Author Hour

Independent California gubernatorial candidate Jon Henderson joins Eric Jorgenson to talk about how a financial planner who'd never been on social media ended up writing California 2.0, a 22-chapter plan for "the politically homeless," and why the book, not a campaign speech, is the only thing he believes can carry his ideas into the long-term conversation. Jon shares how he mailed 100 copies to key influencers and to the moderators of the upcoming CNN debate, why permanence is the real value of a book, his case for blockchain voting, blind trusts for lawmakers, and his belief that California needs a "purple" governor to bring the all-star team to the table. A first for the Author Hour podcast: an interview with a sitting candidate for governor.

To listen alongside an in depth episode summary, highlights, and full transcript, visit https://scribemedia.com/author-hour/episode/why-every-campaign-needs-a-book-jon-henderson-on-running-for-governor-of-califor

Matt Shoup got fired from a corporate banking job, knocked on doors painting houses, and accidentally became a speaker and author. In this episode, he breaks down how publishing Painted Baby with Scribe unlocked his first five-figure speaking gig... and then another, and then another.

He shares how a story about a paint sprayer exploding next to a baby became the most powerful sales tool his painting company has ever used, why his DIY first book was "laid out like crap," and what changed when he finally did it right. Plus: the letter he got from an inmate in Florida who found his content 10 years after he posted it and mostly forgot about it.

If you've been sitting on a book idea, this one's for you.

To listen alongside an in depth episode summary, highlights, and full transcript, visit https://scribemedia.com/author-hour/episode/matt-shoup-how-one-book-unlocked-five-figure-speaking-gigs

For more information on Matt Shoup, visit https://scribemedia.com/authors/matt-shoup

For more information on Painted Baby, visit https://scribemedia.com/published-books/painted-baby

Tommy Short spent nearly two decades officiating Division I college basketball and international play -- and was attached to his phone every minute of it. After retirement, a question from his young daughter stopped him cold: "Daddy, why are you always on your phone?"

He didn't have a good answer. So on August 6th, 2023, he turned his phone off for a full year.

In this conversation, Tommy walks Eric through what he found: the phantom pocket-patching, the 68 extra days he reclaimed, and the deeper realization that he wasn't addicted to the device -- he was addicted to the identity he had curated using it. He also opens up about losing his mom during the writing process, how therapy unlocked the final version of the book, and why he rewrote the entire manuscript in 22 days.

I Almost Missed the Call is available now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Walmart. Learn more at TommyShort.com.

To listen alongside an in depth episode summary, highlights, and full transcript, visit https://scribemedia.com/author-hour/episode/tommy-short-on-what-happens-when-you-go-365-days-without-a-cell-phone

For more information on Tommy Short, visit https://scribemedia.com/authors/tommy-short

For more information on The Call I Almost Missed, visit https://scribemedia.com/published-books/the-call-i-almost-missed

Chris Denson | Founder, Visionology | Innovation strategist, author, and former head of innovation at the world's largest media agency.

To listen alongside an in depth episode summary, highlights, and full transcript, visit https://scribemedia.com/author-hour/episode/chris-denson-on-innovation-imposter-syndrome-and-writing-a-book-that-still-opens

For more information on MyLinh Shattan, visit https://scribemedia.com/authors/chris-denson

For more information on Crushing the Box, visit https://scribemedia.com/published-books/crushing-the-box-10-essential-rules-for-breaking-essential-rules

Adam Castillo is a Marine Corps veteran who deployed to Afghanistan, built a security company in Myanmar, and spent 12+ years leading the American business community through a coup, civil war, typhoon, and earthquake. His book Finding Our Voice, published March 24, 2026, chronicles the speeches he gave to a broken community to help them believe in themselves again.

To listen alongside an in depth episode summary, highlights, and full transcript, visit https://scribemedia.com/author-hour/episode/adam-castillo-on-finding-your-voice

For more information on Adam Castillo, visit https://scribemedia.com/authors/adam-castillo

For more information on Finding Our Voice, visit https://scribemedia.com/published-books/finding-our-voice

John Sardella spent 31 years in education, coached lacrosse for over 50, and lost his wife to cancer after a seven-year battle. Then he wrote a book about it — and it changed everything.

What a book can do when you tell the full truth:

• Build an identity that outlasts any job title
• Connect you with thousands of people who needed exactly your story
• Sell for 26 years (and counting)
• Become a feature film

To listen alongside an in depth episode summary, highlights, and full transcript, visit https://scribemedia.com/author-hour/episode/john-sardella-grief-purpose-and-what-a-book-does-over-decades

For more information on John Sardella, visit https://scribemedia.com/authors/john-sardella

For more information on A Journey Without a Map, visit https://scribemedia.com/published-books/a-journey-without-a-map

Join Eric Jorgenson on Author Hour as he sits down with Kyle Thiermann, author of One Last Question Before You Go.

In this interview, Kyle shares the inspiring origin story of his book—how interviewing his parents and exploring family relationships became the heart of his memoir and guide for others.

Discover:

• How Kyle turned a simple conversation with his father into a book idea that "wouldn't go away"
• Why interviewing your parents can act like an "empathy drug" and transform relationships
• The challenges and rewards of writing about family, healing, and uncomfortable truths
• Tips for aspiring authors on creating meaningful, lasting work/
  
  If you've ever wanted to write a book that changes lives—yours and others—this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and practical guidance. 
  
  Keywords: Kyle Thiermann, One Last Question Before You Go, Author Hour, Eric Jorgenson, memoir writing, family interviews, how to write a book, healing relationships through writing, book inspiration, Scribe Media

In this episode of Author Hour, Shaan Patel—entrepreneur, founder, and Shark Tank alum—shares how writing a book became a strategic asset for building authority, driving growth, and supporting a larger business system. Shaan breaks down why he approached his book with intention, how publishing fits into a long-term business strategy, and what most authors get wrong when they treat a book as an end goal instead of a tool. Drawing from his experience pitching on Shark Tank and scaling a successful company, Shaan explains how a well-positioned book can create credibility, open doors, and generate real ROI. This conversation is essential for entrepreneurs, founders, and aspiring authors who want to use a book to grow their business, strengthen their brand, and make their ideas work harder over time.

 Keywords: Shaan Patel, Shark Tank Shaan Patel, Author Hour podcast, entrepreneur author, writing a business book, book as a business tool, publishing strategy, thought leadership, book marketing for entrepreneurs, Scribe Media, using a book to build authority, founder storytelling, Shark Tank entrepreneurs, business book success, author interviews

Go deep inside the real stories behind Beyond the Badge as former FBI agent John Schachnovsky reveals the most shocking case from his years working in Thailand. In this interview, John shares the wild, unforgettable moments that inspired his true-crime memoir—from investigating hundreds of FBI violations overseas to uncovering a case involving fake passports, an unexpected shooter, and a freezer full of body parts. You'll hear how John's career evolved from the U.S. Border Patrol to San Francisco, and ultimately to Bangkok, where he handled everything from counterterrorism to white-collar crime. He also opens up about the writing process, the challenges of turning real investigations into a book, and what readers can expect from Beyond the Badge: Crime, Justice, and the FBI in Thailand. If you love true crime, FBI investigations, or behind-the-scenes stories from abroad, this conversation is a must-watch.

📘 Book: Beyond the Badge: Crime, Justice, and the FBI in Thailand

🎙️ Guest: John Schachnovsky

Author and journalist Adam Skolnick—the writer who helped create David Goggins' bestselling memoir Can't Hurt Me—reveals the untold story behind one of the most influential books of the decade. Adam talks about his ghostwriting process, how Can't Hurt Me changed his career, and what led him to publish his own novel, American Tiger, with Scribe Media. Learn how Adam moved from ghostwriter to novelist, what he discovered about creative freedom and rejection, and why author-owned publishing is transforming the industry.

Keywords: Adam Skolnick interview, David Goggins book, Can't Hurt Me ghostwriter, American Tiger novel, Scribe Media, independent publishing, how to write a book, author success stories