Ben Leonberg

Writer/Director Ben Leonberg checks in with us during his press tour to discuss his new film "Good Boy". The first time feature director shares what inspired the movie, how he learned to direct a dog, and what to do in Montana. Check out his previous works at www.benleonberg.com. You can now watch the 2025 horror film, Good Boy streaming on Shudder or VOD. Follow us for more content on instagram @nativetonguespod. Take a sec to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and follow wherever you listen!

How to structure The Cocktail Pitch, why you are in fact a writer, and what to do during the two week long Houston Rodeo. Lindsey Hughes had much to say from her time as a Development Executive at major studios such as Disney. She now resides in Texas, where she has taken her decades of development experience and teaches networking, writing, and pitching under the name "The Pitch Master". She's as friendly as your neighbor and loves helping people prepare to sell their work. Check out her website, where you can read her blog, sign up for her newsletter or buy her book at: www.thepitchmaster.com Or follow on instagram @thepitchmaster Follow us @nativetonguespod for more content. If you're enjoying this, please follow us and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, or share with a friend!

Novelist/screenwriter Don Roff joins us this week to share some insight into the film industry, publishing, his time in the army, and working during excessively long walks. Check out some of Don's works on his website www.donvroff.com. You can also look at his publishing company www.brambleberrybooks.com, follow him on instagram @donroff, and read his beat sheets on www.savethecat.com. Follow us for more content on instagram @nativetonguespod. Take a sec to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and follow us wherever you listen!  

This week we're bringing back an episode that we heard was very informative for anyone getting into the publishing industry.   J.D Barker is a prolific author, frequent collaborator and a great resource. He even worked with a previous guest of ours*! Since our interview he has released or will be releasing the following: Behind A Closed Door Confessions of the Dead (w/ James Patterson) Heavy Are the Stones (w/ Christine Daigle*) We Don't Talk About Emma (w/ E.J. Findorff) The Writer (w/ James Patterson) Something I Keep Upstairs The Lies We Tell (w/ Richard Bailey) You can find his books at all major retailers and check him out at www.jdbarker.com.  Follow us on Apple Podcasts for new eps and on instagram @nativetonguespod!

Baltimore author, Josh Petroski drops in to talk about his Charm City Thriller series, navigating the publishing world, and the best bar crawl before 9:00pm.  Check out Josh's work at https://charmcitythrillers.com and on instagram @charmcitythrillers Follow us on instagram @nativetonguespod Leave us a review and a 5 star rating on Apple Podcasts!

Actor, writer, and improv comedian, Wes Haney drops in to tell a fantastic origin story and talk about working with Bob Odenkirk and Jennifer Coolidge, the actors that inspired him. We also chat all about the new movie that he wrote and co-starred in alongside comedian Stavros Halkias, Let's Start A Cult.  You can watch Let's Start A Cult now on HULU. Follow Wes on instagram @westonhaney Follow us @nativetonguespod. Then take a second to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Author, speaker, screenwriter, storyteller and activist Lauren Beukes drops in this week to discuss growing up under Apartheid, swimming in freezing cold waters, and becoming the mayor of an immersive sci-fi play in London. She's an intense researcher and is not afraid to speak her mind concerning injustices in the world. We loved that of her. You can find her new multiverse thriller novel "Bridge" at all retailers. Follow her on instagram @laurenbeukes Follow us on instagram @nativetonguespod. Then take a second to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Citizen of the world and bestselling author, Neal Shusterman talks about the chance he took that lead to his career, writing at the top of the Burj Khalifa, Double Dragon, and having a tv series in development.  And when we were ready to wrap up at the 1:00 hr mark, he dropped a whopper of a story on us that would make for a great movie. Look for his new book "All Better Now" at all major retailers. You can find Neal on instagram @nealshusterman Take a second to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and follow us on instagram @nativetonguespod for more content.

And...we're back! Craig Davidson (aka Nick Cutter) joins us to talk writing horror, living in Canada, driving a school bus, and that time he got 'roided up for the sake of a story. You can find his newest book, "The Queen" at all major retailers. Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and follow us on instagram @nativetonguespod for more content.    

NPR political correspondent, journalist, and author of the NYT bestselling book "The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church", Sarah McCammon joins us to discuss her religious upbringing, covering the last few presidential elections and insight into  devout faith. Fortunately, she was willing to join us on our level through these topics. Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and follow us on instagram @nativetonguespod for more content. You can follow Sarah on instagram @Sarahmccammon_journalist, on Twitter @sarahmaccamon, listen to her on NPR and you can buy her book at all major retailers.