Burke Allen's Big Time Talker Podcast — by SpeakerMatch

Burke Allen's Big Time Talker Podcast — by SpeakerMatch

Big Time Talker with Burke Allen brings you compelling conversations the best Authors, Entertainers, and Experts with longtime broadcaster Burke Allen. Our sponsor SpeakerMatch is the leading provider of tools and services for emerging and professional speakers, authors, and others with a message to share.

Episodes

August 11, 2026 12 mins
On this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, Burke Allen welcomes author, psychotherapist, and educator Mary McCluskey to discuss her award-winning children's books, The Leader of the Parade and Bubbles, Balloons, and Birds.

Drawing on more than two decades of experience as a therapist, Mary shares how her books help children navigate emotions, trauma, diversity, grief, and resilience through imaginative storytelling. She...
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On this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, Burke Allen welcomes award-winning author E.G. Slade to discuss Momentum Montessori: A Life in Motion, a historical novel inspired by the life and personal writings of Dr. Maria Montessori.

Drawing from Montessori's 1913 diary and extensive historical research, Elizabeth Slade explores the remarkable woman behind one of the world's most influential educational philosophies. The...
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On this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, Burke Allen welcomes entrepreneur, business leader, and motivational speaker Tony Holland for an inspiring conversation about resilience, financial literacy, and building lasting wealth.

Tony shares his remarkable journey from growing up in a difficult environment in Brunswick, Maryland, to earning a scholarship to Johns Hopkins University, overcoming homelessness, and becoming...
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On this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, Burke Allen sits down with award-winning children's author Tina Neely to share the heartwarming true story behind Bacon Loves Everyone.

Inspired by her real-life pet pig, Bacon Bit, Tina discusses how an unexpected companion became the inspiration for a children's book centered on love, acceptance, and belonging. She shares how she taught herself digital illustration after more...
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On this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, Burke Allen sits down with author Michael Ciccarelli Walsh to explore the creative journey behind his imaginative storytelling—from action-packed sci-fi adventures to heartwarming children's books.Michael discusses how his background in screenwriting shaped his approach to writing novels, why compelling characters matter more than spectacle, and what inspired his Zoboros Se...
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Beach Boys fans, listen up ! Summer is officially here and this week on the Big Time Talker podcast with Burke Allen, we celebrate summer in style! There’s plenty of sun, surf and sand between our toes during this special encore presentation of our conversation with longtime Beach Boys band member Bobby Figueroa from California Surf Inc. Go behind the scenes and get the inside story about one of the biggest groups in music hi...
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Recording artist Ryne Brashear joins Burke Allen on the Big Time Talker Podcast to share his journey from growing up on a sixth-generation cattle farm in Upton, Kentucky, to building a music career in Nashville. Ryne talks about how farm life shaped his work ethic, the lessons he learned playing on Broadway, and how his sound blends country, gospel soul, and gritty rock and roll.He also opens up about songwriting, performing live, ...
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In Part Two of this special live Big Time Talker Podcast event, Burke Allen continues his conversation with New York Times No. 1 bestselling author Homer Hickam at the Washington County Public Library in Abingdon, Virginia.Homer shares the fascinating story behind the title change from Rocket Boys to October Sky, reflects on his relationship with his brother Jim, and answers audience questions about his bestselling books, the inspi...
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In this special live episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, Burke Allen sits down with New York Times No. 1 bestselling author Homer Hickam during the Sunday with Friends Author Series at the Washington County Public Library in Abingdon, Virginia.Best known for Rocket Boys, the memoir that inspired the acclaimed film October Sky, Homer shares the fascinating stories behind his journey from growing up in the coal-mining town of Coa...
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On this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, Burke Allen sits down with Chris McCallister, founding member of Second Helping, America's longest-running Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band.


Chris shares the remarkable story of how the band began, his personal friendships with members of Lynyrd Skynyrd, and the guidance he received from legendary guitarist Ed King. From backstage stories and exclusive insights to the challenges...
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In this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, Burke Allen sits down with the cast and musicians behind Gilligan's Yacht Rock Revue, the unique tribute act that combines the smooth sounds of Yacht Rock with the beloved characters of Gilligan's Island.


The group discusses how the idea was born, why Yacht Rock has become a cultural phenomenon, and what audiences can expect from their high-energy live performances. They al...
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In this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, Burke Allen sits down with Brad Mills, author of Pub Prodigies: Inside the World of Competitive Bar Trivia. Brad shares how he became one of West Virginia’s leading Team Trivia hosts, what makes a great trivia team, how pub trivia brings people together, and the strategy, stories, and fun behind this growing social phenomenon.
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In this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, Burke Allen sits down with Danny Bedrosian, longtime keyboardist and musical director for George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic. Danny shares his journey from growing up in a musical family to becoming part of one of the most influential and longest-running groups in American music history. He also talks about his work as an author, historian, and creator of the Armenian mythology-...
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In this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, Burke Allen speaks with award-winning author Dan Hendrickson about his new book, Railroad Man: Legacy Son. Dan shares the history behind the story, including railroad expansion, the Crow Nation, the cattle industry, and life in the American West. He also talks about building strong characters, writing action and plot twists, and how his Wyoming upbringing shaped the world of the book.
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In this inspiring episode of The Big Time Talker Podcast, Burke Allen sits down with Broadway expert, performer, author, and business coach Kimberly Fay Greenberg to explore what it truly takes to build and sustain a successful career in the performing arts. From arriving in New York City with two suitcases and a dream to becoming a nationally recognized Broadway insider, Kimberly shares powerful insights on branding, networking, c...
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In this episode of the Big Time Talker podcast, Burke Allen sits down with filmmaker Chris Hudson, director of the award-winning documentary The Mayberry Effect. Chris shares the story behind his fascination with the cultural impact of The Andy Griffith Show and how it continues to bring people together across generations. From his upbringing in North Carolina to discovering passionate fan communities and events like Mayberry Days,...
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In this episode of the Big Time Talker podcast, host Burke Allen sits down with retired LAPD sergeant and YouTube creator Marlon Marrache. Marlon shares an inside look at policing, internal affairs, and accountability—offering perspectives most people never see unless they’ve worked behind the badge. From common misconceptions about internal affairs to the realities of investigating fellow officers, Marlon breaks down h...
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In this episode of the Big Time Talker podcast, Burke Allen speaks with award-winning author John Dragonetti about his book The Falcon and the Sheikh. John shares stories from his decades living in the Middle East, including his time in Cairo and Dubai during a period of major transformation in the region. The conversation explores the history behind Dubai’s development, the cultural and political dynamics of the Gulf, and Jo...
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In this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, Burke Allen sits down with actress, vocalist, author, and cancer awareness advocate Rhayne Thomas for a powerful and unforgettable conversation. Rhayne shares her journey from a difficult childhood in the Bronx to building a lasting career in entertainment, including theater, music, and live performance. She also opens up about the inspiration behind National Prune Day, her “Pru...
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In this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, Burke Allen sits down with novelist Mark Mustian to discuss his latest novel, Boy With Wings. Set in the American South during the Great Depression, the book follows the unforgettable story of a boy born with wings and explores themes of difference, belonging, faith, and survival. Mark also shares insights into his writing process, the inspiration behind his vivid historical fiction, ...
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