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In Conversation with Terry Shepherd

In Conversation with Terry Shepherd

By: Terry Shepherd
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In Conversation with Terry Shepherd, award-winning broadcaster and author of the Jessica Ramirez Thrillers. A deep dive into the people and support systems behind the stories we love.

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Episodes
  • Fons Burger - The Only Possible Solution

    Fons Burger - The Only Possible Solution
    Jun 20 2026

    Can we actually fix a broken world by tackling our crises one by one? Investigative journalist and author Fons Burger says no. In this episode, host Terry Shepherd sits down with Fons to discuss his deeply provocative new book, The Only Possible Solution. Fons argues that the defining crises of our century—from climate change to mass immigration—are not isolated events, but symptoms of a single, systemic failure.

    We dive into Fons’ fascinating background as a veteran reporter who witnessed the fall of Saigon and the Watergate scandal first-hand. He shares how his work in both fiction (2125: The Hibernator) and non-fiction serves as a vehicle for systemic change, why "active hope" is required to design a world fit for our children, and why the ultimate chapter of our collective human story must always return to love.

    If you are tired of quick fixes and comforting slogans, this conversation will completely reshape how you look at the future.

    Key Takeaways from This Episode

    • The Connectedness of Crises: Why you cannot solve one global problem without solving the others, and why we need a "systematic blueprint" for the next century.
    • Fiction vs. Non-Fiction: How storytelling and creative arts reach a broader public to spark transitions that dense academic science cannot.
    • Active Hope vs. Passive Optimism: Borrowing from eco-philosopher Joanna Macy, Fons explains why real hope means standing up, protesting, and making small daily changes.
    • The Power of Socratic Dialogue: How to build bridges and learn from people with whom you completely disagree.
    • Standing on the Right Side of the Line: Practical ways ordinary individuals can influence corporate and political change through conscious daily living.

    Chapter Markers

    • [00:00] Intro & Welcoming Fons Burger.
    • [01:45] Waking up in 2125: The inspiration behind Fons' thriller, The Hibernator.
    • [05:15] The Seven Core Systemic Failures of the modern world.
    • [11:10] Embracing "Active Hope" amidst threats of reality collapse and climate change.
    • [16:40] The Son of a Butcher: Changing daily habits and moving corporate markets.
    • [21:15] Reaching Gen Z and Millennials through audiovisual art and media.
    • [26:30] The ultimate purpose of life: Why it all ends with love.
    • [30:45] Reflecting on history: From Vietnam and Watergate to the present day.

    About the Guest

    Fons Burger is an investigative journalist, system thinker, and author of nine books spanning thrillers and thought-provoking non-fiction. A lifelong reporter and part-time farmer in Mallorca, Fons dedicates his creativity to highlighting unique voices and ideas that drive peaceful global transitions.

    Connect with Fons:

    • Website: fonsburger.com
    • Featured Books: The Only Possible Solution & 2125: The Hibernator

    We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo
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    19 mins
  • August Norman - Sins of the Mother

    August Norman - Sins of the Mother
    Jun 6 2026
    Sins of the Mother: Overcoming Cults, Chaos, and the Fear of Rejection with Author August NormanWhat happens when a professional creator transitions from Hollywood sketch comedy to writing high-stakes mystery thrillers? In this episode, host Terry Shepherd sits down with renaissance man August Norman to dissect his gripping sophomore novel, Sins of the Mother. Discover how August channels real-world anxieties regarding internet echo chambers and cognitive dissonance into his fierce, flawed journalist protagonist, Kaitlin Bergman. From building a bulletproof network of 25 beta readers to overcoming the universal artist roadblock of self-doubt, August shares invaluable industry wisdom on why you must let the world tell you "no" instead of telling it to yourself.Key Takeaways & Show Notes:In this deep-dive conversation, Terry and August explore the structural boundaries between screenplays and novels, the mechanics of authentic character development, and the gritty realities of the modern publishing market.The Origin of Kaitlin Bergman: How a moral foil from an unproduced hard-boiled LA noir screenplay evolved into a standout, fiercely intelligent protagonist who balances an inner moral compass with human flaws.Writing the Opposite Gender: August pulls back the curtain on using empathy, extensive research, and a targeted panel of 25 diverse beta readers (including 20 women across multiple generations) to craft a genuine female lead.Screenplay vs. Novelization: The unique craft breakthrough of utilizing a 100-page screenplay as a narrative roadmap, and how reverse-engineering a draft into structural story beats helped cut 85,000 words of clutter.The Reality of Writing on Contract: A candid look at the creative pivots required when a publisher asks for a total thematic shift, leading to a high-speed five-month sprint to write a thriller centered around an Oregon cult and a mass grave.Confronting Cognitive Dissonance: The underlying societal themes driving Sins of the Mother, exploring why individuals cling to disproven claims, and comparing the psychological dynamics of historical cults to modern online platforms like 4chan and 8chan.The Ultimate Lesson on Rejection: Why beginning authors must face their fear of feedback, accept that rejection "doesn't hurt that bad," and actively study the business, contracts, and marketing algorithms of the publishing industry.Chapter Markers & Timestamps:[00:00] – Hollywood Forever: Terry reads a dramatic passage from Chapter 1 of Sins of the Mother.[02:10] – The Ghostly Compass: Analyzing the enduring psychological influence of Matt Bergman on his adoptive daughter.[03:30] – From Foil to Hero: Re-engineering an LA noir screenplay into the debut novel Come and Get Me.[04:55] – The Beta Reader Strategy: The methodology of sourcing 25 diverse beta readers to validate perspective.[06:00] – An Indiana Boy in LA: From playing the saxophone and doing sketch comedy to pitching sitcoms in Hollywood.[07:45] – The Screenplay Blueprint: Sifting through notes, studying Michael Connelly, and finding an agent by chance.[12:20] – The Two-Book Deal Pivot: Sprints, word-count constraints, and turning 10 emergency pitches into a novel about a cult.[17:30] – Algorithmic Reviews & Accountability: Navigating Goodreads, handling a disgruntled Clancy fan, and sending a $30 refund check.[21:30] – The Chosen Family: Addressing white supremacy, climate denial, and the core message behind the thriller.[24:50] – Advice to My 16-Year-Old Self: Learning about contracts and overcoming the paralyzing fear of feedback.Guest & Resources Directory:Connect with August Norman: Visit his official website at augustnorman.com. Catch up with his latest updates on Instagram (his favorite platform) and Facebook.Featured Books Mentioned: * Sins of the Mother (2020) by August Norman Come and Get Me (2019) by August Norman Recommended Craft Reading: The Essentials of Style and Stein on Writing We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo
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    30 mins
  • MJ Dyer - We Are Monsters

    MJ Dyer - We Are Monsters
    Jun 4 2026

    In this episode of In Conversation, award-winning broadcaster Terry Shepherd sits down with UK-based author MJ Dyer to dive deep into her debut psychological thriller, We Are Monsters.

    Set against the brooding, atmospheric backdrop of Bodmin Moor, the novel follows Elara, a young woman who has spent her life eclipsed by her identical twin half-sisters. When one of the twins is found dead under suspicious circumstances, Elara’s hunt for the truth spirals into a dark, dangerous descent into rivalry, identity, and the fragile line between victimhood and monstrosity.

    What You'll Hear in This Episode:

    • The Nightmare Behind the Book: How a severe brain inflammation illness, vivid hospital hallucinations, and a haunting old photograph inspired the eerie premise of the novel.
    • The Allure of the Morally Gray: Why MJ Dyer loves writing "unlikable" characters and how Elara’s desperate desire to be noticed drives her ambiguous motivations.
    • A Style Reborn: How recovering from a brain injury unexpectedly transformed MJ's writing style from plot-driven fantasy into poetic, lyrical, and deeply psychological prose.
    • The Reality of the Publishing Business: MJ shares her transparent, twisty journey through the querying trenches, dealing with rejection, and how she ultimately landed her third literary agent.
    • A Sneak Peek at What's Next: Inside the writing process of her second psychological thriller, Toxic Girls, arriving this November.
    "I want readers to almost feel a bit disturbed, a bit haunted as they go through the story." — MJ Dyer

    Connect with the Author:

    • Website: mjdyerbooks.com
    • Featured Books: We Are Monsters (Releasing July 7th) and Toxic Girls (Coming November).

    We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo
    Show More Show Less
    24 mins
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