Episode 287 - The Stuff of Dreams (ft. Leah Hager Cohen)
The DTALKS Podcast
Have you ever wondered about what goes on at your local community theatre? Or have you, yourself, participated in community theatre and wished someone covered it in a book? Today's guest of the podcast, Leah Hager Cohen, set out to do just that in her 2001 release "The Stuff of Dreams". This book covered a specific performance in a season of plays for her local community theatre, dubbed one of the oldest community theatres in the country. Despite having many other fantastic releases since her '01 release, she's on the show today because 'The Stuff of Dreams' was a formative book for Joe...
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Episode 286 - The Picasso Curse (ft. Dan Gutman)
The DTALKS Podcast
What would you do if you found out you accidentally bought a priceless work of art? Would you sell it? Would you donate it? Would you get rid of it? Or would you keep it secret? In Dan Gutman's latest book, 'The Picasso Curse', Edwin discovers he's bought a Picasso original piece of art hidden behind a $10 Kobe Bryant poster. Little does he know this discovery is about to change his whole life! We're thrilled to welcome back Dan Gutman to the podcast to discuss all things about art, Picasso, and a lot of 'what ifs!?' Enjoy! New York Times best-selling and award-winning author Dan...
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Episode 285 - Bear and the Three Goldilocks (ft. Patrick Horne)
The DTALKS Podcast
Do you like fractured fairy tales? You know, when the story you think you know gets flipped turned upside down!? Yeah you do, you know you do and today's guest has got a fun one! On this episode of the podcast author Patrick Horne stops by to share his debut release, "Bear and the Three Goldilocks" and what path he took to get to this point. It's a fun conversation we think you'll really like so pull up a chair and enjoy! I've worn many hats throughout my adult life. I've been a tennis coach, a teacher and more recently a children's book author. Every experience...
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Episode 284 - The Last Voyage (ft. Brian McLaren)
The DTALKS Podcast
He's back but this time, he's going to Mars! Mars!? That's right, MARS! Good friend and author Brian McLaren returns to the podcast to discuss his latest book and first in the start of a brand-new sci-fi trilogy, The Last Voyage! Brian and I discuss the timeliness of this book and how it compares to his first fiction trilogy, 'A New Kind of Christian'. I think you'll really enjoy the episode and get ready to dive into a wonderful world of science fiction that, eerily, may not be that far fetched, enjoy! Brian D. McLaren is an author, speaker, activist, and public theologian. A...
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Episode 283 - Cults Like Us (ft. Jane Borden)
The DTALKS Podcast
Are you in a cult? Are you sure? Are you really sure? According to guest Jane Borden, our entire country was founded by a doomsday cult, the Puritans. Aaaaand if that didn't get your curiousity piqued for this latest episode of the podcast, then I don't know what will! In the latest episode of The DTALKS Podcast, Joe and Jane get into a conversation about the definition of a cult, some of the earliest examples, and how the world around us uses "Us vs Them" logic to drive people further and further apart. It's a startling realization in an age where everything seeks to divide us. It's a...
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Episode 282 - Guy talk (ft. Ben Feller)
The DTALKS Podcast
What do guys talk about? How do male friendships work? How can you be vulnerable in an environment where you've been conditioned to "bottle it up" and not share what's really on your mind? That's the topic of this episode of the podcast as we welcome back former guest, Ben Feller, to the show to discuss his latest project, the new podcast "Pour It On". Joe and Ben get into a great conversation about Ben's podcast, how much it means to him, and what he hopes listeners of the podcast get out of it. Enjoy! Ben Feller is an award-winning writer who covered two presidents and now...
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Episode 281 - Four Mothers (ft. Abigail Leonard)
The DTALKS Podcast
What is your perspective on motherhood? How does it change depending on where in the world you are? What would new mothers in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America have in common vs what would be unique to them? These are some of the talking points in Abigail Leonard's latest book, "Four Mothers" which highlights 4 different women's first year of motherhood. On the heels of both Mother & Father's Day, it's a great opportunity to discuss what a parent-child relationship looks like from day one. Enjoy! Abigail Leonard is an award-winning international reporter and news...
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Episode 280 - The Incorruptibles (ft. Lauren Magaziner)
The DTALKS Podcast
Are you ready for the next YA book series to completely obsess over!? That's what's in store for you when you pick up Lauren Magaziner's latest book, The Incorruptibles! Lauren stopped by the show this week to share her background as an author, working on this (among many other) projects, and some of her favorite memories writing this book. Check it out! Lauren is the internationally bestselling author of the Case Closed series, The Mythics series, the upcoming series The Incorruptibles (June 10, 2025), and three other stand-alone books for middle grade...
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Episode 279 - The Lemonade War (ft. Jacqueline Davies)
The DTALKS Podcast
Are you ready for Summer? Are you ready for Lemonade? Are you ready for a Lemonade WAR!? In this latest episode of the podcast, Joe sits down with author Jacqueline Davies to discuss the graphic novel adaptation of her book, 'The Lemonade War'. Joe and Jacqueline get into a fabulous conversation about the book that you won't want to miss! Enjoy! Jacqueline Davies has lived more places than she has fingers and toes. She moved six times before fifth grade, and she credits all that moving around with making her an excellent observer of people and life. (She’s also very good at...
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Episode 278 - A Risky Game (ft. Alyson Gerber)
The DTALKS Podcast
Have you always considered yourself a 'storyteller' but don't consider yourself a writer? That was the conundrum Alyson Gerber found herself in when Molly Ringwald (yes, THE Molly Ringwald) convinced her she needed to write! After Alyson wrote several books which her inner self needed to read, she turned her attention to mystery! Alyson, today (no foolin'!) released the second book in her best-selling 'The Liars Society' series, 'A Risky Game'! Alyson goes into detail about The Liars Society, her writing process, and how her love of storytelling guiding her through all the impostor syndrome...
info_outlineWhat do you do if you're tryiong to reverse-engineer a popular children's book?
How about, if your goal is to create a series to help reluctant readers?
You might follow the path of today's guest, Dan Gutman, when he created the "My Weird School" series over 20 years ago!
Dan created the phenomenal book series to help solve for reluctant readers and create something he wish existed back when he was a reluctant reader himself!
Joe and Dan get into a conversation about creating a book series from scratch, how to help reluctant readers, and some advice for those young aspiring writers in our households.
Enjoy!
New York Times best-selling and award-winning author Dan Gutman has written more than 190 books for readers from kindergarten through middle school. Dan’s My Weird School series includes 100+ titles, and has sold more than 35 million copies globally over the past 20 years. Dan also is the author of the best-selling Genius Files series, the Baseball Card Adventure series, and many more.
Dan’s books have been named Junior Library Guild Selections and Bank Street College’s Best Children’s Books of the Year, and have been awarded numerous state book awards, including: The California Young Reader Medal, the Massachusetts Children’s Book Award, and the Iowa Children’s Choice Award, among others. When he’s not writing books, Dan loves to ride his bike, play pickleball, throw Frisbees, and explore New York City where he lives with his wife Nina. To find out more, follow Dan on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
About the 'My Weird School' series
With more than 100 titles and 35 million copies sold, Dan Gutman’s My Weird School series follows the day-to-day life of wisecracking A.J., his loyal pals Ryan and Michael, and his archenemy, smarty-pants Andrea, as they face a set of wacky teachers at Ella Mentry School—the weirdest school ever.
Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!
Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!
AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:
