The Story Blender

Catriona Ward

15 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Catriona Ward was born in Washington, DC, and grew up in the United States, Kenya, Madagascar, Yemen, and Morocco. She studied English at the Universi...

Naomi Hirahara

08 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A former journalist, Naomi Hirahara is an Edgar Award-winning author of numerous cozy and historical mysteries and was president of the Southern Calif...

Euan Morton (Iain Middleton)

18 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Born Iain Middleton in Falkirk, Scotland, Euan Morton has been acting on stage since childhood and continued to work in theatre after graduating from ...

Brian Bird

11 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Brian Bird is the co-creator and has served as show runner and executive producer for nine seasons of the top-rated scripted cable show, WHEN CALLS TH...

Gillian Bronte Adams

04 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Gillian Bronte Adams is a sword-wielding, horse-riding, wander-loving fantasy author who is rarely found without a coffee in hand and is rumored to pa...

Windell Campbell

20 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Windell Campbell taught school for 41 years and was selected as Teacher of the Year. As a storyteller, he has performed at hundreds of summer reading ...

Michael Koryta

13 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Koryta is the best-selling and award winning author of sixteen crime thrillers and writes horror fiction under the pseudonym Scott Carson. Pri...

Kelley McNeil

06 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kelley McNeil worked in the entertainment industry promoting concert tours and theatrical events for more than a decade before turning her attention t...

Neal Marshall Stevens

30 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Neal Marshall Stevens has been working in the entertainment industry for over three decades, writing, producing and working as a story editor for more...

Katia Lief

23 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

From the Story Vault: Bestselling author Katia Lief shares her thoughts on story craft and idea germination as she discusses her thriller A Map of th...

John Yorke

16 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

John Yorke is Managing Director of both Angel Station and John Yorke Story, where he works as a drama producer, consultant, and lecturer on all forms ...

Irene Hannon

09 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Irene Hannon is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than sixty contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels. She is also a three-time ...

Allie Esiri

02 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Allie Esiri is a #1 children’s poetry author who has written numerous books, including one that was recommended reading for the U.K.'s National Poet...

Jessica Strawser

25 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jessica Strawser is editor-at-large for Writer’s Digest, where during her decade as editorial director she became known for in-depth interviews wit...

Robert Dugoni

18 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Robert Dugoni is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and #1 Amazon bestselling author of the Tracy Crosswhite police series, whi...

John Long

11 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

John Long is one of the world’s top adventure writers and storytellers as well as a legendary rock climber. He’s written more than a dozen books o...

Kevin Kling

04 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin Kling is an author and storyteller extraordinaire who is best known for his popular commentaries on National Public Radio’s "All Things Consid...

David Corbett

28 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

David Corbett worked as a private investigator for fifteen years and played an integral role in a number of high-profile criminal litigations includin...

Lisa Regan

21 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Lisa Regan is the USA Today & Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Detective Josie Quinn series as well as several other crime fiction titles...

Tiffany Yates Martin

14 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tiffany Yates Martin has spent nearly thirty years as an editor in the publishing industry, working with major publishers and New York Times, Washing...

Steve LaRue

07 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

From the Story Vault: Veteran Hollywood executive Steve LaRue has worked at Paramount, NBC/Universal and 20th Century Fox where he championed such ser...

Margot Leitman

31 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Margot Leitman is an award-winning storyteller, best-selling author, speaker, and teacher who has taught and performed all over the world. A leading ...

Angela Ruth Strong

24 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Angela Ruth Strong is a romance writer who gave up writing romance novels after her husband left her. Ten years later, she has returned to the realm o...

Matthew Dicks

17 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Matthew Dicks is the internationally bestselling author of over a dozen novels, which have been translated into more than 25 languages worldwide. In a...

Kerry Nietz

10 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kerry Nietz is an award-winning science fiction author who has over a half dozen speculative novels in print as well as a novella, several short stori...

Bella Mahaya Carter

03 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Bella Mahaya Carter is a creative writing teacher, empowerment coach, speaker, and the author of an award-winning memoir, Raw: My Journey from Anxiety...

John Galligan

26 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

John Galligan is the author of three books in the Heidi Kick mystery series: DEAD MAN DANCING, BAD AXE COUNTY, and the newest installment, BAD MOON RI...

Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson

12 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson are the writing team behind the #1 bestselling Tier One series. Brian is a nuclear engineer who served as an officer...

Don Bentley

05 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Don Bentley spent a decade as an Army Apache helicopter pilot during which time he was stationed in South Korea, Germany, and Texas. While deployed to...

Lisa Cron

29 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Lisa Cron is a story coach, speaker, and the author of Wired for Story, Story Genius, and Story or Die. She has previously worked as a literary age...

McNair Wilson

22 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

From the Story Vault: McNair Wilson is an actor, author, and former Disney Imagineer who came up with the idea for the Tower of Terror. He has spoken ...

Paul Leyden

15 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

From the Story Vault: Paul Leyden is a multi-talented Australian actor, producer, and screenwriter with dozens of film and television credits. In this...

Liv Constantine

08 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Liv Constantine is the pen name of sisters Lynne Constantine and Valerie Constantine. Together, they are the bestselling author of the Reese Witherspo...

Zena Dell Lowe

01 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Zena Dell Lowe has worked professionally in the entertainment industry for over 20 years as a writer, producer, director, actress, and story consultan...

Carolyn Wheat

24 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

From the Story Vault: Carolyn Wheat is a former criminal defense lawyer whose Cass Jameson mysteries take the reader into the gritty world of Brooklyn...

Simon Gervais

17 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Simon Gervais was born in Montréal, Québec, and joined the Canadian military as an infantry officer, later commissioning as a second lieutenant. Dur...

Andrew Mayne

10 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

From the Story Vault: Andrew Mayne was the star of A&E's magic reality show Don't Trust Andrew Mayne. As one of the most innovative illusionists in th...

Mike Maden

03 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Mike Maden grew up working in the canneries, feed mills, and slaughterhouses of California’s San Joaquin Valley. A lifelong fascination with history...

George R.R. Martin

27 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

George R.R. Martin is the international best-selling author of A GAME OF THRONES. One of the world’s most popular and imaginative storytellers, Geor...

Natalie Jenner

20 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Natalie Jenner is the author of two books, the instant international bestseller THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY and a second novel slated for release in sprin...

Tim Shoemaker

13 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Award-winning author Tim Shoemaker is a master of writing exciting whodunits and mysteries for young adults. In addition to writing eleven books, Tim ...

Kendall Haven

06 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kendall Haven is the only West Point graduate to ever become a professional storyteller. The author of two internationally-celebrated books on the sci...

Kevin Cordi

27 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin Cordi was the first full-time high school storytelling teacher in the country and is committed to engendering a love of storytelling in the next...

Adam Brookes

20 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Join us for an engrossing conversation with spy thriller author Adam Brookes. After reporting for the BBC in over 30 countries, Adam turned his attent...

Joel Burcat

13 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Joel Burcat is a practicing environmental lawyer and author who writes legal and speculative thrillers, as well as imaginative stories about everythin...

Nicolás Obregón

06 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

From the Story Vault: Travel writer turned novelist Nicolás Obregón read hundreds of crime novels to research the genre before penning his stunning ...

Rowan Gibson

30 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

According to Forbes, Rowan Gibson is “one of the most recognized thought leaders in business” and is “the maestro of business innovation.” He ...

Peter James

23 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

From the Story Vault: Peter James is an international bestselling author and one of the world’s premiere crime writers. Listen in as we talk psycho...

Lisa Wingate

16 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Lisa Wingate is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of over thirty novels, including the instant NYT bestsellers The Book of Lost Friends and Bef...

Erik Bork

09 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Erik Bork is an author and screenwriter who has won two Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards for his work as a writer-producer on the HBO miniserie...

Happy New Year!

02 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A special episode of fun, family-friendly stories to get your new year off to a good start, told by world-renowned storytellers Steven James and Bob S...

Robert J. Morgan

25 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Robert J. Morgan is a prolific author and gifted storyteller who has served as a pastor in Nashville for forty years. He’s written more than two doz...

Sheila Arnold

19 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sheila Arnold is a gifted performer who has been using her talent since she was eight years old. She has been a full-time storyteller for seventeen ye...

Tamera Alexander

12 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Tamera Alexander is the USA Today bestselling author of numerous books including Colors of Truth, With This Pledge, A Lasting Impression, A Note Yet U...

Chuck Neighbors

05 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Chuck Neighbors is an actor and writer. For over 45 years he has toured throughout North America as well as to 18 countries on 6 continents. His most ...

C.C. Humphreys

28 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

From the Story Vault: C.C. Humphreys is a multi-talented actor and novelist who gives a unique perspective on developing characters for fiction and ...

Leonardo Wild

21 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Leonardo Wild is a professional author with 11 published books, over 200 published articles, and 49 produced scripts. Although he wears many hats, wri...

Bina Shah

14 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

From The Story Vault: Bina Shah is a journalist and novelist who lives in Karachi, Pakistan and is one of the country's most talented authors. Her 200...

Alex Segura

07 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Segura is an acclaimed writer of novels, comic books, and podcasts. He is the author of the Star Wars Poe Dameron: Free Fall, the Pete Fernandez ...

K.J. Howe

31 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

From the Story Vault: An expert in the kidnapping and ransom world, K.J. Howe is an international bestselling author and avid traveler who has raced c...

Kenny Tedford

24 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Kenny Tedford is one of only two deaf people in the world with a master’s degree in storytelling, which he earned at 55, almost half a century after...

Karin Slaughter

17 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

From the Story Vault: Acclaimed author Karin Slaughter is published in 120 countries, has sold more than 35 million books, and serves as the Director-...

Minton Sparks

10 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Minton Sparks has worked as a spoken word performance artist for many years. Fusing music, poetry, and an intoxicating gift for storytelling, Minton S...

Jon Land

03 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jon Land is the USA Today bestselling author of 50 books, including ten titles in the critically acclaimed Caitlin Strong series. His works have recei...

Alan Jacobson

26 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Alan Jacobson is a USA Today Bestselling author of jaw-dropping FBI & black ops thrillers with 20-plus years of New York City publishing industry expe...

Carol Van Den Hende

19 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Carol Van Den Hende is an author, speaker, and strategist who is a Climate Reality leader and board member as well as a mom of twins. Her latest novel...

Chris Fabry

12 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Fabry is an award- winning author and radio personality who was recently inducted into the Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Com...

Bobby Norfolk

05 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Bobby Norfolk has been a story-performer, actor, and author for 43 years. He is a recipient of The NSN Circle of Excellence Award and has traveled int...

Tosca Lee

29 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Tosca Lee is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of The Line Between, The House of Bathory duology, Iscariot, The Legend of Sheba...

James Rollins

21 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

From the Story Vault: Acclaimed for his originality, James unveils unseen worlds, scientific breakthroughs, and historical secrets in his breakneck-sp...

Ethan Cross

14 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ethan Cross is the international bestselling and award-winning author of more than a dozen novels. His childhood dream of telling stories on a grand s...

Paul Smith

08 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Paul Smith is one of the world’s leading experts on organizational storytelling. He’s the author of three Amazon #1 bestsellers: Lead with a Story...

Christopher Vogler

01 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Christopher Vogler is a former Hollywood studio executive and story analyst whose book THE WRITER’S JOURNEY has been called “the screenwriter’s ...

DP Lyle

24 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

DP Lyle is the bestselling and critically-acclaimed author of twenty-two books, both fiction and nonfiction. His stories have been nominated for the E...

Matt Mikalatos

18 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Mikalatos is a creative tour de force from the Pacific Northwest who has written ten books spanning the genres from spiritual non-fiction to youn...

Orson Scott Card

11 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Orson Scott Card is the world-renowned author of a number of popular book series including the Ender saga, The Tales of Alvin Maker, The Homecoming Sa...

Glen Erik Hamilton

04 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As a native of Seattle, Glen Erik Hamilton was raised aboard a sailboat and grew up around the marinas and commercial docks and islands of the Pacifi...

J.D. Barker

27 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

From the Story Vault: What makes us afraid? What’s the dividing line between suspense and horror? Listen in as J. D. Barker, the coauthor of DRACUL ...

David Rawlings

20 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

David Rawlings is a writer with thirty years of experience in communication, ranging from journalism to the corporate sector. His latest book, Where ...

Jacob Krueger

13 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

From the Story Vault: Jacob Krueger is a leading screenwriting consultant. His insights into the world of screenwriting and creativity will shatter yo...

Bil Lepp

05 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Bil Lepp’s humorous, family-friendly stories have earned the appreciation of listeners of all ages. A five time champion of the West Virginia Liar’...

Bob Lenz

30 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Bob Lenz is one of the country’s premier motivational speakers. He shares inspiring, humorous messages with hundreds of thousands of teens and adult...

Meg Gardiner

23 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

From The Story Vault: Edgar Award-winning novelist Meg Gardiner writes fast-paced thrillers full of twists and turns that keep readers guessing until ...

Donna Washington

16 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Donna Washington is an internationally known, multiple-award winning storyteller, spoken word recording artist, and author. A highly animated performe...

Bruce Montgomery

09 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Bruce Montgomery has a doctorate in interpersonal and public communication from Bowling Green State University and a master of divinity from Christian...

Daniel Palmer

25 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Daniel Palmer is the USA Today bestselling author of ten critically acclaimed suspense novels. With tech-centric themes, Daniel’s novels focus on or...

Richard Ferrone

18 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Richard Ferrone is a former lawyer who became an actor in the 1970s. He has appeared on Broadway and in theaters across the country. His television ap...

Danusia Trevino

11 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Our guest this week, Danusia Trevino, is a storyteller who has won two GrandSlams with the MOTH. She emigrated to the United States from Poland and he...

Ed Stivender

04 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

From the Story Vault: A self-described “full-time daydreamer who moonlights as a storyteller,” Ed Stivender has been dubbed “the Robin Williams ...

Andrew Erwin

27 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Erwin and his brother Jon comprise the filmmaking duo the Erwin Brothers. They became interested in film and sports while they were children an...

Simon Brooks

21 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Simon Brooks was born in England and raised on traditional tales. His work as a storyteller began nearly two decades ago and since then he has taken h...

Adam Cayton-Holland

14 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

From the Story Vault: Adam is a unique and multi-talented comic, author and actor. He has been named one of Esquire’s "25 Comics to Watch," and Vari...

Iain Thomas

07 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Iain Thomas is the international number-one bestselling author of dozens of books and creative projects and is one of the world’s most popular write...

Lynne Constantine

29 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

From the Story Vault: Lynne Constantine is an internationally bestselling author who writes under the pen name Liv Constantine with her sister Valeri...

Candice Fox

22 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Candice Fox is an international and #1 New York Times bestselling author whose books have been translated into more than a dozen languages. She began ...

Frank Peretti

15 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

From the Story Vault: Frank Peretti is a New York Times bestselling author of numerous works of fiction and nonfiction that have sold over 15 million ...

John Raab

08 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

John Raab is a publishing industry professional and podcast producer who is also the founder of Suspense Magazine and the CEO of Suspense Publishing. ...

Steve Berry

01 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

From the Story Vault: Steve Berry is the New York Times and international bestselling author of more than a dozen novels and our first returning guest...

Travis Thrasher

25 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Bestselling author Travis Thrasher has written over 50 books ranging from fiction to nonfiction and love stories to supernatural thrillers. Travis wor...

Megan Collins

18 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

From the Story Vault: Megan Collins is an author whose debut novel THE WINTER SISTER is being called gripping, luminous, and mysterious. She holds a ...