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 26, 2025 • 17 mins
Live from the American Library Association’s annual summer conference in Philadelphia, the Big Time Talker podcast welcomes Tammy Gerhard, award-winning author of Coco Hugs and Coffee Mugs. Tammy shares her journey from 22 years as a school counselor to inspiring readers of all ages with her picture books about kindness, empathy, and community. Discover how her stories — and companion activity book — are making a real difference in...
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August 19, 2025 • 31 mins
Southern rock legend Greg T Walker shares his journey—from playing with Blackfoot and early Lynyrd Skynyrd to leading his latest band, Two Wolf. He opens up about what drives him to keep creating music after all these years, the powerful chemistry behind Two Wolf’s lineup, and the passion poured into their debut album on Cleopatra Records. Greg also reflects on his Native American roots, the importance of preserving cultural tradit...
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August 12, 2025 • 23 mins
In this heartfelt episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, host Burke Allen sits down with singer-songwriter and pianist John McAndrews, a true artist whose journey through addiction, mental health struggles, and musical perseverance is as powerful as his songs. Broadcasting from Washington, DC, Burke explores John's beginnings in a deeply musical family, his brush with self-destruction, and his road to recovery — all of which shape...
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August 5, 2025 • 18 mins
In this lively episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, award-winning children's author and illustrator Ashley Belote joins us live from the American Library Association's annual summer conference in Philadelphia. Ashley shares her creative journey from being the “designated art kid” to becoming a successful author-illustrator with a passion for humor and heart in children’s books. She dives into the balance of writing and illustrat...
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Award-winning author Dan Hendrickson returns to the Big Time Talker Podcast, live from the American Library Association’s conference in Philadelphia, to unveil his latest action-packed historical novel, "Brandy: Dame of the Caribbean." Host Burke Allen dives into Dan’s inspiration behind this thrilling saga, rooted in the real-life abolitionist movement in the Caribbean during the 1830s–1860s. Hendrickson shares how Brandy, a pirat...
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July 22, 2025 • 13 mins
Live from the American Library Association Conference in Philadelphia, Burke Allen sits down with author and lifelong educator Hazell Thomas to talk about her powerful children’s book Money Moves a Nation: A Civil Rights Lesson for Children. Inspired by the tragic story of Emmett Till and told through the eyes of her own family, Hazell’s book offers young readers a meaningful look at America’s civil rights history — rooted in her h...
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In this special episode of the Big Time Talker, recorded live at the American Library Association Conference in Philadelphia, Burke Allen sits down with Patricia Miller—Headline Books author and master of middle-grade mysteries. Patricia shares how her love for Agatha Christie inspired her to create spooky, twist-filled tales for young readers. From collaborating with student illustrators to turning everyday moments into chilling s...
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Want to turn your clutter into cold hard cash? In this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, we’re joined by Aaron LaPedis, author of The Garage Sale Millionaire. With over four decades of experience, a PBS show, and a column in The Denver Post, Aaron reveals how to make thousands from the stuff you already own—and how one childhood mistake turned into a multimillion-dollar journey. From yard sale dos and don’ts to spotting hidde...
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July 1, 2025 • 29 mins
In this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, host Burke Allen welcomes humorist and former media executive Bill Williams, author of 20 Years of Internet Humor. Bill shares his fascinating journey from a successful career in media and government work in Washington, DC, to becoming one of the first to use email as a tool to spread humor and inspiration in the early days of the internet. What started as a simple way to get his sale...
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June 24, 2025 • 27 mins
In this episode of The Underground Broadcast Bunker, host Burke Allen takes you deep into the wild world of 1980s rock with special guest Rita Rae Roxx, author of Once Upon a Rock Star: Backstage Passes in the Heavy Metal 80s. From unforgettable concerts and backstage encounters to personal moments with rock legends like David Lee Roth, Billy Squier, and Steven Tyler, Rita shares the untold stories behind the glam, grit, and chaos ...
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June 17, 2025 • 36 mins
In this special simulcast of the Big Time Talker Podcast and Headline Books’ Zoom Into Books series, host Burke Allen sits down with award-winning author and speaker Richard Battle to discuss his latest release, Americans Who Made America: 18th Century – Birth of the Republic. This compelling volume kicks off a multi-part series that shines a light on both famous and forgotten individuals who shaped the United States through grit, ...
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June 10, 2025 • 31 mins
On this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, Burke Allen welcomes Eddie “Coco” Stancil, lead vocalist and leader of the World Famous Ink Spots. Eddie shares the group’s nearly century-long legacy, from its 1930s origins to its modern revival through streaming platforms and the Fallout video game series. He also discusses their latest album, The Music and the Memories. Presented in partnership with the Bank of Clarke County.
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June 3, 2025 • 44 mins
In this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, host Burke Allen welcomes Amazon #1 best-selling author Christopher Lee Maher—a former Navy SEAL and the author of Free for Life: A Navy SEAL’s Path to Inner Freedom and Outer Peace. Christopher shares his incredible journey from a turbulent childhood and military discipline to healing and transformation. Tune in as he opens up about the emotional challenges of his youth, how the Milt...
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May 27, 2025 • 29 mins
In this episode of the Big Time Talker podcast, host Burke Allen welcomes back workplace culture expert and media commentator Hanna Hasl-Kelchner. Hanna discusses her new book, Seeking Fairness at Work: Cracking the New Code of Greater Employee Engagement, Retention, and Satisfaction, and shares timely insights on honesty, trust, and crisis management in organizations — including what we can learn from leadership challenges at the ...
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May 20, 2025 • 41 mins
Award-winning authors Larry and Carol McGehe join host Burke Allen on the Big Time Talker Podcast to share the heart behind their historical novel In Search of My Heart: Miriam’s Story. Set in first-century Israel, this biblically grounded page-turner follows a young girl's transformative journey of faith, love, and loss—and how it continues to resonate with readers of all backgrounds today. The McGehes also discuss their collabora...
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May 6, 2025 • 41 mins
Podcast Description:
In this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast with Burke Allen, legendary artist manager David Spero joins us from Cleveland to share stories from his 60 years at the heart of rock and roll. From growing up backstage on iconic TV shows to managing artists like Joe Walsh and Michael Stanley, David reflects on an incredible career shaping the music industry.
Check out David Spero’s memoir, "A Life in the Wings: My...
In this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast with Burke Allen, legendary artist manager David Spero joins us from Cleveland to share stories from his 60 years at the heart of rock and roll. From growing up backstage on iconic TV shows to managing artists like Joe Walsh and Michael Stanley, David reflects on an incredible career shaping the music industry.
Check out David Spero’s memoir, "A Life in the Wings: My...
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April 29, 2025 • 33 mins
On this episode of the Big Time Talker podcast, we dive into the hidden corners of Civil War history with author Robert Hillard, whose award-winning historical fiction novel In Freedom’s Shadow uncovers the remarkable story of John Scobel—a man born into slavery who escaped to freedom, only to return to the South as a spy for the Union. Host Burke Allen chats with Robert about the inspiration behind the book, the real-life intellig...
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April 22, 2025 • 32 mins
Award-winning, best-selling author Marcus Abston joins Burke Allen on the Big Time Talker Podcast to discuss his powerful historical fiction series, with a spotlight on his latest book, Blood Brothers. Marcus shares the inspiration behind his writing, rooted in deep family history and cultural exploration, particularly the complex intersections between African American and Native American communities.
We talk about identity, lost hi...
We talk about identity, lost hi...
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April 16, 2025 • 24 mins
In this episode of the Big Time Talker Podcast, host Burke Allen sits down with Jax Perrins, children’s book author, mom of four, and advocate for fun, healthy eating habits for kids. Jax shares the story behind her colorful children’s book, *Taste Buddies*, and how her own family’s approach to nutrition inspired its creation. From picky eaters to curious foodies, Jax offers relatable parenting insights and practical tips on how to...
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April 8, 2025 • 41 mins
Music industry veteran Barry Bergman shares his incredible journey from Brooklyn to managing and publishing some of rock’s biggest legends, including AC/DC, Meat Loaf, and KISS. From the early days of Greenwich Village to the digital revolution, Barry gives an insider’s look at the business, the legends, and the lessons learned along the way. Tune in for an unforgettable conversation! Learn more about Barry at www.barrybergman.com.
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