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Hill Country Authors

Hill Country Authors – A Journey from Journalism to Fiction with Paul McGrath

Welcome to a new season of the award-winning Hill Country Authors Podcast, sponsored by Stoney Creek Publishing. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with authors who live in and write about the Texas Hill Country. In this episode, Tom visits with Paul McGrath, whose journalism career spanned decades at newspapers like the Houston Chronicle.

They delve into Paul’s roots in Texas, his transition from journalism to authorship, and the inspiration behind his debut novel ‘Left,’ which draws from the tragic Uvalde school shooting. Paul discusses his writing process, his relationship with Stoney Creek Publishing, and the importance of student newspapers in the journalistic landscape. The episode also teases future books, planned as part of a trilogy, with coffee as a surprising central theme.

Key highlights:

  • Paul McGrath’s Early Life and Career
  • Transition from Journalism to Writing
  • The Spark Behind the Book ‘Left’
  • Writing Process and Routine
  • Setting and Themes of ‘Left’
  • The Role of Student Newspapers

Resources:

Paul McGrath on Stoney Creek Publishing

Left at Texas A&M University Press

 Podcast Cover Art

Nancy Huffman Fine Art

Tom Fox

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Hill Country Authors

Hill Country Authors – Exploring Galveston and Medicine Through Island Intern with Dr. Paul Remmers

Welcome to a new season of the award-winning Hill Country Authors Podcast, sponsored by Stoney Creek Publishing. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with authors who live in and write about the Texas Hill Country. In this episode, Tom visits with author Paul Remmers, a physician with over forty years of experience in internal medicine. He was born and raised in Galveston, Texas, where he attended the University of Texas Medical Branch and later returned as a faculty member. He has also served on the faculty at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

They discuss the medical landscape of Galveston, the historical significance of the 1900 hurricane, and Dr. Remmer’s personal experiences that influenced his novel. Dr. Remmer elaborates on the challenges and emotional highs and lows that medical interns experience, both in contemporary settings and throughout history. He also reflects on Galveston’s diverse cultural backdrop and its impact on his upbringing. The episode wraps up with Dr. Remmer’s experiences with publication and his recent participation in a book festival.

Key highlights:

  • Inspiration Behind ‘Island Intern’
  • Writing Process and Challenges
  • Galveston’s Melting Pot History
  • Medical Practice in the Early 20th Century
  • Legacy of the 1900 Hurricane

Resources:

Paul Remmers on Stoney Creek Publishing

Island Intern at Texas A&M University Press

Podcast Cover Art

Nancy Huffman Fine Art

Tom Fox

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Hill Country Authors

Hill Country Authors Podcast – TD Motley on Combing Art and Fiction

Welcome to a new season of the award-winning Hill Country Authors Podcast, sponsored by Stoney Creek Publishing. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with authors who live in and write up the Texas Hill Country. In this episode, Tom visits TD Motley about his book, The Art of Farming—Sketches on Life in the Country.

Dr. Thomas Motley is a devoted illustrator and cartoonist whose artistic journey began at the tender age of three, fueled by his fascination with the funny papers and Sunday funnies. Inspired by early heroes like Pogo and Mort Drucker, his passion for illustration was further cultivated at 14 through mentorship with his favorite editorial cartoonist, Bob Taylor. Despite facing discouragement from his high school counselor and principal, Thomas pursued art in college, championing the idea of staying true to oneself and following one’s dreams. Today, he draws upon his childhood influences and admiration for illustrators like Tom Lee to encourage aspiring artists to carve out their unique styles and tackle personal challenges with creativity and perseverance.

 

Key highlights:

  • Visual Artist’s Evolution into Storytelling Author
  • Illustrative Inspiration: Tom Lee’s Influence
  • Engaging Sequel Expanding Farming’s Artistry
  • Embracing Dreams: Fueling Artistic Journeys

Resources:

TD Motley on LinkedIn

TD Motley on Instagram

Art Spiel Contemporary Art and Culture

Eutopia

Dallas Biennial (DB)

Bookmark interview with Christine Brown, KAMU/PBS, Sept, 2024

Interview with Etty Yaniv, publisher, Art Spiel, posted Monday, Feb 10, 2025

The Art of Farming: Sketches on Life in the Country on Texas A&M University Press

Stoney Creek Publishing

Nancy Huffman Fine Art

Tom Fox

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Hill Country Authors

Hill Country Authors Podcast – The Barber, The Astronaut, and The Golf Ball: Untold NASA Stories with Barbara Radnofsky and Ed Supkis

Welcome to a new season of the award-winning Hill Country Authors Podcast, sponsored by Stoney Creek Publishing. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with authors who live in and write up the Texas Hill Country. In this episode, Tom visits with Barbara Radnofsky and her co-author husband, Ed Supkis, on their book, The Barber, The Astronaut, and The Golf Ball: An Exploration of Untold NASA Stories.

Barbara, a former lawyer and mediator turned author, and Ed, a cardiovascular anesthesiologist turned aviation medicine expert, share their journey from documentary filmmakers to authors. The book delves into the intriguing relationships between Carlos Villagomez, a barber with a Navy history, and the iconic astronaut Alan Shepard, focusing on the mysterious golf ball hit on the moon. Ed and Barbara grew up as ‘NASA Brats’ as their fathers worked in the space program. They provide an insider’s perspective on NASA’s behind-the-scenes heroes, emphasizing the collaborative spirit that fueled the space program. The episode closes with reflections on the importance of preserving legacies and storytelling for future generations and how listeners can access their books and documentaries.

Key highlights:

  • Carlos Villagomez: The Barber
  • Carlos’s Relationship with Alan Shepard
  • Alan Shepard: The Astronaut and the Man
  • NASA’s Support System
  • Growing Up as NASA Brats
  • The Importance of Preserving Legacies

Resources:

Barbara Radnofsky on LinkedIn

The Barber, the Astronaut and the Golf Ball on Amazon.com

The Barber, the Astronaut and the Golf Ball on Bibliotica.com

Stoney Creek Publishing

Nancy Huffman Fine Art

Tom Fox

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Hill Country Authors

Hill Country Authors Podcast – Molded: A Journey of Resilience and Recovery with Carol Milberger

Welcome to a new season of the award-winning Hill Country Authors Podcast, sponsored by Stoney Creek Publishing. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with authors who live in and write about the Texas Hill Country. In this episode, Tom visits Carol Milberger about her story of loss and resilience through the loss of a home due to toxic mold in her book MOLDed.

Have you ever seen toxic mold in your home and considered the devastating impact of this condition? After listening to this podcast with Carol Milberger, who discovered her home was completely infested with toxic mold, you should probably not, but you should. She recounts the devastating impact toxic mold had on her home and family’s health. Carol discusses the cognitive and physical effects of toxic mold exposure, the challenges of remediation, and the financial and emotional toll on her family. She emphasizes the importance of resilience and gratitude in overcoming such adversities. She also touches on her bookwriting journey, the role of humor in dealing with grief, and her ongoing efforts to educate others about toxic mold’s dangers.

Key highlights:

  • The Mold Discovery and Initial Impact
  • Health and Cognitive Effects of Mold
  • Writing the Memoir and Using Humor
  • Resilience and Family Support

Resources:

Carol Milberger

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MOLDed on Amazon.com

Stoney Creek Publishing

Nancy Huffman Fine Art

Tom Fox

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Hill Country Authors Podcast – Conrad Bibens on the Life and Times of General George Thomas

Welcome to a new season of the award-winning Hill Country Authors Podcast. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with authors who live in and write about the Texas Hill Country. In this episode, Tom visits with author Conrad Bibens, whose book The Best General of the Civil War was recently published by the Wimberly-based Stoney Creek Publishing.

In the inaugural episode of 2025, Tom and Conrad Bibens discuss his new book focusing on Union Army George Thomas. Conrad shares insights about his 40-year journalism career and his deep dive into the life of Thomas, a Southern-born general who fought for the North despite his Virginian roots and upbringing in a slaveholding family. They discuss Thomas’s remarkable military career, his unwavering integrity, and the various influences that shaped his legacy during and after the Civil War. Key themes include Thomas’s strategic prowess, his controversial position in Northern and Southern narratives, and the modern-day leadership lessons that can be drawn from his life.

Key highlights:

  • Why George Thomas?
  • Nat Turner’s Rebellion and Its Impact
  • George Thomas in the Mexican War
  • Artillery Expertise in the Civil War
  • Comparing Civil War Generals
  • Career and Legacy of George Thomas
  • Leadership Lessons from George Thomas

Resources:

Conrad Bibens on Stoney Creek Publishing

The Best General of the Civil War on Amazon

The Best General of the Civil War on Texas A&M Press

Tom Fox

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