Best Jackie Simmons Podcasts (2024)

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Episode 50 - Jackie Chapman-Gray (Natural History Museum, University of Oxford) 36:40

28d ago36:40

36:40

We're rounding out season 4 of The M Files with a recent interview with Jackie Chapman-Grey from the University of Oxford's Natural History Museum. This special season finale was recorded "on location" during a recent trip across the pond for Val, Patty, and John. Our interview explores Jackie's museum background, which includes work both in the UK…

1
EP156: 5CQ for Dan White, Host of QUEER MAGNOLIAS and OUTWITHDAN 27:44

3M ago27:44

27:44

Shawn welcomes fellow podcaster Dan White to the show to discuss his podcasts, QUEER MAGNOLIAS and OUT WITH DAN, the importance of listening to diverse voices and points of view, finding your people, mutual friends, travel, eating and drinking, and Agatha Christie.

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EP155: 5CQ for Lynn Painter, Author of HAPPILY NEVER AFTER 17:53

3M ago17:53

17:53

Shawn chats with Lynn Painter about her new novel, writing for adults and younger readers, weddings, blowing up weddings, writing rom-com male characters, the need for joy, and classic rom-com movies.

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EP154: 5CQ for Cindy Goyette, Author of OBEY ALL LAWS 18:34

4M ago18:34

18:34

Shawn and Cindy chat about her debut novel, OBEY ALL LAWS, life as a parole officer, dogs, second chances, making mistakes, organic writing, and writing drunk and editing sober.

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EP153: 5CQ for Jackie Layton, Author of WEEDING OUT LIES and CLUTTER FREE 15:25

4M ago15:25

15:25

Shawn and Jackie chat about cozy mysteries, writing multiple series, flowers and what they mean to us, garden clubs, secret Pinterest boards, Texas, and how we want no sadness in some mysteries.

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EP152: 5CQ for C.J. Box, Author of THREE-INCH TEETH 26:12

4M ago26:12

26:12

Shawn chats with NYT Bestselling Author C.J. Box about his 24th Joe Picket novel, THREE-INCH TEETH, writing a long-running and much-loved series, predator attack teams, Mama Bears, animal emotions, Mark Twain, and finding your own unique lane as a writer.

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Episode 49 - Will Stoutamire (University of Nebraska-Kearney) 35:54

4M ago35:54

35:54

On this edition, we take a trip to the Platte Valley in Nebraska to chat with our colleague and MPMA compatriot Dr. Will Stoutamire. Will is an associate professor of history at the University of Nebraska-Kearney. A past museum director and active public historian, Will shares his insights about working with the past both in and outside of museums.…

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EP151: 5CQ for Lynn Chandler Willis, Author of WHAT THE MONKEY SAW 31:45

4M ago31:45

31:45

Shawn and Lynn chat about writing multiple series, finding a new publishing home, being from the South, True Crime, small town newspapers, breaking up with our characters, and French Bulldog puppies.

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EP150: 5CQ for Bruce Robert Coffin, Co-Author of THE TURNER & MOSLEY FILES 44:07

4M ago44:07

44:07

Shawn and Bruce chat about Bruce's new series, coauthored with LynDee Walker, the Byron series, his new series out next year, taking chances as a writer, Stephen King, non-writing spouses, the need for therapy, British television, and support from other writers in the community.

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EP149: 5CQ for Darlene Dziomba, Author of FIRE AND DALMATION 23:03

4M ago23:03

23:03

Shawn and Darlene chat about dogs, Bouchercon, meeting your people, support from librarians, indie vs. traditional publishing, Sisters in Crime, and connecting with readers.

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EP148: 5CQ for Leah Konen, Author of KEEP YOUR FRIENDS CLOSE 26:37

4M ago26:37

26:37

Shawn and Leah chat about Leah's new novel, Alfred Hitchcock, STRANGERS ON A TRAIN, making friends as adults, women shouldering family responsibilities, and how new friends might not always be what they appear to be.

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Episode 48 - James Hagadorn (Denver Museum of Nature and Science) 30:44

4M ago30:44

30:44

In this edition of The M Files, we chat with Dr. James Hagadorn from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Dr. Hagadorn is the Tim & Kathryn Ryan Curator of Geology but likes to describe himself as "a detective in deep time." Join us as chat about his work at DMNS and how he shares geology with visitors. For more information about the Denver Mus…

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EP147: 5CQ for Wendy Sand Eckel, Author of KILLER IN A WINTER WONDERLAND 29:07

4M ago29:07

29:07

Shawn and Wendy chat about writing culinary mysteries, research through cooking, moms who read, finding your reading groove again, Wendy's brush with the law at a young age, connecting with readers, and how art is important to the human condition.

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EP146: 5CQ for Nick Petrie, Author of THE PRICE YOU PAY 37:10

4M ago37:10

37:10

Shawn and Nick chat about his long-running Peter Ash series, how Nick's career began, grocery store conversations, PTSD, writing by hand, cool techniques for writers who get stuck, many drinks with friends at conferences, author rock stars, and finding your people.

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EP145: 5CQ for Erica Miner, Author of PRELUDE TO MURDER 37:59

5M ago37:59

37:59

Shawn and Erica chat about playing the violin, creepy opera houses, being keynote speakers, concert masters, sexism in both music and writing, and Agatha Christie.

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EP144: 5CQ for Dr. Frank Spinelli, Author of NO ANGELS WEPT 25:38

5M ago25:38

25:38

Shawn and Dr. Frank chat about his fiction and nonfiction writing career, a medical career and how it influences his writing, walking around as your character for a week, leaving good reviews, Stephen King, and Frank's great advice for writers and for life in general.

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EP143: 5CQ for Marty Wingate, Author of A BODY ON THE DOORSTEP 30:42

5M ago30:42

30:42

Shawn and Marty chat about her new historical mystery series, The London Ladies' Murder Club, the Society of Useful Women, useful women, gardening, writing multiple series, the value of a critique group, and releasing two full-length books at one time.

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EP142: 5CQ for Dr. Paul Quinn, author of PRENATAL POSSIBILITIES 24:46

5M ago24:46

24:46

Shawn and Paul chat about his cookbook for expectant mothers, writing cookbooks, testing recipes, nutrition and where we all go wrong, the beauty of women and childbirth, and helping others.

1
EP141: 5CQ for Sharon Lynn, Author of DEATH TAKES A FALL 23:39

5M ago23:39

23:39

Shawn and Sharon chat about her new novel set in Bath in the UK, Sharon's love of England, teaching and writing, following your own lessons, brains of nineteen year olds, a chastity belt for your developing brain that keeps you from making big decisions, how warm is your oven, and the art of not giving up.…

1
EP140: 5CQ for Peter Malone Elliott, Author of BLUE RIDGE 24:46

5M ago24:46

24:46

Shawn and Peter chat about his debut novel BLUE RIDGE, being inspired by your surroundings, twin brothers, pancakes, how acting can help writers, Sam Shepherd, and fun dinner guests.

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EP139: 5CQ for Edwin Hill, Author of WHO TO BELIEVE 28:00

6M ago28:00

28:00

Shawn and Edwin chat about his new novel, RASHOMON, writing from multiple POVs, birthday cakes, story structure, teaching, and walking the dog.

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EP138: 5CQ for Tom Coffey, Author of PUBLIC MORALS 19:34

6M ago19:34

19:34

Shawn and Tom chat about the first book in The Divine Trilogy, living in New York, police in New York, SERPICO, why NYC is a great place for stories, and writing fiction inspired by true events.

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Episode 47 - Leigh Dudley (Federal Judicial Learning Center & Museum, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) 30:04

6M ago30:04

30:04

On this edition of the M Files we're heading to the capital of the Sooner State to speak with Leigh Dudley. Leigh is the director of the Judicial Learning Center & Museum based at the Federal Court House in Oklahoma City. Join us as we learn about this interesting non-profit/public partnership that explores the role of the Federal Judiciary through…

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EP137: 5CQ for Lane Stone, Author of THE CANVAS 18:06

7M ago18:06

18:06

Shawn and Lane chat about the second book in Lane's Big Picture Trilogy, art and antiquity theft, the importance of art in the world, art and religion, sudden cold air, likeable and unlikeable characters, and the strategy behind writing a trilogy.

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EP136: 5CQ for Linda Lovely, Author of A KILLER APP 16:47

7M ago16:47

16:47

Shawn and Linda chat about the newest book in her HOA Mystery series, deep fakes, the state of the world, how AI is everywhere, writers and actors dealing with AI, book store events, and writing multiple series.

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Episode 46 - Tara Damron (White Hair Memorial, Osage County, Oklahoma) 32:44

7M ago32:44

32:44

This edition of the M Files takes us to Osage County, Oklahoma, to speak with Tara Damron from the White Hair Memorial. A member of the Osage Nation, Tara has been a museum professional for over twenty years working with the history of her people and the State of Oklahoma. Join us as she shares more about the history and mission of the White Hair M…

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EP135: 5CQ for Virginia Kantra, Author of THE FAIRYTALE LIFE OF DOROTHY GALE 36:02

7M ago36:02

36:02

Shawn and Virginia chat about her new book, which is a reimagining of THE WIZARD OF OZ, the male gaze, love and the darker side of love, if there really is no place like home, why Virginia writes the kinds of books she does, and life during lockdown.

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EP134: 5CQ for Gregory Stout, author of WOMAN IN THE WIND 20:12

7M ago20:12

20:12

Shawn and Gregory chat about the newest novel in the Jackson Gamble PI series set in Nashville, how Nashville is a great place to visit and set a series in, winning the Shamus Award then judging the Shamus Award, having enough time to read, hate mail, and never giving up.

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Episode 45 - Levi Saulnier (Canterbury Shakers Village, Canterbury, NH) 27:44

7M ago27:44

27:44

Welcome back to episode 45 of the M Files. On this edition, we are chatting with Levi Saulnier. Levi is a recent graduate of the museum studies program at Casper College (WY) and a senior at Plymouth State University (NH). He is an emerging museum professional who is working as an inventory curator at the Canterbury Shakers Village in Canterbury, N…

1
EP133: 5CQ for Clementine Taylor, Author of SOMETHING ABOUT HER 23:17

8M ago23:17

23:17

Shawn and Clementine chat about her debut novel, the feeling of excited dread, coming-of-age love stories, writing stories we want to read, why everyone is so raw, and their fascination with both poetry and apples.

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EP132: 5CQ for Marlie Parker Wasserman, Author of INFERNO ON FIFTH 28:10

8M ago28:10

28:10

Shawn and Marlie chat about fires, old New York, the richer and poorer classes living together in the city, how people react in emergencies, and how there can be several truths true at the same time.

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Episode 44 - Andrew Dunehoo (Mountain Plains Museum Association) 36:54

8M ago36:54

36:54

Welcome back to season 4 of The M Files! We are kicking the season off with an interview with Andrew Dunehoo. Andrew was our guest several years ago. On this edition, we check in and see about his work as the new president of the Mountain-Plains Museum Association. Besides talking about MPMA's recent conference in Corpus Christi, Texas, we chat abo…

1
EP131: 5CQ for Mary Keliikoa, Author of DEADLY TIDES 15:51

8M ago15:51

15:51

Shawn and Mary chat about East and West Coast living, keeping a series fresh, building characters, cozy vs. detective fiction and related body counts, being busy women, and collaborating on a short story together.

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EP130: 5CQ for Joeseph Souza, Author of THE ANCHORMAN'S WIFE 25:45

8M ago25:45

25:45

Shawn and Joe chat about perseverance in writing, getting through the hard times, living with no regrets, Ted Baxter, making up stories about strangers on the street, putting words in the bank, meeting Julia Child and having a child in Hollywood, dealing with the writers' strike and oddball projects.…

1
EP129: 5CQ for Alan Orloff, Author of SANCTUARY MOTEL 35:07

8M ago35:07

35:07

Shawn and Alan chat about his new novel SANCTUARY MOTEL, life in Florida, police ride-alongs, Fish Kitchen, off-brand motels, upcoming anthology projects, and their mutual love of Stephen King.

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EP128: 5CQ for Rachel Heng, Author of THE GREAT RECLAMATION 20:18

9M ago20:18

20:18

Shawn and Rachel chat about uncovering our origins, library borrowing limits, spending time with writers, MFA programs, and being a teacher of creative writing.

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EP127: 5CQ for Matt Singer, film critic and author of OPPOSABLE THUMBS 37:54

9M ago37:54

37:54

Shawn and Matt discuss Siskel and Ebert and Matt's new book about the legendary film critics and their impact on movie watching through the years.

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EP126: 5CQ for Edward Carey, Artist and Author of EDITH HOLLER 20:05

9M ago20:05

20:05

Shawn and Edward chat about books and art, finding inspiration during the pandemic, Edward creating a drawing a day, theater and politics. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Edward Carey is a novelist, visual artist, and playwright. His previous novels include The Swallowed Man, Little, Alva & Irva, and Observatory Mansions, and an acclaimed series for young adults…

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EP125: 5CQ for Author Dale T. Phillips, Author of 87 WAYS TO SELL MORE BOOKS 20:44

9M ago20:44

20:44

Shawn and Dale talk about traditional vs. indie publishing, writing inspirations, Stephen King, their mutual appreciation for the Writing Life, and finding your community in the world of writing. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dale T Phillips is a New England writer and actor who spent his formative years in Maine, and has lived and worked in a number of differ…

1
EP124: 5CQ for Lauren J.A. Bear, Author of MEDUSA'S SISTERS 21:40

10M ago21:40

21:40

Shawn and Lauren discuss her new novel MEDUSA'S SISTERS, how no one is born evil, shaping young minds, the allure of myths and mythical stories, the roles of siblings, sisters, and birth order, the unfortunate timelessness of blaming the victim, feminism, and the importance of compassion in all things.…

1
EP123: 5CQ for Tim Murphy, Author of SPEECH TEAM 21:11

10M ago21:11

21:11

Shawn and Tim discuss growing up in the 80s, how comments made during our school years stay with us into adulthood, small-t trauma, speech writing and fiction writing, speech team vs. drama club, and the emotional well-being of Gen-Xers.

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EP122: 5CQ with Sandra Rathbone, Author of SKELEE BOY 31:23

10M ago31:23

31:23

Shawn and Sandra chat about writing for younger readers, hard endings, plotting vs. organic writing, Stephen King, having rogues in the family, Chloris Leachman, and their love of music.

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EP121: 5CQ for Kerri Maher, Author of ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS CALL 19:54

10M ago19:54

19:54

Shawn and Kerri chat about The Jane Collective, how you have to keep fighting for your rights, great girlfriends and having a ride-or-die set of friends, accidentally topical books, listening to the universe, and hanging in there through rejection in a writing career.

1
EP120: 5CQ for Lisa Shaughnassey, Founder of The Writing Retreat Directory, co-hosted by Author K.B. White, Author of SECRETS DON'T SINK 19:15

11M ago19:15

19:15

Shawn and her co-host Kate KB Jackson chat with Lisa chat about her business The Writing Retreat Directory and Writing Retreat Sampler, her deep dive into Ancestry.com, and finding inspiration when starting or maintaining a writing journey.

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EP119: 5CQ for Don Bentley, NYT Bestselling Author of WEAPONS GRADE, the latest TOM CLANCY novel 25:36

11M ago25:36

25:36

Shawn chats with returning guest Don Bentley about the newest book in the Tom Clancy world of novels, what SWAT stands for, what it's like on the bestseller lists, writing multiple books and series a year, Tom Cruise, writing sprints, and having either a Stephen King or Mark Greaney kind of day.

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EP118: 5CQ for Amy Young, Author of THE WATER TOWER 18:43

11M ago18:43

18:43

Shawn and Amy chat about comedy writing vs. novel writing, great dialogue, being Midwestern, debut novels, shifting careers, and the importance of supportive partners for creative people.

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EP117: 5CQ for Jane Loeb Rubin, Author of IN THE HANDS OF WOMEN 25:19

11M ago25:19

25:19

Shawn and Jane talk about surviving and thriving after a cancer diagnosis, healthcare for women over the years, the bandwagon effect, what history was actually like, and the magic of teamwork.

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EP116: 5CQ for Ali Hazelwood, NYT Bestselling Author of LOVE, THEORETICALLY 24:33

11M ago24:33

24:33

Shawn and Ali chat about Ali's Fan Fiction origins and her path to traditional publishing, the role that luck plays in our lives, the best writing advice you can give or get, how stories help us deal with difficult times, finding your community, and a billion-dollar idea.

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EP115: 5CQ for Katherine Ramsland, True Crime Expert and Author of IN THE DAMAGE PATH 23:05

12M ago23:05

23:05

Shawn and returning guest Katherine Ramsland discuss crime-solving teams, horse dentists, teamwork and brainstorming, Mother Nature and the weather, the DC Snipers, saying yes to opportunities, Dostoevsky, and philosophy.

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Just Like Crabs in a Bucket - Jackie Simmons 17:10

12M ago17:10

17:10

Unplug from the world and plug-in! Do you have people in your life that try to hold you back because of their fear of the unknown? How do you let them know you don’t need them to keep you safe? Listen in as Jackie discusses how your family and friends can act like Crabs in a Bucket, and pull you down for “your own good.” Jackie gives you a little J…

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