The ALL NEW Big Wakeup Call with Ryan Gatenby

Send us Fan Mail From March 15, 2022: Austin Kleon made a return appearance to talk about STEAL LIKE AN ARTIST: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative -10TH ANNIVERSARY GIFT EDITION. About the author:  AUSTIN KLEON is the New York Times bestselling author of Steal Like an Artist, Show Your Work!, The Steal Like an Artist Journal: A Notebook for Creative Kleptomaniacs, and Keep Going. His w...

Send us Fan Mail From April 22, 2021: Comedian and actor Roy Wood Jr. returned to the show for a chat about his new podcast Roy's Job Fair. ROY WOOD JR. SHORT BIO Roy Wood Jr.'s comedy has entertained millions across stage, television and radio. In addition to stand-up comedy, producing and acting, during his tenure on "The Daily Show," Roy has used the show's brand of sat...

Send us Fan Mail From October 28, 2020: Merrill Markoe is a national treasure in the world of comedy, one the best television writers in the history of ever.   Her newest book is “We Saw Scenery.”  

Send us Fan Mail From October 26, 2017: "The Book of Leon: Philosophy of a Fool" is a new book written by Leon Black as told to J.B. Smoove. We discussed how Leon took over his book deal, how he gets inside the mind of the character, and why everyone needs their own personal Leon.

Send us Fan Mail Author and historian Hannah Durkin discusses her new book, THE SURVIVORS OF THE CLOTILDA: The Lost Stories of the Last Captives of the American Slave Trade. About the author:   DR. HANNAH DURKIN is a historian specializing in transatlantic slavery and African diasporic art and culture. She holds a Ph. D. in American Studies from the University of Nottingham and a Postgraduate Dipl...

Send us Fan Mail Crime fiction writer and essayist E.A. Aymar called in for a lively chat about his novel  When She Left. E.A. received 2,565 bonus points for being a listener to the show, which he will be able to cash in for valuable prizes on his next appearance. ( points may not be honored.) About the author: Multiple Anthony Award–nominated E.A. AYMAR’S thriller No Home for Killers was publish...

Send us Fan Mail To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Beatles invading America, we revisit my conversation with the legendary radio DJ Cousin Brucie about his role in their historic first visit.

Send us Fan Mail Alanna Shipley from DoorDash joined the show for a fun chat about Super Bowl eats. What will people order on the biggest game day of the year?  What’s the largest order ever?  What’s the strangest order ever?  What’s the smallest order ever?  Alanna knows it all!

Send us Fan Mail Hena Khan called in for a lively chat about her new book for young readers, Drawing Deena. HENA KHAN is a Pakistani American writer, and winner of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Children’s Literature She is the author of the middle grade novels Amina’s Voice, Amina’s Song, and More to the Story, Drawing Deena, and the Zara’s Rules series and picture books Golden Domes and Si...

Send us Fan Mail Author Matthew Blake joined the show to talk about his debut novel, one of the most anticipated of the year, Anna O. Matthew Blake is a London-based author who has also worked as a screenwriter with the BBC, ITV Studios, and numerous other UK indies.  Matthew worked as a researcher and speechwriter at the Palace of Westminster. He studied English at Durham University and Merton Co...

Send us Fan Mail Joanna Ho joins our 3-Timers Club as she calls in to talk about her newest book Eyes that Weave the World's Wonders . Joanna was joined by her co-author Liz Kleinrock. Joanna Ho is the New York Times bestselling author of Eyes that Kiss in the Corners, Eyes that Speak to the Stars, Playing at the Border: A Story of Yo-Yo Ma, The Silence that Binds Us, and One Day. She has bee...

Send us Fan Mail Our Best of 2023 shows continue as we re-visit my chat with Comedy Bang! Bang's Scott Aukerman about “Comedy Bang! Bang! The Podcast: The Book,” and “Comedy Bang! Bang! the Podcast” (not the book), including a history of "The Backyard Era" and helpful hints on being a part of the show through the "open door policy."

Send us Fan Mail After being away from our show for nine years, Claire Robinson returned just three months after her October appearance to share some fun & helpful tips about holiday food and entertainment.

Send us Fan Mail From December 22, 2017: Comedian, actor, and friend of the show Ben Gleib called in for our end of the year program to share some personal highlights of the past year.

Send us Fan Mail This holiday season, we continue our annual tradition of playing Dylan Brody‘s “A Child’s Christmas In Brief.”  Gather the family and enjoy this modern-day holiday classic!

Send us Fan Mail Sharon Cameron made her first appearance on the show for a lively and informative chat about her new book Artifice. Christine Platt & Catherine Wigginton Greene called in for a discussion about their co-authored entertaining and insightful social satire novel, Rebecca Not Becky. Sharon Cameron is the author of the international bestseller and Reese’s Book Club pick The Light i...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, we're once again chatting with authors! Don Winslow is a #1 International Best-Selling author.  We discussed his new novel, "City on Fire." A.F. Steadman 's debut Young Adult novel, "Skandar and the Unicorn Thief," has already been picked up for a movie deal! Alyssa Davies is the founder of the two-time award-winning  personal finance...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we chat with two best-selling children's book authors! Lily LaMotte , brilliant author of the graphic novel Measuring Up, an ALA Top Ten, has written her debut picture book about a special Lunar New Year feast, perfect for fans of Bringing in the New Year by Grace Lin and I Am Golden by Eva Chen.  CHLOE’S LUNAR NEW YEAR is a tender, warm, and uplifting holida...

Send us Fan Mail Chef and author Chadwick Boyd called in to share some holiday recipe ideas, including the mind-blowing Canela Caramel Eggnog. Jennifer Weatherhead is a travel expert who talked about ways to save on travel for the holiday season. Chadwick Boyd brings his lifelong passion for food and community to his company, Chadwick Boyd Lifestyle. Like other food media and lifestyle entrepreneu...

Send us Fan Mail I've been a fan of "America's Test Kitchen" for years, so it was great to speak with  Lisa McManus  about the new ATK book  AMERICA’S TEST KITCHEN’S KITCHEN GEAR: THE ULTIMATE OWNERS MANUAL. John Lehr is a member of our 5-Timers club and I'm always happy to welcome him back to talk about the great work being done at the Parkinson's Foundation. Lisa Mc...

Send us Fan Mail David Baldacci was welcomed into our 5-Timers Club as we discussed his newest book, The Edge: A 6:20 Man Thriller. Monica Mohindra joined me to discuss the Library of Congress Veterans Day Outreach for History Preservation Project. David Baldacci is a global #1 bestselling author, and one of the world’s favorite storytellers. His books are published in over 45 languages and in mor...

Send us Fan Mail Lifestyle expert Jeannette Kaplun returned to the show to share some insights and holiday shopping and the best way to navigate Black Friday. Dr. Mona Amin discussed a problem facing many parents (including me) as we gear up for holiday travel: how to deal with queasy kids in the car. Jeannette Kaplun is an on-air TV personality, author, lifestyle expert, parenting writer, a Latin...

Send us Fan Mail Celebrity chef and author Erin McDowell joined the show for fun recipes and entertaining tips to host a successful "Friendsgiving." Erin was joined by Ice Cream Scientist (amazing job!) Ian Moppert ERIN MCDOWELL is a NY Times bestselling author and pastry chef who has taught baking classes for Food Network Kitchen and currently hosts the award-winning series “Bake it Up...

Send us Fan Mail V eena Crownholm is the former Miss California and co-founder of the popular "Millennial Mamas" blog.  We discussed holiday entertaining and dining, especially sweet potatoes and pancakes (???).

Send us Fan Mail Shannon Messenger returned to the show to talk about a new graphic novel edition of her #1 Bestseller "Keeper of the Lost Cities."