What if your next favorite book found you? Matt talks with Central Indiana entrepreneur Liz Duvall about The Blind Bookmark, a unique service that helps readers discover books they'll fall in love with.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Books for Barcelona fundraiser
• The 2026 Men's Final Four in Indianapolis

The Blind Bookmark online:

• Website
• Instagram
• TikTok
• Facebook

Matt talks with Central Indiana author Claire MacKenzie about her lifelong love of hockey and how that helped shape her debut novel, 'High Stick' and her follow-up novel, 'Interference' (releasing August 21, 2026), the challenges of being a self-published author, and how she's helping other independent authors in the area share their work.

Where you can find Claire MacKenzie online:

• Website - clairemackenziebooks.wixsite.com/clairemackenzie
• Instagram (@clairemackenzieauthor) - nstagram.com/clairemackenzieauthor
• TikTok (@clairemackenzieauthor) - tiktok.com/@clairemackenzieauthor

Where you can buy 'High Stick':

• Amazon (affiliate link) - https://amzn.to/4gjLRLJ
• Monarch Books in Pendleton, IN - facebook.com/Monarchbookspendleton
• Naughty Dog Books in Nashville, IN - naughtydogbooks.com
• Fallen Leaf Books in Nashville, IN - fallenleafbooks.com/
• Twice Read Books & More in Richmond, IN - twicereadbooksandmore.com
• If you can't make it to one of these Indiana bookstores, you can purchase via my Bookshelf.org affiliate link - a portion of the proceeds helps support this podcast AND goes to a local independent bookstore of your choice - bookshop.org/a/121946/9798299312409

Other things mentioned in the episode:

• mattdantodd.com
• Indy Creator Society - instagram.com/indycreatorsociety/

Matt talks with longtime friend (and former coworker) Ashley Sherman, who recently returned to acting in live theater productions after spending nearly 20 years away from the stage. Their conversation covers the lingering impact of a blunt director, the bond forged by theater, the dance studio she co-directs, the Indianapolis-area theater community, and pursuing your passions (regardless of your age).

You can find her dance studio online at:

• Website (https://ampdancefamily.com/)
• Instagram (http://instagram.com/ampdancefam)
• Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AmpDanceFam/)

Mentioned in this episode:

• Falling Upward by Richard Rohr (purchases through this link will support a local bookstore and this podcast https://bookshop.org/a/121946/9781118428566)
• The Secret Garden at the Basile Westfield Playhouse May 28-June 8, 2026 (tickets: https://mainstreetproductions.thundertix.com/events/248657)
• Footlite Musicals (https://footlite.org/)
• The Epilogue Players (https://epilogueplayers.com/)

In anticipation of PopCon's return to the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis May 8-10, 2026, Matt invited his favorite convention-goer onto the show to talk all things PopCon.

PopCon tickets are available here.

Matt talks with PC Nottingham, author of the Earthquake War trilogy and the Gnaverworld series.

Where to find PC Nottingham online:

• Buy his books at 4 Horsemen Publications
• Newsletter sign up
• Bluesky
• Instagram
• Radio Freewrite

Mentioned in this episode:

• PopCon Indy is May 8-10, 2026
• Write or Die doesn’t exist anymore, but there’s a replacement that’s in the same spirit as Write or Die: “Write or Else”
• Author Brandon Sanderson’s YouTube series on writing
• Save the Cat, the Hero’s Journey, and the Snowflake Method techniques
• Tips for helping your favorite authors
• Science fiction and fantasy author N.C. Scringeour

Full show notes available at MattDanTodd.com.

Season Three blasts off with Matt's reflections on the timeless pull of exploration while watching the Artemis II crew launch.

That same mix of wonder leads into a recounting of his front‑row experience watching the Europa Clipper rocket roar into the sky, sparking a look at the mission, Europa itself, and the dreams that drive us to keep reaching farther. After a 17‑month break, THE MattDanToddcast Podcast returns with a reminder that long odds don’t mean impossible ones.

This episode is part rocket launch, part pep talk, and part personal journal entry. It's the perfect way to launch a new season of stories, conversations, and inspiration.

Mentioned in this episode:

• President George W. Bush’s speech at the memorial service for the Space Shuttle Columbia crew (⁠https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2003/02/20030204-1.html⁠)
• Photos and videos from the Europa Clipper NASASocial event ⁠(https://mattdantodd.com/2024/10/18/recapping-the-nasa-social-europa-clipper-launch/⁠_)
• Our Ireland trip ⁠(https://mattdantodd.com/2025/12/17/10-highlights-from-our-ireland-trip/⁠)
• In Praise of Mystery by Ada Limón (bookshop.org affiliate link - a portion of the proceeds from ⁠bookshop.org⁠ purchases through my affiliate link will support both this podcast and an independent bookstore (⁠https://bookshop.org/a/121946/9781324054009⁠)
• United States Air Force Heritage of America Band performance of Gustav Holst’s The Planets, Jupiter: The Bringer of Jollity ⁠(https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Holst_The_Planets_Jupiter.ogg ⁠[available through public domain])
• Moonshot: A NASA Astronaut’s Guide to Achieving the Impossible by Astronaut Mike Massamino (⁠bookshop.org⁠ affiliate link ⁠https://bookshop.org/p/books/moonshot-a-nasa-astronaut-s-guide-to-achieving-the-impossible-mike-massimino/9b4f4a6b8ea2d343?ean=9780306832642&next=t&next=t&affiliate=121946⁠)
• PopCon Indy (⁠https://popcon.us/popcon-indy/⁠)

In this episode, I explores the growing issue of loneliness and isolation in the United States. Guest Abby Reckard, a dedicated community builder, shares her journey to combat loneliness through her innovative project, Lille Bønne Community Living Room. We delve into the alarming health consequences of isolation and discuss strategies for fostering meaningful connections in today's world.

References in this episode:

Note: some links are affiliate links.

• Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation (U.S. Surgeon General's report)
• Lille Bønne Community Living Room (instagram) (fundraising campaign)
• Concept renderings at mattdantodd.com
• 36 Hours in Copenhagen (New York Times)
• Absalon (instagram)
• The Absalon Book (available in their store)
• Bowling Alone
• Big Magic
• Matinee Creative

Contribute to the Lille Bønne fundraising campaign!

A high school English teacher in Central Indiana was invited to present about the Negro Leagues at the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He stopped by the podcast to share his journey. Mentioned in this episode:

Some links may be affiliate links.

• Creed on the web: Creedative.com, Creedative Facebook page, Instagram
• The Cooperstown Symposium on Baseball and American Culture
• The National Baseball Hall of Fame
• Indianapolis Clowns (licensed merchandise)
• The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings (available on Amazon Prime)
• The Reggie Jackson interview
• The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, MO
• mattdantodd.com