The Artful Periscope – The Nimble Art of Storytelling

On this special episode Larry explores the human condition with all its permutations with special guests Thomas Maier Alex Demille John Theissen John Lee Hooker JR and random thoughts and observations from producer Francis Leik.

For episode 99 Larry sits down with writers Bruce Borgos and Scott McCrea to talk about socks, the mythology of the old west and their favorite movies. Followed by a in-depth conversation with Christian Sheppard author of The Ancient Wisdom of Baseball: Lessons for life from Homer’s Odyssey to the World Series.

For episode 98 Larry sits down with Long Island based singer songwriter Pete Mancini for conversation and some songs from his new album American Equator.Pete’s website is petemancini.com for more information.

How many threads can bring us beyond the headlines? In this episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry Davidson welcome journalist John Lechner to discuss Death is Our Business, an exposé on Russian mercenaries and the increasing privatization of warfare. Lechner recounts his experiences in war zones and illuminates the geopolitical forces shaping modern conflicts.

After the break, Larry sits down with bestselling true crime author T.J. English to explore The Last Kilo, a gripping look at the cocaine empire that reshaped America and it’s ongoing, though

The episode closes with a moving reflection from I. S. Berry on war, trauma, statistics and survival, marking the final recording from this studio.

Out of the darkness and into the light, The Artful Periscope signs off with gratitude for the threads it has woven.

How many loose threads can alter the outcome? In this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry welcomes Steve Stratton, author of Caribbean Harvest, to discuss the origins of his Shadow Tier series, inspired by real- world cartel violence. Stratton explores themes of justice, revenge, and morality, weaving in his military experience and deep knowledge of intelligence operations. He shares insights on crafting multidimensional

After the break, Larry sits down with K.T. Nguyen, author of You Know What You Did, who delivers a powerful reflection on the history and role of public libraries in democracy, literacy, and community-building. As this podcast nears the end of its tenure at its longtime recording home in the Sachem Public Library, Larry reflects on the impact of nearly 200 author interviews and the hope of finding a new space to continue shining a light on storytelling.

How many threads take us on an unexpected journey? In this week’s episode of The

After the break, Larry welcomes debut author Anthony Gedell to discuss Love

How many threads connect us to relationships? In this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry sits down with Carla Conti, author of Chained Birds, a true crime memoir that explores the systemic flaws in the justice system through the story of Kevin Sanders, a former gang member and inmate. Carla shares her personal journey of involvement in Kevin’s defense, sharing her critiques of prison culture, overcrowding, and the limitations of current reform efforts.

In the second half, Larry is joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Daniel de Visé, author of The Blues Brothers: An Epic Friendship, the Rise of Improv, and the Making of an American Film Classic. Daniel takes listeners behind the scenes of John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd’s rise to fame, their work on Saturday Night Live, and the making of the legendary film. With insights into the

How many threads lead us down the path of duplicity? On this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry welcomes international bestseller Jeffrey Archer to discuss An Eye for an Eye, the latest in the William Warwick series. Together, Larry and Jeffrey explore the novel’s themes of art forgery and historical intrigue, including a Rembrandt copy and Thomas Jefferson’s original copy of the Declaration of Independence. Jeffrey also shares his disciplined writing process, insights on translating stories for a global audience, and the evolution of Warwick’s character arc across the series.

After the break, Larry sits down with David McCloskey, a former CIA analyst and author of The Seventh Floor. David reflects on his real-life espionage experience, the challenges of crafting a modern mole hunt, and the moral complexities of intelligence work.

How many threads need to be exposed inside a puzzle box? On this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry welcomes author Steve Urszenyi onto the show to discuss his latest book Out in the Cold, the second book in the Alex Martel series. Together, Larry and Steve discuss Steve’s background as a paramedic and amateur photographer, the in-medias-res opening of the novel, and the female protagonist, Alex Martel. They also discuss the larger geopolitical situation that frames the novel, which is peppered with real historical details like the Scattergood-Thorne Conference Center, The Resolute Desk and the unfortunate use of misinformation and propaganda by governments to manipulate public perception.

After the break, Larry welcomes Henry Wise, author of Holy City, to tell a story about his mentor R.T. Smith and the importance of mentorship in the writing community.