top of page

Notice: Due to the massive redesign and creation of Burckhardt Books, some internal links in blogs posted before January 24, 2022 may no long be active. If you find a broken link, please send us an email and let us know which blog it is in. We will do our best to go back and check links in previous blogs as time permits. But let's be honest, it's going to be slow going. 

Search

Dr. David Gibson Returns with Elite Memories: From Forensic Botany to Futuristic Fiction| S4 EP198: Book Banter Podcast

How the scientist behind Planting Clues moved from botany to bold dystopian storytelling in his new sci-fi novel Elite Memories.



Promotional image for today's Book Banter with Dianne Burckhardt – Book Talk Podcast episode. Today's guest is Chaplain Patrick Day, he is on the left of the image, short blonde hair, glasses, red checked shirt and black suit jacket. Beside him is the cover of his book, Finding the Safest Place on Earth. Dianne is on the right side of the photos. Long grey hair, glasses, and wearing a black sweater. Beside her is the cover of the double issue of Book Banter Magazine. Above the people is the name of the show, company logos and silver microphones. Below the people is the name of today's episode, S4 EP171: Chaplain Patrick Day, Author of Finding the Safest Place on Earth.


Hello My Happy People,


Dr. David Gibson is back on the show, and this time he’s traded forensic botany for a dystopian adventure. The longtime scientist and professor known for Planting Clues: How Plants Solve Crimes returns to chat about his bold new novel Elite Memories, a futuristic story where memory transfers, sentient animals, and survival all collide.


We talk about what inspired this unexpected leap from nonfiction to sci-fi, how real science sneaks into his storytelling, and why even in a world ruled by technology, it’s still human nature that drives the story. David also shares how years of studying ecosystems shaped the way he builds worlds on the page, both real and imagined, and why writing fiction might be the most freeing experiment of his career.


If you love authors who take creative risks, scientists who spin great stories, and tales that make you think while keeping you entertained, this episode is for you.


David J. Gibson, PhD, FRSB, is an Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Plant Biology at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology. He’s written several acclaimed works on ecology and forensic botany. With Elite Memories, he steps into fiction, blending sharp science with a wild imagination to explore what makes us human.



Enjoy,

Dianne




Listen to the Latest Episode Now

Purple background with a black microphone and headset with the word podcast

^ Just click the purple microphone ^




David J. Gibson, Author Soundbite

(My Manic Life Vlogs will resume after my life stops being so manic)





Season Countdown Episodes

Every Wednesday

November 12th - December 10th

 

12th - S4 EP 196: Now Streaming

Candace MacPhie, Author of The Back in a Year Series Including Finding Color

 

19th - S4 EP 197: Now Streaming

Amy Weinland Daughters, Author of You Cannot Mess This Up: A True Story That Never Happened

 

26th - S4 EP 198: Now Streaming

David J. Gibson, Author of the Dystopian Fiction Novel Elite Memories 


December 

3rd - S4 EP 199:

David Weill, Author of Tell Me I Belong: A Journey Across Faiths and Generations


 

Season Finale


10th - S4 EP 200:

Melissa Payne, Bestselling Adult Fiction Author of In the Beautiful Dark



Season Hiatus Episodes

Every Wednesday

December 10th - January 28th, 2026

 

17th - S4 Hiatus EP 201

Rebroadcast S4 EP179: Breakfield & Burkey, Authors of The Enigma Series & Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles

 

24th - S4 Hiatus EP 202

Rebroadcast - S4 EP180: Valerie Sherrard, Author of the Middle-Grade book A Bend in the Breeze

 

31st - S4 Hiatus EP 203

Rebroadcast S4 Lovefest EP163: Doug Williams, Playwright, Filmmaker, & Author of Failure Point

 

January 2026

07th - S4 Hiatus EP 204

Rebroadcast - S4 EP182: Risa August, Author of The Road Unpaved: Border to Border with a Brain Tumor and a Bike

 

4th - S4 Hiatus EP 205

Rebroadcast -S4 EP174: Miles Spencer, Co-Author of the Amazon Bestseller, A Line in the Sand

 

21st - S4 Hiatus EP 206

Rebroadcast - S4 EP178: Linda Hughes, Romantic Women’s Fiction Author of The Second Chances Series

 

28 - S4 Hiatus EP 207

Rebroadcast - S4 EP175: Joel Shulkin, MD, Author of The Forensic Technothriller, Heroic Measures


Thank You Book Banter Productions Sponsors






Become A Book Banter Productions Sponsor

Do you enjoy Book Banter with Dianne Burckhardt - Book Talk Podcast and Book Banter Magazine? You can make sure we can stay in business. All you have to do buy a copy of Book Banter Magazine or just buy us a coffee below. I do not make any profits from Book Banter Productions. I do not charge authors for exposure. Up to this point, this has just been a very expensive hobby, but that will have to change if we are to continue.


If you want to help keep us going , you can just click the link below and buy us a coffee or click the Book Banter Magazine ad below that to buy yourself a digital copy of Book Banter Magazine. Every magazine and coffee helps us to keep going!


Thank you!


Buy Me a Coffee logo on a button to go donate to the show


Advertisement for Book Banater with Dianne Burckhardt - Book Talk Podcast. Pink background with an image of Dianne to the right of the text. on the bottom left are the logos for Burckhardt Books and Dianne Burckhardt. The text reads: Join award-winning author, Dianne Burckhardt every Wednesday as she chats with other authors and publishing industry professionals If you love books like we do, you do not want to miss this podcast! Burckhardt books dot com slashpodcast
Podcast Links

Listen to our podcast, Book Banter with Dianne Burckhardt - Book Talk Podcast, every Wednesday. Check your favorite podcast provider for listings.

​

Listen to Book Banter with Dianne Burckhardt on These Featured Podcast Providers:


> You can even just ask Siri or Alexa to play Book

   Banter with Dianne Burckhardt - Book Talk

   Podcast and hear the latest episode!

> You can also search on Amazon in any country for Book Banter with Dianne Burckhardt -

   Book Talk Podcast and it will find it for you.


Burckhardt Books Pages:

bottom of page