Idiosyncratic Fables

In this episode, we sit down with award-winning author Dan E. Hendrickson. Born and raised in Sheridan, Wyoming, Dan has lived an extraordinary life as a journalist, Christian minister, martial arts instructor, EMT, firefighter, and longtime auto detailing business owner with his wife Cheryl. In recent years he returned to his passion for storytelling and has since published multiple action-packed novels spanning Westerns, military thrillers, pirate adventures, and historical fiction. Listeners will hear about the multi-generational Edwards family saga in the Last Enemy series, the swashbuckling Pirate Princess books, the deeply researched biblical historical novel Magi Apprentice, and newer works like Railroad Man, Legacies Son. Dan shares how his real-world experiences shape his heroes, the intensive research behind his historical stories, the role of faith and redemption in his writing, and what keeps him creating across so many genres. A rich conversation about duty, trauma, adventure, and the power of story.
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In this episode, we sit down with Craig Michael Beck — a SAG-AFTRA actor based in Savannah, Georgia, who also works regularly in the transportation and art departments on film and television productions across the Atlanta area. Craig shares how he made the leap into acting at 35 after years in direct sales, what it’s really like balancing performance work with crew gigs, and some memorable stories from sets including Peacemaker, The Suicide Squad, and more. They also talk about his unique skill set (Class A CDL, instrument-rated pilot, DiveMaster), life with his production-designer wife, the booming Georgia film industry, and how they first crossed paths on the Audiobooks at Sea cruise in 2024. A candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about late starts, dual careers, and the real day-to-day of making movies in the South.
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In this episode, we sit down with professional audiobook narrator and voice actor Michael Norman Johnson. Once a passenger train conductor, Michael discovered the power of audiobooks and made the leap into full-time narration. Today he records from a broadcast-quality home studio, delivering immersive, character-driven performances across romance, LitRPG, fantasy, science fiction, and mystery. We talk about his unexpected career shift, how martial arts training and live performance shape his work in the booth, the craft of creating distinct character voices, the challenges of dual narration and spicy scenes, and what it’s like balancing performance with his role as Lead Engineer and Executive Producer for Pink Flamingo Productions. Join us for an engaging conversation about storytelling, the business of audiobooks, and the journey from the rails to the recording booth.
 
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In this episode, we sit down with author TJ London — the self-described rebel, liberal, lover, fighter, and mohawk-rocking Mistress of the Revolution. A pharmacist-turned-storyteller, TJ takes us deep into her gritty, steamy historical fiction series The Rebels and Redcoats Saga, set against the backdrop of the American Revolutionary War. From the conflicted Redcoat Captain John Carlisle to the fierce Oneida connections and the Carlisle-McKesson families, she shares how she fills in the forgotten gaps of history while weaving in romance, espionage, loyalty, and conscience. We talk about her intensive research process, the indie path after countless rejections, her award-winning multi-cast audiobook productions, and how her own mental-health journey shapes the metaphors woven throughout the books. Plus, what’s next for the saga and why she believes everyone should rock their own revolution. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about history, passion, resilience, and storytelling that refuses to play it safe.
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In this episode, host James R. Cheatham sits down with his former shipmate Billy Lee Masten — a Ships Serviceman (SH) who served aboard the legendary USS Kitty Hawk. Together they revisit the steel decks, the long deployments, and the high-stakes world of keeping an aircraft carrier running and ready. Billy shares what it was like growing up in Axtell, Texas, joining the Navy, and spending years as a SH. He opens up about life at sea, the unexpected moments that stay with you, and the powerful homecoming that brought him back to his family after years away. From the grind of shipboard life to the quieter challenges of transitioning to the civilian world, Billy’s story is one of service, resilience, and finding home again. This is a conversation about what the Navy takes, what it gives, and the life that continues after the uniform comes off. Tune in for sea stories, honest reflections, and one of those rare journeys that feels both deeply personal and universally human.
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Join me for a fun and action-packed conversation with fantasy author Frank Morin! Best known for his epic teen fantasy series The Petralist — full of explosive magic, high-stakes adventure, and brilliant humor — Frank also delights readers with quirky, fast-paced tales like Bacon Master of the Apocalypse and the gods of the Pantryon. In this episode, we explore his creative journey, the inspiration behind his wildly imaginative worlds, how he blends humor with heart-pounding action, his love of outdoor adventures and research trips, and what’s coming next for fans. Whether you’re a longtime Petralist fan or new to his stories, this interview is packed with laughs, storytelling insights, and plenty of book recommendations. Grab your favorite snack (bacon encouraged), settle in, and get ready for a fantastic ride through magic, mayhem, and memorable characters!
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From Dragons to Conspiracies: Jack Adkins on Fantasy, Thrillers & Appalachian Secrets
In this episode, I’m joined by author Jack Adkins — an Eastern Kentucky IT professional, lifelong Dungeon Master, and the creative force behind the humorous epic fantasy series The Dragons of Dorwine. Jack’s trilogy follows Anuka Sandbar, a charming half-goblin con artist on a high-stakes search for his missing father in a world where dragons rule as gods and hoard all magic. The books blend sharp humor with deeper themes of faith, power, mercy, and the lasting consequences of hard choices. We also dig into Jack’s shift into grounded Appalachian thrillers with his new Nolan Keller series, starting with The Devil on Klack Mountain — a story that weaves small-town secrets, modern espionage, folklore, and buried science beneath the mountains. Along the way, Jack shares how three decades of tabletop role-playing shaped his storytelling, what it was like landing legendary narrator Michael Kramer as a self-published author, how he balances writing with a full-time hospital job and raising four sons, and the creative leap from dragons to conspiracies. Whether you love epic fantasy, intelligent thrillers, or stories rooted in Appalachian soil, this conversation offers a fascinating look at a writer who refuses easy answers.
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Attacking the Dragon: A. Marc Ross on China, Power, and the Thriller
In this episode, we’re joined by A. Marc Ross — Stanford Law graduate, corporate lawyer, and author of the gripping political thrillers The Conscripted Extremist and Attacking the Dragon. After decades working on high-stakes international deals and spending significant time in China, Marc turned to fiction, crafting stories that blend real-world geopolitics, political extremism, and pulse-pounding suspense. His latest novel, Attacking the Dragon, explores terrorist attacks aimed at undermining China’s global ambitions and has already earned multiple literary festival honors. We discuss his journey from the boardroom to the page, how his professional experience in China and international business shapes his writing, the challenges of tackling charged political themes, and what’s next — including a potential limited series adaptation of The Conscripted Extremist. A fascinating conversation about power, hidden agendas, and the art of the modern thriller.
 
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In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, we sit down with Marty Ogborn, daughter of the late author Bob Liter. After her father’s passing in 2008, Marty took on the mission of preserving and expanding his literary legacy — reissuing his beloved Nick Bancroft mystery series and writing new sequels that continue the story for a new generation. Bob Liter, a U.S. Navy veteran, longtime journalist, and copy editor at the Peoria Journal Star, created the Nick Bancroft Mysteries — a fun, witty, and suspenseful soft-boiled series set in the fictional Central City, Illinois (a town that feels remarkably like Peoria). Nick, a wisecracking freelance reporter and private investigator, was modeled after Bob himself, while his on-again, off-again love interest Maggie Atley was inspired by Marty’s mother, Lillian. Marty shares touching family stories, reveals how rereading her dad’s books gave her new insight into the man behind the stories, and discusses the joys and challenges of stepping into the author role herself. Whether you love classic mysteries, family legacies, or stories about keeping creativity alive across generations, this conversation is full of warmth, wisdom, and Midwestern charm. Discover the Nick Bancroft Mysteries in ebook, paperback, and audiobook formats, and get ready for fresh adventures from the next generation of Bancroft writers. Tune in now and be inspired to protect your own family stories.
 
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In this episode, we sit down with debut author Steve Harthun to discuss his gritty LitRPG progression fantasy series, Ashes of Vaeltharion. Steve introduces us to Burden of Fate, where a washed-up Army Ranger from Kentucky is ripped into a brutal world with nothing but guilt, addiction, and survival instincts. No chosen-one tropes here — just hard-earned power, tactical combat, dark fantasy, and a world where magic has strict rules and weakness gets you killed. We dive into Steve’s journey from IT manager and father of eight to published author, his time on Royal Road, building ruthless progression systems, writing flawed and broken heroes, and the heavy themes of trauma, redemption, and resilience that fuel the series. Whether you’re a fan of Dungeon Crawler Carl, grimdark fantasy, or stories where every level comes at a real cost, this conversation is packed with insight, inspiration, and plenty of world-building details. Tune in for a raw, honest look at what it takes to create a compelling new voice in LitRPG and progression fantasy. Available now on Amazon Kindle Unlimited and Audible.
 
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