Burke Allen's Big Time Talker Podcast — by SpeakerMatch

On this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, recorded at the American Library Association conference in Chicago, Burke Allen welcomes author Dan E. Hendrickson to discuss his historical Western novel Railroad Man: Legacy Son. Set in 1883, the novel follows Arthur Edwards, a Civil War Navy veteran tasked with helping extend the railroad from Cheyenne, Wyoming, north toward Billings, Montana. The...

On this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, recorded at the American Library Association Summer Conference in Chicago, Burke Allen sits down with author Judah Freed to discuss the 2026 edition of Making Global Sense, his modern extension of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense. Judah explains how Paine’s ideas inspired him to explore concepts he calls a “Declaration of Interdependence,” mindful self-ru...

On this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, Burke Allen welcomes back award-winning author and educator Hazell Thomas to discuss Money Moves a Nation: A Civil Rights Lesson for Children and the personal history that inspired her to write it. Hazell grew up in Money, Mississippi, the small town connected to the 1955 murder of Emmett Till—an event that became a catalyst in the American Civil Rig...

On this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, Burke Allen welcomes back award-winning children's author Matt Dragovits to discuss Dawn of Legends: A Tale for Christmas, the latest addition to the magical world of Zach’s Quest. Matt shares how growing up with nine brothers and sisters in Pennsylvania—and watching classic Rankin/Bass Christmas specials—helped shape his lifelong love of the holiday...

On this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, Burke Allen welcomes back award-winning children's author and illustrator Ashley Belote to talk about the latest chapter in her creative career, including Squirrel Lock Holmes #1: The Pet Rock Mystery and Little Red and Big Bad Fred. Ashley shares how Squirrel Lock Holmes became her first early chapter book in a graphic-novel style, following squirre...

On this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, Burke Allen sits down with award-winning author K.M. Cookie to discuss her debut novel, Song of Hummingbird Highway, and the personal journey that finally inspired her to become the writer she had always wanted to be. K.M. introduces Terry, a Midwestern woman who follows her musician boyfriend to Belize, where mystical rhythms and ancient forces lead...

On this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, Burke Allen sits down with author Jessica Teich to discuss the revised anniversary edition of The Future Tense of Joy, a deeply personal memoir that intertwines her own life with the story of a young woman she never met. Jessica shares how an obituary for 27-year-old Lacey Cooper Reynolds captured her attention and ultimately transformed what began a...

On this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, Burke Allen sits down with award-winning author C.C. Soleil to discuss her historical thriller, Holy Orders. Blending historical fiction, contemporary mystery, archaeology, and a touch of the supernatural, Holy Orders follows a team of archaeologists in southern Germany whose investigation into the Black Plague uncovers evidence of a horrific crime b...

On this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, Burke Allen welcomes author, psychotherapist, and educator Mary McCluskey to discuss her award-winning children's books, The Leader of the Parade and Bubbles, Balloons, and Birds. Drawing on more than two decades of experience as a therapist, Mary shares how her books help children navigate emotions, trauma, diversity, grief, and resilience through i...

On this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, Burke Allen welcomes award-winning author E.G. Slade to discuss Momentum Montessori: A Life in Motion, a historical novel inspired by the life and personal writings of Dr. Maria Montessori. Drawing from Montessori's 1913 diary and extensive historical research, Elizabeth Slade explores the remarkable woman behind one of the world's most influential e...

On this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, Burke Allen welcomes entrepreneur, business leader, and motivational speaker Tony Holland for an inspiring conversation about resilience, financial literacy, and building lasting wealth. Tony shares his remarkable journey from growing up in a difficult environment in Brunswick, Maryland, to earning a scholarship to Johns Hopkins University, overcomin...

On this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, Burke Allen sits down with award-winning children's author Tina Neely to share the heartwarming true story behind Bacon Loves Everyone. Inspired by her real-life pet pig, Bacon Bit, Tina discusses how an unexpected companion became the inspiration for a children's book centered on love, acceptance, and belonging. She shares how she taught herself dig...

On this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, Burke Allen sits down with author Michael Ciccarelli Walsh to explore the creative journey behind his imaginative storytelling—from action-packed sci-fi adventures to heartwarming children's books. Michael discusses how his background in screenwriting shaped his approach to writing novels, why compelling characters matter more than spectacle, and wha...

Beach Boys fans, listen up ! Summer is officially here and this week on the Big Time Talker podcast with Burke Allen, we celebrate summer in style! There’s plenty of sun, surf and sand between our toes during this special encore presentation of our conversation with longtime Beach Boys band member Bobby Figueroa from California Surf Inc. Go behind the scenes and get the inside story about one of t...

Recording artist Ryne Brashear joins Burke Allen on the Big Time Talker Podcast to share his journey from growing up on a sixth-generation cattle farm in Upton, Kentucky, to building a music career in Nashville. Ryne talks about how farm life shaped his work ethic, the lessons he learned playing on Broadway, and how his sound blends country, gospel soul, and gritty rock and roll. He also opens up...

In Part Two of this special live Big Time Talker Podcast event, Burke Allen continues his conversation with New York Times No. 1 bestselling author Homer Hickam at the Washington County Public Library in Abingdon, Virginia. Homer shares the fascinating story behind the title change from Rocket Boys to October Sky, reflects on his relationship with his brother Jim, and answers audience questions ab...

In this special live episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, Burke Allen sits down with New York Times No. 1 bestselling author Homer Hickam during the Sunday with Friends Author Series at the Washington County Public Library in Abingdon, Virginia. Best known for Rocket Boys, the memoir that inspired the acclaimed film October Sky, Homer shares the fascinating stories behind his journey from growi...

On this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, Burke Allen sits down with Chris McCallister, founding member of Second Helping, America's longest-running Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band. Chris shares the remarkable story of how the band began, his personal friendships with members of Lynyrd Skynyrd, and the guidance he received from legendary guitarist Ed King. From backstage stories and exclusive in...

In this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, Burke Allen sits down with the cast and musicians behind Gilligan's Yacht Rock Revue, the unique tribute act that combines the smooth sounds of Yacht Rock with the beloved characters of Gilligan's Island. The group discusses how the idea was born, why Yacht Rock has become a cultural phenomenon, and what audiences can expect from their high-energy li...

In this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, Burke Allen sits down with Brad Mills, author of Pub Prodigies: Inside the World of Competitive Bar Trivia. Brad shares how he became one of West Virginia’s leading Team Trivia hosts, what makes a great trivia team, how pub trivia brings people together, and the strategy, stories, and fun behind this growing social phenomenon.

In this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, Burke Allen sits down with Danny Bedrosian, longtime keyboardist and musical director for George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic. Danny shares his journey from growing up in a musical family to becoming part of one of the most influential and longest-running groups in American music history. He also talks about his work as an author, historian, and...

In this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, Burke Allen speaks with award-winning author Dan Hendrickson about his new book, Railroad Man: Legacy Son. Dan shares the history behind the story, including railroad expansion, the Crow Nation, the cattle industry, and life in the American West. He also talks about building strong characters, writing action and plot twists, and how his Wyoming upbri...

In this inspiring episode of The Big Time Talker Podcast, Burke Allen sits down with Broadway expert, performer, author, and business coach Kimberly Fay Greenberg to explore what it truly takes to build and sustain a successful career in the performing arts. From arriving in New York City with two suitcases and a dream to becoming a nationally recognized Broadway insider, Kimberly shares powerful...

In this episode of the Big Time Talker podcast, Burke Allen sits down with filmmaker Chris Hudson, director of the award-winning documentary The Mayberry Effect. Chris shares the story behind his fascination with the cultural impact of The Andy Griffith Show and how it continues to bring people together across generations. From his upbringing in North Carolina to discovering passionate fan communi...

In this episode of the Big Time Talker podcast, host Burke Allen sits down with retired LAPD sergeant and YouTube creator Marlon Marrache. Marlon shares an inside look at policing, internal affairs, and accountability—offering perspectives most people never see unless they’ve worked behind the badge. From common misconceptions about internal affairs to the realities of investigating fellow officer...