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
Nicholas Thomas – Founder (420pipes.com)
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Nicholas Thomas
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Nicholas Thomas. Nicholas is the founder of 420pipes.com; an online retailer of cannabis paraphernalia. In this episode, we chat about his growing up in a super religious family and being a member of a fairly strict church. Nicholas explains a bit about his church life, and how that relationship took a pretty sharp turn. Then we jump right into how and why he started his own online cannabis related marketplace. We dig a little into some of the products available at 420pipes.com as well as what the future of the site holds. Nicholas shares some insights on branding, and how to build a following in an industry with so many rules and regulations with regard to advertising. If you are in the market for some of these products, check out 420pipes.com. They just might have what you’re looking for, or didn’t know you were looking for!
Matt D’Andria Returns! – Podcaster Car Cast / Shift and Steer) / Beverage Startup (Bravago)
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Matt “The Motorator” D’Andria RETURNS!
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know even more about Matt “The Motorator” D’Andria. In this episode we catch up on what Matt has been doing since his last appearance over 5 years ago! Matt has two automobile centric podcasts: Shift & Steer (with co-hosts Brad Fanshaw & Aaron Hagar), and Car Cast (with alternating co-host Bill Goldberg & Adam Carolla). We discuss what is going on in the electric vehicle space; including Tesla, Rivian, and the Ford Mustang & F150 Lightning. We talk about what companies are doing EV right, and what they could improve on. Then we chat about his new beverage: BRAVAGO! Bravago is a new “Bold” hard seltzer with more flavor and more alcohol than most on the market. Matt tells us all about the struggles of a beverage startup in the age of covid, and what inspired him to get into the industry. Bravago is available TO SHIP to 38 states!
Beau Button – President / CTO (Atlas Reality Inc)
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Beau Button
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Beau Button. Born and raised just outside of New Orleans, Louisianna; Beau quickly became obsessed with the personal computer. while he was still in single digits, Beau began taking these machines apart to see what made them work, and how he could improve them. He basically never stopped doing that. In this episode, we chat about what got him interested in computers, and why he collects them to this day. We take a bit of a detour and talk about his short stint working at The Piggly Wiggly, before diving headfirst into his company: Atlas Reality Inc. Beau explains what the company is, what the company does, and why he thinks this was a market that need to be addressed. I took the opportunity to grill Beau on the meanings of: Web 1, Web 2, and Web 3; and he helps me understand what the heck all that means. Next, we address the virtual reality space and how he thinks he and his company can make an impact there. Beau explains how the blockchain technology can revolutionize more than just banking. Finally, he tells me all about his location-based gaming company Atlas Reality Inc, and their games Atlas Empire, Atlas Earth, and (coming soon) Atlas Mars. All along the way, we talk about virtual reality, AI (artificial intelligence), NFTs, Pokémon Go, and AtlasEarth.com
Ethan Song – Entrepreneur / Founder (Frank And Oak / Rare Circles)
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Ethan Song
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Ethan Song. Ethan is an entrepreneur, who founded the clothing brand Frank & Oak. We talk about why he started a clothing company, what it took to grow it, and ultimately why he sold it. After Ethan ran that company for several years, he sold it and started a new company, in a different field. Ethan is the CEO & co-founder of Rare Circles. Ethan explains what Rare Circles is, and why he decided to get into this particular field. Ethan explains what he feels is missing in the relationship between business and consumer, and how he thinks it can be enhanced. Then we discuss the basic definitions of Web 1, Web 2, and Web 3; plus the differences between them. Finally, Ethan offers to help entrepreneurs in any way he can; by giving advice, making introductions, or just writing a check. Ethan Song is dedicated to not only improving brand & consumer loyalty, but to helping others achieve their dream of starting a successful business, in any field.
Griff Furst – Producer / Screenwriter / Director / Actor (Devil’s Peak / 57 Seconds / Half Baked 2)
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Griff Furst
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Griff Furst. Griff is: an actor, a producer, a screenwriter, and a director. In this episode we get his origin story. He shares stories from acting class, and how in a ‘domino effect’ sort of way, his career got kicked off from those classes. We chat about being a producer in that role’s various incarnations, where he finds his inspirations for screenwriting, the difficulties managing a film set as it’s director, and what he loves about acting. We cover quite a lot here, but it is all in the name if FUN! We touch a little bit on what it was like growing up on different sets with parents in the business, and lastly, we discuss his newest T-H-R-E-E projects!
Available now on VOD everywhere is Devil’s Peak, starring Billy Bob Thornton, Robin Wright, and Jackie Earle Haley.
Available September (ish) is 57 Seconds, starring Morgan Freeman and Josh Hutcherson.
Keep your eyes peeled later this year is the long awaited sequel Half Baked 2, starring Jeff Ross and Harland Williams!
reaLation – Grunge / Alt / Metal band
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reaLation
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Vincent Lane, Matt Loucks, and Steve Feliciano from the band ‘reaLation’.
reaLation is a concept based grunge alternative metal band who dedicates itself to seeking the truth.
In this episode Vincent, Matt, and Steve sit down with me to discuss; how they each found music, how they met eachother, and what their music is about. Their music definately has a passion, and a message. Through music, the band seeks to shed light on some of the more problematic real life issues and concerns of our time. The four of us have a pretty good time talking about all things music; from everyone’s first concert, to their newest releases, and projects down the road. They even let me play their newest single on the show! Follow ‘reaLation’ on social media for more music and upcoming show / tour dates.
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!