SBR - Author's Podcast

Thomas Fox

In the SBR - Author's Podcast, host Tom Fox visits with authors who write about business ethics, leadership, and compliance issues. This podcast is part of his Sunday Book Review podcast, where Tom reviews books weekly for compliance professionals. This podcast will take a deep dive into books relevant to the compliance professional and make for a more leisurely chat with the authors about why they wrote their books, the details in the book, and, most importantly, what skills they will bring to the compliance professional.

  1. Douglas Wood on Law, Writing, and the Compliance Risks of AI: From Media Negotiations to Deadly Bytes

    1h ago

    Douglas Wood on Law, Writing, and the Compliance Risks of AI: From Media Negotiations to Deadly Bytes

    Welcome to the SBR-Authors Podcast! In this podcast series, Host Tom Fox visits with authors in the compliance arena and beyond. In this episode, Tom Fox welcomes Douglas Wood about his latest book, Deadly Bytes. Tom interviews former media and entertainment lawyer Douglas Wood about his 50-year legal career, transition from representing entertainers to corporate studios and advertisers, and his later pivot to writing, now totaling 12 books including eight novels. Wood describes how legal research and interviewing skills support fiction, but argues fiction is harder because it requires creation, character development, and plausible plotting. He explains his thriller focus as influenced by his studio work and authors like Ludlum and Clancy, and outlines his process of extensive research and iterative drafting. Wood discusses his novel Deadly Bytes, featuring an FBI profiler pursuing an AI serial killer, and connects it to real-world concerns: criminals already using AI for phishing and deepfakes, potential manipulation of evidence, AI hallucinations, and the risk that heavy AI use in law erodes lawyer apprenticeship and human judgment in negotiation and investigation. Key Highlights ·       From Lawyer to Writer ·       Fiction vs Nonfiction ·       Doug’s Writing Process ·       Inside Deadly Bytes ·       Crime and Compliance Risks ·       Advice for Aspiring Authors Resources: Douglas Wood on LinkedIn Doug Wood website Deadly Bytes click here Tom Fox Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn

    29 min
  2. Invitational Selling: Building Trust, Engagement, and Human Connection in a Digital World with Dr. Dennis Cummins

    Apr 21

    Invitational Selling: Building Trust, Engagement, and Human Connection in a Digital World with Dr. Dennis Cummins

    Welcome to the SBR-Author’s Podcast! In this podcast series, Host Tom Fox visits with authors in the compliance arena and beyond. In this episode, Tom Fox welcomes Dr. Dennis Cummins to talk about his new book “Invitational Selling: The Human Connection Advantage.” Dr. Cummins to discuss his new book, which grew from his experience “selling from the stage” and from learning that pressing less and connecting more led to better results. Dr. Cummins argues that traditional high-pressure sales tactics are failing because buyers have more information, face constant messaging, and are increasingly skeptical, while AI-driven speed and automation can erode authenticity and trust. He defines invitational selling as a three-phase framework: connect, convey, and convert by inviting next steps. This is usable not only for products but for leaders seeking organizational buy-in, speak-up/listen-up cultures, and engagement that reduces resistance and turnover. He shares a story about his late daughter, Lauren, selling bracelets as a lesson in rapport, value, and meaning. The book launches April 28, with launch proceeds donated to Make-A-Wish Foundation. Key highlights: Why Write This Book Connect Convey Convert Beyond Sales Organizational – Buy In Speak Up Listen Up Culture Inviting Beats Telling Using AI Without Losing Trust Resources: Dr. Dennis Cummins on LinkedIn Dr. Dennis Cummins Website Invitational Selling click here Tom Fox Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn

    29 min
  3. Apr 14

    Bribery Beyond Borders: The Hidden History and Future of the FCPA with Severin Wirz

    Welcome to the SBR-Author’s Podcast! In this podcast series, Host Tom Fox visits with authors in the compliance arena and beyond. In this episode, Tom Fox welcomes Severin Wirz, Senior Director for Ethics and Compliance at Applied Materials and author of “Bribery Beyond Borders: The Story of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.” The book is about the origins, narrative approach, and future of FCPA enforcement. Severin explains he used storytelling to challenge conventional views that the FCPA was merely post-Watergate morality or the product of Stanley Sporkin alone, tracing a longer lineage of U.S. anti-corruption laws (Federal Corrupt Practices Act, Travel Act, Hobbs Act, RICO, Bank Secrecy Act) instead. He recounts the United Brands/Eli Black scandal, Wall Street Journal reporting that broke key bribery revelations, Stanley Sporkin’s role at the SEC, and the legislative influence of Frank Church and William Proxmire amid debates over disclosure, criminalization, and books-and-records provisions. Severin discusses shifting geopolitical drivers of enforcement and recommends related reading and contact options. Key highlights: Severin’s Compliance Journey Writing FCPA as a Thriller Eli Black Scandal Breaks Sporkin and SEC Momentum Journalists Connect the Dots Frank Church and Cold War Stakes Proxmire Gets It Passed Three Visions of the FCPA Future Enforcement and Geopolitics Resources: Severin Wirz on LinkedIn Bribery Beyond Borders: The Story of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act on CCI and Amazon. Tom Fox Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn

    31 min
  4. The Resilience of the Human Spirit: Ana Hebra Flaster’s Immigrant Story and the Essence of Liberty

    07/15/2025

    The Resilience of the Human Spirit: Ana Hebra Flaster’s Immigrant Story and the Essence of Liberty

    Welcome to the SBR-Authors Podcast! In this podcast series, host Tom Fox visits with authors in the compliance arena and beyond. In this episode, Tom Fox interviews author Ana Hebra Flaster about her book ‘Property of the Revolution’ and her journey as an immigrant from Cuba to the United States Flaster shares her experiences from childhood, the impact of her sudden move from Cuba, and how it shaped her perspective on liberty and resilience. She details her family’s struggles and triumphs, providing a personal window into the broader Cuban exodus. The conversation also touches on her writing process, the role of storytelling in preserving her family’s legacy, and the importance of immigrants to American culture and innovation. Flaster emphasizes the value of freedom, the trauma of displacement, and the enduring strength of the immigrant spirit. Ultimately, she discusses her ongoing efforts to raise awareness about Cuban history and current events through her writing. Key highlights: Ana Hebra Flaster ‘s Childhood and Immigration Story The Concept of Liberty Storytelling and Family Resilience Writing Process and Challenges Role of PR and Final Thoughts Resources: Ana Hebra Flaster at PR by the Book Property of the Revolution: From a Cuban Barrio to a New Hampshire Mill Town—A Memoir on Amazon & Bookshop.org Ana Hebra Flaster Website PR by the Book Website Follow Ana Hebra Flaster on: Facebook LinkedIn Instagram X/Twitter Tom Fox Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn

    33 min
  5. A Journey Through Memoir, Technology, and Grief with Tony Stewart

    07/08/2025

    A Journey Through Memoir, Technology, and Grief with Tony Stewart

    Welcome to the SBR-Authors Podcast! In this podcast series, Host Tom Fox visits with authors in the compliance arena and beyond. In this episode, Tom Fox interviews Tony Stewart, an author, filmmaker, technologist, and memoirist, about his book 'Carrying the Tiger.' Stewart shares his extensive professional background, which began as a filmmaker and transitioned into software development and business consulting, culminating in his retirement. He delves deep into the personal inspiration for his memoir, driven by his wife Lynn's battle with stage four non-smoking lung cancer and the emotional and organic evolution of their journey. Stewart also discusses the process of writing and editing his story, the concept of emotional resiliency, and the profound lessons of acceptance, grief, and grace he learned. The episode also explores Stewart's perspective on storytelling across different media, his collaboration with PR by the Book, and his efforts to share his story to help others. Key highlights: ·       Tony Stewart's Professional Journey ·       The Inspiration Behind 'Carrying the Tiger' ·       Writing and Editing the Memoir ·       Lessons in Emotional Resiliency ·       Experiencing and Understanding Grief ·       Dying with Grace ·       The Art of Storytelling ·       Publishing and Promotion Journey     Resources: Tony Stewart at PR by the Book Carrying the Tiger on Amazon Tony Stewart Website PR by the Book Website Follow Tony Stewart on:Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Substack Tom Fox Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn

    31 min

About

In the SBR - Author's Podcast, host Tom Fox visits with authors who write about business ethics, leadership, and compliance issues. This podcast is part of his Sunday Book Review podcast, where Tom reviews books weekly for compliance professionals. This podcast will take a deep dive into books relevant to the compliance professional and make for a more leisurely chat with the authors about why they wrote their books, the details in the book, and, most importantly, what skills they will bring to the compliance professional.