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
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
Andrea Osvart – Actress & Host / Coach (Spy Game / Festival di Sanremo)
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Andrea Osvart
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Andrea Osvart.
Andrea is a model, turned actress & host, who also coaches other actors succeed in entertainment through conscious choices and managing their resources effectively. In this episode we chat about her growing up in Tamasi, Hungary; before moving to Budapest. We talk about how and why she became a model, plus some of her modeling adventures around the globe. Next we delve into why she became an actress and touch briefly on some of those acting projects; including working with Robert Redford on Spy Game, and moving to Los Angeles for a period. Then we discuss her time in Italy and hosting the decades old fixture of Italian television: Festival di Sanremo. This is a music festival that helps decide which national act will be sent to The Eurovision Song Contest to represent Italy. Andrea tells us how hard it was to film 2 movies and Dancing With The Stars: Hungary all at the same time during the Covid pandemic shut down! Finally we get into her coaching & therapy business and why she felt it was necessary to offer these services to the acting community. Be sure to catch Andrea on the Amazon Prime show The Therapy this year, and her piece in the book series: Transforming Your Life.
If you feel you could benefit from Andrea’s coaching & therapy expertise, reach out via her website:
www.AndreaOsvart.coach
Dakin Campbell – Author / Journalist (Going Public / Bloomberg News & Business Insider)
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Dakin Campbell
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Dakin Campbell. After a fun stint working at The Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, Dakin decided to become a journalist. More specifically a FINANCE journalist. He reported for Bloomberg News for a decade before being poached to become the Chief Finance Correspondent at Business Insider. In his career he has been a beat reporter assigned to a number of companies including Wells Fargo and Goldman Sachs. He is also the author of the new book Going Public: How Silicon Valley Rebels Loosened Wall Street’s Grip On The IPO And Sparked A Revolution.
In this episode, we chat about his time at the Baseball HoF, and his years of wanderlust before settling on a career in journalism. We discuss some of his more enduring and fascinating stories, like Goldman Sachs, WeWork, and Wells Fargo. Finally, we get into his book. He tells us why he wrote it, who he wrote it for, and what he hopes the reader gains from it. If I had to guess, I would say that this is hands down THE MOST FUN Dakin has ever had being interviewed. We had a ball, and I think you will to.
Don’t wait, go get his book wherever you get fine books and audiobooks.
Dr Drew Returns! – Physician / Addiction Medicine Specialist (Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test)
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Dr. Drew Returns!
Take a walk with me as I get to know even more about Dr. Drew Pinksy. Drew is a board certified physician and addiction medicine specialist who co-hosted the syndicated radio advice show Loveline for 32 years; as well as the MTV version and several other television programs. You know him. You love him. And he is back on the podcast to talk about his newest television show on Fox called Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test. In this episode we chat a little about some of his books, and what he has been up to since the last time he was on. Then we discuss as much about the new TV show as possible without giving any spoilers!
***2 HOUR SERIES PREMIER TONIGHT ON FOX 7 CST/ 8 PST***
This competition show puts 16 celebrities in the Wadi Rum desert in Jordan for a 10 day special forces training like you have never seen. The cast: Beverly Mitchell, Jamie Lynn Spears, Kenya Moore, Mel B, Gus Kenworthy, Hannah Brown, Kate Gosselin, Nastia Liukin, Mike Piazza, Montell Jordan, Anthony Scaramucci, Dwight Howard, Carli Lloyd, Danny Amendola, Tyler Florence, and Dr. Drew much.
Richard Chassler – Actor / Comedian (Boy Outta New York)
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Richard Chassler
Take a walk down Fascination Street as I get to know actor & comedian Richard Chassler.
In this episode, we chat about how & why Rich got into comedy, and which 1980’s sit-com actor got him started. Rich shares stories about working with Stella Adler, and the impact she had on his life. We also discuss his love of The Grateful Dead and how many concerts he has been to, why he has such love for grilled cheese sandwiches, and wine, wine, wine! OF COURSE we talk about his recent engagement to previous guest of the show Sarah J. Halstead, and why they kept their romance a secret for so long. Lastly, we talk about his new AND FIRST stand-up special called Boy Outta New York, which will be available on VOD and his website either NOW or soon.
Follow Richard on social media:
Twit: @RichChassler
Insta: @RichChassler
Website: www.Richchassler.com
Sponsors of this episode are:
Vanishing Postcards Podcast
The Gary Player Podcast
Bullet to the Heart – Hard Rock Band
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Bullet to the Heart
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Draven and Brian from Bullet to the Heart; a hard rock / metal band out of the Chicago area. Draven and Brian sat down with me a little while back to talk about how they got into music, what drew them to hard rock specifically, and how the band met. Along the way, we discuss why music classes in in school are so important, why I never learned how to play the guitar, and the kind of impact a grandparent can have on the direction of a child. Draven and Brian were a blast! They also let me play one of their newest singles Black Widow. Be sure to check out their own branded coffee and hot sauces as well!.
Follow Bullet to the Heart on social media:
Twit: @BulletTTHeart
Insta: @BulletToTheHeart
FB: Bullet To The Heart Band
TikTok: @BulletToTheHeartOfficial
Special thanks to this episode’s sponsors:
Ice Shaker (Iceshaker.com)
Chapline Distillery (ChaplineDistillery.com)
Ming Chen – Actor / Podcaster (Comic Book Men)
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Ming Chen
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Ming Chen. In this episode, we find out what Ming wanted to be when he grew up (hint, it didn’t exist). Ming tells us how he discovered the internet and website building, and how he came to be an owner of two very cool businesses! Finally, Ming tells us how Star Wars, the newly created internet, and a $28k movie altered the course of his life forever. How he met director Kevin Smith, and the seeds of their 28+ year relationship. If you are ever at a convention for nerd stuff; Ming is most likely there as well, so drop by and tell him you heard him on Fascination Street Podcast.
Follow Ming on social media:
Twit: @MingChen37
Insta: @MingChen37
FB: @MingChen
TikTok: @MingChen3737
Andy Harris – Writer, Producer, Podcaster (This American Laugh)
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Andy Harris
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Andy Harris.
Andy is a writer & producer in Los Angelas, and fellow podcaster. He has had a several different podcasts; with his most recent one being This American Laugh, a parody of the popular This American Laugh. In this episode, we chat about his career in radio, sports venues, as well as what got him into podcasting. We talk about improv, and he shares some great improv stories, including one about performing with the legendary Robin Williams! We talk about how and why he started podcasting, and what inspired This American Laugh. Then I turn the conversation on its head and make everybody feel uncomfortable when I talk about famous people getting into the podcasting game. Sorry Andy! Go check out This American Laugh and Andy Harris, Everybody. Plus, keep your eyes and ears peeled for his upcoming projects!
Follow Andy on social media:
Twit: @THEAndyHarris
Insta: @TheAndyHarris
Website: TheAndyHarris.com
Special thanks to sponsors:
Profoundly Pointless podcast
and
Ice Shaker