WELCOME TO THE SHOW
My name is Steve Owens and I meet a lot of people; sometime in my travels, sometimes in my own home town. Several times (quite by accident), I have stumbled into what I consider to be fascinating stories. So after way too many got away, I decided to start recording them. Some of these conversations will be fascinating ONLY to me. Some will be fascinating to you too. In the end, I guess this podcast is just an excuse for me to get to travel, meet, and talk to more people. So if you are so inclined…
Walk with me, down Fascination Street!
Recent Episodes
Tim DeKay – Actor (68 Whiskey / White Collar)
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Tim DeKay. Tim is an actor, producer, and director who you most likely know from the USA Network TV show White Collar. In this episode Tim and I chat about the journey of his remarkable career, and some of the stops along the way. We discuss his roles in: White Collar, Seinfeld, and his new show 68 Whiskey. Plus, Tim makes millions of men jealous when he talks about getting to play the husband of Tiffany Amber Thiessen for 6 seasons! Finally we chat about Tim’s voicing the audiobooks for the Lucky Dey series of detective novels written by previous guest Doug Richardson.
Follow Tim on social media:
Twit: @TimDeKay
Insta: @Tim_DeKay
AJ Benza – Gossip Columnist / Podcaster (Fame Is A Bitch)
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know gossip columnist and podcaster AJ Benza. AJ was the gossip columnist for The New York Daily News for 7 years or so, and has hosted his own podcast for the past several years called Fame Is A Bitch. In this episode we chat about how he got his start, what his podcast is about; PLUS, AJ tells stories about: Frank Sinatra, Robert Downey Jr, Patty Davis, Kevin Smith, John Gotti….. and most importantly… AJ tells us which presidents he is eskimo brothers with!
Follow AJ Benza on instagram: @RealAJBenza
Scott Shay – Bank Founder (Signature) /Author (In Good Faith)
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Scott Shay. Scott is the founder of Signature Bank; as well as the author of the new book In Good Faith. In this episode we chat about where and how he grew up. We talk about his father’s experience in TWO Jewish concentration camps, and how this affected (and affects) Scott’s life. We discuss why he decided to start another bank, before finally we dive into his book and why he wrote it. Very theological discussion in this one!
Follow Scott on social media:
FB: Scott A. Shay (Author Page)
Scott’s website: ScottShay.com
Angela Predhomme – Musician
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Angela Predhomme. Angela is a singer, songwriter, and musician. In this episode we chat about where she grew up, what got her into music, and of course we chat about her new album. We also talk about the business of getting your music played in film and television. Angela and I touch on some of the musical infuences that helped to develop both of our musical tastes; and she graciously allows me to play one of her new songs in this episode!
Follow Angela on social media:
Twit: @AngelaPredhomme
Insta: @APredhomme
FB: Angela Predhomme
Website: AngelaPredhomme.com
David Mauro – Author – The Altitude Journals
Take a walk with me as I get to know David Mauro. David Mauro is only the 65th American in recorded history to have stood atop the highest peak on each of the seven continents! In this episode, we chat about why in the hell someone would do one, let alone all seven. We talk about David’s book; which is compiled from the journals he kept during each of these insane adventures. David also shares a few stories from some of these climbs. As a side note; David is VERY funny, and I recommend you check out his blog which is findable from his website DavidJMauro.com
Follow David on social media:
Twit: @DavidJ_Mauro
Insta: @DavidJMauro
FB: TheAltitudeJournals
Grinder: FIND IT YOURSELF YOU WEIRDO!
Chris Smith – Musician (FITUMI)
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Chris Smith. Chris is a veteran of not one, but TWO different branches of the US Military. (I didnt even know you could do that!) He is also a songwriter and a GREAT musician. In this episode we chat about his decision to join the military and what led him to jump from one branch to the other. We also talk about why he decided to become a songwriter and later a performer. Of course we discuss his new project FITUMI, and he graciously lets me play TWO of his new songs.
Follow Chris on social media:
Twit: @FITUMImusic
Insta: @FITUMImusic
FB: @FITUMImusic
Check out Chris’s website: FitumiMusic.com
Rachel Dolezal – Yes, THAT one!
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know THE REAL Rachel Dolezal. In this episode we chat about where she grew up and what it was like to grow up feeling like she did not belong. We also talk alot about race and it’s place in society; as well as some of the differences in which different people are treated. Of course we talk about the events that catipulted her name into the public eye, the family events that instigated that entire mess; and what she is doing now.
I know a lot of folks have a preconceived idea about this young lady; but my hope is that you will listen to this woman’s story with an open mind. Maybe, just maybe, by the end of this episode; you will have attained a touch more compassion and understanding about what she went (and is still going) through. This was a very big honor for me and my sincerest wish is that all of you enjoy it as well.
Follow Rachel on social medis:
Twit: @RachelADolezal
Insta: @RachelADolezal
FB: @Rachel Dolezal
Check out her website: RachelDolezal.com
James Moses Black – Actor (Black And Blue)
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know James Moses Black. James is an actor who you may know from such shows as: Entourage, Criminal MInds, Dexter, Sons Of Anarchy, and Theis Is Us. In this episode we chat about where James grew up and the path that led him to acting, and some of the things he is currently writing. He also tells some stories about working with some pretty big names; and we do cover a couple of the biggest assholes he has ever worked with! Finally, we chat about his new film Black And Blue; which is a gritty cop thriller in the spirit of Training Day.
Follow James on social media:
Insta: @JamesMosesBlack_
FB: James Moses Black
Ken Kabatoff – TV Writer (Travelers)
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know television writer & producer Ken Kabatoff. Kenwas a writer on the Showcase / Netflix science fiction series Travelers. Ken also worked on Falling Skies, Stargate Universe, and Emily Owens M.D.
In this episode we chat about the quaint Norman Rockwell-esque Canadian town he grew up in and what led him to writing for television & film. We also chat about some of the projects he has worked on, the day he almost quit writing, and what it is like to write a movie in between writing seasons of television. We also talk about how I came to be aware of Ken, and his impact on some of the Travelers fans.
Special shout out and Thanks to Jennifer Ellis for getting me way too excited about this wonderful show.
Follow Ken on social media:
Twit: @Ken_Kabatoff
Insta: @Ken_Kabatoff
Mitchell Levy – Thought Leader (The AHA Guy)
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Mitchell Levy. Mitchell is a Global Credibility Expert & Thought Leader, book publisher, and TED talker. In this episode we chat about his TED talk, his company that “pushes the easy button” to get your book published, and what exactly a ‘Global Credibility Expert’ is. We also chat about why he is known as ‘The AHA Guy’, and he gives a few tips on how to grow your social media presence while only spending 5 minutes per day.
Follow Mitchell on social media:
Twit: @HappyAbout / @ThinkAha
Insta: @Mitchell.Levy
FB: Mitchell Levy / AHAThat
Mitchell’s website: MitchellLevy.com & MitchellLevy360.com