GoodEnough

In this episode, Mark and Sam have Jordan back on the GE to talk about her new book, "This Is Not A Novel". It is a collection of short stories. Think Roald Dahl meets Steven King. We talk about where ideas come from. We discuss how she developed her characters. And what may be next for her.

In this episode, Mark and Sam talk with Tom Lincoln. Tom Lincoln was born in Pasadena, California, in 1950 and was raised in Glendale.  He graduated high school and attended the College of Idaho until 1971 when he enlisted in the U.S. Army.  He completed army basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and then received advance training at the Defense Information School at Fort Benjamin Harris...

Mark and Sam talk with author Pattie Diener about the craft of writing a novel and getting it publishing. She has a new book out called, "Wild Flower". Here is what Amazon has to say about it.   A captivating story about a young woman's tenacious journey on finding love, acceptance, and a sense of home, in a world that constantly tries to tear her down. She’s smart, talented, and re...

In this episode, we have a returning guest. Jackie Balestra was on the 5th episode of GoodEnough. At that time she shared with us her adventures in RVing during COVID. This time Jackie is talking about her wonderful new book, "The Rockaway Chronicles". This is a year by year collections of memories and the characters she encountered as a child and teenager during her families' summe...

This week Mark and Sam talk with journalist and author, David Rosenfeld. We talk about the craft and process of writing. Is it pen or keyboard? Where inspirations come from. Who are his journalistic/literary heroes. David teases his his new novel he is working. 

In this episode, Mark and Sam discuss AJ Humpreys' new novel, "Trip" and his new publishing company, Dark Journeys Press. This one is not for the squeamish. And the word "fuck" is used liberally.  AJ Humphreys is an emerging author of thrillers, horrors, and mysteries and a 2024 addition to the Horror Writer's Association. The four-part Season of The Monster saga has...

In this episode, Mark and Sam talk with author Chris Lawler about his new book, "The Strand Between Us". The discussion cover the art and craft of writing a novel with some local South Bay stories thrown in.  From Amazon: Kel Robinson graduated from High School without a clue of what comes next. His parents have sold the house he grew up in and are moving to Idaho. Kel is determined to s...

In this episode, Mark and Sam talk with Julie Kavickas about what it takes to write a romance novel.  Julie Navickas is a best-selling and award-winning, nationally recognized contemporary romance novelist, known for her keen ability to tell heart-wrenching, second-chance love stories through relatable characters with humility, humor, and heroism. She is also an award-winning university instructor...

In this episode, Mark and Sam talk to Mark's friend Jordan O'Halloran the author of "Clean Up In Aisle Three". Jordan lives in Northern California with her partner, cat, and roommate. She is addicted to the smell of books, bright colors, and caffeine. A huge advocate for mental health and kindness, she spends every waking moment thinking of the perfect first line. When not writ...

In this episode, Mark and Sam talk with Vivian Kong-Doctora. She is an entrepreneur, restaurateur, and author of "Life of Bao". Her new restaurant is the Kobe Revolving Sushi Bar. 

In this episode, Mark and Sam talk with Sara Schulting Kranz.  Sara is an authority in resiliency and leadership. She is the founder and guide of life-changing wilderness retreats in the Grand Canyon and Alaska. As a motivational speaker, workshop facilitator, TedX speaker on forgiveness, author, and executive producer of a documentary in production, Sara found herself "starting again" a...

In this episode, Mark and Sam ask Derek Story if AI will kill us all.  Derek is a thought leader on the use of AI in HR. He is currently the Director of HR Systems, Training, and Communication at Illinois State University. During his time at ISU he has been responsible for continuity of HR technology, learning and development for campus, and staff recruiting and orientation. Before joining Illinoi...

In this episode, Mark and Sam talk with best selling author, Jen Ruiz. Jen Ruiz is a lawyer turned full-time travel blogger and author. She is a 3-time TEDx speaker, 6-time bestselling author, and multi award winning travel journalist. Jen has been featured in Forbes, The Washington Post, and ABC News and is the solo female traveler behind Jen on a Jet Plane.   You can find her blog here: https://...

In this episode, Mark and Sam talk to professor Jim Jawahar about his new bool "Thrive!: The Phycology Behind Achieving Professional Success."  If you want to jump start your career, you need to read this book.   Dr. Jim Jawahar (jimjawahar1@unm.edu) received his Ph. D. degree from Oklahoma State University in Human Resource Management and Organizational Behavior. Jim served in several a...

In this episode, Mark and Sam talk with the CEO of the Children's Home Association of Illinois and the author of Nonprofit Game Plan.  In Nonprofit Game Plan, Matt reveals the real story of nonprofits, the one no one talks about: they are the world's best defense against the gnawing grind of social decay, poverty, homelessness and crime. Whether he's breaking tennis world records, p...

In this episode, Mark and Sam talk to Sam's friend Dave Moravec who has just published a new book called Echoes Across the Track.   Dave Moravec is an accomplished business leader with over 40 years of experience in a variety of industries, including educational technology and printing. A Chicago native transplanted in Cincinnati, Dave’s consultative approach to fractional sales management an...

In this episode, Sam and Mark talk to Paul Allman about his book, The Journal: Memories of Addis.   Based on a True Story from the journal Paul kept while on his adventures.  The Journal begins in the caves of Matala on the Island of Crete, made famous by Joni Mitchell's song Carey from her Blue album. Paul's cave was three caves down from hers. The story details his quest to visit the c...

In this episode, Mark and Sam interview James Laing the author of Circumstance.  James H. Laing was born in Toronto, Canada on 1965.  He found a passion for reading and writing creative literature early in life and took his artistic journey to Los Angeles in the early 90s.  in 2015 he moved to Washington state where he and his wife started a CBD business and experienced first hand the prevalence o...

In this episode, Mark and Sam start the year off right with a visit from their friend Tara Desmond.  They try to answer the comic question: Will AI kill us all?

In this episode, Mark and Sam learn that there is good news about the economy.  This week they talked with Mike Doherty.  Mike is an independent consulting economist. He is the contracted business development manager for Decision Innovation Solutions, an analytics consulting firm based in Des Moines, Iowa, and has consulted on behalf of USDA and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization...

In this episode, Mark and Sam talk to Julie Eliathamby about food deserts and how adaptive strategies and partnerships can work to over come the nutritional challenges of these deserts.    Julie Eliathamby, a Chinese Indian from Malaysia, moved to the United States in 2005 and has lived in Peoria for the past 15 years. She is a multilingual, cross- cultural professional with over 25 years of exper...

In this episode, Mark and Sam discuss economic development strategies and philosophies with Patrick Hoban.  Patrick is the CEO of the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council.  He is a Certified by the International Economic Development Council.  He holds an Economic Development Finance Professional designation from the National Development Council. Patrick graduated from Millikin Universit...

In this episode we talk with Laurie Swanson TED speaker and business owner of "InspiHER Tech".  Laurie talks who people hate their jobs and about career transformation, mindset, and intuitively-guided careers.  People make about 35,000 decisions every day and our world is more complex and crowded than ever. So how does one steer a career though all of this?   The fallout from not steerin...

In this episode, Mark and Sam talk with Kori Clausen the author of "Paddle Out"  Her story is one of triumph over grief and how to accept what you have been given.  Kori Clausen felt Clint, her husband, take his last breath.  She watched as his arm he was holding her with suddenly fell limp to his side.  She had just unexpectedly lost her husband and the father of their four daughters. S...

In this episode Mark and Sam talk to Rick Jebb. Rick Jebb is a neuro divergent author who writes about adaptation: multigenerational influence, the power of community, art and nature. He has been called an “artist trapped in a businessman’s body,” and has striven to transverse the realms of ecology, geography, history, literature, fine art, neuroscience, religion and business. His life often focus...