Michael Wendroff - Killing it! The thriller writer's journey
Release Date: 10/22/2025
#106 with Shanti Hershenson - Writing and publishing books as a teen author.
Were You Still Talking?
Episode #106 – Shanti Hershenson We talked about building a TikTok (now with over 70k followers), her amazing focus and discipline, writing every day and some of the other things she does with her time, like falconry! Since the age of twelve, Shanti has actively been writing and publishing books. She has written 37 books in varying genres, including You Won't Know Her Name, a novel-told-in-poetry about bullying in middle school. Biome Lock, the first in an alien invasion series, is published with the others on the way. Also in publication is a three-book series called The...
info_outline
#105 With Amy Dickens
Were You Still Talking?
Episode #105 – Amy Dickens on joy, play and reconnecting with the parts of ourselves that make us feel most alive. We may have talked about joy, creativity and connecting with your child self, I’m not sure. It seems like we just talked for an hour and a half and laughed and created a lot of silliness. All I know is the time went very fast and this is a great podcast to listen to if you need a little uplift. Check out Amy’s book “101 Ways to Spread Joy” or check out @theamydickens on all the socials. 🎙️ Were You Still Talking? is hosted by Joel Albrecht – actor,...
info_outline
Michael Wendroff - Killing it! The thriller writer's journey
Were You Still Talking?
Episode #104 – Michael Wendroff: Marketing Mastermind Turned Thriller Author In this week’s episode, I sit down with Michael Wendroff — a global marketing consultant with an MBA from New York University (and an induction into their Hall of Fame) who pivoted into writing to publish his debut thriller. We talk about what it takes to go from business-strategy to bestselling pages, the craft of storytelling, and the unexpected crossover between marketing and fiction. What we dive into · Michael’s background in marketing and how his...
info_outline
#103 – Melinda Lee, From Hugs to Healing: Melinda's Story
Were You Still Talking?
Episode #103 – Melinda Lee "From Hugs to Healing: Melinda's Story" In this engaging conversation, I talk with Melinda Lee about her exploration of the transformative power of hugs, gratitude, and self-love. Melinda shares her unique journey of hugging everyone she encountered for a year, emphasizing the importance of connection and acceptance. She relates the challenges faced during this journey, the impact of sharing love, and the role of mental health in the creative process. We also delve into energy healing, animal communication, and the nature of grief and unconditional love,...
info_outline
#102 – Ken Cox: Punchlines, Punching Bags & A.I.
Were You Still Talking?
Episode #102 – Ken Cox: Punchlines, Punching Bags & A.I. In this episode, I sit down with Ken Cox — a stand-up comedian, boxer, gym owner, and storyteller who bridges worlds we don’t always see together. We talk about the connections between comedy and combat, why he chose to buy the gym where he trained, the past and present of editing, and what AI might mean for creators. What We Dive Into: · Comedy + Boxing: How the stage and the ring both test confidence, timing, resilience, and presence ...
info_outline
Episode 101 - With Me, Joel Albrecht
Were You Still Talking?
Episode #101 – With Me. This one is not about me though, it’s about all of you. Big thank you to everyone who has ever listened to the show or been on the show or thought about being on the show or contacted the show. Still learning, still growing, still doing the podcast. Stay tuned! 🎙️ Were You Still Talking? is hosted by Joel Albrecht – actor, content creator, and curious conversationalist. New episodes drop regularly wherever you get your podcasts. Music for all episodes by Jon Griffin. My YouTube channel: My Instagram: @joelyshmoley FaceBook:
info_outline
Episode #100 – Albert Bramante: Hypnosis, Agents & Managing Self-Doubt
Were You Still Talking?
Episode #100 – Albert Bramante: Hypnosis, Agents & Managing Self-Doubt In this special centennial episode, I’m joined by Albert Bramante, Ph.D. — talent agent, hypnosis & NLP practitioner, psychology expert, working with actors and creatives to push past mental barriers. We went deep: acting, agents, hypnosis, and even near-death experiences (NDEs). Here’s what we unpacked. What We Talk About · Who is Albert Bramante: his background as a psychology Ph.D, his work as a talent agent and coach for actors and creatives. ...
info_outline
#99 John DeDakis: From White House Press Room to Novels & Edits
Were You Still Talking?
Episode #99 – John DeDakis: From White House Press Room to Novels & Edits In this episode, I talk with John DeDakis — former White House correspondent, longtime journalist, editor at CNN’s The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, now novelist, writing coach, and editor. We unpack what it means to tell stories in news versus fiction, the hard lessons behind writing & rewriting, and how editing makes (or breaks) everything. We cover: · What it was like being a White House correspondent (including covering presidents, handling...
info_outline
#98 – Mike Schwab: Lights, Laughs & Local Skies
Were You Still Talking?
Episode #98 – Mike Schwab: Lights, Laughs & Local Skies This week I sit down with Mike Schwab — a writer, actor, comedian, and short film creator who also happens to spend part of his days observing the weather at the local airport. (Yes, that’s a real job, and yes, it’s exactly as cool as it sounds.) We talk about the creative grind: from the challenges of writing and producing short films to the rush of comedy and the craft of acting. Mike shares stories from the stage, the page, and behind the camera, giving us a glimpse into the unpredictable life of a storyteller. And...
info_outline
#97 With Alan Lazaros
Were You Still Talking?
Episode #97 – Alan Lazaros Had an amazing conversation with Alan Lazaros, co-founder and co-host of Next Level University. We dove deep into the art (and science) of personal development, turning big dreams into actionable goals, and why self-improvement is a lifelong game worth playing. Alan shared how he overcame a near-death car accident to completely reinvent his life, build a thriving business, and help thousands of people design theirs. We talked about the power of consistency, why your environment matters more than you think, how to spot the “hidden ceilings” holding you back,...
info_outline Episode #104 – Michael Wendroff: Marketing Mastermind Turned Thriller Author
In this week’s episode, I sit down with Michael Wendroff — a global marketing consultant with an MBA from New York University (and an induction into their Hall of Fame) who pivoted into writing to publish his debut thriller. We talk about what it takes to go from business-strategy to bestselling pages, the craft of storytelling, and the unexpected crossover between marketing and fiction.
What we dive into
· Michael’s background in marketing and how his business acumen shaped his approach to writing and publishing.
· The journey of writing his debut novel, What Goes Around, including the role his parents played and how early exposure to publishers influenced him.
· Key lessons in thriller writing: plotting with precision, building tension, and structuring a story that keeps readers turning pages.
· The importance of feedback, editing, and revision.
· The big role of self-marketing as an author today — how storytelling isn’t just what you write but how you bring it to the world.
· Advice for anyone considering a creative pivot or literary debut: that the skills you already have might just be your springboard.
Why this episode matters
If you’re a writer (or aspiring one), a creative shifting from one career to another, or someone curious how business skills translate into art — you’ll find plenty here. Michael shows that storytelling isn’t just for authors: it’s for anyone with something to say, and that craft + strategy can move mountains.
Connect with Michael Wendroff
https://michaelwendroff.com/
🎙️ Were You Still Talking? is hosted by Joel Albrecht – actor, content creator, and curious conversationalist. New episodes drop regularly wherever you get your podcasts.
Want to be a guest on Were You Still Talking?? Send Joel Albrecht a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17479536339826768613f136d
Music for all episodes by Jon Griffin.
My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCugOLERePPuD4nwtZO-Zwnw?view_as=subscriber
My Instagram: @joelyshmoley
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/wereyoustilltalking/