Global Intrigue Fuels Joe Battaglia's Near-Future Olympic Suspense Thriller |S5 EP222: Book Banter Podcast
- Dianne Burckhardt
- 5 hours ago
- 4 min read
Award-winning journalist Joe Battaglia discusses the 2040 Olympics, missing athletes, investigative journalism, and the international conspiracy at the heart of his thriller Beneath the Rings.
Bleeped word: m@ss@cre
Hello My Happy People,
This week on Book Banter with Dianne Burckhardt — Book Talk Podcast, award-winning journalist Joe Battaglia joins the show to discuss his international thriller Beneath the Rings, a suspense-filled novel set during the 2040 Summer Olympics in Doha.
With more than three decades in journalism and over twenty years covering the Olympic movement, Joe brings a rare insider perspective to the world of elite athletics, media pressure, and the global spectacle surrounding the Games. He worked with NBC Olympics, contributing to Emmy-winning coverage of the Beijing and London Summer Olympics.
During the episode, Joe discusses his path from journalism into publishing, beginning with his self-published children’s book The ABCs of Track and Field, an educational alphabet book introducing young readers to the history, athletes, and excitement of track and field. He shares how the experience taught him the realities of the publishing industry and gave him the confidence to move forward with the thriller he had long wanted to write.
That journey led to Beneath the Rings. Veteran journalist Nova Mendelsohn is pulled into a terrifying international crisis when twelve athletes vanish during the Olympic Games. As governments, media officials, and powerful organizations scramble to control the narrative, Nova races through the shadows of Doha searching for the truth before time runs out.
We discussed the real-world inspirations behind the novel, international sports politics, investigative journalism, and how Joe’s years covering Olympic athletes shaped the realism of the story.
His thriller Beneath the Rings was recently awarded Gold in the 2026 Manhattan Book Awards.
If you enjoy political thrillers, international suspense, Olympic drama, investigative journalism, and conversations about the realities of modern publishing, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
Enjoy,
Dianne
Have you subscribed to our podcast yet? If not, do it today!
Because if you love books like we do,
you do not want to miss a single episode of this podcast!
Listen to the Latest Episode Now
^ Just click the purple microphone ^
Episode Promo
Book Banter Magazine
Book Buying Guide
Get Yours Now
Only $2.99
View online or download a PDF copy to view on your devices. Buy your copy now to support our show and help us keep supporting more authors in 2026!
All back issues are now available online
Many are free to read entirely online
Season 5 of Our Podcast
Is Fully Booked!!
Applications are for Season 5 are closed.
Join our mailing list if you would like early access to apply to be a podcast guest in Season 6, broadcasting in 2027!
Season 5 Lovefest
Every Wednesday
February 4th - April 1st
April 1st - S5 EP 216: S5 Lovefest Finale NOW STREAMING
PODCAST TAKEOVER!
Sebastian Dureaux-Russell, Award -Winning Author of Burning with a Blue Flame with Special Guest Romance Author, D.S. Stephens
Season 5 Spring Episodes
Every Wednesday
April 8th - May 27th
May
6th - S5 EP 221 NOW STREAMING
Tara Hodgson, Award-Winning Author of Dog Logic
13th - S5 EP 222 NOW STREAMING
Joe Battaglia, Award-Winning Author of Beneath the Rings
20th - S5 EP 223
Sonia Daccarett, Author of The Roots of the Guava Tree
27th - S5 EP 224
Winnifred Tataw, Author of Child of Tempus
Season 5 Episodes
Summer Reads Suggestions
Every Wednesday
June 3rd- July 29th
June
3rd - S5 EP 225
Kae Wagner, Author of Sweet Romance Brewing Love
10th - S5 EP 226
Chad Boudreaux, D.C. Insider and Thriller Author of Mob Justice
17th - S5 EP 227
Sheila Lowe, Forensic Handwriting Analyst and Author The Claudia Rose Series
24th - S5 EP 228
Rebecca Caprara, Middle-Grade Author of Eva to the Max
July
1st - S5 EP 229
Liz Bullard, Therapist, Coach, Podcast Host, and Author of Sleeping Beauty
8th - S5 EP 230
Laura Buchwald, Award-Winning Author of The Book of Reservations
15th - S5 EP 231
Cassie Miller, Teacher and Author of Debut YA Novel Meet Me Under the Lights
22nd - S5 EP 232
CC Robinson, Award-Winning Author of The Divided Series
29th - S5 EP 233
Lucy Wilson-Tagoe, Wall Street Journal Bestselling of To Catch a Sinner
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!
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:
Members Only Page (Join FREE and get access to exclusive content, lots of freebies, and more are coming)
Comments