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
Kate Weiser – Chocolatier (Kate Weiser Chocolate)
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Kate Weiser
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know chocolatier; Kate Weiser. In this episode, Kate and I talk about why she wanted to get into the culinary arts, what made her decide on the chocolate side of the industry, and how much she hates making bread. We also chat about how she partnered up with one of the biggest names in the restaurant business to open Kate Weiser Chocolate; plus she tells us about the mysterious Carl The Snowman!
Follow Kate on social media:
Insta: @OfficialKWChocolate
FB: Kate Weiser Chocolate
Website: KateWeiserChocolate.com
Rick Ferrari – Commercial Talent Agent (Ferrari Talent)
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Rick Ferrari
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Rick Ferrari. Rick is a commercial talent agent located in Los Angeles; who recently started Ferrari Talent. In this episode; Rick and I chat about his growing up in New York and some of the crazy antics he got up to while there. He explains how he got into the talent agent business; and tells some great stories about some of the people he has worked with and some of the fascinating ways he has made things happen and moved up in the business. Rick also tells us about his time working on award winning music videos, working with Dolly Parton, and why he chose to move to LA. Finally, we hear all about his new agency: Ferrari Talent, and why he and his partner decided to start their own agency during a pandemic!
Follow Rick on social media:
Twit : @RickMFerrari
Insta: @RickFerrari_biz / @Rick_Ferrari / @FerrariTalentAgency
FB: Rick Ferrari
Website: FerrariTalent.com
Carl Ray – Singer / Songwriter
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Carl Ray
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Carl Ray.
Carl is a country music singer / songwriter who has been writing and playing music for the past few decades. In this episode; we chat about how he got into the music business, and how he came to be best friends with, and mentored by the legendary Johnny Nash. Carl tells some stories about his buddy, and shares some of the advice he got from Johnny. Carl has a hit song that some waves in 2020 and he graciously lets me play it on the show. Then we talk about how Johnny Nash and Carl always meant to do a song together; but never got to is before Johnny’s passing last year. So Carl chose one of Johnny’s biggest hits, added some lyrics, put a few twists on it; and released it to growing acclaim. I can’t wait for you to hear it. Finally, Carl tells us about a Spotify playlist he has put together celebrating Black country music artists, and where you can find it.
Follow Carl on social media:
Twit: @OfficialCarlRay
Insta: @OfficialCarlRay
FB: Country Music Artist Carl Ray
Website: CarlRay.com
Patrick Gibson – Singer / Songwriter
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Patrick Gibson
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Patrick Gibson.
Patrick is a singer / songwriter from Florida who is starting to make a name for himself with his faith based country music and story telling lyrics. He has a new single out called The American Prayer that is making waves all over the country. In this episode, we talk about why he got into the music business, and how its going so far. He shares what his faith means to him, and why he tells the stories he tells with his music. While he does offer me the opportunity to play his newest single (The American Prayer); I chose not to because I think the music video tells a wonderful story as well. So I suggest you go check that out. Patrick does; however agree to let me play one of his earlier songs that means a lot to him, and I think you’re going to enjoy that one as well.
Follow Patrick on social media:
Twit: @PGCountry
Insta: @PGCountry
FB: @PGCountry / @PatrickGibsonMusic
Website: PGCountry.com
Evan Stern – Podcaster (Vanishing Postcards)
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Evan Stern
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Evan Stern.
Evan is a Texas native who eventually moved to The Big Apple in pursuit of following his performance dreams. Although he loves NYC; there is a nagging part of Evan that misses the great state of Texas. So he took some time off, flew to Texas, and then drove across The Lone Star State to visit tiny towns, and unique destinations that aren’t on any map……… and then he turned that into a podcast! Vanishing Postcards is a documentary style podcast of sorts where Evan goes to out of the way places and talks to the people who inhabit them. Getting both their story AND the story of the area and businesses. In this episode, we chat about why he moved to New York, why he misses Texas so much, and what made him start a podcast dedicated to these unsung people and places. We talk about his podcast; and we have a lot of fun along the way. I talk about my favorite episode of his show, and Evan tells us what we can expect from Vanishing Postcards in the future. Enjoy!
Follow Evan on social media:
Twit: @EvanCStern
Insta: @VanishingPostcards
FB: Evan Stern & Vanishing Postcards
Mia St. John (The Knockout)- 5 Time World & International Boxing Champion (WBC, IBA, IFBA)
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Mia St. John
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Mia St. John.
Mia is a FIVE TIME boxing champion including: WBC, IBA, and IFBA. In this episode we chat about why she got into boxing, and how & why she initially worked with legendary boxing promotor Don King. Mia shares an epiphany she had during a fight with her career long arch rival; Christy Martin. Then we shift gears a little bit to talk about addiction & sobriety, as well as some of the tragic losses she and her family have suffered over the past few years. We discuss the Mia St. John Foundation; what they do, and how you can help. She also explains why she felt it was necessary to hire Mark Geragos to sue the mayor of Los Angeles (Eric Garcetti) due to his Covid shut down of Alcoholic’s Anonymous support groups; and how that turned out. Finally, we chat about Mia’s new book called “Fighting For My Life” available NOW for pre-order. Mia advocates for mental health as well as the homeless in and around Los Angeles.
Enjoy this conversation with boxing legend Mia St. John.
Follow Mia on social media:
Twit: @MiaStJohnBoxer
Insta: @MiaStJohnBoxer
FB: Mia St. John
MIaStJohnFoundation.org
Kelly Lang – Singer / Songwriter
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Kelly Lang
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Kelly Lang. Kelly is a singer / songwriter who has worked with some of the biggest stars in country music. In this episode we chat about: her time on the television talent show Star Search, some of the cool people she has worked with including Lorrie Morgan and previous guest BJ Thomas. Kelly also shares a story about her struggle with breast cancer, and her new song ‘I’m Not Going Anywhere’; which is currently being used in a national advertising campaign for a nationwide hospital system. It’s a touching and moving song, and she lets me play it on the show. Enjoy!
Follow Kelly on social media:
Twit: @KellyLangMusic
Insta: @KellylangMusic
FB: Kelly Lang
Website: KellyLang.net
Nikki Dixon & Nicholas Rice – Actors / Producers
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Nikki Dixon & Nicholas Rice
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Nikki Dixon & Nicholas Rice. These two actors have been is tons of stuff, including; Queen Of The South, Claws, Fear The Walking Dead, and Cruel Summer. In this episode we chat about some of those things, as well as why and how they came to be in the film & television business. We talk about the acting class that they met each other in, which is also how they came to be on my show! (Thanks to Stephanie Carter). However, MOSTLY we talk about the new project they are working on which is a film called Preemptive Strike and some of the names that are associated with it. Enjoy!
Follow Nikki & Nick on social media:
Twit: @TheNikkiDixon / @TheNicholasRice
Insta: @TheNikkiDixon / @TheNicholasRice
FB: Nikki Dixon / Nicholas Rice
TikTok: @NicholasAndrewRice
James Moses Black Returns! – Actor (Soldados O Zombies / Lansky / Queenpins)
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James Moses Black Returns!
Take a walk with me as I get to know even more about James Moses Black in his return appearance on the show. In this episode; we chat about his new Amazon Prime series Soldados O Zombies, and his new films: Lansky and Queenpins. James also tells us about his time during Covid, some really fun stories about working on set in Mexico, and he catches us up on how development is coming along with his passion project “55”. This episode has it all: AK47’s, Mexican drug cartels, Mezcal, and “more cocaine than I have ever seen for $15”!
Enjoy!
Follow James on social media:
Insta: @JamesMosesBlack_
FB: James Moses Black
BONUS: Ed Asner’s 2 Appearances (Joined) Re-Release
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Ed Asner 1929-2021
This is a bonus episode (re-release) of Ed’s two prior appearances on the show; joined into one episode.
On Sunday, August 29th, 2021 we lost an American icon.
Ed Asner was an actor from the mid 1950’s up until the day he passed; with roles in 13 films yet to be released and roles in 7 television shows, also yet to be released.
Ed served 2 terms as the president of The Screen Actors Guild from 1981 to 1985.
He won 7 Primetime Emmy Awards, was beloved by generations, and was consistently a polarizing and outspoken political activist.
More important than any of that (at least to me), is that Ed was a guest on my show not once, but twice. He could not have been more of a delight either time. Both appearances were to promote new books he had authored; and the second appearance was at his request!
This bonus episode is those two conversations; joined into one episode.
The first one was released July 25th, 2018 and at that point; the audio quality of the show wasn’t the best. Please hang in there as it is a fun episode.
The second episode was released August 10th, 2020; little more than 1 year before his passing.
In the second episode, Ed speaks fondly of his family and talks about them in great detail. This is heartfelt and you can feel the love and the longing for days long passed.
Ed was more kind to me than I could ever have hoped for; and will always hold a special place in my heart.
Blessings on a life well lived Mr. Yitzhak Ed Asner; thank you for your kindness, you will be missed.
–Steve