The Big Story

"This is a GREAT show! Its a crazy good flashback to old school free form radio!! Amy Beth is a DJ/host who knows her stuff about music, books, politics, movies etc. Good guests, too. Unpredictable, warm and funny. This is appointment radio at its best!"- Stitcher review 

As we fall into our third season, a cool array of guests will help us weave that intriguing mosaic of voices from the arts, pop culture, personal growth and justice. 

And there's creative inspiration. And the free-form radio magic that just emanates organically- hot topics, music and cultural commentary. And thanks to the 24/7 social media matrix, our conversation is inclusive and never-ending. We ask you to chime in live or anytime that works for you. 

And feel free to use that chime to ring us up about a story or topic that means something to you; something you think other folks would like to learn about and talk about. 

Tell us what's what. Use the #BigStory calling card on Twitter. Or reach out via this blog, Facebook or email at the website. Guest suggestions welcome too. 

Listen when you want: live most Tuesdays & Fridays at noon. And be on the listen for special late afternoon editions on PopNet. Of course the beauty of the on demand deal: you can listen whenever & wherever you want! 

And I'm excited to announce new outlets. Listen via BTR, Stitcher ( portable with the app), Net Now, i-tunes, Tune-in and select shows featured on the new PopNet and the Arts Radio Network! 

All podcasts can also be accessed via our website. 

Drive safe. Play nice. Dream big. 

Stay tuned! 

aba 

It's a Mad Mad Month

"Happiness is that weird invention that other people have. How did they get that?" Matthew Weiner

It's maddening! As an early and devoted Mad Men fan I'm braced for the groundbreaking series to end. Sad to say goodbye to Don Draper, his myriad guises and anxieties and his dysfunctional colleagues and family members. We're in the midst of the perplexing final season. With only two episodes to go and I can say it's been a mixed bag: at turns intriguing, moving, hilarious and frankly disappointing,  I don't expect a clean ending. I'm not even sure I'd like that. Even the uneasy feeling I have about what fate may await Don in that final episode doesn't bother me. What does? The pangs of separation anxiety I haven't felt since Tony and Carmella ate their last basket of onion rings.

We'll talk during the month and share a Mad Men postmortem on Tues. 5/19. So join the convo via Twitter @abwrites #MadMen or call LIVE during the show 347-857-4505. 

Oh, and David Letterman exits  late night TV after decades in the game on May 20. Guess there's no remaining slim chance he'll read the letters my sister and I sent him years ago during his classic Mail bag segment. Too bad, too; they were far more clever than "Dave, wanna biscuit?" You'll just have to trust us on that.

And we're chatting with a marvelous melange of guests including:

AIDS physician Dr. Susan Ball, author Voices in the Band

Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Stephen Kurkjian, author Master Thieves 

Indie Folk-Rock duo March To May

Indie Folk-Rock artist Billy Grima 

Documentary filmmakers Pamela Hogan & Connie Shulman : Looks Like Laury, Sounds Like Laury 

And our popular Pop Americana music special returns to usher in the Memorial Day weekend.

Got a story to share? Guest suggestions? Creativity Coaching questions? Please visit the website. We always respond to all serious inquiries. Spam, not so much. But Spam doesn't care. Unless it's scam Spam and well, we all know what to do with that.

Drive safe. Play nice. dream big.

Stay tuned!

aba

Spring Awakenings

While Mama Nature clings to her arctic charms, most of us are ready to turn the page on that long, cold lonely winter. Perhaps we can will the seasonal shift with a re-airing of our popular Spring Awakenings Special on Friday, March 27.

And take a peek at who'll be warming up the airwaves this Spring....

March 31: Author Peggy Hanson talks about her mystery novel Deadline Yemen

April 7: Author Lorraine Devon Wilke discusses her comic novel Hysterical Love

April 10: fan favorite Dr. Daniela Schreier  takes on  psychological angles of today's hot justice stories.

April 14: Mystery author Jennifer Vido chats Murder By The Minutes. Plus: Taxing tunes!

April 17: We salute the Rock 'n' Roll hall of Fame Class of 2015 & Wish List for Next Year.

April 21; Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Stephen Kurkjian discusses his true crime book Master Thieves 

April 24: Poetic License: In honor of national Poetry Month we weave a musical mosaic of literary
references.

April 28: Author Kathryn Leigh Scott discusses her novel Jinxed. 

We're still booking for May & June, but here's a sneak peak:

May 1 : Dr. Susan Ball, author Voices From The Band 

*May 13: Meet new folk duo March to May & sample their tunes. * Note Special evening show: 8:30  PM

Got a story to share? We're always looking for authors, filmmakers, theater folks, musicians, social commentators, etc. And if you're a loquacious free thinker who likes to dish TV, movies, hot topics in the news you might be a good fit for an upcoming Coffee Klatch. Be in touch and we'll talk.

It's been great to re-connect with so many 'old' fans and forge partnerships with so many new voices. Your kind words of encouragement. mean so much.

Drive safe. Play nice. Dream big.

And stay tuned

aba

The Grateful Bounty 2014

With such a great response to last year's first annual Grateful Bounty, we are getting ready to serve up another cornucopia of delicious holiday treats.  Our next music special  featuring your requests and dedications will air live Friday November 21 and be available thereafter for podcast throughout the Holiday Season-and beyond!

Send your requests-songs do not have to be Thanksgiving tunes ( only a few of those in the pop culture cupboard), but songs that bring you sheer joy, inspiration, grace and gratitude. Sound familiar? It should to anyone who listens regularly and has dipped into the creative well with us on our Inspiration to Action Challenge.

Dedications, affirmations and notes of gratitude are also welcome.

Please send your requests here or at twitter @abwrites Use the #GratefulBounty.

All requests need to be received by Tuesday, November 18, so Trudi, Aurora and the TCS crew can load all the goodies into our Thanksgiving oven.

And  our seasonal celebration continues with Jolly Holidaze 2014, airing in December. So get set to indulge in a  feast of seasonal confections.

I know I have my own grateful bounty to share this year. This show, the enthusiastic response from a loyal and growing audience, and our awards from Media Bytes and Arts Wire, rank among my favorites. So thank you for being part of the success of this little ( not so) under the radar-over-the radio-rainbow experiment.

Drive safe. Play nice. Dream big.

aba

June's Croon

Okay, I admit it: if I wasn't imbued with Lucy Ricardo's musical talents I'd be a singer-songwriter. Readers and audiences know that my books and plays come with built-in soundtracks and listeners know that no matter how much I enjoy the talk show host part of my radio gig, my inner DJ has to come out to play. So no surprise I enjoy chatting with musicians. Serendipitously we have a slew on the June schedule. We'll also meet a few intriguing authors, take on hot topics in our free-flow pop culture convo, spur each other along with creative nudges and enjoy some fab music, too.

Take a peek at who's stopping by this month:

June 6: Author & social commentator Daniel Haight discusses social media fall-out from Santa Barbara killings

June 9: New Country artist Morgan Riley unveils her debut single & chats inspiration & influence.

June 13: indie Country star Doug Briney returns with new songs and stories

June 16: Singer-Songwriter Craig Morrison

June 23 Mystery author Steve Shortt

6/27: Eileen Rockefeller discusses her memoir Being A Rockefeller

6/30: International Kickin' Country Two Punch: Irish Country star Pete Kennedy returns & meet Swedish Country artist Hicks

Oh, if you have a story to share or need help telling yours, reach out to The Amy Beth Arkawy Show.

Drive safe. Play nice. Dream big.

aba

Book it, baby!

Big news about our little show.....

Going viral with our NJ Confidential episode started the New Year rolling. Then our interview with bestselling author, Jack Engelhard garnered national attention with an ArtsWire Top Pick Award. And our numbers continue to grow as PopNet and Net Now are also now airing our podcasts along with BTR.

Big Bites from big guests:

Our show with Willie Degel, the colorful star of the Food Network hit Restaurant Stakeout was a winner with listeners. And there's more great fun this spring. Check out our upcoming roster:

April 4: Spring Awakenings: Music, inspiration and pop culture

April 7: The Big Social Media Disconnect w/ fan fave Dr. Daniela Schreier

April 11: Rising Country singer-songwriter Marshall Dane

April 25; Mystery Author Nanci Rathburn

April 28: Ethel Merman, Mother Teresa... and Me author Tony Cointreau


May 2: Singer-songwriter Jerry Boutot

May 9: When I married My Mother author Jo Maeder

May 12; Author Phil Stanford

May 19 Mystery Author Julie Sedorf


Join us Live or anytime on demand.

Stay tuned for more updates. And join the conversation 24/7 at Twitter @abwrites Oh, and if you have a story to tell, reach via the website

Drive safe. play nice. dream big.

aba