Terry Shepherd In Conversation

Leslie A. Rasmussen—award-winning author, former TV comedy writer, and a voice of sharp wit and emotional depth—joins us to talk about her latest novel, When People Leave. It’s a compelling exploration of sisterhood, grief, and the secrets that live just beneath the surface of the stories we think we know.

Hear the Convo: https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2513727/episodes/17596958-leslie-rasmussen-when-people-leave

Get the Book: https://www.lesliearasmussen.com/books

Read my Substack Essay: https://open.substack.com/pub/terryshepherd/p/leslie-rasmussen-when-people-leave

Thomas Cullen, federal judge, former U.S. attorney, and debut author discusses Charlie-Man, a coming-of-age novel set in 1994 Richmond. The story follows Charlie Stewart, a senior at an elite boys’ school, as he navigates heartbreak, pressure, and identity. Judge Cullen shares the personal experiences behind the book and how his Southern roots shaped this powerful debut.

Hear the Convo: https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2513727/episodes/17502558-thomas-cullen-charlie-man
Get the Book: https://www.amazon.com/Charlie-Man-Thomas-Cullen/dp/1966369344
Read my Substack Essay: https://terryshepherd.substack.com/p/thomas-cullen-charlie-man

Jenny Dandy bursts onto the crime fiction scene with The Brownstone on E. 83rd—a sharp, twisty mystery praised by Carter Wilson and William Boyle. We talk undercover agents, dangerous secrets, and why it’s never too late to start writing. With her second book on the way, Jenny Dandy is just getting started.

Hear the Conversation: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2513727/episodes/17465546

Get the Book: https://www.jennydandy.com/

Read my Substack Essay: https://substack.com/home/post/p-167757786

What happens when an author, who also happens to be a dynamic prosecutor imagines the worst possible person's darkest intentions? Alex Kenna hits it out of the park.

Hear the convo: https://soundcloud.com/user-547434833/alex-kenna-burn-this-night

Get the Book: https://www.alexkenna.com/

In his motivational debut, one time NASA engineer Andy Crocker details "The Unconditionals," 5 words that define a purposeful life.

Hear the convo: https://soundcloud.com/user-547434833/andy-crocker
Get the book: https://andycrockerbooks.com/
Read my Substack essay: https://substack.com/home/post/p-165876703

There are two things in my life that I decided I would achieve, no matter what: Succeeding as a broadcaster and winning my beautiful wife. It took 10 years of effort just to get good enough to be competitive in the trade. And I still work very hard to be worthy of my exquisite Queen every day, 47 years later. Manifesting what we desire isn't just about positive thoughts. It's being willing to keep your eye on the prize and going after it when everyone is telling you it's out of reach. What do you care enough to attain... against all odds?

"Know You Know" charts Daniel Hendrick's saga of extraordinary achievement, stunning loss and miraculous return. A life-changing story of faith and resilience.

Hear the conversation: https://soundcloud.com/user-547434833/daniel-hendrick-know-you-know
Get the Book: https://danielhendrick.com/book%3A
Read the Substack Essay: https://substack.com/home/post/p-165356977

Dwight Holing introduces his latest Nick Drake novel, "The Thunder Head," where developers and ranchers clash over the future of pristine Oregon land and Nick finds himself in the crosshairs.

Hear the Convo: https://soundcloud.com/user-547434833/dwight-holing-the-thunder-head
Get the book: https://dwightholing.com/
Read my essay: https://substack.com/home/post/p-165099322

Marty Ross-Dolen joins us to discuss her powerful new book, "Always There, Always Gone." When her grandparents were killed in a midair plane collision in 1960, it marked a generational rupture that would shape her family for decades. With deep clinical insight and poetic grace, Marty tells a story that is intimate, illuminating, and unforgettable.

Hear the Conversation: https://soundcloud.com/user-547434833/marty-ross-dolen-always-there
Get the Book: https://www.martyrossdolen.com/
Read my Essay on Substack: https://substack.com/home/post/p-164743712

Engineer, health advocate, and author Bruce Campelia joins us to explore the deep connections between well-being, storytelling, and lifelong curiosity. Bruce shares how stories—and the act of reading—continue to shape minds across generations.

Hear the Convo: https://soundcloud.com/user-547434833/bruce-campelia-passing-on-the
More about Bruce: https://www.lightpassers.com/abouttheauthor.html

Once in a while, you find a podcast you want to listen to again and again. Peter Samuelson's visit is one of those programs you'll keep handy for whenever you need a life reset.

Hear the convo: https://soundcloud.com/user-547434833/peter-samuelson-finding-happy

Get the book: https://www.samuelson.la/