I believe in strict discipline, intense exercise, living a full and healthy life, and practicing proper nutrition. I have a first things first and if not now then when? attitude toward life. Life is what you make it and should be lived on your terms. My goal with this channel is to inspire and help others sift through the sea of misinformation about diet and exercise and learn the art of living a long and healthy life in modern society.
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Authors and screenwriters Steven Barnes and Tananarive Due (and guests!) on writing, the writer's life, Hollywood, the work/family balance and relationships - the tools writers need to make themselves the heroes/heroines of their own story. - LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL at https://www.speakpipe.com/LifewritingPodcast (We might play your message!) - Join our MAILING LIST at www.lifewritingweekly.com
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The book club podcast where Dave Warneke has read the book so you don't have to. Each episode Dave tells two special guests all about a classic novel or play, and by the end of the show, both you and they can pretend you've read it. From Austen to Tolstoy, Shakespeare to Hemingway... Devour a classic in a single sitting. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Author Jeff Lindsay! On Dreaming Dexter and the Dark Side of Fame
1:09:04
1:09:04
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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to bestselling author Jeff Lindsay, creator of the iconic character of Dexter Morgan in his eight-book series that began with DARKLY DREAMING DEXTER. He also recently published books in his Riley Wolfe series (THE FOURTH RULE). On how he created his serial killer character, the unexpected success of Dexter…
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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive celebrate their 26th wedding anniversary and give tips on how to create characters that spring to life! Learn more about characterization from Steve and Tananarive at their hybrid writing workshop in Southern California on Aug. 24th. More info at www.writerwebinar.com. LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL at https://www.speakp…
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It's Kamala Harris for President! The Power of Twists in Storytelling
58:48
58:48
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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about the surprise rise of Vice President Kamala Harris as the presumptive Democratic nominee for president as a "plot twist" -- and how plot twists in narratives can create excitement both in real life and in storytelling. Tananarive also talks about how she came up with her biggest plot twist in her nove…
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Best of Lifewriting: Guest Maureen Ryan (Burn It Down!) - Horrors in Hollywood
1:27:22
1:27:22
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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive welcome Vanity Fair contributing editor Maureen Ryan, author of the book everyone in Hollywood is reading -- BURN IT DOWN: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood. They talk about why she wrote her book exposing Hollywood's ugly underbelly, the WGA strike, the sad demise of "Sleepy Hollow" and the…
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Craft Lessons from A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE (Spoiler free)
59:15
59:15
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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive unpack the new film starring Lupita Nyong'o, A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE. It's breaking box office records for the Quiet Place franchise, and for good reason. With shades of 28 DAYS LATER, CHILDREN OF MEN and THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS, this new horror film is both an action-packed story of a horror apocalypse and …
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Best of Lifewriting: Paul Tremblay! (Horror Movie, Cabin at the End of the World)
55:22
55:22
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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to horror writer Paul G. Tremblay about what it's like to have your novel (The Cabin at the End of the World) adapted into a major film by a major director, M. Night Shyamalan (Knock at the Cabin). Tremblay talks about why he loves horror, his choice to make his protagonists a queer married couple and thei…
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On Thriving with New Opportunities and Challenges
40:11
40:11
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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about the joys and challenges of stretching our self image as creators: Steve has a job opportunity in a new field, and they're both working toward co-directing their first short films! How even good news can be stressful, and how to maintain the tools to thrive no matter what we're facing. LEAVE US A VOIC…
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Best of Lifewriting: On Keeping It Short! (The Joy and Power of Short Stories and Short Scripts)
56:51
56:51
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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive break down why writers of all levels should embrace short stories and short scripts, whether it's to learn craft faster or to get published or produced sooner. They also discuss their first collaboration, a short story named "Danger Word" that also became their first short film: www.dangerwordfilm.com. LEAVE US…
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Tananarive Won a Stoker Award for The Reformatory! (When History is the Monster)
1:11:04
1:11:04
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In this episode, Tananarive opens up about why it was so difficult for her to write her novel, THE REFORMATORY, and why it was such a thrill to win Best Novel at The Bram Stoker Awards -- the first Black author to win Best Novel! How she motivated herself to write a difficult novel based on her family history while juggling parenthood and screenpla…
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On the Writer's Juggling Act - Working on Multiple Projects!
53:18
53:18
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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about the necessity of working on multiple creative projects and share their tips on how they juggle writing scripts and books. Join Tananarive's list at tananarivelist.com - or Steve's list at stevenbarneslist.com LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL at https://www.speakpipe.com/LifewritingPodcast (We might play your mes…
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Best of Lifewriting - Nisi Shawl! (Kinning, Everfair) On Friendship with Octavia E. Butler
52:41
52:41
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In this episode from March of 2023, Steve and Tananarive talk to award-winning author Nisi Shawl (KINNING, EVERFAIR) about the anthology they published, NEW SUNS 2, featuring speculative fiction from marginalized writers - including a story, "Supptertime," from Tananarive! Nisi also talks about the journey from a fangirl to friend of the late Octav…
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"So Be It! See To It!" Success Hacks for Writers
56:08
56:08
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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about the practices that have helped them succeed as writers. They discusses Steve's late friend Octavia E. Butler's use of Napoleon Hill's THINK AND GROW RICH and the practices and affirmations that helped her become such an influential author despite the odds. And how you can use the same hacks to find s…
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Guest Brent Lambert! (On A Necessary Chaos and Worldbuilding)
50:02
50:02
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Tananarive talks to debut author Brent Lambert about his critically acclaimed new novella, A NECESSARY CHAOS and the power of queer speculative fiction, how growing up as a queer Army brat fed his love for writing, and keys to worldbuilding and characterization in speculative fiction. LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL at https://www.speakpipe.com/LifewritingPod…
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Guest David Dastmalchian! (Late Night with the Devil)
57:02
57:02
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Steve and Tananarive welcome powerhouse actor David Dastmalchian, star of Shudder's Late Night with the Devil -- also from Oppenheimer, Suicide Squad (Polka- Dot Man!), Dark Night, Last Voyage of the Demeter and other films. A candid conversation spanning his earlier struggles with addiction, why the idea of playing Jack Delroy on Late Night with t…
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Best of Lifewriting: Leigh Bardugo! (The Familiar, Hell Bent, Ninth House)
1:01:41
1:01:41
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Fresh from Tananarive winning an LA Times Book Prize in Speculative Fiction for her latest novel, The Reformatory, a replay episode: Steve and Tananarive talk to New York Times bestselling author Leigh Bardugo (Ninth House, Hell Bent, Shadow and Bone) on her incredible career: from jobs she didn't like to publishing her first book at 37 to getting …
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Kat and Jazz from "Girl, That's Scary!" Podcast
49:18
49:18
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This week, Tananarive talks to two of her favorite podcasters, Kat and Jazz (Kathleen White and Jazzmin Crawley), co-hosts of Dread Central's "Girl, That's Scary!" podcast -- which, as they say, is all about friendship and horror. How these two horror lovers found their voice as horror podcasters after GET OUT, the reaction to their show, their hor…
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The Black Guy Dies First! Dr. Robin R. Means Coleman & Mark H. Harris
1:01:45
1:01:45
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This week, it's a mini reunion of the documentary Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror as Steve and Tananarive welcome horror scholars Dr. Robin R. Means Coleman (who wrote Horror Noire) and Mark H. Harris, who have teamed up to write THE BLACK GUY DIES FIRST: Black Horror Cinema from Fodder to Oscar. A Black Horror roundtable on some of the wor…
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Guest Erin E. Adams! (Jackal, The Black Girl Survives in This One)
59:58
59:58
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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive welcome actress-turned-author Erin E. Adams, who made a splash with her terrifying debut horror novel, JACKAL -- and also has short stories in Jordan Peele's OUT THERE SCREAMING anthology as well as the brand new THE BLACK GIRL SURVIVES IN THIS ONE (out 4/2). On how her background as the daughter of Haitian imm…
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Guest Jonathan Janz! (Children of the Dark)
1:01:02
1:01:02
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Steve is back! This week Steve and Tananarive talk to horror writer Jonathan Janz -- high school teacher by day, horror writer by night -- who recently revealed his true identity after writing under a pseudonym. His novel CHILDREN OF THE DARK was recently reissued. On making his mark, why he loves horror, and balancing his work, family and writing …
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Guest Lamar Giles! Ruin Road - On Writing YA (Horror)
52:43
52:43
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In this episode, award-winning YA author Lamar Giles talks about writing YA horror aimed at Black boys -- his road from self-publication to fighting his way into mainstream publishing with FAKE ID and THE GETAWAY. His upcoming novel, RUIN ROAD, is a great read blending a demon's curse with true-life issues facing Black teens. On his secret to succe…
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Guest Alma Katsu! (The Hunger, Red London) - On Genre Jumping
1:07:36
1:07:36
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Tananarive talks to award-winning author Alma Katsu (The Hunger, The Fervor, Red London) about her unique career both as a horror writer and her spy novels powered by her former career in national intelligence. On the challenges of straddling both genres and her rise to success...and how The Fervor drew upon her Japanese background in a horror nove…
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Steve and Tananarive talk to actor LeVar Burton about his career spanning from 1977's adaptation of Alex Haley's ROOTS, where he played Kunta Kinte in an iconic role at the age of only 19, to the recent Star Trek: The Next Generation cast reunion where he reprised his role as Giordi La Forge for Star Trek: Picard. He also discusses Jeopardy and tak…
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Guest Joe Hill! (The Black Phone, The Fireman, NOS4A2)
1:05:35
1:05:35
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In this episode, Tananarive and Steve talk to #1 New York Times bestselling author Joe Hill (The Black Phone, The Fireman, Strange Weather, NOS4A2) about how his first major success was followed by his life's darkest times, the power of horror and the horror community, and how he's balancing his life with new twins. He also talks about how much he …
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Best of Lifewriting: Horror Noire and Adaptation! (Victor LaValle and Stephanie Malia Morris)
1:05:48
1:05:48
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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to award-winning author Victor LaValle and burgeoning writer Stephanie Malia Morris about their experiences with Shudder/AMC's Black Horror anthology film, Horror Noire. Steve, Tananarive ("The Lake" / "Fugue State") and Victor ("Daddy") adapted their own short stories for Horror Noire, and Stephanie was a…
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Marc Bernardin! (Star Wars: Mace Windu)
1:06:55
1:06:55
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In this episode, veteran television and comic writer Marc Bernardin (Star Trek: Picard, Castle Rock) discusses his journey from being a journalist to a television writer, how he started writing for Star Trek, his secrets to succeeding in Hollywood, the state of the industry - and his new Star Wars: Mace Windu comic! LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL at https://…
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Cynthia Pelayo! (The Shoemaker's Magician)
57:10
57:10
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Tananarive and Steve talk to poet and author Cynthia Pelayo, the first Latina Bram Stoker Award (2022) winner. The author of CRIME SCENE, CHILDREN OF CHICAGO and THE SHOEMAKER'S MAGICIAN talks about the challenges of growing up in inner city Chicago, balancing her growing popularity with being a wife and mother, and the support of the horror commun…
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On Addressing Feedback Without Losing Your Way
57:08
57:08
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What does every writer get that every writer hates - but every writer needs? It's NOTES. Strong feedback is the most effective to grow as a writer, but getting feedback can also feel like getting your guts clawed out. How do writers know which notes to listen to and which notes to ignore? Why can't execs just leave our "perfects" scripts alone alre…
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Guest Shane Hawk! - Never Whistle At Night (Indigenous Horror)
42:54
42:54
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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to Shane Hawk, a horror author and co-editor of NEVER WHISTLE AT NIGHT, a bestselling Indigenous horror anthology with an introduction from Stephen Graham Jones. Hawk, who is of Cheyenne-Arapaho, Hidatsa and Citizen Potawatomi descent, is a history teacher by day and a horror writer by night. Hawk's litera…
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Best of Lifewriting - Hollywood Horror Stories!
1:01:47
1:01:47
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After a recent setback, in this Best of Lifewriting episode from April of 2022 Steve and Tananarive look back their history in Hollywood and moments when everything went wrong. Plus, tips for coping with stress as artists trying to navigate new, difficult territory - including visualization exercises. LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL at https://www.speakpipe.c…
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Ezra Claytan Daniels! (The People Under the Stairs & Upgrade Soul)
59:21
59:21
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59:21
In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to author and screenwriter Ezra Claytan Daniels, who is in Jordan Peele’s “Out There Screaming” Black Horror anthology and has also been tapped by Monkeypaw Productions to write the reboot of Wes Craven’s classic THE PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS. They talk about how he broke into Hollywood with his award-winnin…
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Best of Lifewriting: Make Your Short Film! (Guest Luchina Fisher)
1:01:22
1:01:22
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In this Best of Lifewriting episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to director Luchina Fisher THE DADS/NETFLIX, MAMA GLORIA) about the importance of making short films -- not just for filmmakers, but for writers. Luchina's previous short, TEAM DREAM, was produced by Queen Latifah. Advice on how even a novice can make their own short film! This replay m…
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Guest Linda D. Addison! (On Befriending Your Demons)
59:21
59:21
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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to Horror Writers Association Lifetime Achievement Award winner Linda D. Addison, a poet and writer whose collections include How to Recognize a Demon Has Become Your Friend. On her pioneering work as a Black horror creative, how she pushed past her scary bout of early COVID in 2020, and how she has moved …
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98 - Slaughterhouse-Five (with Matt Stewart and Jackson Baly)
1:42:37
1:42:37
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On this episode of Book Cheat, Dave has read Slaughterhouse Five. Hearing all about Kurt Vonnegut's classic is Jackson Baly and Matt Stewart. Suggest a book for Dave to cheat: https://forms.gle/zj9DHBCFMuevS4VC6 Support Book Cheat and Do Go On on Patreon: www.patreon.com/DoGoOnPod Instagram: @bookcheatpod Facebook: @bookcheatpod Twitter: @bookcheat…
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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive celebrate their 102nd episode with reminiscences and clips of past guests: Roy Wood, Jr., comic/actress Naomi Ekperigin, Patton Oswalt, New York Times bestseller Leigh Bardugo, Hollywood writer/showrunner Rodney Barnes, and excerpts from a 2000 interview with Octavia E. Butler. Thanks so much to all of you for …
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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to screenwriter Aaron Covington, who met director Ryan Coogler while in grad school at USC -- and they collaborated on CREED. (Which, as Steve points out, was the FIRST film with a love scene with a Black man that earned over $100 million. Even Aaron didn't know this!) On creating CREED, working in Hollywo…
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97 - The Master and Margarita (with Sam Petersen and Stephen Hall)
1:25:04
1:25:04
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On this episode of Book Cheat, Dave has read The Master and Margarita. Hearing all about Mikhail Bulgakov's fantastical Russian classic is Sam Petersen and Stephen Hall. Suggest a book for Dave to cheat: https://forms.gle/zj9DHBCFMuevS4VC6 Support Book Cheat and Do Go On on Patreon: www.patreon.com/DoGoOnPod Buy Stephen's books: https://www.thestep…
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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to bestselling author Daniel Kraus, whose novel WHALEFALL recently was featured on the cover of the New York Times Book Review. On horror, defeating genre bias, highs and lows during his book tour, writing -- and his experiences finishing novels by icon George A. Romero. LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL at https://www…
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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive share their past personal and professional fears and how they have overcome them. Tananarive explains the relationship between her fears and her path as a horror writer. Also: a listener voicemail! You can leave us a voicemail too - https://www.speakpipe.com/LifewritingPodcast (We might play your message!) Lear…
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96 - My Brilliant Career (with Bec Petraitis and Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall)
1:40:13
1:40:13
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On this episode of Book Cheat, Dave has read My Brilliant Career. Joining him to talk about Miles Franklin's classic Australian novel is Bec Petraitis and Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall. Suggest a book for Dave to cheat: https://forms.gle/zj9DHBCFMuevS4VC6 Support Book Cheat and Do Go On on Patreon: www.patreon.com/DoGoOnPod Instagram: @bookcheatpod Fa…
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Guest Silvia Moreno-Garcia! (Mexican Gothic, Silver Nitrate)
53:30
53:30
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In this "Ladies Only" episode, Tananarive talks to bestselling author Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Mexican Gothic, Silver Nitrate) about genre, her rise to the New York Times bestseller list, and the love of writing! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Steven Barnes and Tananarive Due | Realm
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Guests Omar Epps and Clarence A. Haynes! (NUBIA: The Reckoning)
1:01:37
1:01:37
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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to actor (and author) Omar Epps and author Clarence A. Haynes about their Afrofuturistic NUBIA book series: Nubia: The Awakening and their new book, Nubia: The Reckoning. We couldn't talk about Omar's film and television career during the taping because of the SAG-AFTRA strike (which ended the very next da…
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95 - The Maltese Falcon (with Alexei Toliopoulos and Michelle Brasier)
1:39:31
1:39:31
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On this episode of Book Cheat, Dave has read The Maltese Falcon. Hearing all about Dashiel Hammett's Sam Spade detective story is Alexei Toliopoulos and Michelle Brasier. Suggest a book for Dave to cheat: https://forms.gle/zj9DHBCFMuevS4VC6 Support Book Cheat and Do Go On on Patreon: www.patreon.com/DoGoOnPod Instagram: @bookcheatpod Facebook: @boo…
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