing, and how he has grown over the years. C.J. shares his thoughts about believability, authenticity, the importance of the West in his stories, and his personal advice to all aspiring authors. Check it out!

    41 min
  2. Season 10 Episode 7: Wendy Walker

    FEB 12

    Season 10 Episode 7: Wendy Walker

    With the Olympics here this month, there’s no better time to check out a chilling, ice skating thriller. This week, bestselling author Wendy Walker, author of the critically acclaimed new novel BLADE, joins me to talk about her approach, how details matter, adding authenticity to stories, and what is more important—plotting or receptivity. As a former competitive ice skater, she tells a gripping story you won’t soon forget.

    54 min
  3. Season 10 - Episode 6: Robin Cook

    FEB 5

    Season 10 - Episode 6: Robin Cook

    Legendary medical thriller author Robin Cook joins me this week. Author of more than forty books, he shares his origin story of how he wrote his first book while he was underwater for 75 days on a submarine, and once interviewed a Russian scientist who defected and whose team had hoarded enough anthrax to kill everyone on the planet. In addition, Robin shares his advice on writing and the inside scoop on his latest novel, SPASM. Check it out!

    47 min
  4. Season 10 - Episode 5: Karen Morgan

    JAN 29

    Season 10 - Episode 5: Karen Morgan

    This week I caught up with comedian Karen Morgan to talk about humor, comedy, and how to be funny. Listen in for tips and advice on why you should never try to be funny and why only you can do comedy like you can do. Give it a listen and don’t forget to check out her latest special on Dry Bar Comedy!

    34 min
  5. Season 10 - Episode 4: Matthew Quirk

    JAN 22

    Season 10 - Episode 4: Matthew Quirk

    Matthew Quirk—New York Times bestselling author of The Night Agent, Hour of the Assassin, and Inside Threat—joins the show. The Night Agent hit #1 in 77 countries and returns to Netflix for Season 3 in February. We talk his latest novel The Method, writing believable thrillers, avoiding over-plotting, and how characters grow from page to screen. A must-listen for fans of spy fiction and intrigue.

    46 min
  6. Season 10 - Episode 3: Ryan Steck & Simon Gervais

    JAN 15

    Season 10 - Episode 3: Ryan Steck & Simon Gervais

    In this episode of The Story Blender, host Steven James sits down with thriller heavyweights Ryan Steck and Simon Gervais to talk about their new collaborative novel, The Second Son. The trio digs into what it takes to write as a duo, how high-concept thriller ideas are built and refined, and why today’s authors must think beyond the page and treat writing as a business. It’s a wide-ranging conversation about craft, collaboration, and the realities of building a career in modern publishing.

    53 min
  7. Season 10 - Episode 2: Tony Marr

    JAN 8

    Season 10 - Episode 2: Tony Marr

    This week, acclaimed storyteller Tony Marr returns to talk about techniques to tell personal stories. We discuss the three key questions to ask yourself about any personal story you wish to share, how to end your stories, how to be vulnerable without oversharing, and how to retain the trust of your listeners as you tell your stories. If you have a personal story to share, this is the episode for you.

    46 min
  8. Season 10 - Episode 1: Carter Wilson

    JAN 1

    Season 10 - Episode 1: Carter Wilson

    As we kick off the 2026 year, I sit down with my good friend and our first guest, Carter Wilson. His work has received starred reviews from every major trade publication, has won multiple awards, and has been optioned for television and film. His 2025 release, Tell Me What You Did, was selected by Barnes & Noble as a national monthly pick. We talk suspense, making good on plot promises, how emotions fuel character development, and a rapid-fire word association game.

    45 min
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4.7
out of 5
34 Ratings

About

WHERE GREAT STORYTELLERS SHARE THE SECRETS TO GREAT STORYTELLING. Hosted by Steven James.

Information

  • Creator
    The Story Blender
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    313
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Story Blender
  • Show Website
    The Story Blender