Speaking of Writers

Lenny Shulman joins Speaking of Writers and the Keeneland Library Lecture Series to discuss his new book,  A.P. Indy: Championship Racehorse and Breed-Shaping Sire . From Belmont Stakes glory and Horse of the Year honors to becoming one of the most influential stallions in Thoroughbred history, A.P. Indy's story is one of perseverance, excellence, and lasting impact. Emmy Award-winning author...

As part of the  Speaking of Writers America 250 Series , Steve Richards talks with presidential historian  Dr. Lindsay M. Chervinsky  about her book  Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged the Republic . The conversation explores how America's second president transformed the presidency, navigated the nation's earliest political crises, and established precedents...

As America commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Harvard Law School professor Alexandra Natapoff joins Steve Richards to discuss  America Unfinished: 250 Years of Law and Governance , a landmark essay collection co-edited with Guy-Uriel Charles. Featuring contributions from more than 60 Harvard Law School scholars, the book explores executive power, democracy, econ...

America celebrated its 100th birthday with the largest event the nation had ever seen. Author Fergus M. Bordewich joins Steve Richards to explore the remarkable story behind the 1876 Centennial Exhibition, the people who shaped it, and how the World's Fair became a turning point in American history. A fascinating conversation for history lovers, readers, and anyone interested in America's...

Part of the Speaking of Writers America 250 Series Award-winning author  Jim Rasenberger  joins Steve Richards to discuss  A Perfect Coincidence , an engaging new look at the remarkable friendship, rivalry, reconciliation, and extraordinary final chapter of  John Adams and Thomas Jefferson . Recorded as part of the  Speaking of Writers America 250 Series , this conversation explores the enduring l...

Historian  Michael Auslin  discusses  National Treasure: How the Declaration of Independence Made America , revealing the fascinating history behind America's most iconic founding document. Listen now on Spotify. #SpeakingOfWriters #America250 #DeclarationOfIndependence #MichaelAuslin #AmericanHistory #HistoryPodcast #AuthorInterview #FoundingFathers #BookPodcast #HistoryLovers #ThomasJefferso...

As America approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, historian  Robert G. Parkinson  joins  Speaking of Writers  to discuss his groundbreaking new book,  Tyrants and Rogues: Understanding the Declaration of Independence . This is a part of The Speaking of Writers special America 250 series. Rather than focusing on the Declaration's famous preamble, Parkinson takes re...

Author E. Davis Enloe joins Steve Richards to discuss his debut novel, Into the Night Woods . Set in the North Carolina Appalachians, this powerful coming-of-age story follows two young friends navigating danger, loyalty, family struggles, and the search for refuge in a world that often lets them down. Enloe shares the inspiration behind the novel, his writing journey, Appalachian storytelling tra...

Author and veteran music journalist Paul Rees joins Speaking of Writers to discuss his new book, Raised on Radio: Power Ballads, Cocaine & Payola—The AOR Glory Years 1976-1986.Discover the untold story behind the rise of Album-Oriented Rock and the bands that dominated radio and stadiums during one of rock music's most successful decades. From Journey and Foreigner to REO Speedwagon, Toto,...

Speaking of Writers welcomes historian Matthew Pinsker to discuss his groundbreaking new book, Boss Lincoln: The Partisan Life of Abraham Lincoln. This is part of The Speaking of Writers America 250 Series. Discover the political genius behind America's 16th president as Pinsker explores Lincoln's remarkable ability to build coalitions, navigate fierce partisan battles, and lead the nation...

Did the legend of Elizabeth Bathory survive because of truth… or misinformation? Author Shelley Puhak joins  Speaking of Writers  to discuss  The Blood Countess: Murder, Betrayal, and the Making of a Monster , a fascinating new biography exploring the real story behind one of history’s most feared women. Listen now on Spotify. #ShelleyPuhak #TheBloodCountess #SpeakingOfWriters #HistoricalBiography...

Steve Richards welcomes Sergio Villanueva to  Speaking of Writers  to discuss his debut book,  Never One Without the Other . Inspired by his relationship and written originally as a gift for his girlfriend, the book explores themes of love, healing, self-discovery, and hope through the symbolic characters of the Black Deer and the White Rose. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about storytelling...

Join host Steve Richards as he welcomes New York Times bestselling author Brett Battles to discuss Stuart Woods’ Deep Water, the newest installment in the legendary Stone Barrington series. In this episode:Continuing the legacy of Stuart WoodsWriting the iconic Stone Barrington characterThe mystery behind Deep WaterCrafting suspense and unforgettable thrillersBrett Battles' writing process and...

Legendary race caller  Tom Durkin  joins The  Speaking of Writers  Podcast to discuss his memoir,  A Life's Calling: The Voice Behind the World's Greatest Horse Races . This is episode 2 of our special Keeneland Library Lecture Series. Durkin reflects on his journey from small Midwestern tracks to becoming the iconic voice of the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, Preakness, Breeders' Cup...

America 250 series episode 1.Historian Robert P. Watson joins The Speaking of Writers Podcast for our special America 250 Series to discuss Declaration: The Story of American Independence — uncovering the untold stories, debates, and drama behind America’s founding document. #America250 #Declaration #RobertPWatson #SpeakingofWriters #authorpodcast #authorinterview #author

Mike Vaccaro joins The Speaking of Writers Podcast  to discuss  The Bosses of the Bronx , an entertaining and insightful look at the Steinbrenner family's fifty-plus years running the New York Yankees. From championships and controversies to family dynamics and baseball history, Vaccaro explores the endless drama behind one of sports' greatest dynasties. #SpeakingOfWriters #MikeVaccaro #Th...

New York Times bestselling author and former special forces officer Brad Taylor is back with a dynamic political thriller featuring Pike Logan as he goes head-to-head with an old enemy—and renowned assassin. Brad Taylor was born on Okinawa, Japan, but grew up on 40-acres in rural Texas. Graduating from the University of Texas, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Infantry. B...

From National Treasure: Book of Secrets to his debut novel A Thousand Cuts, Gregory Poirier talks storytelling, creating Max Starkey, and bringing cinematic suspense to the page on Speaking of Writers.#MaxStarkey #GregoryPoirier #ThrillerAuthor #SpeakingOfWriters #BookLovers #WritersLife #NewBooks

Did Marilyn Monroe really die in 1962… or did she escape? Bestselling author Lois Cahall joins Speaking of Writers to discuss her powerful new novel Maybe Marilyn, a fictional reimagining of Marilyn Monroe’s life if she survived and disappeared to finally live the life she always wanted. Steve Richards and Lois discuss Marilyn’s legacy, historical research, conspiracy theories, fame, reinvention,...

On Episode 1 of the  Keeneland Library Lecture Series , Steve Richards talks with author Paul Halloran about  CODY’S WISH  — the unforgettable true story of Cody Dorman and the champion racehorse who became his best friend. A moving conversation about resilience, hope, and the bond between humans and horses. #SpeakingOfWriters #CodysWish #PaulHalloran #HorseRacing #Keeneland #BreedersCup #MakeAWis...

Ron LeFlore was serving 5-15 years for armed robbery when he played his first organized baseball game—in a prison yard. Three years later, he was starting in center field for the Detroit Tigers. His story became a bestselling book and a TV movie starring LeVar Burton. Then it all fell apart. Adam Henig (@adamhenig) joins us to discuss BASEBALL'S OUTCAST, his deeply researched biography that go...

From suppressed anger to unleashed power — Sam Beckbessinger dives into the themes behind  FEMME FERAL , one of 2026’s most anticipated horror debuts, on  Speaking of Writers . ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sam Beckbessinger  teaches creative writing at Bath Spa University, writes kids' TV and picture books, and once wrote for Marvel. She grew up on a farm near Durban, South Africa, but now lives in London...

ELEGY IN BLUE is an unforgettable tale of love, loss, and remembrance set in Brooklyn. Mark Helprin is the internationally acclaimed, bestselling author of Paris in the Present Tense, Winter’s Tale, In Sunlight and in Shadow, A Soldier of the Great War, Freddy and Fredericka, The Pacific, Swan Lake, Ellis Island, Memoir from Antproof Case, and numerous other works. #authorpodcast #markhelprin #boo...

It’s 1985, what will soon become known as “The Year of the Spy,” and fourteen-year-old Peter Bennett is convinced his mom’s new boyfriend is a Russian agent. “Gary” isn’t in the phone book, has an unidentifiable European accent, and keeps a gun in the glove box of his convertible Porsche. Peter thinks Gary only wants to get close to his mom because she works at Scientific Atlanta, a lab with big g...

Author  Mel Michalski  joins  Speaking of Writers  to discuss his powerful new book  Living in the Spiritual World —a deeply personal journey of faith, redemption, and spiritual discovery. #SpeakingOfWriters#MelMichalski#LivingInTheSpiritualWorld#FaithJourney#ChristianBooks#SpiritualGrowth#InspirationalReads#FaithBasedBooks