In Conversation with Terry Shepherd

Terry Shepherd
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  • Arts

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. Aug 15

    Denise Perez - Alchemic Healings: The Art of Remembering

    What if healing isn't about repairing what is broken, but remembering that we were never truly broken in the first place? In this episode of "In Conversation," host Terry Shepherd sits down with Denise Perez, the author of Alchemic Healings: The Art of Remembering and the founder of Alchemic Healings in Alachua County, Florida. Denise shares her deeply personal and mystical journey of stepping off the corporate "hamster wheel" as a six-figure commercial insurance producer to rediscover her authentic self. Catalyzed by the emotional heartbreak of her mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis and a chance encounter with an NLP practitioner, Denise shifted from being a 15-year atheist to exploring energetic modalities and past life regressions. She also openly discusses her profound experiences with plant medicines like ayahuasca and mushrooms. During a 2024 ayahuasca ceremony in the Peruvian Andes, Denise connected with her deceased mother, who encouraged her to write her book and simplify the concepts of spiritual alchemy for others. In this episode, you will learn: How healing is a process of reclamation, moving away from fear and toward freedom.Why plant medicines and psychedelics can act as "permission slips" to help our subconscious let down its guard.The importance of befriending your ego instead of seeking "ego death".How our everyday human existence, including our relationships and finances, acts as the perfect laboratory for spiritual alchemy.Why finding your own inner joy and learning to surrender can lead to profound life transformations.Through her writing and her practice, which includes Reiki, access bars, and Akashic records readings, Denise aims to empower people to become conscious participants in their own transformation. Connect with Denise Perez: To learn more about her book and her spiritual practices, visit her website at alchemichealings.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

    Denise Perez - Alchemic Healings: The Art of Remembering

  2. Aug 14

    Judith Starkston - Achilles Wife

    In this episode of "In Conversation," host Terry Shepherd sits down with historical fantasy author Judith Starkston to explore the captivating intersection of history, archaeology, and myth. Judith discusses her latest novel, Achilles' s Wife, and her passion for placing women at the center of ancient Bronze Age narratives. They also dive into a thoughtful review of Christopher Nolan's contemporary film adaptation of The Odyssey, unpacking its modern themes, character portrayals, and departures from Homer's original epic. Key Highlights Reimagining Achilles: Judith explains how Achilles' sWife explores a hidden chapter of the hero's life on the island of Scyros, giving voice to the often-overlooked princess Deidameia.Nolan's The Odyssey: A lively critique of Christopher Nolan's action-packed thriller adaptation, including thoughts on Anne Hathaway's performance, the removal of the original myth's sexual elements (like the Calypso storyline), and the film's focus on modern themes such as migration and the ancient concept of xenia (guest-host relationship).Women in Antiquity: A discussion on how ancient women often held more rights and ruling power than typically assumed, and how legendary writers like Homer subtly highlighted their intelligence despite the patriarchal norm.Translating Homer: Judith shares her favorite translations of The Iliad and The Odyssey, specifically praising the oral quality of Lombardo's work and the less repressive, more accurate language of Emily Wilson's modern translation.What's Next: A sneak peek into Judith's current work-in-progress—a humorous, contemporary novel following a modern classicist who experiences mythological visions featuring the goddess Athena.About the Guest Judith Starkston is a classicist and author who writes historical fantasy and mythic retellings set in the worlds of the Greeks and Hittites. Her storytelling is grounded in serious scholarship, holding classics degrees from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and Cornell. Prior to writing full-time, she taught high school students and shared her deep love for ancient history and mythology. Her published works include Hand of Fire, the four-book Tesha series, and her latest release, Achilles' Wife. Links & Resources Visit Judith's Website: judithstarkston.comBooks Mentioned: Achilles' s Wife and Hand of Fire (available wherever cool 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

    Judith Starkston - Achilles Wife

  3. Aug 11

    Elliot Blake - Into the Great

    Dive into the limitless universe of storytelling with executive producer, director, and author Elliot Blake. From directing A-list talent in Audible's hit Moriarty trilogy to crafting Emmy-winning animation, Elliot is now exploring the written word with his debut sci-fi novella, Into The Great. Join host Terry Shepherd as they discuss the transition from screen to page, the power of personal choice, and what happens when an alien invasion simply stares back at you. In This Episode, We Discuss 👽 A New Kind of Invasion: Discover how Into The Great uses silent, observing aliens as a profound metaphor for real-world instability and rapid societal change.✍️ Script to Prose: Hear about Elliot's creative transition from the present-tense world of television and audio dramas to mastering the intimate, past-tense interiority of prose fiction.🌌 Love in the Void: Explore how the novella balances a sprawling space backdrop with an intimate, character-driven romance about personal freedom and taking control of your destiny.🎙️ Directing Legends: Get behind-the-scenes insights on collaborating with voiceover powerhouses like Sir Ben Kingsley and Dominic Monaghan on the Moriarty audio series.About the Guest Elliot Blake is an Emmy-winning storyteller whose dynamic career spans animation, comic books, and audio dramas. He serves as the executive producer and director of Audible’s acclaimed Moriarty trilogy and as an executive producer for Apple TV’s The Sisters Grimm. His new sci-fi novella, Into The Great, marks his highly anticipated return to prose fiction. About Terry Shepherd Terry Shepherd is an award-winning broadcaster, narrator, and author dedicated to exploring the creative process. Through "In Conversation," Terry brings listeners deep into the writer's craft, shining a spotlight on the artists and support systems that bring our favorite stories to life.  Links & Resources 📖 Get your limited edition copy of Into The Great at Little Factory: lilfac.com/shop🌐 Visit Elliot Blake's official website: elliottblake.com🎙️ Listen to Moriarty: The Great Chaos on Audible🎧 Terry Shepherd Official Website: TerryShepherd.comWe 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

    Elliot Blake - Into the Great

  4. Aug 10

    Laura Jensen Walker - The Postmistress of Puddlington

    "A single letter can carry a declaration of love, the promise of a new beginning, or news that changes a family forever." Join host Terry Shepherd for an inspiring episode of "In Conversation" featuring Agatha and Lefty Award-nominated author Laura Jensen Walker. In this episode, Laura discusses her heart-warming historical novel, The Postmistress of Puddlington, set in a quiet Dorset village during the tumultuous years of World War II. Laura shares the deeply personal journey of writing the novel, explaining how the story served as a safe haven from pandemic-induced PTSD, and how her early days as a young Air Force clerk typist stationed in England planted the seeds for the book nearly 50 years ago.  Episode Highlights The Power of Letters: The emotional weight wartime postal workers carried when delivering devastating telegrams from the war department to their own neighbors.Unforgettable Characters: An exploration of the novel's fierce women, from Hester Smith, a timid spinster who comes into her own, to Lady Minerva Winterbottom, a bohemian former suffragette.Suffrajitsu: A fascinating look into the real history of suffragettes learning jujitsu to defend themselves, and how this martial art makes its way into the novel.The "Genre Butterfly": How Laura successfully transitions between nonfiction humor, cozy mysteries, and historical fiction by remaining strictly character-driven.Neurodivergence & New Beginnings: Laura opens up about discovering she is neurodivergent later in life, and how this freeing revelation inspired her forthcoming novel, The Pilgrimage of Primrose Honeychurch.Books Mentioned in This Episode The Postmistress of Puddlington: A gentle, atmospheric read perfect for fans of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.The Pilgrimage of Primrose Honeychurch: Follow a 70-year-old woman with a love for words and sensory challenges on a transformative journey to Hay-on-Wye, the Welsh town of books. This title is available for pre-order now wherever cool books are sold.Learn more about Laura and her work by visiting her website at laurajensenwalker.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

    Laura Jensen Walker - The Postmistress of Puddlington

  5. Aug 7

    Elizabeth Crowens - Round Up the Unusual Suspects

    In this episode, host Terry Shepherd welcomes award-winning author Elizabeth Crowens to discuss her latest novel, Round Up the Unusual Suspects. This exciting release is the third book in her classic Hollywood mystery series. The story transports readers back to 1942, where a stagehand is murdered on a Warner Brothers soundstage during the filming of the iconic movie Casablanca. Studio chief Jack L. Warner enlists the help of private investigators Babs Norman and Guy Brandt to solve the case and keep the cameras rolling. What to Expect in This Episode Elizabeth dives deep into the fascinating blend of fiction and real-life history that shapes her books. Here are some of the highlights from their conversation: The Origins of the Detectives: Crowens explains the backstory of her fictional private investigators, Babs Norman and Guy Brandt.A Unique Meet-Cute: The sleuthing duo originally met as out-of-work actors. They bonded while eating stolen, discarded food during a picnic in a Hollywood cemetery.Wartime Hollywood History: The interview explores the very real underground Nazi movements that threatened studio heads in Los Angeles.Real-Life Heroes: Listeners will learn about Leon Lewis. He was a real-life attorney who built an underground spy network to fight fascist organizations.Movie Magic Secrets: Listeners will discover how wartime rationing led to recycled movie sets. Crowens also explains why the famous foggy airplane scene used a cheap balsa wood plane, little people as mechanics, and forced perspective.The Writing Process: Elizabeth shares her unique "plotzing" method. She reveals how she chose the novel's killer by tossing character index cards into the air.Relevant Social Themes: The episode touches on how the book addresses the 1942 Japanese internment mandate. Crowens notes the parallels between this historical event and modern social issues regarding immigration.About the Guest Elizabeth Crowens boasts a career spanning over twenty-five years in the New York and Los Angeles entertainment industries. In addition to her Hollywood mysteries, she is also highly regarded for her Time Travel Professor sci-fi series. To learn more about Elizabeth and her books, visit her website at elizabethcrowens.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

    Elizabeth Crowens - Round Up the Unusual Suspects

  6. Jul 21

    Nathan Jorgenson - Otto's Portal

    If the soul leaves the body when we die, what holds it here while we live? Host and fellow fiction author Terry Shepherd sits down with award-winning novelist Nathan Jorgenson to explore this profound question, which sits at the very center of his new book, Otto's Portal. In this episode of In-Conversation, Jorgenson shares his fascinating and unexpected journey from a career in dentistry to becoming an acclaimed storyteller. He reveals how his writing began as a deeply personal way to find closure while reading to his dying father, eventually leading to a self-published debut that won a National Book Award and a Ben Franklin Award for Best New Voice in Fiction. From the mysteries at the edge of science to the rural landscapes of the Midwest, this interview delves into the mechanics of writing a sweeping tale that blends fact, faith, myth, and conjecture. In This Episode, We Discuss: The premise of Otto's Portal and its protagonist, a 91-year-old theoretical physicist who is confronting his own mortality.How the novel's timeline sweeps across history, moving seamlessly from 1946 post-war London to Lyndon Johnson's ranch in 1964 and a quiet Catholic church in northern Minnesota.The fascinating integration of string physics, Albert Einstein, and Isaac Newton into a fictional narrative.True historical oddities from World War II, including mysterious yellow orbs and German "wonder weapons," that inspired the plot.The deep influence of the rural Northwoods landscape on Jorgenson's life and the atmosphere of his fiction.The universal human search for redemption and why every character must be flawed to embark on the hero's journey.The practical realities of the writing process, including the invaluable editorial feedback Jorgenson receives from his wife and first reader, Terry.Guest Links & Resources Discover more about Nathan's literary work and grab your copy of Otto's Portal at his official website: nathanjorgenson.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

    Nathan Jorgenson - Otto's Portal

  7. Jul 14

    R. John Dingle - Before the Devil Knows

    Join host Terry Shepherd for a thrilling conversation with author R. John Dingle as they delve into the dark, isolated world of his newest mystery, Before the Devil Knows. This third installment in the critically acclaimed Gus Wheeler FBI thriller series takes readers deep into the off-the-grid communities of northern Maine, where dark secrets and archaic religious practices collide. When the disfigured bodies of missing teenagers begin appearing in unmarked graves—each bearing the disturbing signature of a lead cross laid across the chest—FBI agent Gus Wheeler must connect the ancient scriptural breadcrumbs to catch a killer. Episode Highlights The Unlikely Protagonist: Discover how Dingle modeled his protagonist, Gus Wheeler, after his own son, Sam. Wheeler is a severely dyslexic, professional jazz musician whose unique way of connecting disparate dots makes him a naturally brilliant FBI profiler.Setting the Scene: Learn why the isolated, foggy, and rugged landscape of Aroostook County, Maine, serves as the perfect, eerie backdrop for a secretive church governed by rigid Old Testament views.The Writing Process: Dingle reveals his intensive outlining strategy and explains why he almost always knows the ending of his books before he starts writing. He also shares why he actually changed the ending of Before the Devil Knows at the eleventh hour based on a suggestion from his son.The Publishing Slog: Aspiring authors will find inspiration in Dingle’s grueling path to publication, which included sending out 283 queries over a year and a half to land his agent, Kathy Greene. After another year and a half of searching, he finally secured a three-book deal that has since expanded to a six-book series.Advice for Writers: Dingle shares his ultimate, hard-earned advice for aspiring authors: "Sit your butt in the chair and write."Discover more about R. John Dingle and his work: To learn more about the Gus Wheeler series and pick up your copy of Before the Devil Knows, visit the author's official website at rjohndingle.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. John Dingle - Before the Devil Knows

  8. Jul 8

    Steven L. Conley - False Flag

    What happens when an FBI insider turns his real-world counterintelligence experience into gripping espionage fiction? In this episode of In Conversation, Terry Shepherd sits down with former attorney and investigator Steven L. Conley to explore his thrilling new novel, False Flag. Inspired by the actual twenty-year hunt for a Chinese mole inside the Bureau, this discussion pulls back the curtain on the grueling psychological and bureaucratic realities of national security work. In This Episode, We Discuss: 🕵️‍♂️ The Anatomy of a Mole Hunt: How a real-world double-agent operation inspired a fictional narrative about institutional trust fossilizing into catastrophic betrayal.⚖️ The Labyrinth of Process: The frustrating gap between what an investigator knows and what the law permits them to prove, including the legal hurdles of FISA warrants and the threat of "graymail".👀 The Cost of High Alertness: How counterintelligence training fundamentally alters an agent's perception, transforming everyday encounters into potential threats and making ordinary life feel staged.✍️ The Operative as Storyteller: The cathartic process of deconstructing plot and motive to write a book that examines the heavy toll of keeping secrets from spouses, children, and friends.About the Guest Steven L. Conley entered the FBI by way of law school, international law, and a formative internship handling ship registries in Malta. Having lived inside the deep bureaucracy of secrecy, he brings unmatched institutional memory to his writing. False Flag is his gripping debut in espionage fiction, balancing the mechanics of classic spy thrillers with profound psychological depth. About Terry Shepherd Terry Shepherd is an author and the host of the In Conversation podcast series. Through deep-dive interviews with leading creators, Terry explores the shared commonalities of craft, motive, and storytelling that connect authors with their readers. Links & Resources Buy the Book: [Insert Purchase Link for False Flag]Author Website: [Insert Steven L. Conley's Website Link]Connect with the Host: [Insert Terry Shepherd's Official Website Link]Listen & Subscribe: [Insert Podcast Platform/Buzzsprout Links]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

    Steven L. Conley - False Flag
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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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