Spotlight Conversations

So nice to get away to New York and catch up with voiceover talent manager Jeffrey Umberger, who works as a talent manager for ACM Talent in the city. Sitting down with Jeffrey gives you a whole new perspective inside the world of entertainment - including the voiceover business! And with the changing nature of the biz, combined with the speed in which AI is joining the ranks, this studio session proves to be an interesting convo! ...

Wrapping up a short series about tech + media with THE voiceover tech recording wiz George Whittam, also known as 'George The Tech' and okay, as a voiceover pro for a while, dang...I learned a lot from this interview with George! We start at the beginning of his career, working at WYSP in Philadelphia (The Howard Stern Show, Opie and Anthony): joining the NFL Eagles Radio Network as a booth engineer and onto embracing his...

Today in Houston for the first of my short mini-series on tech + media! This month's special episode starts with The High Tech Texan, known around town as Michael Garfield - and oh does he understand technology! But more than tech, he's also hip to lifestyle, too - so there's plenty to talk about in the studio from this television personality and radio host! (hear more on Michael's 'High Tech Texan Program&...

In the studio up near Dallas today talking with one of the most versatile guitar players in rock music - Andy Timmons. From his rock roots to his trademark melodic playing on songs from his new CD 'Recovery'; to touring with his 80's glam metal band 'Danger Danger' (and opening for Kiss and Alice Cooper!) Andy gives a glimpse into the world of rock and roll and what it's like working with Steve Vai, Er...

In the studio with blues rock guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd, talking about his new music with blues legend Bobby Rush called  'Old Fashioned Ways', where the music not only spans generations, it brings two legends together in the studio that is special in every blues rock way possible. We also talk about his tour with Bobby;  the early days of teaching himself how to play the guitar, plus how his cool DJ dad from Shrevep...

In Los Angeles to today, chatting with Jamie Jamitkowski, Senior Marketing Manager at Propstore, one of the world's leading film and television memorabilia auction houses. Their first major live auction of 2025 is happening March 26 - March 28 (for guests both in LA and online), so if you are a film fanatic, you gotta be there! From the incredible sets of Ghostbusters to Top Gun, Star Wars to X-Men, Harry Potter and Batman, Ja...

Studio ready in Los Angeles today with Emmy Award winning producer and writer Rick Mitchell (The Ellen DeGeneres Show/TMZ) to talk about his new book 'How To Write A Funny Speech...for a Wedding, Bar Mitzvah, Graduation & Every Other Event You Didn't Want To Go to in the First Place' - yes, he does cover all those nerve wracking/speech making events! Co-written with Emmy and Golden Globe winner Carol Leifer (Hack...

Martin Fry, lead singer of ABC, the English pop band from the '80s who mixed a bit 'o disco funk, rhythm and blues along with their cool post-punk sound -'Poison Arrow', 'The Look Of Love', 'When Smokey SIngs' - stops by the studio to talk about music and his upcoming tour with Howard Jones! He also gives us the details about his new autobiography (available now - check his website)  'A ...

In San Francisco this week with noted author and journalist Maria Castellucci Moore, as we talk about her new children's book 'Sophia In Rome'. This second book in her traveling mindfulness series shows how the world around us can inspire curiosity, wonder and surprise whether traveling abroad or right in our own back yard! We also discuss what inspires her as a writer, her love of Italy, plus other books coming in t...

Find learning new things difficult? Can't seem to "grasp the material" when it comes to understanding that new way of doing your old job? Relax already! Author, teacher and inventor Gary Dean Petersen stops by the studio to talk about how to answer those questions and more. His award winning book 'The Self-education Manual' presents a logical learning system of proven study methods which you can really mast...

In Boston today with entertainment journalist Tripp Whetsell, author of the new book 'Norman Lear: His Life & Times'. A passionate fan of every show Lear created and produced, Whetsell takes us behind the scenes of American retro television and Lear's inspiration for his legendary comedy series All In The Family, Maude, Sanford and Son, The Jeffersons, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman and Good Times to producing films ...

Visiting London In the studio today with 'The 286', a visionary band mixing rock and roll guitar riffs along with cellos and violins! Sounds different - and it works! This unique sound experience is lead by guitarist Spencer Hannabuss, who discusses everything from how this special band got started, how they built their incredible fan base across the United Kingdom plus how they found the perfect mix of musicians to bring...

In the studio this week with Bruce Blackman, lead singer from the iconic 70's band 'Starbuck' - talking about his music then and now - including his new single 'Jones About You'. Once you start listening to Bruce's story, you get the feeling this guy isn't slowing down for anything! We talk about how he met his college sweetheart (and the inspiration for the hit single 'Moonlight Feels Right&...

In the studio today with children's book author Frank Payne, who has written a true adventure story about his beloved adopted pup named Webster in 'Webster the Beagle' (winner of the 'Mom's Choice Award and 'Readers' Favorite' Book Review Award). Initially adopted as a hunting dog, Payne eventually discovers Webster's true calling is really the life of a therapy dog! Frank talks about th...

In Chicago today with children's book author Lisa Maggiore, who has paved a whole new world for herself in the world of publishing - and she's sharing her story today on the podcast! This social worker turned published author of 'Ava The Monster Slayer - Sleepover SuperHeroes', is a story for anyone who wants to overcome their fear of literally anything. Her telling of how Ava and her friends challenge their fea...

Meeting up in the studio with Marty Scott, guitar player with world famous Beatles tribute band 'Liverpool Legends'. With support for the band from Sir Paul McCartney and one special gig which led to Marty being hand-picked for the band by Louise Harrison (sister of the late George Harrison), let's just say great talent, luck and timing is all part of this fascinating Beatles tribute band! Marty discusses the beginni...

In the studio with writer Scott Sollers, who has written several children's books including his newest release 'A Tall Tale: How the Ostriches Got Their Long Necks and Long Legs'. We discuss his process of writing a book - starting from idea to outline to actually writing the story, then deciding on an illustrator - to eventually finding a publisher - and as Scott says, it's one of the hardest projects to undert...

In North Carolina with the talented photographer Bill Reaves, who is in the studio to talk about working with local Raleigh musicians Mitch Easter, Dave Adams, Don Dixon, The Woods, Terry Anderson and new artist Anya Hinkle; to photographing  music legends Tom Petty, Howie Epstein and Mike Cambell (The Heartbreakers); plus Robert Plant, Alison Krauss, Dale Watson, Brad Paisley and NRBQ to name a few! We also talk about his commerci...

In Hollywood today with the legendary George Schlatter, creator of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In, an American sketch comedy television show inspired by the hippie counterculture, which aired on NBC from 1968-1973. The always vibrant (and perceptive!) 94 year old tells all about show biz - from getting the networks to pick up his shows 'Laugh-In', 'Turn On' and 'Real People', to working in Las Vegas ...