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John Kapelos – Actor (The Breakfast Club / Sixteen Candles / Seinfeld)
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John Kapelos
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know John Kapelos. You may know John as ‘Carl, The Janitor’ from the 1984 cult classic film: The Breakfast Club; but he is so much more than that! In this episode, we chat about him spending nearly a decade with Second City, his experiences on some of the greatest John Hughes films, and even his time as ‘The Sniffing Accountant’ on Seinfeld. We discuss how the show must go on, even after his father unexpectedly passed. John reveals the moment he found out that Emelio Estevez was the son of Martin Sheen, stories from the set of The Breakfast Club, and his scene from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off that got cut. As if all of this improv comedy and hall of fame acting isn’t enough, John Kapelos also put out an album! It is called “John Kapelos: Too Hip For the Room”; and he lets me play a track from it. I think you’re gonna dig it!
John is a consummate professional, and he gets honest and vulnerable with me in this interview. I appreciate him for letting go, and not holding back. If you have a chance to see John in a play, or singing, or in television and film; I highly suggest you check him out. In everything he does, he BRINGS IT!
Aaron Marcus – Actor / Teacher / Author (How to Become a Successful Actor and Model)
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Aaron Marcus
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Aaron Marcus. Aaron is a veteran actor who has been in such acclaimed television shows as: Gotham, Mr. Robot, House of Cards, Rectify, Homicide: Life on the Streets, Halt and Catch Fire, The West Wing, Law & Order, and The Wire. In this episode, we chat about Aaron’s odd route to becoming a commercial model, and how that led him to become an actor. He discusses some of the pitfalls in becoming a model and in becoming an actor. He gives a touching tribute to the late Andre Braugher, and then we jump into some nutty audition stories. Aaron shares a couple of stories about auditions, and so do I! Next we get into what Aaron’s workshops entail, and why he does them. Naturally we cover his books: How to Become a Successful Commercial Model, and How to Become a Successful Actor and Model. He shares a fun story about auditioning for House of Cards an insane amount of times, before getting it. Finally, Aaron gives away some life changing advice he received from Tom Hank on the set of a recent film. Make sure you check out Aaron’s website, books, and website!
Vinnie Tortorich #6 – Documentary Filmmaker (Dirty Keto) / Podcaster (Fitness Confidential)
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Vinnie Tortorich #6
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know even more about SIX TIME guest; Vinnie Tortorich. Known in some circles as “The Angriest Trainer”; Cinnie is: a podcaster, an author, fitness guru, a celebrity trainer, a multiple business owner, and a documentary filmmaker. In this episode, we chat a little about why he wrote his best-selling book “Fitness Confidential”, we touch a bit on his podcast “Fitness Confidential”, and then get into some of his previous documentaries. Vinnie’s first documentary is called “Fat: A Documentary”; and was the best-selling film in the history of Gravitas Ventures. His follow up to that was “Fat 2” two years later. In 2022 Vinnie released his third documentary titled “Beyond Impossible”; where he did a deep dive into the meat substitute industry. We talk a bit more about this one, as it had some odd effects on his social media accounts. Finally, we get to the goods. Vinnie’s FOURTH documentary, in his words, “Goes right at the Keto community”. This new film “Dirty Keto” expounds on the latest Keto fad, and what the term ‘keto’ actually means. He also does some digging to find out what official governing body authorizes the term “Certified Keto” and allows it to be placed on packaging. I give him a neat suggestion for this newer film, and I think he likes it! At one point he explains the glycemic index to me and why I should care. We also touch on the newest trend of freezing bread and pasta before reheating and eating it, and why this changes the glycemic scale of these foods. Finally, Vinnie shares the details of his most recent health concerns and what his plans are going forward with it. Vinie is rad as hell. He is a great guy, and has the record for the most appearances on Fascination Street Podcast! Check out his newest film “Dirty Keto” available ONLY on Amazon; beginning June 1, 2024.
Charles Agron – Writer / Actor/ Producer (Altered Reality)
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Charles Agron
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Charles Agron. Charles is a writer, actor, director, and producer of independent films. In this episode, we discuss his previous career as a Washington Lobbyist, and what made him get out of that business. Then we talk about why he decided to not only be an actor; but also a writer, and producer. He shares stories about working with some of the greats; like Ed Asner, Tobin Bell, and Lance Henriksen in his newest film Altered Reality. Along the way, we touch on a couple of his previous films like Dark Horse & Monday At 11:01 A.M. Finally, we get into why it is important to be a distributer with his company K Street Pictures, and where that name comes from. I ask him why he decided to distribute films like Alex and Eve, and Last Call; and at what point he got involved with those projects. Charles also explains what the Covid pandemic did to the box office numbers of one of these films. He does explain some paintings and artists at the beginning to satisfy my nosey questions about the wall art at his home! Thanks for that Charles!
Chelsey Weber Smith – Poet / Podcast Host (American Hysteria)
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Chelsey Weber Smith
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Chelsey Weber Smith.
Chelsey is the host of the amazingly popular podcast American Hysteria. In this episode, we chat about why they got a master’s degree in poetry, and how that specific degree helps in their current career. We also get into the pitfalls of running a small business and how to avoid some of them. Next up, we jump into the podcasting world. We discuss their first foray into podcasting with the Behind True Crime podcast, and some of the struggles associated with that particular venture. I pry a bit into Chelsey’s personal life; asking questions about being in a cult as a younger person, and what something like that does to a person’s mental health. We discuss all kinds of things including: EST, Erhard Seminars Training, The Mayan Apocalypse, Ramtha, The Ramtha School of Enlightenment, JZ Knight, and Patty Hearst; before finally getting to Chelsey’s podcast. American Hysteria is a podcast that covers everything from: the Beanie Babies craze, haunted dolls, moral panics, urban legends, conspiracy theories, and the 12 ft Home Depot Skeleton, to the popularity of streaking in 1974. Naturally we talk about the first time I streaked!
Check out American Hysteria wherever you get podcasts, and don’t forget to join their Patreon for some super dope exclusive content!
Joseph Millson – Actor / Writer / Producer / Author – (Signs of Life ) / (War Blade)
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Joseph Millson
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Joseph Millson. Joseph is an actor, a writer, a producer, and a poet. In this episode, we chat about how he came to be an actor, and some of the projects he has worked on, including Dragonheart Vengeance , War Blade, The Amateur, and the forthcoming Signs of Life. We also touch on his writing career; which spans short films, feature films, and a memoir recounting stories from the first 10 years of his acting career. Naturally we discuss his lovely wife Sarah Jane Potts; and how she wins household arguments. Lastly, I dive into his recent short film called “Care (4k)” and he answers some questions that have been nagging me about it. All along the way, we talk about: the Rotic R, Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale, poetry, whether Adolph Hitler was a Taurus in the Year of the Tiger, and a couple of characters called “Buck” & “Quid”.
Be sure to check out Joseph’s book “Work – And Other Four Letter Words” available on Amazon. (Sometimes he puts the e-book on sale!)
Landon Bryant – Pop Culturalist / Social Media Sensation (Landon Talks / Landon Talks A Lot)
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Landon Bryant
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Landon Bryant. Better known on Instagram & Tik Tok as LANDON TALKS, and You Tube as LANDONTALKSALOT; Landon gained worldwide fame and attention as the ever cheery and inspiring face (and voice) of modern Southern culture. In this episode, Landon sits down with me to chat about his growing up in Laurel, Mississippi before becoming an elementary art teacher. Having fallen in love with teaching ALL subject with an artistic bent, everything changed when the 2019 Covid pandemic took hold. Landon’s wife inspired him to share his extremely Southern stories, vocabulary, and charm with his 2k or so Instagram followers. Not lang after discussing ‘Wal Mart High School’, Landon Talks started to gain some momentum. As of now, his eye popping 420 THOUSAND followers on Instagram and over 100 THOUSAND followers on Tik Tok hang on Landon’s every word. Excited to get the next dose of Southern hospitality, and verve! Landon explains how fast all of this happened, and some of the big named celebrities that have reached out to comment, or just say ‘hi’. The likes of Jennifer Garner, and Miranda Lambert have praised his videos; and he even tells me the celebrity that followed him and sent Landon into a literal panic attack! What would he do if Oprah or Dolly reached out as a result of his show? We discuss it! Finally, LANDON TALKS a bit about his upcoming book, a potential TV thing, and some of his epic branding partnerships! Follow him everywhere and tell him you heard him on Fascination Street!
Rudy Pavich – Comedian / Podcaster / Video & Graphics Producer
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Rudy Pavich
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Rudy Pavich. Born and raised in Hibbing, Minnesota, Rudy SHOULD have been a roofer; as his family owns a roofing company. Rudy decided to go another route. Spending 23 years in the radio business, he had a life changing event in his immediate family; then took a break. That break afforded Rudy the opportunity to focus his passion in another direction……. stand up comedy. In this episode, we chat about how and why he decided to become a comic, we discuss his time in radio a bit, and then we discuss some of the big breaks that have come his way. Rudy is also a film maker with a couple of short films under his belt; one of them having won the prestigious ‘Louis Anderson Award’ at the Minnesota Film Festival. This was the final film selected by Louis before his passing. Of course I take this chance to pitch my short film idea to Rudy, which he graciously plays along with. Rudy gives most of the credit for his growing fan base and various opportunities to fellow comedian Adam Ray, for inspiring and lending a helping hand. I ask Rudy to tell me more about his video editing & graphic production with Adam Ray, Adam Carolla, Meghan Trainor, and others. Some big opportunities have come his way, and Rudy was ready and eager to meet those head on. We touch a bit on his podcast ‘A Long Walk to Cleveland’; which is currently on hiatus.
Rudy is currently touring his stand up with various other well known comedians, so be sure to check RudyPavichComedy.com for tour dates near you, and tell him you heard him on Fascination Street Podcast!
Special thanks to Lori Fetrick (Ice, from American Gladiators) for helping make this happen.
Chris Weatherman – Author (The Survivalist Series) / Podcaster (Angry American Nation)
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Chris Weatherman
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street, as I get to know Chris Weatherman. Chris is well known in the Survivalist & preparedness communities. He is also a super successful author; penning both The Survivalist Series (Going Home) and The Charlie’s Requiem series, and the host of the popular podcast Angry American Nation; which covers civil unrest in various countries around the world, as well as provides tips and skills to help keep you off the grid, and more self sufficient. In this episode, we chat about his early life and careers, before diving into what made him become an author, and why he chose to live and write in the survivalist space. He shares a couple of tips on how to be better prepared for natural disasters, and local civil unrest; if that day comes. He explains why it is important to be prepared to provide for yourself and your loved ones. Chris also shares his thoughts on hurricane preparedness, and names an item or two that every person should have at the ready.
Be sure to check out his books in The Survivalist Series; with Exploring Home as the newest release. You can also subscribe to his podcast Angry American Nation for fun stories and tips on how to survive any crazy stuff that may happen.
Michael Lukk Litwak – Writer / Director (Molli and Max in the Future)
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Michael Lukk Litwak
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Michael Lukk Litwak. Michael is the writer & director of the new science fiction romantic comedy (sci-fi-rom-com); Molli and Max in the Future. This film stars Zosia Mamet and Aristotle Athari, and debuted at the SXSW film festival. In this episode, we chat about shat made Michael want to become a filmmaker, and why he chose to study at NYU Tisch. Then we get into his film making career. He started with several short films before his first feature film, Molli and Max in the Future. Michael shares some of his behind the scenes process with regard to some of the practical effects used in this fantasy space love story. Michael also lets us in on a little secret about putting the final touches on the film just days before its SXSW debut. Of course I ask him how Zosia and Aristotle came to be in the picture, and what he hopes this inventive film will do for his career going forward.
Be sure to check out Molli and Max in the Future, streaming everywhere!