The Danny and Park Novels Good News Podcast

Today's guest is Kiki, a Richmond area high school student and artist. Kiki's aunt portrays a main character in my novel series and when she heard that I was asking for writers, poets and artists to display their work on my website, she asked Kiki to email me some of her art. I liked it so much, Kiki has her own gallery on the website. If you want to follow Kiki on Instagram, her handle...

On today's Popcorn Podcast (which is a quick, solo podcast) I vent a bit about well-known authors who take advantage of their large platforms to insert their own politics into their thrillers, despite the fact that their political views have nothing to do with the storyline. Longtime readers can't stand it and judging by many of the negative reviews, want the authors to cut it out.

Today's guest is J. Lynden Collingwood, an author, poet and aspiring playwright. I met J. Lynden through a mutual friend who knew that I enjoyed poetry and thought J. Lynden's work would be a good fit for the website. She was right. J. Lynden has been such a frequent contributor to the site, I reserved a permanent space for his poetry readings. Take a listen to the interview and let me k...

On today's episode, I interview Kimberly Drake, a patrol officer with the Richmond Police Department. Kim was a civilian for ten years and has been a sworn officer for thirteen years. She works Day shift in 4th Precinct and her beat covers the north side of Richmond, which includes Highland Park and the Gilpin Court community. Kim and I talk about the changes that she's seen over the yea...

Welcome back to the podcast, I’m Jamie Baynes. In this episode, I interview Anthony Jackson, a lieutenant with the Richmond Police Department. I worked with Anthony when he was a detective with the Major Crimes Division in the department, then I worked FOR Anthony when he got promoted to sergeant, then to lieutenant. But today, I’m not talking to him about Richmond police stuff. Instead, we talk a...

Today's guest is Laura, a model and motivational writer. Her energy is so fresh and positive, I asked her to be a guest on this episode as well as future episodes. Part of the podcast is completely in Spanish, so if you have a friend or relative who can translate for you, ask them to take a listen. The majority is in English, though and I think after listening  you'll agree that the worl...

Today’s guest is Jon Burkett, also known as the Crime Insider on Richmond’s local CBS affiliate, WTVR. Jon’s been with WTVR for almost 21 years. He got his start in broadcasting while he was in the Navy, and worked briefly in Baltimore as a broadcaster.  Jon was born in Chesterfield and considers the Richmond area his home. I met Jon while I was a Homicide detective in Richmond and we’ve remained...

This episode's guest is Morgan, a woman who while at work one day got hit with a seizure, lost consciousness and woke up at Johnston Willis Hospital in Chesterfield, Virginia surrounded by her family and the medical staff. Morgan's story of survival and recovery is nothing short of amazing. I hope you enjoy the interview.

Today's guest is Sharmeen, an author I follow on Instagram. In addition to being an author, she's also a wife, mother, artist, poet and teacher. Did I mention she's multi-lingual as well? Originally from Pakistan, she now lives in Germany, by way of France and Canada. Take a listen to the interview and let me know what you think.

Today's episode is just me talking about hate and hope. From time to time, I'm going to do solo episodes. I like thinking of them as popcorn episodes, because every so often, a subject will pop into my head and I'll want to talk about something. There's a bit of throat clearing in this one and maybe a jumbled word or two. If I start doing multiple takes I'll get frustrated...

In this interview, I talk to Pam, an employee of the Richmond Police Department and the inspiration for one of my favorite characters in the Danny and Park series, Meredith. As I've mentioned on the website, after I write my characters, I look for people I know and ask them to be the model for each particular character. Once I saw Pam, it was a no-brainer that she would be my Meredith. Take a...

In this episode, I interview Taylor Harding-Jenkins, a transgender author I follow on Instagram. Taylor has been the subject of online bullying, so much so that she deleted all of her social media accounts and writes under a pseudonym. Despite this, she has a message of hope that she wants to share. I hope you enjoy the interview.

On this episode, I interview Gloria Miles, a mother, writer and Navy veteran. Gloria talks to me candidly about the death of her husband by suicide, the effects that its had on her and her children, and ways that we can recognize and help someone who may be contemplating suicide. You can follow Gloria on Instagram at: UNTITLED_BY_GLORIA or go to her Linkedin page (Gloria Miles, MBA).  Also check o...

In this episode, I interview Shatara Donald, a Major Crimes detective with the Richmond Police Department. Shatara began her career as a patrol officer, then moved over to the Major Crimes division where she investigates shootings and sex crimes. She's a married mother of two adorable girls and is such a firecracker I used her as a main character in my new book series, The Outlaws. I hope you...

Just a brief solo session to talk about the way in which some people try to get people to hate one another. PLUS a sneak peek about upcoming episodes. 

In episode two, I interview Richmond PD Forensic Investigator Jessica Bourne. Jessica's got an incredible story of survival that I wanted her to share; a diagnosis of breast cancer in her mid-twenties, with no family history of cancer. She had to deal with this right as the pandemic was kicking off. She's truly an incredible person and her story is inspiring and uplifting. I hope you enj...

The first episode in a series that's going to be dedicated to sharing good news and positivity instead of division and hate. This episode gives the author's background as well as why he retired from the Richmond Police Department after 27yrs.