Dr. Candicee (pronounced Can-dee-see) Childs joins us to talk about her newest children’s book, “Cece's Sour & Sweet Journey to Medical School,” which encourages young readers to embrace perseverance, dream boldly, and see themselves in STEM and medicine.

We talk about the unexpected origin of this book and the lengthy process as she shaped the story. The book is a children’s version of her Christian memoir “Lemons, Lemonade, and the Lemonade Stand: My Bittersweet Journey to Medical School,” and she shares how she adapted the tale for younger readers. We also learn about how she met the artist Setiawan and their collaborated for the illustrations.

Dr. Childs also shares some advice for those looking to write their own children’s books and some of the guidance she received along the way.

Like what you saw? Then check out https://www.candicee-childs.com.

Since I heard their recent single “Spirits of the Dead,” I have become a huge fan of Sisters of Black Mountain, so of course we had to have the band on the show. Cecilia Enriquez joins us to share how this amazing musical project got its start and the story of the aforementioned single and it’s amazing music video.

Cecilia also talks about the perils of AI in music and offers her thoughts on the best ways to kick off a music project, grow it and make your mark.

Wrapping up this episode is “Spirits of the Dead,” and you should definitely check out the music video.

Like what you heard? Then head to https://linktr.ee/sistersofblackmountain for more!

DB Stewart has been songwriting since he got his first guitar at age 12, started volunteering at local shows at 14 and started his first band at 15. Today, he’s got a new single called “Love is Funny,” and the story behind it is amazing!

We talk all about this, the folks he worked with and some unexpected surprises that happened. Back in April, DB released, “Take to the Streets,” a call to action inspired by the events of 2024. He also shares his take on the role that artists can play when it comes to speaking out about what matters to them.

Closing out this interview is “Take to the Streets,” and the message is a powerful one.

Like what you heard? Check out more at https://www.dbstewart.com.

In the third part of our interview series with Mikel Wisler, we dive into the business of writing books and making movies. Mikel’s been doing this for awhile and there’s a lot to learn, especially for those just jumping in.

Mikel and Max talk first steps for film and books, going from the idea stage to seeing your concept come to life. Mikel shares some mistakes to avoid and gives his take on the indie film industry in 2026. We also go over some insights into the many ways you can take your passion project and make it your new job.

Visit http://www.mikelwisler.com/ for more.

Episode 1– https://citywideblackout.podbean.com/e/mikel-wisler-returns-ai-and-human-trafficking-combine-in-proxy/

Episode 2– https://citywideblackout.podbean.com/e/mikel-wisler-talks-time-travel-thrillers-in-stop/

We hope you enjoyed our last episode with filmmaker and novelist Mikel Wisler, because that was just the beginning. In this episode, we talk about his recently-released time thriller, “Stop.” Here’s a look at what’s in store:

When Jake Howell returns to his childhood home after his mother's death, he finds a trove of his late father's research into six locations in rural Maine where time parts ways with our conventional understanding of physics. Among the notebooks and reels of 16mm film his father used to document in work is a twenty-year-old reel of film that Jake was never supposed to see.

On the film: Jake—as he is now—attacking his own father the day he vanished. 

Determined to uncover the truth, Jake inadvertently draws the attention of local police. Now Jake must prove his innocence while trying to understand this radical breakthrough in physics. The deeper he goes, the more the real question surfaces: if the past is real and observable, can it be changed? And if it can, should it be?

Mikel and I are a couple science nerds and we dive into the time travel that is used here and how it came to be. Mikel talks about the creation of Jake Howell and the paradox he finds himself stuck in. We also share how Mikel approaches the “big questions” and what has come from this exploration.

Check out the last episode at https://tinyurl.com/ad7evynu.

There’s more to come, so be sure to keep it here for Part 3, and visit http://www.mikelwisler.com/ for more! 

Canadian singer-songwriter Jon Mullane recently released his new five-song EP, “The Road,” a collection of music inspired in part from his trips to Nashville. Jon joins the show to talk all about that journey and the amazing artists he worked with, including Michael Delaney and Michael Jay.

Jon also talks about his growth as an artist, in part from his many years working with musician and producer Creighton Doane. He shares some insight into starting out as a musician and how to overcome the many obstacles that come up.

Closing out the interview is “Remember in November,” one of the tracks from “The Road.”

And if you want to see more, visit www.jonmullane.com.

For longtime fans, Mikel Wisler is a real blast from the past. He was last on the show in 2019 and this time, we talked for so long, we decided to release it in three parts!

This interview focuses on his soon-to-be-released short sci-fi thriller “Proxy,” released through Elzaon Films and debuting at Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival on Aug. 8.  Here’s a look at the story:

“When an AI companion discovers that the woman whose body she now occupies is a victim of human trafficking, she fights to free the body surrogate before the man she was programmed to love destroys them both.”

Mikel talks about the origins of the short film, which is being released as a proof-of-concept for a full-length feature. He shares his experience working with the cast and how they all adapted to their roles. We also shine a light on Diana Porter, who Mikel worked with as a co-writer and co-director for the film.

There’s a lot more to come, so be sure to keep it here for Parts 2 and 3, and visit http://www.mikelwisler.com/ for more! 

Catherine Marshall-Smith (author of "American Family") recently released her second novel, “The Resilience of Red Thread” (She Writes Press), which follows a young mother fighting to save herself when her would-be rescuer proves to be as dangerous as the man she escaped.

We talk about what first inspired the book, and how a lengthy period of research led to a significant re-write. Catherine shares the creation of Emily, Lee and Jake and how an abusive husband and would-be-rescuer have more in common than you might think.

On July 26, Catherine had her big debut party and offers some tips for those about host their own launch party and really connect with the audience.

Want to know more? Visit https://catherinemarshallsmith.com.

Kicking off a new musical venture has a lot of steps, and in this episode, we talk with Seattle/Tacoma artists Jody Ellen and Tara Chugh of the band The Sirens about some of the key first parts in the process. We also go into the different ways to grow this into a career, and how you balance the various aspects that can make it up.

Jody and Tara share the story behind the band’s recent single, “Reverberations” and the themes found within the notes. They talk about how they first met and what happened to kick off this collaboration. We also get a sneak peek at a soon-to-be-released single later this summer.

“Reverberations” wraps up this interview, and we hope you check out their other releases.

Want to know more? Check out http://thesirensband.com/. Photo Credit: Skye Warden

Kicking off a new musical venture has a lot of steps, and in this episode, we talk with Seattle/Tacoma artists Jody Ellen and Tara Chugh of the band The Sirens about some of the key first parts in the process. We also go into the different ways to grow this into a career, and how you balance the various aspects that can make it up.

Jody and Tara share the story behind the band’s recent single, “Reverberations” and the themes found within the notes. They talk about how they first met and what happened to kick off this collaboration. We also get a sneak peek at a soon-to-be-released single later this summer.

“Reverberations” wraps up this interview, and we hope you check out their other releases.

Want to know more? Check out http://thesirensband.com/. Photo credit Skye Warden.