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
Stephen Krueger Returns! – TV Writer / Podcaster (Subterra)
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Stephen Krueger Returns!
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know even more about previous guest, & my buddy, Stephen Krueger. In this episode, we chat about some of the specific projects Stephen has worked on, including Punk’d, Laguna Beach, and more. Stephen shares a frustrating encounter with famed director Tony Scott, explains why his only Emmy nomination was under a pseudonym, and shares his experience being in the proximity of a mass shooting several years ago. Finally, we discuss his scripted science fiction podcast SUBTERRA. We talk about why he decided to do it, what it involved, how it was received, and we talk a little about season 2 (which is out now!). Stay tuned immediately after the episode for a sneak peek at season 2 of Subterra, available everywhere you get podcasts.
Follow Stephen on social media:
Twit: @StephenKrueger
Insta: @StephenKrueger
TikTok: @StephenKrueger
Discord: @Ivancharlie
John Graziano (Graz) – Maker (Making Fun / Graz Makes)
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John Graziano (Graz)
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know John Graziano; or Graz, as he likes to be called. In this episode, we find out what exactly is a maker, how Graz came to be a maker, and how he came to be associated with the most elite of The Maker Community. Naturally we discuss his Netflix show MAKING FUN, how those folks were discovered, and what it was like to make a television show based on being a MAKER. Along the way, we discuss the MAKER community on You Tube, and some of the amazing things that this community does, as well as the core principle of sharing knowledge. Lastly, we chat about the amazing hand-crafted knives that Graz Makes.
Follow Graz on social media:
Twit: @GrazMakes
Insta: @GrazMakes
FB: Graz Makes
YT: Graz Makes
Nick Leisure – Director (A Clear Shot / Last The Night)
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Nick Leisure
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Nick Leisure.
Born and raised in Sacramento, Ca. Nick is a screenwriter, producer, and director. In this episode, we chat about growing up in Sacramento in his stern Asian grandparents’ home, stumbling into the hip hop recording business, and breaking into the film and television industry. Nick tells us about a project that he was / is working on about Raymond “Shrimp Boy” Chow (a Hong Kong born felon with ties to San Francisco Chinatown street gangs: Triad Ho Wop To, The Hop Sing Boys, and Ghee Kung Tong. He also tells us about his being on the scene of “The largest hostage rescue operation in US history”, and why he wrote and directed a movie called A CLEAR SHOT in 2019 based on this event. Then we move right into his latest film called LAST THE NIGHT starring Brian Austin Green. We discuss what the film is about, why he chose to tell this story, and what makes it timelessly relevant. Lastly, I pitch Nick a film idea based on the life story of a previous guest!
Follow Nick on social media:
Insta: @NickLeisure
Sarah J. Halstead – Stand Up Comedian (RV’s and Cats)
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Sarah J. Halstead
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know comedian and actress Sarah J. Halstead. In this episode we chat about her classical piano training, and how that helped her get her first stage acting gig, her career in the New York acting scene, and her transition to getting into the wine and champagne business. She shares with us the reasons that led to her moving to Miami, and what inspired her to get back into acting. Finally, we discuss her cross-country trip (in an RV, with her cats) from Miami to Los Angeles to bet on herself as a stand-up comic! Naturally, I critique her stand up special RV’s and Cats, which is available on Amazon Prime, and Bottle Shock; the monthly stand-up comedy show that she produces for The Hollywood Improv.
Follow Sarah on social media:
Twit: @SarahJHalstead
Insta: @SarahHalstead
FB: Sarah Halstead
TikTok: @SarahJHalstead
Website: Sarahjhalstead.com
John Pirruccello Returns! -Actor (Barry / She-Hulk: Attorney at Law)
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John Pirruccello Returns!
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know even MORE about John Pirruccello, in this RETURN appearance. In this episode we chat about his family history of fighter pilots, his audition for the HBO show, Barry, and what it was like to work with Bill Hader. We also chat about how he became friends with an iconic American playwright, and how working on Twin Peaks with David Lynch changed his life. Along the way, we have tons of fun. Catch John in the Hulu film The Valet, as well as the upcoming Disney Plus show, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.
John is no longer on social media, so you can’t find him there!
Young and Restless – 90’s Hip Hop Group (B Girls)
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Young and Restless
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know hip hop legends Mr. Charlie and P.O.D. Back in the 90’s the hip hop / rap group Young and Restless stormed onto the scene with a new and fresh view: ‘Let’s have FUN!”. They had a couple of chart-topping hits including: B Girls, and Poison Ivy. In this episode I chat with BOTH members of this super fun duo. Charles Trahan A.K.A. Mr. Charlie, and Leonerist Johnson A.K.A. P.O.D. tell me how they met, how they got into music, and how they happened to get a record contract by working at a carwash. They share some funny and some very scary stories about being on the road, touring in the 90’s with the likes of N.W.A. as well as the complete breakdown of how their biggest hit “B Girls” came about. They do let me play their famous song, and I am super excited to share it with you! Some of you will remember it, some of you weren’t even born when it came out, but either way; you are going to smile from ear to ear while you listen. Mr. Charlie and P.O.D. also share news and details about their upcoming new record, so be on the lookout for that!
Follow Charles Trahan (Mr. Charlie) on social media:
Twit: @mcharlie3905
Insta: @MrCharlie1000
FB: Charles Trahan
Follow Leonerist Johnson (P.O.D.) on social media:
Twit: @ChessMovesEnt
Insta: @Flamlivinglegend
FB: Leonerist Johnson
Nicole Boggs and Alex Kramer – Musicians (Nicole Boggs and The Reel)
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Nicole Boggs and Alex Kramer
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Nicole Boggs and Alex Kramer from the band Nicole Boggs and The Reel. In this episode, we chat about what got each of them interested in music and how they came to form a band together in Nashville. We talk about how they got their name, who their third band member is, and each of their experiences on different P Diddy produced reality television shows. Nicole and Alex explain how they write their songs, and what genre they think they belong to and why. Finally, we talk about their new album: Dystopian Book Club (OUT NOW) and they let me play a track from it! If you are in the area, they are having a record release party on August 31st in Nashville at The Analog. See their website for details.
website: NicoleBoggsandTheReel.com
Follow them on social media:
Nicole
Twit: @ReelNicoleBoggs
Insta: @TheReelNicoleBoggs
FB: Nicole Boggs
Alex Kramer
Twit: @AlexKramerMusic
Insta: @AlexKramerMusic
FB: Alex Kramer (AK)
Stephen Tobolowsky – Actor (Groundhog Day / Mississippi Burning / The Goldbergs)
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Stephen Tobolowsky
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Stephen Tobolowsky. Stephen in an actor who has appeared in nearly 300 film& TV shows. You know him as Ned Ryerson in the cult classic film Groundhog Day, and Clayton Townley in Mississippi Burning, and can currently be seen portraying Mr. Ball on the ABC show The Goldbergs.
In this episode, we talk about almost none of that! Instead, Stephen shares stories about some of the people who have made the biggest impact on his life and career. From strong and powerful women in his childhood, to key women in his college years and beyond, to a meaningful relationship with a world-renowned director who took him under his wing. Stephen is an amazing storyteller, and you will be riveted by not only his memory for detail, but the wild stories from his life!
Follow Stephen on social media:
Twitter: @Tobolowsky
Instagram: @StephenTobo
FB: Stephen Tobolowsky
Angela Parchetta – Singer / Songwriter
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Angela Parchetta
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Angela Parchetta. Angela is a singer songwriter currently based in Nashville, Tn. In this episode we chat about why she wanted to be a music teacher growing up, how she achieved that goal, and then set new goals for herself in becoming a passionate singer and songwriter. We have a lot of fun going back and forth, making each other laugh, and Angela lets me play her new single Never Again! She explains the reasons for her move to Nashville from upstate New York, and some of the meanings behind her lyrics.
Follow Angela on social media:
Twitter: @AngelaParchetta
Instagram: @AngelaParchetta
FB: Angela Parchetta
Scott Russo Returns! – Singer / Songwriter (Unwritten Law)
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Scott Russo Returns!
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know MORE about return guest Scott Russo. Scott is the lead singer for the punk / pop punk band Unwritten Law. In this episode we chat about their new album THE HUM, which was just released three days ago. He shares his passion for this new music, as well as what it took to get it made and released. Scott explains why they made it, why they released it now, and his thoughts on the two different colors of vinyl you can get the album in! Plus, he lets me play the first song off the new album.
The Hum is the first album of NEW music released by Unwritten Law in over a decade.
Out now and available everywhere!
Follow Scott on social media:
Instagram: @ScottRusso / @UnwrittenLawOfficial
Twitter: @Unwritten_Law
FB: Unwritten Law