What happens when a lifelong songwriter feels haunted by the creative spirit of John Lennon—and turns that experience into a novel? In this episode of the Story Impact Podcast, host Lisa Towles talks with creative partners Jim and Kathy Ocean, founders of OceanWorks Productions and co-authors of the genre-bending novel John Lennon’s Glasses.
For more than three decades, Jim and Kathy Ocean have worked together as musicians, performers, producers, and cultural activists—creating what they call “Music for the MetaQuizzical.” Their work blends rock music, philosophy, satire, and environmental themes to challenge audiences to think differently about creativity, culture, and change.
Their latest project expands that mission into fiction. John Lennon’s Glasses began with a strange creative spark: while writing music in the studio, Jim Ocean imagined John Lennon looking over his shoulder and urging him to keep creating. That moment eventually evolved into a novel about a struggling songwriter who receives a mysterious pair of Lennon’s glasses—and suddenly finds himself connected to the afterlife of rock legends.
Blending rock history, spiritual science fiction, and musical mythology, the story explores creativity, legacy, and the enduring influence of artists who changed the cultural landscape.
In this conversation, we explore:
- How decades of songwriting collaboration translated into co-authoring a novel
- The surprising origin story behind John Lennon’s Glasses
- Writing fiction after a lifetime of composing songs
- The intersection of rock history, spirituality, and speculative storytelling
- Creative intuition, “haunted” ideas, and following the thread of inspiration
- The Oceans’ unique music-infused reader’s theater performances of the book
- Why creativity often feels like the story is “engineering the author”
📚 About Jim & Kathy Ocean
Jim and Kathy Ocean are the creative team behind OceanWorks Productions, where they have spent more than 30 years producing concerts, festivals, multimedia performances, and original music.
Their projects range from environmental rock music and satirical performance pieces to live literary productions that blend storytelling, music, and theater. Their novel John Lennon’s Glasses combines their lifelong passions for music, philosophy, and storytelling into a story that asks a timeless question: What happens when art refuses to let us give up?
🎙️ About the Story Impact Podcast
Hosted by Lisa Towles—award-winning crime thriller author and Book Coach— the Story Impact Podcast explores the minds behind powerful storytelling. Through in-depth author interviews, the show goes beyond the finished book to uncover the craft, creativity, and purpose that drive memorable fiction. Stories hold the world together.
📚 About Lisa Towles
Lisa Towles is the author of 14 crime thrillers, including Switch, Codex, and The Ridders—fast-paced stories exploring global espionage, corporate power, and emerging technology. She is also the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Story Impact Magazine.
Her upcoming thriller The Weight of Cold Things — described as “Yellowstone meets The X-Files” — arrives in August 2026.
🌐 https://lisatowles.com
🎙️ https://storyimpactconsulting.com
📖 https://linktr.ee/authortowles
