Robert Graysmith interview - Tantorious episode 59

Robert Graysmith is the New York Times bestselling author of a number of true crime books, including The Sleeping Lady, Auto Focus, and Zodiac, the last two of which were made into major motion pictures. A San Francisco Chronicle political cartoonist and artist for 15 years, Graysmith lives in San Francisco. His new book, Black Fire: The True Story of the Original Tom Sawyer and of the Mysterious Fires That Baptized Gold Rush-era San Francisco, is a harrowing account of the hunt for a serial arsonist. In this exclusive interview, Graysmith explains why he was attracted to the story.

Brian McGrory interview - Tantorious episode 58

Brian McGrory is a longtime newspaper reporter, editor, and columnist. Born and raised in and around Boston, he has written for and edited the Boston Globe since 1989. He has a twice weekly column and is the author of four novels. His new book, Buddy: How a Rooster Made Me a (Family) Man, is a heartwarming and wise tale of finding love in life's second chapter. In this exclusive interview, McGrory recounts how he and Buddy finally resolved their differences.

Chris Ballard interview - Tantorious episode 57

Chris Ballard is a senior writer at Sports Illustrated and was a 2012 National Magazine Award finalist. His new book, One Shot at Forever: A Small Town, an Unlikely Coach, and a Magical Baseball Season, tells the inspirational story of a high school baseball team from rural Illinois in 1971. In this exclusive interview, Chris explains why he decided to write this book 40 years later.

David Cay Johnston interview - Tantorious episode 56

David Cay Johnston is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist and New York Times bestselling author. He often appears in the media as an expert on economics and tax issues. His new book, The Fine Print: How Big Companies Use Plain English to Rob You Blind, is a shocking analysis of the many ways everyday people are systematically victimized by powerful corporations. In this exclusive interview, Johnston explains how companies rip off consumers.

Wayne Simmons interview - Tantorious episode 55

Born in Belfast, Ireland, Wayne Simmons is the author of the horror novels Doll Parts, Drop Dead Gorgeous, Flu, and Fever. He has also written reviews for various online magazines. In this exclusive interview, Wayne describes the influences that led him to the horror genre.

Tatjana Soli interview - Tantorious episode 54

Tatjana Soli's debut novel, The Lotus Eaters, was a New York Times bestseller and won the 2011 James Tait Black Prize. Her new book, The Forgetting Tree, is a breathtaking story about the members of a California ranching family, their complicated matriarch, and the enigmatic caretaker who may destroy them. In this exclusive interview, Soli explains what her two novels have in common.

Sean Pratt interview - Tantorious episode 53

Sean Pratt has been a working actor for over 25 years. He was a company member at the Pearl Theatre, an Off-Broadway classical repertory company, and has also performed at numerous regional theaters around the country. Sean has also appeared in major films and held supporting roles on hit television shows. He has narrated for 16 years and teaches classes and writes articles about the business of the Biz. His book, To Be or Wanna Be: The Top Ten Differences Between a Successful Actor and a Starving Artist, is a primer for the beginning actor. In this exclusive interview, Sean recounts how he finally took responsibility for his acting career.

Gene Robinson interview - Tantorious episode 52

Bishop Gene Robinson was born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky, and received his Master of Divinity degree at the General Theological Seminary in New York. He was ordained deacon and then priest, and in 2003 was elected bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire. He is the first openly gay person in that role. He is also an author, and his new book is God Believes in Love: Straight Talk About Gay Marriage. In this exclusive interview, Bishop Robinson recounts how he became the world's leading religious spokesperson for same-sex marriage.

Joyce Johnson interview - Tantorious episode 51

Joyce Johnson is a memoirist and novelist whose books include the recent Missing Men and the National Book Critics Circle Award-winner Minor Characters, about her relationship with legendary Beat writer Jack Kerouac. Her newest book, The Voice Is All: The Lonely Victory of Jack Kerouac, is a groundbreaking portrait of the artist's early years. In this exclusive interview, Johnson recalls her early years with Kerouac and explains why she wrote this book now.

Andrew Shaffer interview - Tantorious episode 50

Fifty Shames of Earl Grey is a shrewd, laugh-out-loud parody of E. L. James’s Fifty Shades of Grey, the bestselling novel (and now triology) that everyone is talking about -- to the exclusion of all else. The parody is written by Fanny Merkin, actually the pseudonym of Andrew Shaffer, who reviews romance, erotica, and women’s fiction for RT Book Reviews magazine. The audiobook edition is read by actress Allyson Ryan. Shaffer and Ryan discuss the pleasures and perils of parody, in this exclusive interview.

Tinsley Mortimer interview - Tantorious episode 49

Tinsley Mortimer grew up in Virginia, is a graduate of Columbia University, and lives in New York City. She has been featured on the pages of Vogue, WWD, and Harper’s Bazaar, as well as in celebrity publications and on TV.  Her first novel, Southern Charm, has been described as “a champagne cocktail of fashion, society, and big city fame, served by a chic Southern belle determined to charm Manhattan.” In this exclusive interview, Tinsley reveals how much of herself she put into her main character, Minty Davenport.

Dr. Robert L. Wolke interview - Tantorious episode 48

Robert L. Wolke, a professor emeritus of chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh, is an award-winning food columnist for the Washington Post. He is also coauthor, with his wife, noted food writer Marlene Parrish, of What Einstein Didn't Know and other What Einstein books explaining everday science, from the physics of snow to the chemistry of coffee to the mathematics of sunblock.

E. J. Dionne, Jr. interview - Tantorious episode 47

E. J. Dionne, Jr., is an American journalist and political commentator. In his new book, Our Divided Political Heart: The Battle for the American Idea in an Age of Discontent, he weighs in on what is tearing the country apart - the ascendency of individualism and the diminishment of community - in a timely election season treatise.

Ann Meyers Drysdale interview - Tantorious episode 46

Ann Meyers Drysdale is one of the greatest stars in the history of basketball. A Hall of Famer and Olympic medalist, Ann is the only woman to sign a contract with an NBA team (the Indiana Pacers in 1979) as well as the first woman ever to announce an NBA game on network television. Her book, You Let Some Girl Beat You?, written with Joni Ravenna, tells how she blasted through basketball barriers and stereotypes to become one of Time Magazine's Top 10 Female Sports Pioneers.

Carrie Vaughn & Marguerite Gavin interview - Tantorious episode 45

Carrie Vaughn's website describes her as an "author, science fiction geek, and werewolf psychologist." She's the author of the New York Times bestselling Kitty Norville series of novels. Book 10, Kitty Steals the Show, will be published in July. Narrator Marguerite Gavin has recorded over 300 audiobooks in every genre, including all of the Kitty series. In this exclusive interview, Vaughn and Gavin discuss how they bring the characters to life.

Kent Hartman interview - Tantorious episode 44

Kent Hartman is an author as well as a longtime music business insider and entrepreneur. He is also a nationally syndicated radio show producer. His book, The Wrecking Crew: The Inside Story of Rock and Roll's Best-Kept Secret, chronicles the uncredited studio musicians who provided the soundtrack for a generation during the Sixties and Seventies. In this exclusive interview, Hartman reveals who was in the crew, and how they helped make hits like "Layla."

Florence Williams interview - Tantorious episode 43

Florence Williams is a freelance writer for the New York Times and other publications, and a contributing editor at Outside magazine. Her new book, Breasts: A Natural and Unnatural History, is an engaging narrative about a life-giving organ and its imperiled modern fate. In this exclusive interview, Williams explains why breasts are arriving earlier and getting bigger.

Mainak Dhar interview - Tantorious episode 42

Mainak Dhar is the author of 12 books, including the Amazon bestseller Alice in Deadland. His new novel, Zombiestan, brings a terrifying new turn to the War on Terror. In this exclusive interview, Dhar explains why zombie stories are so popular right now.

L. E. Modesitt, Jr. interview - Tantorious episode 41

L. E. Modesitt, Jr. is the bestselling author of over 60 novels encompassing two science fiction series and four fantasy series. His new book, Princeps, is the fifth installment in the Imager Portfolio series, a fantasy epic in which an Imager is someone who can visualize things and make them real. In this exclusive interview, Modesitt explains how he keeps track of his numerous imagined worlds.

Jane Maas interview - Tantorious episode 40

Jane Maas is said to be one of the real-life models for the character of Peggy Olson on the popular Mad Men TV series. She was a creative director at Ogilvy & Mather and works as an advertising executive. Her memoir, Mad Women, is an inside look at the other side of life on Madison Avenue in the 1960s and '70s. In this exclusive interview, Jane reveals the truth about what went on in the ad agency world.

Zach Wahls interview - Tantorious episode 39

On January 31, 2011, Zach Wahls addressed the Iowa House Judiciary Committee in a public forum on civil unions. The nineteen-year-old son of a same-sex couple, Wahls proudly proclaimed, "The sexual orientation of my parents has had zero effect on the content of my character." Hours later, his speech was posted on YouTube, where it went viral, quickly receiving more than two million views. His book is My Two Moms: Lessons of Love, Strength, and What makes a Family. In this exclusive interview, Zach describes how he rocketed from All-American teen to national spokesperson.

Taylor Mali interview - Tantorious episode 38

Taylor Mali spent nine years in the classroom as a teacher. He is also an author, performer, and a passionate advocate of teachers. His book, What Teachers Make, is based on a performance video that has been seen and forwarded millions of times on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. In this exclusive interview, Taylor explains why teachers are so vital to America today.

Georgia Pellegrini interview - Tantorious episode 37

Georgia Pellegrini's passion for good, simple food began at an early age in upstate New York. After graduating from Wellesley, she started working on Wall Street but left to pursue her lifelong love of cooking. She enrolled in the French Culinary Institute and cooked at gourmet restaurants. Her new book, Girl Hunter, pushes the boundaries of the foodie revolution and considers why, how, and what we eat. In this exclusive interview, Georgia talks about her first kill and some of the unusual recipes included in the book.

Mike Dow interview - Tantorious episode 36

Dr. Mike Dow is an author, psychotherapist, and addiction-recovery expert. He is currently a cohost of TLC's hit series Freaky Eaters. He has been featured on many TV shows and in many publications. His book is Diet Rehab: 28 Days to Finally Stop Craving the Foods That Make You Fat. In this exclusive interview, Dr. Mike explains why his is the best diet plan to kick the junk-food habit.

Shama Kabani interview - Tantorious episode 35

Shama Kabani is the founder and president of The Marketing Zen Group; her websites are MarketingZen.com and Shama.tv. She has been named one of the 10 Most Influential and Powerful Women in Social Media, and BusinessWeek honored her as one of the Top 25 Entrepreneurs Under 25. Her book, The Zen of Social Media Marketing, helps people successfully market their businesses online. In this exclusive interview, Shama explains how to leverage some of the new online platforms.

Mayim Bialik interview - Tantorious episode 34

Mayim Bialik is best known as the star of the 1990s TV series Blossom. She went on to earn a Ph.D. in neuroscience, has two young children, and is a writer on Kveller.com. Her new book is Beyond the Sling: A Real-Life Guide to Raising Confident, Loving Children the Attachment Parenting Way. In this exclusive interview, Mayim explains how she came to her holistic lifestyle.

Tristan Taormino interview - Tantorious episode 33

Relationship expert and bestselling author Tristan Taormino has written 23 books and has been featured in over 250 publications. Her book, Opening Up: A Guide to Creating and Sustaining Open Relationships, explores the real-life benefits and challenges, and offers solutions for making open relationships work. In this exclusive interview, she reviews the history of this subject and the progress that has been made.

RoseMarie Terenzio interview - Tantorious episode 32

RoseMarie Terenzio was born in the Bronx and served as a personal assistant, publicist, and confidante to John F. Kennedy, Jr., from 1994 until his death in 1999. Her book, Fairy Tale Interrupted: A Memoir of Life, Love and Loss, is an intimate portrait of JFK Jr. and his wife, Carolyn Bessette. In this exclusive interview, Terenzio reveals why she waited a dozen years to write it.

Mark Whitaker interview - Tantorious episode 31

Mark Whitaker is the executive vice president and managing editor of CNN Worldwide. He was previously the Washington Bureau Chief for NBC News and a reporter and editor at Newsweek, where he rose to become the first African-American leader of a national newsweekly. His new book, "My Long Trip Home: A Family Memoir," traces the story of what happened to his parents, a fascinating but star-crossed interracial couple. In this exclusive interview, Mark reveals his own journey of self-discovery. (To hear the first chapter of the audiobook, visit http://bit.ly/LongTrip)