Podcasts about Denizen

Award-winning author Melanie Cheng joins James and Ashley to discuss her writing practice, her pet rabbit, and The Burrow, her 'most personal book' and its many parallels to her own life.  She also shares her experience of writing toward her greatest fear, coming to terms with her cyclical writing process, and how teaching narrative to medical students can help increase communication between doctors and patients.  Melanie Cheng is a writer and general practitioner. She was born in Adelaide, grew up in Hong Kong and now lives in Melbourne. Her debut collection of short stories, Australia Day, won the Victorian Premier's Literary Award for an Unpublished Manuscript in 2016 and the Victorian Premier's Literary Award for Fiction in 2018. Room for a Stranger, her highly acclaimed first novel, was published in 2019. The Burrow was published in 2024, and has since been shortlisted for numerous major Australian prizes, including the Stella Prize, the Age Book of the Year and the Miles Franklin Award. Read the Kill Your Darlings interview with Melanie discussed in this episode here.  Books & authors discussed in this episode: The Burrow by Franz Kafka Tender Is the Flesh by Augustina Batzerrica  Helen Garner Maxine Beneba Clarke Tony Birch Alice Pung Hilton Koppe (from ep 70)  The Accidental Tourist by Anne Tyler  Sanchana Venkatesh (from ep 75) and #MyYearWithAnneTyler Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky, translated by Oliver Ready Bat Eater (and other names for Cora Zheng) by Kylie Lee Baker, recommended by @EmilyEatsPages  Laura McClusky  Riley James Jacinta Dietrich Upcoming events: Ashley is part of the Sisters in Crime – Death in a Cold Climate panel, Friday 27 June, 7-10pm, South Melbourne Ashley will be doing an in-conversation in Meeniyan with Jacinta Dietrich, Saturday 28 June, 6.30-7.30pm Ashley is speaking at Bendigo Library, Monday 30 June, 1-2pm Ashley is teaching a multi-day memoir masterclass as part of the Writers at the Woolshed Winter Writing Retreat in the Southern Highlands, 13-18 July Join Ashley and podcast fav Hayley Scrivenor for the Mystery and Mayhem Readers Retreat at the 5-star Tamborine Mountain Glades, 3-5 October James is launching Matt Rogers' highly anticipated debut thriller 'The Forsaken' at Harry Hartog Mosman, Wednesday July 9 Learn more about Ashley's thrillers, Dark Mode and Cold Truth, and get your copies from your local bookshop or your library. Plus check out Like, Follow, Die from Audible.  Learn more about James's award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy from your local bookshop or your library. Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

If you missed hearing Ashley and James live in conversation at the launch of Cold Truth, we've got the full event recording for you here, complete with fake nazi invasions, terrifying cybercrime stats, and the satisfying crunch of James being forced to try genuine Manitoban dill pickle chips.  Thanks to local bookseller Roaring Stories for hosting this event!  Upcoming events: Ashley is teaching Online: Writing Crime for Faber, 8 weeks starting Tuesday 6 May  Ashley is launching Jay Martin's debut novel at Better Read Than Dead on Sunday 18 May, 3pm Ashley is teaching a multi-day memoir masterclass as part of the Writers at the Woolshed Winter Writing Retreat in the Southern Highlands, 13-18 July  Join Ashley and podcast fav Hayley Scrivenor for the Mystery and Mayhem Readers Retreat at the 5-star Tamborine Mountain Glades, 3-5 October Learn more about Ashley's thrillers, Dark Mode and Cold Truth, and get your copies from your local bookshop, Booktopia or your library.  Learn more about James's award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy from your local bookshop, Booktopia or your library. Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

How did Jay Martin go from an award-winning memoir to a fiction manuscript she ultimately abandoned? And what did she learn that helped her craft her debut novel, Boom Town Snap?  Jay talks with Ashley and James about what toxic workplaces have in common with abusive relationships, and how we get trapped in toxic relationships at the community level as well.  Ashley is in conversation with Jay Martin to launch Boom Town Snap at Better Read Than Dead on Sunday 18 May, 3pm Jay Martin's first book, Vodka and Apple Juice: Travels of an Undiplomatic Wife in Poland, won the Hungerford Award and was published in 2018. She has worked in a range of roles including in community development, government policy and consulting. This included positions in federal government in Canberra, as well as in consulting firms in Australia and Canada. Jay designs and runs writing workshops and programs around Western Australia. Her debut novel is Boom Town Snap.  Books & authors discussed in this episode: Arna Radovich (from ep 105) Anatomy of a Secret by Gerard McCann The Hollow Girl by Lyn Yeowart The Silent Listener by Lyn Yeowart (from ep 39) Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams Tender Is the Flesh by Augustina Batzerrica Upcoming events: Ashley is in conversation with Jay Martin to launch Boom Town Snap at Better Read Than Dead on Sunday 18 May, 3pm Ashley is in conversation with Dinuka McKenzie at Sutherland Library, Thursday 5 June, 6.30pm Ashley is part of the Sisters in Crime – Death in a Cold Climate panel, Friday 27 June, 7-10pm, South Melbourne Ashley will be doing an in-conversation in Meeniyan with Jacinta Dietrich, Saturday 28 June, 6.30-7.30pm Ashley is speaking at Bendigo Library, Monday 30 June, 1-2pm Ashley is teaching a multi-day memoir masterclass as part of the Writers at the Woolshed Winter Writing Retreat in the Southern Highlands, 13-18 July  Join Ashley and podcast fav Hayley Scrivenor for the Mystery and Mayhem Readers Retreat at the 5-star Tamborine Mountain Glades, 3-5 October Learn more about Ashley's thrillers, Dark Mode and Cold Truth, and get your copies from your local bookshop or your library.  Learn more about James's award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy from your local bookshop or your library. Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

The podcaster sits in the hot seat. Private Club Radio's Denny Corby joins the Beyond The Baselines podcast and talks everything private member clubs. If a listener gets one thing out of just one of his podcasts, it means the world to Corby, the host of the biggest podcast in club management. “Your vibe attracts your tribe,” says Corby who took over Private Club Radio several years ago. Denny Corby As personal friends, Ed Shanaphy, our host, and Denny talk movies and fashion through to club management and the two organizations, the CMAA and the NCA, which dominate the industry. We ask the question if clubs actually compete against each other. As an industry, management shares more and more each year, but perhaps clubs and members see it differently. Various factors are behind how prospective members look at possible membership at clubs and future members may have various motivations to join a social group. Clubs are rebranding themselves with an eye toward legacy and the younger generations. And in attempting to attract that younger-aged member, clubs have been relaxing the dress codes and looking for more family-friendly events. We discuss how rebranding a club can, in an odd way, be similar to rebranding our respective podcasts. Clubs usually find a niche and present themselves within that special market. Most podcasts survive within a niche. And Corby has found his crowd for sure as his podcast is the leader in the private members club arena. We have both realized that the CMAA World Conference is so grand that, for business reasons, it's truly important to also attend the various chapters conferences to get even further inside the community of club managers, vendors and association members.

Lynne Ainsworth is the founder of Writers at the Woolshed, an emerging writer, and a person who 'loves hanging out with people who read and write'. She loves it so much, she not only created a pop-up festival to connect authors with regional readers and writers, she's now hosting the first Winter Writing Retreat, featuring masterclasses with Eleanor Limprecht, Betty O'Neil, Audrey Molloy, Ashley Kalagian Blunt and Lee Kofman (from eps 3, 76 and 112).   In this special bonus episode, Lynne tells us how she first became a festival director, and shares details of the retreat, happening 13-18 July in Mittagong, NSW.  An alumna of Varuna and Faber Writing Academy, Lynne Ainsworth has several short stories published, and was awarded a Masterclass with Patti Miller at Varuna in 2017, a one-month placement as Artist in Residence at The Old School House at Mt. Wilson, and a CreateNSW Small Project Grant for her current memoir, Sambio, set in Papua New Guinea.  Find out more from Writers at the Woolshed. Books & authors discussed in this episode: Clare Keegan Girl in a Pink Dress by Kylie Needham  The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra Freedom by Lea Ypi Upcoming events: Ashley & Pip in conversation at Five Dock Library speaking about Cold Truth, Five Dock Library, Wednesday 30 April 5.30 for 6pm start. Free, book online.  Ashley is teaching Online: Writing Crime for Faber, 8 weeks starting Tuesday 6 May  Ashley is launching Jay Martin's debut novel at Better Read Than Dead on Sunday 18 May, 3pm Ashley will be doing an in-conversation in Meeniyan with Jacinta Dietrich, Saturday 28 June, 6.30-7.30pm Ashley is teaching a multi-day memoir masterclass as part of the Writers at the Woolshed Winter Writing Retreat in the Southern Highlands, 13-18 July  Join Ashley and podcast fav Hayley Scrivenor for the Mystery and Mayhem Readers Retreat at the 5-star Tamborine Mountain Glades, 3-5 October Learn more about Ashley's thrillers, Dark Mode and Cold Truth, and get your copies from your local bookshop or your library.  Learn more about James's award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy from your local bookshop or your library. Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

How does having a stalker change your life? We talk with bestselling novelist Pip Drysdale about her latest novel 'The Close-Up,' its real-life inspirations, and how surviving a stalker shifted her worldview.  We also discuss how to navigate public image and the role anxiety has to play in creative pursuits.  Plus, this ep's What Are You Reading? inspires a debate about what's derivative and what's inspired, and if those can be the same thing.  Join Ashley & Pip in conversation at Five Dock Library speaking about Cold Truth, Five Dock Library, Wednesday 30 April 5.30 for 6pm start. Free, book online.  Pip Drysdale is an author, musician and actor. She grew up in Africa, Canada, and Australia, became an adult in New York and London, and lives on a steady diet of coffee, dreams, and literature. Her first four books – The Sunday Girl, The Strangers We Know, The Paris Affair and The Next Girl – have been bestsellers in Australia. Her latest book, The Close-Up is out now in Australia/NZ and North America. She lives in Sydney. Books & authors discussed in this episode: 'My Stalker, My Novel' by Pip Drysdale for Crime Reads;  I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman;  We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer;  Anna Downes;  House of Leaves by Mark Danielewski Upcoming events: Ashley & Pip in conversation at Five Dock Library speaking about Cold Truth, Five Dock Library, Wednesday 30 April 5.30 for 6pm start. Free, book online.  Ashley is the guest author of the Bloom & Bound 'Bound to Roam' bookshop crawl happening Saturday 26 April, Sydney  Ashley is teaching Online: Writing Crime for Faber, 8 weeks starting Tuesday 6 May  Ashley is launching Jay Martin's debut novel at Better Read Than Dead on Sunday 18 May, 3pm Ashley is teaching a multi-day memoir masterclass as part of the Writers at the Woolshed Winter Writing Retreat in the Southern Highlands, 13-18 July  Join Ashley and podcast fav Hayley Scrivenor for the Mystery and Mayhem Readers Retreat at the 5-star Tamborine Mountain Glades, 3-5 October Learn more about Ashley's thrillers, Dark Mode and Cold Truth, and get your copies from your local bookshop or your library.  Learn more about James's award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy from your local bookshop or your library. Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

We pick up outside of Windgap Refuge that has just been sacked by the Marquise de Cat. With their contact killed in the raid, Peter, Cotton, and Bramble make a bold move in an attempt to set the Denizen's free. They manage to continue on their journey armed only with the information they received and their arms and armor. However, the group of Vagabonds soon realizes there are more horrors in the Woodland than they even knew!Content Warnings: Fantasy Violence, Drug Use (Alcohol), Sexually Suggestive Situations

Sometimes, you win; sometimes, you wiff! Check out this week's #actionfigures Wins and Wiffs of the week! Wait till you see this awesome pickup of a vintage toy that is just not easy to find these days. Stay on the #toyhunt folks!

What considerations come into choosing to have a baby for creatives? And once baby enters the picture, how do you balance parenting with your creative practice?  We ask Dinuka McKenzie and Lee Kofman, two beloved past guests who happen to be both authors and parents, about their decision to have children and how they manage their writing lives as parents.  Plus, James has a big announcement – you'll never guess what it is.  Lee Kofman is a Russian-born, Israeli-Australian memoirist, novelist, editor and writing coach. She's the author of three fiction books and two memoirs, including Imperfect, which was shortlisted for the prestigious Nib Literary Award in 2019. Her short works have been widely published in Australia, US, UK, Israel and Canada. Lee's most recent book is The Writer Laid Bare (Ventura Press). Dinuka is the author of the Detective Kate Miles crime series, The Torrent, Taken and Tipping Point, published in Australia and the UK. She was the winner of the 2020 HarperCollins Australia Banjo Prize and has been shortlisted for numerous major Australian crime writing awards. Dinuka lives with her family in Southern Sydney on Dharawal country. Mascara Literary Review is looking for essays, flash fiction and poetry from disabled and chronically ill writers – closes 31 March.  Books & authors discussed in this episode: Cyril Connolly  The Lady's Handbook to Her Mysterious Illness by Sarah Ramey  Edenglassie by Melissa Lucashenko  At the Strangers' Gate by Adam Gopnik  Absurdistan by Gary Shteyngart Your Baby Doesn't Come with a Book by Daniel Golshevsky The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus  Upcoming events  James is having a baby! Well, not him personally. His wife. But he'll be there. Date and time TBA.  Ashley is teaching Pathways to Publishing in-person for the South Coast Writers Centre on Saturday, 15 March starting 10.30 am Ashley is doing her first-ever Canberra author talk at Big River Gin Distillery, Thursday 20 March, 6 pm, featuring chocolate martinis   Ashley is returning to the Occasional Wine Bar, Boorowa, on Friday 21 March, 6.30pm Ashley is appearing at Book Face Erina with Anna Downes on Tuesday 25 March, 6pm Ashley is appearing at Newcastle Writers Festival with Anna Downes & Petronella McGovern, and with Shankari Chandran & Jock Serong, 5-6 April Ashley is teaching Online: Writing Crime for Faber, 8 weeks starting Tuesday 6 May  Learn more about Ashley's thrillers, Dark Mode and Cold Truth, and get your copies from your local bookshop or your library.  Learn more about James's award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy from your local bookshop or your library. Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

Drip stays up all night studying Dr. Denizen's journal and ends up with more questions than answers, and the crew wakes up to an alarm - the Skreegulls are back, the mayor's a mess, and everyone seems more desperate than ever. Romy and his sister are in danger, and the locals seem like they're about to take matters into their own hands ...Check out the Patreon and support us at patreon.com/storiesrpgPlay along at home! Download the Gigacity Guardians game sheet here: storiesrpg.gumroad.com/l/gigacity1StoriesRPG is the play-at-home, listen-and-learn game that helps people of all ages tell amazing tales together. Each season, we explore a new world, create characters, and go on epic adventures - and provide play-to-learn, coloring book, choose-your-own-adventure games to help listeners of all ages fall in love with writing!Created by Michael Low of LuckofLegends.com and Daniel Hinds of StoriesPodcast.com, StoriesRPG is a thrilling way to start bringing a love of writing, fantasy, fiction, and literacy into your home.

In their ongoing mission into the heart of Hammerhold, Tatters and the Vale sisters find themselves somewhere they really shouldn't be, and in the process discover something horrifying about the true nature of the challenge they face.    Links Transcript:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kH28t5rpeASVQtbNXgLzciLlqCIewEzP1eA5vRAUjxY/edit?usp=sharing All music is royalty-free, and courtesy of Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/music/ and Slipstream https://slip.stream/ Email TheLoneAdv@gmail.com Podbean https://theloneadventurer.podbean.com/ Blog https://carlillustration.wordpress.com/ Chasing Adventure: https://chasingadventuregame.com/ Perchance TLA random event oracle: https://perchance.org/tla-randomevent Perchance TLA ritual generator:https://perchance.org/tla-tatters-ritual-generator Perchance TLA Mythic 2e GME  https://perchance.org/tla-mythic2e Perchance TLA OCEANIC NPC generator https://perchance.org/tla-oceanic-npc Perchance TLA OCEANIC NPC behaviour oracle https://perchance.org/tla-oceanic-behaviour Perchance TLA Hammerhold Explorer https://perchance.org/tla-hammerhold   Mechanics   Scene 1  Chaos Factor: 8 Scene Description: Fleeing the alarm Scene Test: The scene is Altered: Add A Character   Q: is it machine cultists? Likely: No Q: is it the Doomspire? 50/50 Yes Q: to the place with the crowbar? Likely: yes   Examine (DIS): what here can help us? 6 1 XP   GM Move: Change the Environment Q: are they transported back? 50/50 Exceptional yes (without injury)   Scene 2 Chaos Factor: 9 Scene Description: Fleeing the alarm Scene Test: The scene is Interrupted: NPC Positive  Meaning: Imprison Work   Q: Positive for the Vales? 50/50 Exceptional Yes Tortemus' geas has been broken   Q: does Lynn tell Tatters?  3 matches, Concientiousness, Neuroticism, Interpersonal Disposition (a wash - tempted but no) Q: does Mara tell Tatters? 2 matches: Interpersonal Disposition, Neuroticism (no)   Q: has the alarm stopped? 50/50 Yes Q: did Tatters recoignize the Doomspire for what it was? Yes Q: have the Vales heard of Doomspires? 50/50 No   Scene 3 Chaos factor 8 Scene Description: resuming the hunt for the Voice Scene Test: The scene is Altered: Remove A Character Lynn scouts ahead   GM Move: See what they Find d8: 4 Feature: Machinery or tools Danger: Magical ward or barrier Location keywords: Abandoned, Damaged   Nature of the barrier: Frantic, Plain Discussion with Mara: 2 matches: Openness, Interpersonal Disposition (adventurous) Classy, Inactive   Increase Mara CD (4).    Examine: What is this ward for? 8 (Lynn's cunning means 10) 1 XP Extravagant, Energy Is the ritual damaging it? Likely: yes How long? Uncertain   Scene 4 Chaos factor 7 Scene Description: searching the factory Scene Test: The scene is Altered: Remove An Object and Increase An Activity   GM Move: See what they Find d8: 1 Ward clock: d8: 8 Feature: Machinery or tools Danger: Alarm trigger, Denizen guards something Location keywords: Calm, Occupied   GM Move: Foreshadow an Ominous Force  Q: The convergence ritual? Likely: No Q: civil war in Kyras? Likely: Yes Machine cultists shipping weapons   Examine (DIS): how to get past unseen? 5 1 XP   GM Move: Make Them Choose: Make things more difficult in the future or Assist an enemy with their goals   Q: do the Vales spot that something's wrong? 50/50: Yes   Scene 5 Chaos factor 6 Scene Description: bypassing the cultists Scene Test: The scene is Altered: Remove A Character and Reduce/Remove An Activity Cultists thin out, Lyn sneaks   Equivalent Exchange Teleport (ADV, Greater): 10 success    Endeavor: When your Follower does a dangerous task alone, they do it to the best of their ability, but are taken out of the action (trapped, injured, distracted, etc.). The GM will say how. Q: Is Lynn spotted? 50/50: Yes

Cold Truth, Ashley's new thriller, is out now. James and Ashley discuss just how difficult writing this book was, plus why she chose to set in a city that makes headlines for being colder than the surface of Mars. They also chat about real-life research, including the time Ashley learned how to pick a lock with a credit card. Plus, James horrifies Ashley with a true story about digital privacy.  Cold Truth is available now from Booktopia, your local bookshop and your library.   Books & authors discussed in this episode: Everyone and Everything by Nadine Cohen My Dream Time by Ash Barty Upcoming events: Ashley is teaching From Memory to Manuscript for Hunter Writers Centre monthly on Monday evenings starting 24 February  Ashley is teaching Year of the Novel for Writing NSW on Wednesday evenings starting 26 February 2025  Cold Truth Sydney launch with James – Thursday 6 Feb, 7 pm at the Royal Oak, Balmain Cold Truth Melbourne with Kate Mildenhall – Tuesday 11 February, 6.30 at Readings Carlton Cold Truth Brisbane launch with Martine Kropkowski – Thursday 13 February, 6pm at Avid Reader Newcastle author talk – Thursday, 20 Feb, 6pm at Newcastle Library Ashley is teaching Pathways to Publishing in-person for the South Coast Writers Centre on Saturday, 15 March starting 10.30 am Learn more about Ashley's thrillers, Dark Mode and Cold Truth, and get your copies from your local bookshop or your library.  Learn more about James's award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy from your local bookshop or your library. Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

Welcome back to the DC Beer Show, where Jake, Mike, and Brandy gather for an exciting episode featuring our special guest, Sheldon Goins of Black Beauty Brewing. As the weather in D.C. toggles annoyingly between porter and wit beer seasons, the crew navigates the cozy, enclosed metrobar patio to pour up some phenomenal black-owned breweries for a great cause.Brandy kickstarts the chatter with fond reviews of Port City's Robust Porter, while Mike forecasts local beer temperatures like a pro, promising a weekend of camaraderie and craft joys despite no snow accumulation!This episode spotlights the Cheers & Beers Black Brewers Tasting Event happening this weekend, a lead into a bustling upcoming itinerary that includes everything from the Denizen's Winter Cask Classic to a Blue Jacket beer share, and even faints at sneak peeks into March.The conversation takes a heartfelt twist with Sheldon Goins, a trailblazer in Bowie's brewing scene, who reminisces about the unique journey of launching Black Beauty with an unconventional yet beloved bloody orange saison and crowd-stunning white chocolate white stout. Now venturing into IPA territory, Sheldon discusses the innovative Exotic Grail, a delightful golden kiwi IPA concocted for adventurous palates.So, fill up your stein, snuggle in, and join us on this vibrant journey through craft beer narratives, smooth IPAs, and extraordinary community spirit! Cheers! Thanks to our monthly supporters Kristin Adam Frank Steven Lynch Jared Prager Jeff Michael O'Connor Favio Garcia Josh Ellen Daniels Juan Deliz Mike Lastort James Wisnieski Brian Minch Chris Frome Jon Gilgoff Sam Chip Tory Roberts Steven M Quartell Chris DeLoose Lauren Cary Amy Crone Clifton B Scott Pavlica Greg Antrim jeffrey garrison Joshua Learn Alexis Smith A t Dan Goldbeck Anthony Budny Greg Parnas Frank Chang Mikahl Tolton Kim Klyberg Chris Girardot Alyssa jeffrey katz Andrew MacWilliams Jamie Jackson Meegan Mike Rucki Jason Tucker Nick Gardner Amber Farris Sarah Ray Peter Jones Blue2024 Brad Stengel Matt Winterhalter Bill and Karen Butcher Jordan Harvey Justin Broady Stephen Claeys Julie Verratti DFA Howie Kendrick

'I always knew I wanted to write a novel, but I didn't have any ideas that I thought could extend to a novel-length work.'  In episode 110, Michelle See-Tho shares her journey from aspiring writer to winner of the 2023 Penguin Literary Prize for her debut novel, Jade and Emerald. Though she started out writing short stories and video game reviews, she discusses how drawing on inspiration from her own life, including her passion for video games, helped her shape the world of her novel.  Michelle See-Tho is a freelance writer and copywriter. She has had articles and stories published in Kill Your Darlings, Meanjin, Overland and The Big Issue Fiction Edition. Jade and Emerald is her first novel.  You can read Michelle's article 'Why Aren't There More Books About Video Games?' for Nintendo Life here.  Get your copy of Jade and Emerald from Booktopia or your local bookshop or library. Books & authors discussed in this episode: Melanie Cheng Katherine Collette Annette Higgs Dirt Town by Hayley Scrivenor Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin Translations by Jumaana Abdu The Profound Benefits of a Stint in Prison by Andrew Hamilton The Third Realm by Karl Ove Knausgård Upcoming events: Ashley is teaching From Memory to Manuscript for Hunter Writers Centre monthly on Monday evenings starting 24 February  Ashley is teaching Year of the Novel for Writing NSW on Wednesday evenings starting 26 February 2025  Cold Truth Sydney launch with James – Thursday 6 Feb, 7 pm at the Royal Oak, Balmain Cold Truth Melbourne with Sally Hepworth – Monday 10 February, 6.30 at Cheltenham Library Cold Truth Melbourne with Kate Mildenhall – Tuesday 11 February, 6.30 at Readings Carlton Cold Truth Brisbane launch with Martine Kropkowski – Thursday 13 February, 6pm at Avid Reader Ashley is teaching Pathways to Publishing in-person for the Sout Coat Writers Centre on Saturday, 15 March starting 10.30 am Learn more about Ashley's thrillers, Dark Mode and Cold Truth, and get your copies from your local bookshop or your library.  Learn more about James's award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy from your local bookshop or your library.  Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

Sometimes, you win; sometimes, you wiff! Check out this week's #actionfigures Wins and Wiffs of the week! Wait till you see this awesome pickup of a vintage toy that is just not easy to find these days. Stay on the #toyhunt folks!

Sometimes, you win; sometimes, you wiff! Check out this week's #actionfigures Wins and Wiffs of the week! Wait till you see this awesome pickup of a vintage toy that is just not easy to find these days. Stay on the #toyhunt folks!

Here it is - the annual end-of-year book recommendation extravaganza! This bumper episode contains every single edition of 'What are you reading?' from 2024, in which James, Ashley and guests discuss the books on their shelves, and why you should read them too (or not). Use it as a last-minute Christmas shopping guide or a wishlist for your own personal library in 2025. Books and authors discussed in this episode (brace yourself, this is a long list): From episode 92 (Kylie Ladd, author of 'I'll Leave You With This') The Vitals by Tracy Sorensen (Kylie) The Wolves of Eternity by Karl Ove Knausgård (James) Red River Road by Anna Downes (Ashley) A Mother's Reckoning by Sue Klebold. From episode 93 (Adele Dumont, author of 'The Pulling') Annie John by Jamaica Kincaid (Adele) The Wolves of Eternity by Karl Ove Knausgård (James) Unfinished Business by Shankari Chandran (Ashley) From episode 94 (no guest) Red River Road by Anna Downes (James) The Consultant by Im Seong Sun, translated by An Seon Jae (Ashley) From episode 95 (Liz Nugent, author of 'Strange Sally Diamond') The Prophet Song by Paul Lynch (Liz) In the Woods by Tana French (James) The Witch Elm by Tana French (James) Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica (Ashley) Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (Liz) From episode 96 (Tracy Sorensen, author of 'The Vitals') I'll Leave You With This by Kylie Ladd (Tracy) Number Go Up by Zeke Faux (Ashley) The Trial by Franz Kafka (James) Loosely Based on a Made-Up Story by James Blunt (James) From episode 97 (no guest) The Cop Who Fell To Earth by Craig Semple (Ashley) Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver (James) From episode 98 (Imbi Neeme, author of 'Kind of, Sort of, Maybe but Probably Not') Ghost Cities by Siang Lu (Imbi) Novelist as a Vocation by Haruki Murakami (Ashley) On Our Best Behaviour by Elise Loehnen (Ashley) The Writer's Room by Charlotte Wood (James) From episode 99 (Siang Lu, author of 'Ghost Cities') He Who Drowned the World by Shelly Parker-Chan (Siang) Amygdalatropolis by BR Yeager (James) So Late in the Day by Claire Keegan (James)  Better Than Happiness by Gregory P Smith (Ashley) From episode 100 (no guest) Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver (Ashley) Scary Monsters by Michelle de Krester (James) From episode 101 (Khin Myint, author of 'Fragile Creatures') Detachable Penis by Sam Elkin (Khin) Quiet by Susan Cain (Khin) The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth (Ashley) Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb (James) From episode 102 (Zahid Gamieldien, author of 'All the Missing Children') Hurricane Season by Fernanda Melchor (Zahid) The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin (James) Dark Matter by Blake Crouch (Ashley) The Guest List by Lucy Foley (Ashley) From episode 103 (Robyn Harding, author of 'The Haters') This Book Will Bury Me by Ashley Winstead (Robyn) Girl Falling by Hayley Scrivenor (James) Tyranny of the Minority by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt (James) Catherine Wheel by Liz Evans (Ashley) From episode 104 (Michael Klim, author of 'Klim') Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles (Michael) The Storyteller by Dave Grohl (Michael) Andrew Johns: The Two of Me by Andrew Johns and Neil Cadigan (James) Johnathan Thurston: The Autobiography by Johnathon Thurston (James) From episode 105 (Arna Radovich, author of 'Limits of Forgetting') Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout (Arna) What Happened to Nina? by Dervla McTiernan (Arna) The Glass House by Graeme Simsion & Anne Buist (Arna) Stoneyard Devotional by Charlotte Wood (Arna) Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen (James) The Conspiracy Against the Human Race by Thomas Ligotti (James) Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (James) Revisionist History season 11: Hitler's Olympics by Malcolm Gladwell and Ben Naddaff-Hafrey (Ashley) [Podcast] Dopamine Nation by Anna Lembke (Ashley)  From episode 106 (Simone Amelia Jordan, author of 'Tell Her She's Dreamin'' The Greater Freedom: Life as a Middle Eastern Woman (Simone) Outside the Stereotypes by Alya Mooro (Simone) Parable by the Sower by Octavia E Butler (Ashley) From episode 107 (Maggie Walters, author of 'Split') In Bad Faith by Dassi Erlich (Maggie) For Life by Ailsa Piper (Maggie) The Anatomy of Motive by John Douglas (Ashley) My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante (James) Upcoming events  Ashley is teaching Year of the Novel for Writing NSW beginning on Wednesday evenings starting 26 February 2025  The Cold Truth tour is happening in February! Sign up for Ashley's newsletter here for full details  Learn more about Ashley's thrillers, Dark Mode and Cold Truth, and get your copies from your local bookshop or your library.  Learn more about James' award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy from your local bookshop or your library. Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

It's that time of year again - the annual Bed on a Plinth Awards, in which James and Ashley discuss the best books they've read in the last twelve months! Use this particularly eclectic list to gather Christmas gift ideas, or simply top up your own 'to be read' pile. Books & authors discussed in this episode (spoilers below!): Red River Road by Anna Downes  The Last Trace by Petronella McGovern An Ambush of Widows by R.W.R. McDonald (audiobook) Seventeen Years Later by JP Pomare Girl Falling by Hayley Scrivenor The Pulling by Adele Dumont (interviewed in episode 93) Nuclear War by Annie Jacobsen  Not Everything Counts but Everything Matters by Ivan Cleary & Andrew Webster  Fragile Creatures by Khin Myint (interviewed in episode 101) Ghost Cities by Siang Lu (interviewed in episode 99) Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra Sociopath by Patric Gagn The Writer's Room by Charlotte Wood  Tyranny of the Minority by Daniel Ziblatt & Steven Levitsky  Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy  Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver  Upcoming events  Ashley is teaching Year of the Novel for Writing NSW beginning on Wednesday evenings starting 26 February 2025  The Cold Truth tour is happening in February! Sign up for Ashley's newsletter here for full details  Learn more about Ashley's thrillers, Dark Mode and Cold Truth, and get your copies from your local bookshop or your library.  Learn more about James' award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy from your local bookshop or your library. Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

'It's not a mental illness. It's actually a creative coping mechanism.'  What's it like to discover other people living in your own head? In Maggie Walters' debut memoir, she describes her life with dissociative identity disorder, formerly known as multiple personality disorder (which remains Maggie's preferred term). After surviving years of abuse as a child, Maggie now lives with 40 alters and has spent much of her adulthood learning to understand herself, as well as how to share her experience with others. In episode 107, she describes living with her alters, how she wrote her memoir, and why, after years of keeping her reality a secret, she's now sharing it with the world.  Maggie Walters lives in the NSW Northern Rivers with her family. As a trauma survivor, she shares her journey towards wholeness, confronting stereotypes around mental health. Her debut memoir, Split, was published in 2024. An early draft of Split was longlisted for the 2022 Richell Emerging Writers Prize. Get your copy of Split from Booktopia or your local bookshop or library. Books & authors discussed in this episode: The Writer Laid Bare by Lee Kofman In Bad Faith by Dassi Erlich For Life by Ailsa Piper The Anatomy of Motive by John Douglas My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante  Upcoming events  Ashley is teaching Crafting Narrative Drive for the Society of Women Writers NSW on Wednesday 11 November Ashley is teaching Year of the Novel for Writing NSW beginning on Wednesday evenings starting 26 February 2025  The Cold Truth tour is happening in February! Sign up for Ashley's newsletter here for full details  Learn more about Ashley's thrillers, Dark Mode and Cold Truth, and get your copies from your local bookshop or your library.  Learn more about James' award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy from your local bookshop or your library. Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

On this week's podcast, John Palser joins us from Omaha, NE, where he is president of Denizen, a custom integration company with locations in Omaha, Kansas City, Dallas, and Austin. From a complete home that you can walk through in their HQ Experience Center in Omaha to regional domination across 14 states from north to south in the middle of the country, Denizen is re-defining what transformative technology can do in a home.During the recent HTSA Fall Conference outside of Denver, John got stuck talking to Jeremy at the closing night dinner. John was very patient with Jeremy's 50 questions about this business and career history, which proved to be an excellent pre-interview for this podcast, minus maybe a few celebrity athlete client anecdotes which we won't be able to share here unfortunately.

'That was the most naive, worst decision I've ever made in my life, because the disease came back with a vengeance.'  In episode 106, Ashley speaks to award-winning memoirist Simone Amelia Jordan about the career that took her from Australia to New York City, and the health crisis that changed everything. We also speak about family heritage and family support, and how writing a memoir helped Simone recover herself and reinvent her career.   Simone Amelia Jordan is Australia's most successful hip-hop journalist, with a career spanning print, radio, TV and digital media. At twenty-three, she founded Urban Hitz, the country's highest-selling rap and R&B publication. Later, in New York City, she served as the content director of The Source, the iconic 'Hip-Hop Bible'. Simone is also an ambassador for Crohn's Colitis Australia. Her memoir, Tell Her She's Dreamin', won the 2021 Richell Prize winner, and is published in Australia and the United States. Get your copy of Tell Her She's Dreamin' from Booktopia or your local bookshop or library. Nothing in this episode is intended as medical advice. If you have health concerns, speak to your GP. Books & authors discussed in this episode: The Greater Freedom: Life as a Middle Eastern Woman Outside the Stereotypes by Alya Mooro  Parable by the Sower by Octavia E Butler  Hayley Scrivenor  Upcoming events  Ashley is teaching Crafting Narrative Drive for the Society of Women Writers NSW on Wednesday 11 November Ashley is teaching Year of the Novel for Writing NSW beginning on Wednesday evenings starting 26 February 2025  Learn more about Ashley's thrillers, Dark Mode and Cold Truth, and get your copies from your local bookshop or your library.  Learn more about James' award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy from your local bookshop or your library. Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

In ep 105, James and Ashley interview Arna Radovich, the author of Limits of Forgetting, a collection of stories interwoven with themes of memory, grief and reflection. Arna shares insights into how her own experiences provide the background for her fiction, and how she found the resolve to release her collection after the loss of her husband. We also delve into Arna's multifaceted creative practice, which spans poetry, prose, fiction and nonfiction for both children and adults. We discuss her dedication to both evolving her practice and contributing to her artistic community, affirming how art and connection foster resilience and insight amidst personal and collective challenges. Reflecting on her commitment to writing and community, Arna discusses her long-standing involvement with artist-run initiative Mounted. Their latest exhibition, Excavate, is happening in Sydney in November.  Arna Radovich writes for both adults and children. Her short fiction and poetry has been published widely and performed. She won the ZineWest 2020 Prize and 2nd prize in the 2019 Peter Cowan Short Story Award and has been a finalist in the 2018 Tasmanian Writers Prize, the Carmel Bird Digital Literary Award and the NWF/joanne burns Microlit Award.In 2024 she released her debut collection of new and selected short stories, Limits of Forgetting. Meet Arna and other Blue Mountains artists at Excavate: an exhibition from Mounted ARI: 13 to 17 November, The Corner Gallery Stanmore Opening event: Friday 15 November, 5.30 to 7.30 pm    Get your copy of Limits of Forgetting from Rosey Ravelston Bookshop or your local bookshop or library. Supporting libraries and neighbourhood bookshops supports authors.  Books & authors (and one podcast) discussed in this episode: Forgetting: The Benefits of Not Remembering by Scott Small Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout The Writer Laid Bare by Lee Kofman If You're Happy by Fiona Robertson (from ep 53) 'Vigil' by Amanda O'Callaghan Helen Garner What Happened to Nina? by Dervla McTiernan The Glass House by Graeme Simsion & Anne Buist Stoneyard Devotional by Charlotte Wood The Dinner Party by Victoria Benn Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen The Conspiracy Against the Human Race by Thomas Legotti Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy ('It's like Knausgård in the 1800s!') War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy Jon Ronson Revisionist History season 11: Hitler's Olympics by Malcolm Gladwell and Ben Naddaff-Hafrey Dopamine Nation by Anna Lembke Stolen Focus by Johann Hari  Further recommended reading from Arna: The Grieving Brain: The Surprising Science of How We Learn from Love and Loss by Mary- Francis O'Connor Resilient Grieving: How To Find Your Way Through Devastating Loss: A Practical Guide To Recovery by Dr Lucy Hone Love, Death and Other Scenes by Nova Weetman Upcoming events  Ashley is interviewing Pip Drysdale and Hayley Scrivenor at Harry Hartog Mosman on Thursday 31 October, 6-8pm  Ashley is speaking at Sydney Authors Inked in Summer Hill, Sunday 3 November, 12.30-2.30pm Ashley is teaching Writing Crime Fiction in Bowral on Thursday 7 November, 10am-4pm  Learn more about Ashley's thrillers, Dark Mode and Cold Truth, and get your copies from your local bookshop or your library.  Learn more about James' award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy from your local bookshop or your library. Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

Jenny Stefanotti is the founder and steward of Denizen. https://becomingdenizen.com/

Doc kicks off spooky season with a pair of titles that told one story (you read that right). Friar opens up his scary slate with a family horror.

'For me, the only decision was to put myself out there and become more of service to others.'   Olympic gold medallist Michael Klim speaks with James about his diagnosis and life with CIDP, the same autoimmune condition James lives with. Michael discusses his childhood and Olympic career, how his worsening health affected his mental health, and how he ultimately decided to become vocal about his condition and support others.  Michael Klim is a renowned Australian swimmer. He competed in three Olympic Games and won six medals, including two gold. Since 2020, Michael has lived with a rare autoimmune disorder, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). He has established the Klim Foundation to provide support to sufferers and champion the search for new treatments.  Books & authors discussed in this episode: Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles This Is a Call: The Life and Times of Dave Grohl by Paul Brannigan Andrew Johns: The Two of Me by Andrew Johns and Neil Cadigan Johnathan Thurston: The Autobiography by Johnathon Thurston  Open by Andre Agassi  Kelly Slater: For the Love by Kelly Slater Get your copy of Klim from your local bookshop or library. Supporting libraries and neighbourhood bookshops supports authors. Upcoming events: Ashley is teaching Crafting Memoir for the New England Writers Centre online, Saturday 12 October, 2-3.30pm  James is in conversation with Zahid Gamieldien at Manly Library on Tuesday 15 October, 6:30pm  James is teaching Writing Setting and Landscape for Writing NSW, Saturday 26 October, 10am-4pm Ashley is doing her first author tour to the Mid North and Central Coast. Catch her speaking in Forster on Monday 21 October, in Port Macquarie on Monday 21 October, in Kempsey on Tuesday 22 October and at Erina Library on Wednesday 23 October. Ashley is teaching Writing Crime Fiction in Bowral on Thursday 7 November, 10am-4pm.  Learn more about Ashley's bestselling psychological thriller Dark Mode and get your copy from your local bookshop or your library. Learn more about James' award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy from your local bookshop or your library. Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

What's it like putting your creative work out in the world and discovering that some people hate it?  In episode 103 of James and Ashley Stay at Home, international bestselling author Robyn Harding joins James and Ashley to explore her extensive career in writing. She shares her experience of releasing her first book in 2004, and how her journey has evolved up to the launch of her latest novel, The Haters.  Robyn also shares insights into the challenges of dealing with online negativity, the psychological impact of reviews, and what inspired her to write a story centered around an author's worst nightmare. We also discuss managing negativity bias and maintaining a long-term career in the ever-changing literary world. Robyn Harding is the author of numerous international bestsellers, including The Party, The Arrangement and The Drowning Woman. She is also the screenwriter and executive producer of the independent film, The Steps. She lives in Vancouver, BC, with her family and two rescue chihuahuas.  Books & authors discussed in this episode: Troll Hunting by Ginger Gorman;   This Book Will Bury Me by Ashley Winstead; The Last Housewife by Ashley Winstead;  Girl Falling by Hayley Scrivenor;  Dirt Town by Hayley Scrivenor;  Tyranny of the Minority by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt;  How Democracies Die by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt; Catherine Wheel by Liz Evans Get your copy of 'The Haters' from your local bookshop or library. Supporting libraries and neighbourhood bookshops supports authors.  Upcoming events: Ashley is part of the Northern Beaches Readers Festival, 27-28 September Ashley is teaching Online: Creative Nonfiction for Writing NSW, a six-week online course starting 30 September Ashley is in conversation with Heather Taylor Johnson in celebration of her latest novel, Little Bit, on Thursday 3 October, 6.30pm  James is teaching an online creative writing workshop for Laneway Learning,  Wednesday 11 Sept, 6.15pm AEST Ashley is teaching Crafting Memoir for the New England Writers Centre online, Saturday 12 October, 2-3.30pm  James is in conversation with Zahid Gamieldien at Manly Library on Tuesday 15 October, 6:30pm James is teaching Writing Setting and Landscape for Writing NSW, Saturday 26 October, 10am-4pm Learn more about Ashley's bestselling psychological thriller Dark Mode and get your copy from your local bookshop or your library. Learn more about James' award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy from your local bookshop or your library. Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

'I wasn't even sure I was going to write a novel.'  Author Zahid Gamieldien joins us to discuss his debut novel, All the Missing Children. Zahid speaks about his start writing short stories, his decision to transition to novel writing based on the advice of a publisher, and how he sees the differences between prose and screenwriting.  He also speaks about the challenge of fitting in writing time while raising children, and his four-year-old son's assessment of his work.   Plus, more spec fiction talk!  Zahid Gamieldien is an author, screenwriter, editor and writing tutor. His short fiction has been published in literary journals including Overland, Meanjin, Kill Your Darlings, Island Magazine and many others. His co-written screenplays have been listed for awards such as the Australian Writers' Guild's John Hinde Award and the AMC One-Hour Pilot Award at the Austin Film Festival. His debut novel is All The Missing Children. Books & authors discussed in this episode: 2666 by Roberto Bolaño;  A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan;  Hurricane Season by Fernanda Melchor;  The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin;  The Guest List by Lucy Foley;  Dark Matter by Blake Crouch Get your copy of All the Missing Children from your local bookshop or library. Supporting libraries and neighbourhood bookshops supports authors.  Zahid and James will be appearing in conversation together to discuss 'All the Missing Children' at Manly Library on Tuesday 15 October. And make sure to check out Zahid at Bad Crime Sydney on Friday 13 September.  Upcoming events  Ashley is part of the Northern Beaches Readers Festival, 27-28 September Ashley is teaching Online: Creative Nonfiction for Writing NSW, a six-week online course starting 30 September Ashley is in conversation with Heather Taylor Johnson in celebration of her latest novel, Little Bit, on Thursday 3 October, 6.30pm  Ashley is teaching Crafting Memoir for the New England Writers Centre online, Saturday 12 October, 2-3.30pm  James is teaching Writing Setting and Landscape for Writing NSW, Saturday 26 October, 10am-4pm Learn more about Ashley's bestselling psychological thriller Dark Mode and get your copy from your local bookshop or your library.  Learn more about James' award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy from your local bookshop or your library. Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

'I didn't believe that I'd stalked my partner.'  In episode 101, we speak with debut author Khin Myint about the multiple strands of biography he explores in his memoir Fragile Creatures. One of these is the sudden and extreme betrayal he faced from his ex-partner, who accused him of stalking her.  We also discuss the ambiguous illness his sister Theda lived with for years, at times diagnosed as depression, CFS/ME and chronic Lyme disease, and how she chose to end her life after thirteen years of symptoms and divisiveness. We also consider whether our societal silence around suicide is potentially contribuiting to its rise.   Khin also describes how he came to understand masculinity as a shadow, a pressure that follows men and ultimately shapes them. He asks, 'What is this pressure that socialises boys to adhere to some of these toxic expectations of maleness?'   Fragile Creatures is a must-read memoir, and this conversation is only the tip of more than one culturally urgent conversation.   Plus in What Are You Reading, we chat about a surprising number of speculative fiction titles.  Khin Myint is an author based in Perth. His writing has appeared in The Sydney Morning Herald, Liminal and The West Australian, and more. He was selected as one of ten participants in the Wheeler Centre's Next Chapter scheme in 2021. His debut memoir is Fragile Creatures.  Books & authors (and one podcast) discussed in this episode: The Tipping Point by Dinuka McKenzie (from ep 51);  'What do trigger warnings actually do?' from Search Engine;  Detachable Penis by Sam Elkin;  Quiet by Susan Cain;  The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth;  Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb;  Hyperion by Dan Simmons; Orson Scott Card Get your copy of Fragile Creatures from your local bookshop or library. Supporting libraries and neighbourhood bookshops supports authors.  Upcoming events:  Ashley is part of the Northern Beaches Readers Festival, 27-28 September Ashley is teaching Online: Creative Nonfiction for Writing NSW, a six-week online course starting 30 September Ashley is in conversation with Heather Taylor Johnson in celebration of her latest novel, Little Bit, on Thursday 3 October, 6.30pm  Ashley is teaching Crafting Memoir for the New England Writers Centre online, Saturday 12 October, 2-3.30pm  James is teaching Writing Setting and Landscape for Writing NSW, Saturday 26 October, 10am-4pm Learn more about Ashley's bestselling psychological thriller Dark Mode and get your copy from your local bookshop or your library.  Learn more about James' award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy from your local bookshop or your library. Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

We made it to 100 episodes! In this celebration of books, reading and creative community, James and Ashley reflect on how the podcast came about, their favourite books and moments from the podcast, and how their lives, health and writing have changed over the four years since episode 1.  You'll also hear from a variety of past guests and listeners, and get an update on the newest books from all our incredible range of previous guests. Plus, we announce the winner of our book pack giveaway.  Authors and books discussed in this episode: Red River Road by Anna Downes (from ep 5) The Shadow House by Anna Downes The Safe Place by Anna Downes Meshi: A Personal History of Japanese Food by Katherine Tamiko Arguile (from ep 7) The Last Trace by Petronella McGovern (from ep 12)  The Good Teacher by Petronella McGovern  The Liars by Petronella McGovern  The Hummingbird Effect by Kate Mildenhall (from ep 13)  The Silent Listener by Lyn Yeowart (from ep 39)  Dirt by David Vann (from ep 23)  Bianca Millroy, upcoming curator of Science Write Now  Josephine Taylor (from ep 20)  Adele Dumont (from ep 93) Little Bit by Heather Taylor Johnson (forthcoming) (from ep 41)  Ten Thousand Aftershocks by Michelle Tom (from ep 38)  The Vitals by Tracy Sorensen (from ep 96) Fragile Creatures by Khin Myint  Madrid: A New Biography by Luke Stegemann (from ep 26)  Happy Millionth Birthday by RWR McDonald (from ep 32)  Ghost Cities by Siang Liu (from ep 99)  The Keepers by Al Campbell (from ep 65)  Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year by Joanna Nell (from ep 33)  Smart Ovens for Lonely People by Elizabeth Tan (from ep 14)  Love & Autism by Kay Kerr (from ep 37)  Australiana by Yumna Kassab (from ep 57)  The Lovers by Yumna Kassab  Politico by Yumna Kassab  Good Dog by Kate Leaver (from ep 8)  Safe Haven by Shankari Chandran (from ep 48)  Unfinished Business by Shankari Chandran Tipping Point by Dinuka McKenzie (from ep 51)  Taken by Dinuka McKenzie The Torrent by Dinuka McKenzie Australian Gospel by Lech Blaine (from ep 52)  Dying to Know by Rae Cairns (from ep 58)  The Good Mother by Rae Cairns  Getting to Know the Birds in Your Neighbourhood by Darryl Jones (from ep 67)  Never Ever Forever by Karina May (from ep 78) Compassion by Julie Janson (from ep 80)  Benevolence by Julie Janson  Madukka the River Serpent by Julie Janson  Love, Dad by Laurie Steed (from ep 87) Greater City Shadows by Laurie Steed Girl Falling by Hayley Scrivenor (from ep 68)  Imbi Neeme (from ep 98)  A Real Piece of Work by Erin Riley  Sarah Sentilles (from ep 50)  Rattled by Ellis Gunn (from ep 56)  Jacinta Dietrich, favourite friend of the podcast and co-host of Differently Brained (from ep 45) Ada Palmer (from ep 16) The Writer Laid Bare by Lee Kofman (from ep 76)  Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver  David Copperfield by Charles Dickens  Scary Monsters by Michelle de Krester  Upcoming events  James is teaching an online creative writing workshop for Laneway Learning on Tuesday 23 July, 6.15pm Ashley is in conversation with Lisa Kenway to launch her debut thriller on Thursday 1 August, 6.30pm Ashley is part of the Northern Beaches Readers Festival, 27-28 September Ashley is teaching Online: Creative Nonfiction for Writing NSW, a six-week online course starting 30 September Ashley is in conversation with Heather Taylor Johnson in celebration of her latest novel, Little Bit, on Thursday 3 October, 6.30pm  Ashley is teaching Crafting Memoir for the New England Writers Centre online, Saturday 12 October, 2-3.30pm  James is teaching Writing Setting and Landscape for Writing NSW, Saturday 26 October, 10am-4pm Learn more about Ashley's bestselling psychological thriller Dark Mode and get your copy from your local bookshop or library.  Learn more about James' award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy from your local bookshop or library. Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

'There are so many books in bookstores, how could it possibly be that, by complete randomness, someone would pick yours up?'  Author Siang Lu joins us to discuss his second novel, Ghost Cities, and the multilayered inspirations behind his multilayered fiction, including Catch-22 and Paradise Lost.  We also discuss talent stacking, the challenge of building an author brand and Siang's novel approach to doing so.  Siang Lu is the author of Ghost Cities and The Whitewash, and the co-creator of The Beige Index. In 2023 he was named one of the Top 40 Under 40 Asian-Australians at the Asian Australian Leadership Awards. He has written for film and television, and is based in Brisbane, and Kuala Lumpur. Books and authors discussed in this episode Catch-22 by Joseph Heller; Viet Thanh Nguyen; Paradise Lost by John Milton;   Katherine Collette (from ep 55); He Who Drowned the World by Shelly Parker-Chan; Amygdalatropolis by BR Yeager; So Late in the Day by Claire Keegan;   Better Than Happiness by Gregory P Smith Get your copy of Ghost Cities from Booktopia or your local bookshop. Upcoming events  Ashley is in conversation with Petronella McGovern to launch her new novel on Monday 1 July, 6pm Ashley is in conversation with Lisa Kenway to launch her debut thriller on Thursday 1 August, 6.30pm Ashley is part of the Northern Beaches Readers Festival, 27-28 September Learn more about Ashley's bestselling psychological thriller Dark Mode and get your copy here or from your local bookshop.  Learn more about James' award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy here or from your local bookshop. Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

The party investigates the Denizen district to figure out how to deal with the Trinity Want more world details? Check out our World Anvil page! https://www.worldanvil.com/w/senta-lelandsteel Like our Stuff? Let us know on social media! Connect with us: Twitter: @IncorrigiblePar Instagram: instagram.com/incorrigibleparty Facebook: facebook.com/groups/theincorrigiblepartypodcast/ Website: http://incorrigibleparty.com/ Youtube: The Incorrigible Party YT Twtich: https://www.twitch.tv/incorrigibleparty Support us and get exclusive mini campaign content! https://www.patreon.com/incorrigibleparty Music by Tabletopaudio.com and Sorastro Music The Incorrigible Party podcast is sponsored by the amazing and very generous Critical Hit Design!

We want to hear from you! The 100th episode of 'James and Ashley Stay at Home' is fast approaching, and it's going to be a very special one. To celebrate this milestone, we want you to send us a voice memo with your thoughts, comments and memories about the show, to be included in episode 100. This is open to anyone, whether you're an old listener, a new discoverer or a previous guest! Did the podcast introduce you to a book you ended up loving? Is there an episode that's really stuck in your mind? Was your experience of being a guest less painful than you'd expected? Why is James your favourite host? (Guess who ended up writing these shownotes). Send your voice recording as an email attachment to ashley@ashleykalagianblunt.com by July 10 2024. There's no minimum length, but please keep memos to under a minute. AND – if you send in a voice memo, regardless of whether or not we use it in the episode, you'll go into the draw to win a pack of 4 books by authors we've interviewed on the show! Learn more about Ashley's bestselling psychological thriller Dark Mode and get your copy here or from your local bookshop.    Learn more about James' award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy here or from your local bookshop. Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

We've made it to episode 98! Author Imbi Neeme joins James and Ashley to discuss life with misophonia, a hypersensitivity to sounds that she describes as 'like a cheese grater against the brain'. Imbi speaks both about how she discovered that her personal experiences are shared by others, and how she's explored the condition in her latest novel, 'Kind of, Sort of, Maybe but Probably Not.' They also discuss the challenge of second books and developing a writing career in an industry obsessed with debuts.  Imbi Neeme won the 2019 Penguin Literary Prize for The Spill, which was published by Penguin Random House in 2020. She blogged for many years at Not Drowning, Mothering, which won the 2010 Bloggies Award for best ANZ Weblog. She lives in Melbourne. Books and authors discussed in this episode: Novelist as a Vocation by Haruki Murakami Ghost Cities by Siang Lu On Our Best Behaviour by Elise Loehnen The Writer's Room by Charlotte Wood Katherine Collette (from ep 55) Kate Mildenhall (from ep 13) Get your copy of Kind of, Sort of, Maybe but Probably Not from Booktopia or your local bookshop. Upcoming events  Ashley is teaching Pathways to Publication for Writing NSW on Saturday 15 June, 10am-4pm Ashley is in conversation with Petronella McGovern to launch her new novel on Monday 1 July, 6pm Ashley is in conversation with Lisa Kenway to launch her debut thriller on Thursday 1 August, 6.30pm Learn more about Ashley's bestselling psychological thriller Dark Mode and get your copy here or from your local bookshop.    Learn more about James' award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy here or from your local bookshop. Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

Throughout their careers, James and Ashley have each picked up some excellent writing tricks, plus developed a few of their own. Now, they're each sharing a few of their most effective writing techniques (starting with episode 94 - James' shortcut to compelling characters).   In this episode, Ashley gives a mini-masterclass on narrative drive and shares some revelations inspired by a book she refuses to name. She breaks down the four components of narrative drive in writing and explores the importance of each.   Plus, she shares the official title of her forthcoming thriller!    Books and authors discussed in this episode Gears of War: Aspho Fields by Karen Traviss; Candice Fox; JP Pomare;  In the Woods by Tana French; Red River Road by Anna Downes;  The Secret History by Donna Tartt; The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga;  Rattled by Ellis Gunn (from ep 56);  Toni Jordan;   How to Be Australian by Ashley Kalagian Blunt; The Cop Who Fell From the Sky by Craig Semple;  Demon Copperhead by Barbara;  Annette Higgs (from ep 86); Indira Naidoo (from ep 82) Upcoming events  James is appearing at the Bathurst Writers Festival as part of the  Rural Crime Fiction: A Cross Examination panel, Saturday 25 May 1pm Ashley is teaching a Memoir Masterclass as part of the Words on the Waves Festival on Saturday 1 June, 2-4pm Ashley is appearing at the Words on the Waves Writers Festival as part of the Back from the Abyss panel on Sunday 2 June, 1.30-2.30pm Ashley is teaching Pathways to Publication for Writing NSW on Saturday 15 June, 10am-4pm Ashley is in conversation with Lisa Kenway to launch her debut thriller on Thursday 1 August, 6.30pm Learn more about Ashley's bestselling psychological thriller Dark Mode and get your copy here or from your local bookshop.    Learn more about James' award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy here or from your local bookshop.   Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

Hopefully this game fixes the saving option. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tmossboss/support

'The doctors were telling me, "We're going to take your greater omentum out" … I had no idea what these terms meant.'  In episode 96, author Tracy Sorensen joins us to discuss her remarkable novel/cancer memoir, The Vitals, narrated by her internal organs. After her original cancer diagnosis, a desire to better understand her body led Tracy to crochet her peritoneal organs. This in turn helped her to develop each organ's personality as they became point-of-view characters in the novel. She delves into her creative process, including the three-word sticky note that guided her writing. Part of her goal was a deliberate departure from conventional 'battle' narratives surrounding cancer, opting instead for a more nuanced approach that challenges societal expectations. She also shares her approach to crafting narrative drive. Tracy Sorensen is a writer and scholar. She grew up in Carnarvon on the north coast of Western Australia and now lives in Bathurst, New South Wales, with her partner, Steve. Her first novel, The Lucky Galah, was longlisted for the Miles Franklin Literary Award in 2019. The Vitals, her second novel, is based on her experience with advanced primary peritoneal cancer, a form of ovarian cancer.  Books and authors discussed in this episode Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk   Enid Blyton The Poseidon Adventure by Paul Gallico I'll Leave You with This by Kylie Ladd Number Go Up by Zeke Faux The Trial by Franz Kafka Loosely Based on a Made-Up Story by James Blunt Get your copy of The Vitals from Booktopia or your local bookshop. Upcoming events Ashley is teaching Writing Crime Fiction, a six-week online course with Faber starting 15 May 2024 Ashley is teaching Pathways to Publication for Writing NSW on Saturday 15 June, 10am-4pm Learn more about Ashley's psychological thriller Dark Mode and get your copy here or from your local bookshop.  Learn more about James' award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy here or from your local bookshop. Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

‘I had thought I was going to be like Harper Lee. I was going to write one book, it was going to be a massive global success, and then I would go into hiding.'  Hear from award-winning Irish author Liz Nugent, whose novel Strange Sally Diamond may have turned Ashley into a total fangirl.  Liz discusses her journey from a childhood accident leading to dystonia, to finding success and self-confidence through writing, and to her recent brain surgery. Liz also dives into her latest novel, sharing insights into the creation of its unique protagonist and her writing process.  Plus, Liz makes a call on the greatest crime novel of the past ten years! Before becoming a full-time writer, Liz Nugent worked in film, theatre and television. Her five novels – Unravelling Oliver, Lying in Wait, Skin Deep, Our Little Cruelties and Strange Sally Diamond – have each been number one bestsellers. She has won four Irish Book Awards, as well as the James Joyce Medal for Literature. She lives in Dublin. Books and authors discussed in this episode The Lost Man by Jane Harper; Val McDermid; Ian Rankin; Graham Norton; Dervla McTiernan; To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee; Lisa Jewell;  The Prophet Song by Paul Lynch; In the Woods by Tana French; The Hunter by Tana French; The Search by Tana French; Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica; Time Shelter by Georgi Gospodinov; Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro; A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara Get your copy of Strange Sally Diamond from Booktopia or your local bookshop. Upcoming events  Ashley is teaching Crafting Narrative Drive as part of the Newcastle Writers Festival on Friday 5 April, 10am-4pm  See Ashley in conversation with Mirandi Riwoe at Newcastle Writers Festival, Saturday 6 April Ashley is teaching Writing Crime Fiction, a six-week online course with Faber starting 15 May 2024  Ashley is teaching Pathways to Publication for Writing NSW on Saturday 15 June, 10am-4pm Learn more about Ashley's psychological thriller Dark Mode and get your copy here or from your local bookshop.  Learn more about James' award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy here or from your local bookshop. Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

The boys drink and review Big Red Norm Red Ale from Denizen's Brewing, then discuss speed dating. Imagine that a friend drags you into speed dating. What would you do? First, you have to decide what your intentions are. But given that, what questions can you ask to find out if the woman is nuts? What are the deal-breaker questions? Tattoos? Drinking? (Not drinking?) Weed? The questions you ask in speed dating might focus on sussing out a few issues, such as ... * How boring they are * Their interests * Personality * Neuroticism * Intelligence There's not much time. How would you prioritize your questions? Man of the week: All the Planet Fitness members who are leaving.

Throughout their writing careers, James and Ashley have each picked up some excellent writing tricks, plus developed a few of their own. In the coming months, they'll each share a few of their most effective writing techniques, starting with James' shortcut to compelling characters.  British science-fiction author Karen Traviss writes remarkably nuanced characters. She also writes remarkably quickly, once tapping out 37,000 words in two days. In this episode, James delves into one of Traviss's novels to understand what makes her characters so compelling. He then shares the four questions he now always asks himself about his characters before writing.  Plus, we talk about the latest novel from one of our very first guests.   You can find a summary of James' tips here.  You can find Karen Traviss' wildly entertaining and informative FAQ page here.  Books and authors discussed in this episode Gears of War: Aspho Fields by Karen Traviss; The Corrections by Jonathon Franzen; The Walking Dead (series) by Robert Kirkman;  Red River Road by Anna Downes;  The Consultant by Im Seong Sun, translated by An Seon Jae Upcoming events Ashley is teaching Crafting Narrative Drive as part of the Newcastle Writers Festival on Friday 5 April, 10am-4pm  See Ashley in conversation with Mirandi Riwoe at Newcastle Writers Festival, Saturday 6 April Ashley is teaching Writing Crime Fiction, a six-week online course with Faber starting 15 May 2024  Ashley is teaching Pathways to Publication for Writing NSW on Saturday 15 June, 10am-4pm Learn more about James' award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy here or from your local bookshop.  Learn more about Ashley's psychological thriller Dark Mode and get your copy here or from your local bookshop.  Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

Dilly, Drip, and Mr. Four learn about Mayor Madrigal and the problem with Skreegulls on Shell Island. Dr. Denizen assigns them their first research task and a chance to graduate, and they meet the gruff Cap'n Lefty and his mistwhale Riftlings Ugloo and Belloo. But strange creatures await the ferry on the open water, and the mayor seems to be hiding something...Check out the Patreon and support us at patreon.com/storiesrpgPlay along at home! Download the Gigacity Guardians game sheet here: storiesrpg.gumroad.com/l/gigacity1StoriesRPG is the play-at-home, listen-and-learn game that helps people of all ages tell amazing tales together. Each season, we explore a new world, create characters, and go on epic adventures - and provide play-to-learn, coloring book, choose-your-own-adventure games to help listeners of all ages fall in love with writing!Created by Michael Low of LuckofLegends.com and Daniel Hinds of StoriesPodcast.com, StoriesRPG is a thrilling way to start bringing a love of writing, fantasy, fiction, and literacy into your home.

'I kept this condition very, very secret from everybody.' Adele Dumont's remarkable new memoir, The Pulling, details her life with trichotillomania — a mental health condition that, at times, has consumed her life. In this episode, she discusses the unique writing process that enabled her to put long-held secrets first on the page and then into the public sphere. She also describes the impact of revealing her illness through her memoir, especially to family and friends who knew nothing about her condition. We discuss the shame linked to trichotillomania and whether sharing her story has shifted this feeling. Adele Dumont is an Australian writer and critic. Her work has appeared in Griffith Review, Meanjin, Southerly, ABR, and Sydney Review of Books. Adele's first book, No Man Is an Island, is an account of her experiences teaching English to asylum seekers in detention. Adele lives in Sydney, where she works as an English language teacher and examiner.  'Get your copy of The Pulling from Booktopia or your local bookshop.' Books and authors discussed in this episode: Lee Kofman (from episode 76); Helen Garner; Adele's Guardian article; Annie John by Jamaica Kincaid; The Wolves of Eternity by Karl Ove Knausgård; Unfinished Business by Shankari Chandran (from episode 48) Upcoming events  Ashley is teaching Online Feedback: Manuscript Development for Writing NSW starting 4 March 2024 As part of Seniors Week, Ashley is teaching memoir writing at Glen Street & Warringah Mall Library, on 15 and 19 March Ashley is teaching Writing Crime Fiction, a six-week online course with Faber starting 15 May 2024  Learn more about Ashley's psychological thriller Dark Mode and get your copy here or from your local bookshop.  Learn more about James' award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy here or from your local bookshop. Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

'The whole concept of transplantation still blows me away. There is something a bit magical about it. But as with most things people do, it can also find ways to blow up in people's faces.'  Author and neuropsychologist Kylie Ladd joins us to speak about her latest book, 'I'll Leave You with This.' She shares her research into the incredible science of human organ and tissue donation, and the family tragedy that inspired her beautiful novel.  Plus, you'll never guess what James is reading!  Kylie Ladd is a novelist, psychologist and freelance writer. Her novels have been published in Australia and overseas, and her short works appear widely across Australia. She holds a PhD in neuropsychology. Get your copy of 'I'll Leave You with This' from Booktopia or your local bookshop. You can register to become an organ donor online.  Books and authors discussed in this episode: The Vitals by Tracy Sorensen;  The Wolves of Eternity by Karl Ove Knausgård; Red River Road by Anna Downes (from episode 5); A Mother's Reckoning by Sue Klebold;  Andrew Solomon;  Dani Vee, host of the Words and Nerds Podcast Upcoming events  Ashley is teaching Online Feedback: Manuscript Development for Writing NSW starting 4 March 2024 Ashley is teaching Writing Crime Fiction, a six-week online course with Faber starting 15 May 2024  Learn more about Ashley's psychological thriller Dark Mode and get your copy here or from your local bookshop.  Learn more about James' award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy here or from your local bookshop. Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

Welcome to another episode of The DC Beer Show. Michael Stein, Brandy Holder, Jacob Berg, and Jordan Harvey discuss their beverage preferences for Thanksgiving, dive into their favorite brands and types of beverages, and even their plans to find the perfect table beer. The highlight of the episode is, of course, their esteemed guest, Andy Hannas. Andy heads up cider making at Potter's Craft Cider in Charlottesville, Virginia. Mike and Andy delve deep into the history of this pioneering cidery, the changes in the apple and agriculture industry, the influence of seltzers, and get specific about their wide range of flavor offerings.Brandy, Jacob, Jordan, and Mike will also share what they're currently drinking, and cover some new releases from Denizen's, including a bourbon barrel-aged Russian imperial stout and a Scottish wee heavy with coffee!Finally, they wrap up the episode with an update on some upcoming events in the DMV. Buckle up for this hoppy ride! Thanks to our monthly supporters Greg Parnas Frank Chang Mikahl Tolton Kim Klyberg Chris Girardot Alyssa jeffrey katz Andrew MacWilliams Jamie Jackson Meegan Mike Rucki Jason Tucker Nick Gardner Amber Farris Sarah Ray Peter Jones Michael Rafky Brad Stengel Matt Winterhalter Bill and Karen Butcher Jordan Harvey Justin Broady Thor Cheston Stephen Claeys Julie Verratti Bill DeBaun

Hear from acclaimed storytellers Robbie Arnott, Fiona McFarlane and James McKenzie Watson about their beautiful novels, which chart very different lives set against unmistakably Australian backdrops. Robbie's Limberlost tells the story of a man's journey through life, while evoking Tasmania's diverse natural habitat. Fiona's The Sun Walks Down unfurls the narrative of a missing child in 1883 South Australia, depicting the distinct landscape and unsettling history of the Flinders Ranges. James McKenzie Watson's gothic thriller Denizen is a simultaneous celebration of harsh country and stoic people, set against the backdrop of remote NSW. Listen to them in conversation with Susan Wyndham. Supported by the Copyright Agency's Cultural Fund. This episode was recorded live at the 2023 Sydney Writers' Festival.   If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel.  Sydney Writers' Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms.  After more? Follow Sydney Writers' Festival on social media:Instagram: @sydwritersfestFacebook: @SydWritersFestTwitter: @SydWritersFestTikTok: @sydwritersfestSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to another episode of the DC Beer Show! Today's episode has much to cover, including an exciting new event at Solace Outpost Falls Church. We'll also dive into the upcoming Octoberfest events and beer happenings around the DMV area. We'll be joined by Russell Carpenter, head brewer at Solace Outpost in Falls Church, to get the inside scoop on the highly anticipated Lagerfest (Sat., Sept. 16) and discuss the fascinating world of lagers. This event promises to showcase a variety of lagers, from Pilsners to Marzens, from some of Russell's favorite brewers — including a number that are not distributed widely like Quattro Goombas and Black Hoof — as well as Lost Boy Ciders and live music by the talented German band Lost Lederhosen. The street will be closed for this spectacular event, so you won't want to miss it.But first, Jake, Mike, Brandy, and Jordan tell you all about the upcoming beer-related events like Hellbender's live music series and the Arts and Ale Festival in Hyattsville, both of which have sparked their interest. In addition, they touch on Denizen's closing of the Silver Spring location and the upcoming homebrew competition at Metro Bar.The DC Beer team also highlights the 10th-anniversary celebration of the DMV Girls Pint Out at Andy's Pizza in Shaw and prepares for the start of  Oktoberfest celebrations.So grab a cold one, sit back, and dive into DC beer! Thanks to our monthly supporters Peter Jones Michael Rafky Brad Stengel Matt Winterhalter Bill and Karen Butcher Jordan Harvey Brandy Justin Broady Thor Cheston Stephen Claeys Matt B Julie Verratti Bill DeBaun

Do you know about the "so bad they're good" genra of film? Horror is full of B-Movie gems, and in this episode we are talking with Denizen of the Dark, Ricky and his list of top 10 creepy cult classics. This is going to be a fun one so relax and enjoy the chaos.

In this captivating installment, our hosts delve into upcoming craft beer events and some crazy news about Valor Brew Pub. On the lighter side, Jordan chats with Elliott Johnson of Soul Mega about the next Summer beer release and their  Second Annual MEGAFEST.On Saturday, July 15, events include the All-American Beer Festival at the Bullpen, the Old Town Pub Crawl in Alexandria with Port City, and Denizen's 9th-anniversary party in Silver Spring. On July 22, head out to Dock 5 at Union Market for the (D)rafts and (C)rafts festival from the DC Brewers Guild and the DC Makers Guild.But the main attraction in this episode is MEGAFEST, the Black-owned beer festival meets block party in celebration of Soul Mega's 4-year anniversary, on August 26, 2023.As the first Black-owned beer festival in the nation's capital, this event will bring refreshing craft beer styles, wines, and alternative beverages brewed by regional minority-owned brands alongside local food vendors. MEGAFEST connects diverse groups of people in a safe environment to network, unwind, create new experiences, and revel in Black culture at one of DC's historic neighborhoods. Visit https://events.eventnoire.com/e/megafest-2023 for tickets.Get all the latest news and events about craft beer in the DMV and DCBeer.com and subscribe to the monthly update at DCBeer.com/newsletter. Thanks to our monthly supporters Brad Stengel Matt Winterhalter Bill and Karen Butcher Jordan Harvey Brandy Justin Broady Thor Cheston Stephen Claeys Matt B Julie Verratti Bill DeBaun

During the first wave of psychedelics in the 1960s, mind-altering substances played a significant role in challenging capitalist values and systems. However, in our current landscape, we are witnessing a different rollout of psychedelics, one that is predominantly medicalized and intertwined with traditional capitalist models. This raises an important question: Does this convergence of psychedelics and Western capitalism feel incongruous? And if so, what can be done about it. Jenny Stefanotti, the Founder and Steward of Denizen, a media platform and co-learning community dedicated to systemic change, explores this question in depth with us, utilizing her backgrounds in strategy, technology, business, philanthropy, design, policy, and economics. In this conversation, we'll examine some models where for-profit enterprises navigate ethical considerations associated with psychedelic use, such as with companies like Journey Collab. We'll explore whether psychedelics are by their very nature designed to be tools for social justice and instruments for political activism, and if they have a role in movements for equity and liberation, is that role undermined by the predominant mode of distribution? Join us as we navigate the intricate terrain where psychedelics and capitalism intersect, and explore the potential dangers and opportunities that arise from this convergence. For more thought-provoking conversations, visit Jenny and Denizen at https://www.becomingdenizen.com/

The battle with the Denizen of Leng houndmaster and his cadre of yeth hounds reaches its conclusion!Join Troy Lavallee, Joe O'Brien, Skid Maher, Matthew Capodicasa, Sydney Amanuel and Kate Stamas as they tour the country playing the Lovecraftian Horror Strange Aeons Pathfinder Adventure Path.Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/dn9kwL-3JKQFor more podcasts and livestreams, visit glasscannonnetwork.com and for exclusive content and benefits, subscribe today at patreon.com/glasscannon.