Native Tongues

Writer/Director Ben Leonberg checks in with us during his press tour to discuss his new film "Good Boy". The first time feature director shares what inspired the movie, how he learned to direct a dog, and what to do in Montana. Check out his previous works at www.benleonberg.com . You can now watch the 2025 horror film, Good Boy streaming on Shudder or VOD. Follow us for more content on instagram...

How to structure The Cocktail Pitch, why you are in fact a writer, and what to do during the two week long Houston Rodeo. Lindsey Hughes had much to say from her time as a Development Executive at major studios such as Disney. She now resides in Texas, where she has taken her decades of development experience and teaches networking, writing, and pitching under the name "The Pitch Master". She's as...

Novelist/screenwriter Don Roff joins us this week to share some insight into the film industry, publishing, his time in the army, and working during excessively long walks. Check out some of Don's works on his website www.donvroff.com . You can also look at his publishing company www.brambleberrybooks.com , follow him on instagram @donroff, and read his beat sheets on www.savethecat.com. Follow us...

This week we're bringing back an episode that we heard was very informative for anyone getting into the publishing industry.   J.D Barker is a prolific author, frequent collaborator and a great resource. He even worked with a previous guest of ours*! Since our interview he has released or will be releasing the following: Behind A Closed Door Confessions of the Dead (w/ James Patterson) Heavy Are t...

Baltimore author, Josh Petroski drops in to talk about his Charm City Thriller series, navigating the publishing world, and the best bar crawl before 9:00pm.  Check out Josh's work at https://charmcitythrillers.com and on instagram @charmcitythrillers Follow us on instagram @nativetonguespod Leave us a review and a 5 star rating on Apple Podcasts!

Actor, writer, and improv comedian, Wes Haney drops in to tell a fantastic origin story and talk about working with Bob Odenkirk and Jennifer Coolidge, the actors that inspired him. We also chat all about the new movie that he wrote and co-starred in alongside comedian Stavros Halkias, Let's Start A Cult.  You can watch Let's Start A Cult now on HULU. Follow Wes on instagram @westonhaney Follow us...

Author, speaker, screenwriter, storyteller and activist Lauren Beukes drops in this week to discuss growing up under Apartheid, swimming in freezing cold waters, and becoming the mayor of an immersive sci-fi play in London. She's an intense researcher and is not afraid to speak her mind concerning injustices in the world. We loved that of her. You can find her new multiverse thriller novel "Bridge...

Citizen of the world and bestselling author, Neal Shusterman talks about the chance he took that lead to his career, writing at the top of the Burj Khalifa, Double Dragon, and having a tv series in development.  And when we were ready to wrap up at the 1:00 hr mark, he dropped a whopper of a story on us that would make for a great movie. Look for his new book "All Better Now" at all major retailer...

And...we're back! Craig Davidson (aka Nick Cutter) joins us to talk writing horror, living in Canada, driving a school bus, and that time he got 'roided up for the sake of a story. You can find his newest book, "The Queen" at all major retailers. Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and follow us on instagram @nativetonguespod for more content.    

NPR political correspondent, journalist, and author of the NYT bestselling book "The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church", Sarah McCammon joins us to discuss her religious upbringing, covering the last few presidential elections and insight into  devout faith. Fortunately, she was willing to join us on our level through these topics. Please rate and review us on...

"Millions of _______, _______ for me!"    We know you're singing that now. Chris Ballew joined us to talk President of the United States of America, Casper Babypants, his stories with just about every rockstar, and how to be fame-ish. Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. Check us out for more content on instagram @nativetonguespod Follow Chris @chrisballew, @casperbabypants, Babypantsmusic...

Why is a guy who holds a PhD in History, is an honorary research fellow at University of Queensland, has appeared on CNN, been published in Time and authored the new book "One Nation Under Guns" slumming it with us?  We asked the same question. Dominic Erdozain brought his extensive knowledge of US History, our constitution, and the history of firearms to educate us on a topic we feel passionately...

Jenny Pentland, author of the darkly humorous memoir "This Will Be Funny Later" discusses her rebellious youth that played out in the public spotlight of her mom, Roseanne Barr's stardom. Teen treatment facilities, death-match fights with her sister, pranking the paparazzi and Tom Arnold...As a well adjusted adult, she wears her past openly and is comfortable discussing any topic. This was a fun o...

Author and journalist, Tony Ortega has been reporting on the Church of Scientology since 1995. He led a career writing for alt-weekly newspapers and ended up as Editor-In-Chief for the Village Voice in NY. He is now a prominent voice in exposing the misdeeds of the church and was happy to talk freely about it. So before you sign your billion year contract, hang onto your Thetans and buckle up. Thi...

Movie director, Mike Mendez shares the highs and lows of working in the film industry. From indie horror projects like The Convent to SyFy Channel originals like Lavalantula, his advice is to have a good time and always make the best movie you can, no matter the material. We also discuss his work on Beavis and Butthead and what actors have been great to work with. Check out our instagram for a sho...

Screenwriter Jeff Howard (Oculus, Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass, Gerald's Game...) spent some time with us this week to offer advice on how to break into and maneuver through the Hollywood system. We got plenty of behind the scenes and pitch room stories, what celebs have been great to work with, stories of failures and some big laughs.   Follow us for more content on instagram @nativetong...

Salvadoran-American playwright, actor, and composer, Brian Quijada joins us this week to discuss his musical upbringing, how he discovered looping, and an ideal afternoon in Chicago. His current touring project, Mexodus is described as a live looping, hip-hop remix about the Underground Railroad that went south into Mexico.   Follow us for more content on instagram @nativetonguespod Follow Brian @...

Few filmmakers have a hit that's as successful and impactful as The Blair Witch Project, let alone as their first movie. Eduardo Sanchez shares with us behind the scenes of how it got made, the impact it had on his life and how his career has evolved from there.   Follow us on instagram from more content @nativetonguespod Follow Ed on instagram @sanchezonthemic Please hit subscribe and rate and re...

Owner of Salt Water Media, winner of the Sophie Kerr prize and true crime author, Stephanie Fowler joins us from the Eastern Shore of Maryland to discuss a very personal book, her investigative methods for researching and the necessity of Cap'n Crunch.   Follow us on instagram for more content @nativetonguespod Follow Stephanie on instagram @stephanie_fowler and www.stephaniefowler.com Follow her...

We're taking a bye week to bask in our success and riches from this show......or to prep for what's ahead. Listen now for a preview!

If you have ever wanted tips for navigating the business side of writing, then tune in now.  NY Times Bestselling author, J.D. Barker joins us to discuss his success through lucrative deals in self publishing and traditional mass market, having passive income outside of writing, and his time in Florida babysitting rockstars. Follow us on instagram @nativetonguespod. Follow J.D. on instagram @jdbar...

Dissecting hit singles, selling out an anniversary tour, producing a podcast with every big musician and writing new music. Chris Fafalios of the band, Punchline stays busy. We hang out this week with the musician and professional podcaster to talk about getting signed and touring with Fall Out Boy and Paramore, two decades in the music business, starting podcasting in 2006, accidentally upsetting...

"Who's this shmuck writing with Stephen King?".     NY Times Bestselling author, Richard Chizmar joins us to talk about his books, writing with horror legend Stephen King, Cemetery Dance Publications, being a street urchin and Road House 2. You read that correctly.   Follow us for more content on instagram @nativetonguespod. Follow Richard Chizmar @Richard_chizmar and check out www. Cemetarydance....

Touring with Taylor Swift, playing with Florida Georgia Line, writing with Ed Sheeran, signing with Keith Urban, composing for major national ad campaigns... This all came from saying "yes" to everything, grinding away on the road and in the studio for years, and having some great foresight. Brandon shares his success, his failures, and his clever strategy for the next phase of his musical career....

This week we learn how writing partners split duties, what "pantsing" means (it's not what you think), and how to be successful on Amazon's Kindle Vella from someone who was there at launch.    Follow us on instagram for more content @nativetonguespod