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Recent Episodes
Bobby Amaru – Lead Singer (Saliva)
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Bobby Amaru
Take a walk with me as I get to know Bobby Amaru.
In this episode, I sit down with the talented Bobby Amaru from the rock band Saliva. In this exclusive interview, we dive into the band’s new music as Bobby shares insights into the band’s latest album, Revelation. We discuss their SNAFU tour, and how they’ve navigated the ever-changing landscape of the record business. Discover the inspiring journey of Bobby writing music sober, and the creative process that has led to some of Saliva’s most powerful and meaningful new tracks. We also talk about why he got sober, and the secret to Saliva’s staying power. Tune in to this episode for a captivating conversation that offers a unique perspective on the music industry and the personal stories that drive it.
Aleeza Ben Shalom – Podcaster / Jewish Matchmaker (Matchmaker, Matchmaker / Netflix: Jewish Matchmaking)
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Aleeza Ben Shalom.
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Aleeza Ben Shalom. In this episode, we chat about her growing up in Philidelphia, before convincing her husband to move to Israel. Then we talk about how she became a dating coach, and a matchmaker. We discuss both of Aleeza’s published books: ‘Get Real. Get Married’ & ‘Virtual Dating’, plus her forthcoming third book ‘Date ‘Em ‘Til You Hate ‘Em’. I ask Aleeza to explain many of her catch phrases (Aleeza-isms), and then we talk about her podcast. It’s called Matchmaker, Matchmaker, and she co-hosts the love advice show with the Rabbi Yisroel Bernath (The Love Rabbi). Finally, we dive deep into her experiences on the Netflix reality dating show Jewish Matchmaking. She gives us some behind the scenes secrets, her thoughts on a couple of the cast members, and how she came to be part of the show. This episode has one of the most unique endings of any episode I have ever done. It ends with Aleeza giving me (and you) a personal blessing!! How cool is that!
Harmonie Krieger – Podcaster / Life Coach / Reality Show Star (Life with Harmonie / Netflix: Jewish Matchmaking}
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Harmonie Krieger.
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Harmonie Krieger. In this episode, Harmonie and I chat about her being an entrepreneur as a kid and starting her own party planning business. Then we discuss confidence and vulnerability, and her pop-up marketing business ‘Pop Your Shop’. She tells me about the time she was on Joe Rogan’s Fear Factor; and some advice that he gave her years later, when she ran into him. Then we discuss ‘Life with Harmonie’, which is a website, a podcast, and a community where likeminded individuals can help each other grow spiritually, and with their own personal improvement. Harmonie and I take a slight detour where we discuss the positive potential effects of micro dosing psilocybin mushrooms. **Neither of us is a doctor, we are not advising anyone to do this. We only discuss HER experiences, and benefits. Finally, we discuss her time on the Netflix reality show Jewish Matchmaking. She tells some fun behind the scenes stories, as well as how she thinks she came off on the show, and why she agreed to do it in the first place. Harmonie was a lot of fun, and I can’t wait to check out her new podcast!
Pamela Schuller – Comedian / Reality Show Star (Netflix: Jewish Matchmaking)
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Pamela Schuller
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Pamela Schuller. In this episode, Pam and I chat about her growing up with one of the worst diagnosed cases of Tourette Syndrome on record, and how that helped her develop an unparalleled resilience. Pam shares fun stories from Jewish summer camp, experiences as a comic, and how she became a diversity & inclusion keynote speaker for businesses, and organizations. Pam tells a couple of stories about being a comic with a serious disorder, and then we jump into her experience on Netflix’s Jewish Matchmaking. Did Pam already know the matchmaker beforehand? Maybe. Was Pam kidnapped at Jewish Summer Camp? Definitely. Pam was a lot of fun to talk to, and she was kind enough to not judge my ignorance about Tourette, and answer all of my dumbo questions about it. Look for Pamela everywhere, go see her stand up, hire her as a keynote speaker, and of course check her out on Jewish Matchmaking!
Stuart Chaseman – Singer Songwriter / Reality Show Star (Netflix: Jewish Matchmaking)
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Stuart Chaseman
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Stuart Chaseman. Stuart is a singer / songwriter in the Chicago area, as well as a cast member from the recent Netflix reality series: Jewish Matchmaking. In this episode, Stuart and I chat about his music. We discuss his previous album: Next Exit Brigadoon, and then dive into what made him want to become a songwriter in the first place. We talk about his newest record: Secrets, lies, & Alibis; and discuss the creative freedom that songwriters enjoy. We take an odd detour to talk about a recent news story where Stuart somehow caught the attention (and ire) of Ben Shapiro; and Stuart shares his thoughts on the matter. Finally, Stuart and I chat about his experience on the Netflix reality series: Jewish Matchmaking. I have tons of questions about his time on the show, and he is open and honest with all of his answers; including why he decided to be on the show, what he hoped to get out of it, and how he thinks he came off. Stuart does let me play a song off the new record, and I highly encourage everyone to check out the full album.
Kacy Ritter – Middle Grade Book Author (The Great Texas Dragon Race)
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Kacy Ritter
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know middle grade author Kacy Ritter. In this episode, Kacy and I chat about her growing up traveling the world and visiting countless European castles. Then we delve into what it takes to be a writer. She humors me by discussing her first attempt at writing a novel. She wrote nearly 90,000 words and then scrapped the whole darn thing. I spend most of the episode telling her how to release it, and under whose names to do so; while Kacy tries to keep us on track to discuss her NEW book: The Great Texas Dragon Race. When I say ‘new book’, I mean it! This book comes out TOMORROW. We talk about why she decided to write this book, and why she chose this specific age range for her stories. We also talk a little about her forthcoming novel: The Marfa Monster Mystery. The plots of both of these books are refreshing and unique, and I can’t wait to read them! I think you, or someone you know will be excited too! Lastly, we nerd out about a mutual favorite place to visit called Meow Wolf. It’s one of her and her husband’s favorite places, and one of my wife’s and mine as well. The Great Texas Dragon Race comes out Aug 1st from Clarion / Harper Collins.
Dale Peterson – Writer / Director (In Through The Out Door / Hello, My Name is Frank)
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Dale Peterson
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Dale Peterson.
Dale is the writer / director of the upcoming television series ‘In Through the Out Door’.
In this episode, we chat about his career. Starting as a music video director in the Detroit area, Dale made a name for himself in the music scene and quickly became a ‘go to’ for music videos. We touch on Dale’s early struggles with dyslexia, and how he overcame some of those obstacles. Then we talk about a couple of documentaries that Dale made a few years ago; one was about the homeless population on Skid Row in Los Angeles, and the other was for National geographic about the return of wolves into Yellowstone national park. Of course, I ask him all about his feature film Hello, My Name Is Frank, which is a road trip comedy about a man with Tourette Syndrome. Then we move onto his newest project: In Through the Out Door, which is In Through the Out Door stars: Garrett M. Brown, Martin Copping, Christine Kilmer, and Jesse C. Boyd. Dale is very frank, open, and honest about his struggles with dyslexia. I applaud him and appreciate his generosity and candor. Thank you, Dale.
Kelly Lang Returns – Singer / Songwriter (I Think It’s Jesus)
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Kelly Lang Returns
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know even more about Kelly Lang. This is a return appearance for Kelly. Her first appearance (Sept 2021) is where we really get to know Kelly, and her back story. In this return visit, we chat about her new autobiography: I’m Not Going Anywhere, her new album: Old Soul II, and her newest single: I Think It’s Jesus, which is also covered on Lorrie Morgan’s new album. She shares stories about her longtime friend and confidant Olivia Newton-John, and how they met through Sir Barry Gibb. I also ask her about her friendship with previous guest BJ Thomas, and she lets me play that new single.
Check out all things Kelly Lang at KellyLang.net
Dina “The Spicy Meatball” Parise – 2015 Pro Mod Drag Racing World Champion
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Dina Parise
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Dina Parise. In this episode, we chat about her growing up on Long Island, Ny., and how she became a professional ice skater for The Ice Capades. Next we move onto how she met her husband; who was an adiv street racer. Dina shares some street racing stories that helped convince her husband to stop street racing, and get onto the track. We explore what made Dina fall in love with the sport of drag racing, and how she evolved into a Pro Mod World Champion. Of course we discuss her 3000 hp Cadillac named Stella. Finally, we cover where her racing team is at now, and Dina shares information about a charity that helps uplift women pre / during / and post cancer treatments. Oh… and we find out why Dina is called The Spicy Meatball!
Makenzie Phipps – Singer / Songwriter (Drag / Life’s game)
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Makenzie Phipps
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know County Music singer / songwriter, Makenzie Phipps. In this episode, we chat about how she started singing and playing the piano at a very young age, and the woman who pushed her and inspired her to become a singer, and a songwriter. With a minor focus on hymns, and gospel songs; Makenzie also writes and performs Christmas songs and country songs; including ‘Amazing Grace’, “Drag”, and “A Little of Both’, Makenzie was also recently awarded the ‘Songwriter Achievement Award’ in 2022 from The Josie Music Awards; for the unreleased song: ‘Life’s Game’. The woman that inspired Makenzie and this award-winning song was her Maw Maw; so we talk a bit about Maw Maw and her debilitating disease of Alzheimer’s. Makenzie shares her feelings on how this disease affects the entire family, and she picks up a guitar and plays ‘Life’s Game’ LIVE! Look for this song to be released with some sort of fanfare in the near future; and follow Makenzie on all of the social medias!