Culture Beats

Host Chris Bournea is joined by Tamara Dever, author, book designer, musician and ‘70s and ‘80s pop-culture enthusiast. They talk about everything from the iconic ‘80s pop tune about an interracial couple that inspired her new book, “The Day We Found Yesterday,” to the one song they'd choose to listen to for the rest of their lives.

You can connect with Tamara at https://www.totallycool80s.com/ or https://www.yesterdaybook.com/

You can reach me at  [email protected]

I hope you enjoy this replay of my conversation with Brian Michael Murphy, author of “We the Dead.” The book explains that there’s no such thing as permanent data storage – whether it’s the photos that document our lives, the files that contain the music we love to listen to, or the DNA that we give to companies that trace our ancestry. 

You can connect with Brian at https://www.brianmichaelmurphy.com/  

You can reach me at [email protected] 

From screenwriting to book publishing: Multitalented writer Gary Goldstein shares his journey from starting out in journalism, breaking into screenwriting for movies and television and becoming an author. Goldstein’s new novel is “Canine Custody,” a romantic comedy about a divorcing couple battling over custody of the family dog. 

 You can reach Gary at https://www.garygoldsteinla.com/ 

You can reach me at [email protected] 

In this episode, I reflect on the passing of icons Dolly Parton and Gloria Steinem. I also weigh in on Prince’s “new” album, “Timeless,” and reflect on a summer of nostalgia, loss and surprises. 

You can reach me at [email protected] 

Follow me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/chrisbourneawriter 

Follow me on Twitter/X at https://x.com/chrisbournea 

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Subscribe to my YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/chrisbournea 

In this episode, author Henry L. Sullivan and I discuss real-world parallels to the dystopian fiction he writes. We also delve into how movies and TV depict his native New Orleans. 

Connect with Henry and learn more about his work at https://henrylsullivaniii.substack.com/ 

You can reach me at [email protected] 

Author and entrepreneur Zack James shares the motivation behind launching the new platform Starscript.com. The website enables creatives of all kinds, from writers to comic book artists to musicians, to build their fanbase, connect with other artists and, perhaps, FINALLY start making money from their passion projects 

You can reach out to Zack at Starscript.com 

You can reach me at [email protected] 

In this episode, I speak with screen icon Greta Garbo’s great-nephew Scott Reisfield, author of the new book “Greta Garbo and the Rise of the Modern Woman.” Scott dispels long-held misconceptions about his great-aunt, whom he knew as just another member of the family. 

Garbo was no recluse, Scott says, but she was a trailblazer who took control of her career and championed women’s empowerment long before the feminist movement. 

Learn more about “Greta Garbo and the Rise of the Modern Woman” and connect with author Scott Reisfield at Scottreisfield.com.

You can reach me at [email protected] 

In this episode, I speak with professor and journalist Sherri Williams, author of the new book “Black Social Television: How Black Twitter Changed Television.” In the book, Sherri describes how Black consumers harnessed the power of social media to push for greater representation in television, movies and other media platforms. 

Connect with Sherri at https://www.sherriwilliamsmedia.com/

You can reach me at [email protected]

Nostalgia is a potent drug. Screenwriter-turned-novelist Seth Panitch and I discuss the power of nostalgia and how looking back on things of value can enrich your life – a theme he explores in his new novel, “Antique.” The story centers on a once-celebrated antique appraiser who gets caught in the thrall of a strange, powerful necklace that has the power to change her life and alter the future of those around her.  

Connect with Seth at https://sethpanitch.com/ 

You can reach me at [email protected] 

The blockbuster success of the movies “Obsession” and “Backrooms” has sparked a conversation about why indie horror movies are beginning to dominate the industry. Filmmaker Joseph Mbah, director of the new supernatural thriller “Whispers Bind,” weighs in on this growing phenomenon. 

Connect with Joseph at @joseph_mbah 

You can reach me at [email protected]