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

This episode features discussions of sensitive topics that some may find inappropriate. Listener Discretion is advised!

This week Burke is joined by award-winning author Adrian Heflin who has received major praise for his book Lady of the Plantation.

Lady of the Plantation follows a young girl fighting her way through the Georgia slave trade in the 19th century. The book touches on several sensitive topics and, as an accountant by trade, allows Adrian to test himself to be a better writer.

While he appreciates the praise he's received, including more than 100 5-star reviews on Amazon, he chooses to keep his books affordable through Kindle.

You can order it on Kindle:https://www.amazon.com/Lady-Plantation-Adrian-Heflin-ebook/dp/B0BFMN35ZD?ref_=ast_author_mpb

The Big Time Talker is sponsored by Speakermatch.com.

What are the little-known tips and tricks to renting? Rent rates have increased over the last decade, especially in big cities - Justin Pogue uses his expertise from his time as a landlord to help renters slash those prices.

Justin is the writer of Rental Secrets: Reduce Your Rent - Get Better Value - Create Quality Communities, a recent Reader's Favorite Award winner. His book is full of advice for renters.

The combined expenditure of renters across the country adds up to over a trillion dollars. As a landlord, Justin Pogue wanted to help people put a dent in that rate.

For example, you could cut up to 7% in your rent by scheduling your lease; maybe over the winter when fewer people are moving. The book also features advice for negotiating rent.

You can order his book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Rental-Secrets-Reduce-Quality-Communities/dp/1543978479/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=OMPKQ&content-id=amzn1.sym.cf86ec3a-68a6-43e9-8115-04171136930a&pf_rd_p=cf86ec3a-68a6-43e9-8115-04171136930a&pf_rd_r=136-3373693-9360030&pd_rd_wg=tWdju&pd_rd_r=7cf660fd-33ec-4a6d-9e51-754517c5f340&ref_=aufs_ap_sc_dsk

The Big Time Talker is sponsored by Speakermatch.com

"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.

"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

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.

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.