One Thing or Another Podcast

One of the pleasures of publishing websites is all the new friends I've made over the last 12 years. One of the more recent ones is Mark Goldstein, host of the Where Do Gays Retire? podcast, and founder of the Where Do Gays Retire? Facebook page (with its over 14,000 members!). I had a chance to catch up with Mark on a hot summer day, about his life, his ventures, and his future. 

I had the pleasure of chatting with author Laury Egan, whose moist recent book, Jack & I, just released in May. Laury sets some of her books in locations I'm very familiar with here on the border of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Listen in as we talk about her extensive career, her life these days, and her passion for writing novels.

I knew Wendy when we both worked at the same place several years ago in New Hope, PA. I'd often wondered where she went and what she was up to. And now I know! She was generous enough to share her past, present and future with us, and I'm delighted to have her as a guest on the podcast. - Mark/Editor About Wendy Cole Knowing who you are, and not BEING who you are: this is the starting point of every Transitional situation. You KNOW who you truly are, in every aspect, but the outside is what matters. That is what people see. Taking that first transitional step is TERRIFYING. It's the stress: stress of the journey, stress of the mental weight, stress of worrying about the outside world… The physical transition is the easiest part; it's getting through the mental transition that holds us back.

What goes around comes around ... and it's another great interview with author, columnist, and renaissance man Dave Hughes. We've been friends for nearly a decade, and I've taken a lot of inspiration from Dave's post-corporate-job life (I try not to use the word 'retirement,' since it needs to be retired!). Join me in a chat with Dave about two of his big ventures: RetireFabulously.com, and his more recent headlong dive into fiction with his 'Gay Tales for the New Millennium' series, with its fifth book, Karma Train from Kansas, having just pulled into the station.

I'm delighted to chat with author and fellow Mystery Writers of America (NY) board member Nev March. After a successful business career, Nev picked up her passion where she'd left off: writing superb historical fiction steeped in the sounds, sights and sensations of old Bombay. Join us for a conversation about her books, her writing, and her plans for the future.

It doesn't get any more comfortable than interviewing my friend and longtime collaborator Rick Rose. Rick is the co-host of our weekly Twist Podcast. He's a Dane County (WI) commissioner, man-about-town in Madison, activist, mentor, and so much more. We talk about life in what was once called retirement, but can only be described as our most active and creative years yet! Fasten your headphones for this one.

It's a real treat to talk to Steve Dolainski, my friend of many years now, who introduced me to my new path as a workshop and class facilitator! I met Steve over a decade ago. We co-edited and published an anthology of LGBTQ writers over 50, including several who have become my friends. Outer Voices Inner Lives was a Lambda Literary Award finalist for anthology, and includes a foreword by the late, great, Patricia Nell Warren. Fast forward ten years, and I finally had the pleasure of meeting Steve in person on a trip to California. He told me he'd become a certified Guided Autobiography instructor and was conducting classes with the LGBTQ Center in L.A. I was hooked! I'm certified myself now too, and looking forward to my third act (as Jane Fonda calls life after 65), offering workshops and classes in Guided Autobiography and fiction writing (YourWritePath.com). Listen to this short interview with Steve where he talks about GAB (as we call it), making new roads to travel, and contemplating the ones we've already come on!

XIt's back! The One Thing or Another Podcast, reimagined, reemerged, and reinvigorated with a focus on "life, aging, and the absurdities of it all." Listen in to this recent chat with Robert Kesten, Executive Director of the Stonewall National Museum, Archives, and Library in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. We talk about the need to preserve our history, the mission of the Stonewall Museum, and how we can sustain an awareness of our past and present in a way that informs our future.

An interview with Robert Kesten.

Fasten your headphones for a conversation with Professor Lucas Hilderbrand, whose latest book, The Bars Are Ours, offers a meticulously researched, scholarly and always engaging look at the history of gay bars and their place in queer culture over the decades. We talk about his life, his career, and his dedication to a subject that is as significant as ever.

Listen in as I chat with Robert Kesten, Executive Director of the Stonewall National Museum, Archives, and Library Ft. Lauderdale, FL. We talk about the need to preserve our history, the mission of the Stonewall Museum, and how we can sustain an awareness of our past and present in a way that informs our future. About Robert Kesten Robert Kesten (he/him/his) has worked globally promoting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and furthering democracy. This work has taken many forms including writing and producing an award winning documentary on learning about the Holocaust at the Concentration Camps in Poland, Working on the Ghanaian Constitution, coordinating and producing events leading to Ukrainian independence, producing events for the first AIDS day treatment center in the nation, pushing for the decriminalization of homosexuality in Ukraine (the first Soviet Republic to do so).

I had the pleasure of speaking with Carlos Guillermo Smith, Senior Policy Advisor for Equality Florida. Carlos was also a member of the Florida legislature for six years (D), and has extensive experience as an advocate for LGBTQ people in a state where anti-LGBTQ legislation has taken hold. I spoke with Carlos about life on the ground for LGBTQ people, how the laws are shaping reality for us and our allies, and what is being done to resist the forces working against us. Fasten your headphones for an engrossing conversation.

We can all use some comic relief today, as well as some wisdom. Enjoy this 'best of' from the podcast archives, with legendary comic and activist Robin Tyler. We talk about Robin's life and career, and get her take on the state of the country. About Robin Tyler Robin Tyler is the first lesbian or gay comic to come out on national television, a feminist and pioneer in the grassroots struggle for LGBTQ civil rights and marriage equality in the U.S., and a producer. She emceed and produced the main stage at three marches on Washington for LGBTQ rights, including the historic first National March On Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights in 1979. Tyler coined the phrase "We are everywhere" as a rallying cry for the LGBTQ community.

It's great to chat again with friend and prolific author Dave Hughes, founder of RetireFabulously, and soon-to-be author of four fabulous books in his new adult gay series. I've known Dave for quite a few years now, and had the pleasure of sharing his articles on retirement at my own LGBTSr.com website. He's since moved into fiction writing, and he's got a new one coming out in just a few days. Listen in as we talk about his life, his writing, and his new release, If I Seem Quiet ...

Welcome to the re-launch of the One Thing or Another Podcast. Today I spoke with author Bruce W. Bishop about his life and writing. 

Join me for a conversation with Andrew Nowick, mayor of Lambertville, New Jersey. It's my favorite small city, and a frequent destination just 20 minutes from our home. Andrew talks about his life, family, and what it's like to be the city's mayor.

Hear ye, hear ye! Today's conversation treats you to a guest interview from the Twist Podcast with author and podcaster Brad Shreve. The feature is called the Chat Room, with co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose having casual chats with the noted and notable. Brad was our first chatterbox, as we're calling our guests, and we had a blast at the catering table. Listen in as we talk to him about his life, writing, and his great new podcast, Queer We Are.

Today's guest is legendary comic and activist Robin Tyler. We talk about Robin's life and career, and get her take on the state of the country. About Robin Tyler Robin Tyler is the first lesbian or gay comic to come out on national television, a feminist and pioneer in the grassroots struggle for LGBTQ civil rights and marriage equality in the U.S., and a producer. She emceed and produced the main stage at three marches on Washington for LGBTQ rights, including the historic first National March On Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights in 1979. Tyler coined the phrase "We are everywhere" as a rallying cry for the LGBTQ community.

My guest on the podcast today is returnee A.J. Schenkman, historian, author, and 7th grade teacher. A.J. has a new children's book coming out in 2024, 'Franklin's Trees,' about Franklin Roosevelt, who once listed his occupation as "tree farmer" and who had a love of nature and trees. A lifelong history buff, particularly of the New York area and some of its historically rich towns, A.J. has made a career of his passion. His books include Murder & Mayhem in Ulster County with Elizabeth Werlau), Washington's Headquarters in Newburgh, and his most recent, Unexpected Bravery: Women and Children of the Civil War. Listen in as we talk about his interest in history, his experience as the town historian for Gardiner, New York, and his books that bring America's past to vivid life. You can see all of A.J. books at his Amazon page.

It's good to be back at the mic for the first interview of 2023. This week I'm joined by author David Swatling, whose new book, Corpus Calvin, just released from Bold Strokes Books. You can also find it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and various other retailers. I met David when his first book, Calvin's Head, was nominated for a Lambda Literary Award in 2015, and we've stayed in touch since then. Corpus Calvin takes the lead characters, Dekker and his beloved dog Calvin, to a new location and a very different story. I spoke with David about his life in Amsterdam, his inspiration for writing the Calvin books, and what may come next for them and him.

Join me for a conversation with returning guest Dave Hughes, who just released his second novel, Instant Adult, a follow up to his debut, Maybe Next Year. Dave recently made his foray into fiction writing, and we had a chance to talk about that transition, where his ideas come from, how he turns them into finished novels, and much more. Dave is well known from his long-running website RetireFabulously.com and his columns about living our best retirement. His advice has appeared in US News & World Report, lgbtSr.com, Medium, Yahoo! Finance, CNN/Money, Next Avenue, Tiny Buddha, and others. His previous books include The Quest for Retirement Utopia, Smooth Sailing into Retirement, and Design Your Dream Retirement.

I've had the pleasure of sharing Terri Schlichenmeyer's syndicated book reviews for a number of years now. In our chat today we talk about her recommendations for this summer's reading, whether it's on a beach or in the bathtub! Fasten your headphones for another engaging conversation with ever-literate Terri, aka The Bookworm Sez.

My guest on the podcast is historian, author, and 7th grade teacher A.J. Schenkman. A lifelong history buff, particularly of the New York area and some of its historically rich towns, A.J. has made a career of his passion. His books include Murder & Mayhem in Ulster County with Elizabeth Werlau), Washington's Headquarters in Newburgh, and his most recent, Unexpected Bravery: Women and Children of the Civil War. 

Professor David Yamane was generous enough to talk to me about his discovery of guns as a normal part of life in much of the country, enjoyed by many people just like our friends and neighbors, and his study of what he calls Gun Culture 2.0. It was a fascinating and eye-opening conversation about the country we live in, the assumptions we make about each other, and where we might be headed in a culture where guns and gun ownership are an inextricable part of the social fabric.

I've had the pleasure of sharing Terri Schlichenmeyer's syndicated book reviews at LGBTSR.com for many years now. In this conversation, we talk about the increase in books for young adults with LGBTQ content, as well as the growing effort in some school districts across the country to prohibit books that address topics like sexual orientation, gender identity and race. Fasten your headphones for another engaging chat with Terri.

We've had out beloved cats, Wilma and Peanut, for over three years now. Entering a new year seemed like a good time to offer up this interview with someone who helped us a great deal when we first brought these adorable adult cats into our home. - Mark This week's interview sheds light on an animal many of us share our lives with and many others consider mysterious: the cat. Having recently adopted a new one named Wilma who came from a hoarder situation, I found myself in need of help and was fortunate enough to be put in touch with Molly DeVoss. The results have been amazing.

As we end our second year of the pandemic, I thought it would be good to close out 2021 with some humor. Who better to help with that than author, humorist and comedian Fay Jacobs? Enjoy this podcast from the archives, and let's make 2022 a good one. Fasten your headphones for a conversation with author, humorist, activist, and sit-down comedian Fay Jacobs. We talk about her life and career, her writing, and what's in store for the tireless writer.

As 2021 comes to a close and I prepare for new guests next year, I wanted to re-post the launch of the podcast from 2018. One Thing or Another got its name from the column I've been writing for some years now. Just me, a guest and a microphone. And so it began ...

Join me for a conversation with Robin Whitten, Editor and Founder of AudioFile Magazine. Robin speaks with me from Portland, Maine, where she and the magazine call home. We discuss the history of this nearly 30-year-old publication, Robin's love for audiobooks, and AudioFile's place in an industry that has grown tremendously since her first modest newsletter nearly three decades ago. We talk about narrators, what makes a good audiobook listening experience, and suggestions for getting started as a newcomer to the world of spoken books.

Join me for a conversation with Angelica Herrera Venson, DrPH, MPH, founder of Kapok Multicultural Caregiving. Kapok offers a wide variety of articles and resources for caregivers, older adults and their families across cultures. They offer experiences, best practices, tips, and affordable tools from sources you can trust. Angelica brings her high energy and dedication to the conversation, as well as to her mission. Fasten your headphones!

Join me for a conversation with audiobook narrator Sean Rhead. We've just finished our second book together, Reservation for Murder: A Kyle Callahan Mystery, and Sean lets us in on his process for taking a book from print to microphone.

It's good to be back after a short hiatus, and to have as my guest Amy Simon, President of LGBT Senior Housing and Care. Join me for a conversation with Amy about her background, her dedication to the LGBTQ+ senior population, and the vital services provided by the organization. About Amy Simon Amy is President of LGBT Senior Housing and Care and the founding director of the LGBTSHC program. Amy is the president of ASimonSays,LLC a WBE public and community relations firm since 2003. ASimonSays specializes in public relations, advocacy policy initiatives and reputation management for agencies, small business, not-for-profits , healthcare, manufacturing, service industries and the arts. Learn more about Amy at www.asimonsays.com

Join me for a conversation with returning guest Terri Schlichenmeyer, aka The Bookworm Sez. I chat with Terri about her reading suggestions for Pride month, and for the upcoming summer beach season. It looks like we'll have one this year, and Terri offers up some spot-on recommendations, as well as a fun personal catch up.

I've had the pleasure of including Jim Miller's syndicated column, Savvy Senior, for several years now at LGBTSr. It was a delight to finally get him on the podcast and talk about his life, his commitment to helping older Americans stay informed, and his experience as one of the country's most widely read columnists. Fasten your headphones for our conversation about this vital audience and how best to serve them.

Join me as a welcome author Garrett Hutson back to the podcast. His newest historical spy thriller, The Swiss Conspiracy, just became available in March, continuing his Martin Schuller series with a third installment. We get caught up on his life, writing, and plans for the future. Fasten your headphones settle in for my chat with this prolific author and fellow Hoosier.

I had the pleasure this week of speaking to audiobook narrator Sean Rhead, who recently narrated the audiobook edition of my thriller, Beautiful Corpse. Sean has been in the narration business for the past two years, and currently has over 20 titles available for download on Audible. His favorite genres to narrate are fantasy and mystery, but there is no genre he wouldn’t like to take on. When Sean is not narrating, he spends his time teaching music to the younger generation, singing musical theatre songs, and duetting sea shanties on TikTok. He is also a proud ally of the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities.

On the newest podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing romance author Philip William Stover. Philip is a neighbor of sorts, residing across the river in New Hope, PA, where he and his husband live. Listen in as we talk about Philip's life in Bucks County, his position as a professor at New York University, his love of romance fiction, and his writing.

It's a pleasure to welcome back Dave Hughes, founder of RetireFabulously.com and author of three books on making our retirement dreams come true. This time around we talk about Dave's musicianship, his lifelong love of music, his choice of the trombone and steel pan as instruments, and life in retirement.

I've been looking forward to interviewing Lou Toboz of the Lambertville Historical Society. I've loved the small New Jersey city for many years now. It's a great place to visit and live, and I finally had the chance to catch up with Lou to hear more about the city, its history, and the many things that make it a wonderful destination for a day or a lifetime. About the Lambertville Historical Society  The Lambertville Historical Society sponsors events and activities that promote community awareness and appreciation of Lambertville’s history and architecture. The Lambertville Historical Society also maintains and manages the James Wilson Marshall Museum at 60 Bridge St. in Lambertville. We also collect and preserve items of historical interest and make them accessible for public research.

I'm delighted to start the new year with a new One Thing or Another Podcast. For the first interview of 2021, I had the chance to talk with longtime friend Harry Legg. Harry is a successful voice over artist with a background in radio, having worked at some of the top stations in the country's three major markets (Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York). He's also a martial arts expert, teacher, and practitioner, having founded New Jersey Thai Chi. Harry is a Fa Kung energy healing practitioner and teaches corporate wellness programs, as well as working with private clients. Listen in as we talk about his life, career, and carrying on through it all.

In this final podcast for 2020 I reach back into the archives for a conversation with master herbalist Cathy McNease. Cathy talks about winter health: how to take care of our bodies and minds this time of year, what to eat, and how to address issues like SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Listen in for some great advice, and stay tuned for lots of new interviews in 2021.   In this final podcast for 2020 I reach back into the archives for a conversation with master herbalist Cathy McNease. Cathy talks about winter health: how to take care of our bodies and minds this time of year, what to eat, and how to address issues like SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Listen in for some great advice, and stay tuned for lots of new interviews in 2021. Cathy McNease is a nationally certified herbalist with a Diplomate in Chinese Herbology from the NCCAOM, a B.S. in Biology and Psychology from Western Michigan University and two Master Herbalist certificates from Emerson College of Herbology in Canada and East-West Course of Herbology in Santa Cruz.

October is my favorite month, bringing with it two annual events: my birthday, and Halloween. It’s been a double dose of goodness all my life, and this year is no exception, despite the stresses the coronavirus has put on us all. Halloween is a good opportunity to live a semi-normal life and scare up some fun. Listen in as I chat with author Lisa Morton about her writing, her life, and her experience as a bonafide Halloween expert.

Join me today as I chat with fellow Hoosier Garrett Hutson. Garrett joins the podcast from his home near Indianapolis where he lives with his veterinarian husband David and a menagerie of pets. We talk about a passion for writing he's had since childhood, fiction choices, and his own love for historical detail that infuses his novels. His newest, Gray Paree, releases October 25.

My return  guest on the podcast is Matt Lubbers-Moore, one of the founders of ReQueered Tales. Listen as we talk about their reissue of the late Grant Michaels's Stan Kraychick mystery series. ReQueered Tales has a mission to bring select queer fiction back into circulation, with an emphasis on gay mysteries, that flourished in the 1960s through the early 2000s. I had the privilege of writing the foreword for the just-released Time to Check Out, the 5th book in the series.  

Fasten your headphones for a conversation with author, humorist, activist, and sit-down comedian Fay Jacobs. We talk about her life and career, her writing, and what's in store for the tireless writer. About Fay Jacobs: Fay, a native New Yorker, has had a 35-year career in journalism, public relations & theater. As an author, Fay has five published books of humorous and activist essays. All were originally published by A&M Books, a successor to Naiad Press and are now published by Bywater Books. Fay’s first book, As I Lay Frying is in its 4th printing. A second, Fried & True won the 2008 National Federation of Press Women Book of the Year for humor. Her third collection, For Frying Out Loud won many more national awards, including a GCLS Goldie and an (IPPY) Independent Book Award. Her latest book is Time Fries – Aging Gracelessly. As a journalist, Fay has written for The Washington Post, Baltimore Sun, Delaware Today, Delaware Beach Life and more. Her LGBT journalism credits include The Advocate, Curve Magazine and Letters from CAMP Rehoboth. Fay has taught memoir and comedy writing, judged for the Lambda Literary Awards and has a new career, in what she calls “sit-down comedy.” She lives in Rehoboth Beach Delaware with her wife Bonnie and their Miniature Schnauzer Windsor.

Listen in as I have a chat with book reviewer Terri Schlichenmeyer, aka The Bookworm Sez, about her life and her job as a syndicated book reviewer. She'll tip us to some great fall reads, and we talk a bit about Wisconsin and national politics. Terri has been reading since she was 3 years old and she never goes anywhere without a book. She lives on a hill in Wisconsin with two dogs and 15,000 books.

An early standout in the gay mystery genre, author John Morgan Wilson is about to enjoy a resurgence in popularity with the 25th anniversary reissue of his first book in the Benjamin Justice series. I spoke with John about his career, his life in West Hollywood, and his partnership with ReQueered Tales to issue revised editions of all eight books in the Benjamin Justice series. Fasten your headphones and join us for a lively conversation.

I was browsing the Independent Book Publishers Association website came across an interview with Liz Frances, founder of Street Noise Books. Liz was kind enough to join me on this One Thing or Another Podcast. Listen in as we talk about her background, her passion for marginalized communities, and her commitment to making noise!

Fasten your headphones as Rick Rose and I take a look back at the month of May and a look forward to the future. We talk lockdown playlists, best recommendations for TV binging, politics, culture, and my return to co-hosting The Twist Podcast. Enjoy the YouTube edition of this, too ... seeing is believing.  

Listen in as I have a chat with book reviewer Terri Schlichenmeyer, aka The Bookworm, about her life, her journey, and her job as a syndicated book reviewer. Terri has been reading since she was 3 years old and she never goes anywhere without a book. She lives on a hill in Wisconsin with two dogs and 15,000 books.

Fasten your headphones as Rick Rose and I take a look back at April and a look forward to the future. We talk projects new and old, face mask fashions, odd news, and Facebook realness. NOTE: The video I mention had sync problems, so it's not available. Maybe next time! - Mark