The Bookum Nook Show

We sit down with Wallo267 Bookum Author Talks Podcast to discuss his powerful new book "Yes to You, No to Them" a blueprint for protecting your peace, setting boundaries, and choosing yourself without apology. After serving 20 years in prison, Wallo267 has become one of the most inspiring voices in entrepreneurship, mental health, self-development, and street-to-success storytelling. In...

Today on the Bookum Author Talks Podcast, we talk with Cindy Pham, better known online as ReadWithCindy, one of the most influential voices in the online book community and the author of the fantasy novel, The Secret World of Briar Rose. For years, Cindy built a loyal audience through BookTube, creating entertaining book reviews, reading vlogs, and literary commentary. Now, she joins us to discuss...

Today on the Bookum Author Talks Podcast, we are joined by author, story coach, and YouTuber Abbie Emmons, author of the new book “Make Your Story Matter.” In this conversation, we discuss the psychology of storytelling, writing unforgettable characters, building internal conflict, creating compelling plots, romance tropes, first chapter mistakes, world-building, false beliefs, and what truly make...

Today on the Bookum Author Talks Podcast , we sit down with Shellye Archambeau , former CEO of MetricStream and one of Silicon Valley’s first African American female CEOs. Shellye has spent over 30 years in business and technology with leadership experience at major companies including IBM, Blockbuster, and Loudcloud . She is also a Fortune 500 board member , serving on boards such as Verizon and...

This week on the Bookum Authors Talk Podcast we sit down with writer, producer, and author Angela Nissel to discuss her powerful new memoir 'Good Grief, Pass the Bread, Mom is Dead'.  In this conversation, Angela opens up about grief, caregiving, family secrets, humor as a survival tool, and what it means to process loss while becoming the caretaker of a parent. We also talk about her wo...

In this episode of the Bookum Creators Talk Podcast , we sit down with Turnpageswithmimi to explore what it means to be a reader in New York and how book culture continues to evolve across libraries, social media, and community spaces. We discuss growing up reading in Philadelphia and New York, the influence of the Brooklyn Public Library and The Book of HOV , and how fashion, identity, and cultur...

In this episode of Bookum Author Talks Podcast , we sit down with author Paul Fischer , writer of The Last Kings of Hollywood , to explore one of the most important eras in film history. We break down how Francis Ford Coppola, George Lucas, and Steven Spielberg transformed Hollywood forever, shifting it from the old studio system into the blockbuster-driven industry we know today. From The Godfath...

On this episode of the Bookum Author Talks Podcast , we sit down with Emely Rumble , author of Bibliotherapy in the Bronx , to explore how books and poetry can heal your mind, boost confidence, and help you grow emotionally. Em shares insights on the transformative power of reading, re-reading, and bibliotherapy — plus practical ways literature can connect you to your past, present, and future. We...

Join us on Bookum Author Talks Podcast with James Keyes , former CEO of 7-Eleven and Blockbuster , and author of Education is Freedom . In this episode, James shares his journey from working at McDonald’s as a teen to leading billion-dollar companies, and how education and lifelong learning empower freedom and success . Discover:  The lessons from his book Education is Freedom  How cultural litera...

Join the Author Talks Podcast as Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling shares his experiences from over 40 years in the United States Army , including combat in the Gulf War and reflections on leadership, courage, and character. Drawing from his book If I Don’t Return , Mark discusses the personal letters he wrote to his sons during wartime, the lessons he learned about faith, integrity, and leading under pressu...

On this episode of Author Talks Podcast , PBS NewsHour’s Geoff Bennett breaks down the golden age of Black comedy and its impact on American culture. We explore iconic shows like: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Living Single Martin A Different World In Living Color Sanford and Son …and legendary comedians including Dave Chappelle, Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, Bill Cosby, Moms Mabley, and Redd Foxx ....

Join us on the Author Talks Podcast with New York Times Bestselling Author Keith O’Brien as we dive into the untold story of Larry Bird.   From his small-town beginnings in French Lick to becoming a national icon at Indiana State. We cover everything: recruiting drama, legendary teammates, international basketball, the 33–1 season, and the moments that made Bird a basketball legend . Grab Keith O’...

Join us on the Bookum Creators Talk Podcast as we sit down with Amber Burns, a BookTube creator, vlogger, and content creator, to discuss her creative process, day-to-day life, and love for books. From starting her first blog to going in front of the camera, handling burnout, and building community, Amber shares the honest truth about life as a content creator. Whether you are a reader, aspiring c...

In this episode of the Bookum Founders Talk Podcast , Kyle Colley sits down with Franklin Leonard, the founder of The Black List , the industry-leading platform that discovers and showcases the best screenplays and now fiction novels.  Franklin shares his insights on Hollywood in 2026, the future of film, the Oscars, and what it really takes to break into the industry as a writer or filmmaker. We...

Have you ever wondered what was going through the mind of the most powerful man in the ancient world? In this episode of Bookum Author Talks, we sit down with Dr. Aaron Poochigian, Classics scholar, poet, and translator, to talk about his brand new translation of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations. What makes this conversation so special is that Dr. Poochigian brings both the precision of a scholar...

Traci Thomas of The Stacks joins us to share her 2026 book predictions, must-read authors, and the books everyone will be talking about next year. We kick things off with pop culture highlights Grammys, Oscars, Kendrick Lamar, Justin Bieber, and the rise of video podcasting before diving into our literary forecast. Traci shares her picks for breakout authors, literary comebacks, classic revivals,...

In 1949, Jackie Robinson, baseball's barrier-breaking hero, was asked to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee against Paul Robeson, one of the most famous Black men in the world. They never met. They never shook hands. But America placed them in opposition to each other during the Second Red Scare. Award-winning  journalist and author Howard Bryant joins us to discuss his...

From the NFL to Coaching Student-Athletes | Oregon Ducks & Atlanta Falcons’ Drew Jay Davis What happens after the NFL? Former Oregon Ducks standout and Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drew Jay Davis joins Creators Talk Podcast to break down life after football, the discipline behind elite performance, and how he’s now coaching, speaking, and creating with purpose. In this episode, Drew shares: H...

Amazon Self-Publishing in 2026 with Dave Chesson (Kindlepreneur) In this episode, we sit down with Dave Chesson , founder of Kindlepreneur.com and Publisher Rocket , to break down what authors and writers need to know to succeed with Amazon self-publishing , book marketing , and Amazon KDP heading into 2026. Dave Chesson is one of the most trusted voices in the self-publishing world. Through Kindl...

George Johnson: Building the $75M Afro Sheen Empire & Funding Soul Train At 97 years old, George E. Johnson Sr. is a living legend. In this extraordinary conversation, the founder of Johnson Products Company—the first Black-owned business to trade on the American Stock Exchange—shares his remarkable journey from humble beginnings to revolutionizing the beauty industry. Joined by his co-author,...

In this holiday special of the Bookum Founders Talk Podcast , we sit down with special guest, Co-Founder, and brother, the brilliant Kris Colley II. We talk through Kris Colley’s role at Bookum, how the idea for the platform first came together, and the journey that took Bookum from an idea to a billboard in Times Square . We also reflect on standout moments from 2025, including conversations with...

Does great art require hubris? In this episode of Creators Talk Podcast, we explore Gothic literature, Frankenstein, and the complex relationship between artists and their creations with Dr. Rebecca Marks, a Cambridge PhD specializing in Gothic literature and art history. Dr. Marks takes us deep into the world of Gothic literature, from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein to the moral questions that...

Legendary restaurateur Drew Nieporent sits down to discuss his incredible 40+ year career in the restaurant industry, from opening the iconic Nobu with Robert De Niro and Nobu Matsuhisa to building Tribeca Grill, Montrachet, and over 40 other restaurants. Drew shares lessons on leadership, navigating celebrity partnerships, surviving 9/11 and COVID, and what it really takes to succeed in the resta...

Welcome to the Bookum Author Talks Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with culinary historian and James Beard Award winner Adrian Miller to explore the REAL history of soul food. We dive deep into Thanksgiving history and traditions, black food traditions, the soul food canon, and cooking through history. Adrian breaks down everything from cooking Thanksgiving dinner and the best soul food dish...

My guest today on the Bookum Author Talks Podcast is the generational powerhouse Cheryl McKissack Daniel. Cheryl is the President and CEO of McKissack & McKissack, a design and construction company founded by Moses McKissack in 1905. It is the oldest Black-owned architecture and construction company in the United States. In this episode, Cheryl shares the incredible story of her family’s legac...