How good was Larry Bird really? In this interview with author and historian Randy Mills, we go deep into Larry Bird’s high school days in Indiana, his sudden rise to stardom, his time at Indiana State, and the rivalry that shaped basketball history with Magic Johnson.

We also discuss how Bob Knight nearly coached Bird, why Boston was the perfect city for his pro career, and some wild, rarely-heard stories from Bird’s youth. If you’re a basketball fan, a Celtics diehard, or love uncovering sports legends’ early days—this is for you.

🎙️ Randy Mills is the author of As If By Magic, a deep dive into Bird’s high school career and Indiana basketball.

0:54 – March Madness
2:04 – Meaning of the Book Title
4:20 – What Clicked for Larry Bird
8:20 – Larry Bird’s Coaches
12:35 – Mark Bird
15:12 – When Did Larry Bird Beat Mark in Basketball?
17:12 – Indiana Basketball
19:08 – Larry Bird’s Play Style in High School
26:55 – Larry Bird’s Defense
28:30 – Larry Getting Into Weights
30:30 – Dealing With Pressure
32:14 – Indiana State – Larry Bird
42:50 – How Good Was the Competition in High School?
44:55 – Bob Knight & Larry Bird
47:20 – Unknown Stories of Larry Bird
54:00 – Crazy Stat Lines
57:33 – Magic Johnson & Larry Bird
1:01:00 – Larry Bird in Boston
1:03:40 – Boston vs. Lakers Rivalry
1:04:03 – Writing Process
1:13:00 – What Should Be in a Writer’s Toolkit?

📘 Get the book: https://www.amazon.com/As-If-Magic-Indiana-Basketball/dp/1681572311

https://brpressbooks.com/product/as-if-by-magic/

Subscribe for more interviews with authors, creators, and cultural legends.

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Ever wondered how books actually get published—and how to market them in today’s social media world? In this episode, we sit down with Megan (BooksNblazers) of Penguin Random House to break down the book publishing process, content creation, and how authors can grow online.

Whether you're an aspiring author, book content creator, or just curious about the inner workings of publishing, Megan shares it all.

⏱️ Timestamps
0:57 – Books That Have Shaped Megan’s Life
2:02 – Scholastic Book Fair Nostalgia
2:50 – Getting Into Publishing
3:06 – Roles in Publishing Explained
7:00 – Starting in Book Marketing
8:44 – How to Break Into Publishing
10:27 – Becoming a Book Content Creator
12:24 – Building a Bookish Community
14:01 – How Book Collaborations Work
15:05 – Book Influencer Programs (Explained!)
20:02 – Why Authors Need a Social Presence
21:55 – How to Find Your Readers Online
23:50 – Current Trends in Book Marketing
25:55 – The Evolution of Social Media + Publishing
27:23 – Last, Now, Next Book Recs
27:56 – 3 Life-Changing Books
28:43 – What Makes a Great Story?
29:11 – Rapid-Fire Book Q&A
32:03 – What She Wants More of in the Book World
32:50 – What She Wants Less of in the Book World

📚 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more publishing insider convos @bookum interviews with authors and content creators, and behind-the-scenes of the book world.

Download Bookum to join our Book Club Community, start your own and connect through books at www.bookumapp.com

🔔 Follow Megan: https://www.instagram.com/booksnblazers/
🎙️ More from us: @bookum ​

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

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In this episode of the Founders Talk Podcast, Morgan DeBaun, CEO of Blavity Inc. AfroTech and author of our April Founders Club Book Pick Rewrite Your Rules, shares powerful insights on entrepreneurship, lasting success, and building wealth.

Morgan discusses how to rewrite the rules for success, balancing intensity and joy, the secrets to avoiding burnout, and why originality is key to attracting attention in business. She also goes into the importance of mastering growth and navigating the challenges of building Blavity into a game-changing company.

Timestamps:

0:01 – Intro
1:15 – Dreaming Beyond Boundaries
3:08 – Being a Change in the World
4:45 – Balancing Intensity and Joy
6:35 – Mastering Your Growth
8:24 – Avoiding Burnout
10:04 – The 6 Pillars of Stability & Freedom
13:02 – The Early Days of Blavity
15:48 – The Power of Originality
17:04 – Thinking in Terms of Data
17:50 – Mergers and Acquisitions
19:01 – Travel Noire
19:55 – Selling a Black Company
21:23 – Liquidity Events for Black Companies
23:54 – AfroTech
25:00 – Black Economic Wealth
25:57 – The Wealth Code
27:47 – Rich vs. Wealthy
28:44 – Shifting to a Wealth Mindset
30:33 – Stop Following the Rules
32:44 – Fundraising & Rewriting Your Rules
33:18 – Risk vs. Stability
36:31 – Hiring & Managing a Company
38:38 – Writing the Book
41:05 – Rapid Fire Questions
42:18 – What Should Be in a Founder’s Toolkit?

Buy Morgan's book, Rewrite Your Rules: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/738848/rewrite-your-rules-by-morgan-debaun/

More from Morgan:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/morgandebaun/
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgandebaun/
Blavity - https://blavity.com/

About Bookum:
Bookum is a social book club and book networking app for book content creators, authors and readers. Join our community to connect, share, and discuss the books that inspire you: www.bookumapp.com

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

In this exclusive interview, Will Packer, NY Times Bestselling Author of Who Better Than You?, shares invaluable insights on film financing, dreaming big, and developing healthy arrogance for success. As a blockbuster film producer, Will has grossed over $1 billion worldwide at the box office, with 10 movies opening at #1, including:

Stomp The Yard
Girls Trip
About Last Night
Think Like A Man
Ride Along 1 & 2

Will opens up about his career journey, the importance of building your brand, how to make movies on a budget, and what it really takes to succeed in Hollywood. He discusses the mindset behind healthy arrogance, why you need it to succeed, and how to use it to build confidence in any room you walk into. Whether you're an entrepreneur or filmmaker, this interview will help you think bigger and challenge the limits you place on yourself.

Timestamps:

0:01 - Intro
1:26 - Building Your Brand
3:20 - "If Poem"
5:13 - Ramen Noodle Days
10:40 - Making Movies on A Budget
12:18 - Time Goals vs. Money Goals
16:18 - Think Like A Man Book Adaptation
22:10 - On Building A Team
25:33 - Meeting his Wife at Essence Fest
30:00 - Writing the Book
31:02 - Rapid Fire Questions

Get Will Packer’s Bestselling Book: Who Better Than You? - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/735558/who-better-than-you-by-will-packer/

Start Your Book Club with the Bookum App: Download here www.bookumapp.com – Our Book of the Month for March is Who Better Than You?

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

In this episode, we sit down with the legendary John Robinson, the most recorded drummer in modern music history. Known for his work with musical icons like Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, and Steve Winwood, John gives us an exclusive look into his career, his new book The King of Groove, and the stories behind some of the most iconic hits of all time.

From his early beginnings in Iowa to shaping the sound of timeless classics like Off the Wall and Higher Love, John shares insights on groove, musical innovation, and the creative process.

Timestamps:

1:20 - Growing Up in Iowa
2:04 - Learning from his Mom
3:45 - First Time Playing Drums
4:54 - What is Groove?
8:30 - The Pocket
9:03 - Rock With You & Off The Wall
12:33 - Be Spontaneous as a Drummer
13:58 - Staying Prepared
15:04 - How Do You Know You Have A Hit?
16:28 - Rod Temperton's Writing Style
18:08 - Working with John Williams
21:02 - We Are The World Sessions
23:45 - On AI Demos
26:00 - The Killer Q Posse
27:40 - Being Entrepreneurial
29:10 - Touring v. Session
31:17 - Steely Dan
32:00 - Favorite Places to Tour
33:25 - Modern Music
35:56 - Genre-Blending
37:31 - What is Melody?
38:54 - Intros for Songs
39:05 - Higher Love
41:02 - On Healthy Ego
42:24 - Have A Fresh Eyes When Making Music
43:55 - Writing the Book
47:13 - New Book Publishing Company
48:33 - Getting Music Credits
49:40 - Stories that Missed the Book
52:30 - Top 10 List in the Book
53:55 - Rapid-Fire
57:03 - What Should Be A Drummer's Toolkit

Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more exclusive Author Talks and behind-the-scenes interviews with the legends who shaped music.

📚 Get your copy of John Robinson’s book King of the Groove - https://www.johnjrrobinson.com/store/p/jr-signature-hat-6xnza

Follow John Robinson on Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnjrrobinson1/?hl=en
Website: https://www.johnjrrobinson.com/
Twitter: https://x.com/johnjrrobinson?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

Join us on the Book Creators Talk Podcast as Jerid P. Woods, the force behind A Black Man Reading, shares his journey from devouring Little Golden Books at age 3 to becoming a cultural catalyst for creative resistance. In this raw, unfiltered conversation, he dives into:

Early Reading & Moments That Made Him Come Alive: From 50 pages an hour to life-changing quotes like "What will you do for free?"

Books & Culture: How books influence pop culture, ignite discussions, and shape the future of Black literature.

Hip-Hop & Media: His take on Kendrick’s halftime show and the evolving landscape of music journalism.

Community, Confidence & Creative Resistance: Building a community for his haters, engaging young readers, and transforming education through literature.

Tune in for rapid-fire book recommendations, candid insights on creativity, and a bold vision for a world where books empower and protect culture.

Timestamps:
1:01 – Early Reading
5:20 – Moments That Made Him Come Alive
7:40 – Heroes Growing Up
10:40 – Dr. Black
11:28 – What A Black Man Reading Means
14:40 – Creating Different Pages as a Creator
15:55 – Books Are Pop Culture
17:50 – Kendrick Halftime Show
22:25 – Music Journalism
25:35 – Telling the Truth About History
30:20 – Everything We Are
35:00 – Humor in Content Creation
37:33 – Engaging with Literature
39:44 – Building Community
42:33 – Going Viral as a Creator
44:33 – Dealing with Trolls
46:17 – Encouraging and Teaching the Youth
49:33 – Helping Kids Build Confidence as Readers
51:55 – Classroom Reading Culture
53:36 – Writing Process – Perfect Day of Writing
58:40 – Last, Now, Next Books
1:02:45 – Rapid Fire Book Questions
1:06:22 – What Would You Like to See More of in the Book World?
1:07:24 – What Would You Like to See Less of in the Book World?

Places to find more from Jerid:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ablackmanreading/?hl=en
Website - https://ablackmanreading.com/

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

In this candid conversation, Traci Thomas, host of The Stacks podcast, shares her unfiltered thoughts on the literary world, pop culture, and what readers can expect in 2025. From her personal writing philosophy to her favorite book-to-screen adaptations, Traci offers insights that challenge conventional views and spark meaningful discussions.

Charlie Hustle: The Rise and Fall of Pete Rose by Keith O'Brien (Sports Book Rec)
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer (Sports Adjunct)
Coming Home by Brittany Griner (Sports Book Rec)
The Sixth Man: A Memoir" by Andre Iguodala and Carvell Wallace (Sports Book Rec)
Another Word for Love by Carvell Wallace
The Score Takes Care of Itself by Bill Walsh (Kyle Pick)
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
Conclave by Robert Harris( Book-to-Movie Adaptations - Enjoyed)
Erasure by Percival Everett (Book-to-Movie Adaptations - Did not Like)
Killers of the Flower Moon (Book-to-Movie Adaptations - Did Not Like)
Oppenheimer by J. Robert Oppenheimer (Enjoyed Book-to-Movie Adaptations - Enjoyed)
Original Sins by Eve Ewing (Author Most Likely to Breakout in 2025)
The Great Black Hope by Rob Franklin (Author Most Likely to Breakout in 2025)
One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad (Book with Great Social Commentary)
The Color of Trouble by Martha S. Johnson (Author Most Likely to Have a Renaissance in 2025)
Black in Blues by Imani Perry
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar New Book
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (Classic Most Likely to Have A Revival)
City Summer, Country Summer by Kiese Laymon (Authors You Are Excited to See Step into a New Genre)
Everything Is Tuberculosis by John Green (Authors You Are Excited to See Step into a New Genre)
Somadina by Akwaeke Emezi (Authors You Are Excited to See Step into a New Genre)
Authority Essays by Andrea Long Chu (Most Anticipated Book of 2025)

Connect with Traci Thomas and The Stacks:

Website: The Stacks Podcast
Instagram: @thestackspod
Twitter: @thestackspod
TikTok: @thestackspod

For more engaging book discussions and insights, subscribe to The Stacks podcast and join the conversation on social media.

This episode is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Please make sure to like, comment and subscribe to our channel.

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

In this episode, I sit down with Randy Winston, Creative Director of Fiction at The Black List, to discuss the publishing industry, the craft of writing, and how writers can stand out. We dive into the creative process, the role of The Black List in fiction, traditional vs. hybrid publishing, and what truly makes a great fiction story.

If you're a writer looking to navigate the publishing world or just love great storytelling, this conversation is for you!

📌 Timestamps:
1:03 - Revisiting old creative work
3:04 - Finding your creative path
4:37 - Navigating the publishing industry
8:25 - What is The Black List?
9:40 - On Franklin Leonard
11:20 - The Black List Fiction
14:50 - The traditional route of writing a book
18:20 - The Black List’s role in publishing
24:20 - How authors are evaluated
28:25 - Hybrid vs. Traditional publishing
33:01 - Mixing genres in fiction



📢 Follow Randy Winston:
🔗 Substack - https://substack.com/@randywinston/no...
🔗 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_rwinstonsw...
🔗 For Writing Feedback - Submit your Writing to The Black List: https://blcklst.com/fiction

🔔 Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations on writing, publishing, and storytelling - @bookumapp

Download our new Book Club app at www.bookumapp.com

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!