Episodes

Send us Fan Mail Someone once told Deborah Kobylt, “You look too ethnic. Go dye your hair.” That moment didn’t end her career, but it did reveal the quiet rules women were expected to follow in local broadcasting. We sit down with Deborah, an award-winning journalist whose path runs through CNN, KCAL9, Fox 11, and decades of high-pressure reporting, to talk about what it really takes to last in a male-dominated media world without losing your voice. We dig into the craft behind her interview...

Send us Fan Mail The moment you realize you can’t “out-strategize” your nervous system is the moment everything changes. We sit down with thought leader, speaker, and former on-camera powerhouse Michelle Soro to talk about the deeper path that opens when visibility and achievement stop working the way they used to and a spiritual awakening demands honesty. Michelle shares what it felt like to fully wake up in August 2021, how that shock can register as trauma in the body, and why the followi...

Send us Fan Mail Most Hollywood heartbreak stories end with the artist. I want to talk about the people who quietly absorb the real damage when a film doesn’t sell: the friends who wire money, the parents who max out credit cards, the “mom and pop” backers who believe in someone they love and never get a real explanation when the dream collapses. After a personal crisis that forces me to slow down and get painfully honest, I connect what I’m seeing in my own life to what I’ve witnessed acros...

Send us Fan Mail A live TV director doesn’t get the luxury of overthinking, because the show keeps moving. That’s why this conversation with three-time Emmy Award-winning director and author Mary Madeiras hit me so hard: she’s spent 30 years making split-second decisions in news, sports, talk shows, and daytime drama, and then life delivered a pivot she didn’t plan for. When her contract isn’t renewed on a major production, the floor drops out and a different kind of directing begins, one foc...

Send us Fan Mail The ideas that haunt you are often the ones you never tried and that’s a 100% failure rate. Pen Densham joins us to unpack a creative life built on persistence more than certainty, from early hardship and foster care to a career in filmmaking that eventually expands into intimate, almost meditative nature photography. Along the way, we keep coming back to one practical question every artist faces: who are your allies when your idea is still small and breakable? We dig into t...

Send us Fan Mail A monkey tears a seasoned primate trainer’s lip off, and the story isn’t told for shock value. It’s a warning about what happens when we mistake wild animals for pets, props, or content. We sit down with Stacy Gunderson, founder of the Animal Tracks sanctuary near Los Angeles, to pull back the curtain on Hollywood animal training, the real welfare challenges behind the “magic,” and why even well-meaning people can create dangerous situations by treating exotic animals like do...

Send us Fan Mail He turned down a sure thing with Sam Peckinpah and said yes to a script with a strange title: Flashdance. That single choice reshaped Michael Nouri’s acting career, and the way he tells it makes you feel how fragile “overnight success” really is. We talk with Michael about the long road behind the iconic roles: discovering theater in school, chasing work in New York, handling early on-camera fear, and learning how craft evolves when Hollywood keeps changing the rules. He sha...

Send us Fan Mail Your phone may be the next movie studio, and the proof is hiding in plain sight: vertical series built from 90-second episodes that people binge in public, then happily pay to keep watching. We’re joined by Mier Liu, an international producer who’s building real momentum in the verticals world and producing at a pace traditional Hollywood rarely matches. We talk about her journey from actress and author to producer, and the moment she stopped letting casting outcomes define ...

Send us a text We close season seven with hard-won rules for creative living, covering energy exchange, boundaries, time as cycles, niche growth, aligned relationships, the power of slowing down, and how to make your work undeniable. A short pause follows as we recalibrate for a bolder 2026. • defining the show’s creative-business-mindset mission • season milestones across publishing, books, clients, and podcasting • recognizing burnout and choosing a reset • reciprocity as a filter for help...

Send us a text What if your next greenlight isn’t a yes from a gatekeeper but the momentum you create yourself? We sit with director Roel Reine for a fast, candid conversation about turning resourcefulness into results—mortgaging a home to finance a first feature, cutting a trailer that unlocks a studio deal, and shooting a $20k desert thriller to prove he could lead Hollywood casts. The throughline is clear: ownership beats permission, and speed beats perfection. Roel breaks down a craft mi...

Send us a text A room of 2,300 people fell completely silent—and not just any room, a ballroom filled with passionate Italians—while Andrea Bocelli sang “Mamma.” That shared hush becomes our doorway into a rich conversation with John F. Calvelli about what truly unites us: heritage, humility, and the courage to build bridges across differences. John wears two hats that reveal one mission. At the Wildlife Conservation Society, he champions global conservation from the Bronx Zoo to the farthes...

Send us a text What if a thriller could do more than raise your pulse—what if it could help you see the early signs of harm and chart a path back to yourself? We sit with writer-producer Bella Bahar and actress Shiva Nagar to explore Deadly Vow, a film that starts with romance, swerves into danger, and refuses to look away from the realities of domestic abuse. The conversation moves from Cannes panels to late-night calls between collaborators, revealing how a story powered by empathy becomes ...

Send us a text What happens when faith meets the film industry? Dr. Ted Baehr, founder of MovieGuide magazine reveals the surprising economic power of values-based entertainment in this eye-opening conversation. From growing up as the son of a movie star who appeared in 62 films to before his own spiritual transformation, Dr. Baehr shares his remarkable journey. After experiencing a profound change through reading the Bible "just to prove it was wrong," he dedicated his life to e...

Send us a text What happens when destiny meets talent? Christopher Macchio's remarkable journey from a shy teenager hiding his voice to becoming "America's Tenor" exemplifies how embracing your gifts can transform your life in extraordinary ways. At just 13, Macchio discovered he could mimic different vocal styles while listening to the Godfather Part III soundtrack. Yet fear kept this talent hidden until a perceptive high school choir director recognized his exceptional gift during a privat...

Send us a text Peter Samuelson, legendary film producer and philanthropist, shares his journey of combining Hollywood success with meaningful social impact through his foundations and new book "Finding Happy." • Film credits include Revenge of the Nerds, Return of the Pink Panther, Arlington Road, and many other classics • Founded First Star organization in 1999 to house, educate and encourage foster youth through university partnerships • Created a program where 89% of foster youth particip...

Send us a text Two entrepreneurs named Megan found each other through a charity collaboration during COVID, sparking a business partnership that would redefine women's community events across North America. The Modern Day Wife co-founders Meagan Ayers and Megan Fialkoff reveal how their instant connection transformed into a thriving brand known for "upscale events with substance." Despite what the name might suggest, their community welcomes women from all walks of life – married, single, di...

Send us a text Birgitta Lauren, founder of Expecting Fitness, shares her holistic approach to fertility and pregnancy that helped her naturally conceive and deliver healthy twins at age 53. She reveals how proper nutrition, exercise, avoiding chemicals, and mental wellness create the foundation for successful conception and healthy pregnancies at any age. • Birgitta's journey from competitive bodybuilder to pregnancy and fertility expert • How her first client's dramatic improvement in pregn...

Send us a text Linda Duncombe and Joshua Friedman share their creative journey bringing the family adventure film "Queen's Jewels" from concept to completion, revealing how their friendship evolved into a filmmaking partnership. • Joshua created a short film as a proof-of-concept that helped attract investors while working on the feature screenplay • Linda initially reviewed financials as a friend before officially joining as executive producer • The story draws inspiration from the historical 1...

Send us a text JD Barker knows how to write a best seller and understand the process of selling and publishing one's own work. In this episode, packed with tips and advice, he shares his inspiring journey from ghostwriter to bestselling author, emphasizing the importance of personal branding and collaboration in storytelling. He discusses the evolving landscape of publishing, the influence of AI, and his exciting upcoming projects, providing valuable insights for aspiring authors. Tune it to ge...

Send us a text Jeremy Spiegel is the Executive Producer and a Show Runner of "EXTRA". In this episode he provides an inside look at the complexities of being an executive producer in Television in Hollywood, sharing his journey from New York to Los Angeles and discussing the emotional weight of storytelling in true crime. He emphasizes the power of media and the need for mentorship in the industry to inspire future creators. • Understanding the multifaceted role of an executive producer • The m...

Send us a text This episode reflects on the highs and lows experienced in an impactful year within the entertainment industry. Covering personal milestones, the power of storytelling, and important lessons learned, Alexia shares insights to inspire listeners and prepare for future endeavors. • Celebrating the success of the book "An Insider's Secret: Mastering the Hollywood Path" • Launching a new publishing division at Little Studio Films • Importance of producing impactful films and AVOD distr...

Send us a text Get ready for a lively chat with the multi-talented Josie Davis, as she takes us on an unforgettable journey through her career, from her start as a child actor to her impressive roles in film and television. Josie opens up about her experiences at the Actors Studio, shares memories of our past collaboration on the movie "Stealing Roses" , and even teases the possibility of teaming up again, perhaps in a comedy. Her diverse range of roles, from dastardly villains to heartwarming c...

Send us a text From Brooklyn Roots to UK Beats, I am so excited to chat with trailblazing music producer The Angel , whose remarkable career in the Music industry has seen her crafting scores for iconic films like "Boiler Room" and the upcoming "Heist 88," all while owning her creative identity through Devilishly Good Productions and Super Crucial Recordings. Hear firsthand about our collaboration on the documentary "Lives Beyond Motion," set to make waves at the American Film Market. We are p...

Ever wondered how to transform your career through strategic communication and brand exposure through event production? Today's episode features Derek De Vette, the visionary CEO of Skybright Agency, who shares his incredible journey from an aspiring musician to orchestrating high-profile events for brands like Harley Davidson and the Modern Day Wife. Derek's clear passion for creating meaningful experiences is sure to inspire as we reveal to our listeners our shared history and the importance ...