The DTALKS Podcast

What happens when talent isn't the only thing determining whether you get your shot? On today's episode of The DTALKS Podcast, author Angelica Cheng joins Joe to talk about her debut novel, The Fast Track, a YA rom-com set in the high-pressure world of Formula racing. Angelica shares how discovering Formula One during the pandemic — and quickly noticing how few women were represented in the sport...

What makes somewhere — or someone — feel like home? On today's episode of The DTALKS Podcast, award-winning author and illustrator Shaun Tan returns to the show to talk about his latest book, Hometown. Joe and Shaun explore the story's wonderfully strange premise: a girl who feels completely at home among a family and community that look nothing like her, until someone who looks like her arrives a...

How much of our lives should actually exist outside the frame? On today's episode of The DTALKS Podcast, Joe sits down with his friend A.J. Hernandez, a Boston-based lifestyle, food, and fashion creator, for a conversation about what it means to build a life online without turning your entire life into content. A.J. talks about finding the balance between beautiful, curated experiences and not tak...

What happens when you take control of your own story? For the 300th episode of The DTALKS Podcast, Joe welcomes back two previous guests for two very different conversations about identity, storytelling, survival, and the stories we tell about ourselves. First, actor Nicole Pacent joins the show to talk about stepping into the role of Mystique in Marvel's Wolverine. Nicole discusses making an icon...

How much of the roadmap we follow through life is one we actually chose — and how much of it was handed to us? On today's episode of the podcast, Audra Phelps (aka Mama Audra) joins Joe to discuss her journey from growing up in the Mormon faith to eventually choosing to leave after a decade-long process of questioning, discovery, and change. Audra shares how motherhood, friendships outside the chu...

Author Samuel Sattin returns to the podcast to discuss Unico: Hunted and the latest installment, Unico: Lost . Joe and Sam explore how Unico's story has evolved, the challenge of honoring Osamu Tezuka's beloved character, and why young readers connect with stories that take their emotions and experiences seriously. They also talk about friendship, fear, kindness as a form of strength, and whether...

On this episode of the podcast Preeti Chhibber shares her experience taking different characters/nerdom and putting her own spin on them! In her latest book, "House of Harkness", Preeti tackles the Scarlet Witch's story -- told through the lense of a boarding school. What would a Magical Marvel boarding school look like and how would Wanda navigate it? Enjoy! About Preeti Chhibber Preeti Chhibber...

Have you ever wondered what it's really like within the walls of the CIA? What about the stories from the women who actually lived and worked within the walls from the 60's through today? And just how much of it is like James Bond? On today's episode of the podcast, former CIA Agent Christina Hillsberg stops by the show to discuss her book "Agents of Change: The women who transformed the CIA". It'...

It's the episode all the bad guys want! Let's take it back to 1985! Come back to Texas! Alright, alright, we're done. But on this week's episode legendary Bowling For Soup frontman Jaret Reddick stops by the podcast to promote the BFS 32nd Birthday Bash on June 5, 2026! Joe and Jaret get into a conversation about BFS' career since the pandemic ended, what the birthday bash means to them, and how t...

When was the last time you allowed yourself to truly be curious? What if, instead of rushing to pick a side, we asked more questions to better understand our neighbor? These are just a few of the questions Joe and author Britney Winn Lee discuss on today's episode of the podcast. Britney wrote a fabulous book entitled: "Sacred Curiosity: Wondering Our Way Toward Wholeness". In it and in this episo...

What would you do if you moved to a new town where an endless game of Capture the Flag was already going on? Would you join in? Which side would you take? These are, but a few of the questions asked by today's guest, J.D. Amato in his book "The Endless Game"!  J.D. and Joe get into a fantastic conversation about writing, storytelling, career journey, and life itself. It's a fantastic conversation...

We are SO EXCITED to welcome back Alyson Gerber to the show to discuss her latest book in The Liars Society series, 'A Secret Escape'! Alyson shares how her characters have changed from Book 2 to Book 3, what puzzles await them, and her advice for the reluctant readers out there.  Enjoy! About Alyson Gerber Alyson Gerber is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Liars Society s...

How would you pay homage to the books who helped shaped you as a child? That's the topic of discussion for today's episode as author and illustrator Selina Alko stops by The DTALKS Podcast to discuss her latest book, "Otherwise Known as Judy The Great". We get into a discussion about childhood influences, different art styles used for the book, and lessons Selina hopes readers take away from her b...

Get ready for a SUPER episode! One might even call it a MARVELous episode! On this episode of the podcast, author Saadia Faruqi stops by the show to share about her latest book, "Ms. Marvel: Remnants of the Past". Saadia shares about her background as an author, how she got an opportunity to tell a story in the ever-expanding cannon of Ms. Marvel, and how all kids should feel seen in the literatur...

How do you write the story that only you can tell? How do you remain disciplined when you want to continue to create new and different pieces of art? Or, what if you find yourself on the run from multiversal agents of chaos!? All of these discussion topics and more are shared in the latest episode of The DTALKS Podcast! Today's guest, John Claude Bemis, shares his perspective writing, the highs an...

How much do you think about the land you're living on? Have you taken the time to give your thanks/appreciation for who came before you? Today's guest Wunneanatsu Lamb-Cason discusses her latest book "Grandmother Moon", why it was important for her to share this story, and the significance of paying respect to the native land we live on. We chose to release this episode right on the heels of Indig...

Have you ever wondered about what goes on at your local community theatre? Or have you, yourself, participated in community theatre and wished someone covered it in a book? Today's guest of the podcast, Leah Hager Cohen, set out to do just that in her 2001 release "The Stuff of Dreams". This book covered a specific performance in a season of plays for her local community theatre, dubbed one of the...

What would  you do if you found out you accidentally bought a priceless work of art? Would you sell it? Would you donate it? Would you get rid of it? Or would you keep it secret? In Dan Gutman's latest book, 'The Picasso Curse', Edwin discovers he's bought a Picasso original piece of art hidden behind a $10 Kobe Bryant poster. Little does he know this discovery is about to change his whole life! W...

Do you like fractured fairy tales? You know, when the story you  think you know gets flipped turned upside down!? Yeah you do, you  know you do and today's guest has got a fun one! On this episode of the podcast author Patrick Horne stops by to share his debut release, "Bear and the Three Goldilocks" and what path he took to get to this point. It's a fun conversation we think you'll really like so...

He's back but this time, he's going to Mars! Mars!? That's right,  MARS! Good friend and author Brian McLaren returns to the podcast to discuss his latest book and first in the start of a brand-new sci-fi trilogy, The Last Voyage! Brian and I discuss the timeliness of this book and how it compares to his first fiction trilogy, 'A New Kind of Christian'.  I think you'll really enjoy the episode and...

Are you in a cult? Are you sure? Are you  really sure ? According to guest Jane Borden, our entire country was founded by a doomsday cult, the Puritans. Aaaaand if that didn't get your curiousity piqued for this latest episode of the podcast, then I don't know what will! In the latest episode of The DTALKS Podcast, Joe and Jane get into a conversation about the definition of a cult, some of the ea...

What do guys talk about? How do male friendships work? How can you be vulnerable in an environment where you've been conditioned to "bottle it up" and not share what's  really on your mind? That's the topic of this episode of the podcast as we welcome back former guest, Ben Feller, to the show to discuss his latest project, the new podcast "Pour It On".  Joe and Ben get into a great conversation a...

What is your perspective on motherhood?  How does it change depending on where in the world you are? What would new mothers in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America have in common vs what would be unique to them? These are some of the talking points in Abigail Leonard's latest book, "Four Mothers" which highlights 4 different women's first year of motherhood.  On the heels of both Mother & Fathe...

Are you ready for the next YA book series to completely obsess over!? That's what's in store for you when you pick up Lauren Magaziner's latest book, The Incorruptibles! Lauren stopped by the show this week to share her background as an author, working on this (among many other) projects, and some of her favorite memories writing this book. Check it out!   About Lauren Magaziner Lauren is the inte...

Are you ready for Summer?  Are you ready for Lemonade? Are you ready for a Lemonade WAR!? In this latest episode of the podcast, Joe sits down with author Jacqueline Davies to discuss the graphic novel adaptation of her book, 'The Lemonade War'. Joe and Jacqueline get into a fabulous conversation about the book that you won't want to miss! Enjoy!   About Jacqueline Davies Jacqueline Davies has liv...