Vicious Whispers with Mark Tullius
252 episodes - English - Latest episode: 9 days ago - ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsAuthor Mark Tullius speaks his mind and shares his writing: Horror, Sci-fi, Suspense, and nonfiction MMA.
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Episodes
Episode 52: Reader Appreciation and "Lethal Injection"
March 03, 2020 13:08 - 38 minutes - 70.2 MBNow that the podcast is part of the Project Entertainment Network, episodes will be released every Tuesday. Two new contests are running. One for US residents to win Amazon gift cards and copies of Untold Mayhem. The other is to give German readers a chance to win a copy of the newly-translated version of Brightside. I’m excited to be working on Beyond Brightside again but a little disturbed that I remember so little of it after being away from the book for 6 months. I finished the short ...
Episode 51: Try Not to Die with Jake and "To Catch a Killer"
February 19, 2020 20:54 - 55 minutes - 101 MBSpoiler Alert! Don't listen to this episode if you're going to read Try Not to Die: In Brightside. I walk my 6-year-old son through all the choices as he tries to best the winners of the 22 Days of Death contest. Congrats to Dusty Dirt for taking first place. Includes the short story "To Catch a Killer"
Episode 50: No More Jiu Jitsu and "Woodshop After Math"
February 14, 2020 19:17 - 37 minutes - 68.6 MBAn update on the 22 Days of Death contest. Only 4 more days to vote. There is a new Try Not to Die in the works. The audiobooks for Untold Mayhem and TNTD: In Brightside are both being cast at ACX and will be out within two months. Depressing news concerning my neck. Looks like I'll finally be giving up jiu jitsu, but only after one last attempt to correct the issue with prolotherapy. With the time off from jiu jitsu I'm focusing on marketing my fiction to various countries. Includes th...
Vicious Whispers Episode 49: Armand Rosamilia and "Beastie"
February 06, 2020 19:24 - 41 minutes - 76.3 MBI had the pleasure of sitting down with author and podcast host Armand Rosamilia who writes in several genres including crime, horror, contemporary fiction, and nonfiction. Some areas we cover in our talk: Armand's approach to social media. His thoughts on publishing indie, small press, and traditional. How he balances writing with all the other responsibilities. How he got started in podcasting and what he's gotten from it. Collaborating with others and simultaneously working on multiple...
Episode 48: Another Contest Update and "Pillow Talk"
January 31, 2020 18:30 - 26 minutes - 48.2 MBAn update on the 22 Days of Death contest and how my son is tied for first place. Also includes the short story "Pillow Talk" taken from Untold Mayhem.
Episode 47: TNTD Contest Update and "Last Will and Testament"
January 24, 2020 01:09 - 16 minutes - 30.7 MBAn update on the release of Try Not to to Die: In Brightside and the upcoming contest. Trying to decide whether to cancel the artwork which is delaying the Untold Mayhem release. Getting tickets to see Rammstein in America and planning a trip to Germany this June. I narrate "Last Will and Testament" a short story from Untold Mayhem.
Episode 46: Goals for 2020, Brain Training Results, and "Hit the Lights"
January 08, 2020 19:27 - 39 minutes - 71.6 MBGoals for 2020 which includes publishing 3 books, developing 3 more for the following year, earning my brown belt in jiu jitsu, becoming fluent in German, and opening a Try Not to Die mobile escape room. The struggle I'm currently having with writing the traumatic brain injury book and taking an honest look at past behavior and attraction to crime and violence. (12:35) I share the results of my IVA-2 testing which I did at the start, middle, and end of my neurofeedback training. Not only d...
Episode 45: Brightside, TNTD: In Brightside, and "Surviving the Holidays"
December 20, 2019 01:11 - 39 minutes - 71.6 MBIn celebration of Brightside hitting the top 10 in several Amazon categories, I read some of the earliest reviews: good, okay, and awful. 13:00 I read the first chapter from Try Not to Die: In Brightside and talk a little about the contest we're running in January. Be sure to listen to next episode to find out what the first correct answer is to give you a leg up on the competition. 27:40 The Christmas horror story "Surviving the Holidays."
Episode 44: Vegas, Football Reunion, and "When it Rains"
December 06, 2019 14:34 - 51 minutes - 94 MBIn this episode I go over: My family's Thanksgiving vacation in Vegas. The small reunion I had with football teammates in Scottsdale AZ to say farewell to a good friend who's losing his valiant battle against cancer. A visit to an escape room in LA where the boys went head to head against the girls. More Try Not to Die books in the works along with the creation of a Try Not to Die mobile escape room we plan on launching in the LA area in 2020. And the short horror story "When it Rains."
Episode 43: Independent Author Woes and "The Infidel's Prayer"
November 20, 2019 00:28 - 35 minutes - 64.2 MBA little about all the different hats one needs to wear as an independent author and how I manage that stress. Updates on all my different writing projects. Looking forward to a fun weekend with former teammates in Phoenix and a trip to Vegas with the family for Thanksgiving. Why my family is going to begin training jiu jitsu in the gi. Includes the short horror story "The Infidel's Prayer"
Episode 42: Neurofeedback, Jiu Jitsu, and "The Artist"
November 06, 2019 20:00 - 29 minutes - 53.1 MBRecap of Halloween. A look at how much neurofeedback and NUCCA has already improved my life. Addressing my fear of CTE. Returning to jiujitsu and overcoming the ego. An update on the latest Try Not to Dies (15:15) The short story "The Artist"
Episode 41: Walter Salcido and Try Not to Die: In Watts
October 29, 2019 17:35 - 1 hour - 150 MBAbout two weeks ago I asked Walter Salcido, the host of Fighter's Planet Podcast if he'd like to co-author a novella in my Try Not to Die series. He had an idea of what he might want to write about but during this podcast we changed the subject matter and completely plotted out his book, Try Not to Die: In Watts. Of course, much of what we plotted out might change, but it was fun to see an entire story being developed in an hour. At the end of the episode you can listen to the short horror...
Episode 40: Working on The Bridge and "Glory"
October 23, 2019 19:01 - 29 minutes - 53.5 MBIn this episode I discuss: My problems with consistency and priorities. Putting the writing of my traumatic brain injury nonfiction book on pause. Accepting that all my head trauma has left me with an injured and underfunctioning brain. Why I've been doing the Wim Hoff 10-day course on the Commune app. That I just completed Act 1 of the second book in the Tales of the Blessed and Broken series. I just added two more co-authors to the Try Not to Die series and will put out an episode ne...
Episode 39: Messiah T-shirt and "Out There"
October 10, 2019 19:34 - 35 minutes - 64.2 MBJust got my Ain't No Messiah t-shirt in time for the High Desert Book Festival Oct 12. I've been working hard on Book 2 in the Tales of the Blessed and Broken series. With the main character's name being Heimdall you know thing's are going to get weird. Also chipping away at a new version of Try Not to Die: Up in the Club. 8:50 - The short story "Out There"
Episode 38: Positive Perspective and "Group Session"
September 25, 2019 19:03 - 41 minutes - 75.9 MBIn what might be my most positive episode yet, I discuss taking a break from my traumatic brain injury nonfiction book so I can get creative. I’m enjoying working on Book 2 in the Tales of the Blessed and Broken series and readying Untold Mayhem for print. I’m excited that one of my favorite singers from a metal band just said he’d be delighted to co-author a Try Not to Die with me. I go over the book Head Games by Chris Nowinski and how it convinced me to donate my brain to his organizati...
Episode 37: More on traumatic Brain Injuries and "Wrong Side Tavern"
September 06, 2019 20:47 - 39 minutes - 72.8 MBIn this episode I share about my search for the right agent, what I’m currently doing for my brain, and the nonfiction reading list for my brain research. I read the prologue to my traumatic brain injury book. (7:00) My short horror story "Wrong Side Tavern" (17:00)
Vicious Whispers Episode 36: Luis Vega and "Book of Revelation"
August 22, 2019 20:25 - 1 hour - 142 MBJoining me on this episode is my friend Luis Vega, an artist and a teacher from Lynwood High School. He created the cover of my collection Somber Stroll and one of his students created an illustration published in Twisted Reunion. We discuss how Luis discovered art, how he teaches the process of creating art, and the messages Luis tries to pass on to his students. We also decide to run another contest so his students can publish an illustration for my upcoming collection Untold Mayhem. 37:...
Episode 35: Midsummer Scream with Lauren Salerno "Reunion"
August 08, 2019 17:15 - 53 minutes - 98 MBI interviewed Lauren Salerno after we finished being on a panel about Young Adult Horror Fiction at Midsummer Scream. Lauren is a librarian, writer, literary organizer, and a fellow Horror Writers Association member. We discuss her paranormal experiences, struggle with anxiety, what she likes to write, and why she’s a member of the H.W.A. 28:45 The short horror story “Reunion” For more on Lauren you can find her on social media platforms @ParanormaLauren For more on the HWA check out htt...
Episode 34: Oregon, TBI, and "Mommy's Big Boy"
July 31, 2019 16:10 - 42 minutes - 77.7 MBAnother trip to Portland to explore TBI and reunite with old friends. Unfortunately I wasn't able to train at 10th Planet Portland but I did have some great talks with friends about writing, brain injuries, and life. How depressed I was attending the Subversive BJJ event. Looking forward to Midsummer Scream at the Long Beach Convention Center this weekend. Finalizing Untold Mayhem - my next short story collection. Developing a new Try Not to Die idea with my father. Looking at why I've alwa...
Episode 33: Another Trip to Oregon "Every Precious Second"
July 10, 2019 14:35 - 43 minutes - 80.5 MBA recap on the Vegas trip and jiu jitsu training at Tribe Fitness in Martial Arts. What I learned by spending time with my former Brown University teammate who has CTE and is dying from leukemia. This visit marks the start of the actual writing of my traumatic brain injury book. A very sad and scary situation but one that also leaves me with hope for others headed down that path. Finally finishing up my full-length short story collection. Balancing writing and family without becoming too ...
Episode 32: Tribe Fitness and Martial Arts and "Mutual Understanding"
July 03, 2019 17:53 - 48 minutes - 89.3 MBIn this episode I visit my friend, Casey Milliken, who owns Tribe Las Vegas with his wife Ashley. I speak with Casey, a bjj black belt, about jiu jitsu, what it teaches people, how to increase longevity, and what his gym is all about. 26:00 includes my bjj/MMA short story "Mutual Understanding" from my collection Somber Stroll. For more info on the studio go to https://www.tribevegas.com/
Episode 31: Summer Realizations and "Each Dawn I Die"
June 26, 2019 00:08 - 34 minutes - 63.6 MBAdjusting to the new summer routine and realizing limitations. Excited to finish the rough draft of Beyond Brightside and digging into the last short stories for my next collection. Getting ready for a fun vacation in Vegas with my wife which I'll follow up with a sobering trip to Oregon to begin my book on traumatic brain injuries. 12:05 The short horror story "Each Dawn I Die."
Episode 30: Summer Plans and "Four Percent"
June 06, 2019 20:56 - 32 minutes - 60.1 MBNow that school is finishing up for my kids I need to focus on what I want to accomplish. I've put together a list of the items I'd like completed in the next few months and have plans to start focusing on marketing with my daughter. In addition to the writing work, I'll be practicing German and Spanish with my kids, going on a couple small trips, and doing a lot of rehab on my shoulder and back. 15:10: The short story "Four Percent" taken from 25 Perfect Days Plus Five More.
Episode 29: Nonfiction Brain Book and "Twisted Memory"
May 29, 2019 18:39 - 30 minutes - 56.2 MBAn update on where I'm at with my nonfiction brain book and why I've been hesitant to pursue it. As someone who has had a lot of trauma to the brain with boxing, MMA, college football, and motorcycle accidents, the subject of traumatic brain injuries and CTE is scary. But I have too many friends that either have or probably will develop brain issues for me not to investigate it a bit. 16:45 The short horror story "Twisted Memory" taken from my collection Twisted Reunion.
Episode 28: "Five Minutes Alone"
May 24, 2019 19:04 - 28 minutes - 51.8 MBAn explanation on my break from the podcast and social media. The difficulty with finishing up Beyond Brightside's sex scene and marching a main character to his death. How I've been searching for the perfect agent and have narrowed down my wish list. Using Back 2 Basics and Downey Yoga to deal with my shoulder and back problems. 15:25 I narrate the short story "Five minutes Alone" taken from my dystopian mosaic novel 25 Perfect Days.
Episode 27: Visit to Oregon "No One's Home"
May 06, 2019 18:29 - 33 minutes - 61.6 MBA run down on my family's vacation to Oregon which included ziplining, horseback riding, escape rooms, jiujitsu, and a trip to the emergency room. Talking about Brightside, how different the original ending was, and how Try Not to Die: In Brightside continues the story. 25:55 Listen to "No One's Here," a short horror story from Twisted Reunion. 30:31 I narrate a brand new story, "No One's Home," that will be out later this year.
Episode 26: Brightside Chapter 19
April 19, 2019 13:23 - 45 minutes - 42 MBDiscussing the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. What I wish I had done differently and what went well. Slowly reintroducing jiujitsu, feeling good after a practice and open mat. 15:30 Chapter 19 of the Brightside audiobook, the final chapter.
Episode #25: Brightside (Chapter 18)
April 11, 2019 20:32 - 36 minutes - 67.7 MBAn update on the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books - I'll be at Booth 910. Beyond Brightside is only six chapters away from a finished rough draft and already one of the most brutal stories I've written. Open mat jiujitsu session doesn't go as planned because my fail as a partner. Results of the stem cell therapy on my shoulder and why I recommend it. 10:45 Brightside Chapter 18
Episode #24: Brightside (Chapter 17)
April 05, 2019 12:38 - 39 minutes - 72.5 MBReflecting on cannabis and caffeine intake. Training jiujitsu with my wife. Update on Beyond Brightside and Try Not to Die: In Brightside. Rundown on being a guest on the Fighter's Planet Podcast. Check out episode #38 on Spotify to hear about my nonfiction book, Unlocking the Cage: An Exploration of Mixed Martial Artists. 13:45 Chapter 17 of the Brightside audiobook.
Episode #23: Brightside (Chapter 16)
March 26, 2019 20:13 - 37 minutes - 69 MBKilling time in a park while waiting for my daughter's award assembly. Writing multiple death scenes that take place in a park in Beyond Brightside. 3:30 A look at the brand new Ain't No Messiah shirt and commercial. Also the Try Not to Die shirt. Available soon for order. Why I spend time doing yoga, how my kids liked their class at Downey Yoga, and why I've decided to keep with my current practice instead of switching to Bikram. 13:55 Brightside audiobook - Chapter 16
Episode #22: Brightside (Chapter 15)
March 12, 2019 18:27 - 28 minutes - 51.8 MBDiscussing Beyond Brightside and how it's turning into a brutal blood bath. Listening to the Unlocking the Cage audiobook before its release and preparing turning it into a documentary. Finishing up Try Not to Die: In Brightside and designing a shirt for both it and Ain't No Messiah. Also talking about my Bikram yoga experience and how much I prefer a less intense practice. 9:45 Chapter 15 of the Brightside audiobook.
Episode #21: Brightside (Chapter 14)
March 04, 2019 18:18 - 41 minutes - 76.4 MBA quick rundown on the last two weeks: How wrecked my body is after one session of jiujitsu. Mention of the Try Not to Die contest that kicks off April 13 along with the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books where I will have a booth (#910) 8:30 Chapter 14 of the Brightside audiobook
Episode #20: Brightside (Chapter 13)
February 22, 2019 21:59 - 53 minutes - 97.8 MBTalking about yoga, jiujitsu, cannabis, how painful dancing is for me, the difficulty of writing a rape scene, and all the good stuff about to be released. 15:20 Brightside audiobook Ch. 13
Episode #19: Brightside (Chapter 12)
February 12, 2019 20:29 - 45 minutes - 84.2 MBWhy I decided to cancel my break from cannabis and caffeine. Building a massive snowman, burying myself in snow, writing a story with friends, and other fun last weekend in Big Bear. Wondering if rescuing a cat redeems a character who's been killing innocent people in Beyond Brightside? How intimidating it was going back to 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Headquarters after a long break and how yoga made that transition much easier than it would have been. 17:10 Chapter 12 of the Brightside audiob...
Episode #18: Brightside (Chapter 11)
January 30, 2019 20:59 - 55 minutes - 102 MBAn update on my break from cannabis, caffeine, and video games. Overcoming the difficulty in writing a new scene for Beyond Brightside. A thank you to the Goodreads’ reviewers for Ain’t No Messiah and a demonstration of how to write a review as I leave one for Stephen King’s Under the Dome, Dr. Norman Doidge’s The Brain that Changes Itself, and a Corey Taylor book. 26:00 Chapter 11 of the Brightside audiobook.
Episode #17: Brightside (Chapter 10)
January 25, 2019 00:05 - 38 minutes - 70.3 MBMark discusses the start of his 6 week break from caffeine, cannabis, and video games. How therapy is helping him understand his addictive personality, defiant disorder, and inner rage. New scenes being added to Beyond Brightside including a fun decapitation. 15:00 Chapter 10 of the Brightside audiobook.
Episode #16: Brightside (Chapter 9)
January 16, 2019 20:03 - 1 hour - 115 MBBack from my trip to Oregon where I discovered I have zero talent for skiing. An update on my stem cell results. Latest progress with the short story collection. Good and bad reviews for Ain't No Messiah along with the new cover for Try Not to Die: At Grandma's House. 19:25: Brightside Chapter 9 53:00 Chapter 9 recap. My past struggle with suicidal tendencies. Why I don't reward my kids for high test scores.
Episode #15: Brightside (Chapter 8)
January 08, 2019 17:41 - 59 minutes - 108 MBWrapping up the next short story collection with only a few stories left to write. Sharing my favorite response to Brightside is generally from people who normally don't read. Plans for the holiday. 9:00 Chapter 8 of Brightside 49:15 Recap of Chapter 8. Discussing how I learned about death, if I fear it, and how much I think about it. How changing perspective on pain, happiness, and other emotions makes such a difference. And a confession on how and why I was a cutter.
Episode #14: Brightside (Chapter 7)
December 17, 2018 23:10 - 37 minutes - 69.2 MBEarly praise for Ain't No Messiah, the first book in the Tales of the Blessed and Broken series. An update on the next short story collection, closing in on 30 stories. Getting fat and lazy just in time for the holidays. 10:30 Chapter 7 of Brightside 35:00 Recap of Chapter 7 and why there always seems to be a bar scene in my writing.
Episode #13: Brightside (Chapter 6)
December 10, 2018 21:01 - 47 minutes - 87 MBMark talks about his family’s recent trip to Rhode Island and visiting Mat Santos’ Team Santos Academy and Tri-Force MMA for jiujitsu. Also discusses getting books on Google Play and printing paperbacks through Amazon’s KDP. 8:25 Chapter 6 of Brightside audiobook. 41:30 Recap of Chapter 6 along with a discussion of childhood and how easily kids can be influenced. Also a bit on fishing, football, and fighting.
Episode #12: Brightside (Chapter 5)
December 06, 2018 16:09 - 37 minutes - 68.6 MBMark talks about the stem cell therapy he did for his shoulder, announces the preorder for Ain't No Messiah and how to get a free advance copy, gives an update on cannabis usage, lists some of the completed stories for the next collection. 11:25 Chapter 5 of Brightside audiobook. 33:15 Recap of Chapter 5 along with a discussion of being forced to go to church and a look at the animation for the upcoming Try Not to Die: In Brightside.
Episode #11: Brightside (Chapter 4)
November 27, 2018 15:50 - 1 hour - 58.3 MBMark's special guest is his good friend, yogi, bjj training partner, and USMC veteran, Anthony Johnson. They are co-authoring the novella Try Not to Die: In Iraq and are both pleased with the results 4:20 Why Mark writes and what the process is giving Anthony who claims it is drastically reducing the anxiety-causing dreams and night terrors that have haunted him. Mark attributes the success to Tom Spanbauer's Dangerous Writing techniques. 24:45 WHy they both appreciate yoga and encourage mor...
Episode #10: Brightside (Chapter 3)
November 20, 2018 15:41 - 37 minutes - 69.3 MBMark goes deeper into his break from cannabis and how it's affecting his writing and productivity. He goes through several of the new short stories he's working on for a possible collection, and talks about why he prefers writing in 1st person versus 3rd. 14:10 - Chapter 3 of Brightside 31:45 - Chapter 3 recap where Mark talks about the dog scene, how he's struggled being a salesman, and speculates on how long you'll be remembered, taking into account whether or not you're a jerk.
Episode #9: Brightside (Chapter 2)
November 13, 2018 22:45 - 49 minutes - 45.7 MBMark discusses where he's at with yoga, jiujitsu, intermittent fasting, and his injuries. Also talking about the break from cannabis and how it's affecting his writing. An update on the nearly finished Try Not to Die: In Brightside with a run down on the death scenes. 17:20 - Chapter 2 of Brightside 44:25 - Chapter 2 recap where Mark talks about suicide and his past struggle with those tendencies.
Episode #8: Brightside (Chapter 1)
November 05, 2018 20:17 - 47 minutes - 87.4 MBMark Tullius returns for a new season focused on his first novel Brightside. Mark listens along to the chapter to help him as he finishes writing Try Not to Die: In Brightside and Beyond Brightside, both books scheduled for release in 2019. In this episode, Mark talks about why he took the break from podcasting and discusses where the idea for Brightside began. 10:30 - Chapter 1 40:55 - Chapter 1 recap where Mark discusses how music influenced this book and how he uses it in his writing.
Episode #7: Unlocking the Cage (Chapters 4-5)
December 01, 2017 16:07 - 39 minutes - 72.1 MBIn this week's episode Mark talks about wrapping up Ain't No Messiah, his new nonfiction project about concussions, and discusses chapter 4 and 5 of Unlocking the Cage where he visited FAA, NESF, ATT CT, Xtreme Couture and a few other schools. (06:40) This episode he answers the question: How do you write about past events that you can no longer clearly remember? (12:30) Mark breaks down chapters 4 and 5 of Unlocking the Cage.
Episode #6: Unlocking the Cage (Chapters 1-3)
November 14, 2017 23:02 - 56 minutes - 103 MBIn this week's episode Mark shares the Unlocking the Cage prologue and discusses the first three chapters of the book where he visited Tri-Force MMA, Lauzon MMA, and South Shore Sportsfighting, competed in a NAGA event, and (07:40) This episode he answers the question: Do you try to be more original or deliver what the readers want? (11:50) More on the release of the Thought Thief mind reading app. (15:30) Mark shares the prologue from Unlocking the Cage which fans of MMA should apprecia...
Episode #5: "Mutual Understanding"
November 07, 2017 14:38 - 1 hour - 110 MBIn this week's short story the narrator is a teenage girl about to witness her first live fight. Mark discusses how tough most males think they are, whether a trained female could eat an untrained male, why he's going to be watching Combat Jiu Jitsu Worlds, what jiu jitsu has given him and his family. (07:40) This episode he answers the Goodreads question: "Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?" and goes into why he spent over five years creating Unlocking the Cage: Explorin...
Episode #4: "Ultimate Wish"
October 30, 2017 19:27 - 48 minutes - 88.1 MBIn this week's short story the narrator is a DJ presenting a young girl's last wish. Mark shares his experience as a guest DJ on Ozzy's Boneyard, discusses the randomness of death and how he deals with that fear, and why everyone should have a realistic wish-list. (07:00) This episode he answers the Goodreads question: "Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?" (14:35) Mark shares his story "Ultimate Wish" taken from his Somber Stroll audiobook which will appeal to fans of da...
Episode #3: "Crossing the Line"
October 20, 2017 21:58 - 50 minutes - 93.1 MBHaving played 7 years of high school and college football combined with a ton of concussions from boxing and MMA has left Mark with a questionable memory. In this episode he talks a bit about the fear of dementia and what he does trying to postpone it. (00:02) This episode he answers the Goodreads questions: "What are you currently working on?" and "How do you get inspired to write?" (00:20) Mark shares his story "Crossing the Line" taken from his Somber Stroll audiobook which will appeal ...