Rock Is Lit

In this episode of Rock is Lit, Cynthia Swanson, winner of the second Bill Hallberg Rock ‘n’ Roll Short Story Contest in the General Submission category, reads her winning story, “A Possibility Nonetheless.”

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Cynthia Swanson’s website: https://cynthiaswansonauthor.com/

Cynthia Swanson on Bluesky: @cynswanauthor.bsky.social

Cynthia Swanson on LinkedIn:

Cynthia Swanson on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CynthiaSwanson/

Cynthia Swanson on Instagram: @cynswanauthor

Cynthia Swanson on Substack: https://thewhatifjournal.substack.com/

Rock is Lit on Instagram & Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast

Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram and YouTube: @christyhallberg

Christy Alexander Hallberg on Facebook: @ChristyAlexanderHallberg

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Congratulations to the winner of the second Bill Hallberg Rock ‘n’ Roll Short Story Contest in the Undergraduate Student Submissions category, Mavis Wolff! Listen to Mavis read her winning story, “Yes, Please,” in this episode.

 Mavis Wolff is a Corporate Social Purpose Intern with Volunteer Tennessee, and a Peer Mentor at MTSU's University Writing Center. She has developed a strong skillset in professional mentorship, academic research, and compositional tutoring. She is a published researcher and has received several honors for her academic excellence and creative writing. She hopes to pursue a JD in Fall of 2026, after graduating with a B.A. in English (Writing) and a Minor in Spanish.

MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE:

Rock is Lit theme music

Sixties 60’s music (free to use)

“Don’t Forget to Dance” by The Kinks

“Come Dancing” by The Kinks

“State of Confusion” by The Kinks

Sixties 60’s music (free to use)

Rock is Lit theme music

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Mavis Wolff’s website: https://maviswolff.com/

Mavis Wolff on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maviswolff/

Rock is Lit on Instagram & Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast

Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram and YouTube: @christyhallberg

Christy Alexander Hallberg on Facebook: @ChristyAlexanderHallberg

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In this special Rock is Lit episode—available exclusively on YouTube—legendary rock and film photographer Kim Gottlieb-Walker joins Christy to talk about her novel, ‘Lenswoman in Love’, a love story steeped in the sights and sounds of the 1960s and 1970s music and film scenes. Kim shares behind-the-scenes stories of working with a young Cameron Crowe and shooting icons like Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Gram Parsons, and Jim Morrison. She also discusses what it was like to be a film set still photographer on classics like John Carpenter's ‘Halloween’ and TV shows like 'Cheers' and 'Family Ties'. As a bonus, Kim walks us through a visual slideshow of her iconic photography that inspired moments in her novel. This is a rare, can’t-miss episode best experienced with your eyes and

WATCH HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMiLtXU71l8

For Kim’s full bio, see her website.  

LINKS:

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Kim Gottlieb-Walker’s website: ⁠http://lenswoman.com/⁠

Kim on Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/KimGottliebWalker⁠

Lens Woman in Love Facebook page: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/938323581755313⁠

Kim on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/kimgottliebwalker/⁠

Kim on Bluesky: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/kimgottliebwalker.bsky.social⁠

Rock is Lit on Instagram & Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast

Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram and YouTube:

Christy Alexander Hallberg on Facebook:

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Hey, Lit listeners! It’s old home week here at the podcast. Joining me are two Rock is Lit alumni who know a thing or two about chasing musical dreams and writing fiction that grooves with soul and grit: authors and musicians Peter McDade and Michael Amos Cody.

In this special episode we’re talking about their brand-new novels: Peter’s ‘King Cal’ and Michael’s ‘Streets of Nashville’. Both of these fabulous novels ask what music costs, what it gives, and who gets to be heard.

Also in the episode, we’ll get to hear each author read from their books and maybe even settle the question Who makes the best frontman—or frontwoman—in rock history?

*Trigger warning: We talk Taylor Swift in the last part of the episode. Swifties, listen with caution.

PLAYLIST:

Rock is Lit theme music

Sixties 60’s music (free to use)

Acoustic Guitar instrumental [Non Copyrighted] \ Guitar arrangement for song

“Funky Drummer” by James Brown

“My Best Friend’s Girl” by The Cars

“Drive-Thru” by Tenacious D

“Fast Food” by Jesse Welles

“The Entertainer” by Billy Joel

“Pop Singer” by John Mellencamp

“Soulmates” by Michael Amos Cody

“My Dear Friend, Mr. Heineken” by One Four Three/‘King Cal’ soundtrack

“Drowning in Mayo” by Lords of the Living/‘King Cal’ soundtrack

“Cover Me Up” by Jason Isbell

“Game On!” by Aqours

“Blank Space” by Taylor Swift

“Free Man in Paris” by Joni Mitchell

“Watching Mary Sleep” by King Cal/‘King Cal’ soundtrack

“Landscapes” by Michael Amos Cody

Sixties 60’s music (free to use)

Rock is Lit theme music

LINKS:

Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451

Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350

Peter McDade’s website: peterjmcdade.com

‘King Cal’ soundtrack on Bandcamp

Peter McDade on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peter.j.mcdade

Peter McDade on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peterjmc33/

Michael Amos Cody’s website: michaelamoscody.com

Michael Amos Cody on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelamoscody/

Michael Amos Cody on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michaelamoscody

Michael Amos Cody on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/michaelamoscody.bsky.social

Peter on Rock is Lit EP15 and Peter on Rock is Lit EP36

Michael on Rock is Lit

Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: www.christyalexanderhallberg.com 

Rock is Lit on Instagram & Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast

Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram and YouTube: @christyhallberg

Christy Alexander Hallberg on Facebook: @ChristyAlexanderHallberg

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What if The Beatles did reunite—and the world was never the same?

In this special episode, Christy Alexander Hallberg welcomes acclaimed author, media scholar, and musician Paul Levinson to talk about his novel ‘It’s Real Life: An Alternate History of The Beatles’, based on his award-winning short story that reimagines a very different musical timeline.

Set in 1996, the novel follows legendary New York DJ Pete Fornatale as he heads to Grand Central Terminal—only to discover the music world has shifted in strange and unexpected ways. From speculative “what-ifs” to cultural commentary, this episode explores the legacy of The Beatles through the lens of fiction, nostalgia, and imagination.

Paul also reads a captivating excerpt from the novel, giving listeners a taste of this alternate universe where the Fab Four’s story didn’t end in 1970.

Paul Levinson, Ph.D., is professor of communication and media studies at Fordham University in NYC. His nonfiction books, including ‘The Soft Edge’, ‘Digital McLuhan’, ‘Realspace’, ‘Cellphone’, and ‘New New Media’, have been translated into fifteen languages. His science fiction novels include ‘The Silk Code’ (winner of Locus Award for Best First Science Fiction Novel of 1999), ‘Borrowed Tides’, ‘The Consciousness Plague’, ‘The Pixel Eye’, ‘The Plot to Save Socrates’, ‘Unburning Alexandria’, ‘Chronica’, and ‘It’s Real Life: An Alternate History of The Beatles’. He has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, the Discovery Channel, National Geographic, the History Channel, and NPR.

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Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451

Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350

Paul Levinson’s website: https://paullev.com/

Paul Levinson on YouTube and Facebook: @PaulLevinson

Paul Levinson on Instagram: @paullevins

Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: www.christyalexanderhallberg.com 

Rock is Lit on Instagram & Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast

Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram and YouTube: @christyhallberg

Christy Alexander Hallberg on Facebook: @ChristyAlexanderHallberg

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In this special episode of Rock is Lit, veteran rocker and author Elliott Murphy talks about and shares an excerpt from his novel ‘Marty May’.

Once a rising rock star in 1970s New York, virtuoso guitarist Marty May has lost it all—his career, his marriage, and his record deal. Now, at 33, he’s alone, drowning in debt, and questioning his future. Should he return to his blues roots with his old mentor, Blind Red Rose? Set in the 1980s, when the music industry prioritized business over artistry, ‘Marty May’ is a poignant tale of talent, temptation, and staying true to one’s beliefs—elegant and tragic, like ‘The Great Gatsby’ in the age of rock ’n’ roll.

Living in Paris for 30 years as an expatriate New Yorker, Elliott Murphy remains as active as ever in music and literature. With over 35 albums to his name, he continues to tour worldwide while earning critical acclaim. His debut album, ‘Aquashow’ (1973), launched a celebrated career that includes ‘Lost Generation’, ‘Night Lights’ (featuring Billy Joel), and ‘Selling The Gold’ (featuring Bruce Springsteen). In 2016, a biopic on his career, ‘The Second Act Of Elliott Murphy’, won the Audience Award at the Dock of the Bay Film Festival.

Born into a show business family, Elliott began his career as a troubadour in Europe before securing a U.S. record deal. Alongside his music, he is a prolific author, publishing four novels, including the rock trilogy ‘Marty May’, ‘Tramps’, and ‘Diamonds By The Yard’, as well as ‘Poetic Justice’. His short story “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” was adapted into the 2020 film ‘Broken Poet’, in which he stars alongside Michael O’Keefe, Marisa Berenson, and a rare cameo appearance by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa.

In recognition of his artistic contributions, Elliott was named a Chevalier des Arts et Lettres by the French Minister of Culture in 2015 and inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2018.

For more information on Elliott Murphy, see his website and watch the 2016 biopic of his career, ‘The Second Act of Elliott Murphy’.

PLAYLIST

LINKS: 

Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451

Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350

Elliott Murphy’s website: https://elliottmurphy.com/

Elliott Murphy on Facebook: @ElliottMurphy

Elliott Murphy on Instagram: @elliottmurphy

‘The Second Act of Elliott Murphy’ biopic trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAfMyaanQmc

Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: www.christyalexanderhallberg.com 

Rock is Lit on Instagram & Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast

Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram and YouTube: @christyhallberg

Christy Alexander Hallberg on Facebook: @ChristyAlexanderHallberg

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Author Constance Squires returns to Rock is Lit to discuss her debut novel, ‘Along the Watchtower’, a powerful coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of military life, Cold War Germany, and rock ‘n roll. 

‘Along the Watchtower’ follows thirteen-year-old Lucinda Collins as she arrives at a U.S. military base in Grafenwoehr, West Germany, in 1983. She knows the drill—setting up new quarters, navigating her parents' tensions, and keeping fellow Army brats at arm’s length, knowing friendships won’t last. She longs for a true home, but her father is haunted by Vietnam, and her mother is growing weary of Army life. As her family fractures, Lucinda finds solace in rock ‘n roll and begins to forge her own path to adulthood. Set against the ever-changing backdrop of military life, ‘Along the Watchtower’ is a story of belonging, resilience, and the ghosts—both real and remembered—that shape us. 

Constance Squires teaches creative writing at the University of Central Oklahoma. In addition to ‘Along the Watchtower’, she is the author of ‘Live From Medicine Park’ and the short story collection ‘Hit Your Brights’, with work published in ‘The Atlantic’, ‘Guernica’, ‘The Dublin Quarterly’, ‘Shenandoah’, ‘Identity Theory’, ‘The Rolling Stone 500’, and more. Her brand-new novel, ‘Low April Sun’, was published by the University of Oklahoma Press on Feb 11, 2025!

Catch Constance Squires on Episode 48 of Rock is Lit, discussing her acclaimed novel ‘Live From Medicine Park’: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/constancesquires

PLAYLIST

LINKS:

Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451

Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350

Constance Squires’ website: https://www.constancesquiresofficial.com/

Constance Squires on X: @ConnieSquires

Constance Squires on Instagram: @conniesquires

Constance Squires on Facebook: @ConstanceSquiresAuthorPage

Constance Squires on Rock is Lit EP48: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/constancesquires

Rock is Lit on Instagram & Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast

Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram and YouTube: @christyhallberg

Christy Alexander Hallberg on Facebook: @ChristyAlexanderHallberg

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In this special episode of Rock is Lit, we celebrate Yoko Ono’s 92nd birthday by honoring her profound impact on art, music, and peace activism. Returning to the podcast is Madeline Bocaro, author of In Your Mind: The Infinite Universe of Yoko Ono, to explore Yoko’s artistic vision, her unwavering commitment to peace, and the ways her influence continues to shape generations. Building on our deep dive in Episode 47, this conversation serves as both an addendum to that episode about Madeline’s book and a tribute to Yoko’s enduring legacy.

PLAYLIST

LINKS:

Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451

Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350

Madeline Bocaro’s website: https://madelinex.com/

Madeline’s book’s website: https://inyourmindbook.com/

Purchase a signed hard or soft cover of Madeline’s book at conceptualbooks.com: https://conceptual-books.myshopify.com/collections/all?sort_by=created-ascending

Madeline on X: @madelinex

Madeline on Instagram: @yoko.ono.in.your.mind and @madeline.bocaro

Listen to Rock is Lit EP47 featuring an in-depth interview with Madeline Bocaro: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/madelinebocaro 

Rock is Lit on Instagram & Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast

Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram and YouTube: @christyhallberg

Christy Alexander Hallberg on Facebook: @ChristyAlexanderHallberg

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In this final episode in the Rock is Lit Season 4 Reading Series, Suzanne Mattaboni discusses her debut novel, ‘Once in a Lifetime’, and shares excerpts from the story.

Set in 1984, where punk reigns and Andy Warhol rules, 20-year-old art student Jessica longs for a life beyond her reach. Dreaming of an avant-garde study program in London, she’s stuck waitressing and navigating drama with her boyfriend Drew, who wants to date others. Life takes a turn when she meets Whit, a magnetic guitarist, and dives into a post-punk scene full of quirky characters—cheating waiters, mystics, a military drag queen, and a Svengali bouncer—all while grappling with the specter of AIDS. Jessica must decide if chasing her dreams is worth risking heartbreak and self-discovery.

With a smart, edgy ’80s vibe, ‘Once in a Lifetime’ is a coming-of-age story exploring friendship, love, and ambition.

Suzanne Mattaboni is a former Newsday reporter and a Pushcart Prize-nominated author of women's fiction, horror, and pop culture essays. She's also a retro podcaster and a past winner of Seventeen magazine’s Art and Fiction Contest. Her work has also appeared in The Huffington Post, Chicken Soup For The Soul, Mysterious Ways, Guideposts.com, Seventeen, Child, Parents, Motherwell, Dark Dossier, Turtle, Humpty Dumpty’s, Long Island Weddings, and LA Parent. She's had pieces featured in anthologies including Pizza Parties and Poltergeist (horror stories set in the 1980s), Writes of Passage, The Little Demon Digest, and The Running Wild Anthology of Stories.

MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE:

LINKS:

Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451

Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350

Suzanne’s websites: https://www.suzannemattaboni.com/ and onceinalifetimenovel.com

Suzanne on Facebook: facebook.com/suzanne.mattaboni

Suzanne on X: @suzmattaboni

Suzanne on Instagram: @suzannemattaboni80s

Suzanne on TikTok: suzannemattabonibook

‘Once in a Lifetime’ Spotify playlist

Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislit

Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg

Rock is Lit on Instagram: @rockislitpodcast

Rock is Lit on Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast.bsky.social

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We’re talking nonfiction in this bonus featurette crafted entirely by Season 4 Production Intern Major LeGoullon. Major shines a spotlight on Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan’s 2012 autobiography, ‘It’s So Easy: And Other Lies’, drawing connections to Rock is Lit Season 2, Episode 18. That earlier episode featured Melissa Ragsly discussing her short story collection, ‘We Know This Will All Disappear’, including the Guns N’ Roses-inspired story "Mannequin," which references their song “Rocket Queen.” The episode also included a deep dive into Guns N’ Roses, especially “Rocket Queen,” with Decibel Geek podcast co-host AAron Camaro. Major’s thoughtful commentary offers a fresh perspective on music and literature and Duff McKagan.

MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE:

LINKS:

Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451

Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350

Major LeGoullon on Instagram: @majorlegoullon

Melissa Ragsly’s website: https://www.melissaragsly.com/

Melissa Ragsly on Facebook: @MelissaRagsly

Melissa Ragsly on Twitter: @90sMelissa

Melissa Ragsly on Instagram: @melissaragslyperson 

Decibel Geek Podcast website: https://www.decibelgeek.com/

Decibel Geek on Twitter: @DecibelGeekPod

Decibel Geek on Instagram: @decibelgeek

AAron Camaro on Facebook: @AAronCamaro

AAron Camaro on Instagram: @aaron_camaro

Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislit

Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg

Rock is Lit on Instagram: @rockislitpodcast

Rock is Lit on Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast.bsky.social

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