What happens when a Kentucky Derby disappointment becomes the beginning of a champion's greatest chapter?

In this episode of Speaking of Writers — the Keeneland Library Lecture Series, Steve Richards talks with acclaimed Thoroughbred historian Avalyn Hunter, author of Holy Bull: An Unconventional Path to Racing Glory.

Holy Bull's story wasn't supposed to unfold this way.

The gray colt came from humble beginnings, caught the eye of trainer Warren “Jimmy” Croll, and eventually arrived at the Kentucky Derby with championship expectations.

Then he finished 12th.

Just 23 days later, Holy Bull returned to competition — and began an extraordinary run that ultimately led to his being named 1994 Horse of the Year.

Avalyn Hunter takes us behind the races to explore Holy Bull's pedigree, personality, relationship with Croll and jockey Mike Smith, his stunning comeback, and the people who helped turn an unconventional racehorse into a racing legend.

We also explore a bigger question:

What does it take to recognize a champion before everyone else sees one?

📖 Holy Bull: An Unconventional Path to Racing Glory
✍️ Avalyn Hunter
📚 University Press of Kentucky

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What if Elvis Presley had a son whose story was never meant to be told?

Author Joseph Coulson joins Steve Richards on Speaking of Writers to discuss The Prince of Memphis, a provocative new novel blending music, mystery, romance, race, and the mythology of the King of Rock ’n’ Roll.

Aron Beale believes he is Elvis's unacknowledged son. When he prepares to publish a memoir revealing his secret, he finds himself facing powerful adversaries determined to keep his story buried. With journalist Odelia Jane Phillips at his side, Aron embarks on a dangerous journey through the landscapes and legends of American music.

Joseph talks about the inspiration behind the novel, the complexities of race and identity, the relationship between a famous father and an unknown son, and the role music plays in revealing truths that words alone cannot express.

We also explore Joseph's life as a novelist, poet, playwright, and musician, and discuss what happens when history, imagination, and the stories we tell about our cultural icons collide.

Featuring a fascinating conversation about The Prince of Memphis, the creative process, and the power of stories that refuse to stay buried.

Subscribe to The Speaking of Writers Podcast for more conversations with the authors behind the books.

#JosephCoulson #ThePrinceOfMemphis #SpeakingOfWriters #ElvisPresley #AuthorInterview #BookPodcast #LiteraryFiction #WritingLife

What does the California Gold Rush have to do with the making of modern America—and the road to the Civil War?

On this episode of Speaking of Writers, Steve Richards sits down with acclaimed historian Nathaniel Philbrick to discuss The Rush: California Gold, the Civil War, and the Making of the Modern World.

The discovery of gold in 1848 unleashed a global migration and transformed California into a testing ground for wealth, technological innovation, political power, and competing ideas of freedom. But beneath the promise of instant riches lay racial injustice, violence, dispossession, and a political struggle that threatened the future of the Union.

Philbrick brings this turbulent period to life through remarkable individuals, including Mary Ellen Pleasant, international fortune seekers, political rivals, and the Chinese workers whose labor helped make the transcontinental railroad possible.

We discuss the Gold Rush's unexpected influence on the Civil War, the origins of America's modern obsession with wealth, and the parallels between nineteenth-century upheaval and today's technology-driven world.

As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on the country's enduring contradictions—and the people who shape its future.

Listen to Speaking of Writers with host Steve Richards for a fascinating conversation about history, storytelling, and the forces that continue to shape America.

Book: The Rush: California Gold, the Civil War, and the Making of the Modern World

Author: Nathaniel Philbrick

#NathanielPhilbrick #TheRush #SpeakingOfWriters #AmericanHistory #HistoryPodcast #BookPodcast #CaliforniaGoldRush #CivilWar #HistoricalNonfiction

Helping Little Hearts Handle Big Feelings with Author Sarah Russi

What happens when Daddy has to sail away, and little hearts are left trying to understand why?

On this episode of Speaking of Writers, we sit down with Sarah Russi, a professional dog trainer, Navy wife, and proud Army daughter, to discuss her heartfelt children's book, Rawry’s Daddy Is Underway.

Written for her son, Forrest, and children like him, Sarah's book helps young readers navigate the complicated emotions that can come with an underway or deployment. Through gentle rhymes, a relatable character, and creative coloring activities, she gives families a starting point for conversations about sadness, loneliness, confusion, and connection.

In our conversation, Sarah shares the military family experiences that inspired her writing, why it's important to validate children's emotions, and practical ways parents and caregivers can help little ones cope when a loved one is away at sea.

Whether you're a military family, a parent, an educator, or someone who believes in the power of children's literature, this is a conversation about love, resilience, and helping children feel understood.

Book: Rawry’s Daddy Is Underway
Author: Sarah Russi

For more info on the book click HERE

#SpeakingOfWriters #SarahRussi #RawrysDaddyIsUnderway #MilitaryFamilies #MilitaryKids #DeploymentSupport #ChildrensBooks #SocialEmotionalLearning #Parenting #NavyFamily #MilitaryLife #AuthorInterview

What did horses have to do with women's equality in America?

Award-winning author Eliza McGraw joins the Speaking of Writers Podcast, part of the Keeneland Library Lecture Series, to discuss her fascinating new book, Astride: Horses, Women, and a Partnership That Shaped America. Discover the remarkable women who challenged convention—and changed history—from the saddle.

Listen now!

#SpeakingOfWriters #KeenelandLibrary #ElizaMcGraw #Astride #HorseHistory #Women'sHistory #AmericanHistory #EquestrianHistory #Books #Podcast

The past has a long reach — and Scott Morgan is about to find out just how far.

Author and veteran journalist Neal Lipschutz joins Steve Richards on Speaking of Writers to talk about his new mystery thriller, Long Arm of the Past.

A suspicious death leads Scott Morgan to hire former NYPD homicide detective Delmore Kerbich — the very man who once investigated Scott and his family.

Corporate conspiracies, clandestine investigations, buried secrets and a secret romance collide as multiple mysteries race toward their explosive resolutions.

We also talk about Neal's extraordinary journalism career, including his years as a deputy editor-in-chief and standards and ethics editor at The Wall Street Journal, and how that experience shaped his approach to writing suspense fiction.

Listen now to Speaking of Writers with Neal Lipschutz.

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Was George S. Patton really one of America's greatest generals?

On this episode of Speaking of Writers, Steve Richards talks with historian and author James Ellman about his provocative new book, Patton Reconsidered: General George S. Patton Jr. as a Wartime Commander.

Ellman strips away the famous helmet, pistols and larger-than-life persona to examine Patton's actual record as a wartime commander — from Kasserine Pass and Sicily to France, Bastogne and the final campaign in Germany.

They also explore Patton's leadership style, his treatment of soldiers, his clashes with authority, his relationship with Eisenhower, his postwar political views, and the question at the heart of the book:

Does the historical record actually justify the Patton legend?

Listen to the full conversation and decide for yourself.

#PattonReconsidered #GeorgeSPatton #JamesEllman #MilitaryHistory #WorldWarII #WWIIHistory #AmericanHistory #HistoryPodcast #HistoryBooks #SpeakingOfWriters #SteveRichards #GeneralPatton #WW2 #MilitaryHistoryPodcast

What can the election of 1860 teach us about America today?

Historian Jonathan Earle joins Speaking of Writers to discuss his new book, He Has the People: Abraham Lincoln and the Election of 1860.

We go behind the scenes of one of the most consequential presidential campaigns in American history—from Lincoln's unlikely Republican nomination to his battle against Stephen Douglas and William Henry Seward, the Democratic Party's collapse, the impact of John Brown's raid, and the deepening crisis over slavery.

Earle's research draws on the writings of campaign journalist Murat Halstead and previously unused documents from Lincoln's campaign organization, offering a fresh look at the people and political machinery behind Lincoln's victory.

A fascinating conversation about Abraham Lincoln, American politics, presidential campaigns, political polarization, and the election that preceded the Civil War.

🎧 Watch and Listen now to Speaking of Writers with Steve Richards.

#SpeakingOfWriters #JonathanEarle #HeHasThePeople #AbrahamLincoln #ElectionOf1860 #AmericanHistory #CivilWarHistory #PresidentialHistory #HistoryPodcast #BookPodcast #AuthorInterview #PoliticalHistory #Lincoln #HistoryBooks