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
Jay Brown – Singer / Songwriter (Road Scholar)
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Jay Brown
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know singer-songwriter Jay Brown.
In this episode we chat about how growing up in Pittsburgh made him move to warmer areas as an adult, and how working in asbestos made him strive even harder to follow his dreams of being a songwriter. Jay shares how a car accident helped direct his income in a different direction and gave him the opportunity to give songwriting in Nashville a shot. Finally, Jay discusses the songwriting process and lets me play his newest co-written song Road Scholar.
Follow Jay on social media:
FB: Jay Brown
www.Reverbnation.com/JayBrown
Special thanks to sponsor:
Chapline Distillery
Jonathan Schmock – Actor / Director / Producer / Political Cartoonist
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Jonathan Schmock
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Jonathan Schmock. While we all know him best as the snarky maitre d’ from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off; he has brought us so much more! In this episode we chat about his comedy duo (The Funny Boys) being on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson TWICE and subsequently banned FOR LIFE from The Tonight Show with Jay Leno! We also talk about some of his other acting roles, his transition into directing, producing, and developing shows for television. Jonathan is responsible for developing Sabrina the Teenage Witch, for television, among other shows. Jonathan shares some stories of his experiences working with the legendary Stella Adler, working on Blossom, developing Brotherly Love for Joey Lawrence, working with Aaron Spelling on The New Love Boat, his arc on the US version of Showtime’s Shameless, and OF COURSE we get into what his experience was with John Hughes and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Finally, we chat about why he became a political cartoonist, and how some presidents are less fun to make cartoons about. Jonathan was a delight to speak with, and kinder than I could ever have imagined. Thank you so much Jonathan.
Follow Jonathan on social media:
Twit: @JonathanSchmock
FB: Jonathan Schmock
Website: www.JonathanSchmock.com
Special thanks to this episode’s sponsors:
*Law Offices of Phillips & Hunt
*Chapline Distillery
*DNASolves.com
David Wood – Life Coach / Author (Mouse in the Room)
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David Wood
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know David Wood. David is a former actuary who became a Life Coach and author. In this episode we chat about his path to become an actuary, and what the heck that even is! Then we discuss his transition into life coaching and ultimately why he authored two books. His most recent book is called Mouse In The Room: Because The Elephant Is Not Alone. David shares stories of his youth, his relationships, his work history, and his search for himself; all of which culminate into living his best life today. Finally, we tease a future conversation about the new employment trend “Quiet Quitting”
Follow David on social media:
Twit: @_focusceo
Insta: @_focusceo
FB: @Focus.ceo
His website: www.MouseInTheRoom.com
Special thanks to this week’s sponsor:
Ice Shaker
Iceshaker.com
Kayla Adams Returns! – Actress (Hex / Awaken)
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Kayla Adams RETURNS!
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know even more about Kayla Adams. If you didn’t catch her first appearance, go back and listen to it. That’s where we did the whole “where are you from, what got you into acting” thing. In this return episode, we chat about how she spent her covid, her TWO new films: Hex and Awaken, plus we discuss the film she is trying to make adapted from her Canadian grand-father’s experiences in World War 2 after being shot down behind enemy lines! We talk pretty in depth about her new films including who is in them, what her on set experiences were like, and the new romantic comedy she is pitching all over town. The whole time we are trying to sell movies to Tom Hanks!
Check out Hex, available everywhere!
Follow Kayla on social media:
Insta: @KaylaElAdam
FB: Kayla Adams
Special Thanks to sponsors:
The Cool Grandpa Podcast
The Logo Pop
Paul Feig AGAIN! – Director (The School for Good and Evil)
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Paul Feig AGAIN!
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know EVEN MORE about three-time guest Paul Feig. In this episode we get caught up on how he spent his Covid quarantine time, we talk about his new Artingstall’s gin, he tells us about a cocktail book he has coming out next month called “Cocktail Time: The Ultimate Guide to Grown Up Fun”. We briefly discuss some of his past films, and then jump into his latest film: The School for Good and Evil, which came out last week on Netflix. Based on the popular young adult fantasy series of the same name, written by Soman Chainani, the film stars Charlize Theron, Michelle Yeoh, Kerry Washington, Lawrence Fishburn, Patti LuPone, Sophia Anne Carusso, Sofia Wylie, Jamie Flatters, and is narrated by Cate Blanchett. Lastly, what Paul Feig interview would be complete if we didn’t talk about what he is wearing! Paul is so much fun to talk to each and every time. Thanks again Paul, you are a mensch!
Follow Paul on social media:
Twit: @PaulFeig
Insta: @PaulFeig
FB: Paul Feig
Check out Paul’s gin at:
www.ArtingstallsGin.com
Follow the film on social media:
Insta: @TheSchoolForGoodAndEvilFilm
Special Thanks to sponsor of this episode:
Ice Shaker.
Visit them at www.IceShaker.com and enter promo code FSP at checkout for $5 off your first order.
John M. Phillips, Esq. – Attorney (Jordan Davis / Joe Exotic)
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John M. Phillips, Esq.
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know John M. Phillips, Esq.
John is a Wrongful Death & Civil Rights attorney, and legal commentator based in Florida; and founding partner of Phillips & Hunt located in Jacksonville, Florida. In this episode we chat about why he became a lawyer, and how much Gregory Peck had to do with his decision. We also discuss one of his first big cases, which involved the killing of Jordan Davis, and how that particular case has affected his life journey and legal career. Naturally we dive into his involvement in Netflix’s Tiger King series, who he represented, and why; as well as why he now represents The Tiger King himself, Joe Maldonado A.K.A. The Tiger King. Lastly, I ask John why he bought a trolley, and what he plans to do with it!
Follow John on social media:
Twit: @JohnMPhillips
Insta: @JohnPhillipsEsq
FB: John M. Phillips
TikTok: @JohnPhillipEsq
Law office website: www.floridajustice.com
Special thanks to sponsors:
The Cool Grandpa Podcast
and
The Law Office of Phillips & Hunt
Stephen Krueger Returns! – TV Writer / Podcaster (Subterra)
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Stephen Krueger Returns!
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know even more about previous guest, & my buddy, Stephen Krueger. In this episode, we chat about some of the specific projects Stephen has worked on, including Punk’d, Laguna Beach, and more. Stephen shares a frustrating encounter with famed director Tony Scott, explains why his only Emmy nomination was under a pseudonym, and shares his experience being in the proximity of a mass shooting several years ago. Finally, we discuss his scripted science fiction podcast SUBTERRA. We talk about why he decided to do it, what it involved, how it was received, and we talk a little about season 2 (which is out now!). Stay tuned immediately after the episode for a sneak peek at season 2 of Subterra, available everywhere you get podcasts.
Follow Stephen on social media:
Twit: @StephenKrueger
Insta: @StephenKrueger
TikTok: @StephenKrueger
Discord: @Ivancharlie
John Graziano (Graz) – Maker (Making Fun / Graz Makes)
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John Graziano (Graz)
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know John Graziano; or Graz, as he likes to be called. In this episode, we find out what exactly is a maker, how Graz came to be a maker, and how he came to be associated with the most elite of The Maker Community. Naturally we discuss his Netflix show MAKING FUN, how those folks were discovered, and what it was like to make a television show based on being a MAKER. Along the way, we discuss the MAKER community on You Tube, and some of the amazing things that this community does, as well as the core principle of sharing knowledge. Lastly, we chat about the amazing hand-crafted knives that Graz Makes.
Follow Graz on social media:
Twit: @GrazMakes
Insta: @GrazMakes
FB: Graz Makes
YT: Graz Makes
Nick Leisure – Director (A Clear Shot / Last The Night)
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Nick Leisure
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Nick Leisure.
Born and raised in Sacramento, Ca. Nick is a screenwriter, producer, and director. In this episode, we chat about growing up in Sacramento in his stern Asian grandparents’ home, stumbling into the hip hop recording business, and breaking into the film and television industry. Nick tells us about a project that he was / is working on about Raymond “Shrimp Boy” Chow (a Hong Kong born felon with ties to San Francisco Chinatown street gangs: Triad Ho Wop To, The Hop Sing Boys, and Ghee Kung Tong. He also tells us about his being on the scene of “The largest hostage rescue operation in US history”, and why he wrote and directed a movie called A CLEAR SHOT in 2019 based on this event. Then we move right into his latest film called LAST THE NIGHT starring Brian Austin Green. We discuss what the film is about, why he chose to tell this story, and what makes it timelessly relevant. Lastly, I pitch Nick a film idea based on the life story of a previous guest!
Follow Nick on social media:
Insta: @NickLeisure
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