My guest today is TV host and author, Tamron Hall. Tamron is the Emmy Award-winning television host and executive producer of syndicated talk show Tamron Hall. We talk about her new book “Watch Where They Hide”, her interview style, and more during this episode.

The 5 questions I ask in this episode:

1. What inspired you to pursue a career in media, and how did you navigate your journey to becoming a prominent television host?
2. Your interviewing style is often praised for its authenticity. How do you prepare for interviews, and how do you establish a connection with your guests?
3. How did you come up with the idea for your crime fiction series and what do you think will appeal most with Watch Where They Hide?
4. What is the main message you’re trying to convey about our criminal justice system through all forms of media?
5. What’s your best piece of career advice?

Video interview:

Follow Tamron’s journey:

• Book
• Twitter
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Facebook

My guest today is bestselling children’s fiction author, Kate DiCamillo. Kate is a former National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature and a two-time Newbery Medalist. We talk about her literary career, and new book “The Puppets of Spelhorst” during this episode.

The 5 questions I ask in this episode:

1. Why did growing up with chronic pneumonia draw you to read books?
2. How did receiving 473 rejection letters motivate you?
3. How have you been able to observe the world through the eyes of children as an adult?
4. What can children take away from reading your new book “The Puppets of Spelhorst”?
5. What’s your best piece of career advice?

Video interview:

Follow Kate’s journey:

• Book
• Website
• Facebook

My guest today is PAW Patrol and Bob the Builder mastermind, Keith Chapman. Keith just celebrated the 10th anniversary of Paw Patrol with a second feature film called “Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie” which was produced by Spin Master Entertainment. We talk about his early career with the Jim Henson company, the business of intellectual property, and more during this episode.

The 5 questions I ask in this episode:

1. 1. How did your experience designing characters at Jim Henson and working at an ad agency form the foundation for your career?
2. What did you learn about the business of intellectual property during your time working on the Bob the Builder property?
3. What do you think has led to PAW Patrol becoming a billion-dollar empire with shows, movies, toys, and books?
4. Why was the merchandizing of PAW Patrol a higher priority over the content and how is that different than when you worked at Henson?
5. What’s your best piece of career advice?

Video interview:

My guest today is playwright and filmmaker, David Mamet. David won a Pulitzer Prize and received Tony nominations for his plays Glengarry Glen Ross and Speed-the-Plow. He wrote the screenplays for such films as The Verdict, The Untouchables, Ronin, and Wag the Dog. We talk about his early influences, and career challenges, during this episode.

The 5 questions I ask in this episode:

1. 1. Can you share some of the early influences that shaped your interest in writing and drama?
2. What motivated your transition from studying acting to becoming a playwright and how did this shift impact your creative process?
3. How was being fired from dozens of movies a blessing in disguise and what did you learn from the experiences?
4. What are the biggest challenges of making a film and how did you overcome them?
5. What’s your best piece of career advice?

Video interview: