Today on The Cameron Journal Podcast we are joined by Paul Smith who is the author of Cruel and Unusual Punishment: A Memoir of the Psychological Realities of Federal Prison. He wrote this book after being arrested and convicted for healthcare fraud. This took is about his time in federal prison and the people he met along the way and the traumatizing nature of his experience. This one action completely changed his life in so many unfortunate ways.
Listener be warned, this is a quite sad interview. This is about very real experiences in a harsh environment. The mood is somber. Please be in a positive place when you listen to this as it may be depressing.
More about the book:
In Cruel and Unusual Punishment: A Memoir of the Psychological Realities of Federal Prison, clinical psychologist Paul Smith reveals the unfiltered truth of life behind bars. Sentenced to 51 months for healthcare fraud, he endured eight prisons during the COVID pandemic, witnessing firsthand how confinement erodes humanity. With rare clarity and honesty, his story offers a chilling yet insightful look into the U.S. prison system—making it essential reading for reviewers, journalists, and interviewers alike.
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Leslie Shoveer is the author of Fission a book set in the early atomic age right as the bomb becomes a reality. Loosely based on family stories, this is a delightful read and an even more delightful conversation.
More about the book: Fission tells the story of nineteen-year-old Doris Friedman, who gives up her dreams of becoming a concert pianist or lawyer when she marries Rob in 1941 and has a sickly, premature baby. Within months, Rob is recruited to work on the Manhattan Project, and the young family moves to Oak Ridge. Just like fission splits an atom’s nucleus, Doris’s marriage threatens to break her heart in two, as she struggles to nurture her daughter while Rob works around the clock. Doris befriends Betty, a Southern debutante. Despite their different backgrounds, the two women sustain each other through difficult moments: Betty’s miscarriage, Rob’s radiation exposure, and his subsequent attempt to enlist to fight at the front. Doris falls for an army engineer—only to realize that he may be a Soviet spy. Should she turn him in and risk damaging her marriage? As the end of the war nears, Doris must decide what’s most important—and what she’s willing to lose.
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We've all heard about meditation and why it is so important and calming. That's not new, however, I was surprised that Bob Martin could bring a new perspective to something that has been talked about too much and overhyped as much. Host of the A Wise and Happy Life Podcast, he is here to help us use meditation to help us create a wise and happy life. A former prosecutor and trial lawyer, Bob began his legal career in the 1970s as a prosecutor for Janet Reno in Miami's Cocaine Cowboy days and went on to serve in senior roles in both the public and private sectors. Parallel to his legal and business journey, Bob has been a dedicated student and teacher of meditation for over three decades. He trained under Taoist Master Hua-Ching Ni and brings a deep, integrative understanding of Eastern wisdom and Western pragmatism to his work. He has taught meditation to executives, lawyers, university students, and organizational leaders—showing them how to build inner resilience, clear perception, and mindful leadership through daily practice.
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Watch The Cameron Journal Newshour every Monday at 7 pm!
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Today on The Cameron Journal Podcast we are joined by D. Paul Fleming the author of Mystery's at the Windham Inn. This is an interest chat that is cut a bit short but is still a whole journey. D. Paul Fleming is a Disabled Veteran who served in the US Navy and a seasoned Native American Holy Man—a sacred title bestowed upon him by Granddaughter Crow. With a lifetime devoted to spiritual service, D. Paul has investigated and cleansed an untold number of haunted properties, encountering everything from mischievous poltergeists to dark entities so powerful that his own life has been placed in danger on more than one occasion. His work has brought physical, spiritual, and emotional healing to people afflicted by dark attachments, malevolent energies, and even possession. A storyteller at heart, D. Paul considers himself a vessel—a "hollow bone"—through which Great Spirit speaks. His books are more than just stories; they are spiritual messages, guided by ancestral wisdom and whispers by what he calls his true "Ghost Writer." Each narrative unfolds before him like a vision, revealing its course on the pages of his books.
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Watch The Cameron Journal Newshour every Monday at 7 pm!
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Today on The Cameron Journal Podcast, we are joined by Dennis Brennan who has written a new book, "D.C. SWAMP STRIKES BACK: AARON BURR, DONALD TRUMP, AND THEIR SIMILAR BATTLES." We talk politics, shop and his unique view on the Trump presidency and the American experiment.
About Dennis: Dennis A. Brennan Is A Passionate Author, Attorney And Historian Who Explores The Intersection Of Politics, Justice, And History. With A Unique Ability To Connect Historical Events With Modern-Day Politics, His Work Invites Readers To Question The Narratives They’ve Been Taught. His Latest Book, The Political Witch Hunts Of Aaron Burr And Donald Trump, Showcases His Deep Research And Storytelling, Blending The Past And Present Into An Unforgettable Narrative.
You can visit Cameron online at CameronJournal.com
Watch The Cameron Journal Newshour every Monday at 7 pm!
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Big shout out to the business side of The Cameron Journal, today we are talking with corporate culture consultant, Chris Majer. We are talking about his new book The Power to Transform.
Chris has spent decades helping leaders and organizations unlock their highest potential while staying ahead of disruptive change. With a background that spans from teaching hand-to-hand combat to Marines and performance principles to Special Forces, to leading billion-dollar cultural transformation projects at companies like Microsoft, Intel, AT&T, and Capital One, Chris brings a rare blend of discipline, innovation, and practical wisdom.
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Watch The Cameron Journal Newshour every Monday at 7 pm!
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Today on The Cameron Journal Podcast we are joined by Scott Badler who is here to talk about his new book, Becoming JFK. In his book, he talks about Kennedy as a young man and before the presidency ending with his run for Senate. His WWII service figures prominently too. Scott Badler is a Kennedy scholar and he has done all the homework on the early life of JFK.
You can visit Cameron online at CameronJournal.com
Watch The Cameron Journal Newshour every Monday at 7 pm!
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Today on The Cameron Journal Podcast, we are joined by the ineffably brilliant, Stan Lai. The most famous theater producer in China, he straddles form, characters and borders as he creates theatrical experiences across Asia, North American and Europe. We spent an hour together talking about storytelling, Chinese film, opera and fine art. These episodes are the ones that make me love doing this. Stan Lai is absolutely wonderful and his personal invitation to his dedicated theater in Shanghai was truly an honor. We talk about his new book CreativitRy and how everyone can find their own roadmap to live their most creative life. This is an exciting book from someone who has made a life out of his own mind.
You can visit Cameron online at CameronJournal.com
Watch The Cameron Journal Newshour every Monday at 7 pm!
Part of the SOOPcast Podcast Network
Today on The Cameron Journal Podcast we are joined by John David who comes from the world of marketing and PR and has taken up writing. He has a story about what it took to get his book published, the crushing querying process and much more. We have a wide-ranging conversation on writing and the industry!
Here's some more about John's writing:
His debut novel, The Bystander, is a contemporary mystery, infused with thriller elements. It follows television reporter Pete Lemaster, who witnesses an active shooter incident. During the attack, the gunman is killed by an armed bystander. Lemaster captures the event on camera, and the footage propels his career into the spotlight after going viral. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the circumstances surrounding the shooting are far more complicated than they first appeared. While the novel touches on issues of gun rights and veterans’ challenges, David emphasizes that it is primarily an entertaining tale of suspense.
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Watch The Cameron Journal Newshour every Monday at 7 pm!
Part of the SOOPcast Podcast Network
Today on The Cameron Journal Podcast we are joined by Cinda Gault, a canadian author of historical fiction set in the Canadian and American West. I will admit that I did not know anything about Canadian western expansion until I visited Alberta on a writing residency in 2019. Cinda is the expert and her stories explore women's lives in these historical, Canadian settings with real-life elements! I loved her pitch to me because she said, "I think your Mom would like these stories." And she's probably right! I will be passing them along! Join us on this delightful adventure with a delightful author!
You can visit Cameron online at CameronJournal.com
Watch The Cameron Journal Newshour every Monday at 7 pm!
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Do I have dyslexia? In this episode we talk with Russell van Brocklen about dyslexia, his book, his work arounds his own profound dyslexia and how helps people learn to work with their brains rather than against their brains. He is here to dispel myths about dyslexia and how the way we help people with dyslexia sets them up for failure. In the course of the episode, I find out that despite being an excellent reader, I might have dyslexia (or a form of it).
You can visit Cameron online at CameronJournal.com
Watch The Cameron Journal Newshour every Monday at 7 pm!
Part of the SOOPcast Podcast Network
Today on The Cameron Journal Podcast we are really reaching up by having JD Barker on the show. He is a suspense and thriller author who has worked with many of the greats in his genre and is now head of his own imprint publishing suspense and thrillers. When you look up "author" in the dictionary, you'd see a picture of JD Barker. We are very grateful for him coming by to talk to us about writing shop, his stories and more.
You can visit Cameron online at CameronJournal.com
Watch The Cameron Journal Newshour every Monday at 7 pm!
Part of the SOOPcast Podcast Network
Today on The Cameron Journal Podcast we are joined by Justin Spencer, the founder of Chaos and Kindness and TV show and brand. We are having this conversation in his car. Right now he is on a new journey where he is buying a cheap car and driving around the United States. During this conversation, he is waiting for a tow because the motor in his car has gone out (it was cheap) and we even see it all go down (at least part of it) right during the show. This is a very special episode of The Cameron Journal Podcast and probably unlike anything we've had on before.
More about Justin Spencer: He started out as a musician where he went on America’s Got Talent with his band, Recycled Percussion and turned that into an award-winning show, Chaos and Kindness. He is now the author of his first novel, Terminal Anxiety, an intoxicating what-will-happen-next thrill ride of a book, to be published by One Life Press on February 17, 2026.
You can visit Cameron online at CameronJournal.com
Watch The Cameron Journal Newshour every Monday at 7 pm!
Part of the SOOPcast Podcast Network
Today we are joined by Amani Roberts and he has written a new book about the history of R and B groups. The Quiet Storm gives us an history of one of the most popular genre's of music. More about Amani: Amani Roberts is a powerhouse in the world of music—an internationally recognized DJ, award-winning music professor, and passionate historian of R&B and Black music culture. With years of experience spinning records, educating future music industry leaders, and dissecting the impact of legendary R&B groups, Amani brings a dynamic and insightful voice to discussions on the intersection of music, culture, and history. His upcoming book, The Quiet Storm: A Historical and Cultural Analysis of the Power, Passion, and Pain of R&B Groups, offers a deep dive into the rise and influence of groups like Destiny’s Child, The Temptations, and TLC. Through his expertise, Amani unpacks how these artists shaped generations, influenced social movements, and left an indelible mark on the global music scene.You can visit Cameron online at CameronJournal.com Watch The Cameron Journal Newshour every Monday at 7 pm!Part of the SOOPcast Podcast Network
We are joined today by Joe Atman (again!). The last time I spoke to Joe Atman, I really took him to task, so this time, I'm going to be nicer! Today we are talking about his work and his book A Philosophical War. We talk a little philosophy and we get into his podcasts, his work in education with Middletree and his new Substack: The Philosophy of Joe.
Today we are joined by UK activist and fire brand, Anne Marie Waters. She has made a name for herself as a defender of the UK on immigration, EU over-reach and much more. She is the author of two books: In Defense of Democracy and Beyond Terror. A doyenne of the UK right, she's not happy with Trump and not too pleased with what Reform is up to in the UK. We talk about her new podcast (with SOOP!) and much more.
In this special (extra) video, Cameron looks over an academic paper about colonialism and it tests a controversial theory: could colonialism have been beneficial? It also looks at how targeted and collaborative colonialism could be the solution to Africa's problems. Explore this concept with him as we look through the article and dive deep!
AI is coming for enterprise software and SaaS, our guest today, on The Cameron Journal Podcast is leading the way. We are joined by Shirish Nimgaonkar who is the founder and CEO of E-Bliss AI. His platform helps companies create new products, find opportunity and improve management. He's worked for all the big companies in Silicon Valley and is deep in the tech space. We explore this and more in this thoughtful chat!
Today on The Cameron Journal Podcast we are joined by Stephanie Hunter-Jones who is an author that specializes in sex, sexuality and healing emotional wounds around our intimate lives. Seems straight forward right? Wrong! She uses roleplay and cosplay as a way to help people and couples engage in their sexuality more deeply. This is not your father's pretend, oh no, this includes costumes, make-up and hopefully a satisfying finish.
The government has decreed that homosexuals can serve in the military under a "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. In this new book of fiction, a group of officers are looking to root out homosexuality anyway and in this book from Darrell Barry we get to explore the atmosphere in the 1980s and 1990s under this policy and what it was like for LGBTQ+ individuals.
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