Culpability by Bruce Holsinger with Barbara Ferrara

Culpability by Bruce Holsinger with Barbara Ferrara

From Drinks in the Library by Gigi Howard

April 14, 2026 · 45 min

About this episode

The episode discusses Bruce Holsinger's novel 'Culpability', exploring the moral implications of a fatal crash involving an autonomous minivan and featuring guest Barbara Ferrara.

Culpability by Bruce Holsinger is a techno-thriller and family drama about the moral fallout of a fatal crash involving an autonomous minivan. The novel follows the Cassidy-Shaw family as they confront guilt, secrets, and the ethical questions surrounding AI after their teenage son, Charlie, is involved in the accident while the car is in self-driving mode. It explores themes of technology's impact on human relationships, corporate greed, and the complex dynamics between parents and teenagers.  My guest this week is Barbara Ferrara. She is a librarian, mother, lifelong learner, passionate reader who loves to travel and is currently learning Spanish. Our drink this week is an Old Fashioned, since it is the opposite of AI. I also made sure to pick a Virginian bourbon, since the author, Bruce Holsinger, lives here in Virginia! I went with the Tarnished Truth Bourbon , which is brewed in the famous Cavalier Hotel at Virginia Beach! Old Fashioned Recipe 1 teaspoon sugar 3 dashes Angostura bitters 1 teaspoon water 2 ounces bourbon (or rye whiskey, if preferred) Garnish: orange twist In This Episode Meta AI book heist Desc ript  The Gifted School by Bruce Holsinger…

People in this episode

Host: Gigi Howard

Guest: Barbara Ferrara

Topics covered

  • techno-thriller
  • family drama
  • autonomous vehicles
  • AI ethics
  • parent-teen dynamics
  • corporate greed

Keywords

  • Culpability
  • Bruce Holsinger
  • Barbara Ferrara
  • autonomous minivan
  • AI ethics
  • Old Fashioned
  • Tarnished Truth Bourbon
  • family drama
  • techno-thriller

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Tarnished Truth Bourbon

Books & works: Culpability, The Gifted School

Places: Virginia, Cavalier Hotel, Virginia Beach

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