In Conversation with Terry Shepherd

Terry Shepherd
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In Conversation with Terry Shepherd, award-winning broadcaster and author of the Jessica Ramirez Thrillers. A deep dive into the people and support systems behind the stories we love.

  1. 2d ago

    Judy Foreman - The Scallop Plot

    What happens when cutting-edge science, climate politics, corporate greed, and murder collide off the coast of Cape Cod? In this episode of In Conversation, Terry Shepherd sits down with award-winning journalist and author Judy Foreman to discuss her new thriller, The Scallop Plot. Judy shares how she transitioned from a career rooted in hard journalistic facts to crafting suspenseful fiction, all while keeping the science in her novels 100% accurate. The story follows Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Samantha Fuller and a fiercely determined Cape Cod fisherwoman as they uncover a deadly scheme involving offshore wind power, genetically altered scallops, and CRISPR gene editing. Beyond the thriller, Terry and Judy dive deep into the real-world issues that inspired the book, the current state of the media landscape, and Judy's profound personal journey. Key Topics Discussed: How Judy's real-life Cape Cod handywoman—a former crane operator and scallop fisherwoman—inspired one of the book's main characters. The fascinating and terrifying realities of CRISPR gene editing, including its medical promise and ethical boundaries. The nuanced debate surrounding offshore wind farms and how right-wing fossil fuel "dark money" frequently funds what appear to be local protests. The dangerous polarization of modern media, the rise of disinformation, and why consumers must "consider the source and follow the buck." Judy's powerful memoir, Let the More Loving One Be Me: My Journey from Trauma to Freedom, which chronicles her lifelong journey of healing from childhood sexual abuse through therapy and love. Why exercise is crucial for brain health and how it produces BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), a topic from Judy's non-fiction book Exercise Is Medicine. About Our Guest: Judy Foreman is a former health columnist for The Boston Globe who has earned more than 50 journalism awards, including the George Foster Peabody Award. Throughout her distinguished career, she has held positions at Harvard Medical School, MIT, and Brandeis University.  Connect with Judy Foreman: Visit her official website to learn more about her fiction, memoirs, and non-fiction work at judyforeman.com. We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

  2. 2d ago

    R Scott West - Smoke Rings: A Scruffy City Novel

    What happens when the people trying to save a dying downtown become the criminals in its story? In this captivating episode of The Conversation, Terry Shepherd sits down with author R. Scott West to discuss his new book, Smoke Rings: A Scruffy City Novel. Twenty years ago, Scott and his wife Bernadette helped breathe life back into Knoxville's nearly abandoned Market Square. However, this historic preservation was secretly funded by a massive marijuana operation, eventually leading to federal indictments, seized property, and prison time. Now, Scott shares how he transformed this extraordinary chapter of his life into a highly entertaining, fictionalized Appalachian family saga. In this episode, we explore: The Market Square Miracle: Discover how Scott and Bernadette saw potential in downtown Knoxville when 33 out of 36 addresses were completely boarded up.The Perfect Crime Gone Wrong: Hear the details behind a $2.1 million historic preservation project that was secretly bankrolled by a 25,000-pound marijuana smuggling ring.Making Time Count: Learn about Scott’s resilient mindset during his four and a half years in federal prison, where he wrote four books, lifted weights, and composed songs while listening to an AM radio with a homemade Doritos-wrapper antenna.Blurring Moral Lines: Explore the uncomfortable territory between committing a federal crime and firmly believing you are doing something fundamentally good for a community.A Built-in Soundtrack: Find out why Scott wove 29 original punk rock lyrics into the novel as an Easter egg to help convey the psychology and mood of his characters.Whether you are interested in Southern crime, urban renewal, or a story about getting back up after losing everything, this interview delivers. You can learn more about the book and the author by visiting rscottwest.com. We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

    R Scott West - Smoke Rings: A Scruffy City Novel

  3. 4d ago

    Rich Dunning - Silence Was My First Language

    In this profound episode, host Terry Shepherd sits down with author Rich Dunning to discuss his new memoir, Silence Was My First Language. Rich shares his harrowing yet deeply inspiring journey from a childhood marked by severe poverty, domestic violence, and teenage homelessness in the Bronx to becoming a highly successful senior executive in the medical device industry. For years, Rich's outward professional achievements masked an agonizing inner reality. He reveals how the survival tactics he learned as a five-year-old boy—remaining invisible and silent to avoid physical abuse from his stepfather—followed him deep into adulthood. Driven to disprove those who dismissed him as a "dog," Rich overachieved at work while privately battling an alcoholism that was introduced to him at age seven. With immense candor, Rich details the terrifying vacation wake-up call that saved him from taking his own life, his grueling path to sobriety through rehab and AA, and how he finally replaced silence with accountability. In This Episode, We Explore: The Weight of Childhood Trauma: How growing up in a violent home where he didn't speak English for his first five years forced Rich to adopt silence as his primary survival skill.The Facade of Success: The stark contrast between Rich’s demanding, high-pressure professional life and his fractured internal state.Rock Bottom and Recovery: The pivotal moment with his youngest son that pulled him back from a hotel balcony ledge and forever changed his trajectory.The Reality of Addiction: A brutally honest look at the selfish nature of alcoholism and the immense, unacknowledged toll it takes on spouses and children.Giving Back: The launch of The First Language Foundation, a volunteer-driven organization aiding youth facing abuse, food insecurity, and homelessness.Resources and Links: The Book: Silence Was My First Language by Rich Dunning (Launching October 6th).Website: Visit richdunningbooks.comPhilanthropy: Rich personally donates $1 from every book sold in perpetuity to The First Language Foundation, ensuring 100% of those funds directly support children in need.We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

    Rich Dunning - Silence Was My First Language

  4. Sep 1

    Gabriella Saab - The Survivors Guild

    Join Terry Shepherd as he sits down with author Gabriella Saab to explore the history and heart behind her new novel, The Survivors Guild. The conversation dives into the little-known experiences of Lebanese immigrants aboard the Titanic and the unique challenges faced by survivors in the disaster's aftermath. Episode Highlights Saab reveals how attending a Southern Federation of Syrian Lebanese Americans convention introduced her to the forgotten history of Lebanese passengers on the Titanic.The discussion unpacks the stark contrast between Bea Nora, a resilient Lebanese woman seeking work to support her family, and Marguerite Ashby, a naive American heiress trapped by an impending arranged marriage.Saab shares the bizarre, true historical account of an upper-class woman taking in two unclaimed toddler boys after the sinking, which inspired the novel's emotional core.The episode explores the unique dynamic of Bea and Marguerite forming a charitable committee to find their rescued baby's next of kin and assist third-class survivors.Saab explains her authorial approach to balancing historical accuracy with narrative pacing, such as altering cabin placements to heighten the immediacy of the disaster.Saab reflects on her time co-hosting HF Chit Chat, a supportive online community for historical fiction writers and readers.About The Survivors Guild Instead of focusing solely on the famous shipwreck, the novel examines the complicated aftermath of survival. It highlights the heavy emotional and economic burdens of immigration, the rigid class rules of the Gilded Age, and the profound, isolating realities women faced across different socioeconomic backgrounds. Through their shared trauma and dedication to an orphaned boy, Bea and Marguerite forge an unlikely alliance that ultimately transforms their lives. Connect with Gabriella Saab Discover more about her writing at gabriellasaab.com.Follow her updates and historical insights on Instagram and Substack.Pick up a copy of The Survivors Guild and The Last Checkmate to support human authors and uncover hidden historical narratives.We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

  5. Aug 31

    K.B. Brodsky - Beyond Honor

    Host Terry Shepherd steps into the shadowy world of international espionage and political betrayal with Bill and Karen Brodsky. Writing under the pen name K.B. Brodsky, this dynamic husband-and-wife duo joins the show to discuss their debut thriller, Beyond Honor.   Beyond Honor launches a gripping new series that transports readers from the war-torn streets of Damascus to the frozen reaches of Siberia, and from Alaska's Kenai Peninsula to the halls of power in Washington. The story follows Kevin Rhodes, a grieving paramilitary operative tasked with a dangerous solo extraction in Russia, while CIA analyst Whitney Schuyler tracks a Russian-backed bank conspiracy that reaches all the way to the Oval Office.   In this episode, Bill and Karen pull back the curtain on how two mild-mannered civilians crafted a high-stakes intelligence thriller and learned to navigate the delicate process of co-writing a novel after 30 years of marriage.   In This Episode, We Cover: The Spark of Creation: How Bill secretly wrote the first 70 pages of the manuscript and surprised Karen with it.  The Co-Writing Process: The couple's daily routine, their use of Google Docs, and their strict rule to never make edits without mutual approval.  Building the Characters: How the authors balanced action and emotion to craft deeply human characters, from old-school Cold War spy Cynthia King to Russian operative Anya Pestova.  A Grounded World: Why the authors prioritized believable, real-world inspirations over superhero tropes to create a mosaic of interconnected global stories.  Looking Ahead: The exciting news of K.B. Brodsky's two-book deal with Simon & Schuster.  Dream Casting: The couple's humorous Hollywood aspirations, including pitching Meryl Streep for the role of CIA head Summers.  Connect with K.B. Brodsky: To learn more about Bill and Karen, or to pick up your copy of Beyond Honor, visit their official website at kbbrodsky.com.   We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

    K.B. Brodsky - Beyond Honor

  6. Aug 31

    Korey Rowe - The Soldier That Left: The Untold Story of Loose Change

    In this episode, Terry Shepherd sits down with Korey Rowe—Army veteran, filmmaker, and entrepreneur—to discuss his raw new memoir, The Soldier That Left: The Untold Story of Loose Change. The conversation explores Rowe's extraordinary journey from the battlefields of the Middle East to producing one of the internet's first viral blockbusters, offering an unfiltered look at dissent, survival, and the search for identity. From the Front Lines to Dissent Rowe originally enlisted in the US Army to find direction as a high school dropout from a poor area of upstate New York.His very first day of basic training coincided with the September 11 attacks, rapidly pulling him into deployments across Afghanistan and Iraq.Deeply disillusioned by the loss of his fellow soldiers and innocent Iraqi lives, Rowe made the difficult choice to go AWOL rather than accept a forced third deployment.He spent six years navigating the fallout before finally presenting his case to an officer and receiving an honorable discharge.The "Loose Change" Phenomenon Teaming up with his childhood friend Dylan, Rowe pivoted a poorly acted fictional project into the controversial 9/11 documentary Loose Change.The film captured the cultural zeitgeist, dominating early streaming platforms like Google Video and sparking extreme reactions from both loyal grassroots supporters and fierce media critics.This viral explosion launched Rowe from a struggling veteran into Hollywood contract negotiations with major figures like Charlie Sheen and Mark Cuban.Mental Health and Rewiring the Mind Rowe candidly discusses living as a 100% PTSD-disabled veteran with Bipolar II disorder.He credits a combination of therapy, journaling, and cannabis (leading to his current role as a dispensary owner) for his survival during his darkest years.Today, he relies on a mental "operating system" built from stoicism, Adlerian psychology, and books like The Courage to Be Disliked to maintain a healthy perspective.We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

  7. Aug 30

    Michael Gier - The Heroism and Resiliency of 9-11: From Tragedy to Triumph.

    Join Terry Shepherd for a deeply inspiring conversation with award-winning filmmaker Michael Gier about his latest documentary, The Heroism and Resiliency of 9/11: From Tragedy to Triumph. As America approaches the 25th anniversary of the attacks, Gier explains why his film shifts the focus away from the tragedy to shine a light on untold stories of extraordinary human courage and unity. In This Episode A New Perspective on 9/11: Why Gier and executive producer Chris Meek chose to highlight positive stories of resilience and humanity rather than the devastation.The Lieutenant Dan Connection: How acclaimed actor Gary Sinise became the film's narrator and how 9/11 inspired his lifelong dedication to first responders and veterans.Behind the Lens: Gier details his four-and-a-half-year production journey, distilling 35 hours of interview and archival footage into a powerful two-hour feature.Recreating History: A look at the highly accurate sets and reenactments, from a rented jet for Flight 93 to a 30-foot deep rubble set built for Will Jimeno's rescue.From Broadway to the Director's Chair: Gier discusses his career pivot from starring in Broadway musicals and running a real estate business to founding his own production company after the 2008 market crash.Healing Our Heroes: A look at Gier's previous films, Wounded Heroes and Healing the Heroes of 9/11, which explore life-changing alternative PTSD treatments.Mentioned in this Episode Stream the Film: Available now on Amazon Prime Video, Google TV, Apple TV, and YouTube Movies.Official Film Website: the911film.comMichael Gier’s Website: michaelgier.comIf you were moved by today’s conversation, please share this episode with a friend and consider leaving us a rating and review on your favorite podcast app. We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

    Michael Gier - The Heroism and Resiliency of 9-11: From Tragedy to Triumph.

  8. Aug 19

    David Kibbe - David Kibbe's Power of Style

    For more than four decades, David Kibbe has challenged the fashion world to see beauty not as a rigid set of rules or flaws to be corrected, but as a powerful expression of identity. In this episode, Terry Shepherd sits down with the creator of the celebrated Image Identity System to discuss his joyful new book, David Kibbe's Power of Style. David introduces listeners to his revolutionary program of "love-based beauty," built on the liberating idea that true beauty comes directly from individuality. He argues that personal style is simply how we physicalize our unique energy, and he pushes back against a multi-billion dollar industry that profits by selling imperfections and planned obsolescence.  In This Episode, We Cover: Redefining Style: Why your appearance is an energy transference rather than a binary set of fashion rules.The Myth of Perfection: How to escape the trap of external ideals and move from self-acceptance to self-celebration.David’s Origin Story: Tracing his journey from a child piano prodigy in California, Missouri, to a globally recognized style innovator.The "Dream Board" Process: Why connecting with your soul's deepest, unlimited aspirations is the key to unlocking your physical style.Sharing the Sidewalk: How elevating your wardrobe—and dressing a little better than the room—acts as a superpower that spreads joy and community awareness.Through a blend of art, beauty, and metaphysics, David explains how to silence the internal critic and view yourself through kinder eyes. Resources Mentioned: Explore more of David's work and pick up the new book at davidkibbe.co.We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

    David Kibbe - David Kibbe's Power of Style
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In Conversation with Terry Shepherd, award-winning broadcaster and author of the Jessica Ramirez Thrillers. A deep dive into the people and support systems behind the stories we love.

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