Tommy Short spent nearly two decades officiating Division I college basketball and international play -- and was attached to his phone every minute of it. After retirement, a question from his young daughter stopped him cold: "Daddy, why are you always on your phone?"

He didn't have a good answer. So on August 6th, 2023, he turned his phone off for a full year.

In this conversation, Tommy walks Eric through what he found: the phantom pocket-patching, the 68 extra days he reclaimed, and the deeper realization that he wasn't addicted to the device -- he was addicted to the identity he had curated using it. He also opens up about losing his mom during the writing process, how therapy unlocked the final version of the book, and why he rewrote the entire manuscript in 22 days.

I Almost Missed the Call is available now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Walmart. Learn more at TommyShort.com.

Chris Denson | Founder, Visionology | Innovation strategist, author, and former head of innovation at the world's largest media agency.

Adam Castillo is a Marine Corps veteran who deployed to Afghanistan, built a security company in Myanmar, and spent 12+ years leading the American business community through a coup, civil war, typhoon, and earthquake. His book Finding Our Voice, published March 24, 2026, chronicles the speeches he gave to a broken community to help them believe in themselves again.

Join Eric Jorgenson on Author Hour as he sits down with Kyle Thiermann, author of One Last Question Before You Go.

In this interview, Kyle shares the inspiring origin story of his book—how interviewing his parents and exploring family relationships became the heart of his memoir and guide for others.

Discover:

• How Kyle turned a simple conversation with his father into a book idea that "wouldn't go away"
• Why interviewing your parents can act like an "empathy drug" and transform relationships
• The challenges and rewards of writing about family, healing, and uncomfortable truths
• Tips for aspiring authors on creating meaningful, lasting work/
  
  If you've ever wanted to write a book that changes lives—yours and others—this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and practical guidance.
  
  Keywords: Kyle Thiermann, One Last Question Before You Go, Author Hour, Eric Jorgenson, memoir writing, family interviews, how to write a book, healing relationships through writing, book inspiration, Scribe Media

In this episode of Author Hour, Shaan Patel—entrepreneur, founder, and Shark Tank alum—shares how writing a book became a strategic asset for building authority, driving growth, and supporting a larger business system. Shaan breaks down why he approached his book with intention, how publishing fits into a long-term business strategy, and what most authors get wrong when they treat a book as an end goal instead of a tool. Drawing from his experience pitching on Shark Tank and scaling a successful company, Shaan explains how a well-positioned book can create credibility, open doors, and generate real ROI. This conversation is essential for entrepreneurs, founders, and aspiring authors who want to use a book to grow their business, strengthen their brand, and make their ideas work harder over time.

Keywords: Shaan Patel, Shark Tank Shaan Patel, Author Hour podcast, entrepreneur author, writing a business book, book as a business tool, publishing strategy, thought leadership, book marketing for entrepreneurs, Scribe Media, using a book to build authority, founder storytelling, Shark Tank entrepreneurs, business book success, author interviews

Go deep inside the real stories behind Beyond the Badge as former FBI agent John Schachnovsky reveals the most shocking case from his years working in Thailand. In this interview, John shares the wild, unforgettable moments that inspired his true-crime memoir—from investigating hundreds of FBI violations overseas to uncovering a case involving fake passports, an unexpected shooter, and a freezer full of body parts. You'll hear how John's career evolved from the U.S. Border Patrol to San Francisco, and ultimately to Bangkok, where he handled everything from counterterrorism to white-collar crime. He also opens up about the writing process, the challenges of turning real investigations into a book, and what readers can expect from Beyond the Badge: Crime, Justice, and the FBI in Thailand. If you love true crime, FBI investigations, or behind-the-scenes stories from abroad, this conversation is a must-watch.

📘 Book: Beyond the Badge: Crime, Justice, and the FBI in Thailand

🎙️ Guest: John Schachnovsky

Author and journalist Adam Skolnick—the writer who helped create David Goggins' bestselling memoir Can't Hurt Me—reveals the untold story behind one of the most influential books of the decade. Adam talks about his ghostwriting process, how Can't Hurt Me changed his career, and what led him to publish his own novel, American Tiger, with Scribe Media. Learn how Adam moved from ghostwriter to novelist, what he discovered about creative freedom and rejection, and why author-owned publishing is transforming the industry.

Keywords: Adam Skolnick interview, David Goggins book, Can't Hurt Me ghostwriter, American Tiger novel, Scribe Media, independent publishing, how to write a book, author success stories

Join Rich Kurtzman, founder of Barcelona Study Abroad Experience and author of Like a Fish in the Water: How to Grow Abroad When You Go Abroad, as he shares how writing his book transformed his career, business, and impact. From his journey growing up in Chicago to building a life and company in Barcelona, Rich reveals how becoming an author opened unexpected doors—bulk book sales to universities, paid speaking gigs, and new opportunities to help students thrive abroad. If you're an aspiring author or entrepreneur wondering how a book can expand your influence, Rich Kurtzman's story shows what's possible when you put your ideas into the world.