Billy Dees

Our guest on this episode is Terry Whalin—a true insider in the publishing world who knows both sides of the editorial desk. As an editor and writer, Terry has worn many hats, shaping stories and guiding authors to success. His work has appeared in more than 50 publications, and he’s penned over 60 books spanning everything from children’s titles to biographies and collaborations.Terry’s career includes time as a magazine editor, a book acquisitions editor for multiple publishers, and even a stint as a literary agent. Today, he serves as an acquisitions editor with Morgan James Publishing, continuing to champion great ideas and authors.Over 20 years ago, Terry made headlines when he wrote a diet book, First Place by Carole Lewis, in just eleven days—selling more than 100,000 copies. His latest release, 10 Publishing Myths: Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed (Morgan James Publishing), offers a candid, behind-the-scenes look at the realities of the publishing world.A sought-after speaker and teacher at writ

The nation is reeling after the tragic death of Charlie Kirk, conservative political activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, who was killed after being shot at an event at Utah Valley University. His passing has sent shockwaves far beyond political lines, drawing an outpouring of grief and condemnation from leaders across the aisle. President Donald Trump called him “loved and admired by ALL, especially me,” and ordered flags to fly at half-staff in his honor.In this heartfelt episode, hosts Billy Dees and Cynthia Elliott discuss the profound impact of this loss. Together, they reflect on Charlie Kirk’s legacy, the intensity of today’s political climate, and what moments like this mean for the future of public discourse in America.

Our guest this episode is Kay A. Oliver — a dynamic storyteller with decades of experience in Hollywood as a producer, writer, and director. With degrees in Radio/TV/Film and an MBA in Business, Kay built a successful career in entertainment before taking the leap into writing novels.She’s known for creating strong, imperfect, and relatable women — often professionals like archaeologists and anthropologists — who face life’s challenges with humor and resilience. Her debut novel Disturbed Tombs kicked off the Dr. Kaili Worthy series, followed by Grave Disturbances and the upcoming Disturbing Remains. She’s also the author of Road to Elysium and the heartfelt Ice Cream Moments, which explores family dynamics in a deeply human way.Recognized in Marquis’ Who’s Who in America 2024, Kay is passionate about telling stories that matter — stories that entertain, inspire, and highlight women’s voices in ways Hollywood too often overlooks.Kay A. Oliver Website https://kayaoliver.com/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/aut

Our guest this episode is Dan Schaefer—a progressive political leader, engineer, and former candidate for the Missouri House of Representatives (District 97). His grassroots campaign focused on restoring reproductive rights, defending public education, and protecting the voice of working people.Looking ahead to 2026, Dan plans to run again—either for State House District 97 or State Senate District 22. Known as a bold advocate for democratic principles, he has consistently spoken out against authoritarian overreach in state politics and efforts to undermine voter-driven initiatives.Dan brings a rare blend of practical wisdom, policy expertise, and unwavering commitment to people over power. Whether he’s discussing union rights, economic justice, or civil liberties, he speaks with clarity, conviction, and compassion.He is also the creator of Frontline Progressive, a newsletter spotlighting threats to democracy and uplifting grassroots action. With over 200 interviews from his past podcasting work, Dan continue

This conversation explores emerging technologies that blur the line between human experience and artificial intelligence. On one hand, there’s excitement about innovations like Google’s emotional AI, smart skin, and AR memory glasses, which could transform healthcare, education, therapy, and even human connection. Similarly, advances such as Samsung’s dream monitoring and Meta’s mind-reading interface hold promise for diagnosing mental health conditions, restoring communication for the paralyzed, and deepening our understanding of the brain. Tools like Microsoft’s holographic teleportation and training robots such as Kaiwa’s pregnancy simulator also highlight the potential of technology to expand learning and accessibility.  At the same time, the discussion raises deep ethical and societal concerns. Emotional AI and smart skin introduce risks of manipulation, surveillance, and commodification of intimacy. Technologies like AR glasses and dream monitoring threaten privacy at its most personal levels, while min

Alan Katz has lived the wild ride of Hollywood—writing and producing films and shows like HBO’s legendary Tales From The Crypt. His career has taken him to the highest highs and darkest lows of showbiz, and he’s ready to spill every twisted story along the way.Entertainment Weekly named the debut season of his How NOT To Make A Movie Podcast the “Best Film Podcast of 2022.” That’s when Alan realized he’d finally become what he always wanted to be when he grew up: a podcaster.You can find Alan's podcast here: https://thedonorpodcast.com/

When reality wasn’t enough, J.F. Monroe built her own universe. In her Legacy of the Four trilogy, ancient powers walk among us, destinies shift, and courage rewrites fate.Drawing inspiration from The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and even Christopher Nolan’s mind-bending plots, Monroe blends epic adventure with deeply personal journeys.At the core of her stories is one truth: the greatest magic comes from human connection. Website https://www.jfmonroebookshelf.com/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jf.monroe/TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@jf.monroe?_t=ZP-8sbcQQzxU5u&_r=1You can follow Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees 

Zafra Lerman has spent her life proving that science—infused with compassion and creativity—can bridge even the deepest divides. From her childhood in Israel to advising U.S. leaders at the White House, and from classrooms to conflict zones, she has brought together scientists from opposing nations, pioneered teaching chemistry through the arts, and championed science education as a basic human right. In her memoir, Human Rights and Peace: A Personal Odyssey, she shares the setbacks, triumphs, and inspiring moments that shaped her belief in science as a tool for peacebuilding—and offers lessons in courage, hope, and collaboration that the world urgently needs.Zafra M. Lerman, Ph.D., FRSCPresident, Malta Conferences FoundationDistinguished Professor of Science and Public Policy (Emerita)Columbia College Chicago  Human Rights and Peace: A Personal Odyssey https://www.amazon.com/dp/9815129724?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_TASNR2KYK5G2EK9P25DG&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_TASNR2KYK5G2EK9P25DG&social_share=cm_

Buckle up, because this episode goes completely off the rails—in the best way possible.First up, we dive into the media’s favorite pastime: wildly speculating about suspects while the situation is still unfolding. (What could possibly go wrong?)Then, things get tight—literally—as we unpack the bizarre internet uproar over Sydney Sweeney’s jeans. Are they just denim, or a coded message from the fashion-industrial complex? We explore the wild theories, questionable genetics talk, and somehow end up in a conversation no one saw coming.Finally, we wrap things up with a look at NPR’s identity crisis and Tulsi Gabbard’s dramatic unveiling of “Operation Mockingbird.” Spoiler: it’s not a new Netflix thriller—yet. It’s smart, it’s snarky, and it might just be plain weird.You can Follow Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDeesAnd Cynthia Elliott on X https://x.com/shamanisis

Hot Takes and Heated Topics!In this lively episode, we dive into some of the most buzz-worthy stories in the media world. First up: a mysterious birthday letter allegedly from Donald Trump to Jeffrey Epstein resurfaces—just in time to stir up controversy. Is it coincidence, or calculated distraction?Next, we react to the surprise cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. What happened to the golden age of late-night laughs? We explore how these shows have shifted from light-hearted comedy to full-on political theater.And finally, we take a hard look at NPR—once a trusted voice for public service journalism, now seen by many as another outlet for partisan commentary. What changed?Don't miss this fast-paced episode packed with insight, humor, and sharp commentary.Follow Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees

If you're a fan of old-school radio, you'll find Bill Thompson’s story especially compelling. A true veteran of the airwaves, Bill spent over 30 years behind the mic, interviewing some of the most fascinating figures of our time—leaders, inventors, entertainers, athletes, astronauts, and more. By the time he retired from radio in 2018, he'd recorded an astonishing archive of over 10,000 interviews.Today, Bill brings those unforgettable moments back to life through his podcast, Now I've Heard Everything—a treasure trove of wit, wisdom, humor, and history.But that’s not all.Bill is also embracing the future by diving into the world of artificial intelligence. Through a new YouTube series, he’s helping adults over 40—especially those less tech-savvy—learn how to use AI in everyday, practical ways. He’s gathering real stories and questions from his audience to guide the series: What have you tried? What confused you? What do you want to learn?Whether you're reminiscing about radio’s golden era or curious about AI

From Author Kristy MickelsenA Short Read Memoir – “Sweet Inspiration” “But later, when my high from the dope I had snorted early that morning wore off, I cried again for most of the night but not out of anger. This time it was out of fear. Fear of what was happening to me. Fear of what I had become. Fear of what was going to happen to my marriage, and the fear of losing my family – all to my addiction of the street drug, crystal meth.” In this episode, Kristy Mickelsen shares the inspiration behind her memoir and the personal journey that shaped her path as an advocate, author, and podcast host. From overcoming challenges to finding her voice, Kristy offers a powerful and uplifting story that’s sure to resonate with listeners.You can find Kristy on X @KristyBooks https://x.com/KristyBooksand more Kristy Mickelsen links are here https://linktr.ee/KristymickelsenYou can find Billy Dees on X @BillyDees https://x.com/BillyDees

In this episode, we explore three major stories making headlines. We begin with the ongoing controversy surrounding the Epstein client list, focusing on Pam Bondi. As speculation and internal divisions surface, criticism has intensified regarding Bondi's role and the broader lack of transparency about the list. Next, we examine the devastating flooding in Texas. What should be a moment of national unity and humanitarian response has instead been drawn into the realm of political debate, sparking concern over the growing trend of politicizing natural disasters.Finally, we turn to international news with the developing investigation into the tragic jumbo jet crash in India. With new details emerging, we discuss what is known so far and what investigators are focusing on in the aftermath.You can follow Billy Dees on X @BillyDees https://x.com/BillyDeesand Cynthia Elliott on X @Shamanisis https://x.com/shamanisisFollow the Billy Dees Podcasts Page https://www.facebook.com/BillyDeesPodcasts

Billy Dees Live! June 13, 2025 8:00pm ESTGlobal Tensions, Media Narratives, and Political Theater Episode Description:In this episode, we dive into a range of pressing headlines making waves around the world. From the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran to the tragic plane crash in India, we break down the facts and explore the broader implications.We also examine the media’s portrayal of recent riots in California and other parts of the country—what’s being emphasized, and what’s being left out?Later, we analyze the Alex Padilla moment at Kristi Noem’s press conference and how political theatrics are shaping public perception. And to wrap it all up, we take a look at Greta Thunberg’s latest controversial protest involving Israel—and the global reaction it's stirred.00:02 - Tensions in the Middle East 10:20 - Dreamliner crash speculations 19:57 - Law enforcement and public safety 31:04 - Disruption of free speech 37:13 - Respecting political discourse 43:02 - Iran's struggle for normalcy 48:45 - Podca

Interview Description: In this episode, we sit down with Stacy Rogers — a lifelong Kansan, small business owner, advocate for constitutional freedoms, and Republican candidate for Governor of Kansas. If elected, Rogers would make history as the first female Republican Governor in the state's history.Rogers shares her vision for Kansas, rooted in strong leadership, unity, and a commitment to addressing the pressing challenges facing the state. With deep ties to her community and firsthand experience as a mother of three and former homeschool parent, she brings a unique and personal perspective to the issues of education, local business support, and individual rights.“I am running for Governor because I believe in the power of the people,” Rogers says. “As a lifelong Kansan, a mother, and a business owner, I’ve seen the challenges our state faces. We need leadership that not only listens, but takes action — to protect our rights, improve our schools, support local businesses, and restore the values that make Ka

This episode was produced while LIVE on X Friday June 6, 2025, at 8:00pm EST.Dive into the Chaos: Elon, Trump, and the Future of AI

This sarcastically titled episode was produced while streaming LIVE on X Friday May 30, 2025, at 8:00pm EST. Hosts Billy Dees and Cynthia Elliott discuss various topics, including conspiracy theories surrounding Jeffrey Epstein's death and the implications of upcoming Epstein-related files.They express skepticism about the potential fallout from these revelations, suggesting that much evidence may have been destroyed over time. The conversation also touches on President Joe Biden's health and the media's portrayal of him, with Billy criticizing the liberal media for not addressing his apparent incapacity.They highlight the complexities of societal issues, particularly regarding poverty and systemic challenges, emphasizing the need for nuanced understanding rather than simplistic judgments.The episode concludes with a mention of future guests, including a potential gubernatorial candidate, and a focus on positive narratives from individuals who have overcome trauma.This discussion is important as it reflects o

This episode was produced while streaming LIVE on X Friday May 23, 2025, at 8:00pm EST.On this episode Billy discusses various topics surrounding Memorial Day Weekend, including reflections on the holiday and political commentary.Billy highlightes Jake Tapper's new book, "Original Sin," which critiques the democrats and the media's handling of President Biden's declining mental faculties. The discussion emphasizes the media's complicity in downplaying Biden's issues while criticizing Trump, suggesting that this has significant implications for public trust and accountability.Billy expresses frustration with the media's role in shaping narratives and the need for transparency regarding a political candidates' health.Additionally, the Billy shares a personal story about his father, a veteran who passed away, emphasizing the importance of Memorial Day and the symbolic gesture of placing a flag on his grave.This personal narrative underscored the emotional weight of the holiday and the sacrifices made by veterans