Real authors. Real stories. Real conversations.
Author Conversations with Chris Dabbs
Author Conversations with Chris Dabbs
Author Conversations with Chris Dabbs is a long-form interview podcast exploring the ideas behind books.Broadcast journalist Chris Dabbs speaks with novelists, historians, scientists, religious and commuunity leaders and non-fiction writers about their work, the research behind their books and the stories that shaped them. Each episode takes a thoughtful look at the creative process, big ideas and the questions authors wrestle with when writing about history, science, politics and the human experience.If you enjoy author interviews, literary conversations and discussions about books and ideas, Author Conversations offers a relaxed but insightful look behind the pages. Hosted by Chris Dabbs – broadcast journalist and podcast host. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/author-conversations-with-chris-dabbs--6905413/support.
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Author Conversations with Chris Dabbs

Author Conversations with Chris Dabbs

Author Conversations with Chris Dabbs is a long-form interview podcast exploring the ideas behind books.Broadcast journalist Chris Dabbs speaks with novelists, historians, scientists, religious and commuunity leaders and non-fiction writers about their work, the research behind their books and the s...

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Recent Episodes

Hungry for More: Discipline, Faith and Endurance | JD Tremblay Ep. 28
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July 25, 2026

Hungry for More: Discipline, Faith and Endurance | JD Tremblay

Canadian military veteran, firefighter, ultra-endurance athlete and author JD Tremblay joins Chris Dabbs to explore discipline, faith and resilience. From completing ten Ironman-distance triathlons in ten consecutive days to overcoming childhood adversity, JD shares the mindset behind living a life with purpose and becoming truly "hungry for more."
What if the greatest divide isn't between communities—but between the assumptions we make about each other? Ep. 27
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July 20, 2026

What if the greatest divide isn't between communities—but between the assumptions we make about each other?

Keith Daniel Saunders Sr. reflects on a lifetime in education, growing up between different worlds and the experiences that inspired his memoir, Roosevelt to the Hamptons: The War on Both Sides. This thoughtful conversation explores identity, leadership, empathy and why understanding another person's perspective is more important than ever.
Finding Yourself Through Love | Becky Larson Bloom Ep. 26
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July 18, 2026

Finding Yourself Through Love | Becky Larson Bloom

What if finding love starts with finding yourself? In this episode of Author Conversations, Chris Dabbs speaks with debut novelist Becky Larson Bloom about writing her first novel later in life, the inspiration behind New Beginnings and why self-discovery matters just as much as romance. Becky reflects on finally becoming a published author in her late sixties, fulfilling a lifelong ambition and proving that it's never too late to begin a new chapter. Whether you're an aspiring writer,
She Lost Everything in an Accident, Then Built Her Life Back Ep. 25
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July 16, 2026

She Lost Everything in an Accident, Then Built Her Life Back

Doctors gave Donna Valentino just a 40% chance of survival. What followed was years of rehabilitation, relearning basic life skills and rebuilding an entirely new life. In this powerful episode of Author Conversations, Donna shares the extraordinary story behind her books Headstrong and Heartstrong, beginning with the catastrophic ATV accident that left her with a severe traumatic brain injury and continuing through one of the most remarkable recovery journeys you'll hear. Doctors gave Donna
Nobody Believed Her: Christa Jan Ryan on Childhood Trauma, Addiction & Survival Ep. 24
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July 16, 2026

Nobody Believed Her: Christa Jan Ryan on Childhood Trauma, Addiction & Survival

“My parents held a very good persona. I continued to try to impress upon the authorities that what they saw on the outside was not what was going on on the inside. Nobody bought it. Nobody believed it.” Christa Jan Ryan What happens when a child tells adults that home is unsafe—and nobody believes her? Christa Jan Ryan describes growing up in a respected family while trying unsuccessfully to convince adults that she and her siblings were not safe at home. She explores the childhood trauma behi
He Became an Author at 63 — “It’s Never Too Late” | Ray Denyer Ep. 23
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July 14, 2026

He Became an Author at 63 — “It’s Never Too Late” | Ray Denyer

Is it ever too late to pursue the dream you kept putting off? Ray Denyer became an author in his sixties — and his message is simple: never give up. After decades of making up stories for his family, encouragement from his 14 grandchildren finally persuaded Ray to start writing them down. The result was Algernon Breadstick: The Hapless Knight, a warm, funny fantasy adventure about an unlikely hero who fails, gets lost, makes mistakes — and keeps going. In this episode of Author Conversations,

Recent Blog Posts

July 25, 2026

How to Build Mental Toughness Without Relying on TikTok Motivation

True mental toughness is rarely built by watching motivational videos or looking for quick inspiration online. Lasting resilience requires establishing rigid systems, removing cognitive distractions, and recognizing that motivation fades long before…
July 24, 2026

Disguised and Determined: Challenging Historical Assumptions About Women in the Civil War

When we picture the American Civil War, our minds naturally gravitate toward familiar visual tropes: columns of blue and grey infantrymen marching through the mud, cannon smoke billowing across blood-soaked fields, and generals poring over maps by c…
July 20, 2026

Why Black Male Educators Are Caught in a Professional 'Double Bind'

Black male educators and/or teachers in the USA and beyond often find themselves navigating a complex professional landscape where they are expected to serve as pillars for their home communities while simultaneously proving their legitimacy in pred…

About the Host

Chris Dabbs