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
Marcus Monroe – Comedian / Juggler
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Marcus Monroe
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Marcus Monroe. Marcus is a comedian now, but was a juggler for many, many years. I guess he is still both. In this episode, we chat about why Marcus decided to learn magic as a child, and then not long after, decided to be a juggler. He tells me a few stories from his juggling days; including some of his time juggling on various cruise ships. From Celebrity Cruises, to Disney Cruise, Marcus has performed on them all. He even tells a crazy story about how he got to juggle on Late Night With David Letterman, and an even more insane story about the time he was the opening act for the band Cake. Marcus and I exchange Neil Patrick Harris stories. Mine makes me look like a psychopath, his turns out pretty good! Next we turn to comedy. Marcus explains why he decided to get into comedy, and we talk about his “Subway Series”; which is how I found him. He releases videos of him telling VERY corny jokes to unsuspecting NYC commuters. These videos are a ton of fun! Finally, we discuss he previous podcast Talkie Walkie, and his newest podcast The Boy Friends Podcast. Check out his videos on Instagram, and get his podcasts everywhere you listen.
JoJo Garza – Texican Rock Star! (Los Lonely Boys)
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JoJo Garza
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know JoJo Garza. JoJo is the bass player for the Grammy winning Texican Rock band Los Lonely Boys. In this episode, we chat about how the Garza brothers got together and became a rock band. JoJo explains how his dad taught them all how to play nusic from a very early age. It doesn’t hurt that both sides of the family have music royalty and Tejano music icons. Of course we discuss their meteoric rise to fame with their 2003 mega hit song HEAVEN, and some of the amazing things that came with it’s success. JoJo shares some fun stories about meeting some of his music idols, and even a heart warming tale of Willie Nelson giving the Garza brothers the shirt off his back… sort of. Los Lonely Boys are back, with their first new album in 11 years. RESURRECTION is exactly what you want from another Los Lonely Boys album. There are several hit singles on the new record, and JoJo let’s me play my favorite track from it!. Catch Los Lonely Boys on their nationwide tour; with supporting bands including: Los Lobos, Del Castillo, Texican Legacy, The Cisteros, and more. Get tour and ticket info at LosLonelyBoys.com
Roger Mooking – Chef / TV Personality / Musician / Artist / Author
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Roger Mooking
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Roger Mooking. Roger is a chef, a TV personality, a musician, artist, and author. In this episode, we chat about why his family moved from Trinidad to Edmonton, Alberta when he was a toddler. Then we get into why he got into music, and we cover his music career highlights; including MC Mystic, The Maximum Definitive, and Bass Is Base. Â Next, we discuss why he decided to get into the culinary world, and how he ended up getting his first TV show. Of course we talk about the many shows that have followed, even to this very day. I fanboy a little bit about when I first discovered Roger, and he lets me plat my favorite song of his. Then we talk about his relationship with time, and time as a concept itself. Finally, we do a deep dive into his newest album and accompanying book. The album is called ‘SoundBites’, and the book is called ‘Curious Sounds’. Spoiler alert… Roger lets me play my favorite song from the new album! Both are available everywhere and RogerMooking.com. We even do a little talking about Roger being inducted into the Black BBQ Hall Of Fame! Don’t miss Roger popping up everywhere on The Food Network, Food Network Canada, The Cooking Channel, and of course his newest show ‘Breaking Bread with Roger Mooking’ on Amazon Prime
Cindy Mich – Journalist / Media Personality / AIA Film Festival Founder
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Cindy Mich
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Cindy Mich. Cindy is an award-winning journalist, as well as a media personality, film maker, and the founder of the Art Is Alive Film Festival. In this episode, we chat about how she became a journalist and eventually a film maker and film festival founder. From growing up in Milwaukee, to becoming involved with television and film, Cindy’s road has been fascinating to say the least. A few years ago, Cindy lost Michael. He was her best friend, her partner, her inspiration, and her lover. We spend a good bit of this episode getting to know Michael, and how impactful he was in her life. Cindy shares fun stories, and anecdotes about Michael, including how he inspired her to make everything from short films to TV series, to magazines, and more. We dive into her Art Is Alive magazine, her Art Is Alive Film Festival, and so much more. Cindy tells me about how she became a judge for the American Film Institute and spends some time talking about some upcoming projects that include medical misdiagnosis, (Hurt By healthcare), Saving Fancy Face, and Sonny & Trixie. This episode covers feelings of grief, loss, love, and healing. Be sure to follow Cindy Mich everywhere and keep your eyes and ears out for her upcoming projects.
Ryan Campbell – Rapper – (Octopus)
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Ryan Campbell
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Ryan Campbell. In this episode, Ryan and I chat about how he met lifelong friend & fellow rapper Sam Lachow. Ryan explains how he grew up in ‘The Game’, and learned a trade from his dad…. sort of. Then we talk about how Ryan got into music; specifically rap music. He has been a featured artist on several albums from a multitude of different artists over the years. Ryan shares some experiences from growing up in and around Seattle, and how he got into the legal cannabis dispensary business. Sam Lachow & Ryan Campbell recently released a new album called Octopus. This marks Ryan’s debut album, where he is not only a features artist. We discuss when this album was written, how long it took to get made, and why it took that long. We talk a little bit about Sam’s most recent album The Left-Handed Bandit, which came out only a few months prior and heavily features Ryan. Both records were written at the same time and recorded fairly close together as well. Ryan’s main business is a small chain of highly successful cannabis dispensaries in the Seattle area called The Bakeree. If you are in the area and partake; drop in and let them know you heard Ryan on Fascination Street Podcast! Be sure to check out SamLachow.com to get Octopus, and all the associated merch!
Alex “AX” Foster – Author (Gavel to Gavel / Double Blind) / Attorney
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Alex “AX” Foster
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Alex Foster. AX Foster is a former Senior Assistant State’s Attorney for the state of Maryland. He practiced as a prosecutor in that office for twenty years before starting his own firm and becoming a defense attorney. After 15 or so years in that role; AX decided the time was right to write his first legal thriller novel called ‘Gavel to Gavel’. In this episode, we chat about his previous career as an actor for 7 years; where he had tons of roles on several different daytime soap operas, and why he decided to switch gears and become a lawyer. Then we get into some of his State’s Attorney days. We talk about his prosecuting criminal law where the cases ranged from drugs, gangs, animal cruelty, and even murder. Of course I find out why he decided to change sides and become a defense lawyer. We talk about the differences in the field, as well as some of the hurdles to keeping a law practice going. Finally, AX tells me why he decided to write his first novel; and why Covid was the right time. We discuss the basic premise of the book, and how many books he thinks will be in The Seneca County Courthouse Series. Book 1 of the series (Gavel to Gavel) came out a couple of years ago, and book 2 (Double Blind) is out NOW. If you like John Grisham or James Patterson novels, than you are sure to love The Seneca County Courthouse Series of legal crime thrillers. Follow AX on social media, and check out his website AXFoster.com. Make sure you grab both books in the sale bundle on Amazon.
Will Wesley – Country Singer (12 O’clock In Texas)
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Will Wesley
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know country singer / songwriter Will Wesley. In this episode, we chat about his growing up in the Baton Rouge area, and what got him into music. Naturally we discuss the best Cajun food in his local area, and he tells me a couple of cool restaurants to eat at. Next, we move into how he gained his country & blues street cred, by competing in battle of the bands style pickin’ contests. Will explains to me why he decided to cover the timeless gospel song ‘Go Tell it on The Mountain’. and what makes his different than the rest. Then we talk about his new single ’12 O’clock In Texas’. We spend most of the episode talking about the reasons he wrote this song, and the tragic loss of his brother. The conversation turns to sobriety, and addiction. I ask Will about some of the places he has played, and some of the places he will play on the current tour. Luckenbach! Finally, we discuss his recent experiences at The Josie Awards and working with some folk & bluegrass icons on a couple of musical collaborations. Make sure you check out ‘Both Sides Of The Tracks’, ‘A New Kind of Blues’, and ‘Leah’. Do NOT miss him on tour in 2025! Check out WillWesleyMusic.com for tour dates and venues.
Beyond B3 Street Artist in The U.K. (Anonymous)
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Beyond B3
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know anonymous U.K. street artist Beyond B3. In this episode, we chat about why he decided to become a street artist, and where the pseudonym comes from. We discuss some of his influences like: Stic, Space Invader, and Banksy. Along the way, I find out that I may very well be the last person to find out that Stic and Banksy are no longer anonymous! This London area based graffiti artist has very intense messaging behind his artwork. B3 explains to me the meanings behind some of his pieces. From Everyday Robots & technology, to Attack Robots & War, to Pigeons with knives & Knife Crime; B3 clarifies it all. We talk about why he feels the need to address some of these subjects, and what he hopes to gain from doing so, While we are talking about his inspirations, I tell a story about the time I saw a Banksy in person. This leads to him explaining to me that both Stic & Banksy are known people! They are no longer anonymous! Anyway, make sure you check out Beyond B3 on Instagram so you can see some of his work. Unless you are located in the London area, in which case… SEND ME PICS! Beyond B3’s work focuses on: Technology, War, Child Soldiers, Crime, Knife Crime, Hypnosis, and more!
Katie Herzog – Journalist / Author / Podcaster (Blocked and Reported)
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Katie Herzog
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Katie Herzog. Katie is a well-known and respected journalist who has written for publications including: The Stranger, The Atlantic, Reason, Medium, and more. She is also a co-host of the very popular podcast Blocked and Reported; with her friend and fellow journalist Jesse Singal. In this episode, Katie and I chat about where and how she grew up, and what informed her journalistic endeavors. I do grill Katie about some of the crazy stories from her past that I found. We touch briefly on her time working for NPR, and she enlightens me about The Internet Archive, and The Way Back Machine. Then we get into her podcast. Again, it’s called Blocked and Reported and she tells me about why she started it, and why she is glad she didn’t start it sooner. Finally, we dive into her new book. It doesn’t have a name quite yet but should be released around October of 2025. This book chronicles her journey of drinking herself sober. You read that right. That’s a very fascinating concept, and she tells me all about how she came to find this path, and why she felt the need to share her experience in the form of her very first book. Make sure you check out her podcast, it is a lot of fun, and be sure to stay tuned for her book around October of 2025.
Aaron Perrino – Singer Songwriter (The Shelia Divine / Dear Leader / Aaron and The Lord)
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Aaron Perrino
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Aaron Perrino. Aaron is the singer / songwriter most known for being the front man of The Sheila Divine. He is also part of the bands Dear Leader, and Aaron and The Lord. In this episode, we chat about how he got into music, and how winning a Sharper Image gift card on the radio, led to his band being signed by a record label. We talk about the tough road of being a touring artist, and some of the pitfalls that he didn’t see coming. Since Aaron is an amazing songwriter, I pick his brain a bit on that, and then we talk about The Sheila Divine’s more well known songs. Aaron spills the behind-the-scenes beans on touring with Morrissey and discusses why The Sheila Divine is so popular in Belgium. He shares the experience of having one of their songs used in a Cadillac commercial. Then we talk about his other bands Dear Leader as well as Aaron and The Lord. He lets me play my favorite Sheila Divine song, and then we talk about their new album I Am the Darkness. We Are the Light. I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t also ask him if I could plat a song from the new record! He graciously agrees to let me play Lilydale. Look for The Sheila Divine on Bandcamp and follow their upcoming tour dates on Instagram. Special thanks to John Graziano for making this interview happen. Thanks Graz!