On Mic Podcast

Meet a thought and action leader who is tackling the challenges that women of color face in the corporate world head on. Deepa Purushothaman is co-founder of nFormation, a company for women of color by women of color. Her new book is entitled, The First, The Few, The Only:  How Women of Color Can Redefine Power in Corporate America. We talk about how business must evolve and the important role wom...

Getting a chance to catch up with standup star Steve Sweeney is always fun. We chat about Steve’s work on stage as an impressionist and storyteller, how comedy has come under attack in some circles, what it is that makes Boston just a funny environment and more. Steve is standup royalty and it’s a kick getting a chance to chat with him!

Kim Dower’s poetry is powerful, moving and eminently readable .  The Los Angeles Times describes her work as “sensual and evocative…seamlessly combining humor and heartache…” We know you’ll agree her poetry connects with audiences and is something special.  We’ll discuss her latest anthology, perfect for Mother’s Day,   I Wore This Dress Today for You, Mom.

Meet the man that supervillains with megalomania have been waiting for!  He’s the inimitable Ryan North, the creator and author of Dinosaur Comics who has also  written for the comic series Adventure Time and Marvel Comics’ The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl.  Ryan is a New York Times best-selling author who happens to be a pretty sharp science guy.  His “sinister” masterpiece is his latest  book, “How...

The Star of Prairie Home Companion and Lake Wobegon’s most famous son is back to share stories, humor and wisdom.  It’s a return appearance for Garrison Keillor,  here to talk about two new book projects, “Boom Town: A Lake Wobegon Novel,” and Serenity at 70, Gaiety at 80,” a funny and thoughtful treatise on aging. As always the conversation is lively and fun. Enjoy!

He’s back with another thriller and that’s all we need to know to welcome Brad Meltzer back to On Mic! Brad’s latest is entitled, “The Lightning Rod,” and wait to you read about more of America’s deepest secrets.  As always, Brad researches and unveils hidden history in his latest novel. We suggest you hold on tight for an unbelievable ride!  

A creative force on Broadway and beyond, theatre producer Rashad Chambers joins us to talk about his work producing a variety of plays and musicals, including his latest off-Broadway production of “Little Girl Blue,” a musical about the life and times of Nina Simone.  Rashad is a rising star in the fascinating behind-the-scenes world of theatre.

Meet one of this era’s finest jazz singers. Not only does Amanda Carr have a talented hold on the Great American Songbook, she is a musician of many talents, composing, play many instruments, recording, teaching and more.  Amanda’s music touches the heart and soul of audiences.  But she offers so much more as a person.  Enjoy a conversation with a creative dynamo who we’re honored to call our frie...

Dr. Barry Taylor, ND is a naturopathic healer of the first order. Over many decades he has helped thousands with his “Love Your Body” program, a well balanced approached to healing and achieving vibrant health. His new book tells the story in depth  We will talk with him about “Love Your Body: Your Path to Transformation, Health and Healing.” For those who are tired of merely treating symptoms or...

A fascinating true crime story comes to life with acclaimed writer Ron Franscell joining us to talk about his new book, “ Shadow Man: An Elusive Psycho Killer and the Birth of FBI Profiling.  Ron’s non-fiction reporting in this one will have readers on the edge of their seats as the FBI races to stop a murdered before he kills again!

Carmen Mariano is one of the most amiable chaps you’ll ever meet. Now in his seventies, he has been in school as a student, teacher, coach or administrator since he was 6. In that time, Carmen has earned his Bachelor’s Degree from The Catholic University of America, a Master’s degree from The Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Boston College.  He  ...

It’s the return of one of our favorites, a thriller writer and story teller of the first order Erica Ferencik.  She’s taken us to the raging rivers of the Allagash Wilderness to the mysterious and deadly Amazon jungles and now in her latest book,  “Girl in Ice” to the frozen tundra that is Greenland.  Her novels are brimming with suspense and gripping characters, with Erica’s tales of researching...

After receiving a Ph. D. in clinical psychology (2004), Todd Kashdan founded the  Well-Being Lab  at George Mason University which has produced over 210 peer-reviewed journal articles on well-being and resilience, psychological flexibility, meaning and purpose in life, curiosity, and managing social anxiety. Todd has authored several books and today we talk about his latest entitled “The Art of In...

Meet retired Watertown, Massachusetts police officer Jeff Pugliese who served his community proudly for decades. Jeff went beyond the call of duty when he faced down one of the Boston Marathon terrorist bombers, likely saving many innocent lives. Jeff shares personal details about the night he engaged in the gun battle heard around the world.

We are thrilled to welcome back broadcast newsman and interviewer extraordinaire Bill Diehl, longtime ABC  Radio Network star who has a terrific new book called “50 Years of Celebrity Chatter: (Or the Time I Interviewed a Porn Star Naked)” Intrigued by the title?  Of course you are.  So many celebrity stories coming your way as we chat with Bill!

A pleasure to welcome back movie maven John DiLeo, author of several wonderful books about film. His latest is called “There Are No Small Parts: 100 Outstanding Film Performances with Screen Time of 10 Minutes or Less.“ For anyone who loves movies, particularly those standout characters, grab some popcorn and enjoy the conversation!

Long-time broadcaster, writer and documentarian Bill Lichtenstein joins us to talk about the film and his accompanying book on the history of the groundbreaking radio station WBCN.  The book is entitled, “WBCN and the American Revolution: How a Radio Station Defined Politics, Counterculture, and Rock and Roll.” For lovers of radio, music and history, settle in for a fascinating conversation! Learn...

With diabetes at dangerously high levels around the globe, the need for more affordable and available insulin is greater than ever. Today’s guest is Eric Moyal who is tackling  the problem head on with a grass roots nonprofit organization called Project Insulin.  Eric and his colleagues are passionate about helping people get the medicines they need. We’re happy to promote this needed and upliftin...

Enjoy a treat for listeners and a personal favorite of your humble host.  We welcome the New York Times best-selling author Jackie Mitchard, with her new engaging  novel “The Good Son.”  From her first breakout novel, The Deep End of the Ocean, the inaugural selection of the Oprah Winfrey Book Club, to today, Jackie continues to shine as  one of our culture’s finest storytellers.

Justin Spizman is an award-winning and bestselling author, ghostwriter, editor, and proposal writer with several fascinating non-fiction sports related books to his credit. Today we talk with Justin about his latest entitled, “ Coach: The Greatest Teachers in Sports and Their Lessons for Us All.” Prepare  to be inspired! On Air: My Fifty Year Love Affair with Radio ,” now available at Amazon . Jor...

Today we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of The Arnold Arboretum in the City of Boston.  Joining us is  Tanya Holton, Director of Institutional Advancement , with exciting news about this  thriving living museum of trees, flowers and plant species, one of nature’s  crown jewels, part of the famed “Emerald Necklace.” On Air: My Fifty Year Love Affair with Radio ,” now available at A...

Movie fans, we go to town with film buff Chris DiZio, host of the new podcast “The Cult Film Companion.” Find out what qualifies as cult and join us as we make a deep dive into favorites of many with the King of Cult Chris D! On Air: My Fifty Year Love Affair with Radio ,” now available at Amazon . Jordan Rich is Boston’s busiest podcaster, appearing on over 500 podcast episodes and currentl...

On today’s episode we talk theatre, going “backstage” with the talented  Erica Daniels-Strater.   Erica has  spent many years in casting, producing and theatre management.  Among her many accomplishments, she was Associate Artistic Director at Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, founded by actor Gary Sinese and has worked on several  Broadway productions, as well as serving as the Theatre Depa...

Meet one of the country’s top sports broadcast journalists who wears many hats these days. He’s Gary Tanguay, longtime TV and radio sports talk host and reporter who moonlights as an actor in major motion films produced in New England. Gary is also a fine writer who has just published his first novel “The Arm and the Fall,” a satirical, hysterically funny action-adventure mystery about the murder...

Kerri Maher is the highly acclaimed  novelist whose stories shed light on fascinating aspects of 20 th century history.   Her first best-selling novel, “The Kennedy Debutante,” the story of JFK’s younger sister Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy coming of age in war torn London, arrived in 2018.  Then came “The Girl in the White Gloves: A Novel of Grace Kelly.”  Her latest one, “The Paris Bookseller,”  is ab...