Helen Phillips is one of the most interesting and original writers working today. In her latest novel, “Hum,” she turns her eye to marriage, motherhood, and selfhood in a world compromised by global warming and artificial intelligence.By WAMC

Tosca Musk is a South African-Canadian filmmaker, producer, and director. She is the younger sister of entrepreneurs Elon and Kimbal Musk. Born on July 20, 1974, in Pretoria, South Africa, she is known for her work in the film and digital media space, particularly in the romance genre. Tosca Musk co-founded Passionflix, a streaming service dedicate…

Known for her incredible research bestselling author Jodi Picoult brings to life the incomparable Emilia Bassano, the real-life and “too little considered” English poet believed to have authored many of Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets. Picoult’s new novel is “By Any Other Name.”By WAMC

Malcolm has been at the helm of Leading for Diageo Investments and our Partnership with spirits industry innovators Dia Simms & Erin Harris to help participants within the Black community achieve the goal of generating $2.4 billion in economic value.By Kirt Jacobs

Simon Rich is a frequent contributor to The New Yorker. He has written for “Saturday Night Live,” Pixar, and “The Simpsons” and is the creator of the TV shows “Man Seeking Woman” and “Miracle Workers.” His latest story collection, “Glory Days,” mourns the death of youthful innocence and hails the beginning of something approximating wisdom.…

Rachel Platten is an American singer-songwriter best known for her empowering pop anthem “Fight Song.” Born on May 20, 1981, in New York City, she gained widespread popularity and commercial success with the release of this 2015 hit single. Critical aspects of Rachel Platten’s career and music include: “Fight Song” became an international hit known…

In 1993, in his hometown of Corpus Christi, Texas, Bret Anthony Johnston watched on live TV as flames engulfed a number of buildings in Waco – full of men, women, and children – during the FBI’s siege of the Branch Davidian compound. This time led to his writing the novel, “We Burn Daylight.”By WAMC

Morgan Renee Romano was born in Johnstown, New York, on July 19, 1998. After completing high school, Romano moved to Columbia, South Carolina, to enroll in the University of South Carolina, graduating with a degree in chemical engineering in 2020. Romano had decided to relocate to the southern United States because she disliked the harsh winter wea…

“The Heart in Winter” by Kevin Barry is a big-hearted, violent, hypnotic, and lovelorn epic set against the iconic genre of the American Western. If features an unforgettable female protagonist and tackling the dislocation and self-invention of the Irish immigrant experience.By WAMC

A mystery set in a rural village in the West of Ireland, “The Hunter” is the second novel by best-selling author Tana French novel set in mythical Ardnakelty. It’s a blazing summer when two men arrive. One of them is coming home. Both of them are coming to get rich. One of them is coming to die.By WAMC

Old Forester is a brand of bourbon whiskey produced by the Brown-Forman Corporation, which has a long history dating back to 1870. The company is known for being one of the longest-running bourbon brands still in production today, and Old Forester is noted for being the first bourbon sold exclusively in sealed bottles. The Brown-Forman Corporation,…

Doris Kearns Goodwin is one of America’s most beloved historians. She joins us to discuss her new book “An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s,” where she artfully weaves together biography, memoir, and history.By WAMC

Chef Damaris Phillips is an American chef and television personality known for her Southern-style cooking and charming, warm personality. Born on December 8, 1980, in Lexington, Kentucky, Phillips came into the national spotlight after winning the ninth season of the Food Network television show “Food Network Star” in 2013. This victory launched he…

American historian Doris Kearns Goodwin’s latest book is “An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s.” The book shares the emotional journey she and her husband, Richard (Dick) Goodwin embarked on in the last years of his life, as the couple examined a tumultuous decade in American history through the lens of their own personal invol…

“The Friday Afternoon Club” by actor Griffin Dunne is a memoir of growing up among larger-than-life characters in Hollywood and Manhattan. The book finds wicked humor and glimmers of light in even the most painful of circumstances.By WAMC

Robert Pine is an American actor known for his extensive work in television and film. Born on July 10, 1941, in New York City, Pine has had a prolific career spanning several decades. He is perhaps best known for his role as Sergeant Joseph Getraer on the hit television series “CHiPs,” which aired from 1977 to 1983. Key points about Robert Pine’s c…

CNN anchor and chief Washington correspondent and New York Times best-selling author Jake Tapper’s third thriller, “All the Demons Are Here,” brings readers to the 1970s underground world of cults, celebrities, tabloid journalism, serial killers, disco, and UFOs.By WAMC

Amber Martinez is of Scottish, Spanish, and Dutch descent. She was born in a small town in Kansas on August 30th. Amber Martinez had many years of experience as a TV Host before moving to Los Angeles in 2008. She has appeared in films such as Rough Night, Madness in the Method, The Employer, Senior Entourage, and many others. She appears in the fas…

Born on August 4, 1970, in Rumson, New Jersey, Baier is best known for his work with the Fox News Channel. He is the anchor of “Special Report with Bret Baier,” a weekday evening newscast on Fox News covering various political and current event topics. Baier began his career in television news in local markets, including Hilton Head, South Carolina…

Lorrie Moore is one of the most celebrated living writers in the United States. Her new novel, “I Am Homeless If This Is Not My Home,” is her first in 14 years and is an exploration of love and death, passion and grief where a man takes a road trip with the corpse of his dead ex-lover. The book is now available in paperback.…

Patricia Barnstable-Brown is an American actress, model, and philanthropist. She is perhaps best known for her acting work, including her role in the “Quark” series, which aired in 1978. However, she gained significant attention and fame alongside her identical twin sister, Priscilla Barnstable, as the “Doublemint Twins” in the well-known advertisi…

Garrard Conley is the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir, “Boy Erased.” His debut novel, “All the World Beside,” is the story of two men in love caught between the demands of their families and societal pressures. Conley has coined it “The Queer Scarlet Letter.”By WAMC

Richie Sambora is an American rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, and producer best known for his work as the lead guitarist of the rock band Bon Jovi. Born on July 11, 1959, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, Sambora joined Bon Jovi in 1983, shortly before the band achieved massive commercial success. He remained with the group until 2013, contributing t…

"Days of Wonder" by Caroline Leavitt centers a young mother who, incarcerated as a teenager, now forges a redemptive path forward. It features whirlwind romances old and new, and is a mother-daughter story, a striking testament to the resilience of their love.By WAMC

Edelen, a native of Springfield, Kentucky, grew up in a financially challenged household while her mother battled a brain tumor throughout her childhood. As a Washington County High School student, Edelen found solace in her family and consumer sciences teacher, Sarah Raikes, who influenced her to apply for the Kentucky Governor’s Scholars program.…

New York Times bestselling author Colm Tóibín has written a novel of secrecy, misunderstanding, and love featuring Eilis Lacey, the complex and enigmatic heroine of his 2009 novel “Brooklyn,” Tóibín’s most popular work. The new novel is “Long Island.”By WAMC

Randy Travis is an American country music singer, songwriter, guitarist, and actor. He was born Randy Bruce Traywick on May 4, 1959, in Marshville, North Carolina. He is one of the key figures in the country music genre, particularly famous for his contributions to the neotraditional country movement of the 1980s and 1990s. Travis gained prominence…

“All Fours,” a new novel by Miranda July, tells the story of a semi-famous artist who announces her plan to drive cross-country on a one woman quest for a new kind of freedom. The book is part absurd entertainment and part tender reinvention of the sexual, romantic, and domestic life of a forty-five-year-old female artist.…

Billy Gilman is an American singer known for his country and pop music career. He gained national attention at the young age of 11 with the release of his debut album “One Voice,” which was certified double Platinum in the United States. The album’s title track became a Top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, making Gilman one of the y…

In "The Princess of Las Vegas," by best-selling author Chris Bohjalian, a Princess Diana impersonator and her estranged sister find themselves drawn into a dangerous game of money and murder in a twisting tale of organized crime, cryptocurrency, and family secrets on the Las Vegas strip.By WAMC

Grace Stanke is studying Nuclear Engineering at the University of Wisconsin and plays the classical violin. She is also a competitive waterskier, loves to travel, and is a foodie. Grace’s world changed in January 2023; after 3 action-packed nights showcasing talent, interview skills, and social impact achievements, representing her home state as Mi…

Julia Alvarez, bestselling author of “In the Time of the Butterflies” and “How the García Girls Lost Their Accents,” returns with “The Cemetery of Untold Stories” - a novel about storytelling that reminds us that the events of our lives are never truly finished, even at the end.By WAMC

Bobby Flay is a renowned American chef, restaurateur, and television personality specializing in various culinary styles, most notably in Southwestern and Mediterranean cuisines. Below is a comprehensive overview of his life, career, and contributions to the culinary world: Early Life: Birth and Upbringing: Bobby Flay was born on December 10, 1964,…

Anne Lamott’s new book “Somehow: Thoughts on Love” is her 20th book and published on her 70th birthday. In each chapter, Lamott refracts all the colors of the spectrum. She explores love and the power it has in our lives. The lessons she underscores are that love enlightens as it educates, comforts as it energizes, sustains as it surprises.…

Mark Ingram II is an American professional football player who has primarily played the running back position in the National Football League (NFL). Ingram has enjoyed a highly successful career, which includes a Heisman Trophy win in college and multiple Pro Bowl selections in the NFL. Below are critical aspects of his career and life: Early Life …

Emmitt Smith is an American former professional football player, widely considered one of the greatest running backs in National Football League (NFL) history. He played primarily for the Dallas Cowboys and briefly for the Arizona Cardinals. Here is a comprehensive breakdown: Early Life and Collegiate Career: Emmitt James Smith III was born in Pens…

“City on Fire” by Don Winslow launched an ambitious crime fiction trilogy that has transported readers from the gritty streets of Providence to the glittering screens of Hollywood to the golden casinos of Las Vegas as Danny Ryan, forges a dynasty. Winslow’s latest book is “City in Ruins.” It is also his last.…

Ian Bohen is an American actor known for his work in both television and film. He gained wider recognition for his recurring roles in TV series like “Teen Wolf” and “Yellowstone.” Here’s a detailed breakdown of his career and contributions: Early Life: Ian Bohen was born on September 24, 1976, in Carmel, California, United States. He became interes…

The new novel by Tommy Orange, “Wandering Stars,” traces the legacies of the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864 and the Carlisle Indian Industrial School through to the shattering aftermath of Orvil Redfeather’s shooting depicted in Orange’s best-selling debut, “There There.”By WAMC

Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale is an American businessman and philanthropist, best known as the owner of Gallery Furniture, a retail furniture chain based in Houston, Texas. He has garnered fame for his entrepreneurial acumen and community service efforts. Here are some critical aspects of his life and career: Early Life and Career Beginnings: McIng…

Jack Harlow is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter known for his distinctive voice and lyrical depth in hip-hop. Here is an in-depth exploration of his life and career: Early Life and Background: Jack Harlow was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on March 13, 1998. He developed a love for music early on and started rapping at 12, recording his mu…

“My Beloved Life” by Amitava Kumar is a father-daughter story that widens into an Indian family saga. It tells the story of an ordinary life made exceptional by the fact that father has loved and has been loved in return. His daughter’s story recasts the past in a new light.By WAMC

Chris Harrison is a prominent figure in American television. Here’s an in-depth overview of his career and contributions: Chris Harrison: Early Life and Career: Born: July 26, 1971, in Dallas, Texas. Education: He attended Lake Highlands High School in Dallas and later attended Oklahoma City University on a soccer scholarship. Initial Career: Chris…

Poet Kaveh Akbar joins us to discuss his first novel “Martyr!” which follows Cyrus Shams on a journey of introspection and discovery. Cyrus is a drunk, an addict, and a poet. His obsession with martyrs and dealing with the death of his mother drives him to examine the mysteries of his past.By WAMC

Soozie is a film director, producer, & environmental advocate based in Louisville, Kentucky. She is notably recognized for her work in documentary filmmaking, focusing on environmental and health-related topics. Critical aspects of Soozie Eastman’s career and contributions include: Documentary Filmmaking: Eastman has produced and directed documenta…

Anna Quindlen puts her trademark wisdom on family, friendship, and the ties that bind us at the center her new novel, “After Annie.” When Annie Brown dies suddenly, her husband, her children, and her closest friend are left to find a way forward without the woman who has been the lynchpin of all of their lives.…

Novelist Danielle Trussoni is the author of the bestsellers “Angelology” and “Angelopolis.” She gives readers a thrilling ride with her latest, “The Puzzle Master.” Reality and the supernatural collide when an expert puzzle maker is thrust into an ancient mystery - one with explosive consequences for the fate of humanity.…

Morgan McGarvey is an American attorney and politician who has served as a Democratic member of the Kentucky State Senate. He was first elected to the Senate in 2012 and has since held various leadership roles within the legislative body. McGarvey represents the 19th District, which includes portions of Jefferson County and the city of Louisville. …

Jerry Mathers is a distinguished American actor best known for portraying Theodore “Beaver” Cleaver in the iconic television series “Leave It to Beaver.” Born on June 2, 1948, in Sioux City, Iowa, Mathers’ early introduction to the entertainment world paved the way for his enduring career in the industry. At a young age, Jerry Mathers displayed an …

Ann Napolitano took the literary world by storm with her tear-jerker of a novel “Dear Edward.” Her latest, “Hello Beautiful,” is an homage to Louisa May Alcott’s classic, “Little Women.” “Hello Beautiful” is a portrait of what is possible when we choose to love someone not in spite of who they are, but because of it.…