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My Fame, Explained

My Fame, Explained

By Larry Gilbert Jr

My Fame, Explained podcast will take you on a unique journey through the lives and minds of influencers in the realm of pop-culture, entertainment, business, sports, technology and more. We'll learn how they became famous, their inspiring stories, and how their contributions have impacted society. Hosted by Larry Gilbert (New episodes drop the first Monday of every month)
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E11: Nik Wallenda, "King of the Highwire"

My Fame, ExplainedOct 05, 2020

00:00
20:56
E34: Devo Harris, Producer, Tech Entrepreneur, and Grammy Winner
Mar 04, 202438:31
E33: Dr. Leonard Kleinrock, Computer Scientist and Internet Pioneer

E33: Dr. Leonard Kleinrock, Computer Scientist and Internet Pioneer

Dr. Leonard Kleinrock is a computer scientist who developed the mathematical theory behind packet switching. He sent the first message between two computers on a network that was a precursor of the Internet. His is a distinguished Professor of Computer Science at UCLA. He has published over 250 papers and authored six books.


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Feb 06, 202401:08:18
E32: Helena Nicklin, Wine and Spirits Writer and Influencer, host of Amazon Prime's 'The Three Drinkers'
Jan 01, 202434:55
E31: Christine Lakin, Actress, Director and Producer

E31: Christine Lakin, Actress, Director and Producer

Listen: Apple Podcasts — Spotify — Everywhere Else

Christine Lakin began her acting career at a young age growing up in Atlanta, GA. She is best known for her role as Alicia "Al" Lambert on the 1990s ABC sitcom 'Step by Step.' Beyond acting, directing and producing, she performs voice-over work including the voice of Joyce Kinney on FOX's 'Family Guy.'

Follow Christine Lakin on Facebook and Instagram.

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Feb 10, 202329:40
E30: Robert Powells, Founder of The Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shops

E30: Robert Powells, Founder of The Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shops

Known as the largest candy and soda shop franchise in America, Robert Powells, along with his business partner Ryan Morgan, founded The Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shops. Though Powells has since sold his interests in the brand, there'w now over 100 locations in the U.S. and Canada. In 2015, he was featured on an episode of CBS's Undercover Boss. He has written a book titled, The Story of Rocket Fizz, America's Largest Soda Pop and Candy Shop Franchising Company.

Follow Rocket Fizz on Facebook and Instagram.

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Dec 05, 202254:23
E29: Robert Metcalfe, Ethernet Inventor, Engineer and Entrepreneur
Oct 03, 202232:37
E28: Maja Kuczyńska, Skydiving Champion & Red Bull Athlete

E28: Maja Kuczyńska, Skydiving Champion & Red Bull Athlete

Maja Kuczyńska, 22, was introduced to skydiving by her father when she was 10 years-old during a tandem jump with him. Five years later should would go on to become the junior champion in freestyle at the FAI competition in Prague. Participating in both outdoor and indoor tunnel skydiving as a Red Bull athlete, she has amazed a following of over a million on TikTok and 400k on Instagram posting her jump videos. She has lived in many cities around the world including Munich, Paris and Prague. She currently lives in Wroclaw and trains alternately in Wroclaw and Warsaw, Poland where she is originally from.

Follow Maja Kuczynska on TikTok and Instagram.

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Sep 05, 202225:02
E27: Jon Gabrus, Comedian and Actor

E27: Jon Gabrus, Comedian and Actor

Jon Gabrus is an actor and comedian, best known for his work on MTV's Guy Code. He's had roles in TV Land's 'Younger,' 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine,' and 'Bones.' His podcast credits include, 'High & Mighty Podcast,' 'Raised By TV' and 'Action Boyz.' His latest show, '101 Places to Party Before You Die' comes to truTV on July 14, 2022.

Follow Jon Gabrus on Instagram and Twitter.

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Jun 20, 202253:28
E26: Chris Ume, Creator of Deepfake Tom Cruise on TikTok

E26: Chris Ume, Creator of Deepfake Tom Cruise on TikTok

Chris Ume is a video visual effects specialist from Belgium with experience in social media, entertainment and business. He is probably best known as the creator of the parody deepfake Tom Cruise account on TikTok. The account went viral when it launched in 2021 and has amassed nearly 3.5 million followers as of early 2022. Beyond the social media account, Chris is the co-founder of Metaphysic.ai and Every Anyone. 

Follow Chris Ume on Instagram and Twitter.

Learn more about his on his websites Metaphysic.ai and Every Anyone.

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May 07, 202257:08
E25: Ansley Gordon, Actress & Writer

E25: Ansley Gordon, Actress & Writer

Fresh off the set of Ansley Gordon's latest film, "Love on the Reef," in which she wrote and stars is as Dr. Isla Waters, she took time to join us for this episode. In February 2022, Ansley wrapped the starring role in another TV RomCom "Lean Into Love," which is set for a Spring 2023 release.

In December 2021, she filmed another title she penned, "A Single's Guidebook to Love" which is set to come out this fall.

Along with her work in romantic TV movies, she has worked on a number of network comedies including FX’s "Better Things," "Crazy Ex-girlfriend" on The CW, and Starz’s "Survivor's Remorse."  

As a writer, her work spans multiple genres and in her short screenwriting career, she’s sold nearly a dozen screenplays and currently has several others in development with both studios and production companies.

She resides with her husband and two cats in Los Angeles.

Follow Ansley Gordon on Instagram.

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Apr 04, 202247:48
E24: Imogen Crimp, Author

E24: Imogen Crimp, Author

Imogen Crimp studied English at Cambridge, followed by an MA in contemporary literature from University College London, where she specialized in female modernist writers. After university, she briefly studied singing at a London conservatory. She lives in London.

Her debut novel, 'A Very Nice Girl' was released in early 2022.

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Mar 11, 202229:25
E23: Chris Morris, Master Distiller of Woodford Reserve Distillery

E23: Chris Morris, Master Distiller of Woodford Reserve Distillery

Chris Morris is only the second Master Distiller at the Woodford Reserve Distillery. He had an important role in the development of the Woodford Reserve launch in 1996. The whiskey is one of the world’s fastest growing bourbons.

He's the mastermind behind Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, Rye, and Master’s Collection.

Chris began his career in the spirits industry in 1976 as a trainee in Brown-Forman’s central lab. In 1997, he found himself as an understudy to Lincoln Henderson, Woodford Reserve’s Inaugural Master Distiller, who in 2003 Chris succeeded. In the years that followed, Chris was responsible for creating the world’s first bourbon finished in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Barrels. He’s also credited with developing the world’s first maple barrel; a difficult feat made easier when you command your own cooperage.

Woodford Reserve is the presenting sponsor of the Kentucky Derby.

Follow Woodford Reserve on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Buy Woodford Reserve online here.

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Feb 08, 202234:17
E22: Natalie Rose, TikTok Influencer
Jan 03, 202235:24
E21: DC Glenn, a.k.a. DC The Brain Supreme of Tag Team
Nov 01, 202139:08
E20: Marty Cooper, "The Father of the Portable Cell Phone"

E20: Marty Cooper, "The Father of the Portable Cell Phone"

Martin (Marty) Cooper, born in 1928, is a pioneer in the wireless industry, an inventor, entrepreneur, executive, and author. His essays and articles have been widely published. He is the author of Cutting the Chord. He believed the cellular phone should be a "an extension of its owner; that a telephone number represented that owner, not a place, not a desk, not a home, but a person."

Cooper conceived of the portable cellular phone and led the team at Motorola that created the first phone in 1973. He made the first public cell phone call on April 3,1973. He contributed to the technology of the wireless communications industry for over 60 years and contributed to every significant advancement in wireless communications, during this time.

Cooper lives with his wife, Arlene, in Del Mar, California. He has 2 children, 4 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild. He’s passionate about staying mobile and healthy, continuing to learn every day, and promotes the effective use of the radio spectrum to serve the positive needs of all humanity.

Follow Marty Cooper on his website at DYNAllc.com

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Oct 04, 202137:23
E19: Dr. Helen Fisher, The Science Behind Romantic Love

E19: Dr. Helen Fisher, The Science Behind Romantic Love

Dr. Helen Fisher, Biological Anthropologist, is Senior Research Fellow at The Kinsey Institute and Chief Science Advisor to Match.com. She uses brain scanning (fMRI) to study the neural systems associated with the sex drive, romantic love, attachment, rejection, love addiction and long-term partnership happiness.

She has written six books on lust, romance and attachment now sold in 25 countries— among them: Why We Love; Why Him, Why Her?; and Anatomy of Love (2nd Ed).

She also studies courtship trends in the digital age, using a representative sample of 50,000 single Americans to examine hooking up, friends with benefits, video chatting and why today’s dating patterns may lead to decades of relative family stability—due to a trend she calls “slow love.” Using data collected from her biologically-based questionnaire, the Fisher Temperament Inventory, now taken by 15+ million people in 40 countries, she is also studying the biological basis of personality and is a pioneer in examining the neurochemistry of team-building, innovation and leadership to explain how people of different biological styles of thinking are predisposed to work, buy, innovate and lead.

Fisher appears regularly on national and international TV, radio, print and podcasts. She is a TED All-Star with over 12 million views of her TED talks; a recipient of the American Anthropological Association’s Distinguished Service Award for her work at presenting anthropological data to the public; and was chosen in 2015 by Business Insider as one of “The Fifteen Most Amazing Women in Science.”

Follow Dr. Helen Fisher on her website at HelenFisher.com

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Sep 06, 202101:01:30
E18: Tom Bancroft, Veteran Disney Animator

E18: Tom Bancroft, Veteran Disney Animator

Veteran Disney animator Tom Bancroft (“Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin,” “The Lion King,” “Pocahontas,” “Mulan, ” “Mary Poppins Returns”) and founder of Pencilish Animation Studios, the world’s first, brand new crowd-owned animation studio - where fans become the owners -- created by a team of legendary alumni from Disney, Nickelodeon and DreamWorks.

Bancroft, having animated on a number of top box office hits, has created characters in some of the most popular and profitable animated features of all time.

Follow Tom Bancroft on FacebookTwitter and Instagram.

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Jul 02, 202130:30
E17: Jarom Sidwell, Hollywood visual effects veteran
Apr 06, 202137:56
E16: Keith Villa, Creator of Blue Moon Belgian White beer and founder of CERIA Brewing Company
Mar 01, 202151:25
E15: Phil Rosenthal, Creator of CBS's "Everybody Loves Raymond" & Host of Netflix's "Somebody Feed Phil"

E15: Phil Rosenthal, Creator of CBS's "Everybody Loves Raymond" & Host of Netflix's "Somebody Feed Phil"

Phil Rosenthal is the creator and executive producer of the hit CBS comedy, “Everybody Loves Raymond.

Phil's hit Netflix award winning food and travel show, “Somebody Feed Phil” is Netflix’s 5th most watched unscripted series. The show was also just named TV Guide’s “Top 25 Best TV Shows of 2020.

"Somebody Feed Phil” has garnered two Primetime Emmy Award nominations, including Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program and Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music. The show also won a 2020 Critics Choice Real TV Award for Best Travel/Adventure Series.

You can order Phil's book (as mentioned in the podcast): "You're Lucky You're Funny: How Life Becomes a Sitcom" from Amazon here.

Follow Phil on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Feb 01, 202101:00:15
E14: Frank Musker, Legendary Songwriter

E14: Frank Musker, Legendary Songwriter

Frank Musker is one of the most internationally successful and established British songwriter/lyricists in music.  His musical versatility has allowed him to collaborate with some of the world’s most important artists which include:  Queen, Air Supply, Gypsy Kings, Chaka Khan, Eric Clapton, Carly Simon, John Denver, Roger Daltry, and more. Some of the songs he is credited with writing includes Queen's "Too Much Love Will Kill You" and Air Supply's "Every Woman in the World."

In 1989, Frank, along with other four other singer, songwriters and musicians formed the band World Goes Round, who got to record an album that never saw the light of day, until now, the album is available on all digital formats, and on vinyl, via Viper Records.  Their single from the album, “Put It On The Line,” is dedicated to all of the devoted service people around the world during the current Covid-19 climate.

Follow World Goes Round on Facebook and Instagram. Listen to the album on Spotify.

Jan 04, 202157:25
E13: Lauren Swickard, Actress, Writer and Producer

E13: Lauren Swickard, Actress, Writer and Producer

Actress, writer and producer Lauren Swickard has quickly established herself as a powerful woman in film, Lauren has written and sold multiple original screenplays throughout her short but impressive professional career. Most recently, she created, wrote, produced and starred in “A California Christmas," starring opposite her real-life husband and “General Hospital” star Josh Swickard. The film will be released on Netflix December 14, 2020. 

A Cincinnati native, Lauren excelled in the arts at a young age and her artistic talent stems from her early years in musical theatre and pre-professional ballet. Having attended the prestigious School of American Ballet and E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University, she has performed on the stage with the Cincinnati Ballet Company and trained with The Groundlings.

Lauren pulls from more than seven years and 40+ credits of screen acting experience, performing roles on feature films, short films and television series in drama and comedy. She began her professional acting career in high school with a small role on the TV Movie, “Shelter,” working with JJ Abrams. Now represented by Powerline Entertainment, she can be seen in Netflix’s “Dear White People,” the film “Airplane Mode” opposite Logan Paul, Netflix's “Roped” and countless projects currently airing on the Lifetime Movie Network, the Syfy channel, and Amazon Prime.

Follow Lauren Swickard on Instagram.

Dec 07, 202028:49
E12: Gabbie Hanna, YouTube Influencer, New York Times Bestselling Author

E12: Gabbie Hanna, YouTube Influencer, New York Times Bestselling Author

Gabbie Hanna is the Billboard-charting musical artist and New York Times best-selling author & illustrator of “Adultolescence.” Starting as a web based creator, she amassed over 20 million followers across her social media platforms as she focused on growing as an author and artist. A native of a small town in Pennsylvania and University of Pittsburgh graduate, Gabbie shocked her loved ones when she drove cross-country to pursue her dreams in Los Angeles where she currently resides. She has since crossed over 250 million music streams and 1 billion views on her YouTube channel. Her latest EP “Bad Karma” released in 2020, and Gabbie launches her second book into the world, “Dandelion,” available at both Target and Barnes & Noble and online at Amazon.

Follow Gabbie on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok

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Nov 02, 202022:52
E11: Nik Wallenda, "King of the Highwire"
Oct 05, 202020:56
E10: 'Air Supply' guitarist and songwriter Graham Russell

E10: 'Air Supply' guitarist and songwriter Graham Russell

Russell Hitchcock and Graham Russell met in Sydney, Australia on May 12, 1975 while performing in the musical Jesus Christ Superstar.

After the evening performance of Jesus Christ Superstar, they would play in Coffee Bars, Pizza Parlors, and anywhere they could to hone their vocal skills and harmonies.

“Lost in Love” was released in Australia in 1978 and again soared to the top of the charts. It found its way to Clive Davis, founder, and president of Arista Records, who immediately offered Air Supply a record deal.

The song was released in 1980 and became the fastest-selling in the world, topping the charts in a multitude of countries. “All Out of Love” was the second single released and topped the worldwide charts once again.

Seven consecutive Top-Five singles at that time equaled The Beatles’ run. The albums Lost in Love, The One That You Love, Now and Forever, and The Greatest Hits sold in excess of 20 million copies. “Lost in Love” was named song of the year in 1980 and along with the other singles, sold more than 10 million copies.

The trademark sound of Russell Hitchcock’s soaring tenor voice and Graham Russell’s simple but majestic compositions created a unique sound that would be forever known as Air Supply.

On May 12th, 2020, the band celebrated 45 years... the rest is music history.

Go to MyFameExplained.com for more episodes.

Check out more on the band by visiting AirSupplyMusic.com

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Sep 07, 202026:46
E9: Adrienne Bankert, ABC News Correspondent & Author
Aug 03, 202031:08
E8: Randy Bresnik, NASA Astronaut
Jul 06, 202033:57
E7: Susan Bennett, the original voice of Apple's "Siri"
Jun 01, 202020:20
E6: Bill Gibson, drummer for Huey Lewis and the News
May 04, 202020:53
E5: Morgan Wright, NBC's 'American Ninja Warrior'
Apr 06, 202033:28
E4: Dave's Killer Bread founder, Dave Dahl
Mar 02, 202035:17
E3: Former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, James "Buster" Douglas

E3: Former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, James "Buster" Douglas

James "Buster" Douglas is a former professional boxer from Columbus, Ohio who competed between 1981 and 1999. He is best known for his ten round battle with Mike Tyson on February 11, 1990, in Tokyo, Japan. Douglas shocked the world by knocking out Tyson to become the undisputed World Heavyweight Boxing Champion. 

He would go on to become a boxing legend — complete with appearing on television, a movie and the cover of a video game. 

In 2020, he celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the historic fight. 

See more on James "Buster" Douglas: http://www.buckeyebusterdouglas.com

See more My Fame Explained podcasts at http://www.myfameexplained.com

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Feb 15, 202012:31
E2: State Farm 'She Shed' Commercial actress, Nicole J. Butler

E2: State Farm 'She Shed' Commercial actress, Nicole J. Butler

Actress Nicole J. Butler, the star of the State Farm ' She Shed' commercial, was born in Chicago and moved to Los Angeles after college to pursue her dreams of acting. 

It was countless small parts in TV shows such as 'The Big Bang Theory,' 'Mike and Molly,' 'NCIS' and many more — coupled with commercials for such national brands as Progressive Insurance, Gain laundry detergent, Pizza Hut, Walmart, and Target that moved her career from part-time to full time actress. Ultimately it was that State Farm commercial that went viral that sent her from “commercial actress” to “She Shed Cheryl,” a moniker she would come to embrace.

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com


Feb 09, 202018:29
E1: Dippin' Dots inventor, Curt Jones

E1: Dippin' Dots inventor, Curt Jones

Over 30 years ago, microbiologist Curt Jones transformed the way we eat ice cream. Jones combined liquid nitrogen and ice cream in his kitchen eventually coming up with what we know today as Dippin' Dots ice cream.

His first store opened in 1988 in Lexington, Kentucky and would go on to become a worldwide success with locations at fairs, festivals and major theme parks around the U.S., including 14 counties.

The journey to his fame hit some major — and minor —bumps along the way. 

Find out how we enjoy today what's know as Dippin' Dots and how it came to be.

Plus, what's he up to now. Frozen coffee? That's right!

Curt Jones explains his fame in episode 1.

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Jan 26, 202030:52