Salt Lake Dirt

Today I chat with author Nan Fischer about her new domestic suspense thriller, This Is a Lie, written under the pen name Cleo Ballard. The novel follows Penn, a computer science student who creates an AI best friend named Aletheia to protect her from deception after a devastating personal betrayal. The tension quickly escalates as the algorithm begins interpreting protection as total destruction, forcing Penn into a desperate race to stop her own creation. Our conversation explores the eerie realities of AI companionship, the pitfalls of a one-size-fits-all advice culture, and how relying on automated validation can isolate us from genuine human connection.

Fischer also opens up about her instinctual writing process and a remarkably varied career that shaped her fast-paced storytelling. Long before writing psychological thrillers, she traveled as a writer for the Ringling Brothers circus, penned a Star Wars trilogy, and co-wrote autobiographies with iconic athletes like Monica Seles and Béla Károlyi.

Great chat, great book!

Thanks for listening.

Kyler

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Episode Links:

• Purchase This Is a Lie
• Nan Fischer's Website

On today's episode acclaimed author Craig Nova discusses his fifteenth novel, The Last Sweet Taste, out now from Arcade Publishing. The conversation explores his masterful use of first-person perspective to establish distinct character voices. Drawing from his twenty years in rural Vermont, Nova shares how a practical engagement with everyday reality gives the book its vital resonance.

Nova also opens up about the rigorous creative process, reminding writers that a high tolerance for imperfection is essential for finishing a manuscript. He describes the intense perseverance required for deep revision, while celebrating the pleasure of captured moments. Ultimately, the novel stands as a powerful testament to amplifying love and human vitality in the face of difficult circumstances.

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Episode Links:

• PURCHASE The Last Sweet Taste
• Craig Nova's Website

On today's show author Luke Goebel discusses his novel Kill Dick, a fierce literary work fueled by personal loss and his own recovery from addiction. The conversation covers his survival of a harrowing car accident, his subsequent creative shift to the Southern California desert, and his mission to keep authentic literature alive by taking the reins of Tyrant Books.

Published by Red Hen Press, Kill Dick subverts traditional structure by having its protagonist, Susie Vogelman switch from writing in the first person to writing the novel in the third person. The resulting story is an expansive tour of Los Angeles that navigates identity, trauma, and secret societies. You can follow Goebel's work on Instagram at @LukeLikesGlue.

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Episode Links:

• Purchase Kill Dick
• LukeGoebel.com
• KillDick.com
• IG: @lukelikesglue
• IG: @killdickofficial
• Luke's Substack

This is a major milestone for the podcast. For the 400th episode of Salt Lake Dirt, I wanted to bring back a guest whose voice and perspective I truly respect. Hannah Sward, author of the incredible memoir Strip, joins me once again to catch up and talk about the realities of keeping things authentic in a noisy world.

Hannah opens up about the process behind her Substack, Summer of Men, which captures raw experiences in real time—a reminder of why her sharp prose and vulnerability are so uniquely compelling. It is always a genuine pleasure to connect with Hannah, and her fearlessness on the page continues to be a great inspiration.

Whether you are already a long-time fan of her work or discovering it for the first time, this conversation is the perfect way to mark our 400th episode. Check out the links below to pick up a copy of Strip, subscribe to Summer of Men, and join us for this special milestone.

Thanks to Hannah, and thanks to all the listeners who keep me coming back week after week.

Kyler

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Episode Links:

• Purchase Strip
• HannahSward.com
• Substack: Summer of Men

Today on Salt Lake Dirt, Kyler reconnects with author Emmalea Russo to discuss her latest novel, The Moon Papers, releasing June 30th from Arcade Publishing. Serving as a follow-up to her previous book, Vivienne, the new novel expands on characters from its predecessor but stands entirely on its own.

Great chat, incredible novel!

Thanks for listening.

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Episode Links:

• Purchase The Moon Papers
• EmmaleaRusso.com
• Emmalea's Substack

Sarah Velk joined the Salt Lake Dirt podcast to discuss her literary journey, moving from Los Angeles to New York, where she co-founded the reading series Punisher. Alongside co-founder Kennedy Wright, Velk established the series to challenge the rigid, academic tropes often associated with traditional literary events, opting instead for an energetic, inclusive atmosphere that features both established and emerging writers. The conversation also touched upon her publication in Hobart, and an early childhood encounter with David Sedaris.

Beyond her event organizing, Velk maintains an active writing profile, sharing cultural commentary and fiction through her portfolio and digital platforms. The full interview is available across major audio distribution networks.

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Episode Links:

• Substack: @svelka
• IG: @sareiously
• SarahVelk.com
• IG: @punisher.nyc

Vanessa Matic recently joined the podcast to discuss her new poetry collection, American Dreams in Havoc Heaven. Published by Hat and Beard Press, the book strips away the glossy cliches of the traditional American dream, trading white picket fences for an open, gritty landscape of youth, intimacy, and structural decay. Matic, who is also the founder of the grassroots Agape Lodge Poetry Society in Los Angeles, shared how her roots in independent cinema, cut-up literary traditions, and a naturally surreal life path heavily shape the sharp visual textures of her writing.

The episode goes into her artistic journey, featuring a live reading of her poem "Dreamonic." Matic balances the violent, heavy realities of the world with a fierce dedication to preserving spaces of human connection and vulnerability for fellow creators.

Thanks for listening!

Kyler

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Episode Links:

• Purchase American Dreams in Havoc Heaven
• Agape Lodge Poetry Society on Instagram

On today's show I welcome Mark Malkoff to discuss the behind-the-scenes reality of hosting The Tonight Show. In Love Johnny Carson, Mark's research reveals a grueling early format where Johnny Carson performed two separate monologues across an hour-and-45-minute runtime. While the media frequently labeled Carson cold, our conversation highlights a shy, private man who still maintained a down-to-earth Midwestern sensibility—driving himself without security, signing his own fan mail, and masking immense personal tragedies from his audience.

As a massive fan of Dick Cavett, I especially enjoyed discussing Cavett's time writing for Carson and how his conversational style pioneered the modern interview format. Great book, great chat!

Thanks for listening.

Kyler

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Episode Links:

• Purchase Love Johnny Carson
• Mark's Website
• The Carson Podcast

I had the chance to speak with director and co-writer Catherine Hardwicke about her new film, Street Smart, which she penned alongside Nic Sheff (author of Tweak, the basis for the film Beautiful Boy). The film serves as an "Oliver Twist" style look at young creatives supporting each other through hard times in Venice Beach. Catherine shared the fascinating story of casting newcomer Isiah Hilt as Drex, a role they had written that mirrored Isiah's actual life as a Venice local. The production embraced a stark realism by shooting on the winter boardwalk, navigating the real-world grit of the location.

Our conversation also highlighted the film’s unique cast, which features a blend of fresh faces and recognizable names like Paris Jackson, Skeet Ulrich, and Sally Struthers—who won Catherine over with a hilariously enthusiastic costume audition. With a strong musical pulse that includes original tracks from both Tyson Ritter of the All American Rejects and Isiah himself, Street Smart brought its vibrant energy straight to a sold-out premiere at the Bentonville Film Festival. It was wonderful discussing Catherine’s enduring passion for authentic storytelling, and you can keep up with the project's journey by following their Instagram at @streetsmart.movie.

Thanks for listening!

Kyler

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Episode Links:

• IG: @streetsmart.movie
• Street Smart trailer

I had the chance to sit down with professional skateboarder and actor Isiah Hilt to discuss his starring role in director Catherine Hardwicke's new film, Street Smart, following its premiere at the Bentonville Film Festival. Isiah plays Drex, a character that heavily draws from his own life story of growing up on his own around Venice Beach. He stepped into the role naturally, relying on his years of experience as a street performer to connect with the cast and handle the transition to the screen without letting the cameras phase him.

Beyond acting, Isiah spends much of his time teaching local kids to skate, a passion we talked about during the episode. He shared his perspective on how the constant falling in skateboarding teaches kids not to have a healthy view of fear, a mindset that has shaped his own life. We also discussed his music, specifically "BETTER DAYS?"—a track from his EP LET ME VENT that plays over the film's closing credits and reflects his journey through tough times. It was great catching up with him just as the movie rolls out to audiences.

Thanks for listening!

Kyler

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Episode Links:

• IG: @isiahhilt
• Street Smart IG: @streetsmart.movie
• Isiah Hilt on Spotify
• SLD Interview with Catherine Hardwicke