MJ Dyer - We Are Monsters

MJ Dyer - We Are Monsters

In this episode of In Conversation, award-winning broadcaster Terry Shepherd sits down with UK-based author MJ Dyer to dive deep into her debut psychological thriller, We Are Monsters. Set against the brooding, atmospheric backdrop of Bodmin Moor, the novel follows Elara, a young woman who has spent her life eclipsed by her identical twin half-sisters. When one of the twins is found dead under suspicious circumstances, Elara’s hunt for the truth spirals into a dark, dangerous descent into rivalry, identity, and the fragile line between victimhood and monstrosity. What You'll Hear in This Episode: * The Nightmare Behind the Book: How a severe brain inflammation illness, vivid hospital hallucinations, and a haunting old photograph inspired the eerie premise of the novel. * The Allure of the Morally Gray: Why MJ Dyer loves writing "unlikable" characters and how Elara’s desperate desire to be noticed drives her ambiguous motivations. * A Style Reborn: How recovering from a brain injury unexpectedly transformed MJ's writing style from plot-driven fantasy into poetic, lyrical, and deeply psychological prose. * The Reality of the Publishing Business: MJ shares her transparent, twisty journey through the querying trenches, dealing with rejection, and how she ultimately landed her third literary agent. * A Sneak Peek at What's Next: Inside the writing process of her second psychological thriller, Toxic Girls, arriving this November. > "I want readers to almost feel a bit disturbed, a bit haunted as they go through the story." — MJ Dyer Connect with the Author: * Website: mjdyerbooks.com [http://mjdyerbooks.com] * Featured Books: We Are Monsters (Releasing July 7th) and Toxic Girls (Coming November). We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Dynamic-Podcast-Guest/dp/1955171513]. Grab your copy today and sell mo

Lee Goldberg - Murder By Design

Deconstructing the Whodunit: A Conversation with Bestselling Author & Renaissance Man Lee Goldberg. What happens when you take the classic, eccentric detective formula and turn it completely on its head? In this episode of In Conversation, host Terry Shepherd sits down with bestselling author, television producer, and media renaissance man Lee Goldberg to celebrate the launch of his highly anticipated new mystery novel, Murder by Design. Known for his masterful ability to balance laugh-out-loud humor with high-stakes plotting , Lee gives us an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes look at the creation of his fascinating new protagonist, Edison Bixby. Unlike the reclusive, celibate, or socially inept sleuths of classic detective fiction, Bixby is wealthy, handsome, and highly successful —but a traumatic brain injury has stripped away his internal filter, leaving him with a hilarious and dangerous knack for saying exactly the wrong thing at the absolute wrong time. Lee and Terry dive deep into: * The Architecture of Murder: How Murder by Design explores the terrifying ways the built environment, layout, and lighting can be manipulated to shape human behavior—and become instruments of crime. * Twisting the Tropes: Why Lee deliberately paired his brilliant "design sociopath" with Wally Nash, a struggling actor hired as a social buffer, to honor and simultaneously subvert the classic "Watson" tradition. * The Cinematic Writing Secrets: How Lee’s extensive career writing and producing for television (including his hit new series You're Killing Me) led him to an unconventional noveling process—writing his books as top-secret screenplays first to lock down pacing and dialogue. * The Reality of the Writer's Life: A candid, humorous look at the rhythms of storytelling, navigating collaboration in Hollywood versus solo writing, and why Lee still feels like the same 10-year-old kid fueling his imagination with junk food and Diet Coke. Whether you are a die-hard mystery fan, an aspiring writer curious about script-to-novel structures, or just love a witty conversation about how the literary "sausage is made", this interview is packed with creative wisdom, Hollywood anecdotes, and plenty of laughs. About the Guest:Lee Goldberg is a two-time Edgar Award nominee and a prolific author and TV producer whose work spans decades of hit print series and television blockbusters. He is also the co-founder of Brash Books. Learn more about Lee and purchase your copy of Murder by Design at Leegoldberg.com [http://leegoldberg.com]. Connect with Us: * Follow In Conversation with Terry Shepherd for more deep dives into the writer's craft with the artists who create the stories you love. We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Dynamic-Podcast-Guest/dp/1955171513]. Grab your copy today and sell mo

C.B. Wilson - The Water Diamond

There is something completely irresistible about a mystery that sparkles—especially when it carries secrets buried deep in history. In this episode, host Terry Shepherd sits down with award-winning author and gemologist C.B. Wilson to dive into her glittering new release, Water Diamond, the thrilling second installment in her popular Gem Hunter series. From the sun-drenched hills of a historic Phoenix mansion to the iconic, Art Deco-infused shores of Catalina Island, C.B. Wilson previews a high-stakes historic race to recover a hidden piece of jewelry with a dangerous past. We talk about the inspiration behind the book, the real-world existence of "diamond dogs," and how a tiny, pink-outfit-wearing dachshund named Glimmer stole the show. Plus, C.B. shares her expert insights into the fascinating history of antique diamond cuts, the reality of manufactured gems, and how her own passion for gemology keeps her chasing down the ultimate puzzle. Whether you love a sharp mystery, historic architecture, or just really beautiful jewelry, this conversation is pure heaven. What You’ll Learn In This Episode: * The Inspiration Behind Water Diamond: How the historic Wrigley mansion in Phoenix and the 1920s Avalon casino on Catalina Island sparked a coast-to-coast adventure. * Meet the Cast: A closer look at the fierce heroine Taylor Hunter, her GIA diamond-grader twin sister Hope, FBI love interest Rocky Rockman, and Glimmer—the mini dachshund who can sniff out diamonds 50 feet in the air. * The "Duet" Mystery: The history of a stolen 1929 Art Deco bracelet that connects to a larger narrative puzzle. * Fascinating Gemology Facts: Why antique diamonds were hand-cut specifically to sparkle in candlelight, and how modern technology shifted the industry toward brilliant cuts. * A Sneak Peek at the Horizon: Where Taylor’s adventures are heading next, from a closed-room mystery in a Quebec City ice hotel to diamond smuggling routes in Australia. About the Guest C.B. Wilson is an award-winning author and certified gemologist. Best known by many readers for her heart-filled Barkview Mysteries, her latest Gem Hunter action-adventure series blends sharp suspense, a lifelong fascination with jewels, and a deep love for animals. Links & Resources Mentioned: * Visit C.B. Wilson’s Official Website: cbwilsonauthor.com [https://cbwilsonauthor.com] * * Connect with the Author: Check out her website to sign up for her newsletter, see daily pictures of Glimmer’s clues, and explore her entire catalog of cozy mysteries and high-stakes thrillers. Enjoyed this episode? Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Dynamic-Podcast-Guest/dp/1955171513]. Grab your copy today and sell mo

Liz Lazarus - Dawn Before Darkness

What happens when the person you once trusted most becomes the architect of your worst nightmare?  In this episode, award-winning broadcaster Terry Shepherd sits down with psychological thriller author Liz Lazarus to discuss her unsettling new novel, Dawn Before Darkness. Liz opens up about shifting from a "left-brain" career as a corporate engineering executive to crafting high-stakes, realistic suspense fiction. They dive deep into the terrifying reality behind her latest book—including Liz's personal 10-year battle with the probate court system , the meticulous research that went into portraying the real-world anxieties of stalking , and her highly structured "plotter" approach to writing using color-coded spreadsheets. It’s an eye-opening conversation about creative resilience, the flaws in our legal system, and why every family needs to have a difficult conversation about their future before it’s too late. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: * Fiction Rooted in Fact: How Liz’s real-life struggle to free her mother from a predatory guardianship inspired the legal nightmare in her new book. * The Anatomy of a Thriller: Why Liz structures her novels in Excel and her unconventional secret weapon for perfect chapter pacing. * Real-World Stalking: Insights from Liz's interviews with 10 stalking survivors and the shocking truth about the limitations of restraining orders. * A Cautionary Tale for Families: Why Dawn Before Darkness is a passionate plea for listeners to organize their wills, powers of attorney, and family affairs today. About the Guest: Liz Lazarus Liz Lazarus graduated from Georgia Tech with an engineering degree and spent 20 years at General Electric before answering her true calling to become a writer. She is the author of four gripping, socially-themed psychological thrillers, including Free of Malice, Shades of Silence, Plea for Justice, and her latest release, Dawn Before Darkness. * Connect with Liz: Learn more and find her books at LizLazarus.com [https://lizlazarus.com]. Support the Show! If you enjoyed this deep dive into the writer's craft, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Your reviews and word-of-mouth referrals are the absolute best way to help new listeners discover the show and support our incredible authors. Follow Terry Shepherd on social media and subscribe so you never miss an episode!  We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Dynamic-Podcast-Guest/dp/1955171513]. Grab your copy today and sell mo

Peter Samuelson - Finding Happy

“The purpose of your life is to be happy, but the way you become happy is counterintuitive. It turns out that where happiness comes from is pushing out help for other people.” What if the secret to a meaningful life isn’t about what you can grab, but what you can give?  In this truly life-altering episode, award-winning broadcaster Terry Shepherd sits down with Peter Samuelson—film producer, pro-social entrepreneur, and the visionary force behind world-class nonprofits like the Starlight Children’s Foundation, Starbright World (co-founded with Steven Spielberg), First Star, and EDAR. Peter dives deep into his highly anticipated book, Finding Happy: A User’s Guide for Your Life with Lessons from Mine. Written as a no-holds-barred compass for Gen Z, millennials, and anyone looking to cut through the digital noise, the book blends jaw-dropping, hilarious Hollywood misadventures with deeply practical life lessons on risk, resilience, and ultimate fulfillment. In this episode, you’ll discover: * The Brain Chemistry of Risk: Why young adults operate on the amygdala (the reptilian fight-or-flight brain) and how to kickstart the prefrontal cortex to play the "chess game of life" safely. * The "Envelope & Pencil" Strategy: A powerful metaphor for navigating failure, exploring career tangents, and pushing past the dark spaces of uncertainty. * The 89% Miracle: How Peter’s organization, First Star, flips the script for foster youth, defying national statistics to send the vast majority of their scholars to higher education. * The Science of Random Acts of Kindness: A look inside Peter’s counterintuitive 2-class course funded by a generous Dallas donor, proving how agency and altruism fight life's natural "entropy". * Unconditional Love in Action: Heartwarming, real-world stories from the trenches of volunteering—including the moving UCLA talent show "scrum" and how Peter met his wife of 35 years inside a SeaWorld dolphin costume. * Classroom Hacks for Success: Why raising your hand to ask just one question per class—even a bad one—will fundamentally reprogram your education. This isn’t just a podcast episode; it’s a masterclass in mitigation of suffering and finding absolute clarity, courage, and joy in an overwhelming world. Hit play, get off your derriere, and learn how to start your own journey toward a good life. Connect with Peter: * Website: samuelson.la [https://samuelson.la] (Where you can read the first 20 pages of Finding Happy for free!)  * Buy the Book: Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Target in paperback, e-book, and audiobook formats. * Feedback: Peter actually wants to hear from you! Grab his direct email address right inside the book or via his website. About the Show: In Conversation with Terry Shepherd explores the writer’s craft, showcasing deep dives with the authors, narrators, and support systems who shape the stories we love. Enjoyed the episode? Don't forget to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode with a young adult—or a parent/mentor—who needs a little extra guidance finding their happy today! We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Dynamic-Podcast-Guest/dp/1955171513]. Grab your copy today and sell mo