Journalist Lori Tucker-Sullivan explores the untold stories of wives and girlfriends of rock stars in her book " I Can't Remember If I Cried-Rock Widows on Life, Love and Legacy" . Drawing on 22 interviews (14 in the book), she reveals the human side behind fame—grief, devotion, legal battles, and the struggle to protect legacy.

Through intimate conversations and personal reflection, the episode examines how music, youth, and relentless touring shaped these relationships and the lasting impact of loss on fans and families alike.

www.lorituckersullivan.com

RECORDED SEPTEMBER 23, 2025

"I Can't Remember If I Cried-Rock Widows on Life, Love and Legacy" can be purchased on Amazon and Bookshop.org

Please give a listen, follow and share.

Join Michael Bollinger, BPACC’s artistic director, as he previews the Bartlett Performing Arts & Conference Center’s 27th season. The lineup opens October 10 with an outdoor Shakespeare production and includes country legends, tribute acts, family shows, arts‑education performances, and the must‑see Booker T. Jones.

Highlights include Music & Theater by the Lake, Darcy Lynne& Friends (sold out), T. Graham Brown, Artrageous, Mandy Barnett’s Patsy Cline tribute, The Nutcracker, the Phil Collins experience, and youth productions. BPAC is intimate and family friendly—visit BPACC.org or call the box office for tickets and details at (901)-385-5588.

RECORDED SEPTEMBER 25, 2025

www.bpacc.org

Rob Fredette interviews novelist Amanda Cockrell about her historical fiction " Are You or Have You Ever Been?" which explores the Hollywood blacklist, House Unamerican Activities Committee (HUAC) hearings, and the personal and professional fallout of McCarthy-era accusations.

The episode covers real-life stories—Dalton Trumbo, Michael Wilson, and the Hollywood Ten—alongside Cockrell’s dual-timeline novel set in Ojai, focusing on a star’s ruined projects, a contested will, and parallels between 1950s blacklisting and today’s political climate.

Recorded September 19, 2025.

https://www.amandacockrell.com

Are You or Have You Ever Been?" is out December 2!

My parents were screenwriters so this is a book close to my heart. For some background on the Hollywood blacklist see the section above, "About the Blacklist."

Elizabeth Sydney's film career spanned the Golden Age of Hollywood and barely survived Sen. Joe McCarthy's infamous Red Scare hunt for Communists that produced a blacklist that shattered careers. Some of her costars and writer friends weren't so lucky. Now she wants to be buried in her back yard and the will is invalid if she doesn't get her way. A combustible assortment of industry friends, family, former lovers, a man no one has hitherto heard of, half a dozen charitable beneficiaries, and an ungovernable horde of media descend on the small California town where she retired and picked out a spot in her oak grove. As they try to break the will, her reasons begin to surface in the story of an old betrayal of friends by friends and by the country's own government.

G.A. Sallee, an Iraq War veteran and first-time author, discusses his debut fictional true-crime novel "True Crime, Fact or Fiction", in which podcaster Scott Townsend publishes cold cases and becomes the target of a killer. The episode covers the book's plot, key characters like Detective Adelina Alvarez, and Sallee’s writing process.

The conversation also explores themes about the ethics of true-crime entertainment, the editing and self-publishing journey (release October 1), and how personal experience and disciplined writing shaped the novel.

"True Crime, Fact or Fiction" will be released October 1st 2025 and can be found at all book stores. Walmart, Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

RECORDED September 20, 2025.

Rob Fredette interviews cinematographer-turned-author Robert Gantz about his decades in film and music videos, his time shooting commercials and movies in Hollywood and France, and the decision to retire and write his first novel, "Dead Wings". A noir-style crime thriller.

The episode covers Gantz’s work on high-profile music videos and films, the gritty realities of the industry, and his writing process for a pulp-noir thriller about a down-and-out cameraman pulled into a dangerous scheme. Dead Wings is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble Bookstores and in multiple formats.

Sit back and listen Robert's film career, his first novel and great movie talk.

https://www.robertgantzasc.com

RECORDED AUGUST 26, 2025

The book is a noir-style crime thriller set in Los Angeles and published in July 2025.

Rob Fredette sits down with boundary-pushing rock artist C.J .Shaman to explore his musical journey — from small-town Arizona roots and 80s MTV influences to his raw outlaw-soul sound and the personal story behind the single "El Diablo."

They discuss C.J.'s evolution through genres, memorable live shows, studio life, sobriety, fatherhood, and upcoming projects including a Nashville recording and global rollout for El Diablo de Ocho.

RECOREDED AUGUST 28, 2025.

His latest album, El Diablo De Ocho: The Devil of Eight, is a powerful exploration of conflict, redemption, and personal transformation. With eight gritty, guitar-driven tracks, the album cements C.J.'s place as a rising force in modern rock—one that honors its roots while carving out a sound all his own.

HODGEPOD can be heard on APPLE, SPOTIFY, IHEART, AUDACY, TUNEIN RADIO AND THE PODBEAN APP.

hodgepodallin@yahoo.com

Connect with C.J. below:

• https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKRKHBXkzMVWcKF0Dom_0xg
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/c-j-shaman-3b2987138/
• https://soundcloud.com/user-260605909
• https://open.spotify.com/album/1Aj9XAwqKGFTFszPEoOdrR?si=9HYX3ItQiOBd4Jla6oTtQ

In this episode Rob Frenette interviews Shannon Grace about her journey from a successful tech and entrepreneurial career to becoming an energy healer. Shannon shares her experience with anxiety, being laid off, discovering reiki and pure bioenergy healing, and how somatic work can free trapped emotions that show up as physical illness.

The conversation also offers simple, practical tools for everyday stress relief—meditation, grounding, breath work, movement, and building community—along with how healing work can help people reclaim inner peace and evolve into a healthier, more empowered version of themselves.

RECORDED JULY 15, 2025

Shannon can be found at:

Instagram: @the _graceful_healer

www.thegracefulhealer.com

Email: shannon@thegracefulhealer.com

HODGEPOD can be heard on APPLE, SPOTIFY, IHEART, AUDACY, TUNEIN RADIO AND THE PODBEAN APP.

hodgepodallin@yahoo.com

Rob Fredette was joined by author Marshall Garvey to explore the memorable 1985 World Series between the Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals. They discuss Garvey’s book Interstate 85 with player interviews, the famous Denkinger call, unexpected heroes, and the series’ lasting legacy.

The episode blends game recaps, personal anecdotes from players, behind-the-scenes details, and the broader nostalgia of 1980s baseball, offering a fresh look at an underrated championship.

https://marshallpgarvey.com

Marshall's book "Interstate '85 The Royals, The Cardinals and the Show-Me World Series"

Publisher-University of Missouri Press

You can find the book on Amazon and Barnes and Noble

RECORDED AUGUST 21, 2025

HODGEPOD can be heard on APPLE, SPOTIFY, IHEART, AUDACY, TUNEIN RADIO AND THE PODBEAN APP.

hodgepodallin@yahoo.com