What if we could watch history happen?

What if recordings suddenly surfaced showing Caesar's assassination, the signing of the Declaration of Independence, or other moments that have only ever been described in books? Would seeing the past with our own eyes change what we believe about history, truth, and reality?

In this episode, I sit down with John Bond, an author and publishing consultant with more than 35 years of experience in the world of books. Having overseen the publication of more than 500 books, John brings a unique perspective to both writing and the publishing industry.

We discuss his new novel, To the End of Reckoning, the fascinating question behind its story, what actually makes a great book, the biggest mistakes aspiring authors make, and how AI is transforming the future of writing and publishing.

But beneath all of that is a much deeper question: if we could finally see the past for ourselves, would we discover the truth, or simply find new reasons to question it?

Learn more about John Bond, his books, and To the End of Reckoning: https://booksbyjohnbond.com/

What if fiction could do more than entertain us? What if it could preserve a culture, carry history across generations, and introduce an entire heritage to people who have never encountered it before?

In this episode, I’m joined by Cambodian-American author Som Phin, a prolific independent author with more than 35 novels spanning historical fiction, fantasy, literary fiction, and romantasy.

Som is on a mission to preserve Khmer history, mythology, folklore, and culture through stories that explore identity, family, resilience, romance, and belonging. Her work has received recognition from Kirkus Reviews and BookLife by Publishers Weekly, including multiple Editor’s Picks.

We talk about her connection to Cambodian culture, the stories and traditions she believes more people should know, and the challenge of transforming real history and mythology into fiction that modern readers can connect with.

We also go behind the books to explore where her ideas come from, how she develops and revises her stories, what it takes to write more than 35 novels, and why consistency matters when building a career as an independent creator.

And beyond writing, Som shares lessons about publishing, marketing, building an audience, and what aspiring creators can learn from the process of turning an idea into something people genuinely want to experience.

If you've ever wondered whether stories can preserve culture, or you've been sitting on a story of your own that you're afraid you're not ready to write, this conversation is for you.

Discover and buy Som Phin's book

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Som-Phin/author/B0GJ47GBCD?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=db2c9757-056c-4ae0-8790-abaf76effcf3

The James Ibezim Podcast explores the ideas, people, and questions shaping the world around us.

Richard Lowe spent 33 years in enterprise technology, including two decades leading computer operations, data centers, supply chain, and cybersecurity at Trader Joe's. Then he took his career in a completely different direction.

Today, Richard is an author and professional ghostwriter who has written more than 113 books under his own name and ghostwritten more than 54 books for executives, entrepreneurs, and experts across cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, business, and leadership.

In this conversation, we explore what it really takes to turn decades of expertise into a book that people actually want to read, why expertise alone isn't enough, and what separates people who have knowledge from people who have something meaningful to say.

We also dive deep into artificial intelligence and its impact on writing and independent thought. Richard explains why AI can be powerful for pressure testing ideas but becomes dangerous when we use it as a substitute for thinking.

We discuss ghostwriting, the difference between writing your own story and helping someone else tell theirs, the future of authorship, passive consumption, algorithms, and the growing challenge of maintaining independent thought in an age increasingly shaped by AI and automation.

Richard also shares insights from his Enemies of You series and reflects on what writing more than 160 books has taught him about human nature.

If you've ever thought about writing a book, wondered whether your expertise is worth putting on paper, or simply want to become a more independent thinker in the age of AI, this conversation is for you.

Learn more about Richard Lowe, his books, and his work here:

https://thewritingking.com/

Listen to more conversations on The James Ibezim Podcast, where we explore the ideas shaping technology, business, AI, careers, and the future.

What if the habits you build long before adversity arrives are the very things that help you survive it?

In this episode of The James Ibezim Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds, an author, nonprofit executive, mental health and addictions expert, Ironman triathlete, and two-time cancer survivor.

Dr. Reynolds was diagnosed with prostate cancer and, less than two years later, Stage 3B colorectal cancer. He endured 27 rounds of radiation and 35 rounds of chemotherapy, drawing on decades of endurance training to navigate a challenge he could never have prepared for.

We talk about resilience, mental health, cancer survivorship, leadership, purpose, and the psychology of enduring difficult seasons. Dr. Reynolds also shares how becoming a cancer patient changed his understanding of the people he had spent decades helping, and why the ordinary habits we build today can become extraordinary sources of strength tomorrow.

His bestselling book, Every Mile Matters: Turning Triathlon Training Into Cancer Triumph, explores the same lessons that shaped his journey.

Learn more about Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds and Every Mile Matters:

https://everymilematters.com/

What happens to a family after someone dies? Sometimes, the hardest part isn't the loss. It's what comes next.

In this episode, Bryan Thompson, a California trusts and estates attorney, joins me to explore the uncomfortable realities of inheritance, estate planning, family conflict, aging parents, caregiving, and the decisions families often postpone until it's too late.

We discuss why a trust isn't always the right answer, why inheritance disputes are rarely just about money, and how one difficult conversation today could prevent years of conflict tomorrow.

Because perhaps the greatest thing you can leave your family isn't wealth, but clarity.

Learn more about Bryan and his work: https://www.rodofironlawfirm.com/

In this episode of The James Ibezim Podcast, I sit down with Russell Van Brocklen, a New York State Senate-funded dyslexia researcher, keynote speaker, and former severely dyslexic student whose personal journey inspired years of research into how children learn to read.

Russell challenges one of education's most deeply held assumptions: that reading should always begin with printed words. Instead, he developed the "Write First, Read Next" method—a speech-first approach that starts with spoken language, word analysis, and sentence construction before moving into writing and reading.

We explore why so many families are still told to "wait and see," why traditional interventions often fail struggling readers, how early support can change a child's future, and the strengths that frequently accompany dyslexia. We also discuss neurodiversity in the workplace, the role artificial intelligence could play in supporting learners, and what parents, educators, and employers need to understand about helping dyslexic individuals reach their full potential.

Whether you're a parent, teacher, school leader, student, or simply fascinated by how people learn, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on one of education's most misunderstood learning differences.

In this episode, we discuss:

Russell's journey from severe dyslexia to researcher

Why "wait and see" can delay life-changing support

The "Write First, Read Next" approach

Why many reading interventions fall short

Early signs of dyslexia parents should recognize

Confidence, self-esteem, and learning differences

The strengths of dyslexic thinkers

Neurodiversity in education and the workplace

AI's potential to transform learning for dyslexic students

Learn more about Russell Van Brocklen and his work:

https://dyslexiaclasses.com/

If you enjoyed this conversation, follow The James Ibezim Podcast on Spotify and share this episode with someone passionate about education, neuroscience, parenting, or lifelong learning.

What if the biggest thing holding your business back isn't the market, your team, or your competition... but you?

Too many entrepreneurs build businesses that can't function without them. The result? Longer hours, more stress, slower growth, and a company that feels more like a job than the freedom they set out to create.

In this episode, I sit down with business advisor, bestselling author, and creator of The Hamster Wheel Trap®, Peter Boolkah, to unpack why founders become the biggest bottleneck in their own businesses. We explore the hidden cost of founder dependency, why revenue doesn't always equal freedom, how to build systems that scale, and what it takes to create a business that thrives without consuming your life.

If you're building a company, leading a team, or dreaming of one day selling your business, this conversation may completely change how you think about entrepreneurship.

Learn more about Peter Boolkah:https://boolkah.com/

Get a copy of YOUR BUSINESS SUCKS – Build a Business That Works Without Destroying Your Life:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H465YQMP

What do you do when you're told there's no cure and your condition will only get worse?

After being diagnosed with both Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, Mark Burnett refused to accept that there was nothing more he could do. His search for answers led him to scientific research from Japan, years of self-experimentation, and a journey that challenged everything he thought he knew about neurological disease.

In this episode, Mark shares the story behind that journey, why he believes conventional conversations around Alzheimer's and Parkinson's are incomplete, the evidence he says has shaped his thinking, and the questions he believes patients, caregivers, doctors, and researchers should be asking. We also explore hope, skepticism, resilience, and what it means to keep searching when the odds are against you.

Whether you agree with his conclusions or simply want to understand the thinking behind them, this is a conversation that will challenge assumptions and leave you asking bigger questions about the future of brain health.

Learn more about Mark Burnett and My Brain Restore:https://www.MyBrainRestore.com

Is AI advancing faster than the law can keep up? As businesses race to adopt artificial intelligence, how do they innovate without exposing themselves to legal, ethical, and cybersecurity risks?

In this episode of The James Ibezim Podcast, I sit down with commercial lawyer, entrepreneur, author, and RMOK Legal founder Rory O'Keeffe to explore the rapidly evolving intersection of AI, law, governance, and business leadership. We discuss the biggest mistakes companies make when adopting AI, whether governments can realistically regulate the technology, how the legal profession is changing, and what every CEO should know before building an AI-first business.

If you're a founder, executive, lawyer, or simply curious about the future of AI, this conversation offers practical insights into navigating one of the biggest technological shifts of our time.

Learn more about Rory O'Keeffe and RMOK Legal:https://www.rmoklegal.com/

What does it really take to build a creative career that lasts for decades? Is talent enough, or does lasting success come from the willingness to keep learning, adapting, and reinventing yourself?

In this episode, I sit down with musician, songwriter, filmmaker, author, and educator James Hand to explore a lifetime of creativity. We talk about storytelling through music, film, and literature, the lessons he's learned from more than 30 years of creating and teaching, the realities of independent filmmaking and publishing, and how artificial intelligence is changing the future of creative work.

Whether you're an artist, entrepreneur, or someone looking to build meaningful work that stands the test of time, this conversation is filled with insights that will challenge the way you think about creativity and reinvention.

Learn more about James Hand and his work:http://www.jameshand.com.au