Books Shows Tunes & Mad Acts

Sarah Langan, author of "A Better World" and "Good Neighbors," talks about her new dystopian novel and its frightening similarities to our current real life. In Sarah's novel, our hero, Linda, doctor and mom, is initially thrilled to be accepted into Plymouth Valley, a safe refuge for her family from an outside crazy world, but too soon she discovers that there are disturbing dark elements to this so-called utopia. In this episode, Sarah and Jennifer discuss the novel and its plot and characters, Orson Welles' 1984, the horror genre, and writing in general. A great episode for readers and writers.

Sarah's website:
https://sarahlangan.com/

Thoughts? Comments? Potshots? Contact the show at:

https://booksshowstunes.discreetguide.com/contact/

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Joining us to talk about the recent campus protests and their ramifications for free speech is Kristen Shahverdian of PEN America. Kristen discusses the various balls that campuses must keep in the air, considering the participants' right to free speech, safety on campus, and viewpoint-neutral policy decisions. She discusses the advice that PEN America offers to campus administrators about how to reasonably respond to protesters and what would constitute a disproportionate reaction. We dig into the history of campus protests, from the Free Speech movement to Kent State, as well as recent specific incidents at Columbia University and Indiana University. Kristen also tackles such complexities as repercussions for civil disobedience, draconian punishments, and how the protests have been represented in the media. All this, and more, for free! An important episode.

PEN America's Campus Free Speech Guide:
https://campusfreespeechguide.pen.org/

Thoughts? Comments? Potshots? Contact the show at:

https://booksshowstunes.discreetguide.com/contact/

Sponsored by Discreet Guide Training:

https://training.discreetguide.com/

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The Sam Hinton Folk Heritage Festival at Old Poway Park in San Diego will be held June 1! We're delighted in this episode to share Sam's history through the eyes of his granddaughter Katrina Hinton-Cooper. In this wide-ranging conversation, we discuss Sam's music, his tremendous work for the Aquarium Museum of the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, and his outlook on the world, as shown through his songs, humor, drawings, and observations. We also manage to talk about science fiction, hypnosis through storytelling, circular breathing, and the joys and foibles of our peculiar species. An uplifting episode with something for everyone.

Information about the Sam Hinton Festival:
https://sdfolkheritage.org/events/sam-hinton-fest/

Sam's website:
http://samhinton.org/

Katrina's blog:
https://somerandomchick.jouwweb.nl/the-blog

Some YouTube videos of Sam that we mention:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGArzUTCegg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcSLudnKFPA&list=PL3D66F0AE1034A321
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqTDHRau1lc

Thoughts? Comments? Potshots? Contact the show at:

https://booksshowstunes.discreetguide.com/contact/

Sponsored by Discreet Guide Training:

https://training.discreetguide.com/

Follow or like us on podomatic.com (it raises our visibility :)

https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/books-shows-tunes-mad-acts

Support us on Patreon:

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Jennifer on Post.News:

@JenCrittenden

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Join us as pharmacist Miffie Seideman talks about her new book from Indiana University Press, "The Grim Reader: A Pharmacist's Guide to Putting Your Characters in Peril," a great resource for fiction writers who would like to bring a bit more accuracy to their drug-related scenes. Jennifer and Miffie talk about the most egregious errors that show up in books and movies (provoking eye rolls from experts) and how more accurate scenes would result in better and less clichéd writing. We also discuss some notable oddities, such as psychedelic parenting, body packing, belladonna, and the real dangers of alcohol-related games. A fascinating episode for writers and readers alike.

Miffie's excellent book:
https://www.press.jhu.edu/books/cart?domain=iupress.org

Miffie's website where she offers additional information about drugs, writing, and triathlons, and will even answer questions:
https://miffieseideman.com/

Thoughts? Comments? Potshots? Contact the show at:

https://booksshowstunes.discreetguide.com/contact/

Sponsored by Discreet Guide Training:

https://training.discreetguide.com/

Follow or like us on podomatic.com (it raises our visibility :)

https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/books-shows-tunes-mad-acts

Support us on Patreon:

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Jennifer on Post.News:

@JenCrittenden

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Okay, so the new memoir "Splinters" wasn't our favorite book ever, and sometimes it downright irritated us, but our investigation into what worked (and what didn't!) makes for a fascinating conversation about the nature of memoir and new trends in the genre, from "woe is me" themes to shameless self-exposure which apparently appeals to voyeuristic readers. John Julius Reel and Jennifer discuss the author, Leslie Jamison, the buzz surrounding this book, and their critiques and suggestions for what would have made this book better. Opinionated, passionate, and willing to be harsh, John and Jennifer defend their positions but acknowledge that their own perspective and age might color their view of this very contemporary memoir about being a single mother. A special episode for book lovers and critics.

John Julius Reel's YouTube Channel "Book Rants":
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCbY7cNG-XRBsJyfWYi0DJQ

Thoughts? Comments? Potshots? Contact the show at:

https://booksshowstunes.discreetguide.com/contact/

Sponsored by Discreet Guide Training:

https://training.discreetguide.com/

Follow or like us on podomatic.com (it raises our visibility :)

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Support us on Patreon:

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Jennifer on Post.News:

@JenCrittenden

Jennifer on XTwitter:

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Jennifer on LinkedIn:

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Join Craig Erpelding, Director of the BFA in Cinematic Arts at Indiana University, to discuss the ways AI can be used effectively and ethically in the development of screenplays and the teaching of screenwriting. Craig bravely jumps into this fraught topic and clearly and logically explains his own research with the tool and what limitations and concerns he has uncovered. Knowing that students are going to use AI in the development of their work, he advises students and teachers alike about how AI can assist in creative work.  He argues that AI often produces C-level work, but that in itself can be used as a teaching tool. Additionally, AI can be used to improve work by critiquing elements like story structure. Craig and Jennifer also talk about screenplays that fit the Hollywood formulas, as well as meeting audience expectations, and how the intention of the filmmaker influences their choices.

Craig's book "Filmmaking with Intention: A Comprehensive Guide to Creating Engaging Motion Pictures":
https://www.amazon.com/Filmmaking-Intention-Comprehensive-Creating-Engaging/dp/1793521093

Thoughts? Comments? Potshots? Contact the show at:

https://booksshowstunes.discreetguide.com/contact/

Sponsored by Discreet Guide Training:

https://training.discreetguide.com/

Follow or like us on podomatic.com (it raises our visibility :)

https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/books-shows-tunes-mad-acts

Support us on Patreon:

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Jennifer on Post.News:

@JenCrittenden

Jennifer on XTwitter:

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Jennifer on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferkcrittenden/

Join us  as we talk with Teri Den Herder, longtime bookseller at the UCSD Bookstore, about Independent Bookstore Day, the annual celebration of indie bookstores, and the San Diego Book Crawl, the weekend when booklovers swarm the 13 participating bookstores in search of books, passport stamps, prizes, and surprises. We discuss the national day, how it got started, what's new this year (shuttle busses!), how the event has grown, what to expect, and how to have the most fun. We also discuss Teri's long career, the legacy she is creating with young booksellers, and the art of matching people and books, as performed by humans instead of algorithms. Also check out the participating San Diego bookstores from Diesel to Mysterious Galaxy, Joyride, La Playa, Verbatim, Bluestocking, and more. A super fun conversation about the events of this coming weekend that you don't want to miss!

How to find out more about the San Diego Book Crawl:
https://www.instagram.com/sdbookcrawl/

Thoughts? Comments? Potshots? Contact the show at:

https://booksshowstunes.discreetguide.com/contact/

Sponsored by Discreet Guide Training:

https://training.discreetguide.com/

Follow or like us on podomatic.com (it raises our visibility :)

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Support us on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/discreetguide

Jennifer on Post.News:

@JenCrittenden

Jennifer on XTwitter:

@DiscreetGuide

Jennifer on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferkcrittenden/

Join the charming Debi Derryberry as we explore her long career as a voice-over artist, including voicing Jimmy Neutron, as well as her various projects, such as the recent release of her fourth CD of children's music, Gotta Go Green. Here she generously shares her experiences, growing up with a "little voice," her foray to Nashville, and returning to California to settle into a successful acting and voice career in Hollywood which has resulted in over 400 IMDb credits (so far!). Debi also works as a voice-over teacher and coach, and she provides advice here about different types of voice-over work, and what it takes to be successful in the field. We also manage to talk about Honey Pig, heated vests, riding a killer whale, and how to make your own recording booth. Lastly, she entertains us with her "If I had a magic wand" wishes, and don't miss her new song "Earth Day Is My Birthday" at the end. A fun episode!

Debi's website where you can find the "Gotta Go Green" CD and the "Voice-Over 101" book:
https://www.debiderryberry.com/

Debi Derryberry Kids YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAM6ZbvWAFQNRchmhO1GvXg

Debi Derryberry socials: @debiderryberry

Thoughts? Comments? Potshots? Contact the show at:

https://booksshowstunes.discreetguide.com/contact/

Sponsored by Discreet Guide Training:

https://training.discreetguide.com/

Follow or like us on podomatic.com (it raises our visibility :)

https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/books-shows-tunes-mad-acts

Support us on Patreon:

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Jennifer on Post.News:

@JenCrittenden

Jennifer on XTwitter:

@DiscreetGuide

Jennifer on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferkcrittenden/

University of San Diego law professor Donald Dripps joins us to educate us on the plea bargain system which has essentially replaced what we think of as our criminal justice system. Prof. Dripps explains why defendants waive their right to a jury trial by pleading guilty, why defense attorneys recommend taking a plea, why prosecutors offer up "deals" for alleged criminals, and the ramifications of "self-conviction." He discusses which cases tend to get pled out, in what jurisdictions, and if folks who have pled guilty are ever exonerated. He explains how mandatory sentencing minimums increase the pressure to take a plea, along with trial delays, the "trial penalty," and overburdened public defenders. Despite some of its injustices, the plea option acts like a pressure valve on our bloated criminal justice system. Prof. Dripps describes some improvements that could be made and warns us that, in its current state, the system is vulnerable to certain strategies which could bring about its collapse. A fascinating view into a complex legal network.

Thoughts? Comments? Potshots? Contact the show at:

https://booksshowstunes.discreetguide.com/contact/

Sponsored by Discreet Guide Training:

https://training.discreetguide.com/

Follow or like us on podomatic.com (it raises our visibility :)

https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/books-shows-tunes-mad-acts

Support us on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/discreetguide

Jennifer on Post.News:

@JenCrittenden

Jennifer on XTwitter:

@DiscreetGuide

Jennifer on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferkcrittenden/

San Diego's own wild & crazy guy, Billy Galewood, recounts his quest for fun from Cleveland to Bushwalla and beyond. An original showman from the Java Joe days, he entertains through improv, song, rap, storytelling, and making people laugh. Here he tells the tales of musical theatre, the Cleveland Opera, early days with Jason Mraz, how meditation led to the demise of Bushwalla, his LA/SD split personality, and his reincarnation as a comic and celebrity host. He also shares the SECRET TO LIFE. Don't miss this utterly charming episode with Jennifer and Bill.

The movie about Jack Tempchin by Gregory Page:
https://www.midnightjackthemovie.com/

Thoughts? Comments? Potshots? Contact the show at:

https://booksshowstunes.discreetguide.com/contact/

Sponsored by Discreet Guide Training:

https://training.discreetguide.com/

Follow or like us on podomatic.com (it raises our visibility :)

https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/books-shows-tunes-mad-acts

Support us on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/discreetguide

Jennifer on Post.News:

@JenCrittenden

Jennifer on XTwitter:

@DiscreetGuide

Jennifer on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferkcrittenden/