300 episodes

Big Time Talker with Burke Allen brings you compelling conversations the best Authors, Entertainers, and Experts with longtime broadcaster Burke Allen. Our sponsor SpeakerMatch is the leading provider of tools and services for emerging and professional speakers, authors, and others with a message to share.

Burke Allen's Big Time Talker Podcast — by SpeakerMatch Big Time Talker Podcast

    • Society & Culture
    • 5.0 • 5 Ratings

Big Time Talker with Burke Allen brings you compelling conversations the best Authors, Entertainers, and Experts with longtime broadcaster Burke Allen. Our sponsor SpeakerMatch is the leading provider of tools and services for emerging and professional speakers, authors, and others with a message to share.

    How G. Edward Martin combines philosophy and fiction

    How G. Edward Martin combines philosophy and fiction

    "This book literally left me speechless," 5-star Amazon Review for The Flower from the Garbage. G. Edward Martin loves to write and uses his passion to fuel his entire creative process.

    He uses his book, The Flower from the Garbage to ask rough, philosophical questions to keep readers engaged in more ways than one.

    He's pleased to see his writings earn him a Reader's Favorite Award and it only encourages him to write more.

    You can learn more about Edward by visiting his website: https://edwardmartinbooks.com/

    The Big Time Talker is sponsored by Speakermatch.com.

    • 16 min
    Carole Wolfe, author of award-winning My Best series talks about her craft

    Carole Wolfe, author of award-winning My Best series talks about her craft

    "My Best Mistake by Carole Wolfe is a fun and inspiring read," Edith Wairimu for Readers' Favorite

    This week Burke is joined by Carole Wolfe, a Reader's Favorite award-winning author, who recently found critical acclaim with her "My Best..." series.

    For Carole, being a writer has been a lifelong ambition. It's something she's been excited to do and is thrilled to be recognized for her work.

    She talks about why her stories are special and what has inspired her after all these years.

    In My Best Mistake she uses her characters to talk about the more complicated aspects of life.

    Learn more about her work by visiting her website: https://carolewolfe.com/

    The Big Time Talker is sponsored by Speakermatch.com

    • 18 min
    Bringing science to sci-fi with award winning author Terry Birdgenaw

    Bringing science to sci-fi with award winning author Terry Birdgenaw

    This week Burke speaks with Terry Birdgenaw, author of the award-winning Antunite Chronicles trilogy of books. He talks about his inspirations and what got him into writing.

    Terry shares how his career as a scientist actually informs the way he writes these books.

    He was inspired by the altruistic tendencies of ants and how their attitude reflects those of humans. He uses these characteristics to tell a compelling story about fighting back against fascism. 

    You can learn more about him and his writing by visiting his website: 

    The Big Time Talker is sponsored by Speakermatch.com.

    • 23 min
    In Memory of Joe Blunt, of the Drifters and Voices of Classic Soul

    In Memory of Joe Blunt, of the Drifters and Voices of Classic Soul

    During his decade (1975-1985) as one of the lead singers of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group The Drifters, Blunt was privileged to perform alongside the legendary Ben E. King (Stand By Me) and the great Johnny Moore (Under The Boardwalk). During this period, The Drifters experienced a significant career resurgence, especially in England, where the group returned to the top of the charts with several top 10 hits, major tours, and media appearances. 



    Joe received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Sony Music for his service to the music industry as a member of The Drifters on the Bell/Arista Record labels. Sony Music also awarded Blunt a Gold Disc for his contributions to the compilation CD, "The Drifters: The Very Best Of," certified Gold in the U.K.


    Blunt retired from The Drifters and returned to his musical roots as a gospel music performer in D.C.


    He was also a member the trio “Voices Of Classic Soul". The group toured extensively all across the country and made dozens of media appearances, with Blunt singing lead on crowd-pleasing Drifters classics, including "Under The Boardwalk," "This Magic Moment," "On Broadway," "Up On The Roof," and King's "Stand By Me." Blunt retired from performing in 2023.


    Joe Blunt began his singing career while a student at D.C.’s McKinley Tech High School, signing his first recording contract with Cap City Records as a member of The Chancellors. Joe was the lead singer on the group's 1968 debut single,” Sad Avenue.”


    The group, however, may be best remembered as producing a future member of The Temptations, a member of The Platters, and, in 1975, Joe Blunt became a member of the legendary Drifters.

    • 52 min
    Getting to Jumbalot with award-winning author Ryan Wakefield

    Getting to Jumbalot with award-winning author Ryan Wakefield

    This week Burke speaks with Ryan Wakefield, a Reader's Favorite Award Winner. In Ryan's award-winning book, Journey to Jumbalot, he tells an epic story in a world of animals combined together.

    He was always encouraged to create and it's paid off - he's told his books are enjoyed by children who don't usually enjoy books. He's been drawing some of these character since he was in grade school.

    To learn more about his book visit Jumbalot.com.

    The Big Time Talker is sponsored by Speakermatch.com.

    • 18 min
    Bringing history to life with award winning author, Roni Rosenthal

    Bringing history to life with award winning author, Roni Rosenthal

    This week Burke speaks with award-winning author, Roni Rosenthal. Her book, "Where the Lilacs Bloom Once Again: Friddie’s Story" has earned hundreds of rave reviews on Amazon and has won her a Reader's Favorite Award.

    After seeing her father's family tree, she knew it was a story she had to tell.

    Friddie is Roni's grandmother's cousin who survived a cruel stint in fascist work camps during World War 2. Her story of perseverance in the face of antisemitism and her fight for her life inspired Roni enough to tell her story.

    You can order Where the Lilacs Bloom Once Again: Friddie’s Story on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Where-Lilacs-Bloom-Once-Again/dp/0979280087

    Roni is the Director of Judaic Studies and a Hebrew Literature Professor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. 

    The Big Time Talker is sponsored by Speakermatch.com.

    • 20 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
5 Ratings

5 Ratings

east1009 ,

SOLID

Burke has excellent interview skills. I appreciate how he tees up questions for his guests and he does so much research. He doesn’t dominate the conversation and after every episode I really feel like I’ve learned something…which make me always go back for more. If you are on the fence about listening to this podcast, DO IT! You won’t be sorry.

Tom Antion ,

Great Variety of Guests and Great Interviewer

Burke is as smooth as they come and brings out the best in his guests.

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