What if the secret to humanity's future was hidden inside a murdered judge's laptop?

In this episode of In Conversation with Terry Shepherd, Terry sits down with debut thriller author Gary Fields to explore his globe-spanning, time-bending novel, The Book of Judges — already drawing comparisons to The Da Vinci Code.

When a respected judge is killed, three unlikely heroes — a young lawyer, a theology doctoral candidate, and a quirky tech genius — have just 72 hours to decode the clues buried in his computer. What they uncover sends them on a desperate chase across Florida, hunted by a relentless killer, and ultimately face-to-face with a secret that could change the world.

Gary shares the remarkable journey behind the book: from poetry and songwriting as a kid, to careers in tech and law, to 15 drafts over 20 years before finally publishing his debut. He talks about the spiritual concept of "the Words" — his belief that creativity connects us all — and why themes of human destiny, interconnectedness, and justice run through every page.

You'll also hear his surprisingly chilling take on artificial intelligence, what Henry VIII has to do with the future of political freedom, and why Joshua Sutton — his protagonist — will be back for a sequel.

In this episode:

• The origin of The Book of Judges and why it took two decades to write
• How Gary blends authentic legal history with modern thriller pacing
• The three protagonists — and the real people who inspired them
• Dreams, destiny, and the idea that we're all more connected than we know
• Gary's AI warning you won't soon forget

📖 Learn more and read a free expanded chapter: garyfields.com

In Conversation with Terry Shepherd — a deep dive into the writer's craft with the artists and support systems who create the stories we love.

We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

We recently sat down with celebrated anthropologist Dr. Mimi Nichter to discuss her gripping new memoir, "Hostage: A Memoir of Terrorism, Trauma, and Resilience."

In 1970, Mimi was a college senior whose flight home from Tel Aviv was hijacked by the PFLP. What followed were six days on a sweltering plane in the Jordanian desert and weeks of captivity in Amman.

But this isn't just a historical recount—it’s a deeply personal exploration of:

• The "Hidden Box": How she carried the weight of trauma for decades in a world that didn't yet have the language to understand it.
• Human Complexity: Her unique perspective as an anthropologist, finding moments of shared humanity even with her captors.
• True Resilience: The realization that healing isn't about forgetting, but "resizing" fear so it no longer consumes the present.

Dr. Nichter’s story is a profound reminder that even in the most polarized times, nuance and empathy are our most necessary tools.

Check out the full interview to hear more about her journey from the desert sands to finding her voice. 👇

#HostageMemoir #MimiNichter #NewBook #Resilience #MustRead #History #TraumaRecovery #Anthropology

We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo

What happens when a Silicon Valley pioneer trades the boardroom for the open road? 🏍️✨

I recently sat down with Michael Yang, the founder of MySimon, to talk about his incredible new memoir, "Coming Alive on the Ride."

Michael reached the "Silicon Valley summit" early, but he discovered that the view from the top can be surprisingly isolating. From arriving in San Jose as a teenager with no English to navigating the unpredictable world of tech and eventually riding a motorcycle to the tip of Patagonia, Michael’s story is about much more than business—it’s about "shin-na-geh" (a state of joyful immersion).

Here are a few takeaways from our conversation:

• Adaptability is everything: Whether it’s a broken shifter in a Patagonia storm or being pushed out of a company you built, how you pivot defines your success.
• The "Personal Exit": The most important exit isn't financial; it’s stepping beyond your comfort zone to rediscover yourself.
• Confidence is balance: Much like riding a motorcycle or standing up to a bully, confidence is a skill that must be practiced daily.

If you’ve ever felt "stalled" despite hitting your goals, Michael’s journey is a powerful reminder that reinvention is always possible if you just keep moving.

We all inevitably become the brand. And that's why I wrote, "How to Become a Dynamic Podcast Guest and Sell Stuff." It's a sweet and short primer that teaches you about the gear, the appearance and the messaging that can grab and hold today's micro-attention spans and motivate your listeners to take action. It's Just a dollar ninety nine at Amazon. Grab your copy today and sell mo