The Good Word Podcast: Recent Episodes
Radio Gold Productions
Five-time Pearl Award-winning singer/songwriter, April Meservy, has been featured on over 100 albums and compilations released all over the world, as well as in film and commercial work.
April’s cover of “With or Without You” is currently being featured in the Short Performance routine of Canadian pair figure skaters, Eric Radford and Meagan Duhamel, in their bid this season for the 2018 Winter Olympics. Recently a Posi Award Finalist in the “Social Action and Justice” category in the 11th Annual Posi Music Awards, April performed her nominated original song at the awards ceremony held in Tampa, Florida. Her latest music video, “Truth Speak,” was also a 2016 Posi Award Finalist in the “Music Video” category and was featured at the festival.
I’ll Be Home For Christmas – April Meservy #LightTheWorld Video
Originally hailing from Reno, Nevada, April has brought her love for singing and songwriting to her performances in places as far away as China and as close as Salt Lake City, such as her invitation to sing in Salt Lake City’s Olympic Square during the 2002 Winter Olympics. She has performed alongside platinum-selling singer-songwriter Matt Nathanson, CAKE, Lindsey Stirling, David Archuleta, among other notable musicians across the country from Los Angeles to Boston.
April has incredible vocal diversity and performs different genres of music from jazz and blues to folk and pop. She is a multiple peal award winner, and now owns and operates her own record label Forêt d’Musique, (Jèrriais: “Forest of Music”) on which she released Somewhere Between Sunsets and on which she, and her small management team, continue to release new music. April is joining us as part of the Light the World Initiative.
For more information on April Meservy, click here to visit her website.
For more information on the #LightTheWorld Campaign click here.
Listen to April Meservy’s cover of With Or Without You as part of the Canadian Figure Skater performance as referenced in the podcast.
The post April Meservy Interview #LightTheWorld appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
K.A. is the mother of two incredible boys and has been married to her high school sweetheart for nineteen years. Writing and making up stories is something she has enjoyed doing for as long as she can remember.
As a child, she spent summers borrowing books from the Book Mobile, and hiding under her bed with a bag of cookies and a flashlight to enjoy great literary adventures. Some of her all-time childhood favorite books are, The Chronicles of Narnia, and The Lord of the Rings. She has always been a huge fan of fantasy and science fiction.
As an adult, she spends her days chauffeuring her boys between work, art and music lessons, running a household, and reading and writing every chance she gets. She is here to talk about her first published novel, A Chosen life, which is part 1 in The Chosen Chronicles. She also has many short stories, unrelated to The Chosen Chronicles, that you can read on her blog that you can find through her website KA Parkinson.com
The post K. A. Parkinson Interview – Episode 3.23 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Treg A. Julander has been an attorney for 20 years. After graduating from George Washington University with highest honors, he began his legal career with a large Washington, D.C. firm. He went on to become a partner at Rutan & Tucker, LLP, a large Southern California law firm, where he specialized in writing appellate briefs. Treg left law firm life in 2008 to establish and run the general counsel’s office for Advent Companies, Inc., a general contractor that builds affordable housing. He is now in private practice as Of Counsel at Ostergar Law Group P.C.
In addition to Until Murder Do Us Part, Treg is the author of Corporate America, a short story, which has been published in several journals. He has also published two professional articles. Treg podcasts abour rock music at www.RockTaleHour.com and blogs about California law at www.LegalMusing.com.
Orange County appellate lawyer and author, Treg Julander, recently released his debut legal thriller. Until Murder Do Us Part is about an attorney, Michael Kingston, at an elite Washington, D.C. law firm, who wakes up after a terrifying nightmare to find his hands around his wife’s throat, almost killing her. When she winds up dead a few nights later, suffocated in their bed, Mike claims that he killed his wife in his sleep. Until Murder Do Us Part (Parables Publishing 2014) is available in paperback and ebook (www.TregJulander.com).
The post Treg Julander – Episode 3.22 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Jason Pruett moved around as a child. He found comfort in picture books and he began to create his own. He entered picture book competitions in elementary school and started sending his work to publishers in high school.
After years of art school and drawing, Jason has started illustrating picture books for publishers. You can see his work in the upcoming Seek and Find: Book of Mormon Stories(Cedar Fort 2015) and A is for Abinadi(Cedar Fort 2014). Jason is also proud of the children’s comic book he illustrated,Jimmy Brass: 2nd Grade Detective (WE Comics 2012-2013).
Jason lives in the Los Angeles area and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).
For more information on Jason Pruett, visit his website:
http://www.jasonpruett.com/books.html
The post Jason Pruett – Episode 3.21 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Charlie Holmberg was born in Salt Lake City, Utah to two parents who sacrificed a great deal to give their very lazy daughter a good education. As a result, Charlie learned to hate uniforms, memorized all English prepositions in alphabetical order, and mastered the art of Reed-Kellogg diagramming a sentence at age seven. She entered several writing contests in her elementary years and never placed.
Being a nerd, Charlie started writing fan-fiction as a teenager in between episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation. She became a full-fledged band geek with mediocre talent in high school, where she met her husband. While she strove to win his attention by baking him cookies and throwing ramen noodles at his house, he didn’t actually ask her out until six years later. Charlie began taking writing seriously during her undergrad at Brigham Young University, where she majored in English and minored in editing. She finally won a few writing contests. She graduated with her BA in 2010 and got hitched three months later. Shortly afterwards, her darling husband dragged her to Moscow, Idaho, where he subsequently impregnated her.
In summer 2013, after collecting many rejection letters and making a quilt out of them, Charlie sold her ninth novel, The Paper Magician, and its sequel to 47North with the help of her wonderful agent, Marlene Stringer. She currently lives with her family in Utah. Someday she will own a dog.
Click here to buy The Paper Magician
Click here to buy The Glass Magician
Click here to buy The Master Magician
Click here to buy Followed by Frost
The post Charlie Holmberg Interview – Episode 3.20 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Ilima Todd was born and raised on the north shore of Oahu and currently resides in the Rocky Mountains. She never wanted to be a writer even though she loves books and reading. She earned a degree in physics instead. But the characters in her head refused to be ignored, and now she spends her time writing science fiction for teens. When she is not writing, Ilima loves to spend time with her husband and four children.
She is here to talk about her book that was a 2014 Whitney Award Finalist in the Young Adult Speculative Fiction, and best new author.
Click here to purchase Ilima Todd’s new book, Remake.
The post Ilima Todd Interview – Episode 3.19 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
A.L. Sowards was born in Atlanta, Georgia and grew up in Moses Lake, Washington. As a child, she wrote self-illustrated storybooks at her grandparent’s house and attended her first writer’s conference when she was in third grade.
She was a previous guest on The Good Word, back in our first year of production, almost two years ago now. She was nominated for a Whitney Award with the book she was promoting at that time and is nominated again this year for her book, Deadly Alliance. Welcome back. AL. Sowards.
To purchase a copy of Deadly Alliance click here.
The post Amanda Sowards Interview – Episode 3.18 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Kimberley Griffiths Little was born in San Francisco, but now lives in New Mexico with her husband and three sons in a solar adobe home on the banks of the Rio Grande. Her award-winning writing has been praised as “fast-paced and dramatic,” with “characters painted in memorable detail” and “beautifully realized settings.” Kimberley adores anything old and musty with a secret story to tell and makes way too many cookies while writing. She’s stayed in the haunted tower room at Borthwick Castle in Scotland; held baby gators in the bayous of Louisiana, sailed the Seine in Paris; ridden a camel in Petra, Jordan; shopped the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul; and spent the night in an old Communist hotel in Bulgaria. Kimberley’s Awards include: Southwest Book Award, Whitney Award for Best Youth Novel in 2010, Bank Street College Best Books of 2011 & 2014, Crystal Kite Finalist, and New Mexico Book Award Finalist. She has been nominated again as a Whitney Award Finalist for her book Forbidden, printed by Harper Collins. Welcome Kimberly Griffiths Little to The Good Word.
To purchase a copy of Forbidden, click here.
The post Kimberly Griffiths Little Interview – Episode 3.17 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Amy Harmon is a USA Today and New York Times Bestselling author. Amy knew at an early age that writing was something she wanted to do, and she divided her time between writing songs and stories as she grew. Having grown up in the middle of wheat fields without a television, with only her books and her siblings to entertain her, she developed a strong sense of what made a good story. Her books are now being published in several countries, truly a dream come true for a little country girl from Levan, Utah.
Amy Harmon has written several novels – the USA Today Bestsellers, Making Faces and Running Barefoot, as well as Infinity + One, Slow Dance in Purgatory, Prom Night in Purgatory, and the New York Times Bestseller, A Different Blue. Her newest release, The Law of Moses, is now available and is a Whitney Award finalist. For updates on upcoming book releases, author posts and more, join Amy at www.authoramyharmon.com.
The post Amy Harmon Interview – Episode 3.16 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Award-winning author Carla Kelly is a veteran of the New York and international publishing world. Carla is best known for her Regency Romances, those novels of manner and wit, made popular more than two centuries ago by Jane Austen. Carla has made certain types of Regencies her own, particularly novels and stories about people who are not lords and ladies. Many of them are hard-working and hard-fighting members of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines in the Channel Fleet, and the British Army on the Spanish Peninsula.
For those that listened to our last interview, you will have learned that readers and reviewers enjoy Carla’s no-nonsense, no-frills writing, which she can trace directly to her high school training in journalism. Her stories are noted for historical accuracy and wry humor, featuring ordinary people who do extraordinary things, when called upon.
In her free time, Carla likes to flop on her $35 couch and read crime fiction, and what history interests her at the time. She is married to her husband, Martin, a retired professor of academic theatre. The Kellys have five children and grandchildren.
To purchase Carla Kelly’s Whitney Award winning book, Softly Falling, click here.
The post Carla Kelly Interview #2 – Episode 3.15 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Chad P. Conrad grew up in Manhattan Beach, California, and served a mission in Mexico City. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and a master’s degree from Boston University, both in philosophy. Chad taught philosophy at Brigham Young University for seven years and has taught full time for LDS Seminaries and Institutes of Religion for twenty years. He married Stacy in the Manti Temple and they are now being raised by eight children in Orem, Utah!
To purchase a copy of Doubt Your Doubts, click here!
The post Chad Conrad Interview – Episodes 3.14 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Christine Layton Graham is a writer, editor, and college English instructor living in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her books include When Pioneer Wagons Rumbled West, Three Little Robbers,and Peter Peter Picks a Pumpkin House. She has also had pieces published in the New Era and the Friend.
Joan Layton Merrell is a professional calligrapher and fiber artist living in Jefferson City, Missouri. She has exhibited regionally and has been represented by galleries in two states. Her calligraphic art has been published in Letter Arts Review and The Calligrapher’s Engagement Calendar.
Carol Layton Ogden is an artist living in Springville, Utah. Carol studied design at BYU. In recent years she has studied under a variety of artists, including Ann Kullberg and J.K. Richards.
To purchase a copy of The Olive Tree book, click here.
The post Olive Tree Sisters Interview – Episode 3.13 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Amy Finnegan writes her own stories because she enjoys falling in love over and over again, and thinks everyone deserves a happy ending. She likes to travel the world—usually to locations where her favorite books take place—and owes her unquenchable thirst for reading to Jane Austen and J.K. Rowling. Her debut novel, NOT IN THE SCRIPT, came about after hearing several years of behind-the-scenes stories from her industry veteran brother. She’s also been lucky enough to visit dozens of film sets and sit in on major productions such as PARKS AND RECREATION and PARENTHOOD.
To purchase a copy of Not In The Script, click here.
The post Amy Finnegan Interview – Episode 3.12 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Stacy Lynn Carroll is the best-selling contemporary fiction author of The Princess Sisters trilogy. She has also recently published her first children’s book. Stacy started out at Utah State University where she pursued a degree in English, learned how to wester swing, and watched as many of her fellow students become, “True Aggies.” She finished her bachelors at the University of utah where she added an emphasis in creative writing. After college she worked as an administrative assistant, where she continued to write stories for the amusement of her co-workers. When her first daughter was born, and with the encouragement of a fortune cookie, she quit her job and became a full-time mommy and writer. She and her husband have three children, two corgis, and a fish named Don.
She is nominated for a Whitney Award for her book My Name Is Bryan.
Click here for all Stacy Lynn Carroll’s books.
The post Stacy Lynn Carroll Interview – Episode 3.11 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Stephen Valentine received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Utah State University. Stephen loves history, hiking, cooking, reading, and traveling, especially to Disneyland. Stephen resides in Utah with his beautiful wife, talented children, brilliant Schnauzer, and massive J.R.R. Tolkien collection.
Click here to purchase a copy of Stephen Valentine’s book, The Lazarus Game.
The post Stephen Valentine Interview – Episode 3.10 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Chris Crowe, a professor of English at Brigham Young University, has published award-winning fiction and nonfiction for teenagers, poetry, essays, books, and many articles for academic and popular magazines. He married his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth, and they are the parents of four children and grandparents of two beautiful granddaughters. They live in Provo, Utah.
He is the author of several books, most notably MISSISSIPPI TRIAL, 1955, which won several awards, including the 2003 International Reading Association’s Young Adult Novel Award. His nonfiction book, GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER: THE TRUE STORY OF THE EMMETT TILL CASE, was an Jane Addams Honor book. His first children’s book, JUST AS GOOD: HOW LARRY DOBY CHANGED AMERICA’S GAME, appeared in 2012. His newest book is a historical novel DEATH COMING UP THE HILL, released in October 2014. Death Coming Up The Hill is nominated as a Whitney Award Finalist for 2014.
To purchase a copy of Death Coming Up The Hill, click here.
The post Chris Crowe Interview – Episode 3.9 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Brock Booher grew up on a farm in rural Kentucky, the fourth of ten children, where he learned to work hard, use his imagination, and believe in himself. He left the farm to pursue the friendly skies as a pilot, and currently flies for a major US carrier. A dedicated husband and father of six children, he began writing out of sheer arrogance, but the writing craft quickly humbled him. During that process, he discovered that he enjoyed writing because it is an endeavor that can never quite be mastered. He still gladly struggles everyday to improve his writing and storytelling skills. Brock is the author of Healing Stone from Sweetwater Books, and is here today to talk about his book, sort of book, we’ll define it a little later, Return and Continue with Honor: A Guide for Returning Missionaries.
To purchase a copy of Return and Continue with Honor: A Guide for Returning Missionaries, click here.
The post Brock Booher Interview #2: Episode 3.8 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Emily Bates grew up in Northern California, where she spent much of her young life happily closeted away with a book. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in German Linguistics, married a dashing young man from her study abroad in Germany, and now writes novels in English. She currently resides in Washington with her husband and their charming daughter.
To purchase a copy of Demon Heart, click here.
The post Emily Bates (E.H. Bates) Interview – Episode 3.7 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Visit the official Freetown site to find a local theater.
Garrett Batty:
Garrett Batty is the Writer and Director of The Sarratov Approach, and his latest film is Freetown. He graduated from BYU and has been a part of the developing LDS Film market in other capacities with his production company, Three Coin Productions.
Melissa Larson BIO:
Originally from Hau‘ula, Hawai‘i, Melissa Leilani Larson is a writer presently based in Provo, Utah. The award-winning author of a number of plays and films, she holds an a BA in English from Brigham Young University and an MFA from the Iowa Playwrights Workshop.
Mel’s plays have been produced all over the country. Little Happy Secrets received the 2009 Association for Mormon Letters Drama award and was published in August 2010 as part of the anthology Out of the Mount: 19 from New Play Project; after the 2013 production, Mel was nominated as an Outstanding Community Production Member by the Utah Theatre Lovers. Her produced plays include Martyrs’ Crossing (IRAM Best New Play; KC/ACTF Meritorious Achievement; Best of Utah Valley 2006), which was published in the anthology Saints on Stage and received its international premiere at the 2013 Edinburgh Festival Fringe; A Flickering (Trustus Playwrights Festival Finalist); Hope Falls; Standing Still Standing (Mayhew Contest Winner); The Church of St. Pinky at Katy, Texas; and Lady in Waiting (KC/ACTF Region VIII New Play Fest participant; Lewis National Playwriting Contest for Women winner). Persuasion has enjoyed several productions and positive audience responses. Mel’s first commission, an adaptation celebrating the 200th anniversary of the publication of Pride and Prejudice, recently enjoyed a sold-out run in Brigham Young University’s Pardoe Theatre. Mel has helped co-write the book for The Weaver of Raveloe, a new musical inspired by George Eliot’s Silas Marner, conceived and composed by award-winning composer Erica Glenn; Weaver premiered in May 2014 at ART’s Oberon. Mel’s newest original play, Pilot Program, will premiere in April 2015, directed by Jerry Rapier, as part of Plan-B Theatre Company’s upcoming season.
Also an accomplished filmmaker, Mel is currently collaborating with Garrett Batty (the award-winning director of The Saratov Approach) on a new project, Freetown, which recently completed principal production in Ghana. She wrote and co-produced the independent feature The Lilac Thief and has written, produced, and/or directed a number of short films including “Cherry Pie” (writer), “Iscariot” (writer/co-producer), “Traces” (director/producer), and “4:53” (writer), which was included in the LDS Film Festival’s inaugural Best of Festival tour. She’s written a screen adaptation of Shakespeare’s pastoral comedy As You Like It, and is has several film projects in progress. Mel adapted her own play Standing Still Standing for film, winning the LDS Film Festival’s screenwriting award.
Works in progress include Sweetheart Come, about a young mother suffering through the onset of schizophrenia; a wacky Victorian comedy, The Mummy Play; a biographical drama about Russian poet Alexander Pushkin; adaptations of Thomas Hardy’s Under the Greenwood Tree and Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, as well as a musical version of Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South; a retelling of the Nordic fairy tale “East of the Sun and West of the Moon”; Island Rose, a screenplay about Ka‘iulani, Hawai‘i’s last princess; a Hawaiian history cycle for the stage; and several young adult novels (Mel loathes the term “juvenile” but she loves talking about herself in the third person).
An AEA EMC stage manager, Mel has stage managed at all levels, calling shows for Actors Repertory Theatre Ensemble, Brigham Young University, Utah Regional Ballet, Provo Theatre Company, Iowa University Theatres, Iowa Summer Rep, New Play Project, Utah Valley University School of the Arts, Sundance Summer Theatre, the Echo Theatre, and the Utah Lyric Opera. She is presently working with choreographer Graham Brown on his devised work You, which will be staged at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center in January 2015.
Mel was recently invited to be part of Plan-B Theatre Company’s Playwrights Lab, and to serve as a Dramatists Guild of America ambassador for the Utah Region. A certified KC/ACTF adjudicator, she occasionally serves as adjunct faculty at Brigham Young and Utah Valley Universities. She was one of the original Utah Theatre Bloggers, writing regular reviews for three years. Her favorite things include melty cheese, Hawai‘i, the UK, history, musicals that don’t suck, nice paper and even nicer pens. Oh, and just about anything sung by Audra McDonald.
The post Garrett Batty and Melissa Larson Interview – Episode 3.6 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Randal A. Wright obtained a PhD in Family Studies from Brigham Young University. His dissertation addressed the impact of electronic media (TV, movies, music and he internet) on the attitudes and behaviors of adolescents. He worked with the church educational System for many years as an institute Director and taught in the religion department at BYU. He is the founder of lifemission4u.com.
He is the author of several boo(s including-25 Mistakes LDS Parents Make and How to Avoid Them; Families in Danger: Protecting your Family in an x-rated world; The case forChastity: Helping Youth Stay Morally Clean and Achieving Your Life Mission)
He has written chapters in several other books and articles in magazines as well. He has been a frequent speaker to adults at Know Your Religion and has spoken regularly to the youth to the youth at especially for Youth and youth conferences throughout the United States, Canada and England. He and his wife, Wendy, are the parents of five married children and have sixteen grandchildren. Randal A. Wright is a fifth generation Texan. Randal Wright is the author of Book of Mormon Miracle, 25 reasons to Believe.
The post Randal Wright Interview – Episode 3.5 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Nicole Carpenter is a mother of four, a communication consultant, columnist, and owner and operator of the popular blog MOMentity. She has a degree in Communications and Public relations and has now joined the ranks of the published author with her title 52 Weeks to Fortify Your Family.
To purchase a copy of 52 Weeks to Fortify Your Family, click here.
The post Nicole Carpenter Interview – Episode 3.4 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Darla Isackson learned about adversity at an early age. She received life-threatening third degree burns as a child and has had health challenges all her life as a result. She served a full-time mission to Southern California, graduated as a valedictorian from Utah State University, married a returned missionary in the temple, gave birth to five healthy sons, and has been a professional writer, editor, and speaker for decades.
For Darla, life didn’t turn out as she planned. Divorce, remarriage, a blended family that didn’t blend well, serious car accidents, 7 preemie grandchildren, and ongoing health challenges were only prelude to her biggest heartbreak: losing a son to depression, alcohol, and drugs, then, to suicide.
In 2001 she became a regular columnist for Meridian Magazine online, and has posted close to 300 articles. In 2009 she released her book titled, Trust God No Matter What! and in 2010, the book called After My Son’s Suicide: An LDS Mother Finds Comfort in Christ and Strength to Go On. You can learn more about them on her web site: darlaisackson.com.
The post Darla Isackson Interview – Episode 3.3 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
From an early age L.R.W. Lee was a previous guest on The Good Word, Episode 163. During that episode we learned that L.R.W. Lee
Lee was married in 1992 and a few years later started her first business, an accounting practice. Later she would start and grow a multi-million dollar retail company in Texas.
After selling the business in January of 2012 she wrote the book, “ANDY SMITHSON: BLAST OF THE DRAGONS’ FURY.” She is back to talk about her next book, Book 2 in the Andy Smithson series. Andy Smithson: Venom of the Seprent’s Cunning. She is here to talk about book 3 in the Andy Smithson Series: Disgrace of the Unicorn’s Honor.
The post L.R.W. Lee Interview #3 – Episode 3.2 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Being raised in a small farming community, Dustin Bradshaw thrives on adventure and challenge. Dustin lives by the theme, “If you want to accomplish something, do it!” It was with this attitude that Dustin penned his first book in third grade and, as a senior in high school, entered and won a literary scholarship that he was told no male has ever won. This same adventurous nature has helped Dustin achieve many of his life’s goals, including forming that country boy into a accomplished leader. Dustin is now a Foreign Service Officer for the United States Department of State. He and his wife, Lady Hiva, are now posted in Manila, Philippines and will soon be posted to Istanbul, Turkey.
You can find more about Dustin, COUNTING CANDLES or WHITE LILIES IN AUTUMN at the author’s website www.dustinbradshaw.com or on the blog www.dtbradshaw.blogspot.com
The post Dustin Bradshaw Interview – Episode 3.1 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Terri Jeanne Muhlestein is not a name common among Latter-day Saint literature. Her married name Terri Pontius, might begin to sound more familiar, but as it is attached to her now late husband, John Pontius, author of the Journey to the Veil, Visions of Glory, The Triumph of Zion, Following the Light of Christ into His Presence, and the Millennial Quest series. The books Jenny’s Christmas Gift: A True Story, and Wee Three Kings” have been released posthumously by Cedar Forth and with Terri’s stamp of approval.
To purchase We Three Kings – Click here
To purchase Jenny’s Christmas Gift – Click here
Link to a listing of books by John M. Pontius – Click here
The post Terri Pontius Interview – Episode 2.46 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Lyle Mortimer was still in his teens when he discovered his singing voice had the ability to stir the emotions of others. Since that time he has loved and been involved in entertainment. He studied theater and music while in college where he was involved in many college and professional productions. Lyle has sung in nearly all the major civic and opera houses of the western states. He has continued studying and singing and is active with the Utah Lyric Opera Society.
Lyle believes involvement with the arts is a key element to a stable and productive life. “The arts are much cheaper than therapy,” he says. Outside of the opera crowd, Lyle is known as the founder, and CEO of Cedar Fort Books and its many subsidiary companies. Lyle and his wife, Sheila, have seven children and 22 grandchildren.
Click here to learn more about Cedar Fort Books and the titles they offer.
The post Lyle Mortimer Interview – Episode 2.45 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Dan Barker loves the outdoors, so much so that he went to school to become a forester. After enjoying an abbreviated career with the forest service, Dan is now currently employed in the food industry. Dan is married and has a handful of children and an even bigger handful of grandchildren. Dan is the author of multiple titles including Unique Stories and Faces from LDS History, Mormon History 101, Little Known stories about the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Old Testament Explained Through Modern Revelation. Dan is also the author/compiler of the newly released book Seeds of Faith.
To purchase Dan Barker’s book, click here.
The post Dan Barker Interview – Episode 2.44 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Terryl Givens holds the James A. Bostwick chair of English and is Professor of Literature and Religion at the University of Richmond and the author of several books. His writing has been praised by the new York Times as “provocative reading” and includes the most recent title, When Souls Had Wings, a history of the idea of pre-mortal life in Western Thought.
Fiona Givens is a retired modern language teacher with undergraduate degree’s in French and German and a graduate degree in European History. She is now an independent scholar who has published in several journals and reviews in Mormon studies, including the Journal of Mormon History, Exponent II, and LDS Living.
Terryl and Fiona are the grandparents of five, and parents of six.
To purchase a copy of The Crucible of Doubt: Reflections on the Quest for Faith, click here.
The post Terryl and Fiona Givens Interview – Episode 2.43 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Adam S. Miller is a professor of philosophy at Collin College in McKinney, Texas. He and his wife, Gwen, have three children. He is the author of five books, including Rube Goldberg Machines: Essays in Mormon Theology and Letters to a Young Mormon. He is here today to talk about an upcoming title that he contributed to and edited for the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship at BYU entitled An Experiment on the Word: A Reading of Alma 32.
To purchase a copy of An Experiment on the Word, click here.
The post Adam S. Miller Interview – Episode 2.42 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Jane Birch graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelors in History and a PhD in Instructional Science. She currently serves as Assistant Director for Faculty Development at the BYU Faculty Center. Her accomplishments include creating BYU’s premiere faculty development program for new faculty, which she directed for 15 years. Her current work includes assisting BYU faculty in combining religious faith with academic discipline. Her academic publications and presentations cover a variety of topics, primarily related to faculty development. Jane Birch is the author of Discovering the Word of Wisdom: Surprising Insights from a Whole Food, Plant-based Perspective (2013).
Visit Jane Birch’s website.
The post Jane Birch Interview – Episode 2.41 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Dennis B. Horne was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and grew up in Bountiful, Utah. Dennis was a previous guest, episode 3 I believe…
Dennis worked for a number of years in television broadcasting before accepting a position with the Materials Management Department of the LDS Church, where he works as a technical writer.
Dennis is the author of several doctrinally and historically oriented books, including the biography Bruce R. McConkie: Highlights from His Life and Teachings; Called of God by Prophecy; An Apostles Record: The Journals of Abraham H. Cannon; Determining Doctrine; and Faith to Heal and Be Healed, as well as Latter Leaves in the Life of Lorenzo Snow both issued by Cedar Fort, Inc. His latest book is a Biography on Orson F. Whitney.
To purchase a copy of The Orson F. Whitney Biography, click here.
The post Dennis Horne Interview – Episode 2.40 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Robert K. McIntosh and his wife Susan live in Santa Barbara, California. They are the parents of five children and are fortunate to have twenty-four grandchildren and one great grandson. Robert received a bachelors and masters degree from Brigham Young University. For thirty-five years he was employed by Seminaries and Institutes of Religion. He left teaching for eight years and traveled around the U.S. and Canada giving seminars on managing entry-level workers. He is the author of two religious books, “The Teachings of George Albert Smith,” and “”How do You Know When You’re Really in Love?”; and two business books, “Minimum Wage, Maximum Results,” and “Where Did I Put That Cattle Prod?”
His articles have appeared in the Ensign, Entrepreneur Magazine, and Forbes. Robert is the author of “How do You Know When You’re Really in Love? And is with us by phone today to talk about his latest book, Choosing Your Eternal Companion.
To purchase a copy of Choosing Your Eternal Companion, click here.
The post Robert McIntosh Interview – Episode 2.39 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Cherie Call was born and raised in Mesa, Arizona and has been writing music since her early teens. March of 2014 marks the release of Cherie’s eighth full length album, “Homeless Songs.” Some highlights of Cherie’s performing life include playing “in the round” at Nashville’s famous Bluebird Cafe, being a finalist in the prestigious Kerrville Newfolk songwriting competition, opening for bluegrass legend Tim O’Brien at the University of Utah, and performing with the beloved hymn revival supergroup, “The Lower Lights”. Cherie’s songs have been included on several albums produced for the LDS Especially for Youth summer programs, and also on the soundtracks to many independent films, including God’s Army, Charly, and the Banff Award winning film, “True Fans”. Cherie currently lives in Utah with her husband and two daughters, a son, and another daughter due in May of 2014.
Visit Cherie’s Website and buy her album Homeless Songs, click here.
The post Cherie Call Interview – Episode 2.38 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Annette Lyon has been writing ever since second grade, when she piled pillows on a chair to reach her mother’s typewriter. A cum laude graduate from BYU with a degree in English, she has had success as a professional editor and doing newspaper, magazine, and business writing, but her first love is writing fiction. She’s perhaps best known for her historical novels centered around the four old Utah temples.
Her most recent novel, Band of Sisters: Coming Home (January 2013) is the sequel to the Whitney Award-winning novel Band of Sisters.
One of the most rewarding parts of Annette’s writing career has been collaborating on The Newport Ladies Book Club series. Her first book in the series, Paige, was released in 2012. Her second, about the character Ilana, will be released early 2014.
Annette has won Utah’s Best of State medal for literary arts in fiction two times. In addition to being a Whitney Award winner for Band of Sisters (2010), she’s a two-time Whitney finalist, for Spires of Stone (2007) and Paige (2012). She has received five publication awards from the League of Utah Writers, including the Silver Quill Award in 2013.
When she’s not mothering, writing, editing, knitting, or eating chocolate, she can be found ignoring the spots on the kitchen floor. Her latest individual work is A Portrait for Toni.
Please visit http://www.annettelyon.com to purchase her various titles.
The post Annette Lyon Interview – Episode 2.37 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Few people understand the terrifying, yet realistic threat of computer hacking like Denver Acey. Denver has spent his entire professional career in the information technology industry where he has witnessed and even thwarted actual cybercrime. From his top-secret job working for the US government to securing computer networks at Fortune 500 companies, Denver is personally familiar with hackers and their unscrupulous activities.
But over the years, Denver has become increasingly frustrated with Hollywood’s inaccurate portrayal of cybercrime. Hackers are more intelligent and more sophisticated than simple teenagers, who guzzle down Mountain Dew while playing video games. Cybercrime is a billion-dollar business that encompasses organized crime and foreign governments. For these elite hackers, the fruits of success are iconic trademarks, innovative patents, and government secrets.
Because of his unique background, Denver decided to write a book to dispel hacking myths while highlighting the tenacity of cybercriminals. Utilizing actual computer hacking concepts and scenarios that he has experienced firsthand, Denver illustrates — in a simple way for even the non-techie to understand — how vulnerable we all are to cybercrime.
To purchase a copy of The Quantum Breach, click here.
The post Denver Acey Interview – Episode 2.36 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
ANNALISA HALL is an author, blogger, ldsbc & byu grad, wife, fast-paced helpmate, mother of three, sewing extraordinaire, ready reader, efficient secretary, glorified storyteller, poetess, busy homemaker, an “aunt anna” 39 times over, a great aunt, lame cook, better baker, great primary teacher, proud visiting teacher, green thumbkin, thrifty shopper, tip junkie, lego queen, airsoft enthusiast, graphic designer, eco-friendly house cleaner, chauffeur, hubby’s best friend, and fanatic.
Born in Rochester, Michigan, Annalisa went on to receive a merit scholarship to the LDS Business College then transferred to Brigham Young University in Provo and worked in, her favorite building, the Harold B. Lee Library. She graduated from BYU with a B.A. in English. She wrote and article entitled “Garbage Can Graffiti” based on a true story that was published Sep 2010 in the Friend magazine. She currently lives in Poway, California, with her husband, and three children. She is also the is author of “The Holy Ghost is like a Blanket” released August 2013.
Our second guest is COREY EGBERT, a freelance illustrator, in the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia with his wife, son, and their cat. Besides The Holy Ghost is Like A Blanket, Corey is also the illustrator for the Niuhi Shark Saga series by Lehua Parker For more on Corey Egbert visit stevencoreyart.blogspot.com.
To purchase the book, The Holy Ghost is Like A Blanket click here.
The post Annalisa Hall and Corey Egbert Interview – Episode 2.35 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
A first time author, Jaci Green Wightman was raised in five different states before meeting her husband during her freshman year of college. Together, they’re now enjoying the daunting task of raising seven children born in just eight years. In 2012, Jaci was thrilled to graduate from BYU-Idaho with a degree in University Studies, a SHORT 21 years after postponing her schooling to start a family. Underneath all her outward busyness, however, Jaci is simply an ordinary woman who discovered an extraordinary Savior. Her greatest joy lies in teaching and testifying of the One who not only changed her heart, but also radically transformed her entire life. Jaci is the author of Body Image Breakthrough.
The post Jaci Wightman Interview – Episode 2.34 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Karen W. John was born in the middle of a sibling group of nine children. During her childhood, she and her family performed singing, dancing and playing instruments as they traveled across numerous states and into several countries. This is where she believes she developed a great love for diversity and people. Although she loves to perform, her ultimate passion next to her husband of thirty-seven years and her five sons and their families, is using what she has learned to help others progress and grow.
She earned her Masters Degree in Social Work at Walla Walla University and is currently a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has years of counseling experience including but not limited to individuals, marriage and family, and all forms of addiction. She has taught Social Work classes part-time at BYU-I and speaks often at the university and at ward and stake functions. She currently resides in the Rexburg, Idaho area. Karen is the author of Guilt Free: Using Remorse to Escape the Adversary’s Tool.
The post Karen John Interview – Episode 2.33 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Special Guest Host for this episode: Just Joni from The Cultural Hall!
Janice Sperry lives in Utah with her husband and three children and evil cat. She enjoys volunteering at the local elementary school and is exceptionally good at finding missing shoes, unless they are her own. You can follow her blog at www.comeoutwhenyourehappy.blogspot.com.
To purchase The Rebel Princess click here.
To listen to our guest host as a regular on The Cultural Hall Show, Just Joni, click here!
The post Janice Sperry Interview – Episode 2.32 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Elise Babbel Hahl is a mother of four, freelance writer, editor, and recent graduate of the M.A. in Writing Program at Johns Hopkins. Her oldest son Caleb wants Elise to be his companion on his mission, so she’s about a decade away from another adventure. In the meantime, she enjoys running, playing the piano, and trying different Brazilian restaurants with her husband.
Visit Elise Hahl’s website – click here.
Click here to buy Elise Hahl’s book.
The post Elise Hahl Interview – Episode 2.31 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
David A. Christensen’s love and enthusiasm for being a missionary was sparked in a missionary preparation class at Ricks College in the late 60’s. His love and testimony for the Book of Mormon was ignited in a religion class the following semester. These two classes combined as a new beginning for what would one day become not only a passion but also the centerpiece of his professional contribution in the Church Education System and at Brigham Young University-Idaho. David has taught Missionary Preparation and Book of Mormon classes for over 30 years. His testimony was shared and transferred to missionaries and members in the Chile Santiago North Mission when he served as president and again in Central America when he served as President of the Guatemala MTC. He counts his eight children as his most important converts and his favorite companion—his best friend and wife Deena Bond Christensen.
To purchase David’s book, click here.
The post David A. Christensen Interview – Episode 2.30 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Nancy Phippen Browne is a retired journalist who has worked as an investigative reporter and editor for various newspapers and magazines across the country, including the Church News. Her writing background also took her into the field of public relations and marketing. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1989 from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls, served a full-time mission to Colorado, and has actively served in ward and stake callings throughout her life. Help Thou Mine Unbelief is her first book, but she is also a freelance writer, with articles appearing in a variety of publications, including the Ensign and This People magazine. Browne and her husband, Raymond Browne, reside in St. George, Utah. Between them, they have seven children and 20 grandchildren.
To purchase her book, Help Thou Mine Unbelief click here.
To visit Nancy Phippen Browne’s website, click here.
The post Nancy Phippen Browne Interview – Episode 2.29 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Dr. Fred E. Woods completed a bachelors degree in Psychology and a Masters degree in International Relations from Brigham Young University. In 1991 Fred earned a Ph.D. in Middle East Studies from the University of Utah with an emphasis in Hebrew Bible. He is a professor at Brigham Young University in the department of Church History & Doctrine. Professor Woods has lectured at many universities in America and internationally and is a bridge builder among peoples of varied cultures and faiths and held the Richard L. Evans Chair of Religious Understanding (2005-2010).
Professor Woods has also produced several documentaries, including “The Soul of Kalaupapa,” and “That Promised Day” The Coming Forth of the LDS Scriptures. He was also the historical consultant for “Fires of Faith,” a three hour documentary on the history of the English Bible. His most recent publications include Mormon Yankees: Giants On and Off the Court, and Finding Refuge in El Paso: The 1912 Mormon Exodus from Mexico, which with include a DVD documentary, each of which was published by Cedar Fort in 2012. Dr. Woods is the compiler and editor of the “Mormon Migration” website http://mormonmigration.lib.byu.edu/ and has authored dozens of articles and several works on Mormon migration with a specialty in Mormon maritime immigration to America in the nineteenth century which has prepared him to carefully analyze the story of the Julia Ann. He is married to JoAnna Merrill and they are the parents of five children and four grand-daughters.
To purchase a copy of Divine Providence: The Wreck and Rescue of the Julia Ann, click here.
The post Fred Woods Interview – Episode 2.28 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Lauren Skidmore grew up in Kansas, with stints in Ohio and New York, and currently lives in Utah. She attended Brigham Young University where she earned a BA in English Teaching with an emphasis in Teaching English as a Second Language and Japanese. She then spent a year in Japan teaching and traveling. She hasn’t made it to Europe yet, but it’s on the list and has been to 30 states in the U.S. so far. When she’s not exploring new places, you can probably find her on the internet with fifteen windows open and looking at just one more thing before actually getting something done. Lauren is the author of What is Hidden. For more information go to LaurenSkidmore.com
To purchase a copy of What is Hidden, click here.
The post Lauren Skidmore Interview – Episode 2.27 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Jennifer Quist is a journalist, talker, boy-raiser, and author of Love Letters of the Angels of Death, a novel released Aug 2013.
Her book Love Letters of the Angels of Death was a finalist for a Whitney Award.
She was born in northern mainland British Columbia and was raised all over Maritime and western Canada. She is the oldest daughter in a close family of seven children. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Alberta with first class honours in sociology. Now living in central Alberta, she is married and has spent the bulk of my twenties and thirties raising five sons while trying to do as little cooking as possible.
In 2012, my “Fish Story” was nominated for the Writers’ Guild of Alberta’s Howard O’Hagan Award for short fiction. It’s included as online content in The Prairie Journal. Other short fiction of hers has appeared in Filling Station and in NorthWord.
The post Jennifer Quist Interview – Episode 2.26 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Hannah L. Clark has always known she would be a storyteller. After graduating from Utah Valley University with a bachelor’s degree in English, she immediately began writing the book, Uncovering Cobbogoth.
Hannah has spent her life struggling with aixelysd, or dyslexia for those who don’t have it, in spite of her dream to one day become an author. Because of this, she is a huge advocate for those struggling with learning disabilities and encourages them never to give up on their dreams. One of her favorite parts about being an author is speaking to schools and book groups about dyslexia and how she has come to see it as a gift.
Hannah loves hanging with her sister/business partner Bekah, she loves running, mythology, soulful bluegrass music, studying alternative medicine, retro hairdos, and growing things. Like the heroine of her book, Norah, she kind of believes trees have souls. Hannah lives in Utah with family.
To purchase Uncovering Cobbogoth, click here.
The post Hannah L. Clark Interview – Episode 2.25 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
David Ridges is the author of the best-selling Scriptures “Made Easier” series. He speaks of his experience in developing curriculum, and in both learning and teaching the scriptures.
Purchase David A. Ridges books here.
The post David Ridges Interview – Episode 2.24 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Three years ago, Kristen received a late night phone call from a traumatized mother that would change the direction of her life. The next morning she searched for a children’s book to explain the dangers of pornography addiction and provide an action plan for how to stay safe online. But she came up empty-handed. For the next three years she worked to write and publish the read aloud book, Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today’s Young Kids.
Kristen grew up in Cheyenne, WY and moved to Boston when she was nine. Later she attended BYU and majored in English and Journalism. She served a mission to Portugal and then returned to BYU to complete a master’s degree in Organizational Communication.
After moving to the Bay Area with her husband, she worked for Chevron as a Systems Analyst in the Chevron Information Technology Company’s training department.
Soon after she began her dream job, Kristen had to inform her new boss that she was expecting. After her first was born, she returned back to work, but soon realized that life was not sweet anymore. So she resigned and came home, and it definitely was the best decision for her and her family.
One of the defining experiences of her life was in 1992 when her 18-month old son fell into a large bucket with a few inches of rain water and suffered a near-drowning accident resulting in major brain damage. Kristen and her husband took care of him at home (tube fed, required a suction machine, around the clock care, multiple medical issues all the time), and then over nine years later he passed away from a grand mal seizure. It’s a long, long story of faith and miracles; a story that is still waiting to be written.
Kristen felt inspired to write the book Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today’s Young Kids, with the help of co-author, Dr. Gail Poyner, and writing coach, Claudine Gallacher. Now when parents search for a read aloud book to help keep their young kids safe from Internet pornography, they have an easy-to-read story to introduce this very difficult topic. Kristen also blogs at PornProofKids.org.
To purchase a copy of Kristen A. Jenson’s book, Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today’s Young Kids, click here.
The post Kristen A. Jenson Interview – Episode 2.23 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
RANDY LINDSAY is a native of Arizona. From an early age, his mind traveled in new and unusual directions. His preoccupation with “what if” eventually led him to write speculative fiction. According to his wife everything is a story to Randy. Although this is his first novel, Randy has been published in a variety of science-fiction and fantasy magazines. He lives in Mesa, Arizona with his wife and five of his nine children. For more information you can check him out at RandyLindsay.net.
To purchase Randy Lindsay’s book, click here.
The post Randy Lindsay Interview – Episode 2.22 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Carla Kelly is a veteran of the New York and international publishing world. The author of more than thirty novels and novellas for Donald I. Fine Co., Signet, and Harlequin, Carla is the recipient of two Rita Awards (think Oscars for romance writing) from Romance Writers of America and two Spur Awards (think Oscars for western fiction) from Western Writers of America. She is also a recipient of a Whitney Award for Borrowed Light and My Loving Vigil Keeping.
The post Carla Kelly Interview – Episode 2.21 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
MINDY CONE is an entertaining, food, dessert, and party stylist on the popular blog Creative Juice. She writes about everything you need to know to entertain your guests and kids with style and creativity. Her talent for perfectly themed parties combined with her love for macarons inspired her first book Gourmet French Macarons. Although an East coast girl at heart, she currently lives in Northern California with her husband and two young children. Visit her blog at getcreativejuice.com.
The post Mindy Cone Interview – Episode 2.20 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Ben Behunin began working with pottery as a freshman at Highland High in Utah. He thought it would be an “easy A”, but his experience proved to be neither easy, nor an “A”. That experience began a 24 year long dance with clay that has taken Ben to exotic places, such at Idaho, North Carolina, France, Switzerland, Germany, England, Italy, Austria and Hawaii in pursuit of his education and his passion. For the past 18 years, Ben has been making his living exclusively as a slinger of slime and a maker of mudpies.
In 2009, after nearly twelve years of being a closet-writer, Ben published the first of his Niederbipp Trilogy, Remembering Isaac, the wise and joyful potter of Niederbipp. This was followed by Discovering Isaac later in 2009 and Becoming Isaac in 2010. Since then he has released the titles, Forget Me Notes in 2011, Borrowing Fire in 2012 and Put A Cherry On Top in 2013 He is currently working on forty-seven other books that may be released sometime in the next fifty years if he can overcome his ADD.
Ben is the father of two young budding potters, Isaac and Eve, ages 13 and 10. He and his wife Lynnette live in Salt Lake City, just inches away from his whimsically magical studio, Wild Rooster Artworks.
The post Ben Behunin Interview – Episode 2.19 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Jeffrey M. Bradshaw has a PhD in Cognitive Science, from University of Washington and is a Senior Research Scientist at the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC). Though his earliest publications were focused on memory and language, Jeff’s research focus soon turned to a wide variety of topics relating human and machine intelligence.
Jeff and his wife Kathleen are the parents of four children and seven grandchildren. He was a missionary in France and Belgium from 1975-1977, and has since served in a variety of Church capacities including early-morning seminary teacher, bishop, high councilor, stake presidency counselor, and temple ordinance worker.
Jeff has presented at FAIRMormon meetings in the USA, Germany, and France. He has published in the Studies in the Bible and Antiquity, Element: A Journal of Mormon Philosophy and Theology, and BYU Studies. Jeffrey Bradshaw is the author of Temple Themes in the Book of Moses which appeared in 2010, and Temple Themes in the Oath and Covenant which was published in 2012. Jeff has written a highly-acclaimed scholarly commentary on the first six chapters of the book of Moses, entitled In God’s Image and Likeness. A second volume covering the stories of Enoch, Noah, and the Tower of Babel is out now and is entitled, In God’s Image and Likeness 2.
The post Jeffrey M. Bradshaw Interview – Episode 2.18 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Brock Booher grew up on a farm in rural Kentucky, the fourth of ten children, where he learned to work hard, use his imagination, and believe in himself. He left the farm to pursue the friendly skies as a pilot, and currently flies for a major US carrier. A dedicated husband and father of six children, he began writing out of sheer arrogance, but the writing craft quickly humbled him. During that process, he discovered that he enjoyed writing because it is an endeavor that can never quite be mastered. He still gladly struggles everyday to improve his writing and storytelling skills. Brooke is the author of Healing Stone from Sweetwater Books.
The post Brock Booher Interview – Episode 2.17 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Andrew Hall was born in Whittier, California. He grew up in the Church and Served a mission in Kobe, Japan. Andrew attended school at BYU and the University of Pittsburgh where he received his PhD in Japanese History Andrew teaches courses in both Japanese and English.
Andrew and his wife have four children, all adopted, ages 15, 11, 11, and 6. Two boys we adopted as babies in the United States through LDS Family Services. The two girls were adopted in Japan, through the city of Fukuoka.
Andrew see’s Mormon literature is a hobby and is a participant in the Association for Mormon Letters group, where he reviews books, plays, and movies, and taking part in their online discussions. In 2000 Andrew started writing a “Mormon Literature Year in Review” article every year, going over the major literary works released that year, and reviewing the publishing news of the year. In 2012 Andrew received an AML “Special Award for Literary Journalism.”
The post Andrew Hall Interview – Episode 2.16 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
To fans and followers of LDS Film, today’s guest needs no introduction. Garrett Batty is director, producer, and writer of the film Saratov Approach now out on DVD and BlueRay.
Signed copies of the Saratov Approach DVD can be purchased here (while supplies last)
The post Garrett Batty Interview – Episode 2.15 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Heidi Poelman has always loved learning about inspiring people. Heidi received her degrees in communication from Brigham Young University (BA) and Wake Forest University (MA). Heidi is the author of A is for Abinadi a children’s illustration book from Cedar Fort Books.
To purchase A is for Abinadi click here.
The post Heidi Poelman Interview – Episode 2.14 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Kevin Hopkins is a former White House speechwriter and senior policy advisor who helped write some of the key rules that undid the draconian government energy regulations that grow out of the energy shortages of the late 1970s.
Since then, he has written widely on energy and environmental issues, and currently serves as consulting Director of Research for the California-based Communications Institute, a public-policy research center focused on emerging energy and environmental concerns.
Kevin has been a writer nearly his entire life. Since that time, he has written and published two nonfiction books and numerous book-length studies, has written four feature-film screenplays, has written and published more than 150 articles, and has written three novels.
As a communications professional, he has written scores of speeches (including speeches for the President of the United States, two presidential candidates, and key state and local government leaders throughout California. He also has written an untold number of corporate marketing, web, and sales materials.
Kevin lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with his wife Mary and his son Brandon, along with a loving Seal Point Siamese cat, Layah (named after Princess Leia in “Star Wars”), and energetic Sheltie dog named Casey. Author of the book “Skylight.”
The post Kevin Hopkins Interview – Episode 2.13 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Sarah Beard has a degree in communications from the University of Utah and splits her time between writing and raising three energetic boys. She is a cancer survivor and a hopeless romantic. She enjoys reading and composing music, and lives with her husband and children in Salt Lake City, Utah. Sarah Beard can be foudn on twitter at @authorsarahb, or on facebook.com/authorsarahbeard. Sarah Beard is the author of Porcelain Keys.
Buy Porcelain Keys
The post Sarah Beard Interview – Episode 2.12 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Teresa Hirst grew up in the Midwest with an imagination and creativity straight from the stories she poured through in her childhood. She put away her Harriet the Spy persona to attend Brigham Young University, where she studied journalism and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications, allowing her to engage in some legitimate people watching.
Today, she observes and tells insightful stories, both real and imaginary, that characterize our emotional experience with life. Teresa lives in Minnesota where enjoys time to cook in the kitchen with her family, sentimental movies, Sunday afternoon walks and great conversations.
To purchase Teresa’s book, Twelve Stones to Remember Him, click here.
The post Teresa Hirst Interview – Episode 2.11 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Nearly every one of Krista Lynne Jensen’s elementary school teachers noted on her report card that she was a “day-dreamer”. That was not a compliment. So, when Krista grew up, she put those daydreams down on paper for others to enjoy. When she’s not writing she enjoys reading, hiking, her family, and sunshine. But not laundry. She never day-dreams about laundry.
Krista writes LDS romance, and fantasy. She is the author of OF GRACE AND CHOCOLATE (2012 Whitney Award Finalist), THE ORCHARD (2013 Whitney Award Finalist), and FALLING FOR YOU (2014) through Covenant Communications. She is a member of LDStorymakers. Visit her blog at kristalynnejensen.blogspot.com.
The post Krista Lynne Jensen Interview – Episode 2.10 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Pamela R. Jensen was born into a family of 10 children, she was the oldest girl and second child. She spent a majority of her childhood entertaining her younger siblings. Drawing has always been apart of who she is, always sketching anything and everything.
Pamela now lives with her husband a retired farmer and miner in Grantsville, UT. They have five children, and ten grandchildren who love to draw with grandma. She has made some pretty impressive doodles in her time. With that in mind, Pamela is a doodle expert and LDS to boot. She is here to talk about her book Reverently, Quiely, a collection of Sacrament meeting appropriate activities.
Purchase Pamela’s Book here.
The post Pamela Jensen Interview – Interview 2.9 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Unlike Mowgli from the Jungle Book, MICHAEL BAST was not raised by a den of wolves… it was a mob of meerkats. This has proven to be both problematic and beneficial later in life. A problem because he has an insatiable desire to tunnel in his backyard, costing him thousands of dollars in sprinkler repair. A benefit because he can scratch behind both ears with either foot.
Michael lives in the deserts of Arizona with his wife and four kids. Each day between Cinco de Mayo and Halloween he curses his decision to live in 110-degree heat. To learn more about Michael and Death’s Academy go to www.deathsacademy.com
The post Michael Bast Interview – Episode 2.8 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Michael R. Ash was born in Rockledge, Florida but currently lives in Utah.
Michael R. Ash is a veteran staff member of the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR), a former weekly columnist for the Mormon Times and has presented several papers at LDS-related symposiums. Ash is the author of Of Faith and Reason: 80 Evidences Supporting the Prophet Joseph Smith, as well as, Shaken Faith Syndrome: Strengthening One’s Testimony In the Face of Criticism and Doubt. Ash has written more than 100 articles defending the faith which have been published by FAIR, FARMS, Sunstone, Dialogue, and on several LDS websites.
To purchase a copy of Michael R. Ash’s book’s, click here.
For a signed copy, of Shaken Faith Syndrome: Click here.
The post Michael Ash Interview – Episode 2.7 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Michelle Wilson writes light speculative fiction and inspirational non-fiction…but her first love is teaching and speaking. She likes to infuse humor and simple truths in what she writes and speaks about. Michelle has a passion for empowering women through humor and education.
She is a stay at home mom, and finds joy in her faith, family, laughter and anything chocolate. And she really, really love ice cream.
Michelle blogs at www.michellewilsonatlarge.com and is the author of the book Does This Insecurity Make Me Look Fat?
To purchase a copy of Michelle Wilson’s book, click here.
The post Michelle Wilson Interview – Episode 2.6 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Ty Mansfield is a marriage and family therapist currently living in Provo, Utah, with his wife and their two kids. He chronicled his own spiritual journey with same-sex attraction as co-author of In Quiet Desperation: Understanding the Challenge of Same-Gender Attraction (released by Deseret Book, in 2004) and later compiled Voices of Hope: Latter-day Saint Perspectives on Same-Gender Attraction—An Anthology of Gospel Teachings and Personal Essays (also released by Deseret Book in 2011). He also co-directs the Voices of Hope Project, a website extension of the book, and has been featured in the May/June 2013 issue of LDS Living magazine and on the Church website mormonsandgays.org. Ty is a co-founder and the current president of the nonprofit organization North Star, a faith-affirming support organization for LDS individuals and families affected by homosexuality and who desire to live within the framework of the doctrines and teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Visit Voices of Hope here.
For more on the NorthStar organization click here.
The post Ty Mansfield Interview – Episode 2.5 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
L.R.W. Lee was a previous guest on The Good Word, Episode 163.
Lee was married in 1992 and a few years later started her first business, an accounting practice. Later she would start and grow a multi-million dollar retail company in Texas.
After selling the business in January of 2012 she wrote the book, “ANDY SMITHSON: BLAST OF THE DRAGONS’ FURY.” She is back to talk about her next book, Book 2 in the Andy Smithson series. Andy Smithson: Venom of the Seprent’s Cunning.
The post L.R.W. Lee Interview #2 – Episode 2.4 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Amy Wilcox was born and raised in Salt Lake City, UT. Her “day job” is a medical sales representative and business owner. She enjoys reading, sewing, organizing, baking, hiking, camping, rock climbing and almost anything outdoors. She is married and has 2 children; a daughter 22 who is in the psychology field, and a son 20 who is serving a mission in Philadelphia, PA. Amy or A.K. Wilcox is the author of The Wedding Bed: A Virgin’s Guide.
To win a copy of Amy’s book, leave your email in the comments section of this post along with Amy’s “Good Word” describing her book The Wedding Bed! Good Luck! (You comments may not post live. They will go into moderation, but your entry is still valid.)
The post Amy Wilcox Interview – Episode 2.3 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Studio C is a sketch comedy television show produced by BYUtv. The show traces its roots to the BYU sketch comedy troupe Divine Comedy, from which all cast members are current or former members. The show aims to produce clean, family-oriented comedy for a national audience.
Our guests on this episode are two of the shows main writers and actors, Mallory Everton and Matt Meese.
Mallory Everton is a Portland, Oregon native, as demonstrated by her hippie-ish, grunge-loving hair and the fact that she sometimes cries when she sees especially tall trees. She owes any good qualities she possesses to her incredible family; all her other qualities were acquired from watching too much television and listening to boy band music before we knew what it would do to our brains. She studied film at Brigham Young University where she emphasized in screenwriting, editing, and directing. She’s also an avid distance-runner, music-lover, and pizza-eater. Mallory stumbled into sketch comedy as a freshman in college when she went to see Whitney Call (a good friend from her childhood; also a Portlander, also emotional about trees) audition for Divine Comedy at BYU. She quickly realized that nothing could be more fun than sketch comedy, and it’s all been downhill from there. And by downhill, she means awesome.
Matt is probably best known for his work with Divine Comedy, BYU’s premiere sketch comedy troupe. It was there that he met fellow Studio C cast members Jason Gray, Mallory Everton, and Whitney Call. The four became fast friends, and began writing sketches together. When the time came to assemble a writing/performing team for Studio C, Matt was an obvious choice. Born in New Jersey, and raised in Phoenix, Matt graduated from BYU with a B.S. in Psychology. Given the vast amount of time he spent writing and performing, however, he feels that what he really studied in college was sketch comedy. Greatest achievement to date: having a proud mother.
Visit Studio C or watch episodes online here.
The post Studio C – Mallory Everton and Matt Meese Interview – Episode 2.2 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.
Adam White was born and raised in Gilbert, AZ. Adam started making movies when his Dad bought a VHS camcorder all the way back when he was 11 or 12 not ever considering it a possible career path. He dreamed of one day playing in the NBA played college basketball at Eastern Arizona college which is where he met his wife. Later he went to BYU and graduated from ASU with a degree in Business Administration.
Adam now lives in Lehi Utah with his wife and 5 children. He enjoys creating. Writing movies, writing songs on the piano, creating businesses. Adam White also started several online businesses and sold them all to pursue his dream of being a filmmaker.
Adam secretly wishes we could go back to the olden days where one could wear a cloak and have a sword strapped on their back and no one would think anything of it. Adam is now the writer and director of the movie, Inspired Guns hitting theaters January 24th 2014.
The post Adam White Interview – Episode 2.1 appeared first on The Good Word Podcast.