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
David Wood Returns – Author / Life Coach (Focus.CEO)
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David Wood Returns!
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know even more about David Wood. David was on the show a few months ago, and I enjoyed speaking with him so much that I invited him back for round 2. In this episode we jump right in talking about compassion for others, empathy for what others may be going through, and how to manage your reaction in certain situations. We chat a bit about his book Mouse In The Room: Because The Elephant Is Not Alone, and a little about his life coaching over at Focus.CEO. He shares a story about how his ego may have helped him flee just in time from a country where he was wanted for questioning. David gives an example of a road rage incident that he accidentally tamped down by using compassion and empathy, as well as a frustrating story involving his new acting career. Finally, he offers a few freebies to anyone looking to understand truth in a deeper and more meaningful way.
Check him out at: www.Focus.ceo
Paul Sidhu – Actor / Screenwriter / Producer (Repeater / 2307: Winter’s Dream)
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Paul Sidhu
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Paul Sidhu.
Paul is an actor, producer, screenwriter, and………. dermatologist. In this episode we chat about why he decided to get into the medical field, and what he felt was missing, even with a thriving medical practice. He tells me about his decision to become an actor, and how he broke into the business; once in India with Bollywood, and again in Los Angeles. We discuss why he stepped away from Bollywood, after his first successful film, and how he started over again in LA. He explains the lucky meeting of Joey Curtis, and how they teamed up to bring “2307: Winter’s Dream” to the big screen, as well the story behind Paul’s newest release “Repeater” co-starring alongside Nick Moran, and Corbin Bernsen, and directed by R. Ellis Frazier. Finally, Paul shares some on set stories about working with Tom Sizemore and some of the tips he learned from the seasoned actor, and whether or not he will continue to work in the film industry and still maintain his medical practice.
Marilyn Ghigliotti – Actress (Clerks / Clerks 3)
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Marilyn Ghigliotti
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Marilyn Ghigliotti. Most of you will recognize Marilyn as Veronica from Clerks and Clerks 3. In this episode, we chat about where she grew up and how her upbringing led her to become an actress. We also talk about how she came to be involved in Kevin Smith’s first film; Clerks. Marilyn shares some of her stage acting stories, and how she met Brian O’Halloran. I ask her about her experience acting in a film about a film that she starred in called Shooting Clerks, what a surreal moment that was, and where that project is now. Finally, we discuss her newest directing endeavor, a short film called A Mother’s love; some of the obstacles, and hurdles it took to get it made, and its premiere at the most appropriate film festival on the planet: Kevin Smith’s Smodcastle Film Festival in New Jersey!
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