If This Is True with Chris Hall

Alex Mann is an improviser, actor, comedian and author. His book, the Law of Improv came out in paperback in 2025. He has performed in several plays, shows, commercials, and TV shows, based out of the Boston area.He is also been a sheriff for 28 years, and uses that experience to explore how improvisational principles can help first responders communicate and strengthen leadership. The Law of Improv provides a framework for that practice. You ought to be arrested if you don't listen to this one!

The future of space may be shaped by a coming scramble for off-world resources, the rise of humans born and raised beyond Earth, and the disruptive power of AI and robotics. Genetic engineering will redefine not only crops but humanity itself, transforming survival in stark new ways. And in time, contact with alien species could spark conflicts or alliances that alter our destiny. These are some of the elements explored in a new science-fiction series set just 40–80 years from now, written by Jeremy Clift, a former journalist with two decades of global reporting experience. His books – Born in Space and Space Vault -- have been praised heavily for their mesmerizing world-building, high-impact action, deep character development, philosophical explorations, and most of all, a realistic portrayal of what life in space could look like from the detailed eye of a reporter who has covered war zones, natural disasters, and economic crises. Clift has lived in China, Egypt, Great Britain, India, France, Philippines, Washington DC, and elsewhere. From his international experiences he was able to imagine universal struggles out in deep space.SOOOOO Interesting! Don't miss this one!

Born in Athens, Greece as an Air Force brat, Teri M Brown came into this world with an imagination full of stories to tell. She now calls the North Carolina coast home, and the peaceful nature of the sea has been a great source of inspiration for her creativity.Not letting 2020 get the best of her, Teri chose to go on an adventure that changed her outlook on life. She and her husband, Bruce, rode a tandem bicycle across the United States from Astoria, Oregon to Washington DC, successfully raising money for Toys for Tots. She learned she is stronger than she realized and capable of anything she sets her mind to.Teri graduated from UNC Greensboro with a multitude of degrees – majors in Elementary Education and Psychology and minors in Math and Sociology – she just couldn’t settle on one thing! While homeschooling her four children, she began her writing career by focusing on small businesses, writing articles, blog posts, and website content.Upon winning the First Annual Anita Bloom Ornoff Award for Inspirational Short Story for a piece about her grandfather, she began writing in earnest, and published her debut novel in 2022, Sunflowers Beneath the Snow, a historical fiction set in Ukraine. Her second novel published in 2023, An Enemy Like Me, takes place during WWII. Her latest novel, Daughters of Green Mountain Gap, a generational story about Appalachian healers came out in January 2024. In June 2024, her short story, The Youngest Lighthouse Keeper, came out in the anthology Feisty Deeds: Historical Fictions of Daring Women. Her latest book, 10 Little Rules for a Double-Butted Adventure (Feb 2025), My first children's picture book, Little Lola and Her Big Dream, came out in April of last year.Teri is a delight. Listen to this!!

Over the years, Cameron Smith has used comedy, music and film as ways to process life and connect with people in a real, unpolished way. His latest project, The Loneliest Boy on Earth, came out of that impulse — part experiment, part personal confession, and part attempt to make sense of love and identity in the modern world. He has learned that vulnerability, when shared honestly, can be both healing and entertaining (also provocative and dangerous).Across all mediums — whether film, music, or live conversation — my work is about pushing boundaries, experimenting with form, and ultimately creating something that is both meaningful and entertaining.This was a spirited convo covering what artists should do, loneliness, taking risks and so much more. Don't miss it!!

Ralph R. “Rick” Steinke is an award-winning author whose Jake Fortina series has captivated readers with its razor-sharp realism, fast-paced storytelling, and unforgettable characters. With three acclaimed novels already on shelves—and a fourth installment, Vital Mission, launching this August—Steinke has established himself as a fresh, authoritative voice in the military thriller genre.Readers praise his novels for their vivid detail, believable dialogue, and storylines that feel startlingly real. From international flashpoints to complex characters operating under extreme pressure, Vital Mission continues the gripping tradition of a series that feels both timeless and timely.You can connect with him on LinkedIn Ralph "Rick" Steinke | LinkedIn or Facebook:  https://bit.ly/3WiH57u. For more information, please see: www.ricksteinke.com.Give this a listen

John Fugelsang is an actor, comedian, talk show host, and former VH1 VJ, but did you know he is also a best selling author?His book, Separation of Church and Hate is a guide for navigating conversations with fake Christians and your relatives who attend the megachurch, but don’t live by Jesus’ example. It’s a NYT best seller!You can hear him on Tell Me Everything, part of the programming on SiriusXM Progress, channel 127.Listen to this one. It will change your life.

Drawn to a career in the arts, multi-hyphenate (actor, director, playwright, comedian) Chris Ferretti acted in several theatrical productions that no one ever saw.Ferretti studied theatre and marketing at the University of Rhode Island, which is as good of a recipe as any to become a bartender in Connecticut.Working several jobs and bartending nights, Ferretti continued to perform in several productions, which ultimately led him to studying acting, directing and playwriting at the Actors Studio, where he received his MFA and once shook hands with Bradley Cooper.An avid writer, he has written and produced several works including his one-act comedy, The Session, which had its Off-Broadway debut at the Theatre at St. Clement’s. Chris’ other works include Clipped Wings, Between A Rock and The Port Authority, Don’t Forget to Tip Your Server, Trumped, and Fish & Visitors: A Covid Comedy. He has also penned a solo show, Voicemails From Purgatory, which details the insanity of growing up in an Irish/Italian dysfunctional family.Chris, and his wife Julie, also penned, Go Shit in a Hat: Wise Words, Vulgar Expressions, and a Little Bit of Advice from the One and Only Auntie Ro, with 100% of the proceeds going to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.Check this out!!!

Kevin Allison is the creator and host of the hit podcast, RISK!, where people tell true stories they never thought they’d dare to share. Since its 2009, RISK! has produced nearly 1000 episodes. Slate once called RISK! “Hilarious, jaw-dropping and just plain touching.” Kevin is also the founder and lead instructor of The Story Studio, a storytelling school which offers classes and corporate workshops around the world and online. He is also the editor of the book adaptation of RISK!, published by Hachette Books in 2018.As an actor, writer and comedian, Kevin began his career as a founding member of the legendary sketch comedy group, The State, whose cult classic show aired on MTV from 1993-96. More recently, Kevin has appeared in shows such as Flight of the Conchords, High Maintenance, Cobra Kai, and the films Alma and the Wolf and I'll Take the Hamm. This is a great one! Give it a listen.

Since 2014, Anthony LaMarca has served as the multi-instrumentalist in The War On Drugs. He has also released five albums as The Building. He also engineers and produces albums for other artists at his Youngstown, Ohio studio, Peppermint Productions. Along with his partners Dean Anshutz and Peppermint founder Gary Rhamy, they also archive and reissue recordings from the studio's more than fifty year history.We talked about his love of polka music and why Youngstown, Ohio is special. Don't miss this one!