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
Christopher Maher – Ex Navy Seal / Author (Free for Life) / Healer (True Body Intelligence)
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Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Christopher Maher. In this episode, we chat about the family tragedy and events that led to his growing up in a group home built by Milton Hershey, what inspired him to join the U.S. military and become a Navy Seal. Then we follow his path from the military, to studying the practice of traditional Chinese Medicine. We talk about why he made that decision, and what he has learned from these studies. Next, we discuss his True Body Intelligence teachings, and how he helps people find ‘supreme clarity’ by creating a more balanced relationship between one’s yin engergy & yang energy. Finally, we find out what FREE FOR LIFE means, and why he wrote a book about it. We laugh a lot, we get serious a lot, and we get real. I’m sure Christopher will be back, so stay tuned!
Brad Roberts – Singer / Songwriter (Crash Test Dummies)
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Brad Roberts
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know the singer, songwriter, and founder of the multi-platinum Canadian Rock band Crash Test Dummies. In this episode, we chat about how the band formed, and the rapid rise and fall of their debut single Superman’s Song on the Canadian charts. Brad tells us about the fickle nature of Canadian love for their artists, and how eye-opening an experience it was for him. We discuss the legendary Clive Davis’s involvement, and the chart climbing success of the band’s second album; God Shuffled His Feet, and how much I love it personally. 2023 is the 30-year anniversary of that album, and for some reason, I spend an inordinate amount of time explaining to Brad what this album has meant to me throughout the years. Crash Test Dummies are on a national tour of the United States and have released a brand-new song 3 days ago called: Sacred Alphabet. This is their first new release in over a decade and is available everywhere now. Make sure you catch Crash Test Dummies on tour. Maybe they will play some of their biggest hits, Brad is gracious enough to let me play my personal favorite of their songs toward the end of the episode. Thanks Brad!
Zack Schreier – Entrepreneur (Quevos / Lifestacks)
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Zack Shreier
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Zack Schreier. Zack is the co-founder of Quevos Egg White Crisps, as well as co-founder & CEO of Lifestacks Supplements. In this episode, we chat about his many small business ventures beginning in middle school, going through high school, and of course college. While in college, his best friend Nick Hamburger and he started yet another business. But this one had legs. Together they came up with a “snack chip” made out of egg whites. Zack tells us all about the process from conception to manufacturing, and everything it takes to get a product from his imagination to grocery store shelves. I ask Zack all about his experience on ABC’s Shark Tank, and he shares details about the offer they accepted from Kind Bar founder Daniel Lubetzky. Next, we discuss his OTHER new company: Lifestacks Supplements, in which he is the CEO. This company is focused on blending nutraceuticals & fasting, to create a more balanced and well-maintained metabolic health. Zack shares the reasons behind starting this company, and discusses some of the products, and purposes, as well as the reasons he got into the health and fitness industry. Along the way, he explains exactly what Type 1 Diabetes is, and how it relates to these two business ventures. Finally, Zack tells everyone how they can get a free trial sample of Lifestacks MCT Powder to try without paying for it upfront.
Check out Quevos & Lifestacks on social media & the web.
Mike Cotayo – Stand Up Comedian
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Mike Cotayo
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know New York based stand up comedian Mike Cotayo. In this episode we chat about the drunk driving accident that Mike was in when he was just 18 months old, and the disabilities he was left with as a result of that traumatic brain injury. We also talk extensively about his varied and heavy drug use; including which is his favorite drug and why. We chat a little about what made Mike become a social worker (MSW) with a masters degree from NYU. Then we get into why he thinks comedy is important, how it may have saved his life, and why making people laugh is so important to him. He shares some stories about being an extra on Saturday Night Live, winning Showtime At The Apollo, and what bombing as a comic means to him. Mike is putting together a stand up comedy festival as part of a 501c3, and what he hopes to accomplish with it. It’s called “Stand Up If You Can”, and I think it has a great purpose. Mike Cotayo is constantly doing shows and dates in and around the NY & Tri-State area, be sure to check him out and tell him you heard him on Fascination Street Podcast!
David Wood Returns – Author / Life Coach (Focus.CEO)
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David Wood Returns!
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know even more about David Wood. David was on the show a few months ago, and I enjoyed speaking with him so much that I invited him back for round 2. In this episode we jump right in talking about compassion for others, empathy for what others may be going through, and how to manage your reaction in certain situations. We chat a bit about his book Mouse In The Room: Because The Elephant Is Not Alone, and a little about his life coaching over at Focus.CEO. He shares a story about how his ego may have helped him flee just in time from a country where he was wanted for questioning. David gives an example of a road rage incident that he accidentally tamped down by using compassion and empathy, as well as a frustrating story involving his new acting career. Finally, he offers a few freebies to anyone looking to understand truth in a deeper and more meaningful way.
Check him out at: www.Focus.ceo
Paul Sidhu – Actor / Screenwriter / Producer (Repeater / 2307: Winter’s Dream)
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Paul Sidhu
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Paul Sidhu.
Paul is an actor, producer, screenwriter, and………. dermatologist. In this episode we chat about why he decided to get into the medical field, and what he felt was missing, even with a thriving medical practice. He tells me about his decision to become an actor, and how he broke into the business; once in India with Bollywood, and again in Los Angeles. We discuss why he stepped away from Bollywood, after his first successful film, and how he started over again in LA. He explains the lucky meeting of Joey Curtis, and how they teamed up to bring “2307: Winter’s Dream” to the big screen, as well the story behind Paul’s newest release “Repeater” co-starring alongside Nick Moran, and Corbin Bernsen, and directed by R. Ellis Frazier. Finally, Paul shares some on set stories about working with Tom Sizemore and some of the tips he learned from the seasoned actor, and whether or not he will continue to work in the film industry and still maintain his medical practice.
Marilyn Ghigliotti – Actress (Clerks / Clerks 3)
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Marilyn Ghigliotti
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Marilyn Ghigliotti. Most of you will recognize Marilyn as Veronica from Clerks and Clerks 3. In this episode, we chat about where she grew up and how her upbringing led her to become an actress. We also talk about how she came to be involved in Kevin Smith’s first film; Clerks. Marilyn shares some of her stage acting stories, and how she met Brian O’Halloran. I ask her about her experience acting in a film about a film that she starred in called Shooting Clerks, what a surreal moment that was, and where that project is now. Finally, we discuss her newest directing endeavor, a short film called A Mother’s love; some of the obstacles, and hurdles it took to get it made, and its premiere at the most appropriate film festival on the planet: Kevin Smith’s Smodcastle Film Festival in New Jersey!
John Griffin – Actor (Call Me Kat / Jersey Boys / Bare: The Musical)
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John Griffin
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know John Griffin. John is an actor that you may have seen in the television shows: Chuck, Castle, Lucifer, Dexter, Call Me Kat, and so many more. In this episode John explains what it was like growing up being pulled between acting and tennis. (He was a ranked tennis player as a teen). We explore a little of his time at Stanford, and Oxford, he shares stories from the set of Jersey Boys and what it was like to work with Clint Eastwood on that project. John explains to me what Bare: The Musical was all about and how he came to originate one of the roles in it. I pepper John with questions about what it was like to work with the late Leslie Jordan on the current Fox T.V. show Call Me Kat, where John played the serious love interest of Leslie’s character Phil. He tells stories of being on set and acting opposite Leslie and how caring, kind, funny, and generous a scene partner he was. Leslie Jordan was an infectious and loving friend and colleague; John makes that very clear. Finally, we chat about John’s newest project: Go Love Go, a film he wrote and is working to get made, and how YOU can help.
Chris DeMakes – Singer/ Songwriter (Less Than Jake)
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Chris DeMakes
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Chris DeMakes. Chris is the lead singer and guitar player for the ska-punk band Less Than Jake. In this episode we chat about how the band started, why they chose that style of music, and some of the cool things they were able to do as a result of the band’s success. Less Than Jake has played more Van’s Warped Tour shows than any other artist, and I ask Chris tons of questions about it. We discuss what exactly it means to be a “sell out”, & how they managed to keep vinyl rights for every album no matter the record label. Chris put together a book during covid called Blast From The Past, so l ask him about that. Then we dive right into Chris’ songwriting and how he has turned that into a full blown business. Finally, I grill him about his podcast “Chris DeMakes A Podcast” where he & a songwriting guest break down one of that guest’s biggest hit songs. From the lyrics, to the melody, to the strange instruments used on the track; they really get into these songs.
Check out Chris’ podcast everywhere you find podcasts, and if YOU need a song written by Chris, he gives that contact email toward the end of the episode.
Damon Wimbley (A.K.A. Kool Rock-Ski) Rap Icon (The Fat Boys)
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Kool Rock-Ski
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Damon Wimbley. You may know Damon by another name… Kool Rock-Ski from the legendary rap group The Fat Boys. That’s right Streetwalkers! I got to chat with none other than old school rap and hip hop LEGEND Kool Rock-Ski! In this episode we chat about how he met and formed The Fat Boys, what made their music unique and groundbreaking, and what it was like to be part of the birth of a new genre of music. All along the way we discuss other hip hop and rap pioneers like: Furious Five, Grandmaster Flash, Run DMC, Kurtis Blow, LL Cool J, and even Everlast. Kool Rock talks about the time he met Rick James at Studio 54 before he was even old enough to drink! Kool Rock tells us about his previous podcast 360 Rock Live, and whether or not it will make a comeback. I ask him what the hell “Brrr stickum” means, and there is a fun story behind that. We learn all about the annual Classic Hip Hop and R&B Cookout in NUYC every summer and what the purpose of it is. I find out at the very end that there is currently a petition to get The Fat Boys inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and what Streetwalkers can do to help make it happen. Finally, Kool Rock lets me play his newest musical venture: Hush by Kokane Featuring Kool Rock Ski. This is a little boy’s dream come true. Thank you so much Kool Rock!
SIGN THE PETITION TO GET THE FAT BOYS INTO THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME:
https://www.change.org/p/nominate-the-legendary-group-the-fat-boys-into-the-rock-roll-hall-of-fame