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

Story Time

Everyone has  story. What''s yours?

As we gear up for another season of compelling conversations, The Amy Beth Arkawy Show continues to grow.

Our little under-the radar-over the radio-rainbow experiment has emerged as a popular and critically acclaimed podcast. We are so honored to be named one of the "Best Professional Podcasts" by Media Bytes. "Helmed by a savvy and warmly amusing radio vet and author with some sort of advanced degree in psychology or counseling, the show is an empowering, entertaining tour de force." Wow! We'll never take such praise  for granted. We will continue to offer our best on every show, with every guest.

And the show will continue to weave together a  mosaic of notable and emerging voices in the arts, pop culture, personal growth and justice,. The focus is storytelling, and the inspiration and influences that fuel a creative life. And, since our Coffee Klatches featuring a blend of thoughtfully irreverent takes on pop culture are among the most popular, they'll be liberally sprinkled in the mix along with our music specials.

Our Inspiration to Action Challenge has garnered more listener participation than I could have ever imagined. And the success stories keep pouring in. So we will continue to showcase that feature, as well as others that propel positive life changes and help facilitate creativity.

Is everyone phone phobic these days? Or is actually talking into the tin can with the string so last century? While our audience continues to grow many more listen to the podcast than the live show. Hey, whatever works for you, and that's the beauty of on-demand listening,. I get it. But my old school radio style still yearns for those crazy listener calls. There has been a spike of  "live" listeners, and many do engage in interaction... via social media. Mostly on Twitter. That's fine.Reading tweets is cool, but nothing beats the callers. So if you get a chance to listen  live Tuesdays and Fridays at 12 PM (ET) give us a call. Oh, and don't forget to switch the device from text to talk and we'e good to go.

I always ask for listener input: so if you have a compelling story to tell, feel free to query us. The easiest way is through my website . 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.

Happy New Year!

aba

Very Merry

As we wrap up our first full season of The Amy Beth Arkawy Show, I want to send gratitude and glad tidings to our fabulous roster of guests and our amazing and growing audience of literate and engaged thinkers.

What started as an under-the radar- over the radio rainbow- experiment in February 2013 has evolved into a successful Internet radio show and podcast. We have been honored to receive awards from Media Bytes, which, in designating the show as a "Top Professional Podcast," calls it " an empowering and entertaining tour de force." What a thrill and honor. And that award has garnered the show attention and helped it stand out in a crowded universe of podcasts.

We have been equally honored to have several shows named Top Picks by the critically acclaimed Arts Wire site. Among those praised shows:  our conversations with philanthropist and cabaret star Tony Cointreau, bestselling author Jack Englehard, former DJ turned author Jo Maeder, and a special show featuring a tribute to songwriter Gerry Goffin and an interview with fellow mystery author Steve Schrott.

And we went viral as our show featuring convicted felon turned self-proclaimed prison coach Wendy Feldman and her disparaging comments on Reality TV convicts Teresa and Joe Guidice before she took the controversial couple on as clients spurred national attention by a wide range of top gossip sites including TMZ zand Radar Online. Later, when Feldman publicly dumped them and disparaged them again, the show drew another round of viral traction. All proof that you can never under-estimate the power of the mighty little podcast.

My favorite shows are those that feature guests who are dedicated to their creative work and can offer insights into the process as well as highs and lows of their journeys. And it continues to thrill me when I hear from listeners whose own endeavors are enhanced by our shows.

Personal connection is key. And social media allows us to start and continue conversations in meaningful ways.

We look forward to weaving another rich mosaic of voices from the arts, pop culture, personal growth and justice in 2015. If you have a a story to share, please reach out.

On behalf of myself and the hearty TCS crew, here's to a Happy, Healthy Holiday season and Most Merry New Year!

Drive safe. Play nice. Dream big.

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

Shocktober Finale

It's so hard to believe the Spooky season is winding down. And I've seen nary a showing of Rosemary's Baby or Psycho yet. But as we careen toward Shocktober's finale on Friday, we'll scare up our second annual Halloween Spooktacular. Your requests and dedications are crammed into our crypt and ready to go.


Join us live for our unofficial listener surveys on favorite horror movies, treats and costumes. Or listen later on demand.

Drive safe. Play nice. Dream big.

aba

Fall Frolics

It's not officially autumn, which may explain why I'm not officially over summer. But onward we go into a new season  of inspiring and entertaining shows.

As the juggling act continues, we'll change up the schedule a bit. We'll now air live episodes most Tuesdays and Fridays, with additional shows as guests and topics dictate ( and time permits). And as always, all shows will be archived for on demand listening.

Again, I cannot express the gratitude I have for Media Bytes for singling out our not so "under the radar" over the radio rainbow experiment as a "Top Professional Podcast." They've dubbed it "an empowering, entertaining tour de force,' and we do our best to live up to such praise and never take it for granted. I am so grateful, too, for our enthusiastic and growing audience. We couldn't do it without out you. Well, yeah, I guess we could, but it wouldn't be nearly as fun or rewarding.

And be on the listen as the show's reach continues to expand. Beyond BTR, the show is now also featured on PopNet, Net Now and iTunes. Additional outlets and platforms are coming soon!

Take a a look at who's stopping by this September


9/9: Author & Speaker Tara Almeny: on loss, grief and moving forward.

9/12: Author and philanthropist Eileen Rockefeller discusses her fascinating memoir.

9/16: Pat Morgan, author The Concrete Killing Fields, discusses her experience as an advocate for the homeless.

9/19: Storyteller and musician Crow Johnson Evans

9/23: Author Martin Preib discusses true life hard boiled tales of Crooked City. 

9/30: Mystery Authors Heather Shkuratoff  & Andrea Taylor, the clever gals behind Barbara Jean Coast and the stylish Poppy Cove Mystery Series return to unveil their latest, Death of a Beauty Queen. 



And we'll engage in the usual hoopla: free flow Pop Culture convo, humor, music and more. Plus: we continue the Inspiration to Action Challenge and I'll be offering more motivational jump starts  designed to re-ignite your creative spark and help us all nurture more productive, joyous and rewarding lives. And our popular hot topics and music shows will also get their due this season.

If you've got a story to share contact us at the website, That's the place to go, too, if you need help telling your story. Let's start a creative conversation; the first one is always on me.

Drive safe. Play nice. Dream big.

Stay tuned!

aba