Ramblings of a Revenant Alien

Friend of the pod, writer-director CJ Williamson, and I get into faith, doubt, truth, reality, wild coincidences, and more.

Revenant Alien Links:

Steve Anderson is a coach for dads looking to be the best father they can be. His passion and the point of his practice, The Best Dad Program, is to give fathers the keys to unlock their relationships with their kids. Steve brings a lifetime of experience to his work and shares incredible insights in this interview from what he’s learned both as a son and a father himself, and also as a professional mentor. This one’s chock full of wisdom, and not just for dads. Anyone looking to have healthy, vibrant relationships with the people they love will find piles of gold in this episode. Enjoy!

Steve Anderson was the executive director of the Boys to Men Mentoring Network of Minnesota from 2011 to 2022, and he has led men and boys through transformative weekends in multiple states across the U.S. and internationally. He is a Certified Professional Coach and completed the Certificate Program in Applied Neuroscience from The Neuroscience School.

Episode links:

Welcome to a whole new world. Season 3 begins now.

Episode links:

Season 3 of the RRA is here, and I'm HERE FOR IT!! Sit back, relax, and enjoy.

My interview with Jonah from The Blue Collar Enlightenment show. Enjoy, while I cook up season 3 goodies. Happy New Year!

My wife, Suzanne, is a pre-published author and a deeply thoughtful person who has survived some harrowing struggles and come out wiser, stronger, and even more amazing. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a very special round in the Ramble Room!

Topics Covered

• Suzanne’s current adventures and why she chose to write a novel
• What she’s learned about writing: adapting, killing your darlings, and learning from bad books
• Why audiobooks are amazing if you’re not a speed reader, and the glory of British narrators
• Plug for public libraries — audio book gold mine, money-and-space saver!
• Being married to a verbal processor and podcaster
• An introvert being married to an extrovert, and learning to value and care for yourself as an introvert
• Suzanne’s relationship wisdom: it’s not about happiness, people will change on you, and how love is a choice
• The joy and nastiness of sick kids and spouses
• Suzanne’s pregnancy depression journey: the power of positive thinking, strength through suffering, and the gift of having a child with special needs
• Looking out for signs of despair and depression
• The power of empathy
• Suzanne’s faith journey: God’s faithfulness
• Suzanne’s theme for 2024: Impact
• Suzanne’s parting words of wisdom: fail forward! Keep trying!

Episode links:

John HH Ford is a podcaster, a voice actor, and a family man living in London, UK. He's a founding member of the Cinema Craptaculus podcast network with his team of co-hosts, behind such hits as the original Cinema Craptaculus, The Expanded Universe, and the hilarious People Also Watched. John HH has stories to tell and wisdom to share. Sit back, relax, and enjoy another round in the Ramble Room!

Topics Covered

• John’s current adventures in London, UK
• The story and evolution of Cinema Craptaculus and the CC Podcast Network
• John’s deep pop culture knowledge and the diverse perspectives and tastes in the CCN
• How John learned to podcast, then learned to get better at it
• Pros and cons: democratized technology and the ease of entry into podcasting
• Creative satisfaction vs. numerical success: podcasting for the joy of it
• Caring about your listeners: have a point!
• The WGA writers’ and SAG-AFTRA actors’ strikes, AI, and the present/future of the entertainment industry
• AI: Protecting arts and artists, evolving, adapting, and the unknown
• The tool replacing the artist, audience apathy, AI minds, and human evolution
• Learning from sci-fi: what does a future with ubiquitous AI look like?
• The freelance/creative life: making it work, with examples from voiceover
• The discipline of voiceover, and its unique challenges
• John’s spiritual foundations: lessons from mom & boy scouts: kindness, service, and local politics
• John’s final words of wisdom: why we should be curious, not fearful

For more John HH Ford/Cinema Craptaculus:

No one’s a nobody, even when we feel that way. This one’s a tribute to the hidden heroes. I hope you see yourself among them. I salute you!

Welcome to the Ramblings of a Revenant Alien. Sit back, sip something bold, and enjoy.

Chapters

00:00-Cold Open: Nobodies?

2:58-Welcome

6:37-Main Title: Not Nobodies

10:51-Faith Leaders

15:13-Parents

19:35-Teachers/Mentors/Coaches

23:40-Injured/Ill/Infirm/

27;04-Service Workers

31:23-“Worst Days” Workers

35:18-You, Me, & Everyone

39:11-Closing

Episode Links

My older brother, Loren, is the COO of an incredible non-profit called Heritage Ranch, in Baton Rouge, LA. He’s a deep thinker, a student of life and history, and he’s always deepening his knowledge of the things that really matter. Every time I chat with him, I come away wiser, and I know you will, too. Sit back, relax, and enjoy another round in the Ramble Room!

Topics Covered

• Loren’s journey with Heritage Ranch: what it is, how it works, and what it’s teaching him
• Different family dysfunctions and how Heritage Ranch helps families tackle them
• Parenting with a training mindset vs. a controlling mindset
• The power of apologizing to your kids when you mess up, and other insights
• How Loren balances ideation with execution
• Loren’s podcast recommendations
• Imagine Heaven — the inexplicable nature of near-death experiences
• Works that have influenced Loren
• People that have influenced Loren
• Loren’s faith journey and what he’s learning now
• Loren’s parting words of wisdom: action brings clarity

For more Loren:

Lawrence Ribeiro is an action director, a stunt professional, and much, much more. He’s worked and traveled all over the world, executing action filmmaking at the highest levels. In 2018, he released a book detailing his approach, called Action Realism: The Art of Action, both a primer and a masterclass. He’s also chief creative officer of Art and Action Productions, based out of the UK. Sit back, relax, and enjoy another round in the Ramble Room!

Topics covered

• Lawrence’s globe-trotting adventures and what he’s up to now
• Lawrence’s focus on marrying sound with visuals to create better action sequences
• How Lawrence learned action filmmaking/action directing: stunt camp to pre-vis to taking the helm
• How age affects stunt actors
• How action filmmaking is more than stunts
• How stunt coordinators’ goal is perfect safety
• How skilled stunt drivers are
• Lawrence’s favorite action films
• Story is king
• The Marvel debate: content vs. film
• Learning filmmaking from the masters: nail the details, get into the nitty gritty, and elevate your craft
• Staying curious, examining the masters, and trying to beat them
• The art of cinema: robust as any medium, more than just content
• What Lawrence has learned in his travels: pros and cons, beautiful places, getting outside your own cultural perspective, and finding what you’re into
• Lawrence’s personal philosophy and ethics
• Winning the game of life

For more Lawrence Ribeiro:

To grow is life. But what does it mean? What does it take? And how is it done? Let’s muse…

Welcome to the Ramblings of a Revenant Alien. Sit back, sip something bold, and enjoy.

Chapters

00:00-Cold Open: Progress and Regress

2:58-Welcome

6:25-Main Title: To Grow

11:11-Committed Relationships

16:00-Big Tents & Grace

20:42-The Right Kind

24:21-Nothing Wasted/Serenity

29:06-Good Reapers

34:53-Rest and Relaxation

39:35-Giants Together

43:29-Closing

Episode Links

Elliot Schiff is a voice actor, a husband, a father, and a good friend. Every time we chat, I come away encouraged, enlightened, and inspired. He has that amazing gift of being able to make whoever he's talking to feel like the most important person in the world, and he's got one of the brightest outlooks and kindest spirits of anyone I've ever met. Sit back, relax, and enjoy another round in the Ramble Room!

Topics covered

• Elliot’s recent work: Harry Potter: Magic Awakened, Watcher of Realms, audio description for Succession, The White Lotus, One Tree Hill, and more
• How Elliot found his way into voice acting
• Elliot’s day to day: exercises, staying in shape, protecting your voice, and dealing with illness
• Creating characters
• Advice for aspiring voice actors: persistence, willingness to learn, contracts/future use/AI riders
• AI horror stories and the reasons behind the strikes
• How Elliot’s Orthodox Jewish tradition and story sense influence each other
• Potential goods with AI: audio description at volume and for past properties that can’t afford voice actors
• Elliot’s thoughts on the state of the world: moderating your news intake, protecting your kids, and being aware
• Elliot’s family’s experience of the Holocaust
• How the Orthodox Jewish faith builds community
• Elliot’s final words of wisdom: a word from Mr. Rogers and Lost

For more Elliot Schiff:

Why do we want what we want? It seems that most of life is longing, striving, struggling to birth the future, and yet we so rarely stop to figure out the reason for the yearning. What might our longings be trying to tell us?

Welcome to the Ramblings of a Revenant Alien. Sit back, sip something bold, and enjoy.

Chapters

00:00-Cold Open: The Longing

2:58-Welcome

6:44-Main Title: Imagining Satisfaction

10:17-Golden Rule

16:23-Releasing Dreams

22:12-The Feel of Infinity

26:24-Split Humanity

32:31-Clawing for Ecstasy

37:29-The Need to Need

41:27-Made For Another World-Closing

46:09-Closing

Episode Links

Lynn Renee Maxcy is an award-winning TV and movie writer. She wrote on the first three seasons of the Emmy-winning series The Handmaid's Tale before branching off into other work. Though she enjoys writing dark, dystopian worlds, she always finds a way to infuse them with hope. Once the WGA strike is over, she’ll be diving back into several projects in both TV and film. She’s a long time LA friend, an absolute gem, and and a model of what it means to overcome struggle and stay joyful. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to make your way into writing for a living and how you might discover how to tell your own stories, you’ll enjoy this one. Sit back, relax, and enjoy another round in the Ramble Room!

Chapters

00:00-Opening Music, Preview, and Intro

2:27-Lynn’s stories: sci-fi, future worlds, and the WGA Strike

7:13-Lynn’s writing journey: prose beginnings to a TV writing career, and writing for The Handmaid’s Tale

15:21-TV Shows that inspire Lynn: extraordinary worlds, human stories

18:55-Why stories help us live, and the writer’s journey

26:32-Advice for those considering a writing career

34:13-Learning resilience: pushing through to the ‘yes’

41:48-Is writing is for you? Tell yourself the truth

47:50-Lynn’s faith: love God, love people, and build the world you want to live in

50:46-Final words of wisdom: find your voice and go for it!

53:24-Closing

For more Lynn Renee Maxcy:

Sometimes, the blues are just the blues. The only way through is to share the pain.

Welcome to the Ramblings of a Revenant Alien. Sit back, sip something bold, and enjoy.

Chapters

00:00-Cold Open: True Blues

2:48-Welcome

6:45-Main Title: Those Endless Afternoons

10:00-Hard to Imagine

15:03-Digital Cavemen

19:00-Fear of Being Known

23:05-The Necessity of Hope

27:20-The Tragedy of Decay

32:13-People Still Die

36:28-The Solace of Us

40:26-Closing

Clay Reed is a creator, writer, producer, thinker, and pioneer. He’s always looking to harness the future to empower storytellers, and his ruminations always expand my mind. The earnest, thoughtful vision he brings to the world is a breath of fresh air, and I know you’ll enjoy listening to this wide-ranging interview. Sit back, relax, and enjoy another round in the Ramble Room.

Chapters

00:00-Opening Music, Preview, and Introduction

3:22-Clay’s recent rebirth into a creative life

17:18-How Clay became a first adopter

21:23-The pursuit of art: from freedom, into the system, and back to freedom

32:57-Pursuing creativity: animation, Jack London, and the spirit of adventure

38:50-Clay’s thoughts on Artificial Intelligence (AI)

46:34-Faith and creativity/Universal stories

50:45-Clay’s word of wisdom, and Closing

For more Clay Reed:

How we go out matters. Come on along and let’s muse about endings, and beginnings, and everything in between. Dedicated to my late grandma, Eleanor, who had a very good death indeed.

Welcome to the Ramblings of a Revenant Alien. Sit back, sip something bold, and enjoy.

Chapters

00:00-Cold Open: This Isn’t a Downer

1:42-Welcome

5:10-Main Title: New Beginnings Need Ends

9:03-The Beauty of Lost Faith: Restoration

13:36-The Samurai’s Obsession

17:02-A Time to Quit?

23:13-Grandma Eleanor

27:05-The Best Death

32:02-Memorial Day

36:45-Leaving A Mark

40:33-Closing

Andy Taylor is a podcaster, a homebrewer and beer lover, a writer on Medium, a father and husband, and much, much more. He hails from Cardiff, in Wales, the United Kingdom, and both hosts and produces the outstanding beer podcast Nant Fawr Brews. I've been so inspired by his enthusiasm, his passion, and his evolution as a podcast host and advocate for the UK beer scene and beyond, and I’m thrilled he agreed to come on the show. Sit back, relax, and enjoy another round in the Ramble Room.

Chapters

00:00-Opening Music, Preview, and Intro

3:25-Andy’s story: everything is connected, change, discovery, doubt, defeat, and rebirth

17:10-Nant Fawr Brews: Andy’s podcast, built on stories and conversations around beer, the joy of brewing, and the community and magic that beer and podcasting create

29:07-Andy’s core values and how he locked them in: making a difference, standing for something, and how clarity helps you lead

35:21-Andy’s fight to establish his positivity value: boarding school competitiveness, self-criticism, and learning to be kind to yourself

42:19-Andy’s reflections on finding time to live: do less, not more, and go camping!

49:43-Andy’s story with faith: the acceptance he found at the Christian Union at his boarding school, and where he's currently at with it all

57:12-Andy’s closing words of wisdom: be the real you, and done beats perfect every time

1:01:00-Closing

For more Andy Taylor:

A look back at Season 1 and some of my favorite bits from those early days of the pod. Every journey takes twists and turns you never expect. Surveying the road you’ve traveled is a satisfying, sobering, and soul-strengthening thing. Hope you enjoy the view. 

Welcome to the Ramblings of a Revenant Alien. Sit back, sip something bold, and enjoy.

Chapters

00:00-Cold Open: Worth the Journey

2:56-Welcome

5:56-Burn the Ships, from the pilot episode

9:51-My Motorcycle Wreck, from Ep. 6 - Lessons in the Wreckage

12:53-The Storm, from Ep. 7 - In Nature

17:32-Disease, from Ep. 8 - The Darkness

22:05-Do It Your Way, from Ep. 10 - Art/Creation

25:13-The Cards We’re Dealt, from Ep. 4 - Chance & Fate

29:33-Why I Hate Marketing, from Ep. 5 - Truth & Propaganda

33:27-We’re All Black Sheep, from Ep. 18 - Black Sheep

35:06-Closing

Sarah Rhea Werner is a writer, speaker, veteran podcaster and podcasting mentor, a voice actress, an author, and an all around luminary. Despite her years of success, she’s as down to earth and kind as they come. She’s always looking to encourage any and all creators, and this interview is no exception. Sit back, relax, and enjoy another round in the Ramble Room.

Chapters

00:00-Opening Music and Preview

3:30-Sarah’s story, from reader to storyteller

6:00-Staying creative and keeping your soul in a 9 to 5

12:08-The Story of Girl in Space, and what’s coming next

19:01-Finding your creative method, and the myth of balance

24:54-Writing comprises all of life: walks, rest, reading, et al

28:58-Why Sarah started mentoring other creators

37:09-A word for new creators

44:03-What’s inspiring Sarah lately

49:21-Writing as a spiritual act: Sarah’s story with faith & creativity

55:23-Wisdom from Sarah: Make them tell you no

58:34-Closing

For more Sarah Rhea Werner:

What does it mean to live the good life? What about a good life? Are they different? How so? Let’s dig in…

Welcome to the Ramblings of a Revenant Alien. Sit back, sip something bold, and enjoy.

Chapters

00:00-Cold Open: The Good Life?

02:56-Welcome

05:25-Main Title: The Search for Wisdom

09:01-You Can Never Be Your Hero

14:07-Eulogy for Granddad

19:17-Messy Kids and the Fear of Loss

24:10-Live While You Can

29:02-The Value of Temptation

34:22-I’m Not a Great Friend

39:42-L’Chaim

43:22-Closing

Kevin Winslow is an actor and IT professional, a martial artist, and a life-long LA friend. Best of all, he knows how to tell a good story and drop some needed wisdom on us all. Sit back, relax, and enjoy another round in the Ramble Room.

Chapters:

00:00-Opening Music and Preview

1:05-How time flies in LA/Kevin’s story

7:00-The trap of over-preparation, and knowing when to jump in

11:25-What a background artist does

16:25-Awards shows and celebrity personas vs. reality

21:33-How the entertainment industry is a grind and a gamble

25:06-Acting: a great audition doesn’t guarantee a role

29:20-Career paths vs. dream gambles, and double standards in creative success

35:07-Performers: introverts vs. extroverts — Jack Nicholson, Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, George Clooney, and the real person vs. the celebrity persona

46:01-Christianity, midlife crises, and finding our life’s story

51:40-Faith means giving up your life to something higher

1:01:13-Don’t gamble with your life: count the cost

1:08:26-Closing

Life is weird. But so is truth. Let's talk about it.

Welcome to the Ramblings of a Revenant Alien. Sit back, sip something bold, and enjoy.

Chapters

00:00-Cold Open

02:56-Welcome

05:26-Main Title

09:52-There Are No Ideal Schedules

14:48-The Magic of Mass Media

19:02-The Hero's Journey

24:33-Conan the Barbarian and the Death of Our Icons

29:52-Lost Innocence and the Strangeness of Sorrow, Regret, and Pain

36:21-The Strangeness of Evil

41:06-Altars Are Everywhere

47:56-Closing

Kenneith Perrin is a recording artist, songwriter, performer, and a praying man who helps keep me grounded. We cover a wide range of topics, from Kenneith’s humble beginnings all the way to now. Sit back, be inspired, and enjoy another round in the Ramble Room!

Topics:

00:00-Opening Music and Preview

01:57-Kenneith’s story and musical journey

03:52-Learning patience, fortitude, and surrender in your calling

09:08-The gauntlet of Los Angeles

11:03-Finding your team and sticking to your vision

13:20-Staying grounded

16:44-Kenneith’s musical influences

20:40-Music, DNA, and quantum connections

23:24-Balancing creative productivity and downtime

30:24-The ups and downs of touring, and taking care of your people

35:16-How Kenneith keeps things gelling with bandmates

39:09-The ephemeral yet eternal nature of live music

41:28-Kenneith’s faith journey with Jesus

44:30-Having an active, growing, real-world faith

49:23-Seasons, timing, and seizing the day

52:09-Living your creative calling, regardless of results, and hanging in

55:25-Wisdom closer: No means Next - learning not to take rejection personally, and staying persistent

For more Kenneith Perrin:

Small things can be just as glorious as any colossal grandeur. Tiny things like friendship. Moments of kindness. The truth. Listen in for my thoughts on the subject, and enjoy some blues along the way.

Welcome to the Ramblings of a Revenant Alien. Sit back, sip something bold, and enjoy.

Joe Burke is a writer, director, actor, podcaster, series creator, storyteller, teacher, all-around force of nature, and a swell guy. We cover everything from the power of change and vulnerability to how Tom Cruise may have saved movie theaters, and so much more. Sit back and enjoy another round in the Ramble Room!

Topics:

How change brings new energy, new people, and new things

Not waiting around for permission to create

Tom Cruise, Top Gun: Maverick, and giving 110% as a creative

The media machine as an obstacle to telling good stories

How teaching something makes you better at it

Being our true selves

Learning to have conversations without being combative

How to break away from your phone and embrace adventure

For more Joe Burke:

The world is full of realities that fill us with wonder, be it confusion or awe. What do you say we take a moment and wonder along together? Welcome to the Ramblings of a Revenant Alien. Sit back, sip something bold, and enjoy.

Life is a mundane and glorious journey. Each moment, we're building something. How will our story end? That's to be determined…

Welcome to the Ramblings of a Revenant Alien. Sit back, sip something bold, and enjoy.

Glass Onion, a Knives Out Mystery:

Welcome to the premiere of season 2! New rambles, new flavors, and new things. Let’s have at it!

Welcome to the Ramblings of a Revenant Alien. Sit back, sip something bold, and enjoy.

Digging for Diamonds (not gold!) comic strip:

Today’s guest is my dear friend, writer/director C.J. Williamson, a deep thinker and a natural storyteller. Come be a fly on the wall as we talk about film, creativity, fatherhood, and how to talk faith without startin' a fight.

My name’s Ransom. Welcome to the Ramble Room.

The new year is upon us! Time to look back, take stock, and cast a vision for the future. It’s gonna take resolve… Let’s do this.

Welcome to the Ramblings of a Revenant Alien podcast. Sit back, take a sip’a somethin’ bold, and enjoy yourself.

A little holiday humor and historical hope for ya. Merry Christmas and happy holidays, everybody!

Welcome to the Ramblings of a Revenant Alien podcast. Sit back, take a sip’a somethin’ bold, and enjoy yourself. But beware of spit takes…

How many of us really live out what we truly are? How many of us even know? Can you even know? How? From where? Let’s ramble away and see if we can't figure a few things out…

Welcome to the Ramblings of a Revenant Alien podcast. Sit back, take a sip’a somethin’ bold, and enjoy yourself.

Today’s featured guest is Arnon Shorr. He’s a storyteller, director, screenwriter, author, and more. Settle on in for some wit, wisdom, and blues. Hope you enjoy!

My name’s Ransom. Welcome to the Ramble Room.

For more Arnon Shorr:

For those with open eyes, blessings are everywhere, even if they’re hard to find. Come and give thanks with me. It’ll do your heart good!

Welcome to the Ramblings of a Revenant Alien podcast. Sit back, take a sip’a somethin’ bold, and enjoy yourself.

For more Matt Bradford:

Today, I interview my dad, Vic. He’s an incredible man who’s lived an incredible life, from pastor's kid and athlete, to soldier, to pastor himself, and now to jail chaplain. And he’s got some stories and wisdom to share, lemme tell ya. Hope you enjoy!

My name’s Ransom. Welcome to the Ramble Room.

Links from the interview:

It’s Halloween season! Time to ramble down a spooky trail through the woods and take a gander at the monsters that terrify and enthrall us…

Welcome to the Ramblings of a Revenant Alien podcast. Sit back, take a sip’a somethin’ bold, and enjoy yourself.

Justin Warren is a filmmaker, screenwriter, recording artist, new father, and so much more. He’s also one of my dearest friends. Sit in on our conversation, have a few laughs, and leave with wisdom and lightness in your heart.

My name’s Ransom. Welcome to the Ramble Room.

For more Justin Warren:

Then There Was Joe

A celebration of the weird, the complicated, the gloriously different, and the under-appreciated. Black sheep, this one’s for you.

Welcome to the Ramblings of a Revenant Alien podcast. Sit back, take a sip’a somethin’ bold, and enjoy yourself.

Sometimes, you just gotta drop a bonus episode. Today is that day. Hang onto your hats, everybody: this one's unscripted...

Welcome to the Ramblings of a Revenant Alien podcast. Sit back, take a sip’a somethin’ bold, and enjoy yourself.

These are the Ramblings of a Revenant Alien, with new episodes every other Friday and sometimes in between, if the spirit moves. Sit back, take a sip’a somethin’ bold, and enjoy yourself.

Don’t be a stranger. Godspeed. And I’ll see you out there.

Does the cynic see more clearly than the rest of us? Or is he missin’ somethin’?

Welcome to the Ramblings of a Revenant Alien podcast. Sit back, take a sip’a somethin’ bold, and enjoy yourself.

Wrath. Anger. Fury. Ire. Rage has many names and comes in many forms. What good does it do, if any? Good question. Let’s dive in.

Welcome to the Ramblings of a Revenant Alien podcast. Sit back, take a sip’a somethin’ bold, and enjoy yourself.

Pleasure is a mystery, dangerous and glorious. It can transport us and destroy us. Might even show us the truth. If we have eyes to see...

Welcome to the Ramblings of a Revenant Alien podcast. Sit back, take a sip’a somethin’ bold, and enjoy yourself.