The Artful Periscope – The Nimble Art of Storytelling

On this special episode Larry explores the human condition with all its permutations with special guests Thomas Maier Alex Demille John Theissen John Lee Hooker JR and random thoughts and observations from producer Francis Leik. Thomas Maier Alex DeMille John Lee Hooker, Jr. Jonathan Theissen

For episode 99 Larry sits down with writers Bruce Borgos and Scott McCrea to talk about socks, the mythology of the old west and their favorite movies. Followed by a in-depth conversation with Christian Sheppard author of The Ancient Wisdom of Baseball: Lessons for life from Homer’s Odyssey to the World Series.

For episode 98 Larry sits down with Long Island based singer songwriter Pete Mancini for conversation and some songs from his new album American Equator. Pete’s website is  petemancini.com  for more information.  

How many threads can bring us beyond the headlines? In this episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry Davidson welcome journalist John Lechner to discuss Death is Our Business , an exposé on Russian mercenaries and the increasing privatization of warfare. Lechner recounts his experiences in war zones and illuminates the geopolitical forces shaping modern conflicts. After the break, Larry sits down wi...

How many loose threads can alter the outcome? In this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry welcomes Steve Stratton , author of Caribbean Harvest, to discuss the origins of his Shadow Tier series, inspired by real- world cartel violence. Stratton explores themes of justice, revenge, and morality, weaving in his military experience and deep knowledge of intelligence operations. He shares in...

How many threads take us on an unexpected journey? In this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry Davidson sits down with bestselling author Joseph Finder about his latest thriller, The Oligarch’s Daughter . They explore the layered dynamics of power, family, and deception, how to weave settings like luxurious yachts and shadowy forests into a gripping narrative, and the current state of Am...

How many threads connect us to relationships? In this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry sits down with Carla Conti , author of Chained Birds , a true crime memoir that explores the systemic flaws in the justice system through the story of Kevin Sanders, a former gang member and inmate. Carla shares her personal journey of involvement in Kevin’s defense, sharing her critiques of prison...

How many threads lead us down the path of duplicity? On this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope , Larry welcomes international bestseller Jeffrey Archer to discuss An Eye for an Eye , the latest in the William Warwick series . Together, Larry and Jeffrey explore the novel’s themes of art forgery and historical intrigue, including a Rembrandt copy and Thomas Jefferson’s original copy of the Dec...

How many threads need to be exposed inside a puzzle box? On this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry welcomes author Steve Urszenyi onto the show to discuss his latest book Out in the Cold , the second book in the Alex Martel series . Together, Larry and Steve discuss Steve’s background as a paramedic and amateur photographer, the in-medias-res opening of the novel, and the female protag...

This episode includes discussions about suicide. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please consider reaching out for help. In the U.S., you can dial or text 988 or chat via988lifeline.org. For international resources, visit findahelpline.com. How many threads connect us to understanding suicide? On this week’s episode of TheArtful Periscope, Larry welcomes journalist Rachel Zimmerman onto th...

How many threads must come together to create a storyteller? In this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry invites returning guest Thomas Maier back onto the show to discuss Mafia Spies , his series for Paramount + and Showtime. Thomas discusses his transition from behind the scenes to an on screen narrator of the production, guests he has had on the show (like notable gangster Salvatore G...

How many threa d s connect us to voices from the past? In this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry invites author Travis Davis onto the podcast to discuss his most recent book One of Four : World War One Through the Eyes of an Unknown Soldier . The book centers around the diary of an unnamed soldier, connecting his experiences in World War I with the modern story of a father and son. Lar...

How many threads lead to a world of violence as a life’s work? In this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry invites author Gregg Podolski onto the show to discuss his debut novel, The Recruiter . Larry and Gregg start with a lightning round, comparing Gregg to the protagonist of The Recruiter , Rick Carter. Then they move on to discuss Thrillerfest 2024, navigating the morally gre yworld...

How many threads alter history?  In this installment of the podcast, Larry has a chat with retired Green Baret and thriller author Steve Stratton .  Larry begins by mentioning Steve’s foundation Special Operations Warrior Foundation supporting families of service members who did not return from the battlefield.  The conversation then turns to the breaking news of the death of Hamas leader Ya...

How many threads connect real world experiences to storytellers? On this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry welcomes Jeff Circle back to the show to discuss The Dossier , Jeff’s web archive and newsletter/website dedicated to featuring authors and their works. Larry and Jeff discuss 9/11 and Jeff’s military service during Operation Desert Storm . Then the discussion shifts to focusing o...

How many threads lead us down the rabbit hole of deception? On this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry invites biographer Mary Haverstick onto the show to discuss her latest book, A Woman I Know: Female Spies, Double Identities and the New Story of the Kennedy Assassination . Mary’s book focuses on Jerrie Cobb , a well-known aviator, NASA astronaut candidate, and women’s rights advocate...

How many threads allow us to address and understand tragedy and grief? On this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry sits down with author Marianne Leone to discuss her latest book Five Dog Epiphany . Marianne starts off by reading an excerpt from the book, showcasing a story about a dog named Titi, who came into her life at the start of the 2016 pandemic. After the reading, Larry and Mari...

How many threads connectus to time and place through music? On this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry sits down with Robyn Hitchcock , author of 1967: How I Got There and Why I Never Left . The biography details Robyn’s childhood growing up in an English private school during 1967, which is a frequent contender for the title of Greatest Year in Music. Larry and Robin discuss The Beatle...

How many threads connect firearms in all modes of our society? On today’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry sits down with author Chris Grall to discuss his current book Trigger Guard: A Writer’s Guide to Firearms . Grall starts off by discussing his background in firearms and weaponry in the United States Army, the National Guard, and eventually Special Forces. He got into advising whe...

How many threads lead us down the rabbit hole of deception? On this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry sits down with author Bruce Borgos to discuss his latest book Shades of Mercy , the second book in the Porter Beck series . Together, Larry and Bruce analyze Mercy Vaughan, the teenage hacker deuteragonist who has been compared to Lis Salander from the famous The Girl with Dragon Tatto...

How many threads pull on our own identity and existence? On this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry sits down with author K.T. Nguyen to discuss her debut novel You Know What You Did . Nguyen details her childhood growing up in a small Ohio town as a first-generation child to Vietnamese refugees, her Ivy league education and her eventual move to New York City to become a magazine editor...

How many threads are connected with some of our former guests? On this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry catches up with previous guests of the podcast. The first returning guest is John Copenhaver , co-host of The House of Mystery Radio , 2021 Lambda Literary Award Winner and author of The Savage Kind and it’s sequel Hall of Mirrors . Larry and John discuss his multifaceted characters...

How many threads connect us to the events of the day, past and present? On this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry welcomes journalist and fellow podcaster Ben Bradford to the show to discuss his latest NPR podcast Landslide . The series recounts the 1976 presidential primary race between Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan and its long-lasting effect on the trajectory of the Republican Party...

How many threads explore power dynamics? This week on The Artful Periscope, Larry sits down with Tom Straw , author of The Accidental Joe: The Top-Secret Life of a Celebrity Chef , which tells the story of a celebrity chef embroiled in a dangerous espionage plot. Larry and Tom discuss Tom’s love of food, his early career in television and how working with comedians and actors shaped his understand...

How many threads connect us to the past and the present? On this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry is joined by his old friend and returning guest Kevin Baker , author of The New York Game: Baseball and the Rise of a New City . Larry and Kevin discuss Kevin’s childhood memories of Yankee Stadium and seeing legendary players like Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays in-person. Then the discuss...