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Idiosyncratic Fables: Daily Summaries Delivered
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.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 1 weeks ago43 min
Duty, Faith & Adventure: A Conversation with Author Dan E. Hendrickson
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
- 1 weeks ago44 min
Looks Like Edward Norton, Works Like a Teamster: Craig Michael Beck
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
- 3 weeks ago51 min
From Conductor to Character: Michael Norman Johnson
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
- 3 weeks ago55 min
Mistress of the Revolution: TJ London on Spies, Loyalty & the Rebels and Redcoats Saga
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
- 3 weeks ago42 min
Shipmate Stories: Life Aboard the USS Kitty Hawk with Billy Lee Masten
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
- Aug 20, 202643 min
Bacon, Battles & Big Magic: Interview with Fantasy Author Frank Morin
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
- Aug 20, 202630 min
From Dragons to Conspiracies: Jack Adkins on Fantasy, Thrillers & Appalachian Secrets
From Dragons to Conspiracies: Jack Adkins on Fantasy, Thrillers & Appalachian Secrets In this episode, I’m joined by author Jack Adkins — an Eastern Kentucky IT professional, lifelong Dungeon Master, and the creative force behind the humorous epic fantasy series The Dragons of Dorwine. Jack’s trilogy follows Anuka Sandbar, a charming half-goblin con artist on a high-stakes search for his missing father in a world where dragons rule as gods and hoard all magic. The books blend sharp humor with deeper themes of faith, power, mercy, and the lasting consequences of hard choices. We also dig into Jack’s shift into grounded Appalachian thrillers with his new Nolan Keller series, starting with The Devil on Klack Mountain — a story that weaves small-town secrets, modern espionage, folklore, and buried science beneath the mountains. Along the way, Jack shares how three decades of tabletop role-playing shaped his storytelling, what it was like landing legendary narrator Michael Kramer as a self-published author, how he balances writing with a full-time hospital job and raising four sons, and the creative leap from dragons to conspiracies. Whether you love epic fantasy, intelligent thrillers, or stories rooted in Appalachian soil, this conversation offers a fascinating look at a writer who refuses easy answers. https://discord.gg/6JKxwNQQJc #JackAdkins #DragonsOfDorwine #EpicFantasy #IndieFantasy #HalfGoblin #FantasyBooks #AuthorInterview
- Aug 10, 202640 min
Attacking the Dragon: A. Marc Ross on China, Power, and the Thriller
Attacking the Dragon: A. Marc Ross on China, Power, and the Thriller In this episode, we’re joined by A. Marc Ross — Stanford Law graduate, corporate lawyer, and author of the gripping political thrillers The Conscripted Extremist and Attacking the Dragon. After decades working on high-stakes international deals and spending significant time in China, Marc turned to fiction, crafting stories that blend real-world geopolitics, political extremism, and pulse-pounding suspense. His latest novel, Attacking the Dragon, explores terrorist attacks aimed at undermining China’s global ambitions and has already earned multiple literary festival honors. We discuss his journey from the boardroom to the page, how his professional experience in China and international business shapes his writing, the challenges of tackling charged political themes, and what’s next — including a potential limited series adaptation of The Conscripted Extremist. A fascinating conversation about power, hidden agendas, and the art of the modern thriller. Follow him at his website: https://www.amarcross.com Join my Discord server here: https://discord.gg/6JKxwNQQJc #AMarcRoss #AttackingTheDragon #TheConscriptedExtremist #ThrillerAuthor #PoliticalThriller #Geopolitics #China #AuthorInterview #BookPodcast #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor #StanfordLaw #PodcastInterview
About Idiosyncratic Fables
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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