On this edition of Road Gang Radio, host Jimmy Mac sits down with Thomas Cullen, Federal District Judge in Roanoke, Virginia — and now debut novelist — to discuss his new young adult novel, Charlie-Man. Known nationally for his career in public service, Cullen surprises many by turning to fiction with a deeply human story about friendship, loss, and finding purpose.Set in 1994 at a Southern prep school, Charlie-Man follows Charlie Stewart through his final year at St. Mark’s Episcopal School in Richmond, Virginia. With his future uncertain and his heart set on rekindling a romance, Charlie leans on his best friend, Beau Miller — a star athlete whose charm hides a darker side. As Charlie confronts anxiety, grief, and the universal struggles of growing up, he learns about resilience, identity, and what it truly means to come of age in the American South.Jimmy and Judge Cullen talk about what inspired a sitting federal judge to write a YA novel, the unique atmosphere of Southern prep schools, and why coming-of-age stories continue to resonate across generations. Cullen reflects on his own high school experiences, the importance of mentorship, and how his background in law informed his writing and understanding of human character.Charlie-Man by Thomas Cullen is available now on Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Charlie-Man-Th... (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbDFxa0NaZDAwVzFmNVhjTFc3VXZaQTVNNDRBZ3xBQ3Jtc0tucGk3aUFrMFpYOUV6TGJZYUpHVXNiQkhNLXlIaWplNnhvRG82bVJPZTdVZ3dxZkEyeXRXTzdfbllFOVUyTUNEWHZWR2F2dWlnZG8tT3d6bXplaTJqTm1tdE9vQ0s5aVFmSU5wTnliWHFMY3BLd2REUQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FCharlie-Man-Thomas-Cullen%2Fdp%2F1966369344%2F&v=aGJMaRblYYs)Learn more about Thomas Cullen and his work in public service and storytelling in this thought-provoking and heartfelt conversation.Thanks for tuning in! You can catch our shows and segments anytime on your favorite podcast app or listen live on YouTube, Facebook, iHeart, and RadioNemo.com!
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