Rick Kaempfer and David Stern (Chicago publishers at Eckhartz Press) interview celebrities every week. As the name “Minutia Men” implies, the interviews often delve into lesser-known details of well-known celebrities, or examinations into celebrities that aren’t as well known. Fun, compelling, and memorable.
Movie expert and author Eric Litt discusses his new book about underappreciated movies, Worth A Second Look. [Ep165]
Beard Award winner and Food Network star Alton Brown talks about his career and his upcoming new book and tour. [Ep164]
NYT bestselling author and two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist who has written over 30 books on U.S. history discusses the current political times. [Ep163]
Two young lads who perform in a Beatles tribute band that plays every week at the famous Cavern Club in Liverpool, Joe Patrick & Max Robinson (Paul & George) join Rick and Dave to talk about Beatles lore. [Ep162]
The main songwriter and guitarist from The Vaughn Building, Michael McInerney, joins Rick and Dave to talk rock and roll. [Ep161]
Creek is the star of Fat Guys in the Woods and has written over 40 books about wilderness survival. The ultimate outdoorsman talks to the ultimate indoorsmen. [Ep160]
Chris Slade has played drums with Tom Jones, Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, Uriah Heep, AC/DC, the Firm and currently leads the Chris Slade Timeline. Rick and Dave talk to him about his rock and roll life. [Ep159]
The teen heart-throb actor/musician joins Rick and Dave for a fun chat about his acting and songwriting career. [Ep158]
Back for a third time with Minutia Men, Anthony has thoughts on the upcoming election, his former boss, and what the future might bring. [Ep157]
Lindsay is the executive director for Downstage Arts, an organization for young performers starting their artistic journeys, and served as a vocal coach for “The Voice” [Ep156]
The winner of this year’s Newberry Library Book of the Year, the distinguished (and funny) author of “Chicago Skyscrapers 1934-1986: How Technology, Politics, Finance, and Race Reshaped the City.” [Ep155]
Al has a new book out called “Chicago Cubs Firsts: The Players, Moments, and Records that were First in Team History” and talks to Rick and Dave about those firsts. [Ep154]
Ken has visited over 2300 ballparks and taken pictures of them, and he also has a new book out called “Last Comiskey”. Rick and Dave and Ken nerd out. [Ep153]
The star of the Mel Brooks classic “Robin Hood: Men in Tights” and the Disney channel mega-hit “Good Luck Charlie” join Rick and Dave. [Ep152]
1970s teen heart-throb Tony DeFranco (“Heartbeat is a Lovebeat”) talks to Rick and Dave on the eve of his hit song’s 50th anniversary. [Ep151]
The man who warned the Woodstock crowd about the brown acid, the godfather of rock and roll lighting, Chip Monck joins Rick and Dave to talk about Woodstock, Altamount, Jim Morrison, and George Harrison. [Ep150]
Movie critic/author Eric Litt joins Rick & Dave to discuss this year’s Oscar nominations and predict the winners. [Ep149]
Nina is starring in a new film (“Cold Meat”), but she has hundreds of credits to her name. The Danish born star is also a singer/songwriter and a model. Rick and Dave discuss it all with her. [Ep148]
The most famous local Chicago TV personality, retiring Channel 9 meteorologist Tom Skilling, talks about his storied career and his favorite subject, the weather. [Ep147]
Ken Bone became famous during the 2016 election for asking a question at a town hall debate. Rick and Dave catch up with the red-sweater wearing Ken Bone. [Ep146]
Max Joseph is one of the creators of MTV’s “Catfish”, the director of the HBO doc “15 Minutes of Shame” (with Monica Lewinsky), and the feature film “We Are Your Friends” (starring Zach Effron). [Ep145]
Meg wrote the heartwarming book “While You Are Out: An Intimate Family Portrait of Mental Illness in an Era of Silence.” The book and the author (and in this interview, Rick and Dave) handle the subject with humor and grace. [Ep144]
The host of Brave Wilderness has more than 20 million subscribers on YouTube and shares his adventures with like-minded outdoorsmen Rick and Dave. [Ep143]
A college buddy of Chris Farley, who became an infamous SNL character. The real Matt Foley is a Catholic priest. Rick and Dave chat with him about his famous pal and the notoriety that came with it. [Ep142]
Most people know about Jobs and Wozniak, but Ronald Wayne was there at the beginning of Apple, too. He talks about that and his new book with Rick and Dave. [Ep141]
Scott May has a long history in comedy (The Funny Firm, Caroline’s Comedy Hour), radio and television (Kevin Matthews show, Mort Downey Jr.), and is the organist for the Ides of March, but he also has a new solo album. Rick and Dave discuss it all with Scott. [Ep140]
The Sultan of Slowjamistan is the head of a self-described country in Southern California. He's also a nationally syndicated disc jockey. Rick and Dave get to the bottom of this story. [Ep139]
He's been praised as a great guitarist by the likes of Jeff Beck, Johnny Winter, and ZZ Top, and he has a new album out now called "Trouble is Good": Lance Lopez. [Ep138]
Jim's health scare, their upcoming shows, and a few crazy shows from their old touring days. Rick and Dave talk to Jim Peterik and Larry Millas from the Ides of March. [Ep137]
Ross has developed a brand all his own, described as "Comedy For The Rest Of Us" which resonates with everyday working-class Americans who prefer clean humor. [Ep136]
David Letterman, Frank Sinatra, Tim Reid, John Records Landecker, and Harry Lee "Peanuts" Lowrey are some of the people who Tom Dreesen tells stories about to Rick and Dave. [Ep135]
Bobby Holland Hanton has been Chris Hemsworth’s stunt double for over a decade. Bobby has performed in such blockbuster action films as “Avengers: Endgame” and "Avengers Infinity War part 1 and part 2", "Thor Ragnarok," “Thor: Love and Thunder,” "Mission Impossible 6," "Wonder Woman," "Solo: A Star Wars Story," "Stars Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens," "Skyfall," "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Spectre," "Thor," hit tv show "Game of Thrones," "Batman: The Dark Knight Rises," "Quantum of Solace," "Harry Potter," "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Captain America" and the Oscar-winning "Inception," to name but a few. [Ep134]
She played Erica Goldberg on "The Goldbergs" for ten seasons, but Hayley Orrantia is also a singer/songwriter. Rick and Dave discuss both topics with her. [Ep133]
Alex Kapp ("Seinfeld," "Friends," "The New Adventures of Old Christine," and more.) She also narrowly escaped the Preppie Murderer in New York. She currently works as a divorce coach. A wide-ranging and interesting conversation with Rick and Dave. [Ep132]
Alex Kapp ("Seinfeld," "Friends," "The New Adventures of Old Christine," and more.) She also narrowly escaped the Preppie Murderer in New York. She currently works as a divorce coach. A wide-ranging and interesting conversation with Rick and Dave. [Ep132]
Shatner's Hairpiece is the moniker of the viral guitarist who has taken YouTube and the streets of Vancouver by storm. His real name is Robin Spanell, and he tells the tricks of the trade to Rick and Dave. [Ep130]
Savoy Brown’s leader Kim Simmonds passed away recently, but not before creating another new album. Rick and Dave discuss his legacy and new album with the band’s drummer Garnet Grimm. [Ep129]
The current Mrs. America is Nicole La Ha Zwiercan, and she hails from Illinois. Rick and Dave talked to her about her role, her secret pageant tricks, her passions, and how she got involved in politics. [Ep128]
In “Hustling Hitler” Shapiro tells the tale of his truly memorable great uncle Freeman Bernstein, who among other things, conned Adolf Hitler and the Nazis out of millions of dollars. Walter tells Rick and Dave all about it. [Ep127]
Eric Nelsen chats with Rick and Dave about the Dutton family shows and an impressive award-winning career. [Ep126]
John Lennon’s companion during his infamous “Lost Weekend” in the mid-70s was May Pang, and she talks all about her relationship plus the film it inspired: “The Lost Weekend: A Love Story” coming soon to a theater near you. [Ep125]
Jeff is simply the greatest keytar player in the world. The man who inspired millions of views on YouTube chats with Rick and Dave about the keytar, the music that inspires him, and Dave & Jeff swap Stevie Wonder stories. [Ep124]
Grammy award winner Kurt Elling has a new EP out and Rick and Dave talk to him about it. They also chat about coffee, pinball, kids, and Eddie Money.. [Ep123]
Author of “Oscar’s Biggest Mistakes” Eric Litt and his predictions for the Academy Awards with Rick and Dave. [Ep122]
Who is Ismo Leikola? The world’s funniest Finn, that’s who. The comedian was named the funniest man in the world, and Rick and Dave chat with him about his comedic takes on America and the English language [Ep121]
Sainty is starring in the #1 animated series on Netflix, but she’s also an Emmy-winning producer and married to “1883” star Erik Nelsen. [Ep120]
The man behind the 50-million-view viral video, mad drummer Steve Moore joins Rick and Dave to discuss his “Keith Moon on Speed” drumming techniques. [Ep119]
Louanne Stephens has been part of two long-running shows, Friday Night Lights (as Grandma Seracin) and Longmire (as Ruby). She talks about both of those shows with Rick and Dave, plus she mentions her surprise choice for favorite sport. [Ep118]
The wrestling icon stops by to chat about his wrestling career, his struggle with sobriety, his burgeoning movie career, and his well-earned fear of snakes. [Ep117]
Lou Macaluso has written a biography of LaMarr Thomas, a former football star turned activist. Celebrity appearances galore in this book. The story of a truly impressive man. [Ep116]
Molly Hagan has appeared in classic shows like Seinfeld, The Golden Girls, Friends, Herman’s Head, and more! She’s currently starring in Walker on The CW. Listen as she chats with fellow midwesterners Rick and Dave about her impressive career. [Ep114]
“Talkin’ Bout My Generation” author Will Wagner talks to Rick and Dave about Pete Townshend, The Who, and Wagner’s great novel about the journey of Pete’s Woodstock special guitar. [Ep113]
The daughter of the great Boris Karloff discusses her father’s great career. She has some incredible stories to share with Rick and Dave. [Ep112]
Maitland Ward was a soap opera star (Bold & the Beautiful), a wholesome family sitcom star (Boy Meets World), and is now an adult film actress. Rick and Dave talk to Ward about that transition and the reasons for it. [Ep111]
The play-by-play man of the Chicago Bulls and the author of the new book "Always a Pleasure," Chuck Swirsky, chats with Rick and Dave about his long and interesting broadcasting career. [Ep110]
Actress Amy Shiels (Twin Peaks, Red Election, the Detour) talks about her acting career, her homeland (Ireland), and for some reason, Dave's video game prowess. [Ep109]
Fred Karger is the first openly LGBTQ presidential candidate (Republican/2012), and someone who has been dubbed the World's Greatest Party Crasher. Rick and Dave have an entertaining chat with him. [Ep108]
Dobie Maxwell has performed comedy in 49 states, and has some great road stories. He shares them with Rick and Dave. [Ep107]
Frank Jasper is a cult hero in the wrestling world. He played Shute in the film Vision Quest, and has some great stories for Rick and Dave. [Ep106]
The man who played the king of the nerds, Arvid Engen on Head of the Class, joins Rick and Dave to discuss his career. Fun tales about Howard Hesseman, Brad Pitt, Mike Tyson, and more. [Ep105]
The Punky QB talks to Rick and Dave about the perks of being an '85 Bear, plus some of his exploits on and off the field. Plus, as a special bonus, he describes the best concession stand in the NFL. [Ep104]
The author of legal thrillers like "Presumed Innocent" and "Burden of Proof", Scott Turow joins Rick and Dave to discuss his new book "Suspect" plus the joys/pitfalls of dealing with Hollywood, his rock band, the Cubs, and the current state of the rule of Law. [Ep103]
Duane has written two great books about his experience at the helm of a vintage store, Selling Dead People's Things and Vintage Confidential. He has some great stories and shares them with Rick and Dave. [Ep102]
Mike McMains does a few truly memorable walking tours of Chicago including an Ugly Buildings tour, and an Underground Chicago tour (with rats!). Rick and Dave chat about those tours and their hometown of Chicago. [Ep101]
The recently semi-retired rock and roll radio great Bob Stroud swaps memorable rock and roll stories with Rick and Dave. [Ep100]
Dr. David Fletcher co-wrote the book about baseball great Dick Allen and the memorable 1972 Chicago White Sox season. [Ep99]
Legendary Chicago radio and television sportscaster Rich King talks about his great new book "Ike and Me" and regales Rick and Dave with memorable stories about the likes of Michael Jordan and Walter Payton. [Ep98]
Felix Cavaliere, lead singer and keyboardist from The Rascals stops by to discuss his incredible career, with songs like "Good Lovin", "It's a Beautiful Morning", "Groovin", "People Got To Be Free" and more. [Ep97]
The son of the rock and roll legend Jim Peterik, is a musical force in his own right. Rick and Dave talk to Colin Peterik about growing up with a rockstar as a dad, plus a song from his album Everything and Nothing. [Ep96]
SPECIAL OSCAR EDITION: Oscar's Biggest Mistakes and a preview to this year's Academy Awards. Rick and Dave chat with author Eric Litt. [Ep95]
SPECIAL OSCAR EDITION: Oscar’s Biggest Mistakes and a preview to this year’s Academy Awards. Rick and Dave chat with author Eric Litt. [Ep95]
His TikTok videos about Chicago history are a phenomenon (@6figga-dilla), and Rick and Dave discuss his upcoming streaming deal, and some of the unique and crazy stories about Chicago history that have brought him attention. [Ep94]
His TikTok videos about Chicago history are a phenomenon (@6figga-dilla), and Rick and Dave discuss his upcoming streaming deal, and some of the unique and crazy stories about Chicago history that have brought him attention. [Ep94]
The stand-up comedian, actor, writer, producer, and mental health advocate talks to Rick and Dave about some of her unusual comedy gigs. [Ep93]
The keyboardist tells us his Mt. Rushmore of the keyboards, the challenge of opening for bands like Kiss and Quiet Riot, and his thoughts on The Beatles' "Get Back" special. [Ep92]
Randy Merkin the author of "Behind the Glass" discusses his book and the method behind his booking of every major sports celebrity in America. [Ep91]
Nick Digilio is a 35-year veteran of WGN radio in Chicago, and will soon be joining the Radio Misfits Podcast network. They discuss the state of radio, movies they love and hate, and what Nick has been up to the last year and a half. [Ep90]
The man behind the website Rent-A-Hitman shares stories of the real-life adventures he's encountered while running a clearly not-for-real website. [Ep89]
The filmmaker behind "Meeting the Beatles in India" joins Rick and Dave to discuss his time hanging out with all four Beatles in India. [Ep88]
The former Frasier star (Bulldog) is currently in Chicago for the play When Harry Met Rehab, and he sits down to discuss the play and his acting career. [Ep87]
Award-winning columnist and author of Grammar Moses, Jim Baumann, joins Rick and Dave to discuss the sexiest of all topics...grammar. [Ep86]
The co-writer of a brand new play When Harry Met Rehab, Harry Teinowitz, talks to Rick and Dave about his play, and his notorious history. [Ep85]
With the Chicago White Sox returning to the playoffs, the man who played Shoeless Joe Jackson in the classic film "Eight Men Out", actor D. B. Sweeney chats with Rick and Dave. [Ep84]
The songwriters of the big hit songs from the film Dirty Dancing, Franke Previte, John Denicola, and Stacy Widelitz chat with Rick and Dave about their timeless songs. [Ep83]
Maria Breese (Shameless) chats about her acting roles and the impressive output of her production company. That and more with Rick and Dave in this episode of Minutia Men Celebrity Interview. [Ep82]
Gregg Garfield is considered California's Patient Zero, and was given a less than 1% chance to survive. He tells Rick and Dave his harrowing story. [Ep81]
The co-host of Men in Blazers Roger Bennett is now also a New York Times #1 Best Seller and chats with Rick and Dave about his book "(Re)Born in the USA" [Ep80]
Bill Schnee has produced or engineered over 125 gold records, and 50 top 20 hits with artists like Stealy Dan, Carly Simon, Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, and all four Beatles. Rick and Dave chat with him about all those artists and more. [Ep79]
Grammy-winning Chicagoan Kurt Elling talks about his music, his brush with President Obama, the proper way to stand at a bar, and much more with Rick and Dave. [Ep78]
One of the most famous voice-over artists in the world, the Mind the Gap lady, Emma Clarke, chats with Rick and Dave. [Ep77]
Actor Dave Vescio chat with Rick and Dave about his movies, his artwork, and his years serving time in prison. [Ep76]
Antony Penrose is not just a great photographer and author. He has one of the most amazing backstories in history. Antony bit Pablo Picasso when he was a boy, and Picasso bit him back. Antony's mother bathed in Hitler's bathtub the day Adolf killed himself. Those stories and more are told to Rick and Dave in this week's interview. [Ep75]
The founder of ThinkProgress and editor-in-chief of Popular Information, journalist/lawyer Judd Legum chats with Rick and Dave. [Ep74]
Amazon hit series "Them" and the Apple hit series "Mosquito Coast", Gene Silvers. He's also a magician to the stars, including Gwenyth Paltrow, Robert Deniro, and Julia Roberts. [Ep73]
Hunky actor Jonathan Stoddard has ten movies coming out this year, and one fun discussion with Rick and Dave! [Ep72]
The $250,000 comic book sale told by the foremost expert in comic books, Gary "Moondog" Colabuono. He chats with Rick and Dave! [Ep71]
The bad boy of Chicago television sports broadcasting, Mark Giangreco. He chats with Rick and Dave! [Ep70]
Richard Epcar does voices for many animations, video games, and anime characters. He chats with Rick and Dave! [Ep69]
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Alan White–the drummer from Yes, chat with Rick and Dave! [Ep68]
Kevin Matthews, Chicago Radio Loop Alumni, and author of Broken Mary, A Journey of Hope, chat with Rick and Dave! [Ep67]
Award-winning journalist and beer drinker, Shamus Toomey (Co-founder and editor-in-chief of Block Club Chicago) chat with Rick and Dave! [Ep66]
Joe Duca, the director behind the critical smash "Evergreen" chats about his brand new movie opening, "Her Name Was Jo" with Rick and Dave! [Ep65]
Rick and Dave chat with the author of the New York Times bestseller "The Lie: A Memoir of Two Marriages, Catfishing & Coming Out" [Ep62]
Rick and Dave chat with Moody Blues keyboardist Alan Hewitt about his impressive music career which spans the spectrum from Earth Wind & Fire, to Warrant, to his new project Alan Hewitt & One Nation. [Ep60]
Rick and Dave chat with Chicago-based actor Adam Bitterman, who has appeared in dozens of films and TV shows, but most importantly, also went to Hebrew School with Dave. [EP59]
Rick chats with the lead singer of the Tubes ("Talk to You Later", "She's a Beauty" and more) Fee Waybill about his crazy rock and roll touring days, and his brand new solo album, Fee Waybill Rides Again. [Ep58]
Rick and Dave chat about the huge cyber stories in the news with someone who actually understands them, cyber-expert Myke Cole. [Ep57]
Rick and Dave chat with the lead singer of Loverboy ("Working for the Weekend", "Turn Me Loose"), Mike Reno. [Ep56]
Rick and Dave chat with former Chicago television sports reporter and White Sox announcer Rich King. [Ep55]
Rick and Dave chat with one of the stars of the hit show Breaking Bad, Carmen Serano. [Ep54]
Rick and Dave chat with the Pulitzer Prize winner for the 1970 Kent State photograph, John Paul Filo. [Ep53]
Rick and Dave chat with the author of the popular new book about signature shoes (sneakers, tennis shoes, gym shoes), Mr. Shoe himself, Ryan Trembath. [Ep52]
Rick and Dave's years of experience help the very attractive former model, actor Erik Fellows, deal with the pitfalls of being so good looking. [Ep51]
Just in time for Hanukkah, Rick and Dave chat with Fiddler on the Roof star Paul Michael Glaser. [Ep49]
Rick and Dave chat with the famed photographer to the stars (David Bowie, Lou Reed, Freddie Mercury), Mick Rock [Ep47]
Rick and Dave chat with the man who wrote (and lived) the NY Times bestseller Midnight Express, Billy Hayes. [Ep46]
Rick and Dave chat with TV/Movie actor Mark Pellegrino ("Lost", "Capote", "Supernatural"), and attorney Andrew Rossow about the important subject of social media bullying. [Ep45]
Rick and Dave chat with parenting humorist/author (Xploding Unicorn, Bare Minimum Parenting, Prance Like No-One's Watching) James Breakwell. [Ep44]
Rick and Dave interview Svengoolie’s alter ego, Rich Koz just in time for Halloween. [Ep43]
Rick and Dave chat with famed astronomer/skeptic/debunker Dr. Phil Plait about conspiracy theories to disregard. [Ep42]
Rick and Dave chat with the cantankerous politically incorrect comic Larry Reeb. [Ep41]
Rick and Dave chat with the filmmaker who brought you "Heavy Metal Parking Lot", "Ernest Borgnine on the Bus" and "Hitler's Hat" among others, Jeff Krulik. [Ep40]
Rick and Dave chat with marijuana-themed, (Cheech & Chong fame), comedy icon Tommy Chong. [Ep39]
Rick and Dave match the mood of the indoor-game-playing nation and chat about the Scrabble subculture with the filmmaker of the documentary Scrablyon, Scott Petersen. [Ep38]
Rick and Dave interview Amy Landecker star of Transparent and her husband Bradley Whitford, star of The West Wing. [Ep37]
Rick and Dave chat with the co-author of a great memoir about growing up in the shadow of the Chicago mafia in the 1950s & 60s, Jeffrey Gentile ("Mob Adjacent") [Ep36]
Rick without Dave chats with the former founder, lead singer, and lead guitarist of the 1970s rock group Grand Funk Railroad, Mark Farner. [Ep35]
Rick and Dave chat with award-winning actress and movie mogul Summer Crockett Moore. [Ep34]
Rick and Dave chat with the women of a thousand voices, including Jimmy Neutron, the Aliens in Toy Story, and Speedy the Alka Selzer guy, Debi Derryberry. [Ep33]
Rick and Dave chat with actor/writer/podcaster Dave Koenig. He talks about his television work on shows like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. [Ep32]
Rick and Dave chat with famed lyricist Glenn Slater, who has earned a Grammy, and has been nominated for an Oscar, Tony and Emmy for his work with Alan Mencken and Andrew Lloyd Weber. [Ep30]
Rick and Dave chat with one of the best stuntwomen in Hollywood, Janene Carleton. She talks about being the stunt double for the likes of Jennifer Lawrence, Angelina Jolie, and Jessica Biel, and regales the lads with tales of danger and wonder. [Ep29]
Rick and Dave interview CBS Newsman Bill Kurtis about his journalism career, his days in Top-40 Radio, and of course, his role in the movie "Anchorman". [Ep28]
Rick and Dave welcome their network friends; Howard Sudberry & Steve Baskerville from the 'Back 2 You' podcast, as they discuss their long and distinguished careers. [Ep26]
Rick and Dave interview one of the stars of "The Sandlot", actor Shane Obedzinski. [Ep24]
Rick and Dave interview Poi Dog Pondering guitarist and co-host of the Steve Dahl show, Dag Juhlin. [Ep23]
Rick and Dave interview satirist, playwright, NPR host, comedian; Aaron Freeman. [Ep22]
Rick and Dave interview Chicago improv legend Dave Sinker, the owner of the Comedy Shrine. [Ep21]
Rick and Dave interview with Chicago Literary Hall of Fame Director/author Donald G. Evans. [Ep20]
Rick and Dave interview the EYE OF THE TIGER-KING Jim Peterik and shares his re-released of the Ides of March 1992 City of Chicago anthem “Spirit Of Chicago”. [Ep18]
Rick and Dave interview Transparent star Amy Landecker and her husband The West Wing star Bradley Whitford. [Ep17]
Rick and Dave interview the famous Dr. Ian Smith about medical issues that can help you through the CoronaVirus crisis. [Ep16]
Rick and Dave interview New York Times best-selling author (and humorist) James Finn Garner. [Ep14]
Rick and Dave interview Susan Bennett, the original voice of Siri on the iPhone. [Ep12]
Rick and Dave interview Robert Romanus, who played Mike Damone in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. [Ep11]
Rick and Dave interview former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci. [EP10]
Rick and Dave interview Zach Ward who played the bully Scut Farkus in A Christmas Story. [EP04]
Rick and Dave interview actor Dwier Brown, who played Ray's father in their favorite movie "Field of Dreams" [Ep01]