What if Elvis Presley had a son whose story was never meant to be told?

Author Joseph Coulson joins Steve Richards on Speaking of Writers to discuss The Prince of Memphis, a provocative new novel blending music, mystery, romance, race, and the mythology of the King of Rock ’n’ Roll.

Aron Beale believes he is Elvis's unacknowledged son. When he prepares to publish a memoir revealing his secret, he finds himself facing powerful adversaries determined to keep his story buried. With journalist Odelia Jane Phillips at his side, Aron embarks on a dangerous journey through the landscapes and legends of American music.

Joseph talks about the inspiration behind the novel, the complexities of race and identity, the relationship between a famous father and an unknown son, and the role music plays in revealing truths that words alone cannot express.

We also explore Joseph's life as a novelist, poet, playwright, and musician, and discuss what happens when history, imagination, and the stories we tell about our cultural icons collide.

Featuring a fascinating conversation about The Prince of Memphis, the creative process, and the power of stories that refuse to stay buried.

Subscribe to The Speaking of Writers Podcast for more conversations with the authors behind the books.

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What does the California Gold Rush have to do with the making of modern America—and the road to the Civil War?

On this episode of Speaking of Writers, Steve Richards sits down with acclaimed historian Nathaniel Philbrick to discuss The Rush: California Gold, the Civil War, and the Making of the Modern World.

The discovery of gold in 1848 unleashed a global migration and transformed California into a testing ground for wealth, technological innovation, political power, and competing ideas of freedom. But beneath the promise of instant riches lay racial injustice, violence, dispossession, and a political struggle that threatened the future of the Union.

Philbrick brings this turbulent period to life through remarkable individuals, including Mary Ellen Pleasant, international fortune seekers, political rivals, and the Chinese workers whose labor helped make the transcontinental railroad possible.

We discuss the Gold Rush's unexpected influence on the Civil War, the origins of America's modern obsession with wealth, and the parallels between nineteenth-century upheaval and today's technology-driven world.

As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on the country's enduring contradictions—and the people who shape its future.

Listen to Speaking of Writers with host Steve Richards for a fascinating conversation about history, storytelling, and the forces that continue to shape America.

Book: The Rush: California Gold, the Civil War, and the Making of the Modern World

Author: Nathaniel Philbrick

#NathanielPhilbrick #TheRush #SpeakingOfWriters #AmericanHistory #HistoryPodcast #BookPodcast #CaliforniaGoldRush #CivilWar #HistoricalNonfiction

Helping Little Hearts Handle Big Feelings with Author Sarah Russi

What happens when Daddy has to sail away, and little hearts are left trying to understand why?

On this episode of Speaking of Writers, we sit down with Sarah Russi, a professional dog trainer, Navy wife, and proud Army daughter, to discuss her heartfelt children's book, Rawry’s Daddy Is Underway.

Written for her son, Forrest, and children like him, Sarah's book helps young readers navigate the complicated emotions that can come with an underway or deployment. Through gentle rhymes, a relatable character, and creative coloring activities, she gives families a starting point for conversations about sadness, loneliness, confusion, and connection.

In our conversation, Sarah shares the military family experiences that inspired her writing, why it's important to validate children's emotions, and practical ways parents and caregivers can help little ones cope when a loved one is away at sea.

Whether you're a military family, a parent, an educator, or someone who believes in the power of children's literature, this is a conversation about love, resilience, and helping children feel understood.

Book: Rawry’s Daddy Is Underway
Author: Sarah Russi

For more info on the book click HERE

#SpeakingOfWriters #SarahRussi #RawrysDaddyIsUnderway #MilitaryFamilies #MilitaryKids #DeploymentSupport #ChildrensBooks #SocialEmotionalLearning #Parenting #NavyFamily #MilitaryLife #AuthorInterview