May 28, 2025 • 35 mins
JLJ has a fun convo with the Tubi TV star of Culture Shock!Rich Manley is dubbed the “Adventure Illusionist,” and explorer, magician and actor and uniquely combines his sleight of hand skills on the new Tubi series, “Culture Shock” shot in Peru and Africa now airing and was just renewed for season 2 to shoot in Boliva and also will perform his live stage show “Diary Of Magic” which he will tour around the US with Erich Recker,Criss Angel’s “Mindfreak” producer. Rich is also an actor, who’s production banner, 12th Planet Productions, starring in the action thriller, “Fallen Cards”which he wrote and co-directed along with Zack Ward and Justin Zagri now in post-production and other credits include the comedy, “Slay Belles” starring Barry Bostwick as well as the critically acclaimed, “The Debt Collector” starring Scott Adkins, Michael Pare, Louis Mandylor, directed by Jesse V. Johnson, the action adventure “Knight And Day” starring Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz,directed by James Mangold and the family comedy, “Cowboy Spirit.” Rich Manley was born in Concord Massachusetts and raised in the city of Stow and as a ten-year-old learned magic from his grandfather, Dr. Douglas Marchant, a surgeon who explored global cultures and their medicinal traditions. Rich attended College at Radford University in Virginia for Acting/media studies and sports studies focusing on martial arts and left college, and traveled to Los Angeles as part of a film crew for a reality show pilot called "Stars Stunts Action" and also engaged his magic abilities by performing at the prestigious Magic Castle in Hollywood.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
So I you know, I thought I did a lot
of different things, but this view does a lot of
different things. Also a true renaissance man, I mean, he's
an adventure illusion is to be like, what does that mean?
Speaker 2 (00:14):
We'll tell you explore a magician, actor.
Speaker 1 (00:17):
He's done stunts, producers, acts, right, he does all kinds
of stuff and he travels the world doing half of
this stuff that he likes to do. And we're gonna
talk to him about all the things he does. He
has a show called Culture Shock on too. He has
his own show, folks. So here our extra connections. We're
happy to welcome rich Manley All Rich.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
Hey, nice to meet you. I'm glad to be here.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
Get nice to meet you. To you, sir number one.
Congratulations on the show, and he got picked up for
a season two.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
Yes, yes, yes, thank you so much. Yeah, I know
it's been it's been definitely a great experience. I mean,
traveling to see all these different areas and communities has
really been fantastic experience, especially being able to adventure to
them and do what I love magic and very fortunate
to be able to have a second season. And we're
actually leaving June first to film in Bolivia.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
So got that coming out Olivia.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
That's crazy because you were because you're also in afric
parts of Africa.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
You're you're I saw I saw on pay Rude.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
Other food.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Didn't find Perilla proving food. You were there.
Speaker 1 (01:27):
I mean, it's like you get to I mean, this
is the question I actually really want to ask you.
I would have ever asked us of anybody before him.
We could be up first. Because magic, sleight of hand, illusion,
that is such a unique niche entertainment. You don't see
a lot on television. We have people, we have we
(01:49):
have some folks like David Copperfield and and you know,
I mean we name some people that you're Dare Blade
if that's a TV. But did you think, if you
do imagine, if you were a kid, that you would
have a tea show that involved magic?
Speaker 3 (02:05):
You know, that's a good question. Not really, because you know,
I'd always loved adventure magic just because my grandfather was
he did magic and he travel all over the world.
And but really I always as a kid was like, oh,
I want to be like Jackie Channon Bruce Lee. So
(02:25):
I thought I was gonna, you know, I would have
a show or I was hoping to have a show,
you know, more on the action adventure side of things,
and you know, doing martial arts and all that. But
you know, over the years, it kind of was something
where I went back to my roots, learning my first
card trick from my grandfather when I was ten years old,
and just you know, kind of going back to that,
(02:46):
seeing how much magic brought people together and how it
connected people, and that's really what, you know, really pushed
me to follow that that path.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
Is that funny how we think we have things that
we want to have happened, but life goes, no, You're
gonna do this instead. But it's still it's still in
your wheelhouse. It's like we're gonna do this. Still, you
still do stunts and acts, but like it's magic.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
Yeah, yeah, and you know, it's it's really just one
of those things where I think, you know, when you're younger,
at least when I was younger, I always said, you know,
I see myself as this person, but truly, I mean,
all these things make up that person, and for me,
all these things make up who I am. So whether
it's doing you know, something where I'm traveling and doing
magic for different communities and adventuring. I mean, it all
(03:34):
goes hand in hand with everything else I'm doing. You know,
it's all kind of a creative process, so to speak.
And I enjoy creating things. Whether it is an action,
you know, a martial arts piece, or whether it is
travel based and meeting different cultures and communities, or whether
it's doing magic or writing. It's just it's all the
creative process. And I think that's that's really what I
(03:55):
what I love the most.
Speaker 1 (03:56):
I agree with that. Also, I got you big different things.
It's like it's all still it's all parts of me.
I'm still feeding almost part I'm still doing all they're
getting fed almost part are still getting fed exactly.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
Yeah, yeah, how'd you get the series?
Speaker 3 (04:11):
So we pitched it to a couple of different networks
and you know places, I mean we you know, we
went to obviously, we went to Netflix and Disney. Plus
the only thing was at the time we were pitching
around twenty nineteen, the end of twenty nineteen and twenty twenty,
and you know, it was the COVID time, so a
travel show wasn't Yeah, it wasn't really at the top
(04:34):
of the list for people. I mean, people loved it
they you know, the feedback was great, but it just
was like, well, the longevity of this, how can we
keep it going if you know, everything was so uncertain.
So we had to take our time. We took some
time out and we settled on on TB. But you know,
I had I had always made different connections and had
(04:55):
you know, people that I had met through through working
at you know, Paramount as a script supervisor, and I
had made the connected the dots to get this to
the right people, and eventually I did and the rest
is history. Now now we have this first season on tube.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
So tell me all what the show's about that they
don't know. They don't know.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
Yeah, so the show is basically a you know, I've
received this travel journal from my grandfather when he passed,
and it is a diary of all the places he visited.
And as a kid, I would watch him, you know,
leave the country and go to you know, the Amazon
deepening the Amazon on expeditions, or he'd be climbing the
ma out of Horn who's in Asia Africa. And you
(05:36):
know he was doing this because he was giving seminars
on medical practices. He was a surgeon. So in the
forties they taught surgeon's slide of hand to be better
with their finger dexterity. So he learned magic. So he
used that skill to communicate, and not really communicate, but
kind of break the ice with you know, different cultures,
like in the Amazon. He would meet remote communities and
(05:57):
he would do a magic trick and it kind of
melted away. You know. He was able to find common
ground amongst everyone, and that allowed him to learn about
their traditions and some of their more intimate secrets of medicine.
And so hearing that from him and reading his journal,
I was like, wow, this is such a you know,
he had such a great life doing all this. Obviously
he was a doctor, but I really wanted to follow
(06:18):
in his footsteps. So I used that as the basis
for Culture Shock really, where I'm following his journal of
all the places he went and meeting people, learning about them,
but using magic as that way to kind of, you know,
break the ice between communities. You know, we're all we
remember that we're kids again. You know, that sense of wonderment,
you know why when they see like this something they've
(06:39):
never seen before, and it kind of brings everyone together.
And the show is about that it's about coming together,
it's about connection, it's about seeing other cultures how they
live traditions, and you know what we're slowly losing to
the modern world.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
You know.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
I always say that cultures, you know, and whether it's
in South America, Africa, they're really like time capsules of
where we came from. And it's something that we're slowly losing.
So to be able to see that and remember that
and keep those traditions closed and that culture, I think
is really important for as we move forward into modernization
and it slowly fades away.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
You're right, there's other you know, any of us who
do travel to these other countries.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
You're right.
Speaker 1 (07:19):
It's a perfect example that they're time caps that they
remind us that you're the modern world's one way, but
the rest of the world is still holding true to
themselves and their roots.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
And it's not a bad thing, not a bad thing
at all, no at all.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
Little quick story is that I had met someone whose
magician ill loosionists years ago in our first meeting to
break the ice, he had fire come out of his wallet,
and I was sitting like this, like I was sitting white,
like he was like it was right there and I
was like, he didn't tell he was going to do it,
and we're talking and I'm like this, I tried to
(07:57):
just pitching this whole thing like yeah, blah blah of
a sudden like and then they paved me away and
then I said, I'm talking to some more and I
was saying I was okay, wait a minute, and I
seeing fire. It was just really funny and I've always
loved I just thought I was sitting right across from
him like it was crazy. But it did break the
I mean totally broke the ice. And also we developed
a law of frenchmist to last today like this long
(08:19):
working relationship, because it's kind of like that's so different
than just like meeting up having a couple of drinks
and say, okay, we're good. It's like it's a little
it's like I was like, how did you do that?
Like I'm like, right here, how do you do that?
I So I agree, it's one of those great things
and you have that skill to do that. It's crazy.
I love that. Can I ask you five questions about
(08:41):
your grandfather?
Speaker 3 (08:43):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (08:43):
Yeah, go ahead, Because I had a grandfather who did
magic also, but I taught my brother so I didn't
get the magic. I can jug all of that, but
I can't. I can't do magic. But my brother did
so my my my grandfather, my grandpa Bob in New York.
He loved magic. So your grandfather Douglas was the magician surgeon.
(09:04):
So he's a five quick questions because I'm glad we
let into this because uh, nor one.
Speaker 2 (09:09):
So it produced you to magic. What was the first
card trick that he showed you? Do you remember? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (09:15):
Oh yeah, the first card trick was it was a
slide of hand move. It was really difficult. It was
a card vanished, so it's basically taking a card in
your hands and waving the card in the air and
then making it disappear. And you know, it's it's not
easy to do when you have like you're ten years
old and your hands are very small, because it involves
hiding the.
Speaker 2 (09:35):
Car that makes that's right, Yes, yeah.
Speaker 3 (09:39):
Sou but it was a very nacky move and you
have to like really practice it. And I think, you know,
he taught it to me, not so much as it's
like it was like one of those mister Miyagi moments,
because it's like he taught it to me to see
if I had the patience to keep doing it, because
it wasn't like I was going to perfect it because
the car you see card, I mean, my hands are
(10:01):
too small. But it was something that I could grow
into and keep practicing until I had perfected it and
then learn more sleights of hands. So even though it
was a really difficult move to do, it was about
the patients. And I would a family get together is
like Christmas. I get everyone together at the house, and
you know, I have a big family, and so they're
all gathered around and I would everyone be watching me
(10:22):
and I have the card and I'm like, okay, it's
gonna bear and everyone would see it, you know, and
they'd be like, oh, okay, you know, you know they
play nice, but you know so and I knew too.
I was like, oh, everyone can see it, but I
don't care. It's see it here it is, you know.
I was young, and but he would pull me aside
and he'd say, you know, the important thing is is
that you're practicing it and you and you're sticking with it.
(10:44):
And I think that's what he wanted me to do.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
And also presentation, you learning presentation. Half of it is
the old right, not just the actual trick, it's the
whole engagement and presentation.
Speaker 3 (10:55):
Yeah, very much. So yeah, yeah, folks at home.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
I'm not going to do this.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
I've learned this a long time ago with comedians or
like you'll just ask them do the track, do the
trick on the spot. I don't do that to me
blame or because it's so it can be a strange thing.
Speaker 2 (11:11):
So watch the show. He does. He does a lot
of stuff. But I'm Michael jet to.
Speaker 1 (11:15):
You, Rich jet to you friends on the spot. Some
people can do it on the We're like, my dad
wasn't ready, So I'm gonna that number two who introduced
him to magic because it was do his work because
being a surgeon, they.
Speaker 3 (11:30):
Just yeah yeah, So there were I guess there were
certain surgeons in the medical field or you know, practitioners
that would seek out or they actually had programs where
they would teach them magic or sleight of hand. Really
it was more sleight of hand so they'd be better
with their hand dexterity. And that's really where he learned
it and why he learned it, so he'd be better
(11:51):
for surgeries.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
So crazy, what what what was? Well, I'm guessing my guess.
The journal is probably your most special thing. You have
a fit, isn't it.
Speaker 3 (12:02):
Yeah, there is that. I mean, there's multiple things. He
actually left me, which is really cool because he left
me at Thesaurus as well, which he wrote a note
in and it was his book that he would because
he was a writer as well. He wrote a lot
of publications for nat Gio back in the day and
other fly fishing magazines. He liked to do a lot
(12:22):
of things too, like myself, there.
Speaker 2 (12:24):
You go, your grandfather's child. Yes, I love it.
Speaker 3 (12:26):
Yeah, but that was one of his things too, like
in these different communities and places like on the Amazon,
he would fly fish and he wrote a lot of
you know, articles that he'd published in magazines, and so
he had Thesaurus with him and he gave it to me,
I think when I was turning eighteen, and he knew
that I really liked to write, so he wrote a
(12:49):
message in there that you know, I hope this serves
you well on your writing endeavors, you know, love love Pair.
We called him pair, which in French means father, but
we just we would call him my mayor mother in French,
and my father, my grand sorry, my grandfather, father in French.
But yeah, he left that to me. And that's another
really important item to me, just because he knew how
(13:10):
much I loved to write. And so the journal, the
journal was more like his experiences. It wasn't like addressed
to me. But the fact that he wrote a message
in there addressed to me, uh, you know, just it
just meant a lot.
Speaker 1 (13:23):
Yeah, my my father's side there, creole from Louisiana. I
saw all the French that rand mir, I know all
the French, all that stuff.
Speaker 2 (13:33):
That was my That's my fourth question. Would you call him? Actually?
What you call him? That's magic?
Speaker 3 (13:38):
That was premonition. I read your mind.
Speaker 1 (13:42):
I'll asking that. But the last question actually and and
what is the best advice he actually told you?
Speaker 3 (13:52):
I think it really was that, you know, the patients
to keep at it, he always said. The last thing
he did say, And I remember min because I wasn't there,
and my mom h related to me, and she it
was kind of a you know, emotional thing because the
(14:13):
last thing he said it was about me, really to
my mom to tell me and he said, you know,
of all the family, Richie, they called me Richie. Uh,
They're like he has the biggest heart, which will be
his greatest strength and his greatest his greatest downfall. So
make sure that he's careful and protects it. And I think,
you know, I over the years, I thought about that,
(14:35):
you know, and and you know, he knew that, I
that I loved to be around people and connect people
and do magic for people. And I think he you know,
there's an innocence that too, because you know, coming out
here at the Los Angeles I grew up in Boston, Massachusetts,
and you know, in the woods and kind of like
a smaller town. And I think coming out here, you
(14:55):
want to like try to entertain people. You want to
you know, meet new people, and something times it's hard
when you go to a bigger city because not everyone
is friendly, you know. So I think that was the
advice that really stuck with me.
Speaker 1 (15:07):
Yeah, I get it. I have a big heart myself.
I mean, I'm a tough guy, but I got big
I'm a big softie. It's one of those things where people,
I love people. That's why did this job. I loved
going doing this for twenty years. I love doing this,
but also people can disappoint you at the same time.
So it's it's that pushing that mixture of stuff so right,
it's like you got to protect yourself on some level too,
(15:28):
that not everybody's friendly and everybody's nice, and everybody's gonna
treat you well, that everybody's looking out for you.
Speaker 2 (15:34):
You know that kind of thing.
Speaker 1 (15:35):
And I saying it's a negative thing, it's most positive
thing to just be careful, be careful who you.
Speaker 3 (15:41):
Hang with, exactly, exactly.
Speaker 1 (15:45):
Well, Boston, Well, the East Coast is very different than
the West Coast, as we do, we will even know too,
so attitude, style, all that stuff. What is one thing
about the East coasts that you actually miss? You know?
Speaker 3 (15:59):
I I love the seasons, the changing of the seasons obviously,
I mean being on in Massachusetts, I mean you get
the foliage, so there's something about the changing of the
seasons that you know. I grew up not just with magic,
but I was doing martial arts too, another thing that
I loved, and I trained with the shellon monks, and
there was a time where I was really interested in
I mean I still is today where I'm very interested
(16:21):
in the philosophy and the chigung and the meditation. And
I think when the seasons change, there is that and
in shall and kung fu too, they practice different either
it's more meditative in the winter and it's more aggressive,
you know, style of physical fitness during the summer. But
your mind it changes as the seasons change in your
(16:43):
body and your mind and your soul in a way
change with the seasons if you're connected with them. And
so that's one thing that I miss, is feeling that
connection to almost like the natural world when you're seeing
that winter come and then fall in spring and summer,
and you know, you get all that, not just the beauty,
but the feeling of all that I I really miss.
You know. When I came to the West Coast, it
(17:05):
was just kind of a different mentality, you know. I
mean over there anyway, everybody's very straight to the point blunt,
you know, I mean from Boston, you know, and here
was kind of like you just kind of there was
like this, you know, and so you got to kind
of get used to that. And then the pacing too.
I had always been a very fast paced type of person,
and you know, the pacing just a little bit more
(17:26):
mellow here. So there's a lot of things I do
adjust to. But now I could say that honestly, I
like the West Coast for the fact that I can
travel to the mountains, I can travel to the snow
when I want it, you know, up to the Sierras,
and I can travel to the desert. I can rock
climb there. So there's a lot more adventure. But I
feel like it feels more like home. When I go
(17:49):
back to the East Coast.
Speaker 2 (17:51):
I have to ask you, who water is that plant behind.
Speaker 1 (17:53):
You when you're gone, Oh, this thing, yo, this thing,
this thing, Yes, that living creature behind you, Yes, that.
Speaker 3 (18:04):
Would definitely be my girlfriend. I here, I am talking
about how to be very you know, yes, and you're
like this plant backs like yeah, what about me?
Speaker 2 (18:20):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (18:20):
Hello, I'm like we like I like, I'm a plant person.
I had I had to ask to sit right behind him,
like like, I know you travel a lot for I'm like, so, who.
Speaker 2 (18:28):
Just cared the plant?
Speaker 3 (18:30):
Yes? Yes, but you got me. You brought the plant
into this. You got his side of the story.
Speaker 2 (18:37):
Look out for the plants, look out for the plane.
I love it. I see your rock climbing somewhere over
there too. I say that, I say, very good.
Speaker 1 (18:46):
So here's a question I would ask because I had
a job once where I travel a lot, and you
don't and people who don't do that don't really.
Speaker 2 (18:53):
I mean, traveling once a year on a trip is
one thing. Twice a year on a trip is one thing.
Speaker 1 (19:00):
Traveling back home is one thing. But you travel for
work a lot can be a lot. So do you
like to travel on your own now? Has it changed
the perspective on are you just like I already traveled
half this year for work. I just I don't want
to go that far my trips to be closer all.
I mean, how has that affected your travel life in
(19:22):
real life?
Speaker 3 (19:23):
You know? I often say even to my friends and
then they kind of like wrinkle their fits and they
kind of I think they're they get a little like
are you kidding me when they when I say this,
But I'm like, I need a vacation.
Speaker 2 (19:39):
I know.
Speaker 1 (19:39):
That is it's weird for people to say, you're like
you were just in Peru like I was working in Peru,
like you were working right.
Speaker 3 (19:46):
Yeah, yeah, because you know, like you go and everything's
very stressful. I mean, you see the end result in
it looks like you know, everything's you know, great, but
I mean the scenes it's pretty stressful. I mean a
lot of the producers that I work with often say,
you know, this show would actually be a lot more
interesting if we just put the behind the scenes on
because there's so much drama that's happening behind the camera,
(20:09):
you know, and everything that's going wrong, and so you know,
like a lot of these travels are work related and
there's always a camera involved. So you know, I've always
said that I really want to try to get more
in the moment of being there and just remembering when
I was in my teens a kid and doing martial
arts and sitting there and meditating and being outside and experiencing,
(20:29):
you know, nature and just feeling that moment and taking
a time out and turning the brain off. I always say,
I want to get to do that more. But it's like,
when I'm out there, there's always a camera involved, there's
always a team, there's always people, there's always deadline, there's
a schedule. And so I get home and I end
up looking at the photos or the video and I'm like, oh,
I was doing that, and it's like it's like I'm
(20:51):
watching someone else on camera, and I'm like, wow, it
was really beautiful. That was a great experience. I have
no recollection of it in the moment at all.
Speaker 2 (20:59):
You know, it's hard to know when you're working.
Speaker 1 (21:02):
I'm telling people, I used to travel at one point
every other week I was going somewhere pretty I had
to put on these conferences, and so we try to
go see the cities. But a lot of times we
were so busy. We see the city when we're running
errands for that event. So I wasn't like, really, so, y'all,
here here's Connecticut.
Speaker 2 (21:19):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (21:19):
I wasn't really taking it in. You're right, you're not
taking it in. You want to, but just you got it.
You got the there's money online things going on, Yeah,
exactly right, but not also your producer to your your
production company Twelve Plant Productions, and you're also an actors.
So so because you have your own kind of production
(21:39):
company that you must also understand any projects that you
join in on, right.
Speaker 3 (21:46):
Yeah, And it's it's it's oftentimes like I'm always complaining
to myself. Really, you know, you can't really plain to
anyone else. It's really it's it's trying to manage time.
But it's like, you know, when you're producing something, and
especially if it's producing something where I'm also actively involved
in front of the camera, or even just if I'm
producing it, then I have to go on the trip.
(22:08):
A lot of these things are physically demanding, so you know,
producing takes a lot of time where you're not really
you know, training, So there's like you've got to build
time in to do the training. For instance, for Bolivia
that we're going to film, it's we're climbing a six
thousand meter peak and now you know that requires a
lot of running, going to elevation, cardio training, working the legs,
(22:28):
the body, making sure you're ready to do that. But
at the same time, then it's like, oh, I'm about
to go training all then I've got a phone call.
I can't go now, Oh I've got these emails. Why
won't the emails stop?
Speaker 2 (22:39):
Why won't the phone they they never stop?
Speaker 3 (22:42):
No, no, so and then you realize like a half hour,
an hour's gone by, and you're like, I don't even
know where the time went at this point, I'm training
at three in the morning now.
Speaker 1 (22:52):
Sadly, but you just again you read my mind to
ask you about the training part. How you do they
You just basically had to answer my question, Oh right,
he's trained, guys, he's my mind on what's going on.
I was asking that next and you just did it
for me easily.
Speaker 3 (23:05):
I'm already on you.
Speaker 2 (23:06):
No, No, that's true now and times my fast.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
I mean, I'm to folks understand, because I produce emails
come forever. There's some phone calls take forever, and we
just it's just and next thing, you know, it's ten
o'clock at night.
Speaker 2 (23:18):
You're like, I been up since six and it's ten
o'clock at night. Where did it all go?
Speaker 1 (23:23):
I mean, it's just it looks clamorous, so it is
out there, but by the scenes, a lot of stuff
going on.
Speaker 3 (23:28):
Yeah, yeah, And then you know, then you especially if
you're doing all this adventure stuff, then it's like, Okay,
now I have to I've got three weeks left, two
weeks left. I have to really focus on this. I've
got to turn the phone off. I've got to turn
the emails off, you know, because a lot of it
really is it's you want to get the project done,
but some of it's dangerous and you're putting your life
on the line in some of this stuff, uh me
(23:51):
in particular, and so it's like, okay, I gotta be
safe as well.
Speaker 2 (23:54):
So you have Do you have somebody you have you have?
Speaker 1 (23:56):
Do you have a stunt person on the show that
follows you to you or no? No, no.
Speaker 3 (24:03):
All the stuff I do and and so you know,
the climbing, the whitewater, kayaking.
Speaker 2 (24:10):
Okay yourself, like folks, it's all.
Speaker 3 (24:17):
So yeah that uh and you know it's just but
a lot of other the crew members too, It's like
they have to be up the car. I had my
co host James Houston in the PREW episode. He's he
comes in and out of some episodes, but he got
stuck in a hydraulic in one in the PREW episode,
we had a raft flip and we're washing down a
(24:39):
Class four rapid and you know there's some hazards and
some consequences there, and he actually got pulled way underneath
the river and was just the hydraulic was spinning him around.
He was pushed on the riverbed and he couldn't get out. Luckily,
he had the training and wherewithal to know how to
just remain calm and then eventually the hydraulics spit him out.
But he said, you know, after that, he's like I
(25:02):
really thought that was the end for me, Like I
didn't think I was coming back from that. And so
you know we've had things like that happen. It's just
it's well then again, you know, those are the stories
that are behind the scenes really.
Speaker 1 (25:14):
But it gives people have a home and chance to
understand that you know, you're pursuing, this is your passion
and something you're doing and you know, and it's life.
I mean, there, you can go across the street get
my car. I mean, I mean say, this is life.
So you can't be fearful. You will be cautious and careful,
but things in place, but life is life. Sometimes stuff
comes across. I mean I've had lights fall beyond sets,
(25:37):
you know, miss me narrowly.
Speaker 2 (25:38):
You know, I've had chairs.
Speaker 1 (25:39):
But like anything can I mean, anything happens in this
business when you're trying to put together a product and.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
You can't be you can't have you have to kind
of be fearless, just like just do it.
Speaker 3 (25:51):
You know, that's right, that's right exactly.
Speaker 1 (25:53):
So you performed the Magic Castle, the famous Yes, so
for me, I'm there and everything.
Speaker 2 (26:00):
I know. How was it for you to perform there?
Speaker 3 (26:04):
It was great? You know, I think the last performance
I performed there probably about six years ago. But it
ended it ended up being for some reason. I don't
know why why people like to do this, but they
like to just give me too many drinks and so
it ends up being me. And apparently I get better
(26:25):
at magic the more I drink, So it was maybe
that's why they did it. Maybe they're like, oh, he's good,
but he could be great here. But that that that's
the what I really remember about format the Magic Castle.
There's just a lot of Chardonnay involved and and it
(26:48):
was great. It was a great experience. You know, I've
formed there a number of times, and you know, I
love the experience of doing it there. But yeah, I
just remember having a really good time in the in
the alcohol sense, and then the magic.
Speaker 2 (27:01):
Just happens load out of you.
Speaker 1 (27:03):
You know, folks, maybe all match caps with Legend place
and in Hollywood, I know many magicians you per form there.
I have a lifetime membership there, so I've been. I've
been going south wells a kid, you like go on
certain holidays and holliday brunches like Eastern stuff, we can go.
Speaker 2 (27:18):
But as the adults, I've been many times. And so
if you ever go to La Folks, you should go.
Speaker 1 (27:22):
It's right if you like magic, it's kind of it's
fun funnel evening, good food, fun evening.
Speaker 2 (27:27):
Check it out. Check it out.
Speaker 1 (27:30):
So I guess as you wrap this up, I guess
I can talk to you for you're you're you're a
great guy, can touch you whoever, Uh, you have to
come back on your next season, you can get come
back back, come back one.
Speaker 3 (27:39):
I'll be Yeah, I'm having a good time.
Speaker 1 (27:43):
Because you do so many different things and I'm the
same way. Of course, are you an organized person? Are
you a person who just kind of you kind of
can you can kind of you have your like you said,
days go fast, times, days go on, but you are
kind of hitting your different marks right in your life,
and that because of organization.
Speaker 3 (28:02):
Yeah, I well, I think my organization is kind of
this perfect storm of organization. It works for me. But
if someone were to look at me or come into
my house and look at it, they'd be like, this
guy is like the maniac, you know, because things I
have things a certain way that I know work for me.
I have schedules that that I developed that work for me,
(28:25):
and obviously I have a master plan, you know, I
want to hit these these goals that I have, and
so I have that through that kind of like backbone
of what I want, and then the organization kind of happens.
It's I have tons of notebooks written down things my
my iPhones. I have this notepad that I just write
everything in the notepad. And you know, my girlfriend even said,
(28:47):
she's like, why don't you use the the actual calendar
in there. I'm like, no, no, it will fill it
all up. I need the notepad because the notepad like that,
there's not enough space in that's that calendar. Yeah, And
so I'm like, I just put it in notes and
it works for me. So it's it's a weird, disorganized,
organized way of doing things that works for me.
Speaker 1 (29:10):
I'm very similar the notes after my iPhone. Yeah, but
a savior for me. Yes, and and like you, but
I got pads, I got notebooks, I got I got scenaryowhere.
Speaker 2 (29:20):
I'm always writing stuff down.
Speaker 3 (29:22):
Yeah, I like to.
Speaker 1 (29:23):
I like to write it down. I might say, right,
meaning type or right, I have to, I have to
see it. I'm gonna I'm a visual kind of guy,
write down. My brain got ten thousand things going on
and I can't just remember it all the time.
Speaker 3 (29:35):
Yeah, there's there's moments where I just say, you know,
I wish I would just not do the producing things
and I just shut up and someone tell me what
to do. Just tell me what to do, you know,
and I'll just I'll just do it, you know, Just
what do you need me to do? You know? But
I guess that's where the acting side comes into play.
But but even then, I'm just so, you know, I
(29:57):
like to be immersive and and really into whatever I do.
So even when it comes to that, it's like, oh,
but I really want something that I can that I
can really develop and create, and you know, it's not
just oh say this, do this and do that. It's like, well,
but you know, there's a side to this that you know.
So maybe it's the artist's mind. So that was me too.
Speaker 2 (30:16):
That was me too.
Speaker 1 (30:17):
I started out as an actor and I was like,
this is not enough. I want to I want to
get I want to be in charge some stuff. That's
the same way.
Speaker 3 (30:24):
But I think it's important, especially being an actor, if
you know all the different aspects of the film industry,
I think it's really an important thing to to have
that skill really well.
Speaker 1 (30:34):
Also makes you ahead of the game because it used
to be just no one thing and that's in everybody.
Not anymore that you know. This is not a no,
no no, not any way. I tell everybody who's doing
the business, no, multiple things. And actually, if you can produce,
if you can produce and write and act or direct
or host whatever it is. But if you if you're
(30:56):
a package, that's easier to time. People look at you
and go Hi. I can hire Rich because I know
he can do all these different things and then have
to worry so trying to find well can I get
friends when he does? This might just not like, no,
we got him. He can do so, I think to me,
I think you're smart in the way and business wise.
This is a business folks. It's very smarter you. I
(31:18):
think nowadays are saying long if you know, if you
always say back when I was in corporate world, you
know cross training, like well, if you know all the departments,
you're the most you're.
Speaker 2 (31:28):
The most valuable.
Speaker 1 (31:30):
Yeah yeah, yeah, I think yeah. So No, you're good,
you're good. Rich, Thanks for being on the show. I said,
you're walking back. Any types come back. I don't come
back from Bolivia. I want to hear those I want
to hear those adventures. I've heard about Bolivia's I've never been.
I've heard about I don't know, So I'm very curious
what your experience is going to be.
Speaker 3 (31:48):
Oh, well, you know anytime. I'm sure it's going to
be a blast, and it's I just hope I'm ready
for us. It's high altitude up there, so you know, because.
Speaker 1 (31:57):
It's it's higher than what's higher than I know it's
higher than Colorado, but is it higher than Peru?
Speaker 3 (32:03):
Well, the pause, I believe is starts at twelve thousand feet,
so and then you know, then you're going even higher
up from there for the ascent of the mountain. But
even there, you know, you can get altitude sickness if
you're not ready and you're not preparing for it. And
you know, we have such a short window to do
our ascent of the mountain there, which is just wild.
Speaker 1 (32:27):
Okay, wait, wait a minute, I have to ask folks,
have to ask us real quick. So how do you
prepare for that? For the high altitude stuff? How do
you prepare that?
Speaker 3 (32:35):
Really?
Speaker 2 (32:36):
Is?
Speaker 3 (32:37):
I mean coming from sea level, you always want to
try to get to some kind of higher elevation and
train at the higher elevation, so you can build up
that tolerance even if you stay there for you know,
a couple of weeks, even before you go on your
or a week you know before you go on your trip.
But you know, you can also take in a lot
of iron. I've heard that, you know, taking a lot
of iron helps too. Staying hydrated. You always want to
(32:57):
stay hydrated. I don't drink enough water, and so I'm
always like, believe or not, I'm always the one that's cramping,
like I'll get like a dead leg and I'm like,
oh my god, I need to drink water.
Speaker 2 (33:07):
And water is good. Water is good. Water, Water is good.
Water's good.
Speaker 3 (33:13):
Drinking water. Drinking water is important. And the cardio working
your legs is really important, especially for for doing that,
but just running, walking, walking, even you know, walking a mile,
just every day, just building up your lungs, being prepared
for it. If you're at sea level, just trying to
get a little higher to get acclimatized.
Speaker 1 (33:32):
Okay, so I don't won if I I don't wonder
if I went to Denver a little much sometimes at
first like okay, it's interesting, but I've never been I've
never been higher than that, so I can't.
Speaker 2 (33:42):
I can't.
Speaker 1 (33:43):
I had friends with the career and they're like Machi Pizos.
I goes just walking like it's just bree Tye and
I do. I understand.
Speaker 2 (33:49):
I'm sure, but you're doing other stuff, not just walking.
Speaker 1 (33:53):
You all kind of stuff. But you'll be fine, Grease, great, fine,
pretty good. Tell folk so they want to watch this
series where they can find it. And also if they
want to follow you, I'm following you now on Instagram
and stuff. If they want to follow you, so you'll
see my name in there. Uh, where can they follow you?
Speaker 3 (34:11):
So? Uh? If you want to follow me for all
my adventures, everything I'm doing Instagram is rich C manly
R I C HC. And then m A N L
E Y. And then anything the revolving around culture Shock
will be www dot Cultureshockmagic dot com, everything else. Then
I'm doing all the expeditions or adventure anything on me
(34:32):
will be expedition rich dot com. And that's it.
Speaker 2 (34:35):
I'll put those all in the in the in the descriptions.
Speaker 3 (34:38):
Awesome.
Speaker 1 (34:39):
I want to thank rich Manna for being on the show.
This is extra connections. We're on Facebook. I am everywhere
everywhere take Talker I everywhere, James auging here everywhere, follow me,
follow follow me, follow him, follow us, uh and make connections.
That's all point is. This show is about making connections.
It makes the world go around. And they're saying, actually,
it makes your life and your health for better. But
(35:01):
you make connections. We'll see you next time.
So I you know, I thought I did a lot
of different things, but this view does a lot of
different things. Also a true renaissance man, I mean, he's
an adventure illusion is to be like, what does that mean?
Speaker 2 (00:14):
We'll tell you explore a magician, actor.
Speaker 1 (00:17):
He's done stunts, producers, acts, right, he does all kinds
of stuff and he travels the world doing half of
this stuff that he likes to do. And we're gonna
talk to him about all the things he does. He
has a show called Culture Shock on too. He has
his own show, folks. So here our extra connections. We're
happy to welcome rich Manley All Rich.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
Hey, nice to meet you. I'm glad to be here.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
Get nice to meet you. To you, sir number one.
Congratulations on the show, and he got picked up for
a season two.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
Yes, yes, yes, thank you so much. Yeah, I know
it's been it's been definitely a great experience. I mean,
traveling to see all these different areas and communities has
really been fantastic experience, especially being able to adventure to
them and do what I love magic and very fortunate
to be able to have a second season. And we're
actually leaving June first to film in Bolivia.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
So got that coming out Olivia.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
That's crazy because you were because you're also in afric
parts of Africa.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
You're you're I saw I saw on pay Rude.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
Other food.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Didn't find Perilla proving food. You were there.
Speaker 1 (01:27):
I mean, it's like you get to I mean, this
is the question I actually really want to ask you.
I would have ever asked us of anybody before him.
We could be up first. Because magic, sleight of hand, illusion,
that is such a unique niche entertainment. You don't see
a lot on television. We have people, we have we
(01:49):
have some folks like David Copperfield and and you know,
I mean we name some people that you're Dare Blade
if that's a TV. But did you think, if you
do imagine, if you were a kid, that you would
have a tea show that involved magic?
Speaker 3 (02:05):
You know, that's a good question. Not really, because you know,
I'd always loved adventure magic just because my grandfather was
he did magic and he travel all over the world.
And but really I always as a kid was like, oh,
I want to be like Jackie Channon Bruce Lee. So
(02:25):
I thought I was gonna, you know, I would have
a show or I was hoping to have a show,
you know, more on the action adventure side of things,
and you know, doing martial arts and all that. But
you know, over the years, it kind of was something
where I went back to my roots, learning my first
card trick from my grandfather when I was ten years old,
and just you know, kind of going back to that,
(02:46):
seeing how much magic brought people together and how it
connected people, and that's really what, you know, really pushed
me to follow that that path.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
Is that funny how we think we have things that
we want to have happened, but life goes, no, You're
gonna do this instead. But it's still it's still in
your wheelhouse. It's like we're gonna do this. Still, you
still do stunts and acts, but like it's magic.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
Yeah, yeah, and you know, it's it's really just one
of those things where I think, you know, when you're younger,
at least when I was younger, I always said, you know,
I see myself as this person, but truly, I mean,
all these things make up that person, and for me,
all these things make up who I am. So whether
it's doing you know, something where I'm traveling and doing
magic for different communities and adventuring. I mean, it all
(03:34):
goes hand in hand with everything else I'm doing. You know,
it's all kind of a creative process, so to speak.
And I enjoy creating things. Whether it is an action,
you know, a martial arts piece, or whether it is
travel based and meeting different cultures and communities, or whether
it's doing magic or writing. It's just it's all the
creative process. And I think that's that's really what I
(03:55):
what I love the most.
Speaker 1 (03:56):
I agree with that. Also, I got you big different things.
It's like it's all still it's all parts of me.
I'm still feeding almost part I'm still doing all they're
getting fed almost part are still getting fed exactly.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
Yeah, yeah, how'd you get the series?
Speaker 3 (04:11):
So we pitched it to a couple of different networks
and you know places, I mean we you know, we
went to obviously, we went to Netflix and Disney. Plus
the only thing was at the time we were pitching
around twenty nineteen, the end of twenty nineteen and twenty twenty,
and you know, it was the COVID time, so a
travel show wasn't Yeah, it wasn't really at the top
(04:34):
of the list for people. I mean, people loved it
they you know, the feedback was great, but it just
was like, well, the longevity of this, how can we
keep it going if you know, everything was so uncertain.
So we had to take our time. We took some
time out and we settled on on TB. But you know,
I had I had always made different connections and had
(04:55):
you know, people that I had met through through working
at you know, Paramount as a script supervisor, and I
had made the connected the dots to get this to
the right people, and eventually I did and the rest
is history. Now now we have this first season on tube.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
So tell me all what the show's about that they
don't know. They don't know.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
Yeah, so the show is basically a you know, I've
received this travel journal from my grandfather when he passed,
and it is a diary of all the places he visited.
And as a kid, I would watch him, you know,
leave the country and go to you know, the Amazon
deepening the Amazon on expeditions, or he'd be climbing the
ma out of Horn who's in Asia Africa. And you
(05:36):
know he was doing this because he was giving seminars
on medical practices. He was a surgeon. So in the
forties they taught surgeon's slide of hand to be better
with their finger dexterity. So he learned magic. So he
used that skill to communicate, and not really communicate, but
kind of break the ice with you know, different cultures,
like in the Amazon. He would meet remote communities and
(05:57):
he would do a magic trick and it kind of
melted away. You know. He was able to find common
ground amongst everyone, and that allowed him to learn about
their traditions and some of their more intimate secrets of medicine.
And so hearing that from him and reading his journal,
I was like, wow, this is such a you know,
he had such a great life doing all this. Obviously
he was a doctor, but I really wanted to follow
(06:18):
in his footsteps. So I used that as the basis
for Culture Shock really, where I'm following his journal of
all the places he went and meeting people, learning about them,
but using magic as that way to kind of, you know,
break the ice between communities. You know, we're all we
remember that we're kids again. You know, that sense of wonderment,
you know why when they see like this something they've
(06:39):
never seen before, and it kind of brings everyone together.
And the show is about that it's about coming together,
it's about connection, it's about seeing other cultures how they
live traditions, and you know what we're slowly losing to
the modern world.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
You know.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
I always say that cultures, you know, and whether it's
in South America, Africa, they're really like time capsules of
where we came from. And it's something that we're slowly losing.
So to be able to see that and remember that
and keep those traditions closed and that culture, I think
is really important for as we move forward into modernization
and it slowly fades away.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
You're right, there's other you know, any of us who
do travel to these other countries.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
You're right.
Speaker 1 (07:19):
It's a perfect example that they're time caps that they
remind us that you're the modern world's one way, but
the rest of the world is still holding true to
themselves and their roots.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
And it's not a bad thing, not a bad thing
at all, no at all.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
Little quick story is that I had met someone whose
magician ill loosionists years ago in our first meeting to
break the ice, he had fire come out of his wallet,
and I was sitting like this, like I was sitting white,
like he was like it was right there and I
was like, he didn't tell he was going to do it,
and we're talking and I'm like this, I tried to
(07:57):
just pitching this whole thing like yeah, blah blah of
a sudden like and then they paved me away and
then I said, I'm talking to some more and I
was saying I was okay, wait a minute, and I
seeing fire. It was just really funny and I've always
loved I just thought I was sitting right across from
him like it was crazy. But it did break the
I mean totally broke the ice. And also we developed
a law of frenchmist to last today like this long
(08:19):
working relationship, because it's kind of like that's so different
than just like meeting up having a couple of drinks
and say, okay, we're good. It's like it's a little
it's like I was like, how did you do that?
Like I'm like, right here, how do you do that?
I So I agree, it's one of those great things
and you have that skill to do that. It's crazy.
I love that. Can I ask you five questions about
(08:41):
your grandfather?
Speaker 3 (08:43):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (08:43):
Yeah, go ahead, Because I had a grandfather who did
magic also, but I taught my brother so I didn't
get the magic. I can jug all of that, but
I can't. I can't do magic. But my brother did
so my my my grandfather, my grandpa Bob in New York.
He loved magic. So your grandfather Douglas was the magician surgeon.
(09:04):
So he's a five quick questions because I'm glad we
let into this because uh, nor one.
Speaker 2 (09:09):
So it produced you to magic. What was the first
card trick that he showed you? Do you remember? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (09:15):
Oh yeah, the first card trick was it was a
slide of hand move. It was really difficult. It was
a card vanished, so it's basically taking a card in
your hands and waving the card in the air and
then making it disappear. And you know, it's it's not
easy to do when you have like you're ten years
old and your hands are very small, because it involves
hiding the.
Speaker 2 (09:35):
Car that makes that's right, Yes, yeah.
Speaker 3 (09:39):
Sou but it was a very nacky move and you
have to like really practice it. And I think, you know,
he taught it to me, not so much as it's
like it was like one of those mister Miyagi moments,
because it's like he taught it to me to see
if I had the patience to keep doing it, because
it wasn't like I was going to perfect it because
the car you see card, I mean, my hands are
(10:01):
too small. But it was something that I could grow
into and keep practicing until I had perfected it and
then learn more sleights of hands. So even though it
was a really difficult move to do, it was about
the patients. And I would a family get together is
like Christmas. I get everyone together at the house, and
you know, I have a big family, and so they're
all gathered around and I would everyone be watching me
(10:22):
and I have the card and I'm like, okay, it's
gonna bear and everyone would see it, you know, and
they'd be like, oh, okay, you know, you know they
play nice, but you know so and I knew too.
I was like, oh, everyone can see it, but I
don't care. It's see it here it is, you know.
I was young, and but he would pull me aside
and he'd say, you know, the important thing is is
that you're practicing it and you and you're sticking with it.
(10:44):
And I think that's what he wanted me to do.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
And also presentation, you learning presentation. Half of it is
the old right, not just the actual trick, it's the
whole engagement and presentation.
Speaker 3 (10:55):
Yeah, very much. So yeah, yeah, folks at home.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
I'm not going to do this.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
I've learned this a long time ago with comedians or
like you'll just ask them do the track, do the
trick on the spot. I don't do that to me
blame or because it's so it can be a strange thing.
Speaker 2 (11:11):
So watch the show. He does. He does a lot
of stuff. But I'm Michael jet to.
Speaker 1 (11:15):
You, Rich jet to you friends on the spot. Some
people can do it on the We're like, my dad
wasn't ready, So I'm gonna that number two who introduced
him to magic because it was do his work because
being a surgeon, they.
Speaker 3 (11:30):
Just yeah yeah, So there were I guess there were
certain surgeons in the medical field or you know, practitioners
that would seek out or they actually had programs where
they would teach them magic or sleight of hand. Really
it was more sleight of hand so they'd be better
with their hand dexterity. And that's really where he learned
it and why he learned it, so he'd be better
(11:51):
for surgeries.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
So crazy, what what what was? Well, I'm guessing my guess.
The journal is probably your most special thing. You have
a fit, isn't it.
Speaker 3 (12:02):
Yeah, there is that. I mean, there's multiple things. He
actually left me, which is really cool because he left
me at Thesaurus as well, which he wrote a note
in and it was his book that he would because
he was a writer as well. He wrote a lot
of publications for nat Gio back in the day and
other fly fishing magazines. He liked to do a lot
(12:22):
of things too, like myself, there.
Speaker 2 (12:24):
You go, your grandfather's child. Yes, I love it.
Speaker 3 (12:26):
Yeah, but that was one of his things too, like
in these different communities and places like on the Amazon,
he would fly fish and he wrote a lot of
you know, articles that he'd published in magazines, and so
he had Thesaurus with him and he gave it to me,
I think when I was turning eighteen, and he knew
that I really liked to write, so he wrote a
(12:49):
message in there that you know, I hope this serves
you well on your writing endeavors, you know, love love Pair.
We called him pair, which in French means father, but
we just we would call him my mayor mother in French,
and my father, my grand sorry, my grandfather, father in French.
But yeah, he left that to me. And that's another
really important item to me, just because he knew how
(13:10):
much I loved to write. And so the journal, the
journal was more like his experiences. It wasn't like addressed
to me. But the fact that he wrote a message
in there addressed to me, uh, you know, just it
just meant a lot.
Speaker 1 (13:23):
Yeah, my my father's side there, creole from Louisiana. I
saw all the French that rand mir, I know all
the French, all that stuff.
Speaker 2 (13:33):
That was my That's my fourth question. Would you call him? Actually?
What you call him? That's magic?
Speaker 3 (13:38):
That was premonition. I read your mind.
Speaker 1 (13:42):
I'll asking that. But the last question actually and and
what is the best advice he actually told you?
Speaker 3 (13:52):
I think it really was that, you know, the patients
to keep at it, he always said. The last thing
he did say, And I remember min because I wasn't there,
and my mom h related to me, and she it
was kind of a you know, emotional thing because the
(14:13):
last thing he said it was about me, really to
my mom to tell me and he said, you know,
of all the family, Richie, they called me Richie. Uh,
They're like he has the biggest heart, which will be
his greatest strength and his greatest his greatest downfall. So
make sure that he's careful and protects it. And I think,
you know, I over the years, I thought about that,
(14:35):
you know, and and you know, he knew that, I
that I loved to be around people and connect people
and do magic for people. And I think he you know,
there's an innocence that too, because you know, coming out
here at the Los Angeles I grew up in Boston, Massachusetts,
and you know, in the woods and kind of like
a smaller town. And I think coming out here, you
(14:55):
want to like try to entertain people. You want to
you know, meet new people, and something times it's hard
when you go to a bigger city because not everyone
is friendly, you know. So I think that was the
advice that really stuck with me.
Speaker 1 (15:07):
Yeah, I get it. I have a big heart myself.
I mean, I'm a tough guy, but I got big
I'm a big softie. It's one of those things where people,
I love people. That's why did this job. I loved
going doing this for twenty years. I love doing this,
but also people can disappoint you at the same time.
So it's it's that pushing that mixture of stuff so right,
it's like you got to protect yourself on some level too,
(15:28):
that not everybody's friendly and everybody's nice, and everybody's gonna
treat you well, that everybody's looking out for you.
Speaker 2 (15:34):
You know that kind of thing.
Speaker 1 (15:35):
And I saying it's a negative thing, it's most positive
thing to just be careful, be careful who you.
Speaker 3 (15:41):
Hang with, exactly, exactly.
Speaker 1 (15:45):
Well, Boston, Well, the East Coast is very different than
the West Coast, as we do, we will even know too,
so attitude, style, all that stuff. What is one thing
about the East coasts that you actually miss? You know?
Speaker 3 (15:59):
I I love the seasons, the changing of the seasons obviously,
I mean being on in Massachusetts, I mean you get
the foliage, so there's something about the changing of the
seasons that you know. I grew up not just with magic,
but I was doing martial arts too, another thing that
I loved, and I trained with the shellon monks, and
there was a time where I was really interested in
I mean I still is today where I'm very interested
(16:21):
in the philosophy and the chigung and the meditation. And
I think when the seasons change, there is that and
in shall and kung fu too, they practice different either
it's more meditative in the winter and it's more aggressive,
you know, style of physical fitness during the summer. But
your mind it changes as the seasons change in your
(16:43):
body and your mind and your soul in a way
change with the seasons if you're connected with them. And
so that's one thing that I miss, is feeling that
connection to almost like the natural world when you're seeing
that winter come and then fall in spring and summer,
and you know, you get all that, not just the beauty,
but the feeling of all that I I really miss.
You know. When I came to the West Coast, it
(17:05):
was just kind of a different mentality, you know. I
mean over there anyway, everybody's very straight to the point blunt,
you know, I mean from Boston, you know, and here
was kind of like you just kind of there was
like this, you know, and so you got to kind
of get used to that. And then the pacing too.
I had always been a very fast paced type of person,
and you know, the pacing just a little bit more
(17:26):
mellow here. So there's a lot of things I do
adjust to. But now I could say that honestly, I
like the West Coast for the fact that I can
travel to the mountains, I can travel to the snow
when I want it, you know, up to the Sierras,
and I can travel to the desert. I can rock
climb there. So there's a lot more adventure. But I
feel like it feels more like home. When I go
(17:49):
back to the East Coast.
Speaker 2 (17:51):
I have to ask you, who water is that plant behind.
Speaker 1 (17:53):
You when you're gone, Oh, this thing, yo, this thing,
this thing, Yes, that living creature behind you, Yes, that.
Speaker 3 (18:04):
Would definitely be my girlfriend. I here, I am talking
about how to be very you know, yes, and you're
like this plant backs like yeah, what about me?
Speaker 2 (18:20):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (18:20):
Hello, I'm like we like I like, I'm a plant person.
I had I had to ask to sit right behind him,
like like, I know you travel a lot for I'm like, so, who.
Speaker 2 (18:28):
Just cared the plant?
Speaker 3 (18:30):
Yes? Yes, but you got me. You brought the plant
into this. You got his side of the story.
Speaker 2 (18:37):
Look out for the plants, look out for the plane.
I love it. I see your rock climbing somewhere over
there too. I say that, I say, very good.
Speaker 1 (18:46):
So here's a question I would ask because I had
a job once where I travel a lot, and you
don't and people who don't do that don't really.
Speaker 2 (18:53):
I mean, traveling once a year on a trip is
one thing. Twice a year on a trip is one thing.
Speaker 1 (19:00):
Traveling back home is one thing. But you travel for
work a lot can be a lot. So do you
like to travel on your own now? Has it changed
the perspective on are you just like I already traveled
half this year for work. I just I don't want
to go that far my trips to be closer all.
I mean, how has that affected your travel life in
(19:22):
real life?
Speaker 3 (19:23):
You know? I often say even to my friends and
then they kind of like wrinkle their fits and they
kind of I think they're they get a little like
are you kidding me when they when I say this,
But I'm like, I need a vacation.
Speaker 2 (19:39):
I know.
Speaker 1 (19:39):
That is it's weird for people to say, you're like
you were just in Peru like I was working in Peru,
like you were working right.
Speaker 3 (19:46):
Yeah, yeah, because you know, like you go and everything's
very stressful. I mean, you see the end result in
it looks like you know, everything's you know, great, but
I mean the scenes it's pretty stressful. I mean a
lot of the producers that I work with often say,
you know, this show would actually be a lot more
interesting if we just put the behind the scenes on
because there's so much drama that's happening behind the camera,
(20:09):
you know, and everything that's going wrong, and so you know,
like a lot of these travels are work related and
there's always a camera involved. So you know, I've always
said that I really want to try to get more
in the moment of being there and just remembering when
I was in my teens a kid and doing martial
arts and sitting there and meditating and being outside and experiencing,
(20:29):
you know, nature and just feeling that moment and taking
a time out and turning the brain off. I always say,
I want to get to do that more. But it's like,
when I'm out there, there's always a camera involved, there's
always a team, there's always people, there's always deadline, there's
a schedule. And so I get home and I end
up looking at the photos or the video and I'm like, oh,
I was doing that, and it's like it's like I'm
(20:51):
watching someone else on camera, and I'm like, wow, it
was really beautiful. That was a great experience. I have
no recollection of it in the moment at all.
Speaker 2 (20:59):
You know, it's hard to know when you're working.
Speaker 1 (21:02):
I'm telling people, I used to travel at one point
every other week I was going somewhere pretty I had
to put on these conferences, and so we try to
go see the cities. But a lot of times we
were so busy. We see the city when we're running
errands for that event. So I wasn't like, really, so, y'all,
here here's Connecticut.
Speaker 2 (21:19):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (21:19):
I wasn't really taking it in. You're right, you're not
taking it in. You want to, but just you got it.
You got the there's money online things going on, Yeah,
exactly right, but not also your producer to your your
production company Twelve Plant Productions, and you're also an actors.
So so because you have your own kind of production
(21:39):
company that you must also understand any projects that you
join in on, right.
Speaker 3 (21:46):
Yeah, And it's it's it's oftentimes like I'm always complaining
to myself. Really, you know, you can't really plain to
anyone else. It's really it's it's trying to manage time.
But it's like, you know, when you're producing something, and
especially if it's producing something where I'm also actively involved
in front of the camera, or even just if I'm
producing it, then I have to go on the trip.
(22:08):
A lot of these things are physically demanding, so you know,
producing takes a lot of time where you're not really
you know, training, So there's like you've got to build
time in to do the training. For instance, for Bolivia
that we're going to film, it's we're climbing a six
thousand meter peak and now you know that requires a
lot of running, going to elevation, cardio training, working the legs,
(22:28):
the body, making sure you're ready to do that. But
at the same time, then it's like, oh, I'm about
to go training all then I've got a phone call.
I can't go now, Oh I've got these emails. Why
won't the emails stop?
Speaker 2 (22:39):
Why won't the phone they they never stop?
Speaker 3 (22:42):
No, no, so and then you realize like a half hour,
an hour's gone by, and you're like, I don't even
know where the time went at this point, I'm training
at three in the morning now.
Speaker 1 (22:52):
Sadly, but you just again you read my mind to
ask you about the training part. How you do they
You just basically had to answer my question, Oh right,
he's trained, guys, he's my mind on what's going on.
I was asking that next and you just did it
for me easily.
Speaker 3 (23:05):
I'm already on you.
Speaker 2 (23:06):
No, No, that's true now and times my fast.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
I mean, I'm to folks understand, because I produce emails
come forever. There's some phone calls take forever, and we
just it's just and next thing, you know, it's ten
o'clock at night.
Speaker 2 (23:18):
You're like, I been up since six and it's ten
o'clock at night. Where did it all go?
Speaker 1 (23:23):
I mean, it's just it looks clamorous, so it is
out there, but by the scenes, a lot of stuff
going on.
Speaker 3 (23:28):
Yeah, yeah, And then you know, then you especially if
you're doing all this adventure stuff, then it's like, Okay,
now I have to I've got three weeks left, two
weeks left. I have to really focus on this. I've
got to turn the phone off. I've got to turn
the emails off, you know, because a lot of it
really is it's you want to get the project done,
but some of it's dangerous and you're putting your life
on the line in some of this stuff, uh me
(23:51):
in particular, and so it's like, okay, I gotta be
safe as well.
Speaker 2 (23:54):
So you have Do you have somebody you have you have?
Speaker 1 (23:56):
Do you have a stunt person on the show that
follows you to you or no? No, no.
Speaker 3 (24:03):
All the stuff I do and and so you know,
the climbing, the whitewater, kayaking.
Speaker 2 (24:10):
Okay yourself, like folks, it's all.
Speaker 3 (24:17):
So yeah that uh and you know it's just but
a lot of other the crew members too, It's like
they have to be up the car. I had my
co host James Houston in the PREW episode. He's he
comes in and out of some episodes, but he got
stuck in a hydraulic in one in the PREW episode,
we had a raft flip and we're washing down a
(24:39):
Class four rapid and you know there's some hazards and
some consequences there, and he actually got pulled way underneath
the river and was just the hydraulic was spinning him around.
He was pushed on the riverbed and he couldn't get out. Luckily,
he had the training and wherewithal to know how to
just remain calm and then eventually the hydraulics spit him out.
But he said, you know, after that, he's like I
(25:02):
really thought that was the end for me, Like I
didn't think I was coming back from that. And so
you know we've had things like that happen. It's just
it's well then again, you know, those are the stories
that are behind the scenes really.
Speaker 1 (25:14):
But it gives people have a home and chance to
understand that you know, you're pursuing, this is your passion
and something you're doing and you know, and it's life.
I mean, there, you can go across the street get
my car. I mean, I mean say, this is life.
So you can't be fearful. You will be cautious and careful,
but things in place, but life is life. Sometimes stuff
comes across. I mean I've had lights fall beyond sets,
(25:37):
you know, miss me narrowly.
Speaker 2 (25:38):
You know, I've had chairs.
Speaker 1 (25:39):
But like anything can I mean, anything happens in this
business when you're trying to put together a product and.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
You can't be you can't have you have to kind
of be fearless, just like just do it.
Speaker 3 (25:51):
You know, that's right, that's right exactly.
Speaker 1 (25:53):
So you performed the Magic Castle, the famous Yes, so
for me, I'm there and everything.
Speaker 2 (26:00):
I know. How was it for you to perform there?
Speaker 3 (26:04):
It was great? You know, I think the last performance
I performed there probably about six years ago. But it
ended it ended up being for some reason. I don't
know why why people like to do this, but they
like to just give me too many drinks and so
it ends up being me. And apparently I get better
(26:25):
at magic the more I drink, So it was maybe
that's why they did it. Maybe they're like, oh, he's good,
but he could be great here. But that that that's
the what I really remember about format the Magic Castle.
There's just a lot of Chardonnay involved and and it
(26:48):
was great. It was a great experience. You know, I've
formed there a number of times, and you know, I
love the experience of doing it there. But yeah, I
just remember having a really good time in the in
the alcohol sense, and then the magic.
Speaker 2 (27:01):
Just happens load out of you.
Speaker 1 (27:03):
You know, folks, maybe all match caps with Legend place
and in Hollywood, I know many magicians you per form there.
I have a lifetime membership there, so I've been. I've
been going south wells a kid, you like go on
certain holidays and holliday brunches like Eastern stuff, we can go.
Speaker 2 (27:18):
But as the adults, I've been many times. And so
if you ever go to La Folks, you should go.
Speaker 1 (27:22):
It's right if you like magic, it's kind of it's
fun funnel evening, good food, fun evening.
Speaker 2 (27:27):
Check it out. Check it out.
Speaker 1 (27:30):
So I guess as you wrap this up, I guess
I can talk to you for you're you're you're a
great guy, can touch you whoever, Uh, you have to
come back on your next season, you can get come
back back, come back one.
Speaker 3 (27:39):
I'll be Yeah, I'm having a good time.
Speaker 1 (27:43):
Because you do so many different things and I'm the
same way. Of course, are you an organized person? Are
you a person who just kind of you kind of
can you can kind of you have your like you said,
days go fast, times, days go on, but you are
kind of hitting your different marks right in your life,
and that because of organization.
Speaker 3 (28:02):
Yeah, I well, I think my organization is kind of
this perfect storm of organization. It works for me. But
if someone were to look at me or come into
my house and look at it, they'd be like, this
guy is like the maniac, you know, because things I
have things a certain way that I know work for me.
I have schedules that that I developed that work for me,
(28:25):
and obviously I have a master plan, you know, I
want to hit these these goals that I have, and
so I have that through that kind of like backbone
of what I want, and then the organization kind of happens.
It's I have tons of notebooks written down things my
my iPhones. I have this notepad that I just write
everything in the notepad. And you know, my girlfriend even said,
(28:47):
she's like, why don't you use the the actual calendar
in there. I'm like, no, no, it will fill it
all up. I need the notepad because the notepad like that,
there's not enough space in that's that calendar. Yeah, And
so I'm like, I just put it in notes and
it works for me. So it's it's a weird, disorganized,
organized way of doing things that works for me.
Speaker 1 (29:10):
I'm very similar the notes after my iPhone. Yeah, but
a savior for me. Yes, and and like you, but
I got pads, I got notebooks, I got I got scenaryowhere.
Speaker 2 (29:20):
I'm always writing stuff down.
Speaker 3 (29:22):
Yeah, I like to.
Speaker 1 (29:23):
I like to write it down. I might say, right,
meaning type or right, I have to, I have to
see it. I'm gonna I'm a visual kind of guy,
write down. My brain got ten thousand things going on
and I can't just remember it all the time.
Speaker 3 (29:35):
Yeah, there's there's moments where I just say, you know,
I wish I would just not do the producing things
and I just shut up and someone tell me what
to do. Just tell me what to do, you know,
and I'll just I'll just do it, you know, Just
what do you need me to do? You know? But
I guess that's where the acting side comes into play.
But but even then, I'm just so, you know, I
(29:57):
like to be immersive and and really into whatever I do.
So even when it comes to that, it's like, oh,
but I really want something that I can that I
can really develop and create, and you know, it's not
just oh say this, do this and do that. It's like, well,
but you know, there's a side to this that you know.
So maybe it's the artist's mind. So that was me too.
Speaker 2 (30:16):
That was me too.
Speaker 1 (30:17):
I started out as an actor and I was like,
this is not enough. I want to I want to
get I want to be in charge some stuff. That's
the same way.
Speaker 3 (30:24):
But I think it's important, especially being an actor, if
you know all the different aspects of the film industry,
I think it's really an important thing to to have
that skill really well.
Speaker 1 (30:34):
Also makes you ahead of the game because it used
to be just no one thing and that's in everybody.
Not anymore that you know. This is not a no,
no no, not any way. I tell everybody who's doing
the business, no, multiple things. And actually, if you can produce,
if you can produce and write and act or direct
or host whatever it is. But if you if you're
(30:56):
a package, that's easier to time. People look at you
and go Hi. I can hire Rich because I know
he can do all these different things and then have
to worry so trying to find well can I get
friends when he does? This might just not like, no,
we got him. He can do so, I think to me,
I think you're smart in the way and business wise.
This is a business folks. It's very smarter you. I
(31:18):
think nowadays are saying long if you know, if you
always say back when I was in corporate world, you
know cross training, like well, if you know all the departments,
you're the most you're.
Speaker 2 (31:28):
The most valuable.
Speaker 1 (31:30):
Yeah yeah, yeah, I think yeah. So No, you're good,
you're good. Rich, Thanks for being on the show. I said,
you're walking back. Any types come back. I don't come
back from Bolivia. I want to hear those I want
to hear those adventures. I've heard about Bolivia's I've never been.
I've heard about I don't know, So I'm very curious
what your experience is going to be.
Speaker 3 (31:48):
Oh, well, you know anytime. I'm sure it's going to
be a blast, and it's I just hope I'm ready
for us. It's high altitude up there, so you know, because.
Speaker 1 (31:57):
It's it's higher than what's higher than I know it's
higher than Colorado, but is it higher than Peru?
Speaker 3 (32:03):
Well, the pause, I believe is starts at twelve thousand feet,
so and then you know, then you're going even higher
up from there for the ascent of the mountain. But
even there, you know, you can get altitude sickness if
you're not ready and you're not preparing for it. And
you know, we have such a short window to do
our ascent of the mountain there, which is just wild.
Speaker 1 (32:27):
Okay, wait, wait a minute, I have to ask folks,
have to ask us real quick. So how do you
prepare for that? For the high altitude stuff? How do
you prepare that?
Speaker 3 (32:35):
Really?
Speaker 2 (32:36):
Is?
Speaker 3 (32:37):
I mean coming from sea level, you always want to
try to get to some kind of higher elevation and
train at the higher elevation, so you can build up
that tolerance even if you stay there for you know,
a couple of weeks, even before you go on your
or a week you know before you go on your trip.
But you know, you can also take in a lot
of iron. I've heard that, you know, taking a lot
of iron helps too. Staying hydrated. You always want to
(32:57):
stay hydrated. I don't drink enough water, and so I'm
always like, believe or not, I'm always the one that's cramping,
like I'll get like a dead leg and I'm like,
oh my god, I need to drink water.
Speaker 2 (33:07):
And water is good. Water is good. Water, Water is good.
Water's good.
Speaker 3 (33:13):
Drinking water. Drinking water is important. And the cardio working
your legs is really important, especially for for doing that,
but just running, walking, walking, even you know, walking a mile,
just every day, just building up your lungs, being prepared
for it. If you're at sea level, just trying to
get a little higher to get acclimatized.
Speaker 1 (33:32):
Okay, so I don't won if I I don't wonder
if I went to Denver a little much sometimes at
first like okay, it's interesting, but I've never been I've
never been higher than that, so I can't.
Speaker 2 (33:42):
I can't.
Speaker 1 (33:43):
I had friends with the career and they're like Machi Pizos.
I goes just walking like it's just bree Tye and
I do. I understand.
Speaker 2 (33:49):
I'm sure, but you're doing other stuff, not just walking.
Speaker 1 (33:53):
You all kind of stuff. But you'll be fine, Grease, great, fine,
pretty good. Tell folk so they want to watch this
series where they can find it. And also if they
want to follow you, I'm following you now on Instagram
and stuff. If they want to follow you, so you'll
see my name in there. Uh, where can they follow you?
Speaker 3 (34:11):
So? Uh? If you want to follow me for all
my adventures, everything I'm doing Instagram is rich C manly
R I C HC. And then m A N L
E Y. And then anything the revolving around culture Shock
will be www dot Cultureshockmagic dot com, everything else. Then
I'm doing all the expeditions or adventure anything on me
(34:32):
will be expedition rich dot com. And that's it.
Speaker 2 (34:35):
I'll put those all in the in the in the descriptions.
Speaker 3 (34:38):
Awesome.
Speaker 1 (34:39):
I want to thank rich Manna for being on the show.
This is extra connections. We're on Facebook. I am everywhere
everywhere take Talker I everywhere, James auging here everywhere, follow me,
follow follow me, follow him, follow us, uh and make connections.
That's all point is. This show is about making connections.
It makes the world go around. And they're saying, actually,
it makes your life and your health for better. But
(35:01):
you make connections. We'll see you next time.
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