One Drink Book Club

In this episode of The One Drink Book Club, host Jamey Bowers sits down with author and Africa policy expert Witney Schneidman to discuss his memoir, This Africa Idea: A Memoir of Discovery, Diplomacy, and Opportunity.

Schneidman shares the remarkable story of how an adventurous trip to Africa as an 18-year-old—including finding himself in Uganda during Idi Amin’s 1971 coup—sparked a lifelong fascination with the continent. That experience ultimately led to a career spanning more than five decades working to strengthen relations between Africa and the United States.

Jamey and Witney discuss why Africa remains misunderstood by many Americans, the continent’s extraordinary political and economic transformation, and Witney’s experiences working with leaders including Nelson Mandela and President Bill Clinton. And, of course, there’s a drink: both host and guest independently arrive with passion fruit, inspired by Witney’s first unforgettable visit to Nairobi.

It’s a conversation about adventure, diplomacy, history—and how one unexpected journey can shape the course of an entire life.

Wayne Barnes joins Jamey Bowers to unpack the true story behind his book, A Traitor in the FBI, a first-hand account of the operation that helped expose Robert Hanssen, one of the most damaging spies in FBI history. Barnes explains how his counterintelligence background, undercover experience, and writing process shaped a story that reads like a thriller but is grounded in real bureau history.

We discuss the case itself, the psychology of recruiting sources, the FBI’s internal hurdles, and why Barnes believed the story had to be told in his own voice.

In this episode, Jamey talks with famed pollster, Scott Rasmussen about his new book Out of Touch: The Elite One Percent and the Battle for America's Soul. In it, Scott takes a closer look at the growing divide between America's ruling class and the rest of the country. Drawing on years of polling and research, Scott argues that a small group of political, media, corporate, and cultural elites has become increasingly disconnected from the values, priorities, and concerns of everyday Americans—and that this disconnect is reshaping our politics, our institutions, and our national identity. 

In this heartfelt episode of One Drink Book Club, Jamey is joined by longtime friend Amy Balcius to discuss Theo of Golden by Allen Levi — a warm, thoughtful novel about kindness, connection, art, and the quiet ways we can change each other’s lives.

Together, they explore the mysterious and generous Theo, the unforgettable residents of Golden, Georgia, and why this debut novel feels especially timely in a divided world. Along the way, they talk about friendship, intuition, creativity, coffee shops as community spaces, and the simple power of making people feel truly seen.

Of course, no One Drink Book Club episode would be complete without cocktails: Amy mixes a bright “Golden Hour” cocktail while Jamey pairs the book with a Passion Fruit Porto Sour inspired by Theo’s Portuguese roots.

If you love books that leave you hopeful, conversations that wander into meaningful territory, and stories about the beauty hidden in everyday life, this episode is for you.

In this cozy, conversation-filled episode of One Drink Book Club, Jamey is joined by his friend Josh Niesse to dive into Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree—a novel that blends high fantasy with the comforting rhythm of starting over. Over a carefully chosen drink (of course), the two explore what makes Baldree’s “low-stakes fantasy” so compelling, from its found-family dynamics to its gentle take on ambition, identity, and second chances.

Josh brings an interesting perspective to the discussion as the co-owner of an independent online book store called Underground Books. https://www.undergroundbooks.net/

A couple of links mentioned in the podcast include:

BOOKS FEATURED ON THE ONE DRINK PODCAST
https://bookshop.org/lists/featured-on-the-one-drink-book-club-podcast
https://libro.fm/playlists/11742?bookstore=undergroundbooks

COZY FANTASY, OR, BOOKS WHERE NO ONE IS BOMBING ANYTHING
https://bookshop.org/lists/cozy-fantasy-or-books-where-nobody-is-bombing-anything
https://libro.fm/playlists/11741?bookstore=undergroundbooks

In this episode of the One Drink Book Club we're discussing Fever Beach by New York Times best-selling author, Carl Hiaasen. My guest is Peter Robertson, an old friend who always has wise and insightful perspectives on any number of topics and appreciates a laugh-out-loud funny novel. Our cocktail recipes are a Pain Killer and Honest Man.

In this episode of the One Drink Book Club, Jamey discusses Unlucky Mel with author Aggeliki Pelekidis. The book follows Melody Hollings, a creative writing PhD candidate struggling to finish her book, deal with her aging father, maintain her personal life and get a job after graduation. As the title suggests—she suffers one set back after another in this humorous but anxiety-inducing story.

In this episode, Jamey discusses Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe. The book is the true story of a murder that happened in Northern Ireland in 1972. But the book is about more than a single murder—it gives a detailed and gritty look at the IRA and The Troubles in Northern Ireland. Jamey's guest is Peter Blumberg, a good friend who always enjoys a good book and a cocktail.

In this episode, Jamey talks with author Samuel Ashworth about his new novel The Death and Life of August Sweeney. “Like an excellent meal, the memory of Ashworth’s debut novel will linger after it’s finished. It deserves to be savored,” says Washington Post Book World. The novel's main character August Sweeney is a celebrity chef who is a man of huge appetites… for food, sex, and fame. The book tells his story through his autopist Dr. Maya Zhu, a focused and driven doctor who is a second-generation Chinese American who has her own issues with intimacy and connection. Being a former bar tender, Samuel raises the bar for future authors/guests when it comes to cocktails. Check out video episodes at OneDrinkBookClub.com.

In this episode, Jamey and his guest Marc Wallace discuss Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. Project Hail Mary is a science fiction novel that follows the journey of Ryland Grace, a lone scientist who wakes up in a spaceship with no memory of how he got there. His memory gradually returns and he realizes that he’s on a suicide mission to save life on earth. Marc goes above and beyond and brings three drinks to the discussion.

For videos and more episodes visit, https://onedrinkbookclub.com/