The On The Bookshelf Podcast

Stella Ackroyd & Luke Pisano "Return of the Blues Brothers"

The beloved Blues Brothers universe will come roaring back to life over the next few years with forays into television, film, live events, music and much more with the first IP offering being a brand new original Graphic Novel: THE BLUES BROTHERS: THE ESCAPE OF JOLIET JAKE. Written by Stella Aykroyd, Luke Pisano and James Werner with artist Felipe Sobriero, The Blues Brothers: The Escape of Joliet Jake is both a love letter and sequel to the original Blues Brothers film. With editorial oversight by Dan Aykroyd, the utmost care has been taken to ensure this new chapter is true to the classic skits, legendary film, and iconic albums. The result is a wild and entertaining ride for both the longtime fans, and those new to the world of Jake and Elwood Blues. This project was originally conceived with the architect of The Blues Brothers, Judy Belushi Pisano, who sadly passed away during this book's production.

Luke Pisano shares "The Blues Brothers weren't just a SNL act or movie, they were real musicians, in awe of the legends who came before them. This book is a continuation of that labor of love. This book is dedicated to my mother, Judy Belushi Pisano - the widow of John Belushi and the fierce, loving steward of the Blues Brothers legacy for over 40 years. After John's passing, she didn't just preserve the story-she expanded it. With the team at Z2, and with the talents of Stella and James, we finally found the right partners to make that dream turn reality. I am proud-and humbled-to continue her work in expanding this world of fun, music, and mischievousness."

"It makes complete sense to me that the new generation of Blues Brothers will begin in comic book form, where the possibilities for destroying police cars is infinite, physics have no bounds, and the potential for jam partners is off the charts." James Werner points out. "The Blues Brothers universe is full of music and absurdity. Jake and Elwood are FINALLY reuniting , and I am forever grateful that Luke and Stella have asked me to join the band."

Stella Aykroyd adds "Elwood and Jake are precious to me, in fact, one of them is actually my Dad. I've helped him sharpie ELWOOD onto his knuckles before Blues Brothers shows with 'Brother Zee', I've walked behind him as he's made his way through a sea of fans dressed as Elwood and Jake all over the world and I've been his co-pilot on the road, where he's explained to me the proper way to T-bone a car. Now, with Elwood, and the one and only 'Sister Zee', Judy Belushi's blessing, Luke, James, and I take the wheel and swerve into the endless possibilities that Z2, Felipe Sobreiro, and the comic book world provide for Jake and Elwood. In many ways the antics we've seen from the Blues Brothers have always been perfectly suited for the comic strip; flying cars, supernatural nuns, dusting an entire apartment building worth of bricks off your shoulders, and now Felipe Sobreiro's illustrations bring them to life once again. Our development process was guided and inspired by the stories and real life occurrences from the lives of Judy, John, and Dan and their process of conception of the Blues Brothers and using it not only for easter eggs but for plot points. I am so excited to share this whole new story with all our music loving anarchists."

Lastly, Z2 President, Josh Bernstein adds "The Blues Brothers are comedy, pop-culture and musical royalty. Z2 is proud to expand the creative universe built by Dan Akyroyd, John and Judy Belushi-Pisano and welcome new band members: Luke, Stella and James. When you mix their story with the art of Brazilian Blues Brother, Felipe Sobreiro, fans of all ages will be delighted with the epic return of Jake & Elwood Blues. (We apologize in advance to the fine men and women of the Chicago Police Department.)"

THE BLUES BROTHERS: THE ESCAPE OF JOLIET JAKE will be available for pre-order via Amazon, Barnes and Noble, as well as many other fine independent book, comic, and record stores.

STELLA AYKROYD BIO

Stella Aykroyd is a writer and director from Los Angeles, with a background spanning screenwriting, documentary filmmaking, and environmental advocacy. From 2017 to 2020, she worked as a writer's assistant and later transitioned into ghostwriting, specializing in fiction and short stories. Before focusing on scripted storytelling, Stella worked in documentary film, highlighting environmental and wildlife issues. From 2014 to 2018, she collaborated with Sea Shepherd ( the Vaquita, Great Barrier Reef Harm Reduction) and River Keeper (DAPL). As the daughter of Dan Aykroyd, Stella has been immersed in the world of the Blues Brothers her entire life. Since 2018, she and her father have worked together as writing partners, and now, she takes on a leading role in shaping the future of the Blues Brothers brand.

LUKE PISANO BIO

Luke Pisano is a writer and marketing professional. The son of Judy Belushi Pisano, Luke has spent his life immersed in the world of the Blues Brothers, carrying forward the legacy the Belushi family, his mother, and Dan Aykroyd built together. Following Judy's passing in July 2024, he stepped into her role as the other half of Blues Brothers Approved Ventures, ensuring that the cultural impact of the legendary duo continues to thrive for new generations. He is committed to bringing fresh energy and storytelling to the franchise while staying true to its roots in music, comedy, and soul. Luke holds an undergraduate degree from the Savannah College of Art and Design and a master's degree from the University of Oregon. Beyond his work with the Blues Brothers, he has spent the last decade as a marketing manager for various brands and companies, blending strategic expertise with creative storytelling.

 

Steve Goreham returns with newest on Green Energy Breakdown

Steve Goreham is Executive Director of the Climate Science Coalition of America and author of four books on energy, climate change, and sustainable development, with over 100,000 copies in print.  Steve’s latest book is Green Breakdown: The Coming Renewable Energy Failure.

We discuss how the “Big Beautiful Bill,” if it is passed, will halt renewable energy growth in the United States, the implications of the power blackouts in Spain and Portugal last month, Trump Administration efforts to challenge state climate change laws, US Department of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and climate change in the military, how the artificial intelligence revolution drives exploding electricity demand, how towns and states are pushing back against green energy, and signs of the coming green energy breakdown.

Sam Kelly brings accessible and interesting " famous historical people on drugs"

ABOUT HUMAN HISTORY ON DRUGS: An Utterly Scandalous but Entirely Truthful Look at History Under the Influence

 

Alexander the Great. George Washington. William Shakespeare. Queen Victoria. What do all of these people all have in common? Not just that they're commonly in every student's history class, but what's left out of the textbook: they all routinely used drugs. They got drunk, stoned, high-and they aren't the only ones.

Historian and viral TikToker Sam Kelly (@Human_History_On_Durgs) brings readers on one hell of a trip through history in his debut book, HUMAN HISTORY ON DRUGS: An Utterly Scandalous but Entirely Truthful Look at History Under the Influence (Plume; July 8, 2025; Trade Paperback Original). Kelly covers 40 historical figures in 40 chapters, starting in Ancient Greece and imperial China through modern day. His viral TikTok account has proven the voracious appetite for these uncovered histories, with more than 100k followers and 2.4 million likes, and HUMAN HISTORY ON DRUGS expands upon his most successful videos while also offering tons of brand-new content.

Hysterical, reflective, and illuminating, Kelly introduces readers to the history that isn't included in school's curriculums. He covers well-known historical figures but introduces new angles to their stories that most people don't know about-such as William Shakespeare's fondness for cannabis, Sigmund Freud's love affair with cocaine, and Steve Jobs' endorsement of the benefits of LSD. He shares amazing true stories that will blow the most ardent history fans away, from how one of the most prolific creators of psychedelic drugs was on the DEA payroll, to the CIA allegedly doing sinister experiments with LSD on the college kid who became the Unabomber, to the pope who drank cocaine wine to fortify himself "when prayer was insufficient," and more.

Perfect for fans of bite-sized history, like Bad Days in History and Lies My Teacher Told Me, but also fit for hardcore history buffs, HUMAN HISTORY ON DRUGS is a punchy, easy-to-pick-up read the entire way through. History is rife with drug use and drug users, and HUMAN HISTORY ON DRUGS takes us through those highs (pun intended) and lows on a wittily entertaining ride that uncovers their seriously unexpected impact on our past.

ABOUT SAM KELLY

Sam Kelly, a history grad from Stanford University, is on the autism spectrum and his interest and passion for history has become an almost physical compulsion. He loves to dig up forgotten and weird stories from the past and spends hours uncovering every last stubborn detail. As a deep believer that history can be as exciting as any Marvel movie, Sam aims to- whether on TikTok or through a book-make history both engaging and accessible to all. Human History on Drugs is his first book.

How Kung Fu Movies Changed the World-Grady Hendrix & Chris Poggiali

"These Fists Break Bricks: How Kung Fu Movies Sept America and Changed the World" by Grady Hendrix & Chris Poggiali

When a major Hollywood studio released Five Fingers of Death to thrill-seeking Times Square moviegoers on March 21, 1973, only a handful of Black and Asian American audience members knew the difference between an Iron Fist and an Eagle's Claw. That changed overnight as kung fu movies kicked off a craze that would earn millions at the box office, send TV ratings soaring, sell hundreds of thousands of video tapes, influence the birth of hip hop, reshape the style of action we see in movies today, and introduce America to some of the biggest non-white stars to ever hit motion picture screens.

 This lavishly illustrated book tells the bone-blasting, spine-shattering story of how these films of fury ― spawned in anti-colonial protests on the streets of Hong Kong ― came to America and raised hell for 15 years before greed, infomercials, and racist fearmongering shut them down.

 You'll met Japanese judo coaches battling American wrestlers in backwoods MMA bouts at county fairs, black teenagers with razor sharp kung fu skills heading to Hong Kong to star in movies shot super fast so they can make it back to the States in time to start 10th grade, and Puerto Rican karate coaches making their way in this world with nothing but their own two fists.

 It's about an 11-year-old boy who not only created the first fan edit but somehow turned it into a worldwide moneymaker, CIA agents secretly funding a karate movie, the New York Times fabricating a fear campaign about black "karate gangs" out to kill white people, the history of black martial arts in America ("Why does judo or karate suddenly get so ominous because black men study it?," wondered Malcolm X), the death of Bruce Lee and the onslaught of imitators that followed, and how a fight that started in Japanese internment camps during World War II ended in a ninja movie some 40 years later.

 It's a battle for recognition and respect that started a long, long time ago and continues today in movies like The Matrix, Kill Bill, and Black Panther and here, for the first time, is the full uncensored story.

 2025's revised and expanded hardcover edition features new material on superstars like Jackie Chan, Michelle Yeoh, and Donnie Yen, plus spotlights on unsung performers, movie poster artists, low-rent film distributors, 1980s video companies, and more! New edition hits stores July 8!

Grady Hendrix is an award-winning, New York Times bestselling author and one of the founders of the New York Asian Film Festival. He's covered the Asian film industry for Variety, Sight & Sound, and Film Comment among other publications, and has worked extensively in the Asian film industry.

Chris Poggiali is a librarian, writer and film historian who edited the fanzine Temple of Schlock from 1987-1991, and brought it back as a blog in 2008. He has written about film for numerous magazines, websites, and DVDs/Blu-rays.

 

Dr. Charles Daniels Jr on Reuniting Fathers and Sons

Young men of color want to be good dads, but it takes more than a strong will to make that desire a reality. Charles C. Daniels, PhD, a therapist and the co-founder and CEO of Fathers’ UpLift, an organization that helps fathers reconnect with their kids, learned firsthand while serving primarily Black and Brown men that it’s possible for fathers to overcome the significant challenges to establishing a relationship with their kids after weeks, months, or even years of separation.

 "Present-The Crisis of America Fatherhood and the Power of Showing Up" (Convergent Books) is an honest look at the complexities that accompany separation and the sometimes grueling effort it takes to overcome those barriers. Drawing on therapeutic practice and the experiences of thousands, Daniels describes what it takes for fathers to parent themselves, for families to practice forgiveness, and for fathers and communities to create support structures so that dads can navigate life transitions, relate better to the whole family, and heal from their own woundedness.

 Daniels details systemic obstacles that disadvantage fathers and societal stigmas that make healing relationships with children challenging. But he shows that they aren’t the end of the story—it’s still possible to reestablish familial bonds. For young men and those who support them, and for those who are interested in the struggles these men and their children face, Present is a book of challenge and of hope, filled with stories from Daniels’s own life and the lives of the fathers he serves.

 Charles C. Daniels, PhD, is the co-founder and CEO of Fathers’ UpLift, a nonprofit organization that provides mental health counseling, coaching, and advocacy to assist fathers with overcoming barriers that prevent them from remaining engaged in their children’s lives. Daniels grew up outside Atlanta, Georgia. He graduated from Bethune-Cookman University, and he holds a PhD in clinical social work from the Simmons University School of Social Work and a master’s in divinity from the Boston University School of Theology.