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
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
Simon Majumdar – Food Critic / Author & Podcaster (Food Network / Eat My Globe)
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Simon Majumdar
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Simon Majumdar. After decades in the book publishing business, Simon decided to jump feet first into a new career. He became a world traveling food critic and author. That led to him becoming a frequent guest critic and personality on various Food Network programs, for over a decade now. We talk all about Simon’s journey from then to now, as well as his podcast: Eat My Globe; now entering its NINTH season! We talk about how his life has been affected by Anthony Bourdain, Alton Brown, Guy Fieri, and food in general. He explains what he loves about food and food history, and he regales us with several food history stories that will make you re-think EVERYTHING you know about your food!
See Simon on Food Network shows like:
*Tournament of Champions
*Guy’s Grocery Games
*The Next Iron Chef
*Beat Bobby Flay
*Good Eats: The Return
*Iron Chef America
*The Best Thing I Ever Ate
Follow Simon on social media:
Twit: @SimonMajumdar
Insta: @SimonMajumdar
FB: @SimonMajumdar
Check out Simon’s podcast: Eat My Globe available wherever you get finer podcasts.
Chris Ballew – Musician (The Presidents of the United States of America / Caspar Babypants)
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Chris Ballew
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Chris Ballew. Chris is a musician and founding member and lead singer of the alternative rock band The Presidents of the United States of America. Chris is also known as Caspar Babypants; catering music for parents and kids to enjoy together. In this episode we chat about why he was drawn to music, touring as a band member with Beck for 2 tours, forming The Presidents, managing huge hits like Peaches, and Lump, and some of the strangely stringed instruments he has played in those songs. He shares stories about Sir Mix A Lot, Beck, Madonna, and even a great story about Kurt Cobain’s GHOST! We talk about he second, third, and now fourth musical incarnation; including Caspar Babypants, writing music for tv, film, and commercials, and his latest project, ethereal music. All of this and more, Chris HAS to com back!
Follow Chris on social media:
Insta: @ChrisBallew
Check out his music at: ChrisBallew.org & Babypantsmusic.com
Tripp Mickle – Author / Journalist (After Steve: How Apple Became a Trillion Dollar Company and Lost It’s Soul)
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Tripp Mickle
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street ss I get to know Tripp Mickle. Tripp is a journalist having previously worked at The Wall Street Journal, and currently working at The New York Times. He is also the author of the new book ‘After Steve: How Apple Became a Trillion Dollar Company and Lost Its Soul’. In this episode we chat about why he wanted to be a journalist, and what took him to The Wall Street Journal. He tells us why he felt the need to write this book, and why the focus on the post Steve Jobs era of the company. Naturally Tripp explains how (and why) he went from the WSJ to The New York Times. We talk pretty in depth about this book and I have tons of questions about some of the stories in it. We do a deep dive on Jony Ive (the Chief Design Officer for Apple for many years) and Tim Cook (the current Chief Executive Officer for Apple). We discuss some of the design elements of several Apple products and some of the turmoil inside the company at the very top. This book is a fantastic read; weather you like Apple or not. I can’t recommend this book highly enough. As a matter of fact, we are giving away a copy of this book! Pay attention to the giveaway rules at the end.
Follow Tripp on social media:
Twit: @TrippMickle