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Experimentally ILL

Experimentally ILL

By Michael O’Toole

Experimentally ILL is a bohemian arts and entertainment podcast produced/hosted by multi-media artist Michael O’Toole. Get to know funny and fascinating friends filmmaker Lawrence Hollie, "weird local artist" D.L. Polonsky, irrepressible entertainer Quincy Brisco and others as they talk DIY art, pop culture, movies, mental health and more. The show also features long-form one-on-one interviews with New England area and internationally recognized countercultural artists, performers, musicians, filmmakers and creative thinkers. Visit ExperimentallyILL.com for 100+ episodes.
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Currently playing episode

#114 1/17/24 LA Filmmaker Lawrence Hollie to talk Art and Mental Health

Experimentally ILL Jan 18, 2024

00:00
01:12:12
#114 1/17/24 LA Filmmaker Lawrence Hollie to talk Art and Mental Health

#114 1/17/24 LA Filmmaker Lawrence Hollie to talk Art and Mental Health

Hosts and long-time friends Michael O'Toole and Lawrence return for the long-running Experimentally ILL podcast in this proposed "reboot" episode. The New England and California filmmakers and artists discuss the relationship between creativity and mental health.
Additionally, the other current ILL projects are touched on, like their short "Experimentally ILL" experimental films which have played as part of Boston Open Screen at The Coolidge Corner Theatre. Open Screen takes place the second Tuesday of the month at 7PM. Visit Coolidge dot org for tickets. More info: Experimentally ILL dot com
Watch the half-hour Experimentally ILL TV series on CCTV in Cambridge, MA Thursdays at 8PM EST on CCTV Channel 8. It is also available at CCTVCambridge dot org
It can also be seen on Needham Channel's community channel Sundays at 8PM in Needham, MA or at NeedhamChannel dot org
In this renewed, ongoing audio effort, stay tuned for a new podcast episode on or around the 17th of the month (at least.)
Where there's an ILL, there's a way! Be part of the Experiment in '24 and more!
Jan 18, 202401:12:12
#113 9/30/23 Guest: LA Filmmaker Lawrence Hollie to talk ILL CCTV Cambridge debut and public access TV at large

#113 9/30/23 Guest: LA Filmmaker Lawrence Hollie to talk ILL CCTV Cambridge debut and public access TV at large

Experimentally ILL with Michael O'Toole #113 9/30/23 Guest: LA Filmmaker Lawrence Hollie to talk ILL CCTV Cambridge debut and public access TV at large. Michael's documentary plays The Screaming Ostrich Film Fest 10/14/23 1PM West Newton Cinema

Oct 15, 202302:23:15
Active Radio With Hartley Pleshaw: Guests Filmmaker Michael O' Toole of Experimentally ILL on CCTV Cambridge and John McGuinness of Screaming Ostrich International Film Fest - 10 5 23

Active Radio With Hartley Pleshaw: Guests Filmmaker Michael O' Toole of Experimentally ILL on CCTV Cambridge and John McGuinness of Screaming Ostrich International Film Fest - 10 5 23

Experimentally ILL podcast presents this clip of Active Radio with Hartley Pleshaw 10-5-2023 broadcast from WCAP-AM 980. Guests: John McGuinness of Screaming Ostrich International Film Festival and Filmmaker Michael Phelan O'Toole of Experimentally ILL on CCTV Cambridge.John speaks about the history of the Ostrich fest and Michael talks about his short "Artificial Intelligence with Hartley Pleshaw" (playing 10-14-23 at West Newton Cinema) and his media career retrospective documentary (playing at the fest 10-15-23 - both at 1PM EST).Visit ScreamingOstrich.wordpress.com and ExperimentallyILL.com for more information. Active Radio is live every Saturday 10AM EST from 980 WCAP-AM and on https://980wcap.com

Oct 14, 202332:30
Experimentally ILL with Michael O'Toole #112 8/11/2023 Guest: Artist D.L. Polonsky & Filmmaker Lawrence Hollie talk ILL CCTV show and Fan Expo Boston comic con

Experimentally ILL with Michael O'Toole #112 8/11/2023 Guest: Artist D.L. Polonsky & Filmmaker Lawrence Hollie talk ILL CCTV show and Fan Expo Boston comic con

Experimentally ILL’s Michael O'Toole welcomes artist D.L. Polonsky & filmmaker Lawrence Hollie to talk the upcoming Experimentally ILL CCTV show and Mike and DL shooting footage at Fan Expo Boston comic con 2023. Lawrence, Mike and D.L. discuss Spiderman, Star Wars, Danny Trejo, cosplaying at a comic con, indie filmmaking and more.
Aug 22, 202303:14:10
#111 Artist/Writer/Filmmaker D.L. Polonsky 1/18/2023
Jan 21, 202302:32:37
Experimentally ILL with Michael O'Toole #110 Guest: LA Filmmaker/Actor Lawrence Hollie for a tribute to late Artist/Outlaw Poet/Filmmaker Mick Cusimano 9/15/22
Sep 23, 202201:47:26
#109 Artist D.L. Polonsky Returns Live 3/12/2022
May 22, 202201:12:47
#108 “The Professor Of Surrealism" Mick Cusimano Returns - Poet/Cartoonist/Filmmaker 2/16/22

#108 “The Professor Of Surrealism" Mick Cusimano Returns - Poet/Cartoonist/Filmmaker 2/16/22

“The Professor Of Surrealism" returns as Michael O'Toole reconnects with the great poet/cartoonist/filmmaker #MickCusimano on this episode 108 of his podcast #ExperimentallyILL to celebrate Mick’s continuing creativity in the wake of a cancer diagnosis.

Checkout episode 82 for even more Mick life story, and visit
mcusiman.tripod.com to read his writing and view his cartoons and live-action cinematic surrealism. Hear these old friends recount making movies like Don’t Spill The Eggs together, Mick’s world travels to many film festivals and more. Get inspired by Mick Cusimano’s zest for art and life!

Recorded on 2/16/22, this episode featuring a luminary of the New England film scene is now available on @anchor.fm, @ApplePodcasts, @spotifypodcasts, @stitcherpodcasts and more. Subscribe there or visit anchor.fm/ExperimentallyILL to never miss a show. On Instagram the link is in Michael’s bio. The direct link to this episode on the Experimentally ILL site is experimentallyill.wordpress.com/2022/04/28/experimentally-ill-with-michael-otoole-108-the-professor-of-surrealism-mick-cusimano-returns-poet-cartoonist-filmmaker-2-16-22/
Apr 26, 202201:10:11
#107 The Lone Ranger Of Rock, KEG 11/19/21

#107 The Lone Ranger Of Rock, KEG 11/19/21

Punk, writer, filmmaker & podcaster Michael O’Toole’s #ExperimentallyILL makes a triumphant return with a kickin long-form chat where The Lone Ranger Of Rock, KEG comes out from under a rock to become The Lone Ranger of Talk! Listen to 107 on @anchor.fm, #ApplePodcasts, #Spotify, Stitcher & more. Checkout this and other eps for insightful and funny artist chats where alternative culture meets pop culture. Email Keg for advice on DIY music at KEG AT KegRocks Dot Com. Tell a friend. Bang your head as you hear what’s said about the one-man arena-rock band & actor KEG AKA @RealKrisKegley. Keg’s catchy music, intense live shows and iconic rock n roll style has landed the Seattle native appearances on network TV like season 4 of @NBC's @AGT (@nickcannon, @piersmorgan, @sharonosbourne, @davidhasselhoff) & #GordonRamsey’s Cook-A-Long, when not having tunes hand-picked for radio like punk icon #HenryRollins's @KCRW show. He can also be seen in episode 2 of Cameron Crow’s #Roadies, with Luke Wilson. Off the heels of press in @USAToday, TV Guide & #PunkGlobeMagazine, Keg played all over the world, including sharing the stage with big acts like @FloggingMolly, @larsfrederiksen of @Rancid, @AceySlade (#JoanJett, #Misfits, Dope), #Dolomite Rudy Ray Moore and @peelanderz. He has played such lauded events as @vanswarpedtour, @sxsw and others.  Michael talks movies, music and catches up with Keg about what he’s been up to lately, like collaborating with mutual friends @gothrobot2.0 & music video director @lawrencehollie73. They cover movie making experiences like meeting The Fonz, share rock tales & a love for @henryandheidi, #AndrewWK, #motorhead and @joanjett. Our heroes also commiserate on obstacles as an artist, how to motivate each other & more Visit http://KegRocks.Com and follow him. Subscribe where you get podcasts, follow @MichaelPOToole and visit http://ExperimentallyILL.Com for more artist chats. DO IT! Thanks. #DontGetInTheVanWithKeg
Dec 08, 202104:02:24
#82 “The Professor Of Surrealism” Mick Cusimano - Filmmaker/Poet/Cartoonist 8/22/2015

#82 “The Professor Of Surrealism” Mick Cusimano - Filmmaker/Poet/Cartoonist 8/22/2015

Michael O’Toole hosts a hearty two hour journey through some of legendary New England surrealist cartoonist/poet/filmmaker Mick Cusimano’s life story. This covers his extensive travels to France, London (where he stumbled into a huge underground techno rave filled with hippies and punks), Greece and more, his meetings with celebrities like Vincent Price, Tracy Chapman & Hunter S Thompson, his artistic process as a touring Outlaw Poet, indie filmmaker on the international festival circuit, co-founder of Squawk Coffee House and his own Underground Surrealist cartoon and poetry zine (distributed through all Tower Records stores). Talk turns to his regular comic strip in New England film and video magazine Imagine, his brush with the hippie and beatnik culture and more! Checkout more Mick at http://MCusiman.Tripod.com
Dec 07, 202102:02:21
#97 I.T. guy Chris Kimball talks tech, Star Trek, Speed 2, Starship Troopers, social media 6/10/2016

#97 I.T. guy Chris Kimball talks tech, Star Trek, Speed 2, Starship Troopers, social media 6/10/2016

Experimentally ILL Radio 97 with @MikeOToole ExperimentallyILL.com AIR DATE 6.10.2016 Guest: I.T. genius Chris Kimball talks technology, social media, creating good, conscious internet content, the Experimentally ILL brand and podcasting, internet security concerns, pop culture and entertainment like his love for the philosophies of Star Trek, being a fan of the film Starship Troopers and it’s animated series, his hatred for Speed 2: Cruise Control, the invention of recyclable rockets, Facebook collecting and selling personal data and it’s ad program, Japan’s high-tech toilets, the use of sexy chat-bots that dudes thought were real women, augmented reality interactive video games, Facebook curating their trending news topics, the Hilary Clinton email server controversy and her being investigated by the FBI, on-the-job anecdotes as an IT guy, his Star Trek shirt, @xmissmarymackx and the phenomenon of taking selfies and more!

Sep 29, 202102:15:09
#99 Filmmaker John Hartman of Reel Groovy Films 11/10/2016

#99 Filmmaker John Hartman of Reel Groovy Films 11/10/2016

Experimentally ILL 99 with @MikeOToole Guest: Filmmaker John Hartman of Reel Groovy Films 11/10/2016

Jun 14, 202102:07:56
#98 Spoken Word Poet/Musician/Actor and expert comic book fan Joseph James Bellamy 6/23/16

#98 Spoken Word Poet/Musician/Actor and expert comic book fan Joseph James Bellamy 6/23/16

Experimentally ILL Radio 98 with #MikeOToole ExperimentallyILL.com AIR DATE 6/23/2016 Guest: Spoken Word Poet/Musician/Actor and expert comic book fan Joseph James Bellamy via phone talks comic book and geek culture becoming pop culture, current technology based off Star Trek premises, Marvel and DC comics history, his superhero-themed tattoos and finding positive role models in DC & Marvel's iconic heroes, superhero film and TV properties like Batman V Superman, Teen Titans, Fantastic 4 and the Johnny Storm "race swapping" controversy and how he hooked up with a bunch of aliens, The Flash, the Blade films helping kick off the superhero film boom, Martian Manhunter VS Cyborg and the Justice League movie, Wonder Wonder and the lasso of truth's BDSM origins, Spider-Man history, his appearance in Captain America: Civil War and how the character targets Marvel's original key demographic and teaches young people to cope with tragedy and take responsibility to help others, Jurassic Park and dinosaurs, killer whales, his distaste for cats and love of sharks, his own film acting endeavors, how to approach differences in opinion and more! Where there is an ILL, there is a way -so be part of the Experiment! Thanks to the always-engaging Joe for these 2 hours of well-spoken, passionate chatter on cinema, heroes, art and storytelling at large! 

Jun 13, 202102:12:30
#106 LA Indie Filmmaker Lawrence Hollie, Allston, MA Artist/Writer D.L. Polonsky & Newburyport, MA Musician Raleigh Stein via phone.
Jun 01, 202102:01:04
#105 TJ Welch of The Welch Boys, The Blue Bloods & Sonic Lobotomy TV show 2/23/2019

#105 TJ Welch of The Welch Boys, The Blue Bloods & Sonic Lobotomy TV show 2/23/2019

Experimentally ILL Radio with @MikeOToole #105 Date: 2/23/2019 Guest: TJ Welch of The Welch Boys, The Blue Bloods & Sonic Lobotomy TV show

Jun 01, 202101:17:31
#104 Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir Animated TV Series Writer/"The Wheal" Goth Musician Frederic Lenoir 8/25/2018

#104 Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir Animated TV Series Writer/"The Wheal" Goth Musician Frederic Lenoir 8/25/2018

Experimentally ILL Radio 104 with @MikeOToole Air Date: 8/25/2018 Guest: "Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir" Animated TV Series Writer/"The Wheal" Goth Musician/Indie Filmmaker Frederic Lenoir

Jun 01, 202102:09:32
#103 Actor/Producer/Director Eric R. Eastman 5/17/2018

#103 Actor/Producer/Director Eric R. Eastman 5/17/2018

Experimentally ILL Radio 103 with @MikeOToole 5/17/2018 Guest: Actor/Producer/Director Eric R. Eastman talks acting in John Hartman's Ghost Bridge, directing the award-winning Spin The Plate, appearing in Reel Groovy Films' Quest For The Indie Tube, Brina's Transexuals From Space, shooting the El Terrifico grind house trailer at Vermin Supreme's place and more.

May 30, 202101:03:59
#102 Filmmaker/Former Co-host Lawrence Hollie - Part 2 of 100's Los Angeles, CA Reunion

#102 Filmmaker/Former Co-host Lawrence Hollie - Part 2 of 100's Los Angeles, CA Reunion

Experimentally ILL Radio 102 with @MikeOToole 11/26/2017 Filmmaker @LawrenceHollie - Part 2 of LA ride, talking visiting the Rainbow Bar and Grill & Lemmy from Moorhead's statue, Whiskey A Go Go, Button Mash Barcade, retro video games, memories of being extras in Kevin Smith's comedy film Zach and Miri Make A Porno and more!
May 29, 202101:39:23
#101 Kelly AKA 'The Purple Aura Love Goddess' - Rhode Island Spirit Medium/Holistic Healer/Artist/Belly Dancer/Raver 9/30/2017

#101 Kelly AKA 'The Purple Aura Love Goddess' - Rhode Island Spirit Medium/Holistic Healer/Artist/Belly Dancer/Raver 9/30/2017

Experimentally ILL Radio 101 with @MikeOToole Air Date: 9/30/2017 Guest: Rhode Island Spirit Medium/Holistic Healer/Artist/Belly Dancer/Raver Kelly AKA 'The Purple Aura Love Goddess' gives tarot readings to Mike and phone callers and talks 'the strange and unusual,' New Age and alternative culture, communicating with spirits including her parents, counseling clients as a medium, coping with death, reiki crystals and their supposed healing properties, working and training at Wild Witches, attending raves and making her own clothes, being a teenage goth, overcoming obstacles and following one's creative path, art at large and pursuing painting and cartooning, media saturation and the falsehood of 'reality' television, the all-inclusiveness and cathartic nature of her belly dancing experience, spirit mediums in popular culture and more! Find her at http://facebook.com/purpleauralovegoddess!
May 28, 202102:03:54
#100 Michael O'Toole & Filmmaker Lawrence Hollie - LA Reunion, Justice League review 11/2017

#100 Michael O'Toole & Filmmaker Lawrence Hollie - LA Reunion, Justice League review 11/2017

Experimentally ILL Radio #100 Michael O'Toole & Filmmaker Lawrence Hollie ExperimentallyILL.com 11/2017 LA Reunion, Justice League review and more pop culture talk.

May 27, 202103:04:57