Episodes

What's it like to hold the reins of producing authority in the highly unpredictable and thrilling world of show business? Join us as we learn about the transition from the Studio System to indie producing with film industry heavyweight, Sid Ganis. This episode is a treasure trove of insights as Sid describes his journey from a humble office boy to the President of the Academy. As we reminisce the transformation of the entertainment industry of the last 30 years, Sid brings to light the importan...

How do you build a universe around a character in order to make a successful action film? In this very special episode, I sit down with filmmaker and producer Dimitris Logothetis, to get an insider look into the creative process behind Dimitris' latest movie, Gunner, starring Luke Hemsworth. Dimitris is no stranger to creating characters that inspire, standing firm in their beliefs and actions, and he uses his passion for martial arts to bring a unique flavor to his storytelling. In this richly...

Hold on tight as we buckle up for a thrilling ride across the Hollywood on-strike tumultuous landscape with an eye-opening conversation with indie producer Jonathan Vanger. His vast experience as a veteran producer has him sharing the highs and lows of his journey, from Cannes Film Festival memories to the complex process of inheriting his father's empire. Jonathan's unique perspective on the ongoing evolution of the film and television industry, coupled with his tips on staying afloat amid shif...

In the kickoff episode of Season Five, join me, Alexia Melocchi, as we journey through the world of business branding, incorporating powerful themes like personal bravery and authenticity. I'll be sharing some of my experiences as an immigrant and a woman in Show Business and the single greatest piece of advice I got from my now business partner and mother. No matter where you are on your journey - an aspiring artist, a seasoned entrepreneur, or simply an enthusiast interested in the entertainme...

Welcome to episode 75 of "Heart of Show Business," my milestone podcast journey filled with entertainment industry knowledge, inspiration, and mindset tactics. As we wrap up this season, I want to express my gratitude to all my listeners. Get ready for an exciting season finale and a sneak peek into the future. I've returned from the Cannes Film Festival with 13 incredible takeaways that I'm eager to share. From the emergence of AI to the impact of the Writers Guild strike, join me as I transpor...

Phyllis King is an intuitive life strategist whose lessons have helped tens of thousands worldwide break through their limits to create dynamic shifts in their lives. She teaches about the law of attraction, the art of receiving, connecting to your life’s purpose, overcoming fear and doubt, attracting the perfect soul partner, intuition, chakra balancing, and plenty more. She’s a published author who’s been featured on ABC, CBS, NBC, and radio programs across the US and Europe. If you haven’t ye...

So you want to be a Hollywood producer. But what does it take to make it in today’s industry? It’s not all glamour—it’s hard work, disappointment, persistence—all in the pursuit of excellence. In this week’s podcast, we feature Marty Katz. If his name is familiar, it’s because he's been a Hollywood producer for over three decades and has worked with the cream of the crop in Tinseltown throughout his career. At Walt Disney Studios, he was Executive Vice President of Motion Pictures and TV Product...

What’s the most urgent social change movement right now? Perhaps ending poverty, gender equality, or inclusion comes to mind—what about the rights of sentient species? To raise a life for dispassionate mass consumption, waste, and greed is a delay in our evolution as a species. Until we recognize that we are no better than the animals we take for granted. Kathy Stevens is the founder and visionary of The Catskill Animal Sanctuary, a 150-acre farm refuge for animals rescued from cruel neglect and...

You’ve heard of following your dream, but have you ever considered following your destiny? For many artists in Hollywood, rejection is served on a cold platter. How does one handle that kind of stress—to center oneself, to love oneself in spite of rejection? Jon Paul Crimi teaches a technique called breathwork, defined as conscious connected breathing. It's the perfect tool for the job. Years after becoming a Hollywood screenwriter, he now teaches this technique to help his students clean out ne...

Born in Iran, Shohreh Aghdashloo left everything she loved in the pursuit of a better life—her country, home, and family, during Iran’s Islamic Revolution in the late 70s. She had a goal, packed her bags, and drove her car on a journey that would take her across Europe, leading eventually to the stages of Hollywood, where she has worked on some of the most coveted projects in entertainment. Her unique voice is immediately recognizable, as is her work, with highlights that include House of Sand a...

What's it really like working in the studio system? Do writers have to focus on one genre to be successful? These are a few of the topics screenwriter Evan Spiliotopoulos illuminates, having been in the game for three decades writing for some of the top studios in film entertainment. Originally from Greece, he got his break in the late 90s at the Sci-Fi channel and then Disney. He's written popular mainstream films like Beauty and the Beast (2017), The Huntsman: Winter's War (2016), and Snake Ey...

The landscape in film distribution has changed dramatically with the advent of video-on-demand streaming services like Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and Pluto TV, to name a few. But are these the best distribution channels for independent films? Or are there alternative mediums of distribution to put indie films in their proper spotlight and even earn a decent profit? That's where Niccolò Messina and his team at V Channels come in. They champion emerging filmmakers by leveraging YouTube's immense socia...

In this episode, we chat with Sofia Milos, known for her recurring roles in CSI: Miami, The Sopranos, Friends, ER, and many more. Raised in Switzerland within a traditional Greek-Italian family, she transcended inherited expectations to follow her passion as an actress, honing her craft and learning from the best teachers in the industry, focusing her essence on delivering strong female characters. Along the way, she’s learned about the responsibility that falls upon artists to inspire others to...

Ever wondered what it takes to build your own brand? Perhaps the people you’re working with are draining your time, talent, and integrity. Are money and fame all there is to show business, or is there more to real abundance? Perhaps it's time to self-assess your career and personal life to plan for the future accordingly. In show business and in life, there are no rules, only guideposts. In this episode, I’ll share with you some of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned in my 30 years in the bus...

What happens when a movie that got advanced marketing and distribution turns out to be unsellable? In this season finale and solo episode, I go over my FIRST MISTAKE as an Entertainment Business executive and Company owner and the lessons learned in between. In the first of the Hollywood Scam Exposed special edition, there will be takeaways about doing research; not all that glitters is actual gold. Stay through the end to hear about future guests and new season plans, including a pivot of more ...

You do not have to stand on a stage to be a Speaker. Being able to captivate an audience, big or small, can bring about the amplification of success in Business or the Arts. With over 28 years of Public Speaking and TV Presenting, Andrew Eggelton is sought to master what Authenticity truly means and how to achieve it. The space between the words is as potent as the words themselves. And that is Andrew's secret sauce in mentoring Speakers to work in a place of ‘Suspended Presence,’ to take own...

David R. Stokes loves American history. And theology. He poured his creative juices into both areas by writing compelling stories and inspirational books. His fictional novels got him published by Random House, with a few of his books climbing the best seller charts. David first began working in radio with his own national XM satellite radio talk show and has been a frequent guest host for talk shows across the country. Over the years, he has interviewed hundreds of political leaders, authors, ...

What if you actually went after your dreams, even if it means leaving the familiar and safe choice behind? This is what Spanish actress Maite Uzal did. And it paid off: from being a lawyer in Spain to moving to America only to be cast in a starring role in the Broadway tour of the Fiddler on The Roof musical. The journey was certainly not an easy one. In this inspiring podcast conversation, you will get a behind-the-scenes look at the audition process for Broadway, learn how Impostor Syndrome ca...

This episode is not about me. Though many of you know, I have cats. My podcast guest is filmmaker Garrett Clancy, who directed a wonderful new documentary currently in release, CRAZY CAT LADY. It is said that documentaries are the new “cool” in visual storytelling, and this one is certainly a compelling one. A winner of multiple festivals and awards, it showcases a varied group of animal lovers who TSP (trap, spay, neuter) feral cats around Los Angeles and their personal journeys. And you won’t...

Keith Mitchell is a star athlete and yogi, a former NFL player who played for the New Orleans Saints. He also was the NFL's highest draft player at the time but then he suffered a spinal injury that put an end to his football career and his life trajectory changed dramatically. Drawing from his physical and emotional healing through breathwork, yoga, and meditation he wrote a book “THE MINDFULNESS PLAYBOOK”. From that point, he has become a point of reference for holistic health and motivational...

Is Confidence what makes someone a Hollywood Star? In today’s episode with a seasoned casting director, we dive deep into what is that elusive X-Factor that allows an actor or actress to have a long-term career. Valerie Mc Caffrey has cast 121 movies and discovered stars like Edward Norton when she cast him in American History X during her tenure at New Line Cinema. Since then she has expanded into executive producing and managing talent herself. Just like me, she believes that if you are se...

My podcast is global. We want to highlight artists and talent from all over the world because Hollywood is not just a town. Hollywood is a global film and tv machine and my guest today is Marco Valerio Pugini of PANORAMA FILM. What does a physical production executive actually do? Whenever you're filming something in a different country, you do need to get associated and aligned and partnered up with solid European professional line producers who really know how to run things in the country that...

Canadian Director David Winning has shot 43 features, and 29 series, and has 180 TV credits overall. And he has yet to turn down a job. Join me in this inspiring conversation about being the master of your creative fate, the importance of running a happy set, and behind-the-scenes tales on those popular Hallmark Movies. Connect with David Winning: IMDb Website Facebook Let’s Connect! Alexia Melocchi - Website The Heart of Show Business - Website Little Studio Films - Website Shop Our Merchandise...

My guest Eric Farber, founder of Creators Legal, chats with me today about the creator economy, NFTs, and the importance of IP ownership for artists in all areas including podcasters and influencers. Longtime attorney Eric Farber has launched Creators’ Legal, an online platform that offers contract templates and other dealmaking tools designed for content creators. The website offers a range of industry-standard contracts, as well as the ability to sign and store agreements in a “digital briefca...