Plot Twist Radio

Erin Egnatz
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Arts
  • Updated Weekly

Plot Twist Radio is where the best stories aren’t just written… they’re lived. Plot Twist Radio brings you conversations with authors, creators, and storytellers, uncovering the moments that changed everything. We dive into storytelling and inspiration through personal growth journeys. Each episode uncovers the defining plot twist that sparks transformation, featuring authors, entrepreneurs, artists, musicians, athletes, screenwriters, and more. Host Erin Egnatz (Hauntings Around America, Eliza Nevius) brings a narrative-driven approach to stories about unexpected turns that shape lives.

  1. 20h ago

    Daniel Mark Grace: Reimagining Judas, Pontius Pilate & History’s Greatest Crime

    What if two of history’s most infamous figures were never given the chance to tell their side of the story? On this episode of Plot Twist Radio, Erin sits down with Daniel Grace, winemaker, author, and storyteller based in Tuscany, to explore his provocative reimagining of Judas Iscariot and Pontius Pilate through the lens of crime, punishment, fate, and redemption. Daniel discusses the surprising lack of historical detail surrounding two men whose names have endured for more than 2,000 years, and what inspired him to transform their story into a modern crime novel. Together, Erin and Daniel examine how history turns complicated human beings into heroes and villains, whether Judas and Pilate have been reduced to two-dimensional characters, and what happens when a writer gives history’s condemned figures humanity, motivation, and a second chance. The conversation moves from biblical history and the Crucifixion to mythology, capital punishment, The Last Temptation of Christ, Waiting for Godot, faith, free will, and the eternal question at the heart of every great story: Is anyone simply a hero or a villain? Plus, Daniel shares how a career spanning advertising, winemaking in Tuscany, and writing is connected by one thing: the power of storytelling. A fascinating conversation about Judas Iscariot, Pontius Pilate, Christianity, historical fiction, crime fiction, mythology, faith, redemption, and the stories we inherit without questioning them.

  2. Sep 26

    Gigi Berardi on Bianca Cappello, the Medici & the Secrets of Renaissance Florence

    What if the history we know about Renaissance Florence is only part of the story? Author, professor, and journalist Gigi Berardi joins Erin on Plot Twist Radio to discuss Bianca’s Cure, her historical novel inspired by the remarkable life of Bianca Cappello, mistress and later wife of Francesco de’ Medici and Grand Duchess of Tuscany. Gigi takes us inside her years of research into Bianca’s world, from the hidden rooms and secret passageways of Palazzo Vecchio to the Medici family’s fascination with alchemy, medicine, porcelain, astrology, and science. She also shares the mysterious Florentine legend that helped inspire the novel, why she scrapped roughly 100,000 words and rewrote the story from Bianca’s perspective, and how she worked to make sure the events of the novel could plausibly have happened within the historical record. The conversation explores the challenges of writing real historical figures, the overlooked roles of women in Renaissance medicine and science, the mysteries surrounding Bianca and Francesco de’ Medici, and the Florence that still exists beyond the city's most famous tourist attractions. For fans of historical fiction, Renaissance history, the Medici family, Italian history, alchemy, and stories that uncover the people hiding between the lines of the historical record.

  3. Sep 26

    Paul Granger: 12 Books in 12 Months, Faith, Creativity & Trusting God Through the Unknown

    What happens when faith asks you to step into the unknown without knowing exactly how things will work out? On this episode of Plot Twist Radio, Erin sits down with author, podcaster, and ministry leader Paul Granger for a conversation about faith, creativity, uncertainty, and learning to trust the process. Paul shares how losing his job in 2018 led him into full-time, support-based ministry and a life that looks very different from the traditional path. He opens up about navigating financial uncertainty, resisting fear, and what it has meant to build his life around creating authentic spaces where people can wrestle with the difficult questions of life. He also tells the remarkable story behind his 2025 challenge to publish 12 books in 12 months, a goal that ultimately resulted in 17 releases when several translations were added to the mix. From faith-based reflections and a zombie story to Missing Chloe, a deeply personal family project inspired by the disappearance of his beloved cat, Paul's work explores grief, hope, creativity, and what it means to walk alongside people in life's messiest moments. Plus, Paul introduces Something in the Froth, a creative project inspired by the unexpected images he discovers in coffee foam, and explains why he believes creativity isn't reserved for artists. It's something within all of us. Paul is also the host of the Where Did You See God? podcast, where he creates space for honest conversations about faith, doubt, life, and the questions that don't always come with easy answers. 🎙️ In this episode:• Paul's unconventional journey into ministry• Losing his job and learning to trust through financial uncertainty• The story behind publishing 12 books in 12 months• Writing through grief and the story of Missing Chloe• Faith, doubt, and conversations across different beliefs• Why creativity belongs to everyone• Something in the Froth and finding possibility in life's messes• The mission behind Where Did You See God? Listen now for a thoughtful conversation about what can happen when we stop demanding certainty and start making space for faith, creativity, and the unexpected.

  4. Sep 20

    Lucy Ashe on The Model Patient: Therapy, Obsession & Who We Can Trust

    Bestselling historical and psychological novelist Lucy Ashe joins Erin on Plot Twist Radio to discuss the inspiration behind her latest novel, The Model Patient, a psychological thriller set in 1960s London that explores identity, obsession, manipulation, and the unsettling question of whether we can always trust our own perceptions. Lucy shares how her personal experience with psychodynamic therapy and her fascination with transference, psychoanalysis, and the unusual relationship between therapist and patient became the foundation for the novel. She also explores why the changing world of the early 1960s provided the perfect backdrop for protagonist Evelyn Westbrook, a former model caught between growing female independence and the expectations of a still deeply conservative society. The conversation also traces Lucy's remarkable path from training at London's Royal Ballet School to studying English literature at Oxford, enduring years of rejection as an aspiring novelist, and eventually finding success with The Dance of the Dolls, The Sleeping Beauties, and The Model Patient. Lucy and Erin talk about writing historical fiction, meticulous plotting, the research behind psychological suspense, the vulnerability of submitting your work, and why sometimes the line between healing and obsession can become dangerously difficult to see. Plus, Lucy gives a glimpse at her next novel, The Love Cure, which ventures into the world of a 1970s New York sex-therapy cult. If you love psychological thrillers, historical fiction, unreliable narrators, complicated women, and stories that leave you wondering exactly whom you should trust, this episode is for you.

  5. Sep 13

    Vinnie Favale: Behind the Scenes with David Letterman, CBS, MTV & Comedy Central

    Writer, producer, songwriter, and longtime television executive Vinnie Favale joins Plot Twist Radio for a conversation spanning decades of comedy, late-night television, unexpected career turns, love, loss, and reinvention. Vinnie takes Erin behind the scenes of his remarkable television career, from his early days at MTV and Comedy Central to CBS and his years working with David Letterman. He shares the unlikely story of how a colleague secretly entered him into a David Letterman talent audition, only for Vinnie to find himself back in Letterman’s office fourteen years later interviewing for a network executive position. He also reveals what working with David Letterman and Howard Stern taught him about the craft behind great comedy, recalls the early days of Comedy Central, and offers his perspective on the changing landscape of late-night television and the end of Stephen Colbert’s CBS era. But some of Vinnie’s biggest plot twists happened far from television. He shares the almost cinematic story of meeting his wife through a mistaken phone call, falling in love across the country before ever meeting in person, and proposing after spending only days together face-to-face. He also reflects candidly on grief, mortality, and how losing people he loved ultimately changed the way he approaches life. Now Vinnie is entering another creative chapter, researching an ambitious history of Christmas music while exploring how AI can help independent writers, musicians, and producers bring ideas to life. It’s a conversation about what happens behind the curtain of television, but even more about the unexpected moments that rewrite the story entirely. Find out more at vinniefavale.com

  6. Sep 9

    Beyond Childhood Autism: Pam Minelli on Advocacy, Motherhood & Letting Go Without Letting Go

    What happens when the child you’ve spent your life advocating for grows up? Pam Minelli, of Jupiter, Florida, is the mother of a 28-year-old son with autism and the author of The Kindness of Strangers: Letting Go of My Son with Autism. Her family’s journey began decades ago, when autism was far less understood and getting the right diagnosis, education, and support often meant fighting to be heard. Pam joins Erin to talk about raising her nonverbal son, Andrew, navigating schools and IEPs, finding community, and celebrating victories that other families might take for granted. She also opens up about one of the most difficult chapters of motherhood: preparing for Andrew to move into a group home, watching him thrive there, and discovering that knowing something is right for your child doesn’t necessarily make letting go any easier. They also discuss the growing need for services for autistic adults, the realities families face when planning for lifelong support, and the lessons Andrew has taught Pam about patience, advocacy, and allowing someone you love to follow their own timeline. It’s a candid conversation about autism beyond childhood, the complicated emotions of caregiving, and what it means to help your child build a life that can exist beyond your own. Find more about Pam and her advocacy here.

  7. Sep 4

    Jim Paulk on How I Found Love, Life at Sea & the Relationships That Shape Us

    From Navy submarines and corporate problem-solving to fishing conservation, storytelling, and the search for lasting love, Jim Paulk has spent a lifetime following opportunities he never could have predicted. In this episode of Plot Twist Radio, Jim joins Erin Egnatz to reflect on growing up in small-town Georgia during the Great Depression, graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy, serving aboard submarines, and building a career centered on leadership, teamwork, and human connection. Jim also shares the unlikely story of how he became an author after insisting he was a “terrible writer,” and discusses his books Swimming for Our Lives, Shaking Up the World, and his newest release, How I Found Love. Along the way, he recounts extraordinary stories from his Naval Academy classmates, including men who helped shape GPS, walked on the moon, and officiated Super Bowls. But beneath Jim’s many adventures is one lesson that has followed him throughout his life: relationships matter. At 93, his advice is beautifully simple: nurture the people around you, don't dwell on life's negative turns, and remain open to wherever the journey takes you. It’s a warm, funny, and inspiring conversation about love, leadership, friendship, resilience, and a life that refused to follow just one path.

  8. Aug 28

    From ICU Nurse to Improv Innovator: Dr. Candy Campbell on Creativity, Communication & Reinvention

    What happens when a nurse, actor, comedian, author, filmmaker, researcher, and educator brings all of those worlds together? Dr. Candy Campbell joins Plot Twist Radio to share her remarkable journey from behavioral health, ICU, labor and delivery, and the NICU to acting, improv, filmmaking, leadership training, and writing. She reveals how a difficult period in her personal life led her back to comedy, why improv requires far more vulnerability than acting, and how she discovered that the principles of improv could transform communication far beyond the stage. Candy discusses her doctoral research on applied improv in healthcare, including how simple communication principles helped professionals break through workplace silos and build stronger relationships. She and Erin also explore creativity, reinvention, the emotional realities of nursing, and why the different chapters of a creative life don't necessarily compete with one another. The conversation takes another unexpected turn as Candy shares the unforgettable encounter with a Navy nurse returning from Vietnam that stayed with her for decades and ultimately inspired an award-winning screenplay and her forthcoming novel. From premature babies and Florence Nightingale to Silicon Valley engineers, improv stages, film school, and Vietnam-era storytelling, this episode is about following curiosity, embracing unexpected paths, and discovering how seemingly unrelated experiences can become part of the same story. Find Dr. Campbell here.

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About

Plot Twist Radio is where the best stories aren’t just written… they’re lived. Plot Twist Radio brings you conversations with authors, creators, and storytellers, uncovering the moments that changed everything. We dive into storytelling and inspiration through personal growth journeys. Each episode uncovers the defining plot twist that sparks transformation, featuring authors, entrepreneurs, artists, musicians, athletes, screenwriters, and more. Host Erin Egnatz (Hauntings Around America, Eliza Nevius) brings a narrative-driven approach to stories about unexpected turns that shape lives.

Information

  • Creator
    Erin Egnatz
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    108
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Erin Egnatz
  • Show Website
    Plot Twist Radio