Make sure to mention the code PODCAST when making your next reservation and enjoy 15% off on new bookings for 7-night stays in 2026.

Applicable towards new reservations only. Not combinable with other offers. On space-available basis. Some restrictions and blackout dates apply. Booking must be made by December 27, 2026.

What if the most memorable stories begin with the people Hollywood usually overlooks?

Television writer, producer, director, and author Josh Berman joins Barry at Rancho La Puerta to share how a law-school graduate found his way into some of television’s most recognizable writers’ rooms. Josh reflects on his early days at NBC, writing six episodes during the first season of CSI, running writers’ rooms for Bones and The Blacklist, and creating the beloved series Drop Dead Diva.

Throughout his career, Josh has used storytelling to explore science, truth, justice, body image, and the experiences of outsiders. He explains how his grandmother, a four-foot-eleven Holocaust survivor who carried herself like a supermodel, inspired the heart of Drop Dead Diva and its groundbreaking plus-size lead.

Josh also introduces his first novel, Dead Matters, a forensic thriller following FBI agent Ella Penrose as she investigates crimes that appear paranormal but may have scientific explanations. He shares why rewriting is the real key to strong writing, how personal stories become compelling material, and the techniques he teaches aspiring writers during his workshops at the Ranch.

This warm and insightful conversation is a reminder that everyone has a story worth telling and that entertainment can make room for compassion, humanity, and hope.

Resources:

• Josh Berman’s Dead Matters
• Drop Dead Diva on Prime Video

To learn more about our wonderful presenters and exciting weeks coming up at the ranch, go to RanchoLaPuerta.com and check out our events calendar. Mention the podcast when making your reservation to take advantage of a special offer. Some restrictions may apply.

Produced by NOVA