Stop Drop and Rawle

Having an improvised conversation with comedy legend Mindy Sterling was quite a delightful podcast adventure. She flowed through these talks with effortless charm. Perhaps it’s all her years of improv mastery that has prepped her for such smooth flowing conversational ease. Mindy was at one time a teacher at the world famous “Groundlings“ where she taught comedy improv to many of the comedic legends we now know and love today. So, it was not surprising that Mindy displayed such humor and wit during our conversation but what caught me off guard was the warm candid open nature of her dialogue with me. This interview was one for the books, as they say. The world knows Mindy Sterling as a comedic gem, continuously digging up comedy gold in her various acting roles. On this podcast and during this dialogue we come to know her sweetness and kind hearted nature.

This podcast episode was recorded live from Indonesia. I was lucky enough to be one of the millions of people to visit the “Island of the Gods”, a nickname given to the island of Bali in Indonesia. I was in lockstep with the multitude of individuals who have become inspired by the beauty of this Island and transformed by the magic of its people. A people who’s home page setting seems to be that of kindness and joy. My guest Ernawati Nasiham is a local resident of Bali and was gracious enough to be my cultural tour guide throughout this episode. Ernawati holds several positions within the Balinese cultures, she’s economically as well spiritually entrenched within the lifestyle of this island. I found her to be the most perfect guest to assist in dissecting the beauty of this amazingly nuanced Balinese society.

Stroke survivor Sekou Writes gives a compelling inspirational interview. His situation unfortunately has a hint of familiarity to many, and yet his attitude and reaction to his pain is transformational to say the least. Sekou started a Health kick in order to change his life when a sudden stroke uprooted all his plans. He was an avid runner who did not drink, smoke and stayed relatively healthy. This health crisis came as a surprise to all, and needless to say it completely threw his life out of whack. I have no doubt that Sekou’s warrior like attitude had everything to do with his boarder line miracles recovery process. Though he is currently still on the mend, he has completely superseded doctors expectations on a rapid path to recovery. At the time of this interview Sekou had already started running marathons. His inspirational journey is packed with multi layered messages of hope to so many of us. Enjoy.

In this compelling episode, join the conversation with Jacqueline Wolfson, a Jewish American woman residing in the heart of New York. As we delve into the aftermath of the recent Hamas attacks on October 7th, Jacqueline offers a profound and personal insight into the crisis from a unique vantage point.

Jacqueline's narrative transcends the news headlines, providing listeners with an intimate understanding of what it truly feels like to be Jewish during times of heightened tension. Her experiences and emotions paint a vivid picture of the challenges faced by the Jewish community, adding a human touch to the geopolitical events that often seem distant and abstract.

Sarah Alami is an amazingly accomplished actress, model and voice actor. Unfortunately we were not able to talk about Sarah’s great artistic achievements. No time to brag about her recent role in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3”. The recent Israel-Hamas conflict has got the world on edge. This is even tenfold for Sarah. Being a Palestinian American brings this conflict even closer to Sarah’s heart and trembles her soul. Fearing for family members safety is utmost on her mind and rightfully so. Her passion for peace in that region has magnified, so much that, her attention is fully occupied with using her voice towards enlightening all within her reach.
This conversation was incredibly candid yet elevating. Sarah’s level of empathy is heartwarming. She wasted no energy picking sides or casting blame. What she does do however, is spend time advocating for human beings safety and care. She takes the humanitarian road. Sarah speaks in-depth of her concerns for the people in Gaza, family members included. These are polarizing times and this is a volatile topic. My hope is that we all can listen without prejudice.

My guest is Annie Sertich, is an improv goddess and actress who has delighted audiences with her wit, humor, and broad range of styles. She has been seen on stages all over the world, as a performer, improviser and teacher. Annie is a longtime member of The Groundlings, an iconic improv comedy school in Los Angeles. We talked to Annie about how she got her start in the improv world, how she has grown as an artist over the years, and why her work is so important to her.
Annie's one woman show "How to not Kill Yourself for 30 Days... And the Next 330" has consistently won praises from critics. Her show was also a standout at “Edinburg Fringe Festival.

- “As breezily funny as she is frank” - Fest Magazine
- “Sertich shines as an excellent character actor” - Short Com
- “Audience members were moved to tears from each end of the emotional spectrum, laughing and crying simultaneously. Despite the dark subject matter, this one-woman show will leave you feeling uplifted with the light that is Annie Sertich.” - Glasgow Living

We also talked about how Annie brings her personal experiences to life on stage, and why improvisation in particular helps her to process her thoughts and feelings.

Conversing with Mark Sanderson is a complete joy. Mr. Sanderson is a very accomplished screenwriter. He is part of the over 40 club, meaning he has written over 40 screenplays throughout his accomplished career. Mark has been enamored with Hollywood from The early age of 11 years old, when he was making movies on the streets of LA with his super 8 film camera. These early experiences is were Mark gained his well-versed insights on screenwriting and the the entire film making and storytelling. Mark candidly lays it all out during our chats and provides a myriad of keen insightful tips and tidbits on what being a Hollywood screenwriter is all about. I feel a tiny bit smarter after having this wonderful conversation.

You may have seen actor Sherman Augustus on the Netflix series hit, “Stranger Things“. He plays Lt. Col. Jack Sullivan on season 4 of the hit streaming series. But this actor is by no means a newcomer. This athlete turned actor is an energetic tour-de-force when it comes to his thespian skills. Mr. Augustus is a joy to converse with. He comes equipped with a myriad of anecdotes and stories taken directly from the vast well of his life experiences. Sherman Augustus has been in the acting game for almost 40 years. He has been known to consistently work with Hollywood A-Listers and celebrity types, going toe to toe with these juggernauts in scenes on the big screen and on television. Mr. Augustus’ theatrical skills are well respected by Hollywood insiders and creative types. Due to the popularity of his more recent projects, now fans around the world are becoming more and more familiarized with his face and abilities. Sherman talks to us about his attitude of gratitude and his philosophy on staying sane whilst trying to navigate his long career.

Kathy Knowles and Kate Enngren are juggernauts in the commercial casting world. Both are casting superstars in their own right. So when these two decided to join forces and form KK Casting, a casting Dream-team was formed. KK Casting have casted thousands of commercials that has been seen worldwide. They have also been responsible for placing talent in over 100 Super Bowl commercials. Many of these ads had us quoting catchphrases while giggling around the water cooler at our workplace. I could do celebrity name drops of all the professionals they’ve worked with, from the late “Betty White” to “The Rock” but what is more impressive to me is how many up-and-comers they’ve worked with throughout the years. Young Bryan Cranston and little Leo DiCaprio would not have been where they are today without commercials giving them their jump-start.

Now I know Kathy and Kate personally, so I may be a little bias but I find them to be charming down-to-earth goddesses of the commercial casting world. That being said, our conversation flowed with insightful juicy tidbits on the commercial casting process. They do not shy away from revealing how the sausages are made… or advertised for that matter. These women are a joy to talk to because one gets the sense that they thoroughly enjoy talent and what they do for a living.

Daryl Davis, is known as a “Klan Whisperer”. Mr. Davis is a fascinating man with a uniquely refreshing approach to solving racial issues. Seconds into a conversation with Mr. Davis and you become extremely aware that he is quite the polymath. Daryl is an amazing musician with a philosopher’s tongue. This professional thinker conveys many strategies on bringing humans together. He is a tuning fork for tolerance. Daryl’s commanding voice is a perfect tool for relaying his real life, edge of your seat style stories of dealing with the Ku Klux Klan and neo Nazi hate groups. Daryl Davis’ amazing life experience combined with a sage like wisdom toppled with his enormous musical talent, created a trifecta of perfection. This conversation felt as though I was speaking with a man who is born to lead. Daryl’s passion and concern for this human family boarders on saintly.
Daryl’s relentless efforts towards racial healing and exposing mankind’s humanity, should be commended with a Nobel peace prize.

Rochelle Joseph has had her life completely altered by a NDE. This is an acronym describing the phenomenon known as a Near-Death Experience. A term coined by psychologist and neurologist in order to put a title to the sensations that are described by individuals who have experienced death temporarily. These experiences have occurred so frequently that they are now part of our cultural conversation. Jokes are often made about “The Light”, when one looses consciousness, and about seeing a grandmother who has passed on, etc… Death tends to be a very uncomfortable subject of discussion for those who are living. I can only imagine how uncomfortable it could be if you have actually experienced it.

Rochelle does an amazing job of simply and calmly relaying her experience of having died and come back to life. I found her descriptions of the afterlife quite unique in comparison to others that I have heard. Whether you believe these experiences or not, you can’t help but feel her stories pulling you along on a wild ride through life… or the afterlife.

Comedian Bobbie Oliver is a charming conversationalist. She comes to us filled with witty anecdotes dispensed with southern charm and precise comedic timing you could set a Swiss watch to. But this Buddhist feminist activist philosophical comedian extraordinaire, came from humble beginnings. Bobbie has gone from 7 family members living in a small two bedroom trailer, out in Covington, Georgia, to owning her own comedy school in Los Angeles CA. Her school, The Tao of Comedy, is one of the best places in North America, to develop your comedic voice. It is truly Bobbie Oliver’s Magnum opus, though she is not done yet.
This multi faceted entertainer is a joy to talk to. She comes filled with wisdom intellect and humor all rolled up into one. Her 30 years plus of Comedy experience shows during her Amazon comedy special, “Bobbie Oliver‘s Greatest Hits“. We have yet to unpack all the complexities of this comedy legend called Bobbie Oliver.

Melissa Shoshahi is a comedy Tours de force. Iranian born and Seattle raised, Melissa is able to drawn from her rich cultural background. Her comedy is laced with accurate character portrayals of Persian family members and eccentric friends. A decade into the comedy game and she has created quite a following. These days she finds herself a bit distracted by the current Iranian human rights
revolution. The “Women, Life, Freedom” movement has captured her attention as she spends a lot of her time tirelessly raising awareness for this cause.

Melissa was kind enough to take time out of her creative endeavors of comedy shows and content videos, to talk to me about how she feels being an Iranian woman and artist during these troubling times in Iran. Melissa speaks passionately about the inspirational impact these brave Iranian women and men, protesting under such a strict islamic regime, is having on her life. They defiantly stand up for their rights risking torture jail and death. Many of these women are teenagers and some artist, just like Melissa. Though they are separated by borders, Melissa cannot help but feel a solidarity towards these brave.

Jon Turteltaub has show business coursing through his veins. Jon’s father was the well known Saul Turteltaub. The Producer-Writer behind a numerous number of hit television shows like, “Sanford and Son”, “The Carol Burnett Show”, “What’s Happening” and so much more. Jon himself, is no slouch. He is one of Hollywood’s top directors. He’s not shy about telling you that himself. He has directed a slew of box office hits, like “While You Were Sleeping” with “Sandra Bullock” and “National Treasure” with “Nicholas Cage”. This is just a modest amount of his cinematic prowess. Jon Turteltaub’s theatrical accomplishments has made him a national treasure. But to me Jon is more than just a google page of achievements. This podcast conversation reveals Jon’s true heart. He comes off as a kind hearted empathetic earnest soul. He gives us a glimpse of the man only his wife, his kids and a few close friends get to meet. This person is who I experienced Jon to be from working with him on the set of one of his earliest hits, “Cool Runnings” staring “John Candy”.

In this conversation, Jon blends candidness with a dash of honesty. One cannot help but feel his childlike excitement, passion and love for his profession as a director. His enthusiasm is palpable as he strings his words together like a necklace, dripping with pearls of wisdom.

Had a fun conversation with world traveler Charlie Samos. Charlie is a bit of a modern day renaissance man, an explorer of sorts. Mr. Samos lives a full-size life. Not only is he a well accomplished Yoga Instructor who rock climbs, he also worked as a Foley Artist for film and television. Charlie still finds time to travel the world a few times a year. When describing Charlie Samos, one often sounds like you’re describing “The Most Interesting Man in the World” from those “Dos Equis” ads. Charlie’s stories of travel and intrigue and adventures and dangerous close calls would make even “Robert Ludlum” lean in to hear more. Robert might even steal a few scenarios for his next book. Charlie Samos has keen observational skills and insights into the human condition. This is evident as he relays the stories of his adventures with such picturesque details, recounting the emotionally impacted moments of his journeys. He may not be “The Most Interesting Man in The World“ but I guarantee you, when Charlie Samos speaks of his adventures and travels, he is the most interesting man at a party.

A conversation with David Rountree is like talking to a life coach who dabbles as a filmmaker. David is chock-full of insights and observations. His more than 20 years of experience in the Hollywood game, becomes blatantly obvious once he opens his mouth. David’s past life experiences as an athlete has instilled in him a core set of values and disciplinary practices that no doubt lends to his extraordinary success. The myriad of experiences he has attained through out his years is now available to be shared through his school, “L.A. Acting Studios”, of which he is a founder.

David Rountree is an extremely well informed and passionate podcast guess. His excitement towards dispensing his Hollywood nuggets are infectious. He imparts this wisdom on us with all the confidence of a Super Bowl ring winning coach, yet he still manages to keep it all conversational and fun.

How does a jersey-girl end up living in Uganda and forming a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping homeless boys get off the streets? Such is the story of Jacqueline Wolfson. Jacqueline is one of the founders of the “Shule Foundation”. This New York City based entrepreneur took a life-changing trip to Africa and was inspired by the people she met there. So, she reimagined her life and was motivated to make a positive difference in the lives of the people she encountered. During our talks, Jacqueline Wolfson eloquently describes the mental and emotional life transition that caused her life reboot. Jacqueline’s passion for helping those in need is self evident and shines through during our conversation. By staggering into her life’s purpose, it appears that Jacqueline Wolfson has found herself a new family and a new home.

Accomplished actor Sandra Eloani has been enamored with “The fountain of youth”, from an early age, way back to when her age was still in the single digit range. This obsession with youth, health and well-being, is probably what prompted her to do such extensive research on the facial augmentation world. Sandra has become a connoisseur of sorts and has offered a multitude of advice to her friends and colleagues who are curious about Facelifts, Botox or “Getting a little work done” as she calls it. Sandra also emphasizes the importance of having a healthy mindset around getting this type of work done on your face or body. She’s adamant about removing the psychological shame from the process. Sandra’s knowledgeable observations also comes from her being a participant and dealing with several nurses and doctors while having… a little work done on herself.
Sandra is a very motivational and inspiring guess. I found her conversations insightful and extremely informative. Her love and exuberance for this world made this a fun podcast.

Ola is what happens when you cross breed a comedian with a philosopher. My conversation with this UK born Nigerian, “Ola The Comedian” was a mind growing experience. Ola has an extremely innovative way of looking at things that makes one go… “Hmmm”. Ola’s ability to articulate his thoughts makes me want to take notes as though I were in a lecture hall observing a philosophical discussion. His comedic Inclinations do make these lecture like thoughts quite entertaining therefore more palatable to the layman. We covered quite a bit of ground in this conversation bringing clarity to Ola’s approach to life. This is definitely a man who’s depth goes way beyond the boundaries of comedy. It is easy to see why his comedy star is on the rise.

Susan Fitz-Simon has carved out an interestingly unique path for her life. She has been a professional Foley Artist for almost 30 years. What the heck is a Foley Artist, you say. Well that is exactly what Susan was so eloquently and passionately able to explain to us during this podcast interview. Foley is the art of performing sound effects to picture after a film, T.V. show, commercial or video game has been shot. Susan informs us that the Foley Artist is often performing live syncopations to picture in order to enhance sounds in the scenes. Certain sounds like footsteps, prop noises, sword play, clothing flapping in the wind are often added by the Foley Artist. Susan Fitz-Simmons has worked on over a hundred film and television projects, carving out a reputation as an extremely respected Foley Artist/Foley Editor.

Susan is able to use her knowledge of music gained from her rock star days in the 90’s. These skills have given her a rhythmic approach to the world of Foley which helped her to adapt nicely to this very unique occupation. Susan has put a little rock n roll into Foley.

A conversation with Michelle Carmen Gomez is like interacting with a Motivational Speaker or listening to a really inspiring TED TALKS. She is quite the bundle of energy. Intuitive therapy is her current passion in which she is extremely dedicated to helping so many overcome there difficulties. Michelle brings clarity to the world of Empaths. Being an Empath herself, Michelle gives us anecdotal stories and insightful observations into this unfamiliar world. Her empathic abilities is used in her work with others, helping to enhance the therapeutic experience. Michelle Carmen Gomez does her best to normalize her empathic gifts, especially by claiming that these gifts are common human traits that just need a little nudging into development. It is refreshing to see someone so passionate about assisting others, helping them overcome their various challenges. Michelle Carmen Gomez is extremely up for that task.

Felicia “Fee” King is a woman on a fantastic voyage she calls Life. Fee King reeks of confidence. This is only one of the various tools she uses to traverse through the multiple obstacles of life. Her positivity and exuberance is quite infectious without the slightest hint of fake or performance.

Fee’s no nonsense openness was refreshingly unexpected. She is motivational but never preaching from a pulpit. She exposes her past ebbs and flows, wins and losses, and encourages us to embrace the highs and lows of being a human being. Her warrior like attitude, inspires us to keep on going, hurdling past our flaws. A conversation with Felicia “Fee” King is an adrenaline boost to your self-esteem.

I was blessed to have an amazing conversation with thespian David Castañeda. David is one of those thoughtful humans simultaneously expressing a simple childlike joy and yet a scholar like yearning and complexity. Mr. Castañeda is one of the stars of the hit Netflix series, “The Umbrella Academy”. He plays “Diego”. He also currently stars opposite Christoph Waltz in “Most Dangerous Game”. He plays “Victor Suero”. David is one of my favorite up and coming actors out there. I have known David Castañeda since he was around 20 yrs old. I must say, even though I am truly impressed by his work as an actor, I am even more impressed by who he has grown into as a man.

David leaves nothing on the table during our conversation. His openness about relationships, his family and his childhood is so refreshingly candid yet not a hit of salaciousness. I enjoyed David’s ease and vulnerability during our effortlessly flowing conversation. He is a man equipped with many admirable traits.

My dear friend Yvette Saunders and I discuss Ghosting. Ghosting has become a “Thing” in our modern social circles. With the increase in various communication capabilities and outlets, we have more ways to connect but we also have various ways to disconnect. Yvette is extremely passionate about this topic. I believe it’s because it is completely adverse to her nature as a extremely communicative person. Yvette is a very empathetic human who will bend over backwards to make a fellow human being comfortable. Lucky for her she is well capable in the arts of dance and movement. Yvette is intuitively and instinctively a host to her close friends and loved ones. Her compassionate people loving persona bleeds through in our interview together and made for an extremely fun podcast.

Rolando “Oly” Reid is a bundle of of relentless positivity with a dash of hope and joy. I am not certain if this is a required recipe to be a Jamaican Bobsledder but Rolando seems to be equipped with all character traits to attempt such a feat. The magnitude of confidence and sheer willpower it takes to apply for such a position as a Jamaican Bobsledder is unfathomable. Trust me, I know from which I speak. I am not, nor will I ever be a Jamaican Bobsledder but I did play one on TV. I can assure you it’s not quite the same thing.

It was my utmost privilege to talk to such a magnanimous human being. I caught up with Rolando fresh from the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. There was excitement in his cheeks and he could not stop smiling from his recent accomplishments. He relays his Olympian story with a buzz of enthusiasm. The Jamaicans did not win a medal but they won our hearts.

James Pool is a man on a mission. When talking to James, one gets a sense of his urgency to make a difference and do good in the world. Don’t get me wrong, James does not come off as one of those do gooders. He is the first one to mention that he’s a flawed human being and filled with gratitude for those flaws. James Pool is a Life Coach who’s mantra seems to be “A never ending supply of self love”. Not exactly the type of self love that pubescent boys learn while discovering their sexuality, no no, this goes beyond that. James’ version of self love is armed with actions such as self-gratitude, self-care and self-forgiveness. Taking care of oneself is an essential part of growth according to the James Pool handbook. James himself is on a constant trajectory towards growth, mental health and joy. He is using the very techniques recommended to his clients on himself. He’s getting high on his own supply. It is always fun and yet refreshing to talk to someone so enthusiastic about human growth and change.

I had an inspirational conversation with Flobito Boyce. I know the word inspirational gets thrown around frequently but this conversation was precisely that. Flobo was raised by Caribbean parents who apparently instilled that strong stereotypical work ethic within him because, “Him hav four or five jobs”. Let’s see, he’s a DJ, Podcaster, Comedian, Host, Author, Political candidate and self proclaimed nerd. There were a barrage of topics I could’ve talked to Flobo about but I chose to focus on one of his most fascinating accomplishments. You see, Flobo was always a big kid and unfortunately that carried over into his adulthood. At one point he weighed 375 pounds. During this podcast conversation Flobo openly talks about the catalyst behind him finally losing 150 pounds. He also openly reveals his mindset and the psychological effects of growing up as a big kid. He candidly gave us snapshots and insights into his world plus a play-by-play on what it was like traversing through life at that particular weight. Flobito is a charismatic orator who is able to relay heartfelt information by sprinkling bits of humor amongst his words.

There was no getting whisked off to a Witness Protection Program for my guest Vicky. She was left to her own devices, having to find her own escape route out of an abusive, dangerous marriage. Not to mention unwillingly partnering up with a morally uncomfortable lifestyle. You see Vicky, who’s identity is being shielded by this fake name, was married to a mobster a mafioso a goodfella. Now most of us are some what familiar with these euphemistic terms from consuming too many Hollywood movies. For Vicky, this was no movie. Unfortunately for her this became a real life nightmare without popcorn or commercial breaks.

Vicky casually recounts horrifying events in an abusive and danger filled live. She explains how she was able to escape her mob matrimony. Freeing herself and her two children from exposure to a crime filled life. Vicky candidly tells us how she broke loose from sleeping with a gangster without sleeping with the fishes.

Dr. Erica Rivera is an Organizational Psychologist. Go ahead, Google it, I’ll wait. This job title sounds more complicated than the actual logistics of the job. Then again, perhaps the job is extremely convoluted and complex but Erica Rivera is just extremely proficient at explaining all its complexities and duties. I’m still not certain of the answer to the question I have posed. What I am certain about however, is that Erica Rivera absolutely loves her occupation. Perhaps this is why she is able to eloquently paint pictures with her words when expressing all the intricate details of a her job. Erica makes complex concepts and ideas clear enough for a layman to grasp. One could easily see why Erica is able to effortlessly interact and be respected by execs from Fortune 500 companies and CEO’s worldwide. Erica’s communication skills can only be attained from decades of experience. I must add that her enthusiasm and love for her job makes her a fun infectious guest to talk with.

Aisha Alfa, is a Canadian, comedian, actor, writer, host, wife and a recent mother of two beautiful children. Her role of mother is the one she is most proud of. I am equally proud to call Aisha my friend. She has pursued a life in show business in multiple countries beginning in Canada and now good ol Ameerka. Despite her many success in all these various fields in show business she still manages to put her family first. Aisha and I had a candid conversation about what it means to be happy and the art of pursuing a well balanced fulfilled life.

Jean Franzblau is occasionally viewed as some sort of a sex police at her current job as an Intimacy Coordinator. That could not be further from the truth. Jean takes the “awkward” out of shooting uncomfortable sex scenes. It would appear that Jean has stumbled into one of most recent occupations on a Hollywood movie set. The newness of such a position has created confusion by some who cannot fully yet grasp the concept of such a position and what the job entails. Jean is often caught in a position of performing her job whilst simultaneously explaining her job to the necessary parties involved. It also seems as though she inadvertently has to dispel misconceptions and false narratives in order to put others at ease.

It light of the #metoo movement and the sudden awareness of Hollywood’s sexual assault cases and various indiscretions towards women, an Intimacy Coordinator on a set seems like a job position that’s long overdue. Jean appears to be very well trained and does more than a thorough job explaining in a fun way, the protocol and the nuances of what this job requires. Intimacy is her superpower.

Domestic violence or abuse is no laughing matter but somehow Vanessa Fors is able to use levity as she recounts the details of her 10 year long abusive relationship. She emerges from that ordeal a new woman, an enhanced version of her former self. She now uses her experiences to help others overcome their traumas through her Life Coaching business. Now raising two young daughters, she is currently focused on becoming a positive role model for them before unleashing them into the world.

At first encounter, Ramon Garcia comes off as a mild mannered citizen but as he keeps talking we soon get a sense that he’s a deeper ocean of complexities. Ramon was both kind and candid in relaying his experiences in Afghanistan. Mr. Garcia was a Counter Intelligence Agent for the US army who served in Afghanistan. He was initially deployed there just a few months after 9/11 in early 2002. He then returned in 2005 and 2008. So needless to say he’s had ample experience and exposure to the Afghan social and political climate as a “Boots on the ground” US soldier. Ramon was extremely honest as he recounted various incidents during his interactions with the various Afghan character types, ex-Taliban commanders, tribe leaders, civilians etc…

Ramon’s amazing anecdotal stories are not just filled with candor but also a surprisingly vulnerable insightful take on war and it’s effects on us humans. One of my favorite soul enhancing moments during this interview was getting Ramon Garcia’s take on PTSD. Hearing this made the entire interview a worthwhile endeavor.

Abdul-Malik Kashie Yoba aka Malik Yoba, is a tour de force humanitarian, musician, writer, actor, director, social justice warrior, with a list of achievements and accolades as long as an orangutans arm. The list of his numerous achievements in show business dwarfs in comparison to his numerous kind acts and compassion towards his fellow human beings. Malik and I met a little over 25 years ago on the set of our feature film debuts. That film was called “Cool Runnings” released by Disney. Film costars don’t always get along but we hit it off right away. I can remember screen-testing with Malik doing a now famous mirror scene from “Cool Runnings”, thinking to myself, our friendship feels real. This doesn’t feel like acting at all. I have always been drawn to Malik’s realness and kindness. In a world of great pretenders, this quality sticks out like Pinocchio’s nose.

This podcast is about me giving the audience a chance to see the real Malik. Through our conversation you get to sense and feel the man, his philosophy, his concerns, his passions, humor and vulnerabilities. In a world of salacious soundbites and click baits it becomes increasingly difficult to tell who any of us we are. Listening has become my remedy for this. By allowing individuals to share their stories while refraining from judgements, I learn more about the truth and the world. Enjoy Malik’s story. I think you’ll find his world an interesting one.

My friend D’Lo is a writer/actor/comic and activist. He is often referred to as a transgender performer. To me, D’Lo is way more than just those categorical labels. He’s an energetic force moving amongst us reminding us to stay in-sync with our own humanity. He does it all by using the various artistic tools he inherited upon arrival to this planetary plain. I have seen several of D’Lo’s solo shows and they are often sold out and packed with an eclectic group of humans spanning many cultural and class enclaves. His audiences often resemble a gathering at the United Nations. The content of these shows are filled with charismatic anecdotes, taken from slices of D’s life which go from humorous to heart warming to thought provoking. He gives his audiences an emotional workout and they seem to love it. His shows challenges us to break down our barriers built by bias and tempts us to love without conditions.

D’Lo was kind enough to carry on this casual conversation with me giving us a light into his world of being a Transgender person of color. Plus as friends we got a chance to play catch-up.

To say Robert Cortes has lived a colorful life is to blatantly under state the obvious. Mr. Cortes is a retired public defender who has battled it out in California courtrooms for over 30 years. Battled is precisely the word he has used to describe his approach to the numerous amount of court cases he’s had over the past years. Robert is extremely candid and paints clear pictures of his world and what it was like to be a Public Defender handling criminal defense cases. Mr. Cortes openly relays his truths about defending alleged murderers, sexual predators and many of his ex clients who were charged with heinous crimes. He was great at sharing tidbits and insights about the law. Plus it was fun hearing his humorous anecdotes about all the shenanigans that takes place in the courtroom.

This is the second installment of my continuous conversations with my friend Doug E Doug. Whenever I long for a truthful and honest conversation, a dialogue with no veneers, I turn to Doug. You may know him as Doug E Doug the actor and comedian but I look to him as a conversational breath of fresh air. There is very little hindrance or hiding within these conversations. Therefore I find our dialogues freeing and well needed for my soul, especially in a world filled of pseudo-pleasantries. Recording these talks felt less like a podcast and more like wire tapping a phone conversation between two friends. This podcast episode would make Edward Snowden uncomfortable. Doug and I have been having these type of conversations since lounging on the set of “Cool Runnings” back in the mid 90’s. We discuss many things, our lives in show business, woke-culture, Queen Latifah and so much more.

Doctor Reverend Lamonte Taylor is one of the most dedicated practitioners of the Christian faith that I have ever seen. He walks the streets of Santa Monica, CA with his belongings in tow, duffle bags being wheeled on a wagon. The first thing one notices about Mr. Taylor is his incredibly pleasant nature, greeting by passers with a wave and a smile. I have never actually seen Doctor Reverend Lamonte Taylor sleeping on the streets and he is hesitant to mention such things, on the other hand he is open to receiving offerings and donations from strangers. He can be consistently seen at specific corners around the city, surrounded by various bags and baggages. He flashes business cards presenting his title as Doctor Reverend and his founder status of “The Holy Ghost Club”. This was the very card in which I attempted to contact Mr. Taylor regarding this podcast interview. I was prompted to leave a message by a pleasant sounding voice. These efforts were unnecessary for I simply just approached Doctor Reverend at one of his various sidewalk locations and asked him to have breakfast with me and conducted this interview. I found it interesting that he accepted no food but just drank a bottled water.

Doctor Reverend Lamonte Taylor comes off as a mysterious man. His optimism and pleasantries often feel like a barrier or shield from getting to know the real man. Nevertheless he is a man filled with sincerity and kindness plus an intense dedication to his faith.

To me Aaron Glassman always seems like a spiritually endowed type person. He carries with him an awareness which transcends many dimensional planes. So, to hear my shamanic friend describe his former days as being filled with drinking and partying throws my mind for a loop landing in a triple axis split. It sounds as though he’s referring to an entirely different human. Quantum shifts on this level are not a common occurrence in human beings. Aaron spills the truth on how a journey of intuition took him away from a life in pursuit of fame and glory and instead propelled him towards a magnanimous life of spiritual awakening. It is currently all the craze now to label oneself as “Woke” but Mr. Glassman was awoken before most of us westerners new what sleepwalking was.

Aaron continues to expand on his spirituality whilst combining science and art along with it, believing this trio to be all part of one band. He uses his awakened knowledge to serve others through coaching, teaching, music etc... helping CEO’s, entrepreneurs, artist or just journeying souls seeking to become greater versions of themselves.

The nickname “Mount Rayen” is a perfect handle for this comedian’s mountain of talent. But Rayen Panday is not just a comedian, he is a tour de force of entertainment. Rayen provides a variety of talents during his one man cabaret show. Rayen harkens back to a time when performers like Sammy Davis Junior would wow audiences with a full arsenal of talents. Mr. Panday seems very reminiscent of such times as he also mesmerizes his audiences by splicing in accomplished musical bits in the midsts of his hilarious comedy routine. Rayen is gaining notoriety on the international comedy scene. Even Netflix has taken note, as he was featured in one of their Comedy Specials “Comedians of the World”. He proudly represents the Netherlands in said special and has helped put the emerging Dutch comedy scene on an international stage. Rayen’s comedic star is definitely rising to pop star like heights. We are witnessing the “Bruno Mars” of comedy in the making.

Beyond all the hoopla, to me Rayen Panday is just a fun guy to talk to. He is a very humble normal dude who loves traveling and hanging out with his friends. From the looks of things, success has not spoiled him.

Lia Prewitt-Martin has been script walking in Hollywood for over two decades now. She’s peddled her words to whom ever would listen, slinging that ink to an inattentive predominantly male executive audience. You see, Lia’s obvious talents were vastly under observed and undervalued in a male driven Hollywood. At her point of entry into the Hollywood shuffle, Lia was a bright eyed and bushy tailed beauty from Cleveland, Ohio. Her effervescent bubbly personality often stunned those jaded egomaniacal Hollywood types she worked for. They in turned loved having her around but often couldn’t see past her beauty and good nature in order to grasp her writing talents. Lia continued to work hard in the industry, making her way up through the ranks achieving marginal successes despite her many obstacles. There were a few set backs and deals that fell through. Hollywood is a very fickle mistress with a short attention span. Often times one is pushed aside for the newer and shinier. Being psychologically discarded takes it’s tole. There’s only so long that one can suffer the slings and arrows of misfortune.

So Lia took a few decades off, to regroup, finding her own voice and regaining her self confidence. Now she’s back, bolder, older, wiser, stronger and badder than ever. Now I know this sounds a lot like a blaxploitation film, then again, Lia Prewitt-Martin is black and her treatment as a woman in Hollywood was quite exploitive. Lia now writes for a Netflix show. She’s holds a position as story editor on the sitcom “Family Reunion”. Now it seems like she’s writing her own narrative. A narrative in which she’s in charge of her own self worth. Lia Prewitt-Martin is improving Hollywood by finally getting a chance to add her voice and perspective to the melange of stories in the motion picture industry. It appears that her talents are finally being recognized.

I am so incredibly tempted to call former CIA operative, Darrell M. Blocker an “International Man of Mystery” or “The Most Interesting Man in the World”. Unfortunately, these monikers would only turn Darrell’s actual amazing accomplishments into Hollywood-type slogans. His contributions to the clandestine service are very much real unlike those in a “Dos Equis” commercial. He’s got a list of achievements as long as a giant’s arm. He specializes in Counterterrorism, and was at one point the chief of the CIA operational training facility, chief of operations in the Africa division and much more. At the time of his retirement Darrell was the highest ranking most senior black officer in the CIA. Iris Elba is gonna play this guy in a movie some day.

Darrell M. Blocker normalizes and reshapes our perceptions of a CIA operative. Darrell does not call himself a “Spy” or a “Secret Agent” or say stuff like “I would tell ya but I’d have to kill ya”. He chuckles at all the fantastical anecdotes and imagery that we have all consumed regarding the mysterious world of the CIA. Darrell sees it as pure entertainment, and vastly different from his actual experience during his 28 year service in the Central Intelligence Agency. Like Liam Neeson, Darrell also has a particularly set of skills. Those skills are listening, hearing, observing, paying attention, not very sexy, but nonetheless skills that were vital to his survival in the espionage world.

Samba Schutte is an international Ethiopian-Dutch-Mauritian performer. He speaks 5 languages English, French, Amharic, Dutch and Funny. That’s right, Samba is a critically acclaimed comedian who has had sold out shows all over Holland. He has even managed to have won several Cabaret awards during his multi show runs throughout that country. Shortly after receiving such praise in Holland, Samba quickly became a rising star in the Dutch comedy world. Television appearances and request for more show tours soon followed. Then suddenly, Samba pumped the breaks on all of that Dutch adoration, choosing instead to try his hand at the Hollywood dream.

I met Samba at the “International Comedy Show” at the “Comedy Store” in Los Angeles. I quickly recognized his gift for humorous storytelling and the compassionate nature in which he executes his stories. His characters paint a world far far away but yet familiar and close to our hearts. I could go on and on about Samba Schutte’s accomplishments since his arrival in America, like being a series regular on the NBC comedy “Sunnyside” or his numerous voiceover work, like “Stars Wars Jedi: Fallen Order”. But what I learned most during this podcast is that one of Samba’s greatest pursuits and soon to be a crowning accomplishment, is his journey towards becoming an American citizen.

Sargeant Luqman Watkins, aims to regain the trust between police and community, starting with the LAPD. His hope is that the Los Angeles Police Department’s success would then create a great template for policing around the world. He sees the police and the community as one entity.
Luqman is not doing this alone. He is leading a force of like minded officers who collaborate with the community in several outreach programs. I met Sargeant Watkins at one such program, “Historical Perspective Initiative”. I must say, Luqman and his band of merry officers seemed very eager to implement change and repair the damage done by the past exploits of the LAPD. I have no doubt in Sargeant Watkins’ sincerity and his willingness to do good. It is a laborious task mending the relationship between the police and the community. Sargeant Luqman Watkins might just be the man for the job. He’s probably gonna hate me saying this but Luqman speaks with the confidence and bravado of a 90s Brooklyn rapper. He’s the kind of guy that makes you wanna be his hype man.

René Ameling moves through life like a hunter whose pray is Joy and Passion. René is a Kitchen Master who prepares a multitude of cuisines with the intensity of a Samurai warrior. He currently teaches cooking at the “Amsterdam Hotel School” located in, you guest it, Amsterdam. I am not certain if cooking always came naturally to René but he has been commanding an audience or pleasing palettes from the age of sixteen. Now a thirty five year veteran in the cooking game, René has prepared his culinary masterpieces for a countless amount of people around the world, from Prince to pauper. When I say Prince, I mean that quite literally, “The Artist Formerly As Prince”. He was just one of the many celebrities who sequestered the culinary craftsmanship of Chef René.

Now, that’s who René Ameling is on paper. With in a few nano seconds of our conversation, you immediately start to see that René is so much more than just a clever description on a digital page. He reeks of poetry and passion. René exudes an exuberance for life that is infectious. I often walk away from our conversations feeling revived and ready to take on the world. Chef and Yoga teacher are just a few mere tools in his arsenal of many tools he uses to communicate with humans. His passion for life is off the charts. René Ameling is the kind of guy who slaps Life on the ass and Life says, “Thanks, you cheeky bastard”.

Jean Franzblau has a warm and cuddly personality, which is quite apropos because Jean happens to be a professional Cuddle Expert. Yes, that’s a thing. Not only is it a thing but there’s scientific backing behind such a profession. There are measurable health benefits to human touch that appear to be physical as well as psychological. Cuddle therapy is becoming a thriving industry and after this recent pandemic it is one industry that doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Jean takes her job as a professional Cuddle Expert, very seriously. So much so, that she is the founder and organizer of “Cuddle Sanctuary”. She organizes social events in which people get to connect with other humans through the art of touch. These are non sexual social gatherings. Jean makes this very clear that her focus is on wellness and health. These social functions lean more towards healing touch deprived human beings. Cuddle Sanctuary also trains practitioners to become professional Cuddle Expert.

Jean Franzblau is at the forefront of this emerging wellness modality. She is kicking ass in the cuddle game. Judging from my conversation with her, she is extremely passionate about the need for this in our current society. Jean is excitedly ambitious to see these practices become interwoven into our cultures.
Hey, at one point we thought Yoga was weird and now they’re teaching it in prisons. Who knows, maybe one day this Cuddling thing will be taught in prisons around the... y’know what, never mind. Something tells me they’re already cuddling in prisons.

My “Cool Runnings” costar Doug E Doug and I play catch-up as we discuss a myriad of topics. Nothing is off the table as we traverse through subjects like Fatherhood, Fame and Beyoncé. We even get around to talking about the movie “Cool Runnings” and the effect it had on our young lives.
Doug is a great conversationalist who maneuvers through sensitive and complexed subject matters with humor and ease. His insights are very noteworthy and I often leave these conversations feeling enlightened and enriched. Our talks help to spark some of my own insights as I gain several new ideas perspectives.