
Free Daily Podcast Summary
by James R. Cheatham
Everyone has a story to tell. Everyone is worthy to be heard. Everyone is a little unique, unusual, and weird in their own way and I want this to be a space that is safe to be just that. I not only want to hear your story, but I want to give you an opportunity to share it. Whether it’s a story that’s personal to you, or if you have a story you want to read, I want you to have the freedom to share it. This is Idiosyncratic Fables.
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In this episode I talk about some updates regarding my health and my upcoming surgery. Also, I talk about my need to cut ties completely with anything related to META. I will no longer be on Facebook, Instagram, or Threads. For those of you that listen to the show, you can find me at the following places: My website: https://www.narratorjames.com My Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/6JKxwNQQJc My TikTok profile: https://www.tiktok.com/@narratorjames My LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/narratorjames/ My YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@narratorjamesvo I also intend on getting an email newsletter set up soon, and that will run in conjunction with this podcast as well. Maybe. We'll see. #podcast #leavingMETA #update #october #cancersucks
In this episode, I’m joined by romantasy author Elizabeth Clayton, the creative mind behind the Shadows and Secrets series. We dive into her epic world of dragons, rebellion, slow-burn romance, sharp banter, and just the right amount of steam. Elizabeth shares the inspiration behind Shadow and Jewel, Broken and Bound, and Secrets of the Bone Dagger, how she crafts unforgettable characters like a betrayed princess and a haunted bounty hunter, and what it’s like building an indie romantasy career in today’s BookTok-driven landscape. From world-building and character arcs to the joys (and challenges) of self-publishing and connecting with readers, this conversation is packed with insight for fantasy romance fans and aspiring authors alike. Tune in for dragons, chemistry, and plenty of behind-the-scenes storytelling magic. #Romantasy #FantasyRomance #ElizabethClayton #ShadowsAndSecrets #ShadowAndJewel #IndieAuthor #BookTok #DragonBooks #SlowBurnRomance #FantasyBooks #BookPodcast #AuthorInterview #RomantasyBooks #EpicFantasy #BookLovers Join my Discord server! https://discord.gg/6JKxwNQQJc
In this episode, we sit down with award-winning author Dan E. Hendrickson. Born and raised in Sheridan, Wyoming, Dan has lived an extraordinary life as a journalist, Christian minister, martial arts instructor, EMT, firefighter, and longtime auto detailing business owner with his wife Cheryl. In recent years he returned to his passion for storytelling and has since published multiple action-packed novels spanning Westerns, military thrillers, pirate adventures, and historical fiction. Listeners will hear about the multi-generational Edwards family saga in the Last Enemy series, the swashbuckling Pirate Princess books, the deeply researched biblical historical novel Magi Apprentice, and newer works like Railroad Man, Legacies Son. Dan shares how his real-world experiences shape his heroes, the intensive research behind his historical stories, the role of faith and redemption in his writing, and what keeps him creating across so many genres. A rich conversation about duty, trauma, adventure, and the power of story. My Discord server - https://discord.gg/6JKxwNQQJc Follow me on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@narratorjames #DanEHendrickson #AuthorInterview #HistoricalFiction #ActionThriller #WesternFiction #PirateAdventure #ChristianFiction #WritingLife #BookPodcast #LastEnemySeries #MagiApprentice #IndieAuthor
In this episode, we sit down with Craig Michael Beck — a SAG-AFTRA actor based in Savannah, Georgia, who also works regularly in the transportation and art departments on film and television productions across the Atlanta area. Craig shares how he made the leap into acting at 35 after years in direct sales, what it’s really like balancing performance work with crew gigs, and some memorable stories from sets including Peacemaker, The Suicide Squad, and more. They also talk about his unique skill set (Class A CDL, instrument-rated pilot, DiveMaster), life with his production-designer wife, the booming Georgia film industry, and how they first crossed paths on the Audiobooks at Sea cruise in 2024. A candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about late starts, dual careers, and the real day-to-day of making movies in the South. My Discord server - https://discord.gg/6JKxwNQQJc Follow me on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@narratorjames #CraigMichaelBeck #FilmPodcast #GeorgiaFilm #AtlantaFilm #BehindTheScenes #ActingLife #SAGAFTRA #Teamsters #IndieFilm #AudiobooksAtSea #PodcastInterview
In this episode, we sit down with professional audiobook narrator and voice actor Michael Norman Johnson. Once a passenger train conductor, Michael discovered the power of audiobooks and made the leap into full-time narration. Today he records from a broadcast-quality home studio, delivering immersive, character-driven performances across romance, LitRPG, fantasy, science fiction, and mystery. We talk about his unexpected career shift, how martial arts training and live performance shape his work in the booth, the craft of creating distinct character voices, the challenges of dual narration and spicy scenes, and what it’s like balancing performance with his role as Lead Engineer and Executive Producer for Pink Flamingo Productions. Join us for an engaging conversation about storytelling, the business of audiobooks, and the journey from the rails to the recording booth. Be sure to join my Discord server! https://discord.gg/6JKxwNQQJc #MichaelNormanJohnson #AudiobookNarrator #Narration #RomanceAudiobooks #LitRPG #FantasyAudiobooks #DualNarration #BoothLife #NewEpisode #PodcastInterview
In this episode, we sit down with author TJ London — the self-described rebel, liberal, lover, fighter, and mohawk-rocking Mistress of the Revolution. A pharmacist-turned-storyteller, TJ takes us deep into her gritty, steamy historical fiction series The Rebels and Redcoats Saga, set against the backdrop of the American Revolutionary War. From the conflicted Redcoat Captain John Carlisle to the fierce Oneida connections and the Carlisle-McKesson families, she shares how she fills in the forgotten gaps of history while weaving in romance, espionage, loyalty, and conscience. We talk about her intensive research process, the indie path after countless rejections, her award-winning multi-cast audiobook productions, and how her own mental-health journey shapes the metaphors woven throughout the books. Plus, what’s next for the saga and why she believes everyone should rock their own revolution. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about history, passion, resilience, and storytelling that refuses to play it safe. #TJLondon #RebelsAndRedcoats #HistoricalFiction #HistoricalRomance #AmericanRevolution #RevolutionaryWar #IndieAuthor #Audiobooks #BookPodcast #AuthorInterview #MistressOfTheRevolution #SpyRomance #Oneida #WritingJourney #MentalHealthAndWriting Come join me in Discord! https://discord.gg/6JKxwNQQJc
In this episode, host James R. Cheatham sits down with his former shipmate Billy Lee Masten — a Ships Serviceman (SH) who served aboard the legendary USS Kitty Hawk. Together they revisit the steel decks, the long deployments, and the high-stakes world of keeping an aircraft carrier running and ready. Billy shares what it was like growing up in Axtell, Texas, joining the Navy, and spending years as a SH. He opens up about life at sea, the unexpected moments that stay with you, and the powerful homecoming that brought him back to his family after years away. From the grind of shipboard life to the quieter challenges of transitioning to the civilian world, Billy’s story is one of service, resilience, and finding home again. This is a conversation about what the Navy takes, what it gives, and the life that continues after the uniform comes off. Tune in for sea stories, honest reflections, and one of those rare journeys that feels both deeply personal and universally human. #IdiosyncraticFables #BillyLeeMasten #USSKittyHawk #NavyVeteran #MilitaryStories #VeteransStories #ShipmateStories #NavyLife #DamageControlman #VeteranPodcast #TrueStories #PersonalJourney #TexasVeteran
Join me for a fun and action-packed conversation with fantasy author Frank Morin! Best known for his epic teen fantasy series The Petralist — full of explosive magic, high-stakes adventure, and brilliant humor — Frank also delights readers with quirky, fast-paced tales like Bacon Master of the Apocalypse and the gods of the Pantryon. In this episode, we explore his creative journey, the inspiration behind his wildly imaginative worlds, how he blends humor with heart-pounding action, his love of outdoor adventures and research trips, and what’s coming next for fans. Whether you’re a longtime Petralist fan or new to his stories, this interview is packed with laughs, storytelling insights, and plenty of book recommendations. Grab your favorite snack (bacon encouraged), settle in, and get ready for a fantastic ride through magic, mayhem, and memorable characters! https://discord.gg/6JKxwNQQJc #FantasyBooks #AuthorInterview #ThePetralist #BaconMasterOfTheApocalypse #FantasyAuthor #EpicFantasy #BookPodcast #IndieAuthor #WritingJourney #QuirkyFantasy
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Everyone has a story to tell. Everyone is worthy to be heard. Everyone is a little unique, unusual, and weird in their own way and I want this to be a space that is safe to be just that. I not only want to hear your story, but I want to give you an opportunity to share it. Whether it’s a story that’s personal to you, or if you have a story you want to read, I want you to have the freedom to share it. This is Idiosyncratic Fables.
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