Episodes
Bloomfield, NM author Matthew Alexander joins the show this week to talk about his debut novel, “Blood Moon Rising,” and the current challenges of entering the publishing industry. Learn more at https://authormatthewalexander.com/
Rena Sapon-White and Ella Schaefer, co-authors of “The Christmas Pic,” a finalist in the New Mexico Books Awards this year, join the show this week to talk about how the book originally formed as a script but settled into exactly what it needed to be as a novel. Learn more at https://www.smokeshow-entertainment.com/
New Mexico author and librarian Susan Metallow joins the show this week to talk about his debut novel, “Reasons to Hate Me,” a young adult novel that follows an autistic teen girl as she navigates the social complexities of relationships and coming to know one’s self. Learn more at https://susanmetallo.com/
New Mexico writer and professor of evolutionary genetics at the University of Texas at El Paso, Eli Greenbaum, joins the show this week to talk about his new book out from UNM Press, “Venomous River.” The book details a research expedition to the Congo and the challenges faces and discoveries made during the trip. Learn more at https://www.utep.edu/science/eligreenbaum/
Former resident of the Four Corners, Kale Niles joins the show this week to talk about her new book, set in Taos, “The Last Hanging of Angel Martinez.” The book delves into the effects of generational trauma while exploring the cultural and social complexities of the region. Learn more at https://kateniles.com/
New Mexico author Philip Conners joins the show this week to talk about his book, “The Mountain Knows the Mountain: A Fire Watch Diary,” a record of his experience during one of many seasons he has spent as a fire watcher in the Gila Wilderness. Learn more at http://www.philipconnors.com/
Arizona author C.C. Harrison joins the show this week to talk about her mystery/suspense novel, “Death by G-String.” A small mountain town is disrupted by murder and Viva Winter finds herself in the middle of the investigation and the danger it brings. Learn more at https://ccharrison-author.com/
Author Danica Nava joins the show this week to talk about her new book “The Truth According to Ember,” a rom-com featuring an indigenous heroine trying to navigate the adult world after bending the truth about her qualifications for her new job. Learn more at https://www.instagram.com/p/DPy2roKkXwz/
This podcast contains an interview with Charley Stacey, retired Radio DJ, News Cameraman, and family therapist. The interview was conducted in late September 2025 for the KSJE radio program Turntable Taxi. It has been edited to avoid music copyright issues.
Author/illustrator Zahra Marwan, who was born in Kuwait and is currently living in New Mexico, joins the show this week to talk about her upcoming visit to Farmington as part of the New Mexico Writers “Rising Writers” series. She will be at Quill & Quest Bookstore Oct. 23 at 4 pm to discuss her publishing journey and answer questions from attendees. Learn more at https://zahramarwan.com/ or https://nmwriters.org/rising-writers/
Suzanne Stauffer, an author who recently moved to New Mexico, talks about her new book, “Fried Chicken Castaneda,” which follows a young Midwestern woman experiencing the Southwest for the first time in her quest to become a Harvey Company courier. The book recently won the New Mexico Book Award for Cozy Mystery and was third place in the CIPA EVVY Awards. Learn more at https://couriersseries1926.blogspot.com/
Originally from Ireland and England, poet Jane Bauer now lives in New Mexico with her family and her debut book of poetry, “Eve: A River Flowing,” captures her impressions of live, nature, and the current turmoil being experienced throughout the world. Learn more at https://www.janebauer.com/
Recent keynote speaker at the Mesa Verde Literary Festival Time Weed joins the show this week to talk about his newest novel, “The Afterlife Project.” The book’s character face what might be the end of humanity on Earth, but are determined to make every attempt to survive—including time travel and other harrowing adventures. Learn more at https://timweed.net/
: Former Four Corners resident and librarian Karen McCoy joins the show this week to talk about her debut middle grade novel, “The Etiquette of Voles,” an adventure set in Victorian England with a mystery-solving, talking vole as the main character. Learn more at https://www.karenbmccoy.com/
Emily Jones, writer and anthropology professor at UNM, joins the show this week to talk about her debut novel, “Nahia,” which tells the story of a Mesolithic-era young woman facing drastic changes in her personal life and the larger world. Learn more at https://emilylenajones.com/
Utah writer and herpetologist Dallin Kohler joins the show this week to talk about his debut novel, “Pyro: The Quest for a Beautifully Elusive Snake.” The book recounts a two-year period spent searching for the snake and the lessons learned along the way. Learn more at https://www.torreyhouse.org/pyro
New Mexico author Khadijah VanBrakle joins the show this week to talk about her new young adult book, “My Perfect Family,” which deals with complicated family relationships, as well as cultural and faith community elements that strain bonds even further. Learn more at https://www.khadijahvanbrakle.com/
Middle grade author J.E. Thomas joins the show this week to talk about her newest middle grade novel, “The AI Incident.” The story follows a young boy in the Colorado foster care system who befriend an AI robot while on a quest to find his forever family. Learn more at https://jethomasauthor.com/
Returning guest, Jennifer Bohnhoff talks about her new book “The Famished Country,” which completes her series on three boy’s experiences during Civil War battles that took place in New Mexico. Learn more at https://jenniferbohnhoff.com/
J.M. Mitchell joins the show this week to talk about newest Jack Chastain Mystery, “Migrations of Butterflies and Lies.” The story weaves together National Parks, history, and murder, and J.M. talks about how he balanced these factors in his writing. Learn more at https://prairieplumpress.com/
Colorado author Bethany Turner returns to the show this week to talk about her newest book, “Wes and Addie Had Their Chance,” the final installment of her Adelaide Springs romantic comedy series. Meet Bethany July 19 at 1 pm at Quill & Quest for a book signing. Learn more at http://bethanyturner.com/
Arizona author Jeanne Burrows-Johnson returns to the show this week with her fourth novel in her Natalie Seachrist mystery series, “Yen for Murder.” She discusses the importance of place in writing and honoring culture and language in fiction. To learn more, visit https://www.jeanneburrows-johnsonsimaginings.com/
Returning guest Lincoln Mitchell talks about his new book, “Three Years our Mayor: George Moscone and the making of Modern San Francisco,” a biography of George Moscone and his influence on the development of the city he served. Learn more at https://lincolnmitchell.substack.com/
Retired dendrochronologist Thomas Swetnam joins the show this week to talk about his new book out from UNM Press, “The Jemez Mountains: A Cultural and Natural History.” Swetnam talks about growing up in the Jemez area and how learning about a place’s history can help you live in it more intentionally and appreciate its characteristics. Learn more at https://www.treeringscar.org/
This week’s guest author retired from Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center and began volunteering at Mesa Verde National Park, which led to his writing “Mesa Verde’s Secret Garden: A History of Managing the Backcountry and Wilderness of a National Park.” Barns delves into and possible paths forward for the park in part 2 of his interview.
This week’s guest author retired from Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center and began volunteering at Mesa Verde National Park, which led to his writing “Mesa Verde’s Secret Garden: A History of Managing the Backcountry and Wilderness of a National Park.” Barns delves into the history of the park’s management in part 1 of his interview.
Colorado author Katherine L. Myrick shares the story of your journey to travel the full 1,700 miles Dominquez-Escalante trail with her dog Scarlett. The adventure is chronicled in her new book, “The Adventures of Scarlett of Arboles. 250 Years Later: Photographing the Dominquez-Escalante Trail of 1776.” Myrick shares that Mary Oliver's instructions for living a life inspired her during her photography and writing journey. Learn more at https://thefifthcornerphotogallery.com/
On this week’s episode co-executive directors of Utah publishing house Torrey House Press, Kirsten Johanna Allen and Will Neville-Rehbehn, talk about the company’s 15th anniversary as well as challenges they are facing with recent funding cuts due to the wider loss of grant funding for arts and humanities organizations across the country. Learn more at https://www.torreyhouse.org/
New Mexico author Stoney Compton talks about his novel, “Whalesong,” as well as his writing process and publishing journey on this week’s show. Learn more about Stoney’s books at https://www.stoneycompton.com/
Nan Fischer joins the show this week to talk about her book, “Growing a Sensational Garden in the Southern Rocky Mountains,” a compendium of knowledge she has gained over decades of working in nurseries and farms. Learn more at https://www.nannieplants.com/