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. Untitled Episode

    1D AGO

    Untitled Episode

    What happens when history repeats itself and the global balance of power shifts overnight? In this episode, host Terry Shepherd sits down with Dr. Ralph DeFalco, the "Renaissance man" and author behind the chilling political thriller, The Counterfeit. Ralph discusses the historical patterns and current geopolitical trends that inspired his vision of a fractured, post-conflict America. We explore a world where the United States has been economically crippled and politically compromised, forcing its citizens to navigate a new reality of desperation and foreign influence. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The Intersection of History and Fiction: How Ralph uses historical cycles to project a plausible and terrifying future for the United States.A Nation Divided: Inside the setting of The Counterfeit, where privilege and desperation live side-by-side under the shadow of a foreign power.The "What If" of Geopolitics: Exploring the logical conclusions of current global trend lines.Character-Driven Stakes: A look at the intense, personal moments of conflict that drive the narrative—where survival often depends on a split-second decision.Writing the "Plausible Future": Ralph’s approach to creating a thriller that feels uncomfortably real to modern readers.About Our Guest: Dr. Ralph DeFalco is an author and scholar often described as a "Renaissance man" for his broad expertise and deep understanding of historical patterns. His work focuses on the intersection of political power, national identity, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of systemic collapse. Featured in this Episode: The Counterfeit: The gripping political thriller by Dr. Ralph DeFalco.Enjoyed the conversation? Be sure to subscribe to the podcast for more deep dives into the writer's craft with Terry Shepherd. 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

    25 min
  2. Mike Papantonio - A Death in Arcadia

    3D AGO

    Mike Papantonio - A Death in Arcadia

    Justice, Legacy, and "A Death in Arcadia" with Mike Papantonio What happens when a legal case cracks open a wound a man has kept sealed his entire life? In this episode, award-winning broadcaster Terry Shepherd dives deep with legendary trial lawyer, radio host, and author Mike Papantonio to discuss his latest legal thriller, A Death in Arcadia. From the brutal reality of Florida’s youth detention centers to the high-stakes world of corporate litigation, Papantonio shares the real-life inspirations behind his fiction. He reveals how a 100-year history of abuse at a North Florida facility and a candid conversation with Paris Hilton led him to write this powerful story. In this episode, you’ll discover: The Personal Connection: Why Papantonio chose his former "cow town" hometown of Arcadia, Florida, as the backdrop for this gripping narrative.Art Imitating Life: The dynamic between the book's protagonist, Deak, and his daughter Kara—inspired by Papantonio's real-life daughter and law partner, Sarah.The Fight Against Bullies: Why Papantonio has spent his career "kicking over rotted logs" to take on corporate psychopaths and pharmaceutical giants.A Broadcasting Legacy: Reflections on the early days of the Air America Radio network alongside figures like Al Franken, Rachel Maddow, and Bobby Kennedy.The Future of the Craft: Why Papantonio isn't worried about AI replacing creative writers and his advice for aspiring authors who have a story to tell."I just hate bullies, Terry. I can’t tolerate a bully... whether I got punched in the face or whatever, I was gonna take the last swing on behalf of that person." — Mike Papantonio About Mike Papantonio Mike Papantonio is a senior partner with one of the country’s most formidable law firms and a nationally syndicated radio host. A voice for victims of corporate negligence, he has spent his career at the intersection of law, power, and human consequence. Connect with the Author: Website: mikepapantonioauthor.com Latest Book: A Death in Arcadia—available wherever books are sold.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

    25 min
  3. Kirsten Kashock - An Impossibility of Crows

    5D AGO

    Kirsten Kashock - An Impossibility of Crows

    In this episode, host Terry Shepherd dives into the "uneasy space" of literary horror with poet and dancer Kirsten Kashock. They discuss her unsettling new novel, An Impossibility of Crows, a story that examines the haunting boundaries of devotion, inheritance, and control. The Horse-Sized Crow Kirsten reveals that the book originated from a single, startling dream of a crow the size of a horse. While the image was jarring, she felt curiosity rather than fear, leading her to create a female "mad scientist" protagonist—a rarity in a genre typically dominated by male figures like Frankenstein. Logic, Longing, and Motherhood The conversation explores the character of Agnes, a scientist who begins the novel having lost her parents, her job, and her child. Kirsten explains how Agnes’s scientific mind attempts to "solve" her daughter Mina’s birth defect through a breeding program, inadvertently crossing the line between care and control. Key Discussion Points: Generational Inheritance: How Agnes is shaped by her mother’s poetic journals and her father’s history in the Vietnam War.The Isolation of the Pandemic: How writing during the global lockdown informed the book's themes of solitude and scientific obsession.The Voice of Science: Kirsten describes the effort of developing Agnes’s scientific tone and the use of a journal format to sustain tension.The Art of Revision: Why Kirsten views the first draft as "vomiting the clay" and revision as the essential "sculpting" of a story."The things that we bury do not stay dead."  For readers who seek the "pleasurable dread" of the dark and the unsettling, this interview offers a deep dive into the craft of a writer who isn't afraid to get "close to the bone". Connect with Kirsten Kashock: Website: kirstenkashock.com Latest Book: An Impossibility of Crows 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

    16 min
  4. Moderation with Cara Black and Michele Drier

    APR 3

    Moderation with Cara Black and Michele Drier

    Sooner of later, if you attend an author conference, you may have the opportunity to moderate a panel. Two ace moderators discuss the key factors that make a great performance. Cara Black best known for the twenty-one novel mystery series featuring Aimée Leduc a female Paris-based private investigator, as well as the thrillers Three Hours in Paris, a national bestseller, and Night Flight to Paris. Her work has been translated into seven languages and she's included the 2nd edition of Great Women Writers curated by Elizabeth Lindsay. Michele Drier writes about strong women who find themselves in precarious situations they couldn't have predicted. Her worlds are filled with fascinating characters and immersive settings that hook your interest and never let go. 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

    21 min
  5. Dennis Palumbo - Panic Attack

    APR 1

    Dennis Palumbo - Panic Attack

    The Psychology of Fear and the Art of the Thriller In this episode, Terry Shepherd sits down with Dennis Palumbo, a licensed psychotherapist and veteran Hollywood screenwriter whose credits include the Emmy-winning Welcome Back, Kotter and the classic film My Favorite Year. Palumbo discusses his dual life as a therapist for creative minds by day and a mystery novelist by night. Exploring Panic Attack The conversation focuses on the release of Panic Attack, the sixth installment in Palumbo's Daniel Rinaldi series. The Plot: The story begins with a shocking act of violence—a sniper opening fire during a college football game.The Protagonist: Daniel Rinaldi is a Pittsburgh Police consultant and trauma expert who treats victims of violent crime.The Motivation: Rinaldi's mission is driven by his own "survivor guilt" following a mugging that claimed the life of his wife.The Themes: The novel explores the "Age of Trauma," examining how modern culture, social media, and global instability fuel collective anxiety.Behind the Scenes: The Patient and Hollywood Palumbo shares fascinating insights into his work as a consulting producer on the Hulu series The Patient, starring Steve Carell. Real-Life Inspiration: Carell’s character, a kidnapped therapist, was visually and professionally modeled after Palumbo himself, right down to the salt-and-pepper beard.Clinical Accuracy: Palumbo provided the writers with the specific language and psychological reactions a therapist would use in such an extreme, "arcane" situation.Advice for Creatives Drawing from his experience in therapy and the arts, Palumbo offers wisdom for those trying to create in a "crazy time": Your Voice Matters: He emphasizes that every person has a story worth telling and that "all serious daring starts from within".The Joy of Process: Referencing research on happiness, he notes that fulfillment comes from the "successful pursuit of a goal," rather than just achieving the goal itself.Audio Release Information The audiobook for Panic Attack, narrated by Eric Sm, is scheduled for release on April 7th. Listeners can find Dennis Palumbo's work in hardcover, paperback, and eBook formats. 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

    33 min
  6. Karen Ann Phillips - A Deadly Hook

    MAR 26

    Karen Ann Phillips - A Deadly Hook

    In this episode of In Conversation with Terry Shepherd, Terry dives deep into the writer's craft with author and artist Karen Ann Phillips to celebrate the release of A Deadly Hook, the third and final installment in her popular Rocky Nelson series. What happens when a peaceful weekend in the Sierra Nevadas is interrupted by a Bigfoot sighting and a shocking murder? Karen shares how her protagonist, Raquel "Rocky" Nelson—a retired boxer with a soft heart and a knockout punch—navigates a sinister mystery that leaves one of her own friends as the prime suspect. Inside This Episode A Different Kind of Sleuth: Why Karen chose to make her protagonist a 55-year-old boxer instead of a traditional bakery owner to set her apart in the "cozy" genre.Art Imitating Life: The autobiographical elements behind Rocky, including Karen’s own boxing lessons and her "money pit" experience owning a vintage trailer.Handling Heavy Themes: How Karen weaves sensitive topics like suicide and sibling rivalry into a traditional mystery while maintaining a "heartfelt" tone and a happy ending.The Romantic Tussle: Rocky’s ultimate choice between the "hot firefighter" and the "handsome detective".The Writing Process: Karen’s transition from short stories to novels, her use of "sprints" for discipline, and the mentors who helped her along the way.About Karen Ann Phillips Karen Ann Phillips is a novelist and a professional cover designer. She is an active member of the writing community, including Sisters in Crime and Capital Crimes. While A Deadly Hook wraps up Rocky’s journey, Karen is already at work on her next project: The Mother Daughter Detective Agency. Connect with Karen: Website: karenaphillips.com Featured Book: A Deadly HookMentioned in this Episode Sisters in Crime & Capital Crimes (Sacramento Chapter) Eight Weeks to a Complete Book by Becky Clark Writing mentors: Cindy Sample and Penny Warner 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

    16 min
  7. Chad Boudreaux - Mob Justice

    MAR 17

    Chad Boudreaux - Mob Justice

    From DOJ Corridors to Chicago Syndicates: Chad Boudreaux on Crafting Mob Justice Imagine starting a high-stakes job at the Department of Justice on September 10, 2001. For our guest today, Chad Boudreaux, that was reality. After spending decades navigating the overlapping spheres of homeland security and defense leadership, Chad has channeled a world of classified briefings and calibrated language into a thrilling second vocation as an author. In this episode, Chad joins us to discuss his latest novel, Mob Justice, the highly anticipated follow-up to Scavenger Hunt. He takes us behind the scenes of his writing process and into the gray areas where the law’s formal architecture meets the improvisations of survival. We explore his protagonist, Blake Hudson—an earnest, tested DOJ attorney—who is dispatched to a Chicago still haunted by the lingering aura of the Prohibition-era Chicago Outfit. In this episode, we cover: A Trial by Fire: What it was like for Chad to start at the DOJ the day before 9/11 and how those decades in federal service shaped his fiction.The Anti-Action Hero: Why Chad chose to make Blake Hudson an earnest, naive protagonist navigating a system that rewards calculation, rather than a preloaded "marquee star."Authenticity Over Melodrama: How Chad consulted former FBI agents to master the true "vocabulary of surveillance" and ensure his wiretap scenes carried documentary restraint.The Ultimate Antagonist: A breakdown of the book's most arresting confrontation featuring Enzo—a former Supreme Court clerk who chillingly pivots into a mob consigliere.Institutions & Humanity: Exploring the novel's core themes of loyalty, betrayal, and finding the irreducibly human elements beneath the marble floors of Washington.Whether you love legal thrillers, organized crime history, or just want to hear how an insider translates real-world government experience into page-turning fiction, this episode is for you! Get the Book: Pick up your copy of Mob Justice and its predecessor, Scavenger Hunt, wherever books are sold. 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

    19 min

  8. MAR 9

    Gary Fields - The Book of Judges

    What if the secret to humanity's future was hidden inside a murdered judge's laptop? In this episode of In Conversation with Terry Shepherd, Terry sits down with debut thriller author Gary Fields to explore his globe-spanning, time-bending novel, The Book of Judges — already drawing comparisons to The Da Vinci Code. When a respected judge is killed, three unlikely heroes — a young lawyer, a theology doctoral candidate, and a quirky tech genius — have just 72 hours to decode the clues buried in his computer. What they uncover sends them on a desperate chase across Florida, hunted by a relentless killer, and ultimately face-to-face with a secret that could change the world. Gary shares the remarkable journey behind the book: from poetry and songwriting as a kid, to careers in tech and law, to 15 drafts over 20 years before finally publishing his debut. He talks about the spiritual concept of "the Words" — his belief that creativity connects us all — and why themes of human destiny, interconnectedness, and justice run through every page. You'll also hear his surprisingly chilling take on artificial intelligence, what Henry VIII has to do with the future of political freedom, and why Joshua Sutton — his protagonist — will be back for a sequel. In this episode: The origin of The Book of Judges and why it took two decades to writeHow Gary blends authentic legal history with modern thriller pacingThe three protagonists — and the real people who inspired themDreams, destiny, and the idea that we're all more connected than we knowGary's AI warning you won't soon forget📖 Learn more and read a free expanded chapter: garyfields.com In Conversation with Terry Shepherd — a deep dive into the writer's craft with the artists and support systems who create the stories we love. 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

    16 min
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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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