Beards, Books, and Bourbon Podcast

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Mark and Stephen share their love of books, and bourbon...and happen to have beards that their wives love. Join these two friends as they explore some of their favorite genres of books: mystery, thriller, Sci-Fi, fantasy, horror, metaphysical, and all things unknown while sipping on a different bourbon each episode.

Mark Harms and Stephen Mack


    • May 17, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 37m AVG DURATION
    • 189 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Beards, Books, and Bourbon Podcast

    What We Forgot About One Dark Window - OOPSISODE with Starward Twofold

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2025 16:14


    Tonight it's all about gothic poetry, horrific encounters, and the genius of Australian whiskey.   USA | Starward Australian Whisky Rachel Gillig, Author

    "The Monster They Became" - One Dark Window with Moonlight Mayhem

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2025 61:51


    Tonight's episode brings us back to fantasy of the gothic kind.  Blunder is a cursed kingdom, surrounded by a mist that snatches people into the wood, never to be seen again.  All the families of the kingdom are named after trees, and the currency of power comes in the form of a deck of magical playing cards. These cards were made by a long dead king at the price of destroying himself to do it one piece at a time. Tonight we discuss ONE DARK WINDOW by Rachel Gillig. So, that's not morbid or anything.  A dark and supernatural take requires a bourbon whiskey just as dark and mythical to pair with it.  Tonight's bourbon is MOONLIGHT MAYHEM.

    "What we forgot about A Language of Dragons" - OOPSISODE

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2025 14:26


    Oh, right.  It's a dystopian YA novel involving students and probably organized by either Jigsaw or the guy from Seven.  Tell the kids what they've won, Bob!  They've won DEATH!  We're going to need a stiff drink, and we get one with Barmen 1873.

    "Alchemy, Dragons, & Tongue Twisters!" A Language of Dragons with Dark Arts Bourbon

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2025 58:19


    Welcome to dystopian world of the early 20th Century where dragons live alongside humans, everyone is at the brink of war, and the fate of the world is in the hands of a bunch of misfit students being blackmailed into building what might be a doomsday weapon in the novel "A Language of Dragons".  So...Tuesday.  As our bourbon, Stephen and Mark will be embibing a little alchemy of their own with Dark Arts.

    "What We Forgot About Conclave" - Oopsisode with Willett Bourbon

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2025 17:09


    As the boys talk about some old priests, they revisit a really old friend.  A less than half full bottle of Willett that's been sitting in the garage for 5 years is finally getting cracked open to see what demons lurk inside.

    "The Great One...For Pope!" - Conclave & Wayne Gretzky 99 Canadian Whisky

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2025 61:55


    Stephen and Mark delve into the world of extraordinary circumstances and people. Our book for this episode is Conclave by Robert Harris, the novel which is the basis for the Academy Award Nominated movie. A story about extraordinary circumstances and the decisions that must be made. The bourbon tonight is not a bourbon at all, but a Canadian Whisky brought to us the Great One himself, Wayne Gretzky.

    "What We Forgot About Onyx Storm" - OOPSISODE with Knob Creek

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2025 16:41


    IT'S A KIND OF MAGIC! Stephen and Mark discuss the magical systems in Onyx Storm, and cast spells on themselves with Knob Creek.

    "You Do Some of Your Best Work on That Throne" - Onyx Storm with Ransom Bourbon

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2025 52:58


    Well, we made it. The end of the third book.  There's a lot of twists, turns, love and rage that look eerily similar, the defilement of a throne, broken furniture, broken promises, betrayals in the name of love, and angst angst angst.  But now it's over. We can finally relax. We....WHAT DO YOU MEAN THERE ARE TWO MORE BOOKS??? Pass the Ransom Bourbon, please.

    "What We Forgot About Iron Flame" - OOPSISODE with Smoke Wagon

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2025 17:04


    There's a moment when you realize that there's something you need to talk about.  There's another moment when you realize there just isn't enough time to really talk about it.  This is one of those times as we discuss DRAGONS in Iron Flame by Rececca Yarros.  Tonight we revisit our old friend, Smoke Wagon Small Batch Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

    "Who's Your Xaddy?" - Iron Flame with Lucky Seven

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2025 52:53


    Once more, Stephen and Mark will dare to enter the Fourth Wing universe, written by Rebecca Yarros. This is book 2 of the series, and if you thought things were wild before, what with all the lightning and exploding bedroom furniture, you're in for another amazing ride. Besgiath War College (not to mention everywhere else) is a dangerous place, and so the guys will need to have some luck on their side on this journey. That's why they're bringing Lucky Seven bourbon with them.

    What We Forgot About The Bright Sword - OOPSISODE with Blade & Bow

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2025 16:36


    How could they forget to talk about Merlin??  Well, they didn't really.  They were just saving the nastiest for last.  Luckily Stephen and Mark will balance things out with the smooth, fruity, smoky, loveliness of Blade & Bow Bourbon.

    "Without Arthur They Were All Ordinary Men" - The Bright Sword with 2XO Bourbon

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2025 63:39


    In this episode, Stephen and Mark visit "The Bright Sword" by Lev Grossman. One of our favorite authors, we are so excited to read his latest novel about Camelot after Arthur's final battle and all that was left undone and unfinished. For such a story, it's only appropriate that the boys continue their journey of the 2XO Bourbon label with the French Oak expression.

    "What We Forgot About RUN" - OOPSISODE with Belle Meade Bourbon Whiskey

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2025 12:25


    "Not Like Us" - RUN with Green River Wheated Bourbon

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2025 58:04


    The guys have never made it a secret about how much they love books written by Blake Crouch.  In today's episode, they talk about Crouch's first commercially successful novel, not previously released in the United States.  What if, in a single night, half of everyone you knew and loved suddenly no longer saw you as a friend, a lover, a family member?  What if they were trying to murder you because they were convinced that you were no longer one of them? A high octane book like this needs something to smooth to mellow the evening out.  To help them keep pace, Stephen and Mark will sample Green River Wheated Bourbon.

    What We Forgot About "The Living Dead" - OOPSISODE with 2XO Bourbon

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2025 15:07


    Stephen and Mark dive into one of their favorite bourbons from 2024, the unforgettable 2XO American Oak as they take a few minutes to talk about one of the most unforgettable characters from The Living Dead.  Join them, as they talk and laugh about The Face.

    "A Ghoulishly Delightful Season Opener" - The Living Dead with Four Roses Single Barrel

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2025 58:23


    Everything old is new again in the Season 5 opening episode!  This episode, Stephen and Mark explore a novel by the late, great George A. Romero and Daniel Krause.  A new and expanded version of the story Mr. Romero set into motion decades ago.  Keeping in theme with the story, Stephen and Mark will revisit an old friend with a new twist, Four Roses Bourbon.  This time, they will be exploring the depths and complexities of the Single Barrel offering of the iconic label.

    "We Forgot Everything" - Season 4 Finale. OOPSISODE

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2024 18:25


    In the final FINAL episode of Season 4, Stephen and Mark become so enamored with 2XO Bourbon from the last episode, they decide to make Old Fashioneds with it and completely forget to talk about what they forgot to talk about in "The Halloween Tree" by Ray Bradbury.  Witness the chaos as the boys fall down the cocktail rabbit hole as they decide to try to invent their own cocktails.  Maybe they're just tired.  Maybe it's been a long season.  Maybe the 2XO is just that good.

    "We All Celebrate Death" - The Halloween Tree with 2XO American Oak - SEASON 4 FINALE

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2024 51:08


    For the Season Four Finale, Stephen and Mark turn to a classic tale from a hometown author close to their hearts, The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury. Listen as Mark loses his mind a little and goes on about the sinister side of the story.  Meanwhile, Stephen will won't do a darned thing to keep Mark from spiraling. Thanks, Stephen! Good thing they have a fantastic new beverage to sample and distract everyone from the Halloween hysterics.

    What We Forgot About "A Psalm for The Wild Built" - OOPSISODE with Five Trail Bourbon

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2024 15:37


    For such a short book, there's just a whole lot to cover in the deceptively complex tale by Becky Chambers.  Equally deep and complex is the Five Trail Bourbon.

    "What Do You Need?" - A Psalm for the Wild Built and Blade & Bow

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2024 58:01


    In the countdown to the season finale, Stephen and Mark stray from the path of horror into a subtle and delighfully complex scifi story about a monk, a robot, and the questions perhaps everyone should be asking of themselves and each other. A subtle and complex tale deserves a subtle and complex bourbon paired with it, and this episode is no exception as our co-hosts sample Blade & Bow for the first time. NOTE: In this episode, Stephen and Mark both struggle with pronoun usage for the characters.  We decided to leave this in rather than edit and re-record.  We felt the struggle to get it right and failing (multiple times) without giving up was all too appropriate for the messages and themes of the story.  No one can ever be perfect, but the pursuit of being better and kinder to each other and ourselves is worth the awkwardness of the journey.

    "We Like Being Scared" - Horror Theme Show with Basil Hayden Subtle Smoke

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2024 59:44


    At the end of Season 2, Stephen and Mark talked about the theme of horror, and what it meant to them.  Well, they're back on the topic, two years wiser (allegedly), and ready to dive into new directions.  On this journey, they will take with them the ever reliable torch in the darkness of Basil Hayden, this time trying out their Subtle Smoke expression.

    What We Forgot About the Mist - Oopsisode with Chattanooga Whiskey

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2024 16:28


    In tonight's oopsisode, Stephen and Mark talk about the role of the military in Stephen King's "The Mist".  They will also revisit Chattanooga Whiskey, first sampled from the "STOMP STOMP BOOM" episode which dropped on April 15, 2022.

    "It's The End of the World" - The Mist with The Jury

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2024 61:42


    As we begin the countdown to Halloween and our season finale, we start with "The Mist" by Stephen King.  A dark and complex tale based off a simple premise, the boys are pairing it up with The Jury by High 'n Wicked.

    "The Whiskey A Gone Gone" - Oopsisode

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2024 14:22


    Instead of the usual oopsisode, because the last book is still so new, the boys opted to spend their time extolling the virtues of Uncle Nearest Bourbon Whiskey.  Enjoy!

    "Say a Prayer for the Thin Kid" - Horror Movie with Thomas S. Moore Bourbon

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2024 54:10


    This week, Stephen and Mark spend a little time talking about the most recent story from author Paul Tremblay, "Horror Movie".  They will talk about the twists, spirals, and rabbit holes truly good authors like Trembay can create.  Horror Movie is a escheresque, gravity defying maze of mirrors.  A sophisticated story needs an equally sophisticated bourbon paired with it.  Tonight, the boys will sample Thomas S. Moore Cognac Cask bourbon.

    "What We Forgot About Devolution" - OOPSISODE with Jim Beam Double Oaked

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2024 14:34


    On this oopsisode, we discuss Jim Beam, and the concept of FAFO.

    "Alexa, How Do I Kill Sasquatch?" - Devolution & George Dickel

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2024 66:50


    What We Forgot About Twice Removed - OOPSISODE with Author, Zee Lacson with Elijah Craig Bourbon

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2024 14:31


    Oh my.  Author, Zee Lacson, sticks around after the initial recording to do the oopsisode with Stephen and Mark.  How many bourbons can one author take?  All of them.  Especially when we're talking about allies.  Spend another 12 minutes with Zee Lacson and the boys as they talk about allies in the book "Twice Removed."   Zee Lacson has had practice in different professions. Engineer. Teacher. Photographer. Visual artist. Writer. But throughout her life, she has always been a Dreamer. The Woolgathering Trilogy is her dream come true. Born and raised in Manila, Philippines, with her grandparents, father, and twin brothers, she currently lives the dream in the northern suburbs of Chicagoland with her husband and twin sons. She enjoys good coffee. And sushi. And wine. And ice cream. And cake … though not necessarily together. Or in that order. Reverie was her first published work of fiction. It was a finalist at the 2021 Illinois Author Project. Revenant, the sequel to Reverie, was released in 2021. Réveil, the final in the series, was released May 2023. Twice Removed is her latest book, and will be released in 2024.   Website: ZeeLacson.com FB: facebook.com/ReverieTheBook IG: @ZeeLacson  TikTok: @ZeeLacson  Linktree: linktr.ee/zeelacson   Twice Removed is in stores:  This Old Book (Grayslake, IL) Barnes & Noble (Northbrook, IL) Studio Moonfall (Kenosha, WI) or sold online wherever books are sold.

    "They Tear Themselves in Half" - INTERVIEW with Author, Zee Lacson with Lux Row

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2024 72:27


    On this episode, Stephen and Mark interview YA author, Zee Lacson.  She and her husband have stopped by to talk about her new book, "Twice Removed".  For the bourbon tonight, the four of them will try out Lux Row, a complex and delightful bourbon to match the book and the company!  For more about Zee, see below.   Zee Lacson has had practice in different professions. Engineer. Teacher. Photographer. Visual artist. Writer. But throughout her life, she has always been a Dreamer. The Woolgathering Trilogy is her dream come true. Born and raised in Manila, Philippines, with her grandparents, father, and twin brothers, she currently lives the dream in the northern suburbs of Chicagoland with her husband and twin sons. She enjoys good coffee. And sushi. And wine. And ice cream. And cake … though not necessarily together. Or in that order. Reverie was her first published work of fiction. It was a finalist at the 2021 Illinois Author Project. Revenant, the sequel to Reverie, was released in 2021. Réveil, the final in the series, was released May 2023. Twice Removed is her latest book, and will be released in 2024.   Website: ZeeLacson.com FB: facebook.com/ReverieTheBook IG: @ZeeLacson  TikTok: @ZeeLacson  Linktree: linktr.ee/zeelacson   Twice Removed is in stores:  This Old Book (Grayslake, IL) Barnes & Noble (Northbrook, IL) Studio Moonfall (Kenosha, WI) or sold online wherever books are sold.

    "What We Forgot About They Lurk" Oopsisode with Copper & Cask

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2024 14:49


    WELCOME TO THE ANNUAL RONALD MALFI LOVE FEST. Seriously, it's kind of sick how much we love this guy's writing.  We have a problem.  We need counseling, or perhaps we just need some Copper & Cask Bourbon to pair with writing.

    "They're Everywhere & Everything" - They Lurk & Belfour Texas Pecan Wood Finished Bourbon Whiskey

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2024 69:09


    On today's episode, we take a look at five novellas from one of our favorite authors, Ronald Malfi, in his new book, "They Lurk".  Malfi's writing is always complex and thought provoking while it mercilessly scares the ever living poop out of you. Tonight we are pairing the book with Belfour Texas Pecan Wood Finished Bourbon Whiskey.  It's another deep and complex offering, and we can't wait to tell you more about it.

    "What We Forgot About The Ministry of Time" - Oopsisode with Calumet Farm Bourbon

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2024 15:23


    As we often do, there's the thing we want to talk about in the book that we didn't get to talk about before.  And then, we spend some time on this particular bourbon, but oooooh my, it's delicious.

    "So, We're Not Killing Baby Hitler?" - The Ministry of Time and Belle MeadeBourbon Whiskey

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2024 48:35


    It's been a minute since we did a time travel story, and so we're heading back in time, and forward, and back again in this smart, funny, lovely, and tragic tale by Kalianne Bradley.  How would it feel if you were suddenly plucked out of your own time and sent 200, 300, or even 5 hundred years into the future? Would you be able to fit in, or would you slowly slide back to where you started one piece at a time? To help us answer this question, we're going to need the complex comfort of Belle Meade Bourbon Whiskey.

    "An Oktoberfest Death" - Interview with Author, Thomas J. Miller

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2024 84:15


    On tonight's episode, we have the special privilege of interviewing Author, Thomas J. Miller about his book, "An Oktoberfest Death".  To pair with this book about murder and beer, we're going to be sampling three styles of Dragon Milk Bourbon Barrel Aged beers from New Holland Brewing. Please follow Thomas at these links, and support our authors and their work! Thomas J. Miller Website Shop. I am offering multi-book bundles. Books ordered here will be signed and shipped: https://www.thomasjmillerauthor.com/shop   Link to Amazon Audible page for An Oktoberfest Death: https://a.co/d/0gXgBmrV   Link to Thomas J. Miller Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B086XGLDSM/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=583db72f-38d8-4582-bf1c-6923bfc6ef08&ref_=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2

    "What We Forgot About White Holes" - Oopsisode with Glynnevan Maple Whisky

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2024 15:31


    Wait?  We forgot something about quantum loop gravity and the nature of energy as information? Naaaaah!  Good thing we're returning to our good friend, Glynnevan Maple Whisky.

    "It's Science, Dagnabit!" - White Holes by Carlo Rovelli with Keepers Heart Irish Bourbon Whisky

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2024 57:10


    Hello all you loyal listeners!  We had a minor technical catastrophe when our recording platform became sentient, attemtpted to take over the world, and corrupted several episodes of the show in the process. We have a new recording platform, for our inaugural voyage, we are returning to our favorite popular scientist, Carlo Rovelli to talk about what's on the other end of a black hole.  For our sampling tonight, we are trying Keeper's Heart Irish Bourbon Whisky.

    What We Forgot About The Cartographers with Oak & Eden BBB Edition

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2024 15:23


    We couldn't say enough about the Cartographers by Peng Shepherd.  Well, if you think about it, we really had too much to say.  After all, here we are with more to say!  Tonight the boys are also going to check in with their specially ordered bottle of Oak & Eden customized with 4 grain bourbon whiskey, a French oak stave, and orange essence.

    "Wherever you go, there you are." - The Cartographers & 5 Trail Whiskey

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2024 62:00


    In this week's episode, Stephen and Mark dive into a story about familes.  The families you are born into, the familes you make, and the worlds you create together.  Come explore with them as they find brave new worlds in Peng Shepherd's masterful novel, "The Cartographers".  It's a long road, and the path is unclear, and so they will pair the book with Five Trail Whiskey.

    "No, we don't mean the CW" - The Relationship Theme Show with West Cork Irish Whiskey

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2024 48:56


    How does a story drive forward?  How do the connections between the characters, the setting, the author, and the reader all work in concert to weave a tale that people want to read or tell or listen?  We're waxing philosophical on tonight's episode, and appropriately enough, we're sampling some West Cork Irish Whiskey to put us in the right mood.

    What We Forgot About The Martian with Starward Two-Fold

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2024 15:44


    It's another 15 minute dumpster fire, brought to you by Stephen and Mark and Starward Two Fold.

    "Butt Potato Farmer" - The Martian with Oak & Eden

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2024 64:02


    Stephen and Mark spend some time stranded on Mars with "The Martian" by Andy Weir.  Surviving on a planet that is literally trying to kill you at every moment of the day can be stressful.  Good thing they have their custom made bottle of Oak & Eden to help take off the edge.

    "What We Forgot About Reincarnation" - OOPSISODE

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2024 14:46


    As Stephen and Mark lose their minds over whales, they will spend some time sipping on St. George Absinte and Basil Hayden Toast!

    "Your Soul Will Be Cancelled Like a Dumb TV Show" - Reincarnation Blues & Widow Jane 10 Year

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2024 62:57


    What if you could live 10,000 lifetimes, and the only requirement would be to find perfection before using them all up.  Do you think you could do it?  Stephen and Mark are pretty sure they wouldn't make it, getting distracted by loud thoughts, like Stephen's gout toe, or France.  This is the simple premise of a deceptively complex book about life, love, the self, and reaching for something perfect in "Reincarnation Blues" by Michael Poore. But one thing that is close to perfection, is a bottle of Widow Jane 10 Year Bourbon.

    soul france tv shows cancelled widow year bourbon michael poore reincarnation blues
    What We Forgot About All Systems Red - OOPSISODE with Legent

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2024 14:30


    Tonight as the guys talk about what they forgot from All Systems Red by Martha Wells, they return to a previous bottle, Legent.  This time they try it as a cocktail with an experimental mixer purchased for a magical place called the internet.

    "Humans are so Stupid" - All Systems Red with Jack Daniels Triple Mash

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2024 45:26


    On this episode, the guys discuss the starting tale of a Scifi series with an interesting twist and viewpoint.  Speaking of interesting twists, they will be sampling Jack Daniels Triple Mash.

    "What we forgot about Valley of Shadows" - Oopsisode with Smoke Wagon Old Fashioned

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2024 13:15


    Join us for another 15 minutes...or less...of the boys talking about what they forgot to talk about in Valley of Shadows by Rudy Ruiz.

    "Curses, Cults, Magic, and Cowboys" - Valley of Shadows with Willett Bourbon

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2024 57:22


    This week, "Valley of Shadows" by Rudy Ruiz. The guys explore a new twist (for them) on an old genre.  A Western from a different perspective, both culturally and geographically.  This haunting and action packed western tale takes them on a journey through a world that seems both familiar and unexplored.  Bad guys.  A lone sheriff. A serial killing cult.  Magic, curses, and a sense of justice that will stop at nothing to win the day, even if it costs everything to do it. To keep the curses at bay, the guys will revisit Willett Kentucky Bourbon, a bottle they haven't tasted since season 1.

    "What We Forgot About Starter Villain - Oopsisode with Jim Beam Double Oaked

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2024 10:56


    Nothing's more terrifying than unionized dolphins.  Come listen and find out why.

    "The Path to Hell is Paved with Subscription Fees" - Starter Villain with Jim Beam Black Xtra Aged

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2024 54:11


    Villainy is not what it once was, or maybe it's just never been what we thought.  Stephen and Mark explore the state of villainy in Starter Villain by John Scalzi.  As they learn the dark nature of subscription services, they will fortify themselves with something equally as dark.  Jim Beam Black Extra Aged.

    What We Forgot About A House With Good Bones with Copper & Cask

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2024 13:19


    Just who was that old man, anyway, and how old was he when he died??  There's weird stuff in A House with Good Bones, but Copper & Cask will keep them save with its depth of flavor and spice.

    "Everything is Nice and Normal" - A House With Good Bones with Jefferson's Bourbon

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2024 55:22


    The boys are back with another T. Kingfisher novel.  This one is Southern Gothic meets Lovecraftian Horror.  To try to keep things nice and normal, they will be sampling Jefferson's Bourbon Whiskey.

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