Sinopsis
Every week author J. Alexander Greenwood talks about writing mystery, thriller, suspense, horror and other genre fiction. Join Alex for plenty of writing-related topics, as well as interviews, guests and some stuff that has nothing to do with anything.
Episodios
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The Shape of Our Unease
06/09/2025 Duración: 07minWhat does Edith Piaf have to teach us about surviving chaos in 2025? From La Vie en Rose to Marvel blockbusters, I explore why old voices still matter when today’s culture feels hollow.Plus, a special announcement: get 50% off your first year as a paid subscriber to All the Fits That’s News .CONNECT:All the Fits That's News on Substack (Free or Paid)Alex's Author Website Mysterious Goings On websiteContact Alex about advertising/sponsorship here.Buy a Book!Going to Killing City...Alex's True Crime PodcastEnjoy this episode? Please leave us a review on your podcast platform of choice, and don't forget to subscribe for more literary journeys! LEAVE A REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS Announcer: Mary McKenna. Original theme music "Mysterious
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Idiocracy Is Here… and Yes, It’s Got Elected Electrolytes
30/08/2025 Duración: 08minIn 2006, Mike Judge’s Idiocracy was satire. In 2025, it looks like the nightly news. Alex unpacks how anti-intellectualism, corporate dominance, politics as spectacle, and meme-economics echo Judge’s dystopia—and why the joke is starting to feel real. Plus, a special announcement: get 50% off your first year as a paid subscriber to All the Fits That’s News .CONNECT:All the Fits That's News on Substack (Free or Paid)Alex's Author Website Mysterious Goings On websiteContact Alex about advertising/sponsorship here.Buy a Book!Going to Killing City...Alex's True Crime PodcastEnjoy this episode? Please leave us a review on your podcast platform of choice, and don't forget to subscribe for more literary journeys! LEAVE A REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS Announcer: Mary McKenna
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Peak Social Media: When the Craze Becomes a Chore
23/08/2025 Duración: 13minIs the social media era finally losing its grip on us?In this episode, Alex reads his essay “Peak Social Media: When the Craze Becomes a Chore,” examining platform fatigue, expert perspectives on digital burnout, and the quiet rise of slower, more intentional spaces like Reddit and Substack.CONNECT:All the Fits That's News on Substack (Free or Paid)Alex's Author Website Mysterious Goings On websiteContact Alex about advertising/sponsorship here.Buy a Book!Going to Killing City...Alex's True Crime PodcastEnjoy this episode? Please leave us a review on your podcast platform of choice, and don't forget to subscribe for more literary journeys! LEAVE A REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS Announcer: Mary McKenna. Original theme music "Mysterious Goings On" by Jamie Green. Want y
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Vital Mission: Ralph R. "Rick" Steinke on Thrillers, Service & Storycraft
09/08/2025 Duración: 40minJoin host Alex Greenwood for a conversation with Colonel Ralph R. “Rick” Steinke (U.S. Army, Ret.)—West Point graduate, U.S. Army veteran, and author of the award-winning Jake Fortina military thriller series. Steinke draws on 28 years in the Army and 14 with the Department of Defense to bring high-stakes realism to his novels. His latest, Vital Mission—releasing August 26, (note: there will be no pre-orders)—tackles the harrowing issue of Ukrainian children being abducted.Steinke’s distinguished career took him to more than 30 countries, including Afghanistan and Ukraine. His honors include the US Legion of Merit, French National Order of Merit (Commander), and the US Army Ranger Tab. He holds master’s degrees in West European studies and diplomacy, along with security affairs certificates from Harvard and Stanford.In this episode, Steinke discusses the inspiration behind his thrillers, the realities of national security work, and the enduring fidelity to the Constitution that guides a soldier’s service.More
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W.S. Wiist On Storytelling with Three Hats
24/07/2025 Duración: 41minWhat happens when one person wears the hats of author, illustrator, AND designer? You get a book like The Mystery of A Nubbins—a richly imagined adventure that feels like it stepped straight out of the Golden Age of Illustration.In this episode, I sit down with W.S. Wiist, who brings three decades of creative experience to his dream project. We talk about:✅ How childhood wonder shaped The Mystery of A Nubbins ✅ The Brandywine School of Illustration and why it still inspires him✅ His creative mentors ✅ How he balances writing, art, and design to create a single seamless experienceWe also get into the Indiegogo campaign that’s helping bring A Nubbins to life for more readers—and why this book is more than just a story, it’s an experience.
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A Most Illogical Age: Mr. Spock Weighs In
20/07/2025 Duración: 10minWhat happens when you ask Starfleet’s most logical mind to make sense of modern America? From politics to conspiracy theories, climate denial to social media chaos, Commander Spock doesn’t pull punches. He even offers his thoughts on the current state of Star Trek—and yes, he has opinions about blowing up the Enterprise, killing off Kirk, and the eyebrow-raising “young Spock.”No emotion. No spin. Just reason.
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Dispirit of ’76
04/07/2025 Duración: 15minOn this special Independence Day episode, Alex steps away from fiction and into the present-day reality of a nation at a crossroads.Dispirit of ’76 (also published on Substack) is a personal roadtrip through American optimism—what it was, what it’s become, and whether we still have the will to pursue the “beautiful world” promised in Donald Fagen’s 1982 track “I.G.Y.” Along the way, Alex revisits key moments in U.S. history—from 1776, to the post-Civil War collapse of 1876, to the performative patriotism of the Bicentennial—and questions how the American myth holds up in an era of political grievance, disinformation, and performative outrage.This isn’t just a history lesson. It’s a drive through the literal and metaphorical cracks in our foundation, written from the road and the gut—with detours into the Roman Empire, Gore Vidal, altered flags, and the disorienting comfort of our modern lives.If you’re looking for something reflective, pointed, and (just maybe) hopeful, this one’s for you.CONNECT:A
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Cracked, Not Broken: Fictional Role Models for the Rest of Us
29/06/2025 Duración: 17minIn this episode, we explore the power of imperfection.From fictional characters who’ve survived trauma, addiction, grief, and self-sabotage, to real-life reflections on what it means to show up anyway—this is a tribute to the flawed, the functional, and the quietly heroic.✅ Why competence is its own kind of courage✅ How storytelling helps us reframe resilience✅ The link between emotional wounds and meaningful work✅ What it means to keep trying—even when you’re tired, angry, or scared✅ Why being “not broken” doesn’t mean being wholeThis one’s personal. And whether you’re someone who’s been through it—or someone who just feels like you’re barely holding it together—I hope this episode reminds you:You still count. You’re still here. And that matters.CONNECT:All the Fits That's News on Substack (Free or Paid)Alex's Author Website Mysterious Goings On websiteContact Alex about advertising/sponsorship here.Buy a Book!
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Ellison Was Right: Don’t Work for Nothing
24/06/2025 Duración: 05minHost J. Alex Greenwood riffs on Harlan Ellison’s legendary “Pay the Writer” rant and explains why writing for “exposure” often ends in creative bankruptcy.
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Don't Sidestep It: A Lesson from the C Team
19/06/2025 Duración: 07minWhat can a scrappy Little League C team teach us about courage, accountability, and democracy?In this episode, Alex steps back into right field—the place where misfit ballplayers and underdogs get benched—only to discover it’s where some of life’s toughest (and truest) lessons are learned. From a coach who looked more Grateful Dead than gridiron, to a ground ball that literally knocked the wind out of him, Alex unpacks why standing your ground matters—on the field, in the workplace, and in today’s increasingly chaotic world.
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Not Your Pal, But Always Your Father
13/06/2025 Duración: 09minIn this heartfelt Father's Day reflection, Alex Greenwood shares his evolving role as a father, emphasizing the importance of boundaries, protection, and trust in parenting. Through personal anecdotes, he illustrates the challenges and rewards of fatherhood, ultimately highlighting the goal of fostering a strong, trusting relationship with his daughter as she grows into her own person.Hey friends—can you do me a quick favor?I’m running a short survey to get your take on my podcasts and All the Fits That's News newsletter. It only takes about 2 minutes, and your feedback will help shape what comes next.Whether you're a regular listener or just pop in occasionally, I’d really value your input. Bonus: you can enter to win a $20 Amazon gift card just for participating.The survey closes once we hit our target number of responses—or by June 30, whichever comes first.Thanks so much for supporting independent creators like me. You keep this whole thing going. -- Alexhttps://forms.gle/oDaEZDAG9mTTHbqk6CONN
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The Fine Art of the Gentle Nudge (and When It Becomes a Shove)
04/06/2025 Duración: 11minAlex Greenwood explores the multifaceted nature of persuasion, particularly in writing and storytelling. He discusses how writers use persuasion to create believable narratives, the ethical implications of persuasion in various fields, and the importance of trust in the writer-reader relationship. Through examples from fiction, public relations, and law, he highlights the thin line between persuasion and manipulation, urging listeners to be aware of the narratives they encounter and the tacit bargain you make with the written word.CONNECT:All the Fits That's News on Substack (Free or Paid)Alex's Author Website Mysterious Goings On websiteContact Alex about advertising/sponsorship here.Buy a Book! (John Pilate Mysteries)Going to Killing City...Alex's true Crime PodcastHey friends—can you do me a quick favor?I’m running a short survey to get your take on my podcasts and All the Fits T
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What Do You Think?
25/05/2025 Duración: 51sHey friends—can you do me a quick favor? I’m running a short survey to get your take on my podcasts and All the Fits That's News newsletter. It only takes about 2 minutes, and your feedback will help shape what comes next.Whether you're a regular listener or just pop in occasionally, I’d really value your input. Bonus: you can enter to win a $20 Amazon gift card just for participating.The survey closes once we hit our target number of responses—or by June 30, whichever comes first.We're also doing a survey for our sister show, PR After Hours. Check your feed for the link!Thanks so much for supporting independent creators like me. You keep this whole thing going. -- Alexhttps://forms.gle/oDaEZDAG9mTTHbqk6
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The Team That Forgot It Was a Team
24/05/2025 Duración: 06minAlex explores the decline of a shared sense of purpose in America, emphasizing the importance of civic understanding, empathy, and community. He discusses how societal divisions have been exacerbated by misinformation and a lack of civic education, leading to a fragmented democracy. He advocates for a return to the American ideal of unity and cooperation, urging listeners to engage in meaningful dialogue and support civics education to foster a healthier democracy.CONNECT:All the Fits That's News on Substack (Free or Paid)Alex's Author Website Mysterious Goings On websiteContact Alex about advertising/sponsorship here.Buy a Book!Going to Killing City...Alex's true Crime PodcastAnnouncer: Mary McKenna. PR After Hours Theme: https://filmmusic.io
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No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: A Field Guide for the Well-Intentioned and Mildly Naïve
17/05/2025 Duración: 07minAlex shares personal anecdotes and real-life examples illustrating the theme that good intentions often lead to unexpected and ungrateful consequences. Through stories from his student government days and various historical examples, he reflects on the challenges faced by those who try to do good in the world, emphasizing the importance of perseverance despite the potential for backlash.So, do your good deed for the day and listen in!CONNECT:All the Fits That's News on Substack (Free or Paid)Alex's Author Website Mysterious Goings On websiteContact Alex about advertising/sponsorship here.Buy a Book!Going to Killing City...Alex's true Crime PodcastAnnouncer: Mary McKenna. PR After Hours Theme: https://filmmusic.io "Bossa Antigua" by Kevin MacLeodM
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Accidental Sarcastic: A Podcast “Episode” You Won’t “Regret”
11/05/2025 Duración: 06minFrom “loosing” your keys to earning “money” in your “spare” time, we explore the accidental sarcasm of grammar gone rogue. If you’ve ever been personally victimized by a misused apostrophe or ironic quotation marks, this one’s for you.CONNECT:All the Fits That's News on Substack (Free or Paid)Alex's Author Website Mysterious Goings On websiteContact Alex about advertising/sponsorship here.Buy a Book!Going to Killing City...Alex's true Crime PodcastAnnouncer: Mary McKenna. PR After Hours Theme: https://filmmusic.io "Bossa Antigua" by Kevin MacLeodMusic Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Original theme music "Mysterious Goings On" by Jamie Green. Want your own coo
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On Fences, Fools, and Failing Forward
09/05/2025 Duración: 09minIt's graduation season!In his version of a commencement speech, Alex Greenwood shares candid insights and life lessons for graduates, emphasizing the importance of embracing luck, learning from failure, and building meaningful relationships. He encourages listeners to cultivate emotional intelligence, set boundaries, and live fully by appreciating life's seasons. With a blend of humor and sincerity, Greenwood offers practical advice for navigating the complexities of life, urging graduates to pay attention to the signposts that guide their journey.Originally published as an essay in Professional Paragraphs, on LinkedIn.CONNECT:All the Fits That's News on Substack (Free or Paid)Alex on MediumAlex's Author Website Mysterious Goings On websiteContact Alex about advertising/sponsorship here.Buy a Book!Going to Killing City...Alex's true Crime PodcastAdditional Royalty-Free Music by LAURENT BUCZEK
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The United States of O.D.D. and The Rule of Jenny Pen
03/05/2025 Duración: 11minWhat if I told you that America’s real divide isn’t red vs. blue—but rule followers vs. reflexive rebels?That we’ve mistaken rebellion for personality, and defiance for strength?In today’s episode, we’re unpacking the rise of oppositional behavior as a dominant cultural force—why being told “no” is the new national trauma, and how it’s reshaping everything from politics to the office break room.The conversation then shifts to the film 'The Rule of Jenny Pen' which uses horror to explore deeper themes of aging, autonomy--and yes, defiance--in the human condition.CONNECT:All the Fits That's News on Substack (Free or Paid)Alex on MediumAlex's Author Website Mysterious Goings On websiteContact Alex about advertising/sponsorship here.Buy a Book!Going to Killing City...Alex's true Crime PodcastAnnouncer: Mary McKenna. PR After Hours Theme:
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Broadway’s getting the Hollywood treatment — but is it worth the ticket?
30/04/2025 Duración: 14minIn this excerpt from our sister show PR After Hours, theatre critic and senior editor at Intelligent Relations guest Chris Caggiano delivers sharp, entertaining takes on George Clooney’s Good Night, and Good Luck and Bill Burr’s Broadway debut in Glengarry Glen Ross. If you love smart, no-nonsense theatre talk, this is for you.Come for the theatre appetizer, stay for the AI meal — because the full conversation iterates into how artificial intelligence is already reshaping the PR and marketing industries.You can catch the full episode and show page on Spotify HERE or wherever you get your podcasts.CONNECT:All the Fits That's News on Substack (Free or Paid)Alex on MediumAlex's Author Website Mysterious Goings On websiteContact Alex about advertising/sponsorship here.Buy a Book!Announcer: Mary McKenna. PR After Hours Theme: https://filmmusic.io
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Smoke, Mirrors, and the Moral Panic Machine
26/04/2025 Duración: 08minWhat do Dungeons & Dragons, TikTok, and 17th-century witch trials have in common?They all played starring roles in full-blown moral panics—times when society lost its mind over exaggerated or imaginary threats. In today’s episode, Alex explores how moral panics take hold, who profits from them, and why the real damage often lasts long after the headlines fade.If you've ever wondered why outrage feels contagious—and suspiciously profitable—you'll want to give this one a listen.Spoiler: the real danger isn’t the thing they tell you to fear. It’s what you’re being distracted from.In This Episode:The anatomy of a moral panicHow fear gets weaponized for profit and powerGreatest hits: from Salem to Satanic Panic to Super PredatorsWhy critical thinking—not panic—is our best defenseA personal reflection on the importance of holding fast during cultural stormsCONNECT:All the Fits That's News on Substack (Free or Paid)Alex on MediumAlex's Author Website