The Story Blender
Episodes
Season 10 - Episode 12: Jane Friedman
19 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
For decades, Jane Friedman has been keeping her finger on the pulse of the writing industry. Each month she shares her insights with tens of thousands...
Season 10 - Episode 11: Nick Petrie
12 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Critically acclaimed, bestselling novelist Nick Petrie, who is known for his propulsive action stories and suspenseful plots, joins me this week. He ...
Season 10 - Episode 10: Jayne Ann Krentz
05 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
New York Times bestselling novelist Jayne Ann Krentz joins me to talk about what romantic suspense actually is (and is not), how to identify your stre...
Season 10 - Episode 8: Bede Blake
26 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week, I caught up with screenwriter Bede Blake, one of my favorite instructors on the craft of writing and story, and the host of the YouTube cha...
Season 10 - Episode 8: C.J. Box
19 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
C.J. Box, the #1 New York Times bestselling author, joins me this week to talk about his iconic character, Joe Pickett, and his latest novel, THE CROS...
Season 10 Episode 7: Wendy Walker
12 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
With the Olympics here this month, there’s no better time to check out a chilling, ice skating thriller. This week, bestselling author Wendy Walker,...
Season 10 - Episode 6: Robin Cook
05 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Legendary medical thriller author Robin Cook joins me this week. Author of more than forty books, he shares his origin story of how he wrote his first...
Season 10 - Episode 5: Karen Morgan
29 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week I caught up with comedian Karen Morgan to talk about humor, comedy, and how to be funny. Listen in for tips and advice on why you should nev...
Season 10 - Episode 4: Matthew Quirk
22 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Matthew Quirk—New York Times bestselling author of The Night Agent, Hour of the Assassin, and Inside Threat—joins the show. The Night Agent hit #1...
Season 10 - Episode 3: Ryan Steck & Simon Gervais
15 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Story Blender, host Steven James sits down with thriller heavyweights Ryan Steck and Simon Gervais to talk about their new coll...
Season 10 - Episode 2: Tony Marr
08 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week, acclaimed storyteller Tony Marr returns to talk about techniques to tell personal stories. We discuss the three key questions to ask yourse...
Season 10 - Episode 1: Carter Wilson
01 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As we kick off the 2026 year, I sit down with my good friend and our first guest, Carter Wilson. His work has received starred reviews from every majo...
Ep. 47 - 2025: John R. Carlos
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Science fiction author John R. Carlos joins me to talk about world building and how emergent trends in technology might affect our lives in the future...
Ep. 46 - 2025: Mia Sheridan
04 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, bestselling author Mia Sheridan joins me to talk about how monsters can be made, whether it’s important to include the background on a vi...
Ep. 45-2025: Melinda Leigh
27 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Melinda Leigh, the bestselling author of 40 novels, talks about how her background in the martial arts informs how she writes fight scenes (and why yo...
Ep. 44 - 2025: David Morrell
21 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on The Story Blender I talk with legendary action thriller writer David Morrell. As the author of First Blood, he is known as the father of ...
Ep. 43 - 2025: John Branyan
13 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join me as I chat with acclaimed comedian John Branyan. We talk about secrets to comedy, how to gain confidence, how to tap into the truths of life an...
Ep. 42 - 2025: Traci Hunter Abramson
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week I sit down with former CIA officer, Traci Hunter Abramson to talk about writing political and spy thrillers. We cover what spies are (and wh...
Ep. 41 - 2025: Terry Whalin
30 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
My guest this week is an author, editor, and publishing professional who has written more than 50 books and coached hundreds of authors on how to put ...
Ep. 40 - 2025: Chris Riley
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Chris Riley, the author of the classic screenwriting book The Hollywood Standard, joins me on The Story Blender. In a wide-ranging conversa...
Ep. 39 - 2025: Yannick Murphy
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Don’t miss this week’s conversation with novelist Yannick Murphy. We examine whether or not there is such a thing as talent, how a story is like a...
Ep. 38- 2025: Daniel Church
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on The Story Blender, I chat with horror writer, Daniel Church. We talk about folk horror, the importance of atmosphere in scary stories, wh...
Ep. 37 - 2025: Jennifer Fawcett
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jennifer Fawcett joins me to talk about how playwriting and novel writing intersect and inform each other. We explore what a scene is and...
Ep. 36 - 2025: Jerome Charyn
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week I talk with acclaimed author Jerome Charyn, who has been a professional writer for 70 years. We explore the music of sentences, the lyrical ...
Ep. 35-2025: Victoria Dowd
18 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, crime writer Victoria Dowd joins me to discuss the art of the red herring, how to plant clues in plain sight in a way that no one will noti...
Ep. 34-2025 Carol VandenHende
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on The Story Blender I talk with award-winning author Carol VanDenHende about the power of letter writing to the people who’ve impacted yo...
Ep. 33-2025 Brent Weeks
28 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on The Story Blender podcast I had the pleasure of sitting down with Brent Weeks—New York Times bestselling author of The Night Angel Tril...
Ep. 32-2025: Katheleen Antrim & D.P. Lyle
22 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on The Story Blender, I caught up with bestselling authors Kathleen Antrim & D.P. Lyle at Killer Nashville, one of the country’s premi...
Ep. 31-2025:Dean Koontz
14 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join me this week to listen to an interview I did a few years ago with legendary thriller author, Dean Koontz. With hundreds of millions of books in p...
Ep. 30-2025: John Bucher
07 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
author, and storyteller who also serves as the Executive Director of the Joseph Campbell Foundation. John Bucher is a master at exploring the profound...
Ep. 29-2025: Joe Hart
31 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on The Story Blender, I spoke with award-winning, bestselling author Joe Hart about what drives a story forward—especially if it tapes int...
Ep. 28-2025: Kerry Nietz
24 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week I had the chance to chat with author Kerry Nietz—yes, the mind behind the novel Amish Vampires in Space. We talked about where the idea ...
Ep. 27-2025: Donald Maass
17 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on The Story Blender, I’m joined by literary agent and bestselling author Donald Maass, recorded live at the Advanced Fiction Intensive i...
Ep. 26-2025: Katia Lief
10 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week I was thrilled to welcome Katia Lief—acclaimed author and fiction instructor at The New School in Manhattan—onto The Story Blender. We d...
Ep. 25-2025: Julie Clark
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this week’s episode of The Story Blender, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Julie Clark, New York Times bestselling author of The Ones We C...
Ep. 24-2025: Catalina Margulis
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week I caught up with Catalina Margulis, a speaker, author, story coach, and journalist from Toronto, Canada. We discuss how much truth memoirs c...
Ep. 23-2025: Ewan Morrison
19 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week I caught up with one of Scotland’s premier authors and cultural commentators, Ewan Morrison. We explore the areas where technology and nar...
Ep. 22-2025: Rob Hart
12 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I sat down with Rob Hart, the critically acclaimed author of The Warehouse and The Medusa Protocol for a fast-paced and thought-provoking conversation...
Ep. 21 -2025: SA Barnes
05 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
S.A. BARNES works in a high school library by day, recommending reads, talking with students, and removing the occasional forgotten cheese-stick-as-bo...
Ep. 20-2025: Sandra J. Paul
29 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Belgium author and screenwriter Sandra J. Paul joins me to talk about crafting suspense, plot twists, and the art of keeping readers guessi...
Ep. 19-2025: Robert Walker
22 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on The Story Blender, we’re diving into myth, adventure, and the power of storytelling with Robert A. Walker, author of the Seven Gods ser...
Ep. 18 -2025: Susan Walter
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s guest, Susan Walter, moved to Los Angeles after flubbing an interview to be a newscaster, hoping to work in film and television producti...
Ep. 17 -2025: Meg Serino
08 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week I talk with novelist Meg Serino about her new novel, ANNAPURNA. We explore the issues that fiction allows us to evaluate, the crossroads tha...
Ep. 16 -2025:Friends and Fiction
01 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week I chat with the bestselling authors from the popular podcast, Friends & Fiction. We dive into their advice on what writers should focus ...
Ep. 15 -2025:Samuel Marquis
24 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever heard of the infamous pirates Captain Kidd and Blackbeard? Have you ever been interested in the golden age of pirates, privateers, and t...
Ep. 14 -2025: Michael Carson
17 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week I catch up with Michael Carson, the president of the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough, Tennessee—the site of the contempo...
Ep. 13 -2025: Jaclyn Goldis
10 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week I chat with suspense author Jaclyn Goldis about her writing process, the importance of curiosity, plunging into reality through fiction, wri...
Ep. 12 -2025: Paulette Kennedy
03 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Don’t miss this week’s episode of The Story Blender as I interview gothic novelist Paulette Kennedy. We talk about everything from cemetery rubbin...
Ep. 11 -2025: David Newton
27 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on The Story Blender I sit down with award-winning sports journalist David Newton to talk about when the rubber meets the fans at a NASCAR r...
Ep. 10- 2025: Zack Davisson
13 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
My guest this week is an award-winning translator author and folklorist who's written extensively on Japanese ghost stories and supernatural stories f...
Ep. 9-2025: C. I. Jerez
06 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week I caught up with Latina author C.I. Jerez whose new book AT THE ISLAND’S EDGE releases in March. We discuss leaning into the interiority o...
Ep. 8-2025: Mark Alpert
26 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, acclaimed science thriller author Mark Alpert joins me for a wide-ranging conversation about how not to say everything all at once in your ...
Ep. 7-2025: Adam Booth
20 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week I catch up with acclaimed storyteller Adam Booth. We talk about reading the room, creating space in your story, and dancing with the audienc...
Ep. 6-2025: Tom Morrisey
13 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week I speak with novelist, storyteller, and world-renowned speech writer Tom Morrisey on the keys to storytelling for leaders. Learn why people ...
Ep. 5-2025: Nicholas Tomnay
06 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Listen to a fascinating conversation with filmmaker and screenwriter Nicholas Tomnay as we talk about whether stories reflect culture or alter it, why...
EP.4-2025: Mike Thompson
30 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wanted to write a script for Hollywood? If so, then you’re going to love this week’s episode of The Story Blender. Screenwriter and...
EP. 3-2025: Rowan Gibson
24 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week I talk with Rowan Gibson, an international business consultant, keynote speaker, and innovator who has told stories in over 60 countries. A...
Ep. 2-2025: Steven James
15 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week we flip the script as bestselling author D.P. Lyle interviews me about my latest book on the craft of writing—DELVE, PIVOT, PROPEL. We tal...
Ep. 1-2025: Eric Drooker
13 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week I chat with acclaimed artist and American Book Award-winning graphic novelist, Eric Drooker. We talk about vulnerability in storytelling and...
Kiran Singh Sirah
26 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week I talk with Kiran Singh Sirah, an award-winning Storytelling Industry leader and Past President of the International Storytelling Center. Hi...
Keith Ferrin
19 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This Christmas and holiday season I sat down with storyteller, performer, and conference speaker Keith Ferrin. He has presented and performed entire ...
Travis Thrasher
15 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week I speak with New York Times bestselling author Travis Thrasher. He’s a prolific author who has written an astonishing 100 books including ...
Chris Fabry
06 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week I chat with acclaimed author and radio personality, Chris Fabry. His 80+ novels have won numerous awards and sold to readers all over the w...
Adam Hamby
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Acclaimed author and screenwriter Adam Hamdy joins me this week to talk about story, storytelling, and his latest thriller, DEADBEAT. We explore findi...
Joshua Corin
21 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week I caught up with prolific author Josh Corin. He has written six Deadpool graphic novels for Marvel aComics and has a new twisty novel out c...
Tiffany Yates Martin
14 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, I caught up with long-time editor and author Tiffany Yates Martin. We discussed what it truly means to be successful as an author—who def...
Jonathan Rogers
07 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week I chat with Jonathan Rogers, acclaimed author and writing instructor, who has worked for decades helping authors improve their craft. Based ...
Linda Poland
31 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week I catch up with award-winning storyteller and folklore expert Linda Poland. She has traveled the world telling stories and was the Resident ...
J.T. Ellison
25 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Exciting news! Bestselling author J.T. Ellison is joining Steven James on The Story Blender podcast! 🎙️✨ Dive deep into the craft of storytelli...
Iain Thomas
17 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s guest, Iain S. Thomas, is an international bestselling author, artist and technologist whose work focuses on the intersection of techno...
Anika Pavel
04 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
ANIKA PAVEL was born in Czechoslovakia. What was intended as a one-year stay in England turned her into a refugee when the Soviet Union invaded her ho...
Liz Weir
03 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week we celebrate the art of oral storytelling with one of the world’s leading voices on folk tales, the celebrated Irish storyteller, Liz Weir...
Michelle Cox
26 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Michelle Cox has always been obsessed with stories of the past and has spent a lifetime collecting them. She is the award-winning author of historic...
Jenny Milchman
19 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s guest, Jenny Milchman, is an acclaimed crime and thriller novelist who is a Mary Higgins Clark award-winning and USA Today bestselling a...
John Raad
13 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the story blender I catch up with John Raab, publisher, podcaster, and suspense expert. We talk about some of our favorite types of stori...
Andrew Welsh-Huggins
05 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week I catch up with Andrew Welsh-Huggins, an acclaimed author of numerous private eye and thriller novels. He is the Shamus, Derringer, and In...
John Copenhaver
29 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week I catch up with award-winning crime writer John Copenhaver who pens historical mysteries that celebrate minorities and those whose stories a...
MP Woodward
22 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve ever read an action or military thriller you’re probably familiar with the name “Tom Clancy.” And, while he unfortunately passed awa...
Jeffery Deaver & Isabella Maldonado
15 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Listen in as I pick the brains of co-authors Isabella Maldonado and Jeffery Deaver on the process of writing a crime thriller that will keep readers t...
Caroline Cleveland
07 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week I chat with Caroline Cleveland about her southern mystery WHEN CICADAS CRY. She talks about the five aspects of Southern Fiction and how she...
James Gordon
01 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week I talk with James Gordon, who worked for decades in Hollywood in the documentary and reality TV world and contributed to more than 100 shows...
Jule Selbo
24 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Acclaimed screenwriter and novelist Jule Selbo shares insights on plot, why she started watching sports after she left Hollywood, finding the new norm...
Cara Reinard
17 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, author Cara Reinard joins me to talk about shaping and developing twists and psychological suspense in your writing, the importance of flaw...
Tom Straw
10 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you heard of the novelist Richard Castle? Well… I had a chance to chat with him. Listen as I talk with Tom Straw, who wrote numerous books un...
Brigid Reedy
05 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week I caught up with acclaimed Cowboy Poet Brigid Reedy. She is a singer, songwriter, fiddler, poet, and storyteller who has become a singular y...
Vincent Davis
27 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week I caught up with bestselling author and writing instructor Vincent Davis. We chat about the only Latin I know (it might surprise you), compl...
Ryan Steck
19 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Listen as I chat with the Real Book Spy, Ryan Steck, about his writing, his editing, and his phenomenally successful website the Real Book Spy. He’s...
Lori Roy
12 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this week’s episode of the Story Blender, award-winning mystery writer Lori Roy joins me to talk about getting to know characters, evocative sett...
Paul Roland
23 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A native of Pasadena, Paul Roland has been pursuing filmmaking since high school and graduated from Cal State Northridge. His directorial debut, "...
Cara Putman
16 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week I caught up with award winning author Cara Putman as we chat about suspense, motivation, what creates tension and weaving ethical and mortal...
Matthew Salesses
09 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week I catch up with author and fiction instructor Matthew Salesses. He has written a book on writing called CRAFT IN THE REAL WORLD and tackle...
Kathleen Antrim & D.P. Lyle
02 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Listen as I chat with Kathleen Antrim, and D.P. Lyle, both some of the mastermind behind the outliers online writing university program. Doug is one...
Andy Offutt Irwin
25 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Listen to the fascinating conversation I have with humorist and acclaimed storyteller Andy Offutt Irwin. He shares insights on coming up with stories ...
Robert Dugoni
18 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week I catch up with #1 international best selling author Robert Dugoni. As both an acclaimed writer and popular conference speaker, Robert is an...
Christopher Reich
09 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week I chat with New York Times bestselling author Christopher Reich, about his latest novel, Matterhorn, and his writing process. We talk about ...
Janice Hallett
21 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Listen as I chat with novelist and screenwriter Janice Hallett from London. We talked about her latest book, her writing process, her world travels, a...
Troy DeVolld
07 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this week’s episode of The Story Blender, I speak with noted reality television, and unscripted TV show expert Troy Devolld. We talk about how re...
Mark Greaney
22 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join me as I speak with the NYT #1 bestselling author of the blockbuster Gray Man series, Mark Greaney. He shares his insights into writing action sce...
Jean Kwok
15 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join me as I speak with New York Times and international bestselling author, Jean Kwok. We chat about her latest book, THE LEFTOVER WOMAN, and her jou...
Hank Phillippi Ryan
08 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this wide-ranging conversation with award-winning author and investigative reporter Hank Phillippi Ryan, we chat about the importance of cause and ...